From the Bronze Age to Bono, Paganism to St. Patrick, Ireland has a proud, storied past. It is a country steeped in tradition: particularly, according to Shane, one of being occupied again and again by absolutely anyone with a boat. Now, after centuries of squabbling, migrating, and countless raids on monasteries, Shane and Hazel are on a mission to understand the island they call home from both sides of the border – and, most importantly, have plenty of laughs along the way. 

This is a podcast for people who are interested in history, but not so interested that they would read a book about it or listen to actual experts. This is history done differently: with a couple of facts, and plenty of craic.

How did We’re Not F***ing Historians come to be? What was your inspiration?

Shane: Like everyone, I was bored in lockdown and read all of the Internet. I got onto an article on Irish history and realised I knew very few of the stories. That got me thinking about a podcast where I learn about these incredible tales and share my interpretation with the audience. 

Hazel: My agent told me he represented some mad Irish bloke who wanted to start a history podcast. He needed a co-host who would laugh at his jokes and never question the accuracy of his historical facts, and that’s where I came in. 

S: We met on Zoom and pretty quickly everyone felt like we could work really well together. 

H: Look – we’re just two history enthusiasts who happen to be absolutely hilarious. How could we deprive the world of all that?

What story are you most anticipating sharing on the podcast?

H: I wouldn’t say I’m most anticipating this necessarily – but I think it will be really interesting to talk about The Famine on a comedy podcast since, let’s be honest, it was probably the bleakest point in Irish history. It’ll take some skill to talk about it with humour, but also with the reverence it deserves.

S: I’m buzzing for people to hear our episode on Rathlin Island. It’s a tiny island off the coast of Northern Ireland with a massive history. I gig there annually and have built a real relationship with the area and the people. So to be able to pay homage to it was a lot of fun. Richard Branson crashing a hot air balloon there isn’t even one of the main things that have happened on Rathlin Island!

How much did you know about Irish history before you started making the show? Were you big history buffs at school?

H: Not a lot to be honest. History was actually one of my favourite subjects at school but I dropped it in my fourth year when we got a new teacher who was so strict and boring that she sort of ruined it for me. So all I have left now is what I vaguely remember from early school days.

S: History was one of the only school subjects I was interested in. I couldn’t get enough of it. Sadly after school, I stopped reading up on it. Until now! I think a lot of people are like that. 

In a single sentence, how would you sum up We’re Not F***ing Historians?

H: A show for people who are more about the craic than the facts.

S: The blind leading the blind on a journey through Irish history.

Listen to the first episode on October 12th on the Stak website, or Acast or Spotify.

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Ahead of the new season, I sat down with Joel Emery and Adam Jarrell, co-writers and creators of The Offensive, to discuss predicting the future of football, what to expect next from the Premier League circus this season, and what is in store for Ashwood City in the coming months.

Have there been times where something you’ve scripted in the show has then happened in the real world?

JOEL: When it comes to writing the plot for the show, you think to yourself: “What is the most cynical thing the board of directors at a top football club could do?” And as soon as you enter that thought process, you invariably end up predicting the patterns of elite-level football. We predicted the Super League a month before it happened – except I think we called it ‘The Gazprom Super Euro League’. When the pandemic shut down football, Ashwood City’s Chief-Executive Patrick Nolan furloughed all the staff – around 4 days later in the real world so did Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle… much to the disapproval of football fans. Liverpool reversed that decision, the fallout was that bad.

ADAM: We built our storyline last season around grassroots fan ownership, in the coming months the same things happened at Rangers and Newcastle – among others. Our favourite ‘prediction’ (if you can call it that) was during a Europa League episode where we had a story about the club’s left-back walking out with a mascot who was taller than him. 3 hours after the episode aired, it happened to Man Utd’s Dan James in a game versus AZ Alkmaar.

Has it become harder to satirise football ownership – particularly in the last six months with the European Super League saga – when so many owners and CEOs seem to be as villainous as Patrick Nolan now?

J: I think it’s left us feeling somewhat vindicated, to be honest. There’s always the worry that our characters will go too far, be too cruel, be too greedy or callous but the football world always reflects people back at us that are – somehow – so much worse. Patrick is an Old Etonian, Cambridge educated, a former banker with a hatred of football fans and a desire for money and power… Is he that far removed from other football club owners? No. Not at all. In some cases, he’s actually one of the nicer ones, which is worrying.

A: The challenge with the satire around the ESL was how it launched and crashed so emphatically. As well as football goings-on, our show also specialises in PR disasters, social media faux-pas, egg on the face of the wealthiest elites in football… and all of a sudden when the ESL popped up and managed to collapse in the funniest and most humiliating way for all parties involved we were left scrambling to outdo them in a way.

How do you expect the tension between fans and owners to play out this season and beyond – both at Ashwood City and in the real world?

J: This is going to be a bleak answer… I can’t see how fans get a meaningful foothold on the game again. Fan ownership will roll on for a few more years, but I can’t see a fully fan-owned Premier League club. We’ll come to a point where fans purchase a piece of their club, but not a controlling stake. And if you thought club owners were bad enough already – wait until they have access to money that isn’t theirs.

Where do you see your next rich source of material coming from this season? In other words, what do you think football’s next big fuck-up will be?

A: Well… the answer there is probably the road to Qatar 2022! Amidst football’s genuine attempts from fans, players, brands and charities to find a heart and soul, there is also the colossal and unstoppable wealth of Manchester City and PSG, the impending collapse of football institutions like Barcelona and Inter Milan and of course the race for mid-table sides to sell their soul to the Saudi Arabian wealth fund. As real social change happens at the bottom in football – with inclusivity, mental health awareness, social responsibility – the opposite is happening at the top.

J: The next big fuck-up is the super-owners versus the super-organisations like UEFA, Premier League and FIFA. What do the brands caught in the middle do? Is it right for a brand that celebrates Pride Month to sponsor a tournament in Qatar? Is it right for a team that works with men’s mental health charities to brand themselves head-to-toe in Chinese gambling websites?

A: I realise this all sounds really gloomy, but I promise we’ll find an amusing way to poke fun at it all.

Can you give us a teaser about this season of The Offensive?

A: This season, Ashwood City are going to be pushed into areas they could never have dreamed of – thanks to the shady and devious activity of their Chief-Executive and his anonymous financial connections.

J: For those that remember Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano suddenly turning up at West Ham – you’re in for a treat.

For both connoisseurs of the beautiful game and fans of comedy, The Offensive is unique entertainment – with a bite. The new season of The Offensive is live! Listen via the Stak website, ACAST, and Spotify.

This article was written by Finn Ranson, an Assistant Producer at Stak, as part of a paid advertising package.

To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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Who was the real Bernie Katz, and what events led to his untimely death? In Bernie: Who killed the Prince of Soho?, journalist Mark Edmonds speaks to Bernie’s closest friends and the celebrities who knew him to better understand how Bernie became ‘The Prince of Soho’ as well as the demons he left behind.

I sat down with Pete Donaldson, who’s the Creative Director here at Stak, to talk a bit about stepping into true crime podcasts…

What was the process behind getting this podcast made?

Pete: I knew Bernie for a long time as I lived in Soho for six or seven years. He was one of the people that really made it feel like a community. Then we brought Mark Edmonds on board and he breathed life into the project with some wonderful writing. And Sami El-Nany’s sound design was instrumental as well – if you’ll forgive the pun.

What goes into producing a true-crime series as opposed to any other podcast?

P: By design, this podcast was a celebration of Bernie and his life. I loved him dearly, and every single one of my friends did too. Like Richard Bacon said in the show, I think losing Bernie means we lost a moment in time – he represented a period of our lives where we had fewer responsibilities, had more legendary nights out – and he was a man who understood Soho like so few others. More than anything else, he cared about people and he made the place come alive.

This project may have led us to pull at some difficult threads, but that wasn’t what we set out to do. As we interviewed more and more people and heard more and more audio, stories of his final weeks started to take a more complex and difficult turn. If listeners are enthralled by Bernie’s unspeakably sad end, it’s because the testimonials of our guests are so vivid and loving. The man was seriously that important to so many.

Without giving too much away, what surprised you most about Bernie’s story?

P: His funeral was a very public affair. The great, the good, the rich and the famous all rolling around Soho for an afternoon, pieces on BBC London about the sad loss of one of Soho’s greatest characters, but actually very few, save for a couple of pretty close friends, knew what the final weeks of his life were like. And, for someone who knew him but really didn’t know him well enough, I found the interviews rather shocking and wish that I’d been closer to him.

You can listen to all three instalments of Bernie: Who killed the Prince of Soho? via your favourite podcast player. Our writer and presenter is Mark Edmonds who can be found on Twitter @MEdmondsLondon, and sound design is by Sami El-Enany, @SamiElEnany on Twitter.

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

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On the 17th of February, Stakhanov launched its newest show My Seven Wonders with Clive Anderson, co-produced with Alaska TV and hosted by legendary presenter and award winning comedian, Clive Anderson. Each week, Clive welcomes a new guest and asks them the same big question: which seven wonders of the world would make it onto your personal list? From tomato soup to Irish hurling, every guest gives Clive a unique window into their lives with each one of their wonders. The debut series features 10 episodes with such guests as Dara Ó Briain, Shappi Khorsandi and Griff Rhys Jones OBE. The show was planned, recorded and launched entirely remotely by Stakhanov. As the show’s lead producer, Beth Madden helped Clive through the tricky process of creating and publishing a bespoke podcast.

What was the inspiration behind the my seven wonders podcast?

Clive: A few years ago on a particularly enjoyable working trip to America, I was sitting in a bar overlooking the magnificent concourse of Grand Central Station in New York. America no longer has a particularly extensive railway system, so nowadays Grand Central is essentially a terminus for a number of suburban lines. But it was built to a fantastically high standard of design in 1913 and still preserves the grandeur of a golden age of rail. I thought this really is a wonder of the world, and started to assemble in my mind a list of the wonders of the world I had seen. Any wonder can be interesting in and of itself. But taken together, they provide an excellent basis for lengthy conversation as well as some insight into the character of each guest.

What was the process behind prepping and launching a new show remotely?

C: Our original plan was to record these podcasts in Stakhanov’s production studio, which is conveniently located a gentle stroll away from my home in Highbury. But once Covid-19 kicked in, the recording had to be done remotely. For me, this meant sitting in a stationery cupboard with only room for me, my laptop and a high-quality microphone amongst the shelves of printer paper, old files, notebooks, and other such assorted junk. Not a particularly elegant set-up. But from my cupboard-studio, I am linked to the guest sitting in their home. Luckily there was my producer, Beth, to bring us together via Zoom or Zencastr – so my technical skills weren’t tested too much!

Beth: It’s been a bit weird not being able to meet everyone that I’m working with face to face! I like to have a bit of a chat when I’m in the studio and get to know the team – have a coffee with them, hear some stories. So that has been slowed down a bit over Zoom, but Clive still managed to get a few funny stories in while we’ve been prepping to record so I’m happy with that for now.

C: Although this is not as intimate as everybody getting together in the same place, it is sometimes easier to persuade guests to talk into the microphone in their homes, rather than coming to Highbury – which, oddly enough, is not the centre of everyone’s universe. So in some ways, I rather like doing things this way. Funny how quickly you get used to things.

Without giving too much away, what’s been the most surprising wonder a guest has brought to the show so far?

C: Almost all of the wonders have been a bit surprising. Most guests have kept away from monumental structures and selected much more personal items. But, I think the most surprising wonders are Muswell Hill and goose pimples – each chosen by a different guest.

What would be one of your seven wonders?

C: I would have to stick to my original inspiration of Grand Central Station, but I might stray into other areas if I ever get to picking the other six wonders!

B: “Now this one may be slightly lockdown induced” has been a favourite line of our last few guests, but I’m going to have to use it as one of my wonders would have to be gigs! Ah, I miss those times.

Listen to My Seven Wonders with Clive Anderson now on the Stakhanov website, or ACAST, SPOTIFY. Stakhanov produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows – boasting a combined 4 million monthly listens and over 45 years of podcasting experience. Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London studio, we specialise in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stakhanov.studio!

@stakhanov // @stakhanov.studio

The post My Seven Wonders talk launching and producing a podcast remotely appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Marcus Speller is one of the 4 original hosts of Football Ramble

Over the past three years, the Ramble has undergone some significant shifts. Starting in the summer of 2018, after about 10 years of weekly episodes, the Football Ramble began releasing shows daily and gradually welcomed four new presenters to its roster: Jules Breach (BT Sport, talkSPORT) and Andy Brassell (BT Sport, BBC) in the 2018/19 Season, and Kate Mason (Sky Sports) and Vithushan Ehantharajah (The Independent) in the 2019/20 Season. Since 2018, the Football Ramble has committed itself to diversifying its voice in a considered and thoughtful way. The show remains entertaining and fun, retaining its original intimacy and irreverence while also bringing football podcasting into the 21st Century.

“We felt it was really important for the largest independent football show in the UK to be genuinely representative of football fandom at large,” Luke enthuses. “We have also never been frightened of change or modernity.”

Jules Breach (BT Sport, talkSPORT) joined the podcast in the 2018/19 Season, and Kate Mason (Sky Sports) in the 2019/20 Season.

Welcoming Jules, Andy, Kate and Vish to the team was a conscious decision to expand and diversify the podcast’s scope – one that has enriched the Ramble’s feed. The Ramble entertains without shying away from the thornier topics, from tackling heavier issues such as racism and misogyny in football media and fan culture to ongoing feuds between Jules and Vish (as well as Pete’s never-ending procession of cryptic games).

“Vish and I got on instantly when we first met, we have a brother-sister type friendship,” Jules laughs. “On one Ramble he refused to sing the theme tune from The OC and let’s just say I hammered him for it, ever since then people think he’s scared of me and that I bully him – but it’s all love really.”

Vithushan Ehantharajah (The Independent) came onboard in the 2019/20 Season.

The Ramble’s eight hosts are united by their passion for football and a shared inability to take themselves too seriously. In amongst reactions to all the sublime and the ridiculous from the latest fixtures, you’ll find Jules teaching you swear words you didn’t even know existed and Andy somehow bringing everything back to his remarkably extensive knowledge of Dutch footballers-turned-rappers.

“Jules, Kate, Andy and Vish ‘get’ the Ramble. They always have, and the show is now the best it’s ever been,” Luke adds. “We feel really privileged to have been able to diversify the show’s voices, chiefly because they’re all so good and provide fresh and entertaining takes on the game we love.”

In this football show – like any chat with your mates – anything goes.

Listen to Football Ramble on the Stakhanov website, ACAST, and SPOTIFY.

Blandine Hoge is a Podcast Producer at Stakhanov and lives in London.

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

The post The Football Ramble: The Podcast That Never Stands Still appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Chris Broad created his multi-award winning YouTube channel Abroad In Japan after moving to Japan to work as an English teacher in 2012. In the 8 years since its inception, Abroad In Japan has amassed over 2 million subscribers. Pete Donaldson, a co-owner of podcast production company Stakhanov, met Chris when he interviewed him for his radio show. Already a fan of the channel, Pete joined forces with Chris and the podcast was born in 2018. Since then, the podcast has pulled in over 11.5 million listens. Abroad In Japan is currently the only Stakhanov show that does not record on-premise, offering a unique set of production challenges – from the logistical to the very technical. As broadcasters have been forced to adapt to lockdown restrictions, remote recording has become an art of its own – one that Chris and Pete have long had to master.

What is your remote recording set-up?

C: Once Pete convinced me we should do the podcast, I snapped up a Rode NT1A condenser mic and that’s been my set up for 3 years now! We started out having a Skype call and recording our audio locally then mixing it together, and these days we use a service called Zencastr which does it for us. While most of the episodes are recorded from my apartment, the beauty of doing our podcast remotely is I can stick the microphone in my backpack and record from wherever I am. For example, last week I was in Tokyo for a meeting and I was able to record from my hotel room!

How have you had to adapt the show in the face of the pandemic?

C: Given both Pete and I are sitting in rooms 8,000km away, we’ve actually not had to change anything since the pandemic started. On the contrary, our setup has helped us weather the storm better than other podcasts, I think, which have had to quickly adapt and abandon the comfort of their recording studios. We could never have envisaged our setup would prepare us for a situation of this scale.

P: Yeah, to be honest, I’ve mainly been rolling with Chris’s schedule. Being in Japan, he’s had a lot more capacity to get out and about. While London’s been in lockdown, Chris has been all over the place – I’m well jealous!

C: For the three years we’ve been recording, Pete has recorded in London and I’ve recorded in Japan. Typically we record on Tuesday at around 6 pm Japan time and 10 am for Pete back in the UK, with both of us hunched over a cup of coffee! Still, my favourite episodes are the ones where Pete visits Japan and we get to record face to face. Hopefully, we can make it happen again in 2021!

What are some of the challenges of recording remotely?

C: Although I have the benefit of being able to host the podcast on the go, the downside is that it can take extra hard work to make sure Pete and I sound natural despite the distance. In the early days when using Skype, there could be a delay of a second or so which could lead to awkward pauses, most of which we removed in post-production.

P: I’m with Chris! Whereas most people featured in these pages will be painfully aware of the limitations and challenges when it comes to recording shows in homemade insulated tents made of duvets and blankets, we’ve been wrestling with the best way to record remotely since the beginning. Our biggest adversary is latency. We’ve had to find our rhythm over the last three years as London to Sendai is quite the distance for VOIP!

C: Yeah – it’s incredible to think we’ve recorded over 150 episodes in this exact format for the past 3 years. But it’s worked surprisingly well and many of our listeners early on mistakenly thought we were in the same room recording together.

Listen to Abroad in Japan wherever you listen to your podcasts. Follow Abroad in Japan on Twitter and Instagram.

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Stakhanov produces podcasts that entertain and inform, including some of the UK’s biggest and most popular shows – boasting a combined 4 million monthly listens and over 45 years of podcasting experience. Whether recording remotely or in our broadcast-grade London studio, we specialise in every stage of the podcasting process. To find out more or get in touch, visit our website at stakhanov.studio!

The post Abroad in Japan talk recording remotely, 5000 miles apart! appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Most excitingly, this afternoon, Self Care Club is releasing an exclusive interview with Cat Lantigua, a Community Architect and Wellness leader, about the importance of sisterhood and social healing. Cat founded the Goddess Council in 2018 – a sisterhood circle and wellness community that brings women of all walks of life together. The bonus episode will also feature voice notes and emails from listeners celebrating the women that inspire them every day.

What does sisterhood mean to you?

L: Sisterhood to me is about being accepted, loved and supported by a small group of women who know me to my bones. Friends who are there to celebrate the good times with and to support each other through the bad times. It is about showing up exactly as you are, knowing you will be listened to and understood.

N: Sisterhood is probably one of the most important parts of my life. I’m a women’s coach, but I also have a sister, two daughters and girlfriends of 30 years. There is nothing more powerful and transformational than female relationships. When women open their hearts and speak vulnerably to one another, that is where the magic is.

You finish every interview on the show with this question, so today I’m asking you: what do you do for your own self-care?

L: The pandemic has shown me the importance of getting fresh air and moving my body. A walk with my dog never fails to make me feel better even on the most miserable of days. Being outside and having small social interactions with people from my neighbourhood is immensely cheering. Just seeing someone who doesn’t live in my house feels like a treat! I also indulge in trash TV to switch off my brain if it’s feeling overloaded – ‘Married at First Sight Australia’ and ‘Real Housewives’ are my go-to shows.

N: I am really conscious of looking after myself and thus very much invest the time into my wellbeing. My main self-care practice is exercise. It keeps me fit, energised and sane, and also hugely alleviates my anxiety. My guilty pleasure (like Lauren) is ‘Real Housewives’ – some people like mindfulness, I prefer catfights. Most importantly though, I am always changing it up; if it puts a smile on my face, then it’s self-care.

Listen to the Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested International Women’s Day special on March 8th via all major podcast platforms.

Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested, tests out self-care so you don’t have to! Spearheaded by women’s coach Nicole Goodman and doula Lauren Mishcon, the Self Care Club was formed over coffee when Nicole and Lauren realized that self-care had become just another weight on women’s shoulders. As such, every week, the ladies test out a new form of self-care – from practising gratitude to goat yoga – and report back to you with the results.

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

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Adam is right here with you for another week of podcast news, interviews and recommendations, this week featuring full on chat with presenters and hosts of SOUNDTRACKING with EDITH BOWMAN, LIFE IN THE STOCKS and FOOTBALL RAMBLE podcasts! Follow and listen on all links below… ENJOY!

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS GUESTS!

Soundtracking • Acast • Spotify

Life In The Stocks • Acast • Spotify

Football Ramble • Acast • Spotify

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS!

Let There Be Talk • Acast • Apple Podcasts

Between The Lines • Acast • Spotify

PODBIBLE LINKS!

Pod Bible Magazine

Pod Bible Twitter

Pod Bible Instagram

Pod Bible Facebook

Pod Bible Email

The post #073 • Soundtracking • Life In The Stocks • Football Ramble appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Adam is right here with you for another week of podcast news and interviews, this week featuring full on chat with presenters and hosts of RULE NOT THE EXCEPTION, THE LOG BOOKS and SELF CARE CLUB podcasts! Follow and listen on all links below… ENJOY!

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS GUESTS!

Rule Not The Exception • Apple Podcasts • Spotify

The Log Books • Acast • Spotify

Self Care Club • Acast • Spotify

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS!

Making Gay History • Acast • Spotify

Scary Stories • Acast • Spotify

PODBIBLE LINKS!

Pod Bible Magazine

Pod Bible Twitter

Pod Bible Instagram

Pod Bible Facebook

Pod Bible Email

The post #072 • Rule Not The Exception • The Log Books • Self Care Club appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Adam is right here with you for another week of podcast news and interviews, this week featuring full on chat with presenters and hosts of LIFE IN THE STOCKS, FOOTBALL RAMBLE and SAY WHY TO DRUGS podcasts! Follow and listen on all links below… ENJOY!

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS GUESTS!

Life In The Stocks • Acast • Spotify

Football Ramble • Acast • Spotify

Say Why To Drugs • Acast • Spotify

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS!

The Rewatchables • Acast • Spotify

How Do You Cope • Acast • Spotify

PODBIBLE LINKS!

Pod Bible Magazine

Pod Bible Twitter

Pod Bible Instagram

Pod Bible Facebook

Pod Bible Email

The post #071 • Life In The Stocks • Football Ramble • Say Why To Drugs appeared first on POD BIBLE.

With England settled into a second lockdown and the continuation of COVID restrictions all over the world, self care has never been more relevant or important. Enter the Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested – a podcast that tests out self care so you don’t have to. With new episodes coming out every Tuesday, women’s coach Nicole Goodman and birth doula Lauren Mishcon are trying it all: from menstrual cups to face yoga!

I interviewed Lauren and Nicole last month about the podcast and their process. I knew they’d be the perfect podcasters to speak to about what self care practices they would recommend to help us stay grounded throughout lockdown 2.0!

Give yourself permission to say ‘no’

In a desperate bid to implement those lessons learned in the lockdown first, it seems as if we all threw ourselves back into FaceTimes with friends, Zoom quizzes, and online social event after online social event. The first week of lockdown, I ended up completely overcommitting myself, to the point where I was left feeling exhausted and hoping that my friends would just forget about our plans. In that moment, I needed to give myself permission to say no and reclaim my time. In this sense, saying ‘no’ becomes a real act of self care – one that the Self Care Club ladies cover in their episode ‘Saying NO!’.

“Many of us are taught to be people-pleasers and say ‘yes’ automatically, even when we actually want to say ‘no’,” Nicole points out. “We don’t want a confrontation, we don’t want to let the other person down, we don’t want to seem selfish and we want to be likeable; but by always saying yes we risk causing ourselves stress, mental exhaustion and resentment. This leads you to be critical of yourself and spiral into negative self-talk, which can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Not saying ‘no’ has serious side effects.” 

“Saying ‘no’ is also about the boundaries you set with yourself,” Lauren says. “The relationship you have with yourself very much depends on what you do and don’t allow into your space and learning how to say ‘no’ is a great place to start.” In lockdown, it may be tempting to lie in bed for hours, doom scrolling through Instagram and Twitter, and spend your waking hours numbing out and constantly consuming upsetting news. In this case, being firm with yourself and saying ‘no’ to activities that drain your energy and leave you feeling sad is a profoundly self-loving act. Keeping boundaries with yourself is just as important as keeping them with others. Although, don’t follow up your ‘no’ with an onslaught of self-shaming and guilt! It’s okay to not always be coping perfectly.

Saying ‘no’ is often the most generous thing you can do – for yourself and others. Asserting ourselves frees us from making shallow and insincere commitments and it ensures we spend time on the things we really care about. ‘No’ leaves space for us to say ‘yes’ to the things we want for ourselves. Show yourself love and honour your boundaries by saying no to activities or things that drain your energy. This is not a selfish act, but an honourable one.

Go on an ‘awe’ walk

Staying cooped up at home all day in your pyjamas can, for most people, be a one way ticket to Depression City. It’s hard to feel positive and energized when you’ve spent most of your day catatonic on the couch or in bed. For that reason, it’s good to get out of the house every once in a while for an ‘awe’ walk, a practice Lauren and Nicole tried out in October. 

“Scientists have revealed that a short awe walk – where you make a conscious effort to look for things to be amazed by – can combat negative emotions and help to maintain a healthy mind,” Lauren explains. “Feelings of awe increase positive emotions like compassion and gratitude, reduce self-focus and promote social connection. Our problems may seem big and overwhelming, but awe shifts our attention outward. When we feel awe, we feel small in the relation to the rest of the universe but we feel more connected to the world and people around us.”

“The benefits of awe walking are plenty,” Nicole adds. “It’s been found to boost your immune system, improve your memory and attention span, as well as reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease in middle age. A 20-minute stroll in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature is enough to significantly lower your stress hormone levels. It relaxes the brain.”

Awe can be found in any environment – whether you’re traipsing through a storybook forest or walking about your city neighbourhood. You are also more likely to feel awe in a new place where sights and sounds are unfamiliar. So, if you’re in the city, maybe try wandering around streets you would not normally go down – so long as you remember your way back! It’s not so much the destination that matters, rather the journey itself. “Wherever you are, the key is to be in the right frame of mind,” Lauren points out, “turning your ordinary walk into a series of awe inspiring moments.”

Declutter!

Although it may sound like more work, decluttering can actually do worlds of good for your mental health. Clutter and mess can cause distress, so why not spend a day or two restoring order to your surroundings?

“Decluttering is the process of putting the miscellaneous physical things around you away where they belong,” Lauren describes. “While it’s probably not something that you dream about spending your precious free time doing, decluttering can actually be one of the most successful forms of self care and one of the most effective ways of making you feel better in the long term.”

Scientific studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between clutter and stress. While we may not always realise it, clutter can have a negative impact on your life. What is the clutter in your home stealing from you? Definitely your time, space and energy. But it can also steal your peace as well. Living in a cluttered space is associated with reduced productivity and chronic procrastination.

“When there’s lots of clutter, you lose control over your physical environment – which  can feel very defeating and bring on stress, depression, or anxiety,” Nicole continues. “It can take a toll on your social life, too, if it gets to the point of embarrassment where you won’t have people over. Clearing out the clutter means you literally give yourself more space in your home. And more space means you create breathing space, making rest and relaxation easier.”

Sometimes we don’t even realise how heavy and overburdened our stuff makes us feel until we start letting it go. Once you start letting go, you can experience a huge relief as you feel lighter, happier and begin to feel the benefits of having less. It is freeing in so many ways. Letting go of the excess “stuff” that fills your home often feels like a weight is lifted from your life. Instead, you have the opportunity to fill your life with what matters most to you.

Lauren and Nicole just recently tried out decluttering, so give this episode a listen for tips on where and how to start.

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The Self Care Club has become a valuable tool for those who want to put more energy into taking care of their mental health, but who might be intimidated by the sheer amount of options available to them. This lockdown, put some time aside to take care of yourself – you deserve it! 

If you’re interested in self care and mental health,  or want to learn more about the practices we described, listen to Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested every Tuesday via Spotify, Acast, or Apple Podcasts.

Blandine Hoge is a Podcast Production Assistant at Stakhanov and lives in London.

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Adam is back and in full and total control this week, taking you through the week’s podcast showroom, featuring a chat with Amanda Palmer about ‘The Art Of Asking Everything’ podcast, followed by recommendations from Scroobius Pip (Distraction Pieces), and Nicole from Self Care Club!

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS GUESTS!

The Art Of Asking Everything • Acast • Spotify

Distraction Pieces • Acast • Spotify

Self Care Club • Acast • Spotify

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS!

Mum & Mummer • Acast • Spotify

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buddha • Apple Podcasts • Spotify

Unlocking Us • Acast • Spotify

PODBIBLE LINKS!

Pod Bible Magazine

Pod Bible Twitter

Pod Bible Instagram

Pod Bible Facebook

Pod Bible Email

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Shocktober kicked off with the original Wicker Man – one of the weirdest, wildest and most disturbing movies you are ever likely to see – pitted against the disastrous and unintentionally hilarious Nicolas Cage remake. The episode also featured FrightFest founder and Wicker Man super-fan, Paul McEvoy. “It wasn’t really a fair fight,” admits Chris, “But it did give us an excuse to properly analyse that infamous scene with the bees.” Next, the Clash trio followed that up with a pair of classic slasher movies, with A Nightmare on Elm Street and Freddy Krueger’s razor-sharp glove doing battle with Candyman’s deadly hook. The third matchup of the season is Scream and The Cabin in the Woods, and James Moran – writer of Severance and Cockneys vs Zombies – will be coming into the arena to help Alex, Chris and Vicky with both deep dives. As for the last films of the month, each member of the team picked a pair of witch movies, and the listeners voted for their favourite online. The choices were The Wizard of Oz v Bedknobs and Broomsticks (Chris), Teen Witch v The Craft (Vicky), or The Witches v Hocus Pocus (Alex). The latter was the runaway winner, so Clash’s Halloween shows will feature Angelica Huston’s witch going toe-to-toe with Bette Midler’s!

Finally, if you’re looking for other great Halloween flicks to put on this fall – I asked each Clasher for some spooky recommendations for the season. Alex suggests romantic horror The Fly – which Clash Of The Titles discussed back in February in ‘The Fly (1986) vs Hellraiser (1987).’

As for Vicky, she recommends a more heroic horror film in the shape of The Crow, which the trio analysed back in August in ‘Darkman vs The Crow.’

Finally, Chris wants you to have some laughs with your scares, so his pick is Shaun of the Dead, which Clash Of The Titles covered last Halloween in ‘Shaun of the Dead (2004) vs Zombieland (2009).’

Even though this year we cannot leave our houses to celebrate Halloween the proper way, the Clash Of The Titles trio are here to keep the festivities going! So why not spend this season curled up on the couch with some hot chocolate, watching (and listening!) your way through the Clash Of The Titles’ Shocktober Spooktacular?

Listen to Clash Of The Titles every Monday and Thursday via Spotify, Acast, or Apple Podcasts.

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Both Nicole and Lauren have worked with women for decades; Nicole as a women’s coach and Lauren as a birth doula. “We realised how aligned we are in our passion for women’s wellness and self care,” Lauren explains. The idea for the podcast sparked out of the blue after the two met for a coffee one morning and were discussing how women’s mental load seems to be increasing by the day and how even self care has slowly become just another chore. That day, The Self Care Club was born! “We wanted to figure out what really works so women can concentrate on looking after themselves without wasting more of their precious time,” Lauren and Nicole enthuse.

In the week leading up to a recording session, the ladies give one form of self care a good old college try with an emphasis on how it made each of them feel as well as the science and research behind each method. Throughout the experiment, Lauren and Nicole record their impressions and take stock of their reactions and experiences as they go along. Once the week is up, they sit down together and compare notes to answer the big questions: is this form of self care viable? Is it worth your time? Does it make a noticeable difference?

The show’s setup is rather unique, what do you think are the benefits of this format?

“We are so different – what one of us despises, the other adores,” Lauren laughs, “We do exactly the same practice each week but walk away with such unique responses—” 

“Which we hope mirrors the different reactions a broad spectrum of women listening may experience themselves,” Nicole chimes in.

“We never discuss how we have found the practices (which is hugely challenging as we speak at least twice a day, every day!) so when we meet in the studio to record the podcast each week we come to it completely fresh with no idea what the other will say.”

Both women thoroughly enjoy the practices and challenges they set for one another each week—“It’s a great exercise in pushing our boundaries and going outside of our comfort zones.”

“We always ask the same questions at the end of the show so we can summarise what we have learned and how the listeners can apply it to their own lives in a way that doesn’t create extra work.”

If all were to fall into place and money were no object, what would be your dream episode?

“A silent retreat in Bali where no one can make contact,” Nicole quips, “No phones, no work, no kids, no washing, no one – just silence, massages and lots of cauliflower.”

As for Lauren? “A weekend with the guys from ‘Queer Eye.’ In the daytime, doing Equine therapy on a fabulous ranch somewhere in America run by cowboys who all look like Bradley Cooper and in the evenings having wine, one on one life coaching, and personal book group sessions with Oprah.” Nothing too flashy, really.

All in all, The Self Care Club’s innovative format and bubbly, lighthearted tone make the podcast an invaluable tool for those who want to put more energy into taking care of their mental health, but are intimidated by the sheer amount of options available to them. Lauren and Nicole remind their listeners to maintain a learning mind, empowering women as they go. If you’re interested in self care and mental health, listen to Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested every Tuesday via Spotify, Acast, or Apple Podcasts.

Blandine Hoge is a Podcast Production Assistant at Stakhanov and lives in London.

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Jules is a broadcast journalist and host of BT Sport’s Score, and has also presented for UEFA, Premier League and ESPN. Jules grew up in Brighton, as well as Mauritius and Jamaica. She has a wealth of experience with and knowledge of football, and her perspective as a successful WOC working in the football media world is absolutely invaluable. Kate is also a presenter, working for Sky Sports. A keen Spurs fan and long time Ramble listener, Kate brings sharp wit and a wealth of knowledge to the podcast as well as her skills as an adept and experienced host. She’s also hosting the Football Ramble Book Club—featuring intimate conversations with football’s most revered and exciting authors—as part of the Ramble’s new sister stream, Football Ramble Presents. Both Kate and Jules have used the Ramble’s platform to call attention to the difficulties and harassment that female presenters (and fans) face in a male-dominated space—an issue that’s all too often overlooked by the wider community. We had a chat with Kate and Jules about what representation means to them and their experience as part of the Football Ramble team.

What do you believe are the benefits of female representation in sports media?

JULES: “It’s so important to have strong, knowledgeable, good female journalists, presenters, hosts and contributors in sport. As a teenager I was obsessed with sport and knew it was an area I wanted to work in. I also loved the idea of working in the media, and always had a fascination, a sense of intrigue when it came to journalism, and just in general—I love talking, asking questions, and having good conversations with other humans.”

KATE: “Like Jules, I’ve loved sport my whole life and I want the world of sport to welcome everyone. That’s why I made it my mission to break into football broadcasting. I wanted to tell the stories that fascinate me and make everyone—girls and boys, young and old, and everyone in between—feel a part of that special atmosphere you only get when watching the world’s most popular and fascinating sport.”

JULES: “But growing up there were hardly any female sports personalities, no one I could identify with, so I was never sure whether it would even be a possible career path. Nowadays, there are so many inspiring women working in sport, especially football, and hopefully young girls will be encouraged to follow their lead.” 

KATE: “I still remember so clearly the first time I heard a female voice commentating on Match of the Day: it was Jacqui Oatley, unbelievably only 11 years ago. She took so much heat and paved the way for all the women who came after her in football. When I’ve had people push back against giving me chances in the game—‘We don’t want a woman’s voice on this’—it’s made me work harder and want to live up to the example of all of those extraordinary women who came before. In fact, we’re getting to speak to one of them for Ramble Book Club at the start of the new season: Julie Welch, Fleet Street’s first female football writer. It’s wicked that the Ramble is sharing stories like hers.”

JULES: “Football is for everyone so there should be, and needs to be, more of a diverse representation in the media for the audience that indulge it. Ramble has done an amazing job putting together such a fun, diverse team, and me and Kate are proud to be the ladies flying the Ramble flag!”

How have you enjoyed working as a part of the Ramble team?

JULES: “I joined the team last summer and was super excited to be part of such a fun group—and to be the first regular female voice on the Ramble! The whole team welcomed me with open arms and have always encouraged me to be myself and show my personality. In the last year I’ve worked regularly with the incredibly knowledgeable and lovely Andy Brassell on a weekly pod looking into the wider stories in football as well as talking in depth about specific football moments or players. Now, in the new Ramble format, it has taken things to a whole other level! We’re one tight knit group of mates who just love football, get frustrated at football, and laugh about football, and that’s now what you get to hear Monday through Friday on the Ramble. It’s been the most fun and we are all so excited for the new season!”

KATE: “Getting to work with your mates is the dream isn’t it? It’s an honour to make the pod because I think we just get to represent the kind of people who are following football today, and who always have. But now more of a range of football fans are getting a voice. I mean, my mum was going down to Molineux in the 70s and she says she never had any problems, but you maybe wouldn’t have expected to see people like her in fanzines back in the day. At the Ramble it’s not just the people you hear on the pod every day, but all of the crew who make it fit together too who are such a fun, clever and welcoming bunch. There’s even a new canine member of the team too, isn’t there Jules?”

JULES: “Yes! Pablo! My new dog is the newest addition and he’s maybe everyone’s favourite… The team doesn’t treat me and Kate like girls. We’re just treated like other members of the Ramble family, like any other member of the team. And that’s how it always should be.”

Blandine Hoge is a Podcast Production Assistant at Stakhanov and lives in London.

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