Kerry Washington and Spice Girls take spotlight in this week’s top podcasts

Kerry Washington’s interview series, originally released as a web show, has expanded into a podcast format under the title Street You Grew Up On, where the actress invites high-profile guests to reflect on the neighborhoods that shaped them. Ben Affleck, who hails from Cambridge, Massachusetts, served as the inaugural guest, offering candid reflections on his parents’ divorce and sharing details he had previously kept from his mother, including an experience being mugged at knifepoint at age 14. Washington praised Affleck’s openness, noting that he occasionally tried to turn the tables and interview her during their conversation.

For comedy fans, Hunter Hill’s Deep Secrets offers a compelling personal journey. The podcast began as a project for new fathers but took a sharp turn when Hill investigated his own family history. His research led him down a surprising path, challenging long-held beliefs about his lineage and raising questions about whether his grandfather, a goat farmer, may have secretly worked as a CIA operative. Described as fast-paced and rich with detail, the series hooks listeners with its investigative twist.

Music lovers can tune into Eras: Spice Girls, a production available on BBC Sounds that chronicles the rise of Britain’s most successful girl group. Reporter Rosie Ramsey draws extensively from the BBC’s music archive to celebrate the band’s impact, weaving in trivia such as the inspiration behind their distinct personas, which came from the TV show Friends. The episode features insights from music manager Chris Herbert and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall.

In the realm of science, 13 Minutes: Trouble With Hubble explores the early challenges faced by the Hubble Space Telescope. Hosted by Sky at Night presenter Maggie Aderin, the podcast examines how the telescope’s primary mirror was found to be misshapen by approximately one-fiftieth of the width of a human hair, rendering it initially unusable. Interviews with key figures involved in the mission highlight the dramatic decision to send astronauts on a zero-gravity repair mission to fix the flaw.

Also making headlines is Fame Under Fire, a daily podcast from BBC Sounds. Journalist Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty reports live from Southwark Crown Court on the trial of Russell Brand, who denies charges including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault. The series also examines broader themes, such as the influence of social media on high-profile legal proceedings.

These episodes are widely available, with new content released weekly or daily depending on the series.