The Guardian’s top five podcast picks: From pet talk to Mayan history

The Guardian has released its weekly list of recommended podcasts, featuring five shows that span topics from celebrity pet discussions to the history of the Mayan civilisation and a high-profile New York criminal trial. The top pick this week is 'Matt Baker’s Petcast'. Hosted by former 'Blue Peter' and 'The One Show' presenter Matt Baker, the series offers an intimate take on the celebrity interview format. Guests include Bill Bailey, who discusses his collection of animals—including a parrot, a lizard, and an armadillo—alongside his Japanese Chin dog, Chocho. Martin Clunes and Clare Balding are also featured this season. 'History Hit: Rise of the Maya' also makes the list with two new episodes. Host Dan Snow explores the rise and fall of the advanced Mayan civilisation in a series produced from Belize with the support of the country’s tourism board. The programme examines both the social structure and the darker aspects of the culture. 'The Mangione Trial' focuses on the case of Luigi Mangione, who is set to stand trial in New York this September for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Hosted by Jordan Dunbar, the podcast is described as an analytical yet accessible series that explores themes such as 'pretty privilege' and the role Mangione’s appearance has played in public reaction. Former US football star Megan Rapinoe has launched her first podcast, 'Why Are You Like This?'. The show profiles public figures who challenge the status quo. In one episode, Rapinoe speaks with Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, covering topics including activism, sexuality, and Reeve’s history of wearing slogan t-shirts. The final recommendation is 'Time-Travelling Queers'. Hosted by drag king Dan Van, the series explores historical figures who defied gender norms. Tia Kofi of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race UK' discusses Edward II, noting that while his sexuality remains a subject of debate, the civil war sparked by the fate of one of his companions is described as 'very gay behaviour'. The series also profiles a gender-fluid monarch from 16th-century Congo.