What inspired you to create This Album Podcast, and how did the concept come together?

It came together quickly! I appeared on two music podcasts within the space of 2 weeks (22 Grand Pod and the Oasis Podcast) and it confirmed something I always secretly suspected…. “I’d be quite good at this and I could add some value here….”

Within 24 hours of saying to myself that I’m going to do it, I had the concept, the artwork, the first few guests booked, microphones purchased, and theme music written.

It took a further 48 hours for my mates to stop laughing and taking the piss out of me though!

In my day job, I’ve always worked in proactive sales, so I’ve developed the skill set of being a good communicator and listener (…or so I’d like to think!) inevitable that I’d be getting into podcasting really…

This Album… host, William Hann

Your show invites guests to talk about albums that are special to them – what makes an album worthy of discussion in your eyes?

What I really love is the personal attachments that people have to an album. So where most podcasts can be quite clinical or scientific in discussing music, I’m more interested in how badly my guests were dressed when they discovered an album, who broke their heart, all the mad memories they made while listening to the album. That kind of thing.

But I guess if an album was recorded or released in a unique way, that’s always going to be of interest.

The first episode I recorded (yet to be released that episode though) was on Another Side of Bob Dylan and that album was recorded within 4 hours! I didn’t know you could just do that! So straight away you have a conversation topic.

Has there been an album choice that completely surprised you or changed the way you think about a particular artist?

Almost every episode!

It’s really proven that if you listen to an album and give it a few goes with an open heart and mind, the reward is significant! There must be a life lesson in that somewhere….

The album I’ve covered that’s furthest away from what I normally listen to is 100 Gecs second album, 10,000 Gecs. I’m not sure if you’ve listened to much Hyper pop… but bloody hell! It is a lot!

And yet, by my third listen of the album, I started connecting with it and finding joy in it and respecting them a lot more as artists.

Having said that, I’ve got an upcoming episode on Soundgarden. I’m really trying man… but I’m not connecting with that at all yet! Let’s see if a couple more listens changes that.

Who has been your dream guest so far, and is there anyone you’d love to have on the show in the future?

Stu Whiffen, of course!

Also, getting to spend an hour chatting to Russell from Bloc Party was a dream come true for a little indie boy like me.

But Matt Crosby from Radio X was the perfect guest. I’ve been listening to his Radio X show with Ed Gamble for 5 years and his episode was the exact amount of in-depth album discussion and silliness I’d always hoped the show would have. PLENTY of silliness on that one.

It was also the funniest I’ve ever been! I thought I’d shrivel next to a proper comedian, but man, I was on fire that day! Podcast gold!

William Hann (right) in conversation with Russell Lissack (left), Bloc Party lead guitarist, on episode 7

Music can be deeply personal – have there been any particularly emotional or memorable moments on the podcast?

I’ve been lucky that all my guests so far have been very vulnerable and open.

I guess the episode with Matt Crosby had a real unexpected gear change when he revealed that the silliest song on the album we were discussing had hidden depth about “radical acceptance” and the difficulties that come with being a trans person in Trump’s America.

I thought Frog On the Floor by 100 Gecs was just a silly song about a frog coming to a party!

As a host, how do you approach guiding conversations to balance personal anecdotes with music analysis?

The podcast is very conversational and I think making sure that it’s entertaining and funny is of far higher importance than accurately describing the brand of hi hat the drummer used.

But I always have a small scripted section which I spend quite a lot of time preparing. That allows me to get the analytical bit out of the way, then start asking the important questions like “which member of Interpol still wore a full suit to soundcheck despite it being the hottest day ever recorded in London.” (It was guitarist Daniel Kessler)

But really, I love a deviation and the guest’s album of choice is just a vehicle for us to share anecdotes and chat shit.

What’s next for This Album Podcast? Any exciting plans or changes coming up?

I was recently asked to host a series of Q and A’s on stage at The M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, that was absolutely class! I think I did a really good job of it and I’d love to do more on stage interviews at festivals this summer.

I’ll definitely be announcing a live show in London soon too.

But what I really want is the podcast to just continue being of a real high quality and I reckon it’s only going to get better as time goes on.

I don’t know what the next 12 months will bring, but I promise it won’t be boring.

Listen to This Album…with William Hann on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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Stu, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us how Off The Beat & Track came to be?

Absolutely! I’ve always been passionate about music and the impact it has on our lives. As a musician and DJ, I’ve had so many amazing conversations about how music shapes people’s experiences. I wanted to create a space where artists, actors, and creatives could share their personal journeys through music. That’s how Off The Beat & Track was born.

Stu Whiffen with Julian Marley (ep.42), Clara Amfo (ep.100), and Rob Da Bank (ep.43)

What makes your podcast stand out from other music-focused shows?

I think it’s the personal element. Rather than just discussing an artist’s latest project, we dive deep into the tracks that have shaped their lives. Music is a powerful storyteller, and each guest brings a unique perspective. It’s intimate, nostalgic, and often full of surprises.

You’ve had some incredible guests. Any standout moments?

Oh, there have been so many! Having people like Fatboy Slim and Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett on the show was a real pinch-me moment. But what I love is that every guest, no matter how famous, brings something special. Hearing their personal music memories – whether it’s the first record they bought or a song that reminds them of a major life event – makes for some really moving conversations.

How do you keep your listeners engaged episode after episode?

Consistency is key, but so is variety. I mix up the guests, from music legends to rising stars, actors, and comedians. The format of discussing life through music keeps it fresh, and I make sure the conversations are relaxed and natural. Listeners feel like they’re eavesdropping on an intimate chat between friends, which keeps them coming back.

Stu Whiffen with Kate Thornton (ep.55) and James Buckley (ep.28)

What advice would you give to aspiring podcasters?

Just start! Don’t overthink it. If you’re passionate about your topic, that enthusiasm will shine through. Invest in decent audio quality, be consistent, and most importantly, be authentic. The best podcasts feel like genuine conversations, not scripted interviews.

What’s next for Off The Beat & Track?

There’s so much in the pipeline! More incredible guests, some live event recordings, and I’m even exploring the idea of a book based on the podcast. I just want to keep sharing amazing stories through music and growing the community of listeners who love these conversations as much as I do.

That sounds exciting! Thanks for chatting with us, Stu.

Thanks for having me! And to all the Pod Bible readers – keep listening and keep discovering amazing music

Listen to Off The Beat & Track 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 Rob Pope, although a lot of people know me as “that Forrest Gump guy”, after I ran over 25,000 kilometres, over 422 days recreating the run Tom Hanks made famous in the movie…On the way I picked up a lot of great stories and also lessons that I’m now able to pass on to anyone who wants to listen. My podcast How to Be Superhuman in collaboration with Red Bull is a platform for adventure and endurance athletes from a hugely diverse set of backgrounds to bring their incredible stories to a global audience, whether they’re looking for inspiration or just to be entertained and “wowed”. It’s got a unique and immersive storytelling format that brings you straight into the heart of absolutely mind-boggling adventures. Trust me – listen to these stories and you can’t fail to be amazed. You never know, we might just show a few people the key to the door to becoming Superhuman – we’ve all got magic in us somewhere.

Rob Pope, host of How to Be Superhuman

How did the idea for How to Be Superhuman come about?

Red Bull have always been at the forefront of adventure, and podcasts lend themselves so well to the headspace of people off doing wild things, so it was a natural progression from the incredible video content they’re famed for.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

I feel like I’ve been listening to podcasts for so long, they just kind of filtered into my orbit. Coming from Liverpool, I often found myself listening to Andy Grant’s amazing LEG IT podcast which tells the story of people from a real variety of backgrounds and the Blood Red pod from the Liverpool Echo, so probably one of those.

Ryan Sandes – trail runner

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

There’s so many great ones out there, I usually go down a wormhole of whoever is interviewing me next, or ones that have recently featured a Superhuman guest. I do like the variety of guests you get on Chris Williamson and Rich Roll’s podcasts and have recently got into Happy Hour too. Chris has had me on, so I’ve got those two to tick off!

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

We’ve had a lot of them on already, you lucky lot! As a runner, I’d love to chat to Courtney Dauwalter – she’s a force of nature and seems a heap of fun. Climbing terrifies me and inspires me in equal measure so I’d love to rope up with Janja Garnbret or Alex Honnold and with Red Bull being synonymous with motorsport, Sam Sunderland or Max Verstappen would be brilliant, though they’d have hugely different stories. Maybe most of all though – Felix Baumgartner. Jumping to earth from SPACE? Check. Wait…actually? Yes. That’ll do for me.

Do you have a favourite episode of the podcast, or one you are proudest of?

I guess the first one I ever recorded, as a complete novice, was an adventure in itself. I interviewed Mollie Hughes, the British mountaineer who became the youngest woman to climb both sides of Everest and it was wonderful to follow up this year with Cathy O’Dowd, the first woman ever to achieve the feat. Interviewing Mark Beaumont was a real privilege as his was the first ever adventure book I read – his story about riding around the world in 80 days is so impressive. Phileas Fogg with quads for days…

Cathy O’Dowd – the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest from both the south and north sides

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

Dougie Lampkin’s story about wheelieing around the TT course of the Isle of Man. I was a bit sceptical initially as though I knew of Dougie and how amazing he was, it seemed more like a novelty than a superhuman feat. The thing is – this episode taught me two things: “Superhuman” comes in many forms and that this podcast series has a ton of surprises in store for the audience. If you want to hold fire till the opening of series 3 – Abdullah Zeinab, the Australian endurance cyclist and adventurer is a perfect start. His story is WILD.

As you look back on your podcasting journey, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them to keep the show growing?

When I started, I had no idea on how everything worked, but the incredible crews at Samizdat and Red Bull have been phenomenal, and while I’ve always been a great storyteller in a social situation, I’m pretty confident in saying now that I’m keeping my head above water in the more refined air of broadcasting. We have tried to keep our guests varied, unearthing stories from now, but also deeper back. There is a deep seam of adventure gold that we will continue to mine in the coming years to keep you all on the edge of your seat.

Can you tell us more about what to expect from the new series of How to Be Superhuman?

Well the guest list is stellar, from my area of expertise, we have two incredible ultrarunners, Tara Dower and Ryan Sandes, one of the greatest climbers in the world, Jesse Dutton, who just happens to be blind, as well as Brette Harrington, whose story is as emotionally charged as it is impressive. We’ve got Martin Strel – the Big River man – possibly the greatest endurance swimmer in the world and is brilliantly bonkers. Andrew Cotton, the mega wave surfer whose comeback from adversity rivals that of another of my favourite guests from series one, the triathlete Tim Don – make sure you check that out, as well as the series two slot with Lael Wilcox – before you check out her latest globe spanning feat on season three. We have death defying (literally) kayaker Nouria Newman. You want high – we go as high as we can probably get as Tom de Dorlodot paraglides around the biggest peaks in the world. He could have waved at Cathy! However, we start the series with the insane feats of Abdullah Zeinab and his descent into madness in the Namibian desert. Just listening will make you thirsty, before we get a lot more “chill” at the South Pole with “Polar” Preet Chandi! Like I said, if you can’t get inspired by that lot, you must have done something beyond compare – maybe we could get you on the show – get in touch!

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

There’s a great article on the Red Bull site that you can check out.

If anyone wants to say hi, or chat more about adventure, they can message me on my website – www.goingthedistancerun.com or follow me on social media at @runroblarun. I reply to all messages myself – I may present the greatest adventure pod on the planet, but I’m still who I’ve always been and love chatting to people with big ideas and bigger smiles.

Listen to How to Be Superhuman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what is your podcast about?

My name is Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. I’m Iranian by birth, British by education, Italian by former marriage, American by migration, and global in my work and vocation. I’m the Founder and CEO of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International Public Affairs (SIPA) and a Richard von Weizsacker Fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy. I am also mother to identical twin girls, aged 23, and come from a close-knit global family.

For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked at the frontlines of a field of practice known as “women peace and security”. It took me to New York and the UN, chasing diplomats and writing the draft of UN Security Council resolution 1325 that with much editing – got passed – and has been among the most radical, potentially transformative developments for peace, of the past decades. Because I was there when it all got started, I’ve had the chance to explore and discover, create, advocate, and practice what I was preaching.

I did research in 15 countries and wrote a book called Women Building Peace: What They Do, Why It Matters, The UN asked me back to train staff and lead more research – this time on men and what makes them vulnerable to becoming violent or joining militant groups. All this led me to study the rise of identity-based extremism from Jihadis to white supremacists and identify effective ways of preventing and offering alternatives.

Since I believed in and was inspired by the women I met, I started ICAN out of an old wing-backed armchair in my living room. It was an idea that has become reality: a small organization leading a global network – like the league of extraordinary women. We have over 90 partners in 43 countries, set up a fund and disbursed $11M and counting in over 30 countries, and continue to influence government policies, and trying to bring peace actors to peace negotiations. I was stunned to receive an MBE in 2020 for my work on “International peacebuilding and women’s rights”.

Sanam Naraghi Anderlini

It took me to all manner of places; a gala dinner in Johannesburg where I got to kiss (and be kissed) by Nelson Mandela, tea with the Maoists in Nepal, comparing parenting notes and fears of death with gangsters in Jamaica, debating manhood and masculinity with guerillas in Liberia, a brush with the law and the revolutionary courts in Iran, talking Security sector reform with the paramount chiefs in Fiji, backroom meetings with Muslim women who neighboured the men who blew themselves up and killed hundreds of people on an Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka’s chicest hotels. It also meant that in 2021 when the Taliban took over Afghanistan, at ICAN, I decided we would try to live up to our name and do what we could to help our partners. We were able to help 1100 people – mainly women peacebuilders and their families to safety in Germany, the US, Canada, and the UK. We are still channelling money to women’s organizations active across the country.

It’s all part of the ongoing 45-year odyssey of an 11-year Persian girl who danced to the tune of Boney M on the balmy summer nights of ’78 when the military curfews cracked their guns and the “Allah o Akbars” ricocheted off building blocks in north Tehran. She went on a 10-day vacation with a suitcase full of schoolbooks and ski clothes, and never returned to that life. I’m a girl who lost her home and land, a young woman who felt compelled to help others avoid the same fate, a working mom, and an immigrant who calls the world home.

The podcast series focuses on global challenges and issues of our times, with emphasis on solutions, possibilities, and hope. It counters the trend of issues being polarized by politicians, sensationalized by the media, and oversimplified on social media, by creating the space for complexity, nuance, and actionable solutions. With a pivot away from the usual pundits, I put the spotlight on the frontline, roll-up-their-sleeves “do-ers”. From extreme capitalism to nature conservation, the future of feminism and peace in the Middle East, each podcast is an informal but in-depth conversation with the imaginers, and innovators focusing on their work and solutions, and what else could be done if they were in charge.

The format allows for a wide range of topics and solutions, big and small. Importantly, the podcast bridges the gap between specialist knowledge and general audiences. By demystifying the issues, If You Were in Charge also aims to educate, empower, and inspire listeners to imagine what they too could do, about the issues they care about.

Why did you decide to start If You Were In Charge?

I started If You Were in Charge, with the aim of amplifying the work and perspectives of people who have dedicated their lives to tackling some of the world’s most complex problems. In my line of work and community of practice I meet so many wonderful people doing extraordinary work. Many of us have innovative and practical solutions that could have transformative impact, but too often the daily work of “doing” means there is little time left for the writing and sharing of ideas. This is particularly true for women. Despite all the progress on equality, most of us are juggling our family and professional responsibilities. Having the brain space to write and publish becomes a luxury that few have.

The simple premise of If You Were in Charge is to give the “do-ers” the space, and enable them to share their solutions, if they had the power and the resources to do so, and hopefully inform, inspire, and energize audiences.

I was also motivated by my frustration with the armchair pundits that offer erudite critiques of all that is going wrong, but rarely offer solutions. I find the prevailing sense of pessimism disturbing, because ultimately to be pessimistic about the future is a privilege of the privileged. I also get exhausted listening to the “what’s wrongs” and the problems. It is demoralizing and often sucks the energy out of the room. I think audiences are also fatigued generally, so people switch off. But I’ve also found that when I ask experts what their solutions are, or what they’d do if they were in charge, their entire demeanour changes.

The framing allows for extraordinary breadth in terms of the topics we could select.

Sanam Naraghi Anderlini

What do you hope listeners will take away from your podcast?

New insights into issues they often hear about but have become background noise “problems”.

Inspiration, hope and respect for my guests and their work and insights.

A “can-do” sense about big issues and positive momentum.

A sense of the “ordinariness” of these extraordinary people with whom I talk. So often activists and advocates are seen as unidimensional and distant. I want to show how approachable people are, and how relatable they are. It’s a way of showing that each of us has the capacity to have an impact if we care enough, if we are committed enough, and have the courage and imagination.

You have a section at the beginning of the podcast where you talk to your daughter Soleh (and occasionally her twin sister Lydia) about the guest and/or theme of that week’s episode. What made you decide to include your daughters on the podcast?

My kids, all the kids around us, are the future. We are handing them a world full of problems. It’s unfair because we as GenX, or earlier generations, especially the post-war and the boomers have had the very best of the world. Yet we have squandered all that was given to us – be it in terms of the environment, peace and stability, human rights, or socio-economic opportunities.

We owe our children some light and hope in this increasingly tough environment. I have enormous respect for GenZ as they are attuned to many of the critical challenges we face in the world. They know from first-hand experience what gun violence in the US means, and how climate change affects them and the future. They are savvy about social media and political manipulation. They are also irreverent and funny.

But I worry also that sometimes knowledge leads to inertia and pessimism. That’s also unfair to the younger generation. We need to share with them how things are done, what is still possible and how important it is to imagine solutions and create new approaches.

I wanted to have a chance to hear from them, have them inform my discussions with the various guests, and for them to hear about the solutions that exist.

It’s also a nice way to spend time with my girls now that they’re both living their own lives. I have fun when they poke fun at me. I hope that their generation will listen in and relate to them, even if they find me old and stodgy.

Sanam with her twin daughters

What role do you think podcasts can play in sharing ideas and getting information to a wider audience?

I think podcasts are the antidote to social media. They provide a space to delve into issues with more nuance. They have rekindled the art of conversation and discussion.

The fact that I can provide a platform for people who rarely make it into the mainstream news yet are working on issues that are constantly in the news, is important to me. Traditional media likes to talk to the big names and celebrities. It’s bite-size quotes and problem oriented – often sensationalized. Or it’s a “gotcha” mentality, trying to catch people out.

On a podcast, you can have a diversity of guests from all walks of life, to share their perspectives and experiences – to show that you don’t have to be a president or billionaire to make an impact.

In fact, the self-empowerment of citizens is one of the repeated common themes across all the discussions from peace-making and advocacy against police violence to nature conservation and justice. With their own communities and families at risk, or because they have a love of nature or a passion for justice, people are taking matters in their own hands.

While money matters to their work, it is not sufficient. What really makes the difference is the quality of the cohorts of people who care enough to act. When they do, they inspire others through sharing their own courage and enthusiasm and imagination. While the actions may seem minuscule compared to the scale of the problem, every small win has an effect. It shows that change is possible.

We’re going to turn your lead question back on you now – if you were in charge, what would you change?

That’s easy and difficult.

1. I would change the entire way we think about war and peace. I would focus on ending the 56 major wars we have in the world. They are entirely human-made problems, so it means they can be entirely resolved by human beings, if we had the political will and interest.

So, I would put the prevention and resolution of wars as the singular priority of our time – because wars are a driver of destruction, refugee flows, environmental damage, and deep trauma. But we can control and stop them, because while conflict is natural, violence is a choice, and it is not inevitable.

I’d invest in radical diplomacy that, by definition, would be inclusive of the people affected by wars, and the local peacebuilders who are the agents of change. It’s putting peace actors at the tables of negotiations, so that violence is not the only ticket to the table and armed actors aren’t swapping military fatigues for fancy suits in a shift to “power sharing”.

I write and talk about these issues in detail and ad-nauseum, so I won’t go on, but suffice it to say, that our models of war and peace diplomacy are too archaic to be effective for contemporary complex wars. The good news is that we have models that can be effective. We know from experience that two factors are needed for sustainable peacemaking: political will and inclusivity. If we focus on the inclusivity, we can muster up the political will more effectively.

People often say, “peace is possible”. I prefer to say that “without peace everything else is impossible”, so we need to stop taking it for granted, and invest in it, foster it, value, and appreciate it.

2. I’d also change the narrative and tell the untold stories of peace heroism. Hobbes was wrong. Humanity is not de facto violent. In fact, our natural state is peaceful and seeking to co-exist. Violence is an aberration which serves a minority of humanity. The vast majority of men and especially women are not prone to violence as a primary act. War is also not good for business. It is bad for most businesses and only good for the weapons industry. So, we need to change the narratives, pull back the curtain and expose the sham of “national security expertise” and the minority who benefit from increasing militarization and perpetual war.

3. We can democratize security debates by engaging and enabling people to feel confident about talking about “what security means to them” – and in this way rethink our priorities to link human and national security together and allocate resources accordingly. I’d reduce defence spending and invest in education, health, environmental issues. I’m not naïve, I get that we may need deterrence, but whether we have 40 or 50 nuclear bombs or 1000 is almost irrelevant. Much of this weaponry is only useful if it stays entirely useless.

Episode one’s guest is Abigail Disney, grand niece of Walt Disney, and a philanthropist and social activist. Photograph: By U.S. Institute of Peace – Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Can you remember what the first podcast you ever listened to was?

Empire – with William Dalrymple and Anita Anand.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from? And which podcasts have impacted you the most?

Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! – from NPR is always great. I like the humour.

My kids have shared episodes of You’re Wrong About which are fascinating – in part because I lived through some of the incidents in real time.

Legal ones like 5-4 are interesting – to get a perspective I don’t often hear and generally I like the discussions/podcasts where people who are practitioners and experts in their field, look under the hood, discuss, and analyse and make issues accessible.

It reminds me of Einstein’s quote (or attributed to him) that if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know the topic well enough.

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

Episode 1 with Abigail Disney is a great introduction. Not only does she talk about the challenges and dangers of extreme capitalism to society, and offer her solutions, but she also discusses the links to other issues that come up in future episodes.

Episode 2 with Kelly Ghaisar is another great example – as it’s the story of a family, and a woman who was a professional interior designer, suddenly having her life ripped apart, being lurched into the universe of police violence and impunity, and deciding to take charge. Her convictions and integrity are so strong, that they give her inordinate courage and power. It’s very moving.

I could go on because every episode has its unique quality and topic.

Could you tell us more about the guests you have coming up on this first season of If You Were In Charge?

So far, I’ve had Abigail Disney, Kelly Ghaisar, Dame EJ Milner-Gulland, Kavita Nandini Ramdas.

I have had Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger on November 12th discussing the issue of Jewish settlers/settlements in the Occupied West Bank, and Mohammad Darwashe on educating for peace and equal coexistence in Israel on November 18th.

Meredith Whittaker who is CEO of the Signal Foundation (Signal app) joined me to discuss AI, cyber security and surveillance issues, and Professor Stephen Walt of Harvard’s Kennedy School joined me to talk about hypocrisy in US Foreign policy, academic freedom, and the price you pay for speaking truth to power.

Episode eight’s guest is Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, seen here on the Future Societies stage of the Web Summit 2022, Portugal. Photo by Sam Barnes/Web Summit via Sportsfile

Who would be your dream guest for the podcast?

Funny thing is so far I’ve had my dream guests.

I would love to invite:

• Dr. Hanan Ashrawi – CEO of Miftah & Former spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority
• Steve Balmer -Ex-CEO of Microsoft and now head of Usafacts
• Kamala Harris now that she’s lost the elections, to discuss how she’d do things differently.

If I could reach up to the heavens, I’d invite Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana. People forget that at just aged 36 when she passed away, she had already made a profound impact on public attitudes regarding HIV/AIDs and on the Campaign to Ban Landmines. Imagine if she had survived and continued her advocacy for critical causes.

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

You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and everywhere else you get your podcasts. For more about my work and organization please check out Icanpeacework.org

Twitter/X I often comment (still) at my handle @sanambna & @Whatthewomensay

Instagram @Albaloo2910 and @whatthewomensay

LinkedIn @sanam Naraghi Anderlini and @International Civil Society Action Network.

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m a comedian and actor – you might recognise me from my Victoria Beckham Vogue’s 73 Questions Spoof or ITV’s Bad Bridesmaid – or perhaps not! Lately I’ve starred opposite Harry Hill in his new film The Last Caveman, and just filmed Tim Vine’s new feature film.

My podcast is Holly Burn’s Dream House. Each episode I take a guided tour of our guests’ fantasy home. If money and logic were no object, what house would they build? Where would it be and have they got absolutely disgusting taste?

Guests like Harry Hill, Lou Sanders, Paul Foot, Nick Helm, Luke Macqueen, Rosie Holt, Phil Dunning, Rachel Paris, and Sunil Patel take me round their fantasy home from outside to in…Think Off Menu crossed with the Omaze prize draw via Through The Keyhole!

In its first week it was picked as Podcast of the week in The Guardian: “like listening to Grand Designs episodes too weird to air”.

Episode 11 with guest Harry Hill

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

Something like Serial S1.

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

I’ve always been interested in hosting and interacting with guests. Always loved the idea of doing a chat show of some sort. My comedy works best when it’s interactive and I engage with my audience. A podcast is the perfect answer to that.

I like the fact you can just start a pod off your own back, without anyone commissioning it or telling you what it should be. There’s no middleman – you can be your own boss, do it yourself, and not spend any (much) money. It’s satisfying to put yourself out there each week and have a tangible finished product you’ve created.

I come from a property background – growing up on building sites I’ve always loved anything property, building, design, and housing related – (shout out to heavy plant machinery!) so this was my obvious go to topic.

Episode 4 with guest Lou Sanders

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Diary of a CEO, nnnnaahhh not really ha ha ha.

I guess really, though not technically a pod, the OG – Desert Island Discs.

You’ve had some great guests on the show so far – who has been your favourite or most memorable guest, and why?

Phil Dunning (whose incredible sitcom Smoggie Queens starts this week on BBC) because he is a hilarious comedian. I love chatting to him and he loves property too – so he was a perfect match for a guest!

Episode 13 with guest Phil Dunning

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Victoria Beckham – she RTweeted my spoof of her Vogue 73 Questions vid and I think she’s got a great sense of humour and obvs is into design etc.

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

Probably Luke MacQueen or Matthew Crosby – both very funny guys…

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?

Buy a new MacBook with some big old horsepower to make editing less painful.

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

From the podcast Linktree, my Linktree or my website!

Listen to Holly Burn’s Dream House on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what is your podcast about?

My name is Bruce Whitfield. I am a nosy sod who has worked as a financial journalist and broadcaster for 25 years challenging business leaders, founders and policymakers live on radio about their decisions.

It struck me that if the world was to have just one more podcast, it should be about learning from those who successfully make complex, high quality decisions from which I distil key lessons for my audience to help them make better choices.

We all make thousands of decisions everyday ranging from the mundanity of what to wear, what to have for lunch, the words we utter, the ideas we act on, to what brands we consume. Plus of course, there are those life-altering calls around our relationships or where we should live, work and spend our lives.

Why did you decide to start The Art of Deciding?

I am fascinated by brilliant people. I have a deep curiosity about what makes those who are the most successful in their fields great at what they do. I have learned that it all boils down to the quality of their decision making, the trade-offs they are prepared to make and the risks they will take in order to bring an idea or project to fruition. The Art of Deciding is about drawing lessons from those people and challenging ourselves to think more deeply about the decisions we make.

The Art of Deciding host, Bruce Whitfield

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The News Quiz! It was hosted by Sandi Toksvig who uttered the immortal line: “…and the Tories who have put the ‘n’ into cuts….” I was hooked. I know it was a radio show that became a podcast but it was the first time that I became aware that there was a new way of sharing audio content via smartphones on demand and that it was going to change everything.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I love great storytelling – I found Stephen Fry’s Seven Deadly Sins captivating. I enjoy Dan Snow’s approach to history, the depth of “The Rest is…” series and the choreographed madness of No Such Thing as a Fish. There is so much really good, focussed work by specialists in their field available, but those are great examples of professionals sharing their brilliance.

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

That depends on what you want. and no, that is not a cop out.

The content on The Art of Deciding podcast is massively diverse and each episode is connected to the others via the single golden thread of decision making.

In episode one, the Jack Reacher creator Lee Child explains why he moulded his hero in the way that he did, why he chose to “write a bestseller” instead of following his ex TV colleagues into new jobs doing the same thing as they always had. His is a story of courage in the face of disaster. It also contains a vital parable around the myth of job security. His biggest decision was to create his own income stream without being beholden to the vagaries of corporate life.

Sharmadean Read is also all about self belief and the power of implementing your own ideas and your ability to execute those in a unique way.

Former Bank of England chairman Sir Brad Fried’s desire to expand his global horizons and how the decision to pick up the phone to the most respected man on Wall Street at the time, changed his life. What is the worst that could have happened if he had asked for help and had been rejected?

Lee Child at Bouchercon XLI, 2010. Photograph: Mark Coggins (CC by 2.0)

Lord Karan Bilimoria’s decision to break with a long family tradition of joining the Indian army led to the creation of Cobra beer. He is a big believer in serendipity. Some might call it luck; but his definition: “Serendipity is seeing what everyone else sees, but thinking what no one else has thought,” is a key differentiator between those who always seem to be in the right place at the right time and those who wonder how they do it.

So often we make decisions from a position of fear or insecurity, and invariably that makes us more risk averse than perhaps we can afford to be. Having options, and calculating the odds in the knowledge that no decision is ever likely to be perfect is preferable to leaving our lives to chance.

As former world poker champion Liv Boree tells us, it is all about rational decision making – she describes rationality as a dance between intuition and logic – and what is intuition but the result of our experience which shapes the way we approach new situations?

We’ve all watched police dramas with interrogators hammering their fists on a table with paper cups of half drunk “coffee” as they have sought to badger confessions out of suspects. Former police superintendent Asbjorn Rachlew, charged with overseeing the interrogation of mass murderer Anders Breijvik is revolutionising the way police question suspects – insisting they take nothing at face value. Ever. “What if the opposite is true?” is his mantra. It’s an approach all of us can use when making a big decision. We vote for our favourite candidate based on their campaign promises – can we live with our call if they prove disappointing?

Any one of the episodes is a perfectly good entry point to the series, and series two, poised for the new year, includes one of the most successful West End producers of this generation, a world leading expert on how to decide who does and does not remain within your inner circle, and a wonderful discussion about whether AI is going to make it easier or harder for us to make decisions that will serve us well.

Are there any decision-making tips or skills mentioned by your guests that have particularly stood out to you?

Brad Fried: Never allow yourself to be in a position where you are forced to make a decision, which if it does not work out, can break you, financially, emotionally or reputationally.

Lee Child: Be wary of being timid. His biggest regrets stem from being fearful about taking big decisions as a younger man. Ironic, considering his biggest was sitting down to write a book he hoped would be a bestseller rather than find a safer, salaried job.

Sharmadean Reid: Back yourself, but also never launch anything new until you have done proper market research. Never stop asking questions. You do not know everything, no matter how smart and connected you think you are.

Karan Bilimoria: Fortune favours the brave. Trust serendipity, provided of course you are able to think what no-one else is thinking when presented with an opportunity, using precisely the same dry facts.

Liv Boree: Suspend emotion. Focus on the facts. And never, ever, allow your emotions to get the better of you at critical inflection points in life.

Asbjorn Rachlew: Keep an open mind. Mind your own incentives, emotions and beliefs, they can often cloud your judgement.

What do you hope listeners will gain from listening to your podcast?

They will learn that there is no such thing as a perfect decision. Everything worthwhile requires a trade-off of some kind. They will also learn that it’s perfectly acceptable and even essential to own up to a bad call and deal with it sooner rather than later. They will learn to keep an open mind at all times and realise that the moment you make a decision, every assumption and piece of information you used to reach your conclusion, is already out of date. It doesn’t provide an opt-out and leave critical outcomes to chance, it just means that you should never allow yourself to be boxed into a corner where you are forced to choose a least-worst outcome rather than what is best for you. Lee Child speaks about decision making as a writer: “When you have a blank sheet in front of you, you have endless possibilities, the moment you write a single line, you have reduced the number of potential outcomes considerably.” The same is true for any decision you make. Your viable options reduce each time you make a decision.

Who would be your dream guest for The Art of Deciding?

Give me a break! I have had six, but if there was to be one more…it seems too easy to say Elon Musk…how about Salman Rushdie on forgiveness…but also Richard Shotton, Nuala Walsh, Annie Duke, Adam Grant, Gary Kasparov, Brené Brown, Steven Levitt, Dan Ariely, Angela Duckworth, Malcolm Gladwell…right now, just one? Would have to be Rushdie, followed by all the others and I wouldn’t be picky about the order.

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? Are there any decisions that you would change?

Trust the process. The concept is strong. The guests are brilliant. Stay insanely curious…That’s lots of one things…Trust the process, understand it will take longer than you hope, cost more than you want, but that the end result is non-negotiable. It’s a massively competitive landscape. You are asking potential listeners to give you some of their most valuable and finite commodity: time. Respect that. One thing: Focus on making it great.

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

www.brucewhitfield.com is the central repository for all information into the World of Bruce.

Listen to The Art of Deciding on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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?

I am the owner of the London Standard and a member of the House of Lords. My podcast is about the cutting edge of science and medicine, and the future of humanity.

We understand that your grandfather, Vladimir Sokolov, was one of your inspirations for the podcast, could you tell us a little about him, and how he inspired you?

My grandfather was one of the most important scientists in the Soviet Union. He was an ecologist, zoologist, and a pioneer of the USSR’s environmental movement; an early sustainability advocate who did much to advance the global interest in wildlife conservation.

As a child, I would frequently join him on field trips for months at a time, participating in scientific work along the steppes of Mongolia, deep in the Amazon Rainforest or the reefs of Vietnam. My very first trip with him was to Chernobyl, where we went to hunt ducks with a Geiger counter to measure their radioactive levels following the 1986 disaster. We then went on many expeditions to Africa, which inspired my love of the continent and where I have supported conservation charities throughout my adult life. More widely, my grandfather inspired me to engage passionately with the world and work towards a better future for humankind: protecting nature, improving health outcomes, and supporting cutting edge medicine.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place? What do you hope listeners will gain from listening to Brave New World?

Lockdown brought us all to a standstill. In my case, it inspired a period of reflection. I was able to turn my attention to ideas and projects which I’d been ignoring or delaying.

I’ve always been interested in science, for all the reasons outlined above, and it felt like the right time to do something about it.

The idea behind the podcast came about largely due to my interest in longevity science. I have spoken about this in the House of Lords and am a firm believer in the virtues of anti-ageing technology. I am also fascinated by the ethical and cultural implications of a movement that seeks to extend life – potentially, some argue, towards infinity.

More universally, we all became preoccupied with health and wellness during the pandemic – and more conscious than ever before of the health crisis befalling our country. Brave New World seeks to address the issues ripe for reform, as outlined by the Health Secretary last month. Namely: how we treat anxiety, depression, chronic disease, sleep deprivation, obesity, and age-related illness.

The podcast hears from those who seek to revolutionise healthcare and bring new treatments to the fore: psychedelics, nootropics, biohacking, etc. I hope listeners come away from it enlightened and better informed about the options out there for them.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

It was either the Lex Fridman podcast or Philosophize This with Stephen West.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Making Sense with Sam Harris and The Joe Rogan Experience.

Can you tell us about some of the guests you have coming up in series three of Brave New World?

We have groundbreaking scientists like Peter Attia, George Church, and Tim Spector; and thinkers like Steven Pinker who are reshaping how we think about the course and direction of humanity.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Sam Altman.

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

Mark Hyman on the rise of longevity medicine.

Do you have a favourite episode of the podcast, or one you are proudest of?

Helen Mirren on belief.

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

You can read interviews and editorial around the episodes on the Standard.

Listen to Brave New World on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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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Your podcast Sliding Doors is about to reach a big milestone – 100 episodes! Congratulations! For those unfamiliar, could you tell us a little about yourself and the podcast?

Thank you so much! I am Jennie Becker and three and a half years ago I founded the podcast Sliding Doors. Ever since I was 11 years old and used to go to the video shop on Saturday nights and rent the film Sliding Doors, I’ve been fascinated with the moment when Gwyneth Paltrow did and didn’t catch the train, and how we can have those what if moments in our lives. So when I decided to start a podcast, it was only fitting that I called it Sliding Doors and decided to delve into the Sliding Doors moments in people’s lives.

Have you ever had a sliding door moment – a decision or opportunity that could have gone either way that leads to two very different futures? Everybody has a sliding door moment in their lives – they don’t have to be big or flashy – but they can send you down a unique path you never expected…I’m fascinated by ‘what if’ moments – what they look like, what we can learn from them – and how we can begin to embrace them.

Since I started the podcast I’ve been on an incredible journey helping guests join the dots on the small decisions or moments that made a big difference and built the path of their lives.

From Olympians to presenters, actors to entrepreneurs (and even the cast of the movie!), each episode I get to meet amazing people and ask them what could have been, if they’d chosen differently…

Jennie Becker

In the Sliding Doors universe, you’re living the version of events where you started the podcast but on the flip side, in the timeline where you didn’t start the podcast, what do you think you would be doing now? Would you have started a different podcast instead?

That is such an amazing question! I can’t even begin to think of a world without having Sliding Doors in it! The podcast has not only changed my life but it’s changed me as a person so much over the past three and a half years. It has made me more confident; it has taught me so much, it has given my life inspiration and it has made me feel like I have a purpose in life. To be honest I feel like if I had started a podcast on anything else but Sliding Doors I don’t know how committed I would’ve been to it, but also I don’t know if I would’ve thrived off the interviews and enjoyed it as much as I have and really pushed through to consistently keep going for three and a half years. When it comes down to it, the reason why I keep going as an independent podcaster is because of my love of the conversations that I have and the sliding doors moments I get to delve into and dissect. To answer your question, I just think I’d be unhappy in my job in my life and still searching for something that gave me joy and filled my cup.

100 episodes is a great accomplishment! Can you tell us the most important things you’ve learnt from creating the podcast?

I think for me the most important thing is perseverance and consistency. The podcast world is so big and there are so many shows, but if you really believe in your ability and your premise you’ve just got to keep going at it. I know that the reason why I do this is because of the great conversations that I have. So for me, I think I’ve really learnt that. It’s really important to have something that feels like it’s my own. I think I’ve also learnt so much from my guests over the years and how certain things can happen in life and you have to believe in the decisions that you make and the path that you take. It’s going to lead you to where you’re meant to be and I’ve taken so much inspiration when I’ve had hard times in my life from listening to my guest stories and being able to look into the ‘what ifs’ of their lives.

What have been some of the highlights for you, over the course of your podcasting journey?

My biggest highlight was writing and producing the Sliding Doors 25 podcast documentary with all the cast and crew from the film. I created a four-part documentary series where I told the story of how the film was made. I got to interview a lot of the cast and crew and had some really great celebrities to tell their best Sliding Doors moments! The highlight for me was bringing everybody together at the electric cinema in Notting Hill watching the film, interviewing the writer and director and being able to celebrate the film that changed my life.

Sliding Doors 25

Do you have a favourite episode of the podcast, or one you are proudest of?

I get asked this question all the time and it’s so hard for me to answer because I genuinely come off most interviews so full of life and enjoyment after our chats! But I think for me the one that I am most proud of is my hundredth episode with Tony Blackburn, because it was such an amazing milestone and it was so great to meet him in person, as someone that not only I have loved listening to, but my family have for such a long time. If you had told me three and a half years ago, I would’ve been really proud.

Who would be your dream guest for the podcast?

I think Gwyneth Paltrow has to be one of them, but I also love Fearne Cotton and she’s one of the main reasons why I got into podcasting as I love her as an interviewer.

But I’d also love to interview Paul McCartney as I’m such a big fan of the Beatles and have so many questions I’d love to ask him.

Tony Blackburn on episode 100!

Is there an episode that you think is a great starting point for new listeners?

This is another great question…I would say out of the 100 episodes that I’ve done the best place to start (although you can really listen to any of them in any order), is Rachel Stevens, Bradley Walsh, or Andrea Mclean…some of my favourite moments!

Can you tell us anything about the 100th episode? Are you doing anything exciting to celebrate?

I am so excited to launch my 100th episode! As I mentioned it’s with the legendary broadcaster Tony Blackburn and we recorded in person which was just amazing and it’s a brilliant way to celebrate this milestone for me. I am launching new podcast artwork which has been really exciting to put together. And I’m also going to be doing a little celebration with some of my podcast guests, and people who helped me and worked with me, and my friends of the podcast, as I think it’s so important to celebrate milestones. I really feel like this is just the start of a new journey for me and I’m really excited to get it out there and also for everyone to see my other guests for this monumental series.

What are your future plans for Sliding Doors?

I just want to keep bringing out brilliant stories and interviews with some amazing guests and I would love to do more live shows to connect more with my audience and really start to build a community with the people that love listening to Sliding Doors but are also fascinated with the Sliding Doors theory…watch this space!

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

You can find out more about me on Instagram @jenbecks28 and @slidingdoorspod and you can keep up-to-date with all the things that are going on for Sliding Doors and look out for some community news coming very, very soon!

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

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What inspired you to start The Starting Line podcast, and how has your podcasting journey evolved since your very first episode?

I spotted a gap in the podcast market for straight white men in their thirties and just ran at it, before anybody else could have the same idea.

In seriousness, the show is a love letter to my family, and a message to people that no matter where we start in life, and what challenges we face – and we all will, we can do and achieve amazing things. God, I sound properly bleeding heart, don’t I?

The first episode was with Levi Roots, and since then – he showed up in a three piece suit, dripping with gold, and I was in shorts and a t-shirt, looking like a toddler who’d been allowed to dress himself for the day – I’d like to think I’ve been able to forget the mics and the cameras, and really just get to who each guest is, why they are who they are, and have fun in the process. I’ve loved every second of it.

You’ve had some fantastic guests on the show so far – who has been your favourite or most memorable guest, and why?

I’m going to have to pick splinters out of my backside here and say – I honestly don’t have a favourite. Some have made more of a splash than others, as with Brian Cox, but how lucky am I?

It’s been the biggest pleasure to sit and get to know these incredible people and share our conversations. What I will say is – I think I’ve cracked the code of what makes a successful person. It’s not a drive to earn money, beyond financial security. It’s these two things: I’m-going-to-learn-like-I’ll-live-forever curiosity, and unadulterated obsession.

Brian Cox and Rich Leigh

Being shortlisted for the Independent Podcast Awards is a huge achievement! How did it feel to get that recognition, and what do you think sets The Starting Line apart from other shows?

I’m god-awful at feeling proud of myself for various reasons, but to have a group of people far better versed in podcasting than me take a subjective look at something I’d created and respond positively made my entire week.

As for what I think sets it apart – I create it as if it will be watched or listened to by millions, in the hope it one day will be. I research like I’m at a cork board with pins and string, trying to solve a murder. I listen to and watch as much as I can of everything my guests have done, and I write notes I memorise, and know I might not even use.

The production quality has to be as perfect as can be, and I try to move heaven and earth to speak to the best and most interesting, entertaining, and inspiring guests. When all that is done, the conversation is the easy, fun part.

As you look back on your podcasting journey, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them to keep the show growing?

Everybody that’s ever published even one episode of a podcast will tell you – the main issue is discoverability.

I’ve worked in public relations for almost seventeen years now, and that has its advantages. I could have the best, most incredible episode – but if nobody listens or watches, I’m wasting time, money and effort. So, I aim to spend about as much time promoting each episode as we do producing it.

Short form content creation is an art, and I’m scratching the surface of being anywhere near good at it, relying on colleagues that are far smarter than me. Combining that with other aspects of promotion is essential.

Rich with Ellie Simmonds, Wynne Evans, James Cracknell

Your podcast explores the stories behind people’s personal and professional starts –has any guest’s story particularly resonated with or inspired you?

In terms of inspiring me – who people are, and why they are who they are, is hugely inspiring, so every conversation lights a fire under me. That said, I do have an answer here.

I’d say that Robin Ince has had the biggest lasting impact on me. I volunteered to be his taxi to the nearby Cheltenham Science Festival after our chat, in which I’d mentioned that I was thinking about how to go from good to great with the podcast, and I talked about branding. Robin asked if I’d read the book Factfulness by Hans Rosling, in which Rosling says ‘I’m not an optimist, I’m a possiblist’, and said that on the basis of our two-to-three hour conversation, he thought that applied to me. That’s really got me thinking.

With the new series coming up, what can listeners expect? Are there any exciting guests or themes we should be looking forward to?

This answer follows on nicely from the last.

Listeners and viewers can expect similar conversations, where I’m very happy to be the curious and excitable idiot in the room, with amazing guests. The difference will be a slight reframing, which will possibly come with a name change and rebrand.

I believe the show is good, but I want it to be great. The guests deserve the biggest audiences, and I want to have the biggest, most positive impact I can too – and given I’m not a celebrity with a big, existing audience, branding matters hugely here.

Levi Roots, Robin Ince

What advice would you give to someone just starting their own podcast, based on your experiences with The Starting Line?

I think, on reflection, it’s to stay consistent. If you set a scheduled day of release, respect your audience enough to stick to it.

And more than that – have fun doing it. It’s like when you play sport as a kid – you did that for free because you enjoyed it, and only a few people will realistically ‘make’ it. So, while pointing in the direction of having a successful show and getting better as you do it is important, if you’re not enjoying it, would big numbers change that?

Huge thanks to Pod Bible and the Independent Podcast Awards!

Listen to The Starting Line on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps and watch on YouTube >>

Follow The Starting Line on Instagram and X/Twitter to be the first to know when the new series is launching! 

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is Paul Sculfor and I’m a British model, mindset coach, and founder of charity Stride Foundation UK. Today, 1st August, I’m celebrating 20 years of sobriety which is why I’m launching my new podcast, This Is Powerful, to help people on their journey to recovery.

On the show, I have brilliant and honest conversations with specialists in the addiction recovery space and guests who have incredible stories of transformation and thriving beyond addiction. The podcast is a must listen for anyone who wants to hear real human stories from celebrities, professionals, and therapists alike about what addiction is, how hard it can make life but most importantly how rewarding and worthwhile it is to overcome it.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

The first podcast I ever listened to was Stuff You Missed in History Class about the guys that broke into Buckingham Palace. I love history and the way this podcast is told brings human voices to historical stories which goes beyond what you are taught in school. It’s narrated with fun and curiosity making it a compelling way to engage with new information.

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

I started podcasting because it’s a brilliant way to bring human stories to life. I wanted to use this platform to bring stories of people that have survived addiction and are willing to recover to life. My aim with the podcast is to help people understand how they survive addiction and get into recovery and how they live a happy healthy life without drugs in a way that feels like you might be having the chat with us in the room – it’s intimate and personal.

Paul’s recording session with DJ Fat Tony

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

For This Is Powerful, I took inspiration from a variety of different podcasts; there’s people like Andrew Huberman who delivers information I would never read myself in a way that is easy to digest in his Huberman Lab podcast, and podcasts like The Moth for their ability to bring human stories out without fancy frills around the edges; just great human stories. I love their interview style and the way I gain so much knowledge and insight as a listener. That’s what I want my audience to experience too.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

My ultimate guest would be Anthony Hopkins – I’d love to sit down and talk to him. He is someone who has huge life experiences, ups and downs, troubles with alcohol and a great message. He’s been sober for almost 50 years too which is incredible!

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

As a podcaster I’ve learnt that you really have to trust the process. I’m so lucky to have a great producer and team around me, so it really is about trusting them and trusting the process. In terms of the interviews with my guests, I learnt that it’s just so important to fully listen to what your guests are saying and to give them enough space to finish their thoughts instead of talking over them. Mostly I’ve learned just how much I’ve enjoyed every step.

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

It’s hard to say because I had the pleasure of speaking to so many inspiring guests on my show. But if you’re new to sobriety, and new to my story, I’d start with the intro episode which drops today, when I launch This Is Powerful. This episode gives you a bit more background information about me and my story of recovery.

After that, launching on 15th August, will be my interview with Michael Emmett. Michael is an ex-gangster from London, so he talks about his autobiography Sins of Fathers, the ‘hole in the soul’ and his spiritual awakening whilst sharing a prison cell with his father. It’s an incredible story. Michael is a real gentleman, we truly listened to each other, so the episode is super intimate, full of laughter but also really insightful moments.

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

On Instagram at @paulsculfor / @this_is_powerful_ / @stride.foundation or on the Stride Foundation website.

Listen to This Is Powerful on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Akram Khan. I’m a dancer, choreographer, and director, and I’ve made movement into my life and work. Move to Live, brought to you by Marquee TV, explores the profound questions that arise from the intersection of movement and life, such as: How does the way we move affect how we think and behave? What happens if we don’t get the opportunity to move? How does movement play a part in life apart from dance? I have always wanted to talk with creative people about these questions.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

I’m really interested in other people’s stories and their connection to music. And so I enjoy listening to BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs. Music has always played such an important part in my life. One of my fondest podcasting memories is being interviewed for the show. The presenter, Kirsty Young, has an amazing voice for radio. I also enjoy BBC Radio 4’s Homeschool History (mostly with my kids) and Gimlet Media’s The Habitat.

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

Connecting with our bodies is essential; without this connection, we can’t fully engage with the world around us. Our physicality shapes our relationship with everything outside of ourselves. Movement has always been my way of communicating. I wanted to explore this connection with people who aren’t necessarily dancers. I’m curious about their relationship to movement. It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while now and it’s been an enlightening journey.

Akram Khan and Andy Serkis

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Joe Rogan’s podcast intrigues me. His show hosts such a diverse range of guests and while I don’t always agree with them, often I am interested in hearing what they have to say and how they choose to respond.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I’m really interested in film so it would be amazing to speak to Christopher Nolan and Steve McQueen. Their insights and stories would be absolutely fascinating.

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

For me, being on the receiving end of interviews is familiar territory but conducting them is a whole new experience. It has been incredibly enlightening to be the one guiding the conversation so that my guests feel comfortable in sharing their own ideas and stories.

(Left) Akram Khan and Izzy Judd
(Right) Es Devlin and Akram Khan

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

The first episode is a conversation between Susannah Simons, Director of Content at Marquee TV, and myself; it’s a good introduction to the series. Suzannah interviews me and really, she sets the tone for the insightful discussions to come.

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

I don’t have social media but you can find out more about what I am up to through my Company at www.akramkhancompany.net and on social media, Instagram: @akramkhancompany and Facebook: AkramKhanCompany.

Listen to Move to Live 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 Jim Moore, I am the founder of Bloody Vegans Productions, a podcast production company that produces The Bloody Vegans Podcast as well as other shows including The Veganuary Podcast, The Vegan Business Tribe Podcast, The Think Like a Vegan Podcast, Veggies Abroad and a host of other shows.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

The first podcast I ever listened to was WTF with podcasting legend Marc Maron. I still listen to the show to this day and I have to say it has had a life changing impact.

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

Whilst I have been a podcast obsessive for well over 10 years it wasn’t until 2019 that I stumbled upon a reason to start my own. I had been vegan for 2 years but had never really found or participated in the vegan community and so I volunteered at my local Vegan Festival introducing guest speakers. By my own admission I naively thought up until this point that all vegans were fairly aligned in their world view, socially, politically etc. beyond not wanting to harm other animals and was taken aback by a question posed by a member of the audience to one of the speakers. The audience member described himself as a vegan but very conservative politically, this shouldn’t have surprised me as every community has diverse opinions but as I said I was rather naive. This experience sat with me for a day or two until I decided to go on a mission to showcase that the vegan community, like every community, consists of a diverse range of people and opinions. I chose to do this through the longer form interview format, leaning heavily on my love of Marc Maron’s oeuvre.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

WTF, Kermode and Mayo’s Take, Films To Be Buried With and, I am biased as the show’s producer but, Think Like a Vegan is fantastic (not because of the producer I hasten to add). Emi Leese is an incredible host and human being and attracts some of the brightest minds to contribute their content.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I’m lucky to have ticked off 3 of my dream guests, namely Captain Paul Watson (founder of Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd & Neptune’s Pirates), Carol J Adams (a seminal American writer, feminist, and animal rights advocate) & Keegan Kuhn (Director of Cowspiracy, What The Health etc.)

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

‘Just ask.’ So many guests you never thought would agree to come on your show will surprise you, just ask.

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

I would say the episode with Keegan Kuhn (Director) and John Lewis (BadAss Vegan) would be a great introduction but honestly if people listen to any of them, I am delighted.

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

Search for Bloody Vegans Podcast wherever you get podcasts or if you’re interested in starting your own show and need some help then head to www.bloodyvegansproductions.com.

Listen to The Bloody Vegans Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Anthony Walsh, the host of The Anthony Walsh Podcast. My show delves deep into the lives and journeys of peak performers from various fields, including artists, scientists, athletes, and educators. The podcast focuses on the concept of River-Jumping, which involves transferring knowledge and methods across different domains to spur creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Through this lens, I explore the values and characteristics that drive excellence, such as curiosity, commitment to daily excellence, and the pursuit of mentorship, health, and happiness. My goal is to provide listeners with actionable insights and fresh perspectives to help them excel in their own pursuits.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

Zen & The Art of Triathlon was a podcast I discovered well before Apple Podcasts even existed. Back then, I used to download it on LimeWire. From the moment I started listening, I was hooked. It felt like I was getting an intimate look into the life of an athlete. I learned vicariously through his mistakes and celebrated his victories, gaining valuable insights along the way.

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

I initially qualified as a lawyer, but within the first month, I felt like the walls were closing in on me. It just wasn’t me, even after spending seven years in law school. When I received a contract offer from a French cycling team, I jumped at the opportunity and spent a few years as a full-time cyclist. However, the sport’s dangers eventually made me realise that the risk no longer justified the reward.

When I returned to Dublin, I knew I didn’t want to go back to working 60-hour weeks in law. I decided to start my own business, thinking I could front-load the work and eventually have more passive time to enjoy the things I love, like cycling. But one business turned into two, and before I knew it, I was running four companies, working over 70 hours a week, gaining weight, and feeling unhappy.

A friend who mentors me in business advised me to shut everything down. It was like playing a computer game and making the wrong move – I just pulled the plug and started again. I’ve always believed in the idea that you are who you surround yourself with, so I began reaching out to authors and academics I admired, hiring them for consultations. After each session, I’d share the key takeaways with a WhatsApp group I created, all aimed at rediscovering health and happiness since I had lost my way.

The momentum grew, and the WhatsApp group eventually hit its member limit. It became clear that many others were also struggling to find their way, searching for health and happiness. Realising the need for a broader platform, I decided to evolve the WhatsApp group into a podcast. The Anthony Walsh Podcast was born as a way for listeners to join me on this journey towards health and happiness, offering a space for shared learning and growth.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I really admire the Colin & Samir podcast. It offers a playbook for small creators to build their own podcasts, breaking down the steps and strategies in an accessible way. What I particularly love is how it removes the barriers of access to some great minds. For instance, I’d never have the opportunity to sit down with the YouTube CEO, but listening to this show makes me feel like I am. It provides valuable insights and feels like a masterclass in content creation and storytelling.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

My dream guest for the podcast would be my dad. I think I’d have a better chance of getting Joe Rogan, but I would cherish 60 minutes of undistracted time with my dad to ask him about his regrets, life, dreams, and lessons. He’s a man I admire more than any other, and having that deep, meaningful conversation with him would be incredibly special to me.

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

The biggest lesson I’ve learned as a podcaster is that no matter how big the star, they’re just a normal person with hopes, dreams, and fears. I loved speaking with Valtteri Bottas in episode 2. It was eye-opening to see that even someone at the pinnacle of their field shares the same human experiences and emotions as the rest of us. This realisation has made my interviews more relatable and enriching, as it underscores the universal aspects of our journeys.

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

Episode 1 with John McAvoy is the perfect introduction to my podcast. John was born into a famous crime family and, at a young age, found himself in a maximum-security prison serving a life sentence. Sport saved him – he broke world records in rowing while still in prison. This episode was a very deliberate starting point for the podcast because sport has played such an important role in my own life. John’s story also offers powerful lessons of rebirth and the possibility of a fresh start, no matter your circumstances.

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

https://anthonywalshpodcast.komi.io/

Listen to The Anthony Walsh Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Emma Lightbown, a fashion stylist, podcaster, and presenter. Off the Hanger is the fashion podcast where we chat to guests about their favourite wardrobe pieces and the amazing stories behind them. The guests are a fabulous, diverse mix of people from familiar faces to industry experts, fashion fanatics, and those with a unique sense of style.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

Sh**ged, Married, Annoyed – I love the very honest look at married life and the ridiculous / gross / hilarious stories that people send in. I learnt very quickly that it was one to listen to in the car not on public transport as you get some funny looks when you’re hysterically laughing at something no one else can hear!

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

Off the Hanger combines two of my favourite things – fashion and being nosey! I love chatting to the guests about the deeper meaning behind their clothes, why they choose what they wear, and how fashion impacts their everyday – it’s a way of showcasing that fashion is way more than just the superficial.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I loved the format of Films To Be Buried With – so took inspiration from that when creating my own format. Although we wander off topic I really enjoy having the same set of questions that I cover with every guest. Fearne Cotton and Elizabeth Day are both incredibly inspirational. I love their interview style – it’s warm, friendly, and never invasive even though they cover some very personal topics with guests.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Iris Apfel was always my dream guest up until her passing earlier this year. She had such a wonderful and unique sense of style – breaking down the stereotypes of what you can and can’t wear past a certain age. She was always truly authentic in her outfit choices and I would have loved to have known her answers to the Off the Hanger questions.

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

My chat with artist and print designer Jess Williams (“Top Fashion Tips From Artist & Print Designer Jess Williams”). We cover so much in this episode – trying to get over the diet culture hangover, Jess’s beautiful work, how she feels about wearing her own designs, and her childhood love of fancy dress. She shares her most embarrassing fashion moment, her most sentimental wardrobe piece, and the dream style treasure she’s lusting after.

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

Off The Hanger is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Or you can find me on Instagram and TikTok: @offthehangerofficial

Listen to Off the Hanger on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and other popular podcast apps >>

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We’re big fans of Changes here at Pod Bible. Could you tell any readers who may not have tuned in yet what they can expect?

Changes is a podcast that interviews all different types of people with the regards to the biggest changes they’ve been through in their life by zooming in on their big changes. Whether that’s changes that have happened to them or changes they have implemented; you are getting into the really knotty, interesting, meaningful parts of their lives.

Changes came third in the Interview & Conversation category in the 2023 Pod Bible Listener Polls (voted for exclusively by listeners). What is it about the show that you think people find so engaging?

I was so happy to win that award, to get to the top third in such good company as well – it meant the world. I hope that what people find engaging is the choice of the guests. We try to choose our guests because of the stories they have to tell – so the hope is that everyone has an interesting story; something that is remarkable, something that is compelling to listen to.

My interview technique is to kind of lean back, I don’t get too busy, so I like to allow the interviewee to feel really relaxed and talk as much as they like and then use the editing process later to hone and shape that into more of a structured conversation. I hope that it’s engaging – our episodes aren’t ever really long as we’re conscious of people’s time and how long they have to listen to something at any given go.

The other thing is trying to zoom in on our listeners’ needs, and how they would like to be served, and thinking in terms of What can they hear that will make them feel more connected to the world, and to themselves, and also help them to be able to navigate change in their lives better?

Has making the podcast changed you in any way?

Changes has really changed me, I suppose. First of all, it was the kind of backdrop through a period of huge change in my life from when I decided to leave BBC Radio 1 and venture into the world of writing and writing novels. So Changes has been there all the way through that. It served me really well in terms of just being able to pick the people I really really want to talk to and hear from – so my own instinctive curiosity has been served, which is amazing.

Then in terms of how I’ve changed, I suppose I’ve just learned so much. When you have these conversations with people and you really dig into people’s human experiences, you cannot help but broaden your own minds, you know? You’re learning what it is to live, what it is to be a human. The more experiences you learn from, the bigger your own mind is, but also the more empathetic you are. Learning different perspectives, I think, is a really big priority for changes. Learning how other people see the world and how other people are treated in the world and being able to really hear those voices that maybe don’t get heard that much gives you a sense of empathy and awareness of real human experience. To me that’s a really valuable thing, that’s definitely something I’ve got and that has changed me on starting it out.

Alongside Changes you also make Sidetracked with your old friend Nick Grimshaw, we imagine you two could talk about anything and make it an enjoyable listen but what’s your main focus?

The main focus for Sidetracked is just us having fun and talking about music. It’s an extension, a vehicle basically for our friendship to exist in audio form (an extension of our friendship in audio form). And it’s very much supposed to be a natural, unforced look through the week in music. So anyone we want to talk about, no matter how absurd or silly, is what we do. I really like it for that reason because it’s completely authentic to who we are as people and what our friendship is.

What’s it like to be working with Nick again?

It’s amazing to be working with Nick, I’m really really enjoying it. I also love the contrast between Sidetracked – which is all done by the BBC Sounds team – versus Changes which is run by me and my own production company, so I can just go in, have a laugh and leave every week and that’s really nice.

It’s absolutely amazing to be working with Nick again, it’s something I’ve been trying to figure out for a few years now so it’s great we’ve been able to do this.

Finally, with such vast experience in presenting on the radio and now in podcasts, what advice would you give to any aspiring hosts who may be reading?

I think the most important thing in broadcasting is truthfulness, is honesty, it’s having your listeners believe that what’s coming out of your mouth is something that is truthful and honest to who you are. So whatever you choose to do, whatever you choose to cover, whatever you choose to talk about, make sure that it is coming from a place of real passion and real curiosity on your part. I think that if that’s your bottom line – you’re off to a really really good start.

Listen to Changes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcasts >>

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