Far be it from us to start gushing about high street supermarkets, and obviously other high street supermarkets are available, but everything Waitrose does comes with the implicit promise that it’s going to be a little bit nicer than the equivalent own-brand product you’d have got elsewhere. It’s a little present to yourself.

Its podcast, Dish, has that feel. The idea is that it’s a dinner party with a different famous type each time, and exactly the kind of unguarded, daft conversation which any decent dinner party usually degenerates into with the appropriate company and drinks. Hartnett, the Michelin-starred chef, wisely takes charge of the cooking to put together a different dish every time; Grimshaw does the glad-handing, sous-cheffing and sommeliering.

That isn’t to say that it’s over-polished or prim: hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett’s skill is in making each episode sound like you’re earwigging on their conversation with a famous friend having been sat next to them in a restaurant, or perhaps that you can hear their conversation floating through the kitchen window. Here’s where to start.

S1 E1: Nick and Angela

It’s an obvious place to start, but given that you’ll be spending a whole lot of time with Grimshaw and Hartnett from here on out it’s an essential grounding in their attitudes to food and where they’re coming from. This first dish is a pea and pancetta risotto, with a side of memories of Hartnett’s time being lambasted by Gordon Ramsey for making a hash of a terrine and sending butter flying everywhere from a stand mixer. “And as I’m cleaning down in my panic, I switched the freezer off,” Hartnett remembers. “So then I start melting the ice creams for lunch, everything.” It’s reassuring to know that even extremely good chefs have literal and metaphorical meltdowns when the pressure’s on. Plus: the insider knowledge of which famous people are famous enough to demand takeaway from Hartnett’s restaurant. Harrison Ford is a big yes, as are Cher and Claudia Winkleman. Sting’s touch and go.

S2 E1: Rylan Clark

Everyone’s favourite X Factor dud turned all-round presenting and chatting geezer is a national treasure in the making, and his visit to Hartnett and Grimshaw wanders typically quickly from the point and onto the many types of wildlife making themselves at home chez Clark. That includes a one-legged pheasant he found using his treadmill, and the snake which he found staring him down in the kitchen. Obviously he asked Instagram what to do.

“Half of them were saying, ‘It’s a grass snake, it’s more frightened of you.’ The other half were saying, ‘My dad’s a vet and it’s gonna kill you.’” Panicking, Rylan called his gardener to come and sort the snake out, which had gone missing again. “So I’m in a boiler suit I once wore on X Factor, tucked into a pair of UGG boots. And it was boiling as well, it was like 30, 40 degrees out. So he’s opened up the bi-folds. It was like Cilla Black’s ‘Moment of Truth.’”

He lived to tell the tale, clearly, and to wolf down the beer and burger Hartnett prepared for him.

S3 E7: Aisling Bea

The slightly luvvie-ish chat about how Aisling bumped into Grimshaw while he was getting a facial in Los Angeles – “gym-ed out, with his face absolutely pummelled and worked on” – soon turns into a deep dive into Bea’s extremely extensive knowledge of potatoes as they tuck into tuna niçoise and its natural counterpart, a nice whisky. If you’ve ever wondered exactly how to become a potato farmer, Bea has some sound but kind of gross advice: “How you do it is you just cut an old potato in half, let it dry out, and then – this sounds disgusting – its eyes will become its legs and then the eyes are to grow into a bit of soil, and then another potato comes out of the potato.”

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

To learn more about Angela and Nick, their love of podcasts, and the show read our interview in Issue 29 of the Pod Bible Magazine now!

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With an outstanding broadcasting career behind her, Edith Bowman knows a thing or two about creating engaging audio. We caught up with the host of Soundtracking to talk about laughing too loudly, now knowing too much and using your initiative. 

If you could go back to before you started out and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t laugh too loudly. It makes me cringe when I hear my laugh. I guess I get carried away, which is only a good thing.

What do you think makes a great podcast guest?

Someone willing to have a conversation and allow that conversation to go wherever it may go. To not follow the usual premeditated answers that have been practised for a press tour. That’s why I love getting people out of that cycle.

What’s the secret to being a good podcast host?

Passion, genuine passion. I also think not being too informed on the subject. I’m a music and film fan, I know stuff but not everything and I like to learn from every guest, which I definitely do.

What’s been your worst podcast moment so far?

When I got home after interviewing directors Valerie Farris and Jonathan Denton who had just released Battle of the Sexes and something happened to the audio, there was this constant whine that meant it was unusable. I crawled to the PR people and asked if there was any way I could get another 20 mins with them. Knowing they were off to Europe to do more press, I was willing to jump on a plane or train to do it. Thankfully they had another screening the following night and very kindly said come along and we can chat after that. They were such good sports and very gracious and generous with their time.

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

The good ones are very intimate and the best ones make you feel involved in the conversation, like you are in the room with them. The worst ones are where you can tell that the host/s just love the sound of their own voices and their opinions are the only opinions. Immediate turn off for me.

What is your podcast/podcaster pet peeve?

Well it’s a funny one. The biggest compliment should be when people try and imitate what you do, but it doesn’t stop you from feeling a little pissed off that someone has basically ripped off your idea. They just wish they’d come up with it first and did it half as well as you do.

Is there anything you found annoying as a listener but then understood when you started making your own podcast?

Not really no. It’s such a wonderful world and opportunity for people to explore and share their passions and stories. Mine came out of sheer frustration. I did a similar show on 6Music, my idea that I came up with, they wouldn’t give me a regular slot, as I knew I could give them a really good guest every week. So I said, fuck it, i’m going to do it myself. That is the amazing thing about podcasts.

Which one episode of your podcast mean the most to you?

Well there are two. The episode we recorded with Jon Favreau was our first ever and I am forever in his debt for being so enthusiastic and willing to jump on board with us. And then our very first episode with Ben Wheatley, he’s such a great supporter of the podcast, we appreciate his love so much. He’s been on three times now!

Finally, which podcast episode not of your own means the most to you?

Oh man that’s a hard one. The one that has made me laugh the most and that I’ve probably listened to the most would be The Adam Buxton Podcast episode with Louis Theroux, the one where they drink an energy drink and get more and more wired the longer the chat goes on for. Genius and a great one to listen to on the tube, laughing out loud and making people think you are mad.

In Soundtracking, Edith Bowman sits down with a variety of film directors, actors, producers and composers to talk about the music that inspired them and how they use music in their films, from their current release to key moments in their career. Subscribe now on Acast, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Edith on Twitter @Edibow

The post THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO… Edith Bowman appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Tell us about your show! What’s your elevator pitch??

First of all I would never pitch anything in an elevator. We’re way above that now. I’d probably get the Best Podcast award that we won out of my bag and just hold it out in front of me and then when the other people in the lift ask “why have you got that award?” I’d explain; We do an award winning podcast called The Kurupt FM Podkast where we talk about different topics and help you to understand them. The best way to describe it is probably it’s like injecting pure knowledge directly into your brain using headphones.

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

We’d been running our pirate radio station for years, blazing out the finest UK garage across the land of Brentford. After we stopped doing Kurupt FM everyone was understandably heartbroken and wanted to hear our voices again. Then our manager, Chabuddy G, told us about these things Audible do called podcasts, which are basically like pirate radio shows, but much, much more boring. I decided that it was time for us to make podcasts credible and at the same time bring our voices to a nation of desperate fans. Also Chabzy said it was a good way for him to advertise shit to gullible people. So everyone wins, really. One thing that’s good about podcasts is that the reach is a little bit wider than pirate radio. Our reach used to be a two mile radius from the block where our aerial was but with the Podkast you can get wherever which is pretty mad.

What’s the secret to being a good podcast host?

Be yourself. Unless you’re boring. Some podcast hosts are proper boring, which is probably why the whole podcast thing hasn’t really taken off until now. The secret to being a good podcast host is to provide wisdom and have natural lyrical talent. That’s why Audible approached me. Good looks aren’t essential cos it’s just audio but there’s nothing I can do about that. They get that for free.

What do you think makes a great podcast guest?

Make sure you recognise and respect the podcast host and above all know your place. Stepping into someone’s podcast is like coming into their home. Take your shoes off on your way in, have some respect, wipe the seat if you use the toilet. That’s a metaphor, Steve’s toilet doesn’t actually work. If you need a piss you have to walk around the corner to the leisure centre or McDonalds.

If you could go back to before you started out and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

We actually discuss time travel as part of the episode about the future. I can say from experience that the idea of going back and talking to yourself is not something I would recommend. It’s better to not interfere in that stuff cos you don’t know what sort of madness you might end up doing. Look at Back To The Future. One minute it seems like a great idea, the next minute you’re like Marty McFly and you’re accidentally about to have sex with your own mum. No thanks.

What’s been your worst podcast moment so far?

Last series we did a Ouija board and accidentally opened the door into the spirit world. That was quite long. I don’t believe in all that stuff obviously but when you blaze loads of weed it’s hard not to sometimes get paro… Steve still burns sage in his flat once a week just in case there’s still spirits knocking about.

Which episode of episodes of your podcast mean the most to you?

The episode where I finally reveal the script for the film I’ve been writing about my life. MC Grindah: The Movie. We acted out some of the scenes and it was really emotional for me to see it come to life. Idris Elba, if you’re seeing this, and I’m sure you are – the part of MC Grindah is still up for grabs. Everyone says we’re basically twins so it’s the role of a lifetime for you, I’m not sure why you’ve been ignoring our messages. Maybe you’re in the gym bulking up, trying to get my shoulders.

Which podcasts of podcast hosts inspire you most?

I don’t listen to podcasts to be honest, they’re mainly for brears who drink coffee and have folding bikes and suits with running trainers that want something to listen to on the tube. So I’d probably have to say myself. And I inspire those around me as well so in a way I’m inspired by them because they’re inspired by me.

Finally, what are your current favourite podcasts?

Hmm. Tough one. I think I’d have to say The Kurupt FM Podkast. And if it’s not your favourite then you’re wrong cos we literally have an award to prove that it’s the best one. It’s mad actually cos I never was a fan of podcasts before but I have single-handedly converted myself into a podcast fan.

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Podcasts have become a hub for entertainment and amusement, or indeed a place of learning, but they’ve also taken on a role of outreach. There are certain challenges that we collectively face in today’s world, but podcasts are putting conversations on a global stage. We now have a whole sector with a social conscience in the podcast world. Pod Bible aims to shine a spotlight on these causes.

Learning To Adult Slowly is a podcast hosted by rap artist Professor Green and its aim is to address the many aspects faced by men today, such as body image, mental health, grief, and resilience. Produced by The Book of Man, a website that aims to open up the dialogue around mental health – and for which Professor Green is a columnist – the Learning to Adult Slowly podcast is a natural spin-off. So how did it all come about?

Martin Robinson, founder and editor of The Book of Man explains why he initially took such an interest in our collective mental health.

“I had the idea for it after losing my previous magazine job and finding myself at home, discovering the joys of being a stay at home Dad, but also quite isolated and bewildered and emotionally bruised. It occurred to me that there was nothing out there to really support men internally as well as externally – nothing genuinely dealing with the ‘masculinity crisis’, which wasn’t just a pop culture joke but a genuine result of a digital age shifting in social roles at home and work, exacerbated by recession and resulting in terrifying figures for male suicide, mental health issues, addiction, violence, sexual dysfunction, and eating disorders.”

The figures speak for themselves. The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a support network for mental health and according to their website suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under 45 in the UK. In 2015, 75% of all UK suicides were male. During a live recording of Learning to Adult Slowly, with guests consisting of Scroobius Pip, comedian Kelly Convey, and CALM CEO Simon Gunning, the panel were keen to point out that males under the age of 45 are statistically more likely to be at risk from dying due to self-harm than any other way, including road traffic deaths. What can we do to keep the conversation going?

Martin Robinson says:

“Having Professor Green as our columnist on Book of Man and also the host of the Learning to Adult Slowly podcast has been wonderful in exemplifying the kind of issues we want to deal with – the issues that aren’t better left unsaid. His writing about grief, meds, violence, fear, vulnerability, is remarkable and much needed. But bringing that into the podcast arena has given it another dimension, as well as a bigger repeat audience. Real conversations with people on these areas really makes them hit home. And you realise everyone has in some way been affected by such matters. The mere fact that you can listen to people talking about the most difficult moments in their life is remarkable. The reaction we had was immediate and positive”

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In the evening we were back at tube stations before heading to the Leicester Square Theatre to hand copies to the audience before Richard Herring’s live podcast record!

If you came out on Monday, thank you! If you missed us you can buy a copy here or read the digital version here!

The post Issue #002 London Launch! appeared first on POD BIBLE.

On February 4th 2019, the Pod Bible team were finally able to unveil Issue #001 after months of hard graft and a lot of podcast listening.

Pod Bible creators Scroobius Pip, Stu Whiffen and Adam Richardson were up bright and early to hand copies to busy London commuters at a number of tube and train stations. Throughout the day they dropped copies at shops, venues and bars before hitting the tube stations again during the evening rush hour.

As well as handing out issues the team also popped into sponsors Acast, dropped copies at the BBC and filmed interviews with podcast fans across London. Finally they popped up the the Leicester Square Theatre to hand copies to podcast fans on their way in to see Richard Herring record his show.

What a day!

If you came out especially to grab a copy, found one on the tube or dropped into one of the many locations we stocked – THANK YOU!

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