Take a deep breath then master peace.
Byline: Podcasts BY KAY HARRISONOmmm We'll give anything a go in our pursuit for inner peace, from sound baths and wild swims to rocking in the dark under a table with a bottle of rose.
The Getty Museum in LA has a new idea to help with its first video podcast that is part art history, part mindfulness-mediation. The concept may trigger eye rolls, but it's actually rather lovely and enlightening.
"Take a deep breath, relax and learn about art," says Getty gallery educator Lilit Sadoyan, who spotlights a different work from the collection across 12 episodes.
Ommm (Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation) grew out of her gallery mindfulness sessions, where she'd sit cross legged in front of a masterpiece with a tour group, staging a laidback fightback against QR codes and selfies, while hoping no one tripped over her.
She starts with Van Gogh's Irises, which, she tells us, was one of the first paintings he did after entering an asylum in 1889, one ear down.
Painting and nature were key to his recovery. He wasn't allowed to leave the grounds, so these flowers were the first subjects he found.
Lilit, whose hair centre parting is a masterpiece in itself, invites you to immerse yourself in Van Gogh's work - the isolated white iris your eye is drawn to, was it intended to be a self portrait, a flower not quite fitting in?
Shows are 15-20 minutes long, with her charming lessons bookended by breathing exercises and mindful meditation, inspired by the art. t. he aim is to anchor you to the present, and block out thoughts of vacuuming the stairs. It worked for me.
Upcoming episodes include Edvard Munch's skyscape Starry Night, with Lilit focusing on his use of blue, and then blue light visualisation, using colour to calm us when we're seeing red. There are lessons on patience through Edgar Degas' pastel Waiting and its tense ballerina, while Franz Xaver Messerschmidt's pained alabaster bust the Vexed Man prompts exercises tensing and relaxing our own muscles.
You get 12 bonus episodes on topics such as zen cleaning habits, painting conservation and clouds on Mars, plus a colourful mix of guests, including an astrologer, sleep historian and Buddhist monk. It might just help you slow down, stop and truly stare.
Swingers
This BBC investigation is no easy listen, with graphic details on the swinging community and coercion. But it's a hugely important one.
Award-winning journalist Catrin Nye speaks to Ruth O'Grady in Wales, who was pressured by her husband into joining the UK's biggest swinging website, FabSwingers, and she bravely shares the trauma she endured over 18 months having degrading sex with more than 100 men.
Data from FOI requests should be a warning, with the site mentioned in hundreds of crime reports, from rape and stalking to sharing images without consent, and Catrin sees the grim reality for herself after setting up a fake profile, and speaking to a male user who believes half the women don't want to be involved.
Disturbing and depressing, sadly this show will speak to a lot of women.
Hopefully it will inspire change.
Crossed Wires
Britain's biggest podcast festival is almost here, and while many shows have sold out (Dig It, How To Fail with Elizabeth Day and Miquita Oliver, Story Shed with Yoto hero Jake) there are still seats to find across Sheffield.
Bad Chat, with festival director Greg James and co-founder Alice Levine, helps kick things off, leading the way for The Magnus Archives, That Boxing Show, Uncanny, Bimini on Bold Politics with Zack Polanski, and Angela Scanlon and Vicky Pattison for Get A Grip.
Blindboy, Ireland's most wildly curious mind, is there and keen to marvel at the city's "abundant collection of Victorian fart lamps". Alice Plus the free BBC Fringe has live recordings of Radio 4 shows and pods, like Newscast, Fame Under Fire, Woman's Hour, Traitors:
Uncloaked, To Catch a King and Add to Playlist.
And don't forget the afterparties. CHATTY: It runs from Levine and July 2-5, Greg James Crossed Wires.live
CAPTION(S):
CHATTY: Alice Levine and Greg James
LESSONS: Lilit Sadoyan
HEALING: Van Gogh
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Author: | Podcasts BY KAY HARRISON |
| Publication: | The Journal (Newcastle, England) |
| Date: | Jul 2, 2026 |
| Words: | 687 |
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