Wodcast is a new podcast that takes the words shaping our lives apart — one brilliant guest at a time

👂 What do our words mean? Wodcast — Word of the Day Podcast — is a new biweekly podcast hosted by Benjamin Aston and Mabel Evans, and it does exactly what it says on the tin: dissects the words that shape our lives, cultures, and futures — with guests like authors Stephen Fry and Elif Shafak, and rap star Hak Baker along for the ride. Less than two weeks old, three episodes out, topics so far covering empathy, romance, and faith.

What to expect: The format is conversational and unhurried, built around long-form dialogue with guests who clearly have something to say and are given the space to say it. This is not a podcast for commuters in a hurry; it’s one for a long walk, a slow morning, or an afternoon with nowhere to be.

Shafak under the spotlight: The debut episode features British-Turkish author Elif Shafak — of The Bastard of Istanbul, The Forty Rules of Love, and Honour fame — in a wide-ranging conversation on storytelling, writing, and spirituality. It’s a wholesome and deep listen that sets a high bar for everything that follows.

What we liked: Shafak, as ever (we’re potentially biased given our love for the author), is the main event — a masterful storyteller who is just as compelling to listen to as she is to read. Getting inside her process, her worldview, and what drives her proves a true pleasure, and the hosts match her well. Aston and Evans come across as visibly and genuinely curious — questions feel personal rather than prepared, and the result is a conversation that earns its intimacy.

What we didn’t like: The opening stretches of the debut episode are a touch awkward, the hosts still finding their footing alongside a guest of Shafak’s stature. They get there quickly, and the conversation loosens into something natural — but it’s a slightly bumpy start. The pace throughout is also deliberately slow, which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you’re after. If you want something to jolt you awake, look elsewhere.

The verdict: A deeply human podcast that explores the words and ideas that make us who we are — at a time, it’s fair to say, when we could use the reminder. Brilliant for writers and storytellers, but really for anyone who believes language matters. Early days, but Wodcast is one to watch.

WHERE TO LISTEN- Tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Anghami.