The Independent Launches Two New Podcasts Exploring Culture and Wellness
The Independent, one of the UK’s most respected news brands, is strengthening its position in the ever-evolving digital audio space with the launch of two new podcasts. Titled “Like This, Love This” and “Well Enough”, these shows are designed to captivate culture enthusiasts and wellness seekers with thoughtful, talent-led content that aligns with the values of its engaged audience.
This move is part of a broader initiative by Independent Studio, the publisher’s growing multimedia content division, launched earlier this year. As podcasting continues to see explosive growth, The Independent is clearly not just riding the wave—but shaping it.
The digital landscape is increasingly driven by audio content. With over 500 million podcast listeners globally and growing demand for authentic, diverse voices, media outlets are turning toward this format as a means to deliver storytelling, journalism, and opinion in more intimate ways.
The Independent’s entry into this domain isn’t just timely—it’s strategic. These podcasts extend their mission of independent thinking, nuanced reporting, and deep cultural engagement to a younger, audio-savvy demographic.
🎧 “Like This, Love This” — Celebrating Culture Through Personal Favorites
“Like This, Love This” dives into the cultural lifelines that shape public figures and artists. It’s a weekly podcast exploring what creatives read, watch, and listen to when they seek inspiration, comfort, or escape.
Each episode invites a new guest to unpack the stories behind the stories—the hidden influences, guilty pleasures, and personal favorites that fuel their creative and intellectual worlds.
What Makes It Unique?
Not just reviews, but storytelling around stories.
Real-time recommendations by artists and influencers.
Emotional and intellectual depth over superficial picks.
🌟 Guests to Watch in “Like This, Love This”
The debut lineup is a compelling cross-section of modern culture:
Shabaz Ali – Fashion-forward influencer with a cult social following.
Amaka Okafor – Acclaimed actor known for her powerhouse performances.
Alexandra Haddow – Comedian and cultural critic with a sharp wit.
Patrick Grant – Businessman and British fashion entrepreneur.
These aren’t just guests—they are cultural commentators, offering listeners a curated guide to the best in books, cinema, streaming, and sound.
🎙️ Host Spotlight: Lucie McInerney
A passionate curator of stories, Lucie McInerney brings heart, depth, and humor to the podcast. With a background in storytelling across media, Lucie combines the instinct of a journalist with the soul of a fan.
“I’ve loved stories all my life—books, movies, podcasts… anything that moves people,” says Lucie. “There’s a lot out there, so great recommendations are invaluable. This show is all about sharing those gems that stay with you.”
Expect Lucie to ask the questions we all want answered—and then some.
🌿 “Well Enough” — Debunking Wellness Myths
Coming: September 2025 Genre: Health, Wellness, Investigative Host: Emilie Lavinia (Fitness & Wellbeing Editor at The Independent)
In a world saturated with pseudoscience, influencer fads, and viral hacks, “Well Enough” promises a refreshingly evidence-based dive into the modern wellness industry.
With her journalistic rigour and insider access, Emilie Lavinia unpacks everything from mental health trends to nutritional myths, aiming to separate truth from trendy.
🎧 What to Expect from “Well Enough”
Debunking detox myths, manifestation cults, and biohacking hype.
Nuanced conversations with leading experts.
A bridge between hard science and everyday wellness choices.
“We’re not here to sell you supplements,” Emilie says. “We’re here to ask the hard questions and push back against misinformation that often hides behind wellness branding.”
👥 Expert Guests in “Well Enough”
The guest list features heavyweights in wellness, psychology, and sport, including:
Their insights offer practical takeaways and challenging ideas, not just another wellness checklist.
🏢 The Rise of Independent Studio
Launched in April 2025, Independent Studio marks a pivotal shift in how The Independent delivers journalism. Going beyond written content, it’s producing:
Talent-led video series
Specialized newsletters
Original podcasts
This initiative builds on the breakout success of ACFC—The Independent’s dynamic football YouTube channel—and channels that momentum into broader lifestyle and cultural content.
🧠 Strategic Vision: From Newsroom to Audio Excellence
The Independent’s podcast strategy is rooted in brand trust and content integrity. Rather than entering the podcast space with generic offerings, it leverages:
In-house editors as hosts (journalistic authority).
Talent-led IP (deep engagement).
Diverse formats (culture, health, sport).
It’s more than just expanding media—it’s redefining what digital journalism sounds like.
🎙️ Podcast Listening Trends in 2025
According to recent industry data:
84% of UK podcast listeners tune in weekly.
Millennials and Gen Z make up over 60% of the audience.
Podcasts related to mental health, culture, and storytelling dominate the charts.
By targeting interest-based niches and offering expert-led narratives, The Independent is smartly tapping into what the audience already craves: authenticity, credibility, and connection.
📱 Where to Listen
Both “Like This, Love This” and “Well Enough” will be widely available across major platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
Deezer
Google Podcasts
Directly via The Independent’s website and app
Each episode will also be promoted through social channels and newsletter integrations, reinforcing cross-platform discovery.
🧭 Final Thoughts: A New Era for The Independent
By investing in podcasting, The Independent isn’t just adding another content format—it’s enriching its editorial voice. These two shows reflect the values that define the publication: independence, inquiry, and real-world relevance.
With “Like This, Love This” offering a joyful celebration of storytelling, and “Well Enough” diving deep into the myths of modern wellness, these podcasts have the potential to become essential listening.
As journalism meets audio storytelling in its most thoughtful form, one thing is clear: The Independent is not just reporting the culture—it’s becoming part of it.
