The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency creator makes the world happier: best podcasts of the week

Pick of the week
The Positive Distraction Podcast

While he is best known for his No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels, Alexander McCall Smith has something of a soft spot for short stories, which can “cover a whole sweep of history in a couple of paragraphs”. His new series features a selection of short original works that he hopes will make listeners feel better about the state of the world, beginning with a pleasingly twee tale inspired by a friend’s miniature helicopter landing pad. Hannah J Davies
Widely available, episodes weekly

Shadow World: Breakin’ the Cycle

In the early 00s, two of London’s most ruthless criminals decided to escape gangsterdom by creating a movie about their lives. This slick show features one of them, plus the film’s editor, telling the tale of how they ended up getting S Club 7’s Bradley involved – before the creators’ background threw the production into chaos. Alexi Duggins
BBC Sounds, episodes weekly

You’ve Got Braille

Alison Steadman. Photograph: Joe Maher/Getty Images

Comedy producer Reece Finnegan and writer Jack Bernhardt have written this four-part series for Hat Trick and the RNIB, about an “idiot” twentysomething who also happens to be blind. While light and sitcomy, it beautifully tackles the issues that Paddy (Finnegan) faces as a result of his disability. Alison Steadman, Steve Pemberton and Chloe Petts also star. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly

Come Closer

It’s hard not to be compelled by host “Aries goddess extraordinary, keeper of dark stories” Rae Review – check out her horns on the YouTube version. She tells one of history’s grimmest tales in each episode, starting with Lorena Bobbitt, who chopped off her husband’s penis. Hollie Richardson
Widely available, episodes weekly

The Gaza Chef

“How do you investigate a questionable death when you can’t go to the place it happened?” So asks this podcast about Mahmud, a chef who ran a Gaza soup kitchen but was killed by a projectile from the sky. It’s a grippingly told listen from Yassin Musharbash; he sets up the story by explaining the relationship he developed with Mahmud – who sent him voice messages explaining life in Gaza. AD
Widely available, episodes weekly