If you haven't already, you need to use this long, hot UAE summer to get into Podcasts. Gaining popularity in the last few years, podcasts have given rise to a new era of radio listening – I mean, listening to Despacito on loop can only be fun for so long.

Never again will your long commute to work or road trip be dull, thanks to our awesome list.

1. Criminal

Criminal is one of the truest crime podcasts you can listen to. It focuses on real criminals ranging from serial killers to someone committing petty theft. It looks at the criminal act from various different perspectives, giving an authentic picture to the listeners.

2. Serial and S Town

Arguably one of the most famous podcasts, Serial looks at a case involving Adnan Syed who has been in jail for most of his life on the charge of murdering his ex-girlfriend. The catch is that he says he is innocent. Episode by episode, facts are revealed, but in the end deciding if you think he did it or not is not easy.

I am personally still conflicted months after listening to it and doing my own research. Serial really started the podcast phenomenon and if there is one podcast from this list that you will listen to, please let it be this one.

And if you finish binging this in a day (which you totally can), start S Town, a podcast from the same creators about a man in rural Alabama, and how suddenly mysterious events shake up his entire town.

3. Anna Faris is Unqualified

Mom star, Anna Faris is known for her one of a kind humour. In this series, she invites her celebrity friends and chats with them about relationships and also questions them about everything and anything in the most natural, comical way that makes you feel like you are in the room with them.

4. Women of the Hour

Fans of Lena Dunham’s hit HBO show Girls will definitely enjoy her take on a variety of issues ranging from body image to career advice. She interviews super talented women and celebrates the greatness they embody. If you want to listen to an honest celebration of great women, definitely check this out.

5. Stuff You Should Know

You know that moment when you wonder how something silly as a paper clip came about? Well, this podcast is about all the things you have ever wondered about or things you should know about but don’t – explained in the simplest way. You will definitely feel enlightened after listening.

6. The Daily

Get your dose of current events by The New York Times, five days a week. Stay updated and make sure you are aware of what’s happening around you.

7. Planet Money

For the people who want to be more financial savvy. Planet Money explains the ins and outs of the current economy in a simple way that anyone will be able to understand.

8. Missing Richard Simmons

We all love a good mystery, and this podcast will definitely leave you wanting more. When celebrity fitness guru, Richard Simmons disappears into thin air, people are left shocked. This podcast follows filmmaker, Dan Taberski on his search for what really happened.

9. Switched on Pop

Hosts Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding will make you listen to pop music in a completely different way. Pop songs are analysed to see why they became a sensation and what makes them hits. It’s the perfect podcast for the summer.

10. Court Junkie

If you love shows like Law and Order, this is the podcast for you. Cases are broken down from start to finish leaving you with enough facts to form a decision before the verdict is revealed. However, sometimes the decision in the end may surprise you.

11. Faculty of Horror

Satisfy your need for a good scare with a podcast that analyses classic and contemporary horror movies to figure out its deeper meaning. This will definitely leave you wanting to keep the lights on.

12. The Axe Files With David Axelrod

The perfect podcast for people who can’t get enough of political drama. David Axelrod, the chief strategist for Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, interviews some of the most interesting people in the business.

13. Dear Sugar

Get all your questions and worries about relationships and life answered through this podcast. Before Cheryl Strayed became famous for her book Wild, she had a column called Dear Sugar which has now been made into a podcast where she tackles problems of the heart and soul.

14. Embedded

Documentary fanatics will love Embedded which follows a news story deeper than the headline. You will experience the emotions a particular person felt at the time of the event and knowing their story will make you question what you think is right or wrong.

15. Homecoming

A fictional, psychological thriller starring Oscar Isaac, David Schwimmer and Catherine Keener. It follows a soldier learning to rebuild his life back home and a government program for veterans that may not be as noble as it seems.

16. Modern Love

Based on the New York Times popular Modern Love column, each week an essay is read by a notable personalities such as Colin Farrell and January Jones. It’s followed with updates about the story from the writer of the column themselves.

17. Terrible, Thanks For Asking

Sometimes, we need to go deeper than what people tell us about how they feel. Hosted by widow and author Nora McInerney – she discusses grief and the really hard things in life that are often shoved under the rug. Talking about real human pain is crucial and this podcast will make you realize that through tears and laughter.