In 2018 The BBC launched BBC Sounds, a new audio platform to host audio, radio (both live and pre-recorded), and podcasts. I was in the right place at the right time, a young comedian who had got to the final of the BBC New Comedy Award the year prior, so when the staff at the BBC’s W1 offices were told there was a budget for new content and a mission to find ‘new talent’, I was one of the lucky few to get the phone call to ask ‘hey, fancy making a podcast?’.

It was a call that changed the direction of my career and indeed the direction of my life at that time. Six years later, with thousands of pounds of license fee’s payers money having gone in and out of my account, an ARIA award win at London’s palladium and six different series of podcasts under my belt, I look back and wonder ‘When I answered that call, did I even know what a podcast was?’

I pitched a few ideas back in 2018 but the one that stuck was to make a show about drug use in the UK. Jacob Hawley: On Drugs was born, a kind of gonzo journalism comedy/documentary podcast where I as host would travel the UK, interviewing people, performing stand up and having conversations, all with the objective of investigating how people use drugs in Britain.

My name was above the door, and indeed I hosted it, but I was partnered by a producer named Nick Coupe. Nick had been working in-house at the BBC on a mix of radio, TV and online projects for years, and I don’t say this to be kind, but I basically struck gold in being fortunate enough to make the show with him. Thanks to Nick, the show had everything; backing music, stings, artwork done by some feckless East London graphic genius, he found us huge guests to interview, he recorded me performing stand up and chatting to my mates and cut it all up into snappy, beautiful half hour episodes that discussed everything from drug laws, people shitting themselves in front of DJ’s, even conversations with the parents of a lad I went to school with who’d OD’ed on MDMA.

We made a show. We made a hit. We reached 12th in the iTunes charts, had millions of downloads, were featured in broadsheet newspapers, we had adverts going out on TV. It was the highlight of my young career. But at the time, I didn’t stop to think that, actually, we hadn’t made a podcast at all. We’d basically made a really, really good Radio 4 show, but we’d done it on a topic that Radio 4 wouldn’t have dared to touch, and in their infancy, BBC Sounds were naive enough to broadcast.

And then lockdown hit. I received no support money from the government as I’d only been self-employed two years, Nick the producer was in a similarly precarious position, so we drafted a new idea about a lockdown themed series and had it commissioned in a day. Financially, and for a short while I thought I’d won the lottery again; I could make the show remotely, we were getting huge guests because no one had anything else on, and our numbers were still strong. I couldn’t have known that, actually, lockdown was the end for what I was doing.

Within those months where we were all locked up at home, every man and his dog started making podcasts. James Acaster partnered with Ed Gamble, Rob Beckett with Josh Widdicombe, Danny Dyer with his daughter, stars of the screen dropped down a league, formed deals with Acast et al, and found success. When the masks came off and the doors opened with lockdown lifting, these guys had taken over the top of the charts, they’d made their branded deals, and they were finding it easier than they used to find doing TV… so why would they stop?!

People of my profile could no longer compete with the celebrities who’d taken over the top of the podcast listening charts. But cleverly, the other people on my level of profile were no longer trying to. Rather than trying to become megastars with broadcasters like the BBC behind them, podcasters on my level bought podcast mics off Amazon, downloaded Garage Band and just did it themselves. Podcasting became punk rock. You make it yourself, you put it out yourself, you find an audience by yourself, and they love you, for doing it all yourself. I watched my peers commit to a low-fi method of production but more importantly, a level of authenticity. And despite my efforts, despite journalists (nudged by the BBC’s PR teams) describing me as ‘authentic’, you can’t be ‘authentic’ and also make the kind of shows we were making, for the kind of money I was earning, with the level of production and editorial input that the BBC insisted that our shows had.

By the end of lockdown I was making the third in my series of BBC Sounds podcasts, a show about pornography and sex entitled Jacob Hawley: On Love. We made most of the show whilst dodging the protocols that come with a pandemic, we visited a porn site whilst wearing masks, the irony wasn’t lost on me and my producer that we were essentially making a show about intimacy whilst it was illegal to be too close to people.

The show did okay but numbers had been dwindling for a while. There was still an appetite for it from the listeners and the BBC, but as is often the case, things, and people, were moving on.

As I’ve already described, the whole landscape of podcasting had changed to essentially what it is today – shiny floor shows made on big budgets, with high profile hosts, funded by ads, OR basement, patreon funded, punk rock style shows that represent the alternative. I was a man with no profile making a show with a big budget that couldn’t be funded by ads. I was neither one nor the other, I didn’t fit into either category.

Also, as you’d expect with a show that was essentially a man in his 20s presenting shows on drugs and sex to a largely Radio 4 audience, we’d rubbed a few people up the wrong way, and the BBC were starting to get a bit tired of it. ‘Balance’ was the key word and the commissioners made sure I was kind to everyone, understanding of every viewpoint, and essentially didn’t nail any colours to any masts on any topics, to avoid potential complaints. That didn’t stop me writing things on my personal social media accounts that would sometimes wind people up. I was in a room once with Tim Davie, the director general of the BBC and a former Tory candidate. I don’t imagine an expensive show about drug use made by a lefty comedian who often tweeted things that wound up the older generations of the listenership was at the top of the list of things he wanted to recommission.

Things essentially came to an end because people moved on, our commissioner left as BBC Sounds cut their budgets for original content, our Exec moved back toward Radio 4 and my producer correctly found his place in the loftier world of television. I pitched a few new things to new people but the truth was I never loved the ideas I was throwing around and there was no longer either the space or appetite for someone like me doing what I could do.

What I should have done is carried one with what I was good at. I should have found a low budget way of continuing to create Jacob Hawley: On Drugs. I should have retained the IP and my own access to the RSS feed so that I could continue making the show with my name on it and getting it to the people who enjoyed it (I actually looked into the possibility of this and, despite the show having my name on it, I didn’t own it, and thus I wouldn’t be able to keep releasing shows under that name, despite that name being my name). I should have just begged Nick to keep making it with me on the side of his new job. My agents should have protected me with these rights upon signing contracts, but then, this had never happened before, podcasting was so new. These things happen.

And then I think about this sometimes and think, maybe not. I remember reading the reviews of the show on iTunes once, naturally paying attention to the only negative one I could find at the time (I’m sure there have been more since). The only two star review I could find basically said ‘it’s a fine show, but I just wish they’d hired a different host’. Now, I promise I’m not just personally hurt that this guy had enjoyed my show but specifically not the sound of, well, me. What jumps out is the fact he referred to me as the ‘host’. The host?! It was my fucking show! The whole thing was my idea! It literally had my name on it! It wasn’t the one show, they hadn’t just hired me to front it.

But here’s the thing, when you sound that well produced, when you spend that long doing different takes of the voice over, when everything is that well packaged… it isn’t really your podcast, is it? It’s the BBC’s. They’re paying for it. They’re editing it. Indeed, they had an awful lot of say on what I could and couldn’t say.

That was the lesson I took away from the whole experience. Sure, its great if your podcast sounds good, if it looks good, if its advertised well. But that’s not what a podcast is supposed to be. That’s a radio show, a TV show.

The point of a podcast is the listener should be able to get closer to you than they would if they were watching you on tele or hearing you on the radio. There should be a shorter gap between your idea and their ears, there should be less edits, less lawyers saying whether you can or can’t say something.

I didn’t give up on podcasting, but this realisation lead me to changing direction, and like many fallen stars who’ve been dumped by the BBC, I embraced punk rock.

I now make a show in my spare room, with two microphones, one that I stole from a mates warehouse, one that I bought online and I’m pretty sure doesn’t fully work. I film it on my phone.

It’s called The Screen Rot podcast. Me and one of my best mates, and indeed one of my favourite comedians, Jake Farrell. The objective of the show was simple – make something that replicates the way we make each other laugh on Whatsapp. For years I’ve been sending Jake the dregs of social media on Whatsapp, mainly as a wind up. I send him Instagram’s Nutter Of The Week, the weirdest bits of Tik Tok, and he will chastise the content, and then me for sending it to him.

That’s our show. Each week we find a different content creator. And we take the piss out of them. And we take the piss out of each other.

It doesn’t have millions of downloads, it has thousands. It will never be in a chart or listed as ‘most listened to’. But a few hundred people really love it. They message us constantly about it, they have a go at us if we’re not harsh enough on the content we’re discussing or indeed on each other. They interact with it more in their small numbers than the millions of people downloading my BBC shows ever would. They know for a fact that no one else could host it, because honestly, why would they want to?! It’s maybe not a hit, it has a cult following rather than a huge following, but most importantly, it’s a podcast. And its ours.

Listen to The Screen Rot Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is Klaudia Mitura and I am a work psychologist and the Learning and Development Manager at the Science Museum Group, with a purpose to boost happiness in the workplace. I love exploring new scientific insights, but find these can often feel overly complex, with no real application to the realities of our daily life. I therefore started The Happiness Challenge podcast in 2020 with a mission to test-drive the best happiness hacks that science has on offer, and share what I have learnt.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

The first podcast that I ever listened to – and is still one of my favourites – is Squiggly Careers; a podcast by two inspirational women who share tips for having a successful career. I love this podcast because it is fast, practical and effective, helping me to navigate the often confusing world of career development.

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

Like so many others, back in 2020 the pandemic cut me off from family and work which was very tough – so I decided to use my training as a Psychologist to discover what science can tell us about the art of happiness. In other words, I knew that I could not make any of my circumstances go away but I just wanted to find out how to feel a little bit happier, even for a few minutes a day.

I called a friend who was also going through a challenging time, and I invited her to go on a happiness journey with me by practising one science-based happiness habit a week. To be honest, it was my friend who really wanted to learn about podcasting so we agreed to record our conversations by sitting in our wardrobes (for better acoustics of course!)

That’s how my experiment of applying the scientific research on happiness to my daily ups and downs turned into a podcast: The Happiness Challenge.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I like knowledge based podcasts that give me practical tips to make change that I am after. Squiggly Careers as mentioned is definitely one, followed by the CIPD podcast and Tilted: A Lean In podcast. I often listen to podcasts when commuting to work so they have to be the right length with something practical for me to think about.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I would love to interview Shawn Achor, researcher and the author of the book The Happiness Advantage who with a huge wealth of research shows that happiness leads to success not the other way around as we tend to believe. Shawn’s book was one of the first ones I picked up on the science of happiness many years back and definitely shaped my thinking about fulfilment in life.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

The format of the podcast needs to work for you so don’t be afraid to come up with a format that suits your personal purpose. It took me some time to figure out the right structure for me but once I landed on the current format of publishing three linked episodes where I am speaking to a leading expert, putting their tips to the test and sharing my findings (and feelings), I truly became the explorer I always wanted to be!

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Start with my new Happiness Reset Campaign, which focuses on 25 bitesize practical, science-based hacks to create more happiness at work, in relationships and in your own skin. You can spend only a few minutes a day listening, and then try out something practical and see the results straight away. If you like this, I also recommend other related past episodes so you can dive deeper into topics that interest you.

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

Connect with me on LinkedIn where you can also join my newsletter or visit my website thehappinesschallenge.co.uk. And of course listen to wherever you get your podcasts!

Listen to The Happiness Challenge on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other popular podcast app >>

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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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We caught up with Cameron to ask him more about how the show came to be…

Tell us about the podcast! Where did the idea for the show come from?

Lick the Plate was born out of my realisation that everything I do socially has food and/or drink as an element. Cuisine is a true passion of mine and has been for such a long time. In the past I have narrated a podcast not of my own creation, and I’ve also co-hosted a podcast of which I was a co-creator. I always wanted to singularly host my own podcast but feared that I would never have the time to create something from scratch, given how busy my life can be as an actor.

When a business venture’s door closed prematurely, I suddenly had time. Although it was unfortunate for that to have happened, it was a blessing in disguise. You know the saying: “When one door closes, another one opens.” Once I had the free time, and once I convinced myself to take the leap, my creative juices overflowed and out came Lick the Plate!

Why podcasting? What is it about the medium that you enjoy so much?

There is a freedom and autonomy that the medium of podcasting welcomes. It is one of the few types of media in which you can truly and unapologetically be authentic to who you are as a creator. The more authentic and honest a podcast’s theme and voice is, the better. There are so many types of podcasts, with so many ways to execute, and I love how the genre is open to so many variations of expression and production value. Podcasting made me realise that I love to edit and produce! I most enjoy the technical elements of it. Being that my podcast is edited, I really get into the nitty-gritty of the audio production and am really focused on making sure that listener experience is top-notch.

Food podcasts are very popular, why do you think the topic lends itself to podcasting so well?

Food is community; food is fellowship; food is life! No matter where you come from, food is a crucial element to culture. It’s how we share stories. It’s one of the things we use to bookmark moments in life. Every person has a relationship with food, whether it’s good, bad or indifferent, so it is the perfect vehicle for driving conversation and for discovery.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Of the many podcasts I have in my library, I take inspiration most from The Guardian’s Comfort Eating with Grace Dent; Where’s Home Really? with Jimi Famurewa; Stirring It Up with Andi & Miquita Oliver; The West End Frame Show; and Busy Being Black. It’s so much about storytelling and each of those podcasts tell stories in such engaging, honest ways – with unique personality.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Hands down my dream guest is Stanley Tucci! I love everything he does and I feel like I would have a ball just chatting with him about food and life. His book Taste is one of my favourite books ever and our passion for both cuisine and travel align. Plus both of our voices on one podcast – melt in your mouth (or ear?) goodness!

What do you hope listeners take away from the show?

Oftentimes ‘cuisine’ can feel inaccessible; it can have connotations of being exclusionary. I hope that listeners embrace that food of all types – from street food to haute cuisine – is for everyone, regardless of race, class, education, socioeconomic background or culture. It’s all about food’s accessibility. I want them to embrace that we as human beings are very much connected through food, and realise how much we may actually have in common. Food is global and I want listeners to have a global listening experience. People should feel welcome to walk away from the podcast and eat or drink something new that they’ve never had before.

Anything else you would like readers to know?

Season 1 is going so well and I am looking forward to sharing more food stories with people. You can look out for Season 2 of Lick the Plate in the springtime! Make sure to subscribe on the podcast platform of choice and follow on social media to keep up-to-date with everything. – @licktheplatepodcast

Listen to Lick The Plate on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast apps >>

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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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We spoke to host Natalie Bromley to find out more about the podcast, being a voice for the fans and the benefits of joining the talkSPORT Fan Network…

Why did you decide to start No Nay Never?

No Nay Never was started back in 2009 when the Clarets were first promoted to the Premier League. It was a big deal to a small town, but a concern followed that media content would now be behind paywalls or expensive television subscriptions. We wanted to retain and promote the club’s relationship with the community and provide free access to blogs, match reports and articles for the fans. To this day, No Nay Never remains a community podcast that is free to its listeners. And always will be whilst I am at the helm!

Why did you join the talkSPORT Fan Network?

As important as it is to us to retain a free product for our community, we do also have to pay the bills. Running advertisements alongside the podcast is a fantastic way to generate revenue, whilst keeping the podcast free to listen to. People are now accustomed to having advertisements run on most major platforms in exchange for a free product, and so it didn’t feel too much of a leap to take that next step. When shopping around for a partner, two things struck me about talkSPORT. The first was the wide reach of listeners, with a strong opportunity for us to network with other content creators. The second was talkSPORT’s commitment to highlighting clubs outside of the powerful premier league teams – the network recognised that they needed to get better at providing content for a significant fanbase across the EFL who were being ignored by major broadcasters. That sold it for me. It was an easy yes after that.

What has been the best thing about being part of the Fan Network so far?

There is the obvious kudos with being able to say that you work alongside such a big brand with a national reach, and that has got us some listeners and respect in the industry. But perhaps the most important thing for us has been the opportunity to input on and influence the narrative that is put out about our club. We have been invited to speak on air about results and talking points, and give specific and relevant updates for the talkSPORT listeners. The network recognises that it cannot be an expert on all 92 clubs, and by giving the fans a platform and actually listening to them, we can ensure that the club is represented fairly and accurately. We bring the fan view, the network brings the objective view. It is a good balance in my opinion.

You’ve also written for the BBC Sport Fan Voice blog – how does it feel to be such a prominent voice speaking on Burnley’s game?

I do pinch myself quite a lot at the opportunities that are being offered to fan content creators now. We’ve come a long way since the early days, when not much content could be produced by fans, and their reach was quite small. Seeing the products that are being put out there by fans, and the opportunities creators are being given, is really exciting.

For me, there is the obvious pride in being asked to talk about a club I have been in love with since I was 9 years’ old, and one that has consumed my life so much. But the more important aspect is that broadcasters are recognising the quality input female fans can give and offering them equal chance to have their say. And whilst we should not need to work any harder than our male counterparts, I do feel a responsibility to ensure I get it right and leave the doors open for many more women to come after me. So I would say it is both stressful and rewarding, in equal measures!

Aside from your own podcast, what’s your favourite football podcast to listen to?

Obviously talkSPORT Daily! I love the Guardian’s Football Weekly – the format is so easy to listen to and it comes with a nice balance of analysis and humour. Plus they are great at covering the women’s game too, with a link to their own women’s podcast. And I have recently discovered Wrighty’s House, which offers great coverage of both genres. In terms of fan-led podcasts, both The Anfield Wrap and The Blue Room are excellent.

Listen to the No Nay Never podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platform. To find out more search talkSPORT Fan Network. If you are a podcast creator and want to get involved with the Network then please contact James Rowe at talkSPORT.

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Laura Broderick and my day job is not at all podcast related – I’m a partnerships manager working with architecture and built environment companies. I’m also a mum to two young kids and my podcast, Mother of All Solutions, is all about careers and caring – conversations with parents about their work and family lives, as the juggle is real!

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

One of the first was definitely The Guilty Feminist – it was in 2018 and my friend recommended it. I still think friend recommendations are a great way to share and find out about podcasts.

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

I was on maternity leave with my second child and was having lots of conversations with other mums about the stresses of working around your kids – being kept in the loop, finding flexible roles, securing childcare etc. I felt it was important to record and share those stories – and luckily I had a friend who already had a podcast and said he would help me get started. That was 4 years ago.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Well, I like lots of podcasts – comedy, news, culture, companion podcasts. But in terms of inspiration for my own I am really inspired by how the Doing It For The Kids podcast support parents and what they produce for their listeners. It’s a special community.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

That’s hard as I really like speaking to lots of people, including ordinary parents. I would love to do more mini series focusing on mothers who aren’t typically spotlighted, and have more time to get to know them and put their voices/experiences into something really special. But it would be pretty cool to interview Jacinda Ardern as a dream guest!

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

I have a new trailer that hopefully communicates what the podcast is about, so start with that. And if you would like to hear a range of voices and sounds – mums, dads, campaigners, an MP – try The March of the Mummies – I really enjoyed making that one in Newcastle. Or if you prefer a good old chat I just interviewed Vicki and Lauren from the TV show Sewing Bee!

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

I’m on Instagram and Twitter X as @SolutionsMother and I have a new website (still a work in progress) that’s motherofallsolutions.com and would love people’s ideas and feedback.

Listen to Mother of All Solutions now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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What We Do In The Winter is a podcast about the lives of the people of the isles of Mull, Iona, Ulva and Gometra. And as we get towards tourist season for the Scottish Islands, now is a great time to find out more about a show that shares what it’s like to be a resident of these hot destinations.

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

In many ways What We Do in the Winter came about through frustration. Mull, Iona, Ulva and the islands around us have such a high footfall of tourists that I felt the real stories of the people of the islands were getting lost in the dominant narrative that has emerged about our islands over the last decades. Our population is just under 3 thousand, but each day in the peak tourist season that many visitors and more come to our shores and spend time here.

Their stories have outbalanced the stories of the local people for so long. Somewhere like London can absorb tourists with ease, significantly outnumbered by the local people, so the stories that London that people know is predominantly organic to that place and not imposed by a tourist lead narrative. Here our population is swamped by the tourists coming in and out, which is obviously vital to so much of our island economies and the sustainability of many lives here, but the stories they tell of our islands and communities outweigh the stories organic to the place by a significant margin. In light of this I wanted to shine a light on the people of our islands and their extraordinary lives. It’s been remarkable to see the connections it’s made all over the world. Real stories of real lives resonate with so many listeners.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. I was painting our house at the time and I fancied trying something a bit different. His Blueprint for the Apocalypse sequence of episodes about the First World War was really incredible and made me look at that part of history in a very different way from previously.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I’m greatly influenced by the work of Adam Buxton. When I was 16 I saw Take Over TV, the show he was involved in on Channel 4 back in the 90’s, and that inspired me to start fooling around with video cameras, leading to me making films, which is now what I do for a living. I wasn’t really aware that he was involved in that, but it sort of stuck in the back of my brain for a long time.

Then when I started listening to podcasts I noticed that he had one. I’d always enjoyed the BBC Radio 6 Adam and Joe show, so I thought I’d give that a listen. I’ve been so impressed by his work on his own podcast series and again, my subconscious led me to want to make a podcast, inspired by his work. His presenting style is absolutely wonderful, you get a really strong sense of his personality coming through his work. He’s the device through which you hear the guest.

My presenting style is to try and be more neutral and to take myself out of the equation as much as possible. I try to be the listener and imagine what the audience want to hear, whilst following my own instinct on what’s interesting. I can’t help but keep some absolutely awful jokes in here and there though.

Do you have a dream guest for the podcast?

That’s a really interesting question. I think each guest brings something unexpected to the podcast, so I can’t really say what the dream guest would be like.
I’ve been totally blown away by the things that some people have shared with us. It’s usually the case that the more humble approach that someone has to their life the more remarkable things they have to say that really connect with folk all over the world.

There are celebrities and people in notional positions of power connected with our islands, but their stories are very often quite well known already and it can be hard to break that narrative down into more subtle human connections.

I spoke to Gordon Buchanan the wild life filmmaker a while back and he was brilliant as he said he just wanted to talk about growing up on Mull and not really to go into his professional life. This was exactly what I was hoping for and he gave a really smashing interview which was full of warmth and fun.

In many ways Duncan MacGilp, the first person I spoke to for WWDitW was the dream guest, he had the most remarkable stories of a life very fully lived.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

That people who I approach who say “Och, I’ve got nothing much to say” very often have the best stories to tell. That and there are some very strange ladies in America who really, REALLY like Scottish accents.

Anne MacGregor, Iain Campbell, Jean MacLean and Mabel Canning – Photo by Alasdair Satchel

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Episode 50, where Richard Kellett and I talk about his life, his younger years before he came to the island, his military service in Iraq and how he’s come to work as a paramedic here on Mull is a great starting point. I try to walk a fine line between the past and the present with the podcast and I think Richard’s episode is a good illustration of what I’m trying to do.

Charlotte Mellis’ episode, number 59, is also a really interesting way to step into the podcast as she talks about her parents’ lives and how they came to Mull, and goes into all sorts of interesting details about the arts scene in which she grew up. It’s filled with fascinating and unexpected stories. Then there’s Lucy MacKenzie in episode 4 whose Dad kept the landing orders for the Normandy landings in the downstairs toilet – and reveals her connection to the White Mischief murder in Kenya.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

There’s so much to be found out about in our communities that we now have a film strand and an archive strand to the work. The most recent film was Creel of Stories – Cliabh an t-Seanachais, which documents the story of the fishing communities of the Ross of Mull and Iona. What We Do in the Archives is a collaboration with Mull Museum in Tobermory, where we release archival recordings of talks and conversations with people from the past that have been recorded on cassette and reel to reel tape.

Seeing the connections that the podcasts and films make with people really makes it all worth it.

Listen to What We Do In The Winter on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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The show’s fifth season takes the death faking concept and gives it a historical twist – each episode is set in a different historical time period…

In this interview, co-creator Philip Thorne gives us a hint of what to expect from the upcoming Season 5, Part 2.

POD BIBLE: Did you always intend to write a historical season?

PHILIP: We knew from the beginning that The Amelia Project is an ancient organisation that has been faking deaths for many centuries…

Oystein and I often speculated about mysterious deaths and disappearances from history (Elvis, DB Cooper, Flight 19…) and would wonder: were these Amelia clients?

Then we came across some incredible real-life death faking stories, such as the case of Joan of Leeds, a 14th century nun, who got bored with monastic life, feigned mortal illness, constructed a dummy of herself, left it in her death bed, then escaped to pursue a life of “carnal lust”, as the records put it! How could she not be an Amelia client?

We first dipped our toes into historical waters with the Season 2 episode Cleo, which takes us back to Ancient Egypt and reimagines Cleopatra’s famous death by snake-bite.

But now with Season 5, we are taking it much further, each episode taking us deeper into The Amelia Project’s past!

How far back will you go?

P: We can’t reveal that! All we can say is that there is a lot of ground to cover. Which is why we’ve divided the season into three parts.

Part 1 is out already and takes us from 2001 to 1944. Part 2 will will pick up in the lead up to WW2, but you’ll have to listen to find out how far back it goes!

Finally Part 3 takes us all the way back to The Amelia Project’s mysterious origins.

What were the challenges of writing stories in other time periods?

P: A lot of research went into this season… and it’s a challenge to know when to stop too! Occasionally we’d ask ourselves “what was a fashionable beverage at this moment in history?”, then fall deep down a research rabbit hole and only emerge days later!

Are the stories based on real or fictional characters?

P: Some episodes reimagine the deaths of famous historical characters. Without giving too much away, we will radically reinterpret the death of a notorious female monarch, and tell the “real” story behind a celebrated 17th century playwright who died on stage during the final act of his play…

We also meet fictional clients… in two senses of the word! Clients we have invented, but also fictional characters from famous novels, who wander out of their literary homes and into our death-faking agency!

Did you have a favourite historical period to write in?

P: I have always been fascinated by a strange 18th century instrument called The Glass Harmonica. It was invented by Benjamin Franklin and for a brief period it was very fashionable. Even Mozart composed for it. But then it acquired a dark reputation… It was charged with invoking evil spirits, driving listeners mad, and sending its players to an early grave.

When I found out that one of the first pieces composed for this instrument is known as “Amelia’s Aria”, well, I just had to write an episode about that! The episode now bears the same name, ‘Amelia’s Aria’, and I really enjoyed digging deeper into the history surrounding this extraordinary instrument.

How different is this season to previous seasons of The Amelia Project?

P: In one sense it is a very classic season of the show. Each episode introduces us to a new client who wants to disappear. Like the early seasons, it’s almost like an anthology in that way. At the same time, the different historical periods give us a new set of references, textures, sounds, music, and archetypes to play with.

We also uncover some of the lore surrounding The Amelia Project, things that have only been hinted at previously…

And eventually, in the final part of the season, there will be some big reveals about our main characters.

You did your ‘advent’ series over December which was a great point of entry for new listeners. Would you say this historical series is also a great place to start for people just discovering The Amelia Project?

P: The best place to start with any fiction podcast is the beginning. Having said that, if you’re a new listener and a particular historical character or period grabs your attention, you can absolutely start with one of our new episodes and take it from there!

The Amelia Project combines a gradually unfurling mystery with standalone stories about clients. This means most of the episodes can be listened to out of context, and you can still enjoy them, even if you miss some of the details or don’t follow the framing plot.

Maybe avoid the first and last episodes of Season 5 Part 2 (as these are more plot heavy) but other than that, jump in wherever you want and enjoy your time with the world’s oldest (and most ridiculous) death faking agency!

Listen to The Amelia Project on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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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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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Linz: I’m Linz, I’m a blogger and researcher for the Generation Why Podcast and my blogs are published every Tuesday at genwhypod.com, I’ve also written a book on ten real life cases of missing people. I’m one of the hosts of DSR, our podcast is about real life cases from around the world covering true crime, unsolved cases, cryptids, the paranormal, UFOs & aliens, and bizarre & interesting individuals. We dig deep to bring lesser known cases to the listeners, as well as covering listener suggestions.

Chris: I’m Chris, I’m the other host and a number of the cases I present come from Japan where I spent a large chunk of my adult life. I have an unhealthy interest in the X-Files and pro-wrestling and shoehorn them into our little podcast whenever I can. This is probably as close as I’ll get to being Fox Mulder! Our podcast is unlike most other true crime or ‘conspiracy’ podcasts as we also fit within the comedy category. We’re a serious podcast that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Linz: However, we do take the true crime episodes seriously and try to cover them in a factual and sensitive manner. When we’re not covering true crime cases, however, we do get pretty silly.

What was the first podcast you listened to?

Linz: Generation Why was one of my first. I listened to stand alone episodes of other podcasts here and there, but Generation Why was the first one I binged!

God is Dead / Depravity Land is another podcast I couldn’t get enough of. Wildly different subject matter which I think reflects in the stories I choose to cover on Dystopian Simulation Radio.

Chris: My introduction to podcasting was through John Pollock and Was Ting’s Review-a-Wai podcast. Suddenly there was this watershed moment where I realised that there was a specific signal I could tune into that talked about the content I cared about! I began searching out more and more about all these niche little topics which has ultimately lead me to the point where we can release an hour’s deep dive into all the ways people have died at Disneyland and have listeners demand more!

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

Linz: We always wanted to do a project together, but we needed to find the right format. We really started talking about doing a podcast during the pandemic when I had just finished up my book. I got involved with some other podcasts on the blogging side of things and suggested to Chris that we should give it a go!

Chris: Linz & I have been friends for nearly 20 years now and we riff off of each other effortlessly. When Linz suggested we start a podcast I was down for it straight away because I knew we would work in podcast form… we just needed a topic! As Linz had just completed her book in the genre of true crime it felt like the perfect jumping off point. Plus, Ant and Dec have dominated the Geordie entertainment scene for too long now and they need to be put out to pasture.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Linz: Generation Why since they’re two friends covering true crime, Depravityland, also two friends discussing weird, cringe and gross content on the internet and laughing a lot while doing it, Morbidology, Em is such an inspiration to me, she does so much on her own, podcasting, books, blogging, even a bit of Youtube now I think. She also helps me and DSR out a lot when it comes to advice and sharing our stuff.

I also take inspiration from Do Go On, an Australian Podcast that has a similar format to us as its one host telling a story to the others with a lot of laughs.

Chris: I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from outside the world of true crime, although I do have to shout out Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know which is the kind of standard I try to aspire too. I love podcasts that review old wrestling events, like OSW Review or The Attitude Era Podcast, and I’ve tried to incorporate some of their style into what we do. I think that’s where a lot of the comedy elements of the podcast come from, where else would you find a podcast that covers murders but also Michael Jackson’s missing monkey?

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Linz: Without a doubt it’s Mao Sugiyama, one of the subjects of a DSR episode. He’s a Japanese artist / chef who wanted to modify his body to the point of no longer being human. He arranged an ‘art exhibition’, in his words, where willing people paid to eat his genitalia…that he had removed and cooked himself. He’d be a wonderful podcast, and/or dinner, guest. I just wonder what he’s up to now….

Chris: I’d love to have Jessie Ventura on the podcast. For anyone who doesn’t know, he’s a former navy seal turned professional wrestler turned governor of Minnesota turned conspiracy theorist. His TV show brought so many conspiracies to my attention…not necessarily to my belief…but certainly to my attention. Most notably the Denver airport conspiracy which we have a whole, wild, episode on. The whole world really is connected by pro-wrestling…

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Linz: Don’t try to record a podcast on a Britney Spears style headset mic that you bought on discount at Argos. Invest in some halfway good equipment from the jump because you will end up with more issues in the end if you don’t. You don’t need to go wild but get yourself a decent mic and a pop shield! Also, make sure you’re having fun!

Chris: Reach out and make friends in the community, not just your listeners but to other podcasters in the same sphere as you. It’s amazing how supportive the community is and that’s one of the things that keeps me going with the podcast. I listen to every episode of Live, Laugh, Larceny because they reached out early on and let us know they enjoyed our Chris Benoit episode!

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Linz: If you like True Crime, I’d recommend the Futoshi Matsunaga episode, ‘The Kitakyush Serial Murder Incident, as it’s one of the most unbelievable stories you’ll ever hear. If you’re into your UFO/paranormal stuff I’d recommend ‘The Robert Taylor Incident’ as it’s where it all began and it’s the only UFO case ever investigated by the British police.

Chris: For the sheer insanity of it, I’d say ‘Monsieur de Rougemont – Cannibal Chief’ about a man who got shipwrecked on an island and…well…let’s just say it ends with him waterskiing on the back of a sea turtle. If you’re after a few laughs, our latest episode on ‘The Moon Landings & The Future of Space’ was possibly one of the funniest episodes, according to our listeners anyway!

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

Linz: You can find us and interact with us on Instagram @d.s.radio where you will see our Linktree link in the bio with all our links to ours socials. You can also find a list of our episodes at dsr.bruzzsprout.com

Chris: You can listen to us on your podcast platform of choice by searching “Dystopian Simulation Radio”- don’t forget to subscribe! Hope to see you in the Dystopian Simulation!

Listen to Dystopian Simulation Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

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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.

The post Dystopian Simulation Radio: Conspiracies with added comedy appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

ANDREW: My name is Andrew MacDougall, and I’m one of the regulars on Hacks & Flaks, the new podcast that shines a light on how media (Hacks) and PR (Flaks) work in tandem to make the news. I’m a former Director of Communications to former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who’s been working in PR in London for the past ten years, advising corporates, charities and high net worth individuals in my role as a Director at Trafalgar Strategy.

GILES: I am Giles Kenningham, former Number Ten spokesman and in a life before that I was a journalist for ITV News.
Our podcast lifts the lid on how and why stories make the front and back pages but also why some stories end up in the dustbin. It also takes an irreverent look at the more comedic sides of the media.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

ANDREW: The first podcast I can remember binging on was ‘Serial’, the true crime series about Adnan Syed. Now I can’t stop listening to podcasts, from ‘The Missing Cryptoqueen’ to Joe Rogan.

GILES: One of the first podcasts I listened to was Elizabeth Day’s “how to fail” which was and remains a great format. Now I listen to an array across the spectrum and am trying to listen to more podcasts and watch less television. I am currently listening to the comedian Paul Chowdhry’s “Pudcast”.

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

ANDREW: Having worked in politics, business and the media, I didn’t feel there was a podcast that properly examined how the news comes together and how that’s changing in the age of social media. Enter ‘Hacks & Flaks’! In any age of declining trust in media we think it’s important to demystify this vital cog in our democracy.

GILES: I’ve always been fascinated in how the media works and shapes the agenda. We also felt there was a gap in the market for a podcast that lifts the lid on how the media works but does so without taking itself too seriously. The media show on Radio 4 aims to do that but is massively constrained by the straitjacket of BBC editorial guidelines

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

ANDREW: As someone who’s benefitted from cognitive behavioural therapy to help improve my mental health, I’m a big fan of Ryan Holiday’s pod ‘The Daily Stoic’, which explores the Stoicism that underpins much of CBT. Stoicism is an operating system for life in the dizzying age of social media and I love how the pod gives you strategies and insights that can help you in your daily life.

As a Canadian political junkie, I also love ‘The Herle Burly’, a political pod that actually knows what it’s talking about and knows what it feels like to be caught in the grind of modern politics. It’s also a real conversation for real people, not a sermon, and that’s a vibe we’re trying to match in ‘Hacks & Flaks’.

And as a football junkie, and a Chelsea supporter, I love the ‘London is Blue’ podcast, where the hosts really do a good job of including their listeners in the pod and building a community of people who love Chelsea Football Club.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

ANDREW: My dream guest for the podcast would be Rupert Murdoch, a man who had seen – and lead – multiple revolutions in the media, from the rise of The Sun and red top culture in the UK in the early 1970s, to the rise of opinion-led cable news in the United States in the 1990s and beyond.

GILES: So many people. But for starters any of my favourite comedians from Kevin Bridges to Peter Kay. On a more serious note Bill Clinton.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far from making the podcast?

ANDREW: My biggest lesson to date has been that chemistry really matters. On ‘Hacks & Flaks’ we have a great host – Petrie Hosken – and a great collection of regular contributors, including my business partner Giles Kenningham, another former political staffer, and Mick Booker, an experienced (and hilarious) journalist. We get along well in real life and that comes across on the pod. And of course we have a wonderful producer – Amanda Redman – who keeps us all on track and on point!

GILES: Sometimes the best moments come from going off piste. Given we are not live, we have the luxury of time and can always edit bits out if they are too off topic.

Listen to Hacks and Flacks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

The post Hacks and Flacks: How media (Hacks) and PR (Flaks) work in tandem appeared first on POD BIBLE.

It’s been quite the year for OUTCAST UK. It started with going viral on TikTok, and has continued with awards success for the podcast itself. It won The British Podcast Award for possibly the most-contested category – Best New Podcast. As we know, there have been a LOT of new podcasts this year, so it’s an incredible achievement for an independent show to outdo them all.

Hosted by the podcaster and broadcaster Graeme Smith, the show shares in-depth interviews with a mix of well known and up and coming broadcasters, artists, podcasters, musicians, influencers and academics. The judges at the BPAs stated that “There was no doubt the guests felt safe and heard”, and we agree. This really is the power of podcasts that are created by communities, for communities. OUTCAST UK might be the hottest new LGBTQ+ podcast, but there is plenty there for allies to learn from as well.

We asked Graeme about the show.

Host Graeme Smith with his British Podcast Award

Congratulations on the BPA win! How do you feel?

I didn’t believe it when they announced the winner! The podcast came pretty close at the ARIAS earlier in the summer and it didn’t happen so I didn’t think it would this time. My mate Joe came to the awards ceremony with me and had to literally push me to stand up and walk to the stage. I felt incredibly proud that without any corporate backing or much of a marketing budget the podcast managed to get such recognition. I’m a one man production team. The podcast at this point was literally me just talking to people I like and respect about their incredible lives and experiences. It was a real moment of realising that yes, people are noticing and it was incredible. In summary I feel like my work has been validated by the best of my peers and that’s everything really.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The old Ricky Gervais podcasts (before the transphobia)… the stuff they then animated for TV. My tastes have since evolved! This and the standard Radio 4 newsy stuff the BBC has always knocked out would have been the first podcasts I engaged with. But I had always been a listener to speech radio … Radio 4 / LBC and even the more crazy late night phone in stuff my entire life.

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

The freedom to be long form, nuanced and authentic. I have mainly worked in formatted commercial radio most of my adult life, this was a chance to make something totally different, using the skills I had spent years crafting. I also had a never ending supply of stories to tell about the real lives of LGBTQ+ people and to talk about experiences in my own life and and this was the medium to do it. I wanted to tell my story through the stories of the people I spoke to. They say what I can’t or won’t say quite often. I feel like my previous few attempts at podcasts, documentary producing and speech broadcasting had been teaching me everything I needed to know to make OUTCAST UK work. I want this to become a platform people can come to for LGBTQ content that isn’t just aimed at the same white cisgender gay men. I’m bored of them. This is a deliberate attempt to diversify the range of voices and perspectives available and still make great content that has a social impact.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

OUTCAST UK is a bit of a mix, it’s inclusive, it’s current, its issues based, it gets political … But also outrageously funny sometimes. It can morph into whatever it needs to be, so my influences are very varied and reflect that.

The newsagents lately has been inspiringly brilliant lately. It’s hard not to soak it in. I loved the Battersea Poltergeist last year on BBC Sounds it opened my eyes to how to tell a story and at times almost defied a fixed format. The brilliant James O’Brien in his formidable delivery and his analysis. I loved what The Log Books podcasts did for accessible LGBTQ+ history and storytelling. I also think that in terms of increasing general podcast awareness the juggernaut formats of the Joe Rogan Experience and Diary of a CEO are impressive. This is how social video is done for podcasts. It sets the agenda and grows awareness… which is vital.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Right now I think DJ Fat Tony, just for the incredible stories that are sometimes outrageous, sometimes incredibly moving. I’ve been talking to him about coming on and hopefully that’s happening soon.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Be honest with yourself. Make the stuff that YOU think is good. You literally can beat the big boys with the right idea.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

It’s got to be Series 2, Ep 2. Me and Nick Charles with a chat that’s as honest and outrageous as it is funny featuring a frank exchange about when we had both done sex work in the past. The reaction on social media was intense. I was able to tell Nick for the first time that I had been forced into sex work when I was unemployed with a near fatal drugs problem about a decade ago… the twist was that it had been IN HIS APARTMENT (this was before he lived there). This episode sums up the conversations and issues the show is all about, it’s very honest and I’ve listened back and it still makes me laugh a lot. Me and Nick still say we couldn’t do this episode again if we tried! It’s in full video podcast glory on Spotify if you’re interested.

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

It’s @playoutcastuk on Insta and TikTok.

Playoutcastuk.com has all our links.

Find me on Insta @mrgraemesmith.

Listen to OUTCAST UK on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps, or search OUTCAST UK wherever you get your podcasts.

The post Indy podcasts making waves at the BPAs: OUTCAST UK appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Why did you decide podcasting was the right format to share your story?

I wanted to keep a record of my experience and I am definitely more of a vocal person, so I wasn’t inspired to write. I always enjoy my conversations with Clair, so I thought we’d be able to have a really honest, open and sensitive chat about what I was going through.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

Serial.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Dr Chatterjee, Russel Brand’s Under the Skin, Off Menu, Adam Buxton

Who’s your dream listener for the podcast?

Anyone who has been affected by cancer in some way. Whether they’ve had a diagnosis themselves, or have a friend or relative going through cancer; I hope they find it relatable & helpful.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Be authentic, don’t compromise the content and get a proper mic.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Hopefully they can be stand alone as we always tend to re-cap. But starting with the first episode, Diagnosis, does set the tone. Alternatively, episode 6 could be a good introduction to the series.

Listen to Talking With Cancer now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

The post Talking with Cancer: An audio diary with a friend appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Death is as much part of life as birth and breath but it’s the part that most people rarely want to talk about. Why did you feel it was important to start this podcast?

I wanted to shine a light on the people who work with death as they are so rarely ‘seen’. Like the people who collect bodies from rivers, or photograph stillborn babies, or work in the mortuaries preparing our dead. Basically, the people doing the jobs we hope someone else is doing.

So my intention with Dead Honest is to bridge people’s fear of the unknown with their curiosity to know more so they can see how extraordinary these people are.

Most of the guests you have on are problem solvers and are the people you want in the room when death has knocked whatever the circumstance. One of your recent guests, Robert Jensen, stated that “you don’t want my memories”. Why is it do you think that these people want so badly to help in such dire circumstances and often at a large cost to themselves?

All of my guests have one thing in common: a deep desire to help others at the worst of time of their lives. For most it’s less of a career, and more of a vocation. Of course, burnout is a risk, and it can take a terrible toll, but I’ve never met a group of professionals with a greater sense of job satisfaction.

The podcasts’ central theme is ‘speaking about death honestly’. I was expecting a macabre listen however I couldn’t help but feel very safe knowing that people like your guests exist in the world. I was surprised not only to feel that way but also I couldn’t stop listening. Has being the host of this podcast affected you in ways that maybe you weren’t expecting?

Yes, I am affected by some of the feedback I receive. One listener reached out to me after the recent suicide of her brother to thank me for speaking so plainly about suicide when others wouldn’t. That email meant more to me than any number of downloads, because I’m also vulnerable in these interviews. I sometimes feel I’m treading on thin ice and so to get that feedback was hugely reassuring.

I really like what you said about your guests not wanting to be misquoted or sensationalised and therefore you give them autonomy on the final edits of their stories. With such sensitive material being discussed, what are some other ways in which you conduct the podcast as to suit the guest as well as the listener?

I want my guests to listen back to their final edit and think, ’Yes, that sounds like me. That is what I wanted to say’. And central to that is building trust. If they know they are in control, they will be more candid. It also helps that I work with bereaved families, as it means we can discuss graphic issues without the fear I will be disturbed or offended.

For the listener, there’s an advantage that I’m not some generic ‘host’ or a ‘presenter’. My questions come from my own natural curiosity so hopefully I’m asking the questions they want to ask. I have been told the podcast can be a “difficult listen” and I accept it is not for everyone. But we do need to get braver about having conversations around death, if only out of respect to those we’ll meet when it eventually finds us.

Listen to Dead Honest on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

The post Dead Honest: Interviews about working with the dying and the dead appeared first on POD BIBLE.

In The Proper Class Podcast, working class and queer actor Laura Checkley and working class theatre director Hannah Chissick discuss and celebrate all things working class. Each week they are joined by a different guest who grew up working class, from actors like The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, to Labour politician Jess Philips and podcast regular Romesh Ranganathan.

We spoke to Laura and Hannah to find out more…

You ask guests to tell us about a moment in their working class roots that is pivotal, and we get to hear yours in the first episode BUT is there a pivotal moment when you decided to start podcasting?

We had talked about doing something positive with working class stories for a while but we didn’t know what that would look like or in what capacity we’d do it. Then one day Laura called Hannah raging about an article that she’d come across that said ‘There is a real sense that being working class is something you wish to escape from’ and it really pissed us off because it’s simply not true. We’ve always felt immensely proud of our working class roots and thought others must too. We were so fed up with all the negativity attached to being working class that we thought ‘Enough’s enough’ let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about what it means to be working class and let’s celebrate it. Let’s big up working class success stories, challenge some pre-conceived ideas and hopefully inspire a few a long the way.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

Laura: You know I’m such a nana that I didn’t really know much or care about podcasts until a few years back. A mate told me about this thing she was listening to called Serial She was totally obsessed with it and then it was suddenly everywhere and it’s all my mates were talking about so I eventually caved and asked one of them to set me up and that was that, I was totally hooked too. I actually had to stop listening to all the murder podcasts cos I was terrified going to bed.

Hannah: This might be a bit of cliché answer but a few years ago I was on a tube and a woman next to me had headphones on but was crying with laughter, so much so I started laughing at her laughing. She took her headphones out to tell me she was listening to a podcast called My Dad Wrote a Porno. She of course assured me it wasn’t as dodgy as it sounded and so I had a listen and loved it. I too found myself explaining my hysterics to fellow commuters.

You both have a background in theatre – what are the similarities and differences with podcasting?

Hannah: In all honesty they are very different in most ways. For a start theatre is always live and although we have just done our first live episode of the podcast, the listener is still not listening live, mostly people listen to podcasts alone where theatre is nearly always a communal activity. I suppose the way in which they are similar is that they both work best when they have a unique voice that connects to the audience.

Laura: Also, anyone can make a podcast. Theatre is quite a closed shop.

I just want to do a shout out to the great music on the podcast! Who was in charge of that?

Laura: The brilliant Thomas Nelstrop aka Tommy Music was the brains behind it all. We had a discussion about the feel etc and then I sent a rubbish voice note over humming and beat boxing a rough idea and luckily for everyone he ignored me worked his magic and came up with the brilliant tune we have now. Small fact, If you listen carefully you can hear me shouting the “Oi’ and being all cockney in the background.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

We didn’t really, we just knew what we wanted to say and how it should feel. We purposely didn’t want to copy any other shows because we just wanted it to feel honest, genuine and not be influenced by anything else.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

That’s a no brainer, our queen…Kathy Burke and we WILL get her on one day, we will! *Cries in to near by pillow ‘Why won’t Kathy be my friend?’

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

I think tapping in to something or a subject matter that’s not already out there is a good place to start. But you have to believe in it if you want people to connect to it. Be honest, be yourself and create content you believe in. Not everyone is going to love it or listen to it and it’s really hard to compete with the biggies and the famous people so don’t… if people want to listen they will. Word of mouth is everything.

Your first episode (bonus) is a great intro to yourselves and the reasons behind the podcast, but is there a particular interview you would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Laura: Oh no that’s not fair!! They’re of course all fantastic in their own way but one of my all time faves has to be Vicky McClure’s. It’s just everything I imagined our podcast would be, a real meeting of minds and values. I could listen to it over and over. She’s a top person.

Hannah: We genuinely feel so inspired by all of our guests’ stories, but when we first talked about the Podcast right at the top of the wish list was MP Jess Philips and interviewing her was a real pinch me moment.

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

You can find us both on Twitter and Instagram – Laura’s twitter is @Laucheckley and her Insta page is @lauracheck and Hannah @hannahinlondon and her Insta @hannahinlondon Or follow our joint Insta page @theproperclasspodcast for all the latest TPCPC news and goss.

Listen to The Proper Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

The post Hannah Chissick and Laura Checkley share working class stories in The Proper Class Podcast appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is Lewis Webb, and I’m the creator and host of Somerset Stories. The podcast is really a celebration of all things Somerset, its characters, famous faces, and a whole range of topics. Each episode delves into the story of someone with a connection to the area. As Somerset is such a rural county, we often cover things like the natural world, or food and drink – cider and cheese are huge here! But there’s more going on than just those obvious things. We’ve had comedians, chefs, and actors. But I’ve also wanted to explore some of the more left-field elements of life in the county, so there are episodes with a high-wire walker, a snail-farmer, and the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

A US film podcast called Filmspotting that has been going for years. They have a real knack for talking about films in a profound way, where a lot of critics only touch on the main details.

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

Over the last few years, Somerset, and what it stands for has been having a bit of a resurgence. Everywhere you go, there are people doing really interesting things around food, art, music, sport – all sorts. There’s a lot of interest in the culture here, and also a lot of new residents who are bringing new ideas to the area. But before we launched, there wasn’t really a podcast that brought all of this together. Somerset Stories does this, and it’s gained some solid momentum. We’ve completed four seasons and – after a few months off at the start of this year – we’re starting season five later this month.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

One of my favourite hosts is Jay Rayner. Something I try to take from his podcast is making sure I’ve come up with some questions that aren’t obvious or superficial. I find podcasts come into their own when you can explore people’s motivations and passions beyond the surface. The other is Adam Buxton – he seems to have an ability to have great conversations with everyone from nuclear physicists and economists, to musicians and filmmakers. My goal is to give listeners an experience that entertains them, but also gives them a window into a world they might know nothing about.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I’m a massive fan of film director Edgar Wright, who went to school in Somerset. Hot Fuzz is filmed in and around Wells, so he’d be an amazing guest. Jensen Button is also from Somerset, and would be a really interesting interviewee… so if they’re reading this, please get in touch!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

There’s a lot of work that goes around the production. It’s not just recording and editing; there’s the guest communication and arranging interviews, doing research to come up with decent questions, and keeping the ball rolling with websites, social media and other promotional activity. It’s a real commitment.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

For an interview with Somerset “royalty”, Julian and Matilda Temperley; S3E10 has to be a good place to start. What Julian doesn’t know about cider apples isn’t worth knowing, and Matilda is a creative force of nature. They combine old and new Somerset in a way which really epitomises the types of stories I’m interested in. Families often make for excellent guests as there’s a fun dynamic that listeners can tap into.

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

We’re on all the usual podcast platforms, and @somersetstories on Instagram and Twitter. You can also find out more at www.somersetstories.com

Listen to Somerset Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

The post Somerset Stories: Celebrating Somerset and its people appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is Amar Singh Panesar and I’ve always had a huge interest in history, heritage, philosophy, culture and religion. I had the pleasure to do an undergraduate degree in history and have continued to research into different aspects of history in my spare time.

In fact, the ਸੋਚ (Sōch) [Punjabi for ‘thinking] Podcast is a platform where by I engage in stimulating conversation with people from all walks of life, including academics, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, art collectors, athletes, photographers, comedians and more about all sorts of topics.

Each episode starts with getting to know more about our guest, their own family history and like many of us in the diaspora, how we ended up where we are today. We then move onto a topic of choice related to our guest – authors provide insightful understanding to their area of interest, academics provide insight into their research and comedians provide reflection on cultural comedy.

These topics can range from history, such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, history of Sikhs in Britain, the Anglo-Sikh Wars and Partition of India, recent events such as the farmers protest in India or the beard ban in boxing in the UK as well as discussing topics such as colonialism, justice, politics, racism and cultural representation.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The BBC Radio 4 podcast, In Our Time, was the first podcast I ever listened to. As you could imagine it was right up my street and the quality is a standard I still aspire to achieve.

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

I, like many children of immigrants, have a difficult time trying to trace my family lineage. My research into tracing my ancestors led me down a rabbit hole of an ever changing landscape. In order to help make more sense of this I decided to reach out to authors I thought would be able to provide some context. At the same time, I wondered, if this is how I feel, there surely must be others? It then naturally evolved and has turned into what it is today.

In fact, almost everyone I have had the chance to talk to so far has shared their own experience of understanding their history, culture and identity. The other reason is because I often read a book and think of questions I’d love to pose to the author, or I see a comedian, and wish to ask them how they go about blending their culture and identity with their comedy, or I see an athlete and wonder how they got to where they are.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

If I could blend BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time podcast with the Sikh Archive podcast I think I’d have achieved the perfect audio format. On YouTube I take inspiration from the What’s Good podcast, again, due to the quality of the layout and also because I’d like to think eventually we’ll become big enough to have a small studio where guests can come to for the podcast.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

There’s quite a list, I’d say top of that list is Akala. But whilst I’m at it, I may as well hedge my bets and also mention, I’d love to host comedians – Romesh Ranganathan, Nish Kumar, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Shaparak Khorsandi, as well as authors – Fakir S. Ajazuddin, David Olusoga, and Rozina Visram.

One person I would love to do a podcast about is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, however, finding someone who studied his life or spent time with him has been difficult.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Plan ahead but also prepare for the podcast to go follow a course of its own. This way you can allow for the conversation to flow and move naturally but also ensure you include all the relevant questions the audience wants to hear.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

The recent podcast, that is on YouTube, with author Aanchal Malhotra, discussing her book ‘Remnants of Partition’ has the best introduction so far. I wouldn’t say best, because I know I still have room to improve. The podcast with comedian Sukh Ojla also has an almost perfect introduction.

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

You can find me on YouTube, as well as all major podcast platforms, along with Instagram, Facebook and Twitch as @ramblingsofasikh, and Twitter @ramblingsingh. My Linktree provides you easy access to all podcast platforms and socials.

Listen to The ਸੋਚ (Sōch) Podcast on APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY or other popular podcast apps.

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