Podcasts are the saving grace for many a commuter.

They're free and provide the perfect stimulation – or relaxation – needed for the jouney to or from work.

However there’s nothing stopping you listening to them any time you like (I recently listened four hours’ worth of one series in one day although this does send you a bit mad).

So which ones should you try?

Serial

This needs little introduction since it’s had a load of media coverage but, suffice to say, it will hook you.

It centres around what happened in an American town in January 13, 1999 when a high school teenager Hae Min Lee was tragically murdered. Her ex-boyfriend was found guilty and is still serving time but many say he’s innocent.

Listen to the interviews and decide for yourself as former reporter Sarah Koenig tries to piece the jigsaw together.

News Shopper:

Headspace

This is actually better in the app form than the podcast version but you can try either. With the app version you can download a 10 day free trial of 10 minute meditations.

There’s increasing research mindfulness and meditation staves off stress and this can help you fit in sessions wherever you are.

Listening project

This Radio 4 series is one of the most moving things I’ve heard.

It’s normally friends and family talking but it varies: one included a conversation between two men, one of whom talked the other down from a bridge.

There are a lot of conversations about life, death and love which might not sound fun while you're still waking up but there’s normally also a lot of in there humour as well.

Couch to 5K

You get off the bus a bit earlier and use this NHS programme to help you get lithe and lean for the Christmas season.

These podcasts recently helped a friend of mine lose two stone.

I’ll admit I’ve only done one of the nine downloads, and that’s several times with many months in between.

But it does actually make jogging genuinely more fun and less scary and I’m determined to do some more of it.

Basically it tells you when to run and when to walk so that jogging novices don’t exhaust themselves.

It helps you build up each time whilst encouraging you with music and giving you tips on staying motivated.

Books and Authors

Another Radio 4 podcast which will primarily be for book-lovers, obviously.

But even if you’re not an avid reader a Good Read is an interesting listen as you hear people such as comedians Sean Locke and presenter Dawn O'Porter discussing their inspirations.

This programme includes celebrities arguing over which books are the best, sometimes diplomatically and sometimes with a little aggression.

News Shopper: GIMMICK? Mariella Frostrup, who hosts Sex Box

Open Book is mostly about Mariella Frostrup’s dulcet tones but also packs in a lot of interesting interviews, prize roundups and debates.

What are your favourite podcasts?