Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name’s Marnie and I’m a trainee podcast producer at Transmission Roundhouse. We’re a socially engaged podcast platform located in London’s iconic Roundhouse venue, championing the voices of underrepresented young creatives.

The Hole Truth is a three-part documentary series about how the US fell for conspiracy theories. Through the lens of personal stories, it explores how misinformation has trickled down from the nation’s highest offices, through local politics, to a nationwide network of Americans living in different realities.

What made you decide to create this podcast?

In the lead up to the US Election, I was gripped by the battle for facts, decency, and democracy that played out on our social media feeds. Online campaigns were steeped in conspiracy; politics dominated by disinformation, and truth seemed to become a rarity.

I wanted to find out more about how misinformation became mainstream and the term “conspiracy theorist” became a badge of honour. I decided to start talking to real people whose lives had been affected by “falling down the rabbit hole”.

Your podcast launched on 6th January 2025, the fourth anniversary of the January 6 United States capitol attack, and on 20th January, after taking office for his second term, President Trump granted clemency to all January 6 rioters – can you tell us what impact that had on the podcast – did you have to make last-minute changes?

Yes. Earlier in the series, I explore how the story of January 6 was rewritten – how the rioters were made into martyrs and utilised by Trump for political gain. In granting them clemency, he cemented this narrative and it felt important to respond.

In episode three I speak to Pam Hemphill, AKA the former “MAGA granny” who was one of the only people to reject Trump’s pardon. It’s a sad story about the power of misinformation but also of her redemption and ability to escape the “rabbit hole”. I hope it can offer a glimmer of hope in these dark times.

What do you hope listeners will gain from listening to The Hole Truth?

I hope the podcast offers an alternative point of view. I’m not trying to judge the eccentricity of conspiracies but instead understand how they gain a foothold in your mind.

If you could go back to just before you recorded the first episode of your podcast and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t try and predict where the conversation is going. Let it happen and see where it takes you.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

This American Life!

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

Before podcasting I worked in live radio. I loved it but found the fast pace frustrating at times. I wanted to delve deeper into stories, be more investigative, and find a slower approach to news.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I’m always interested in stories about online mistruths, those who peddle them and those who believe them. I listened to a lot of Marianna Spring’s Why Do You Hate Me? USA while making this.

What are your plans moving forward? Will you do a second series of The Hole Truth? Or do you have any other podcast ideas in mind? (If there’s any you can share!)

I’m working on a new project about the criminal justice system… more details to come!

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

https://marnieduke.wixsite.com/marnie-duke-portfo-1

Listen to The Hole Truth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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In Shedunnit, Caroline Crampton is unravelling the mysteries behind classic detective stories…

How would you describe your show?

Shedunnit is a documentary-style podcast that unravels the mysteries behind classic crime fiction from the “golden age” of detective fiction. Using the novels of writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers as a starting point, I look at the literary and social history that shaped this genre, as well as the real-life cases that inspired it.

What’s been the game-changer moment for you?

When I had Lucy Worley as a guest to talk about Agatha Christie in autumn 2022 – she brought a whole new kind of history-obsessed fan to the show.

What episodes should we watch out for? Why?

I find that the more specific an episode topic is, the more people enjoy it, so in the next few months there are going to be instalments about the role that golf has played in detective fiction, the way that New Zealand writer Ngaio Marsh used the theatre as a setting for whodunnits, and a look at the 1935 trial of Alma Rattenbury, which has inspired lots of crime writers in the last 90-odd years.

Why have you moved to Auddy?

I’m a completely independent podcaster, working out of the walk-in wardrobe off my bedroom, so I don’t have the tools or connections to able to compete for sponsorships with shows from big publishing outfits. The team at Auddy do have all of that expertise, though, and they are able to use it on my behalf.

What are you listening to right now?

I really enjoy the show If Books Could Kill, which is all about debunking those “airport bestseller” non fiction books that everybody apart from me seems to have read.

Speaking of books… Simon Mayo’s Books of the Year was the second podcast in the spotlight this issue. Let’s hand it over to the hosts Simon Mayo and Matt Williams!

How would you describe your show?

It’s a podcast about books.

What’s been the game-changer moment for you?

Never had a game-changing moment but being back in the studio, as opposed to the spare bedroom, was a lovely thing.

What episodes should we watch out for? Why?

*producer note – “Well, they’re ALL good, but international bestseller Harlan Coben is always good value.

What does the next 12 months hold?

Unparalleled success and triumphs are expected.

Why have you moved to Auddy?

They said they’d provide luxury biscuits.

What are you listening to right now?

HBO’s The Last of Us podcast is wonderful, and The News Agents is an essential listen.

Listen to Shedunnit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Listen to Simon Mayo’s Books of the Year on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Find out more and browse the range of great shows that have chosen Auddy at auddy.com.

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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The Holiday Season is a documentary podcast that takes a detailed look at director Nancy Meyers’s 2006 Christmas classic, The Holiday. Written and produced by Sam Clements and Louise Owen from 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest, and with music by Martin Austwick, it returns each Christmas with episodes that dive deep into the facts and fictions of the film.

Last year saw some special episodes to celebrate the 15th anniversary of a film that has become a cult classic. If you haven’t listened yet, be sure to check out the interview from leading man Jude Law (Graham) and an episode dedicated to Director Nancy Meyers, featuring answers from Meyers herself.

We caught up with Sam to ask about his particular love of The Holiday, and making The Holiday Season.

We usually ask if you have a dream guest, but you had an email interview Nancy Myers herself last year, and Jude Law! But is there anyone you’ve been trying to pin down but haven’t managed?

It was a thrill to speak to Jude Law and Nancy Meyers, I’d love to invite the rest of the main cast on the show (Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet) But my dream guest would be composer Hans Zimmer, whose work I adore and is a long time Nancy Meyers collaborator.

Sam Clement in the pub Jude Law and Cameron Diaz filmed in in Shere, Surrey.

You have a couple of podcasts about films – what is it about The Holiday that made you devote a podcast to it?

I genuinely adore the film. I’ve been in love with it since 2006 when I first watched it at the cinema.

I think romantic comedies and Christmas films are often seen as “light weight” subjects by the film journalism, and maybe aren’t taken as seriously as other types of movies. With The Holiday Season I wanted to celebrate the work that goes into BOTH of these genres, through the lens of The Holiday.

Do you re-watch the movie every year before recording?

I never stop thinking about The Holiday! I watch it in full a couple of times each year but also watch a lot of clips, interviews, behind the scenes things as we make the show, so feel like I know it quite well.

Why podcasting? What is it about the format that appeals to you?

I like that me and my wife Louise (who edits the show) can make a fairly expansive document on The Holiday, from our living room, without too much additional resource. Podcasting can be such an expressive medium and it’s uniquely placed to make a bond with the audience.

We’re making this based on our love of the film, and not for a commission or a job, and podcasting is probably the only medium we can make something of professional quality, using our experience of the format with tools we already have in the house.

What’s you’re favourite fun-fact about The Holiday that you’ve learned from making The Holiday Season?

So many! But I think I love the stories around dressing the village of Shere for its winter scenes in the height of summer. The crew sent all residents Christmas trees and decorations to put up in their houses in case their windows were in shot!

Which episode of your podcast means the most to you?

It’s the most thorough and time consuming podcast I make but I do love that it’s given me a good reason to speak to people involved in the film. It was a dream come to true to talk to Nancy Meyers – and hear that she’s listened to the episodes – but I also love our interview with Jude Law. I’ll have to tie between the director and actor shows!

Anything else that you’d like to tell our readers?

Whether you’re obsessed with The Holiday, or have a passing interest in Christmas films, this is the show for you! We’ve made 8 or so episodes so far – and we have a new episode coming out for New Years Eve this year, so now’s a good time to catch up ahead of our latest ep!

Listen to The Holiday Season now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. 

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