Co-host Dolly Alderton writes: ‘Our new podcast is based on the belief that a life well-lived is one that enjoys both the trivial and the political, from errant chin hair to Trumpian politics. Each week, we dissect and discuss the zeitgeist with stories found far and wide, from brows high and low.’

 

I found The High Low utterly relaxed, exploratory, funny, relatable and more than anything, it was accessible

Until lockdown began, my knowledge of podcasts was minute. At university, I felt I could not justify listening to an hour-long conversation in between my hectic reading schedule. But most of all, I had not found a podcast that I was truly captivated by – that was until I discovered The High Low. A friend of mine (also studying English Literature) raved about The High Low and urged me to give it a listen. The hosts, Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes are both writers and journalists, who come together to have a weekly conversation about popular culture, high-brow and low-brow society and frequently giving recommendations of thought-provoking literature and television series. As a student interested in journalism myself, I found The High Low utterly relaxed, exploratory, funny, relatable and more than anything, it was accessible.

 

To give an example of this impressive range of content, the first episode I listened to: ‘The Madness of 2020 Can Be Summed Up In Lynx Africa’s Marmite Edition’ began with discussing the totally bizarre Marmite edition of Lynx Africa being sold in health stores like Superdrug and Boots, and why anybody would possibly want to smell anything like a sandwich spread. They then swiftly move onto a discussion on Diego, the 100-year-old Galapagos tortoise, who is singlehandedly responsible for saving the species by fathering a whopping 800 offspring. Dolly and Pandora joke about this menial fact, saying that procreating is his full-time job and the tremendous tortoise must be exhausted.

 

The episode develops into a conversation about Michaela Coel’s comedy-drama I May Destroy You, and how such an important topic such as consent and sexual assault is approached from many different angles, and tackled in a way which strays from a typical weighty and dark commentary, without stripping it of its absolute relevance. It is incredibly refreshing to hear Dolly and Pandora talk about the show with such reverence and delicacy, which hopefully allows their listeners to open up conversations with their peers about serious topics in such a controlled and considerate manner.

 

Pandora and Dolly are warm and friendly hosts who shed light on the current happenings of the world in such a bubbly manner

Often, the hosts invite guests onto the podcast. Most recently, Dolly and Pandora spoke to Adam Kay in their episode ‘On Why We Shouldn’t Look For Relatability in Celebs & An Interview with Adam Kay about Dear NHS.’ Adam is the author of highly rated This Is Going to Hurt and featured on the podcast in relation to his newest book entitled Dear NHS: 100 Stories to Say Thank You. He spoke about the collection of stories, which is comprised of 109 tales submitted by notable household names, recounting their personal experiences with the NHS. From Bill Bryson to Jimmy Carr, to Lorraine Kelly, to Joanna Lumley and to even Dolly Alderton herself, the list is endless. Having Adam talking about this celebration of the NHS and everything they do for us is heart-warming and a reminder that celebrities are not always superhuman either. Without having listened to The High Low, I probably would not have come across Kay’s book at all.

 

I would highly recommend The High Low to anybody who is just starting out with podcasts and is unsure where to begin. Pandora and Dolly are warm and friendly hosts who shed light on the current happenings of the world in such a bubbly manner, truly making The High Low a joy to listen to and be a part of.

 

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