As listeners of Off Air with Jane and Fi will testify, nothing quite compares to the much-loved duo’s wry rapport and composure while discussing everything from Downing Street shuffles to, say, the merits of a baked potato. The voices behind the eponymous Times Radio show are, of course, Jane Garvey, who presented Woman’s Hour until December 2020, and Fi Glover, the broadcaster behind The Listening Project (2012 to 2022).

Each episode begins with a familiar format: a chatty introduction from the hosts, recording shortly after they have come ‘off air’ from their live show, which runs Monday through to Thursday. This framing device allows them to debrief from the most recent live segment – they’ll comment on their most recent guests (everyone from Jamie Oliver to MPs), before listeners hear a full replay of the interview itself. Before we get to the interview (and in the episode’s closing segments afterwards), Jane & Fi typically read through some reader emails – always with amusing commentary – and discuss a mixture of domestic anecdotes, for instance the most recent Nigella Lawson recipes they’ve tried out, with some glorious digressions – plus, what’s trending on the news.

It would be totally remiss of me not to mention Fortunately… with Fi & Jane, the award-winning BBC Radio Four show and podcast that featured the powerful pairing since 2017. It hit headlines when they left the BBC for Times Radio in October last year, leaving behind their original show and its 30 million downloads. Four months in, if you’re a long listener yet to follow Fi & Jane to their new home, be reassured that Off Air has proved a popular follow-up – and these are my cherry-picked favourites from the show to help you catch up. Feast your ear lobes on the below…

Chat & Chop – with Jamie Oliver

The first-ever episode of Off Air started with a bang: the pair discuss settling into the Times Radio studio, outline the show format going forward (so this is a good gateway episode if you’re new to the show), then they are joined by Jamie Oliver, who discusses his latest book One Pot and expounds his wisdom of decades of campaigning for healthy eating for children, amid the cost-of-living crisis.

A saccharine note of journo pap – with Elizabeth Day

This episode comes fresh off the back of the controversy around then-Prime Minister Liz Truss, making for a politics-themed beginning followed by a discussion of the difficulties of starting a new job in middle-age. The highlight of this episode is guest Elizabeth Day, a fellow podcast extraordinaire and bestselling author, who as coincidence would have it has interviewed Truss on multiple occasions and shares her insights. Talking of inside scoops – I particularly enjoyed Fi & Jane’s discussion of their former fellow BBC employees’ toilet habits, together with their own ‘favourite cubicles’ at their newfound Times Radio home.

If music be the food of love, order her a Happy Meal – with Fred Sirieix

One for First Dates fans. After a chat about everything from slippery pavements to elderly parents, the pair introduce guest Fred Sirieix, the TV dating show’s charismatic maître d’ frontman, and get into an animated discussion about relationships, together with the politics of cooking for dates and significant others.

I love Nando’s mash – with Romesh Ranganathan

Actor/comedian Ranganathan, also a fellow podcaster, is the guest on this Nando’s centric episode – he tells listeners all about his spontaneous decision to get an Albanian flag tattoo, his committed love of the popular chicken franchise (and the trio open up about their go-to orders and preferred sides) and what he would do (as a former maths teacher) if he were Education Secretary for a day.

At least I’m owning my hypocrisy

This fascinating episode opens with a discussion of Joanna Lumley’s controversial comments about the #MeToo movement. Later, Jane & Fi meet Teresa Weiler, an adopted child who discovered that her biological parents were siblings – a revelation which led to her deciding not to have kids.

Fantastically successful – with Grace Dent

Some amusing reader questions – including a deep dive into an awkward supermarket scenario – begin this episode, while the highlight is food critic & broadcaster Grace Dent, who opens up about giving up alcohol and her ‘deep love’ of breakfast buffets (funeral buffets also get discussed – plus the politics of consuming a post-death vol-au-vent…)

Listen to Off Air… with Jane & Fi on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

To learn more about Jane and Fi, thier love of podcasts, and the new show read our interview in Issue 25 of the Pod Bible Magazine now!

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What’s the elevator pitch??

The Guilty Feminist is a podcast about our noble goals as 21st century feminists and our hypocrisies and insecurities, which undermine those goals.

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

It’s radio that nobody stops you making. It’s very difficult for anyone to get a TV or radio show but especially difficult for a woman in Britain. The normal channels are often closed down to us. Podcasting was a revelation because you can find and build your own audience. You can say what you want, when you want.

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

I think I was one of the first hosts to say, “I don’t know if I’m any good at this (in my case feminism) but I want to get better. Do you want to learn with me?” Before that it tended to be experts or people with opinions coming at you with status (which is great too!) I think the appeal of my show is it’s confessional but also we’re trying to build muscle together. Overall it’s making the audience feel they’re with you and part of the gang. Before the pandemic we always had a live audience. Comedians are funnier with audiences – or at least I am – so I miss that part but it there is an intimacy to talking to your guests over zoom and making your listeners feel close.

Which podcasts or podcast hosts inspire you?

I love No Such Thing as A Fish, 2 Dope Queens, Elizabeth Day’s How to Fail and Fake Doctors Real Friends. I find all those hosts engaging and joyful and I love good chemistry in a podcast.

How have you found podding during the pandemic?

Well the good thing is you can have international guests. The bad thing is I miss my audience and being close enough to touch my co-pilots and guests. It’s given me some good “I’m a feminist buts…” because new situations give you new material. For example… I’m a feminist but the first Thursday after the first lockdown I came out at 8pm to applaud my waxer.

Having created a hugely successful live show, what’s the trick to producing a podcast that’s engaging to both the live audience and the listener at home? I think making the audience feel part of your gang, your team, your army is always the thing. Leaning into the mic to tell them something intimate. Laughing with a friend. Really reacting with emotion to what you’re hearing from your guest – rather than giving it the low steady, never-ruffled tones of Radio 4.

Which episode or episodes of The Guilty Feminist mean the most to you?

Nice Girls Don’t was revelatory for me. The story Cal Wilson told. The things we shared that were real and shocking. The hysterical nature of Celia Pacquola’s stand up and the audacity of my audience challenge. It was a breakthrough episode. I learned we can really switch gears and the audience will be right there with us. Also Raising Feminist Boys. Sindhu Vee is magnificent and Jarlath Regan talking about his son was very moving. My challenge was to go into a school and talk to boys about feminism which gave me some incredible material. Both funny and revelatory to me and therefore, I hope, to my audience. Playing The Royal Albert Hall was one of the greatest nights of my – or anyone’s – life. I’ll never forget it. We opened with Cell Block Tango. Ridiculous. The cast was wild. The audience were beside themselves. That’s a two part episode and I’ll never ever get over doing that. Who knows when we’ll be allowed to again?

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring podcaster, what would it be?

What are you dying to say that you don’t hear anyone else saying? Ideally something other people are too scared to say. As long as it’s not undermining anyone else’s humanity or identity – that’s the thing you should say. Don’t worry about the size of your audience. Worry about how much they care about your show. A small loyal audience is a wonderful thing. Take care of them. Also edit, edit, edit. Keep it moving. Edit out ums and ahs and “the Zoom isn’t working”. It might seem funny or cute in the moment but you’ll leave the audience skipping through or switching off. Also try to get it out at the same time every week or fortnight or whatever you’ve promised. Makes a big difference if you’re reliable. I’ve got Tom Salinsky to do all that so I’m lucky. If you’re not good at it, find someone who wants to be part of a team and pay them if you can afford to.

Finally, what are your current favourite podcasts?

David Tennant Does a Podcast is very good. Also GrownUpLand on BBC Sounds – I created and exec produced that so I’m biased but the talent – Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are amazing. Also listen to archive episodes with Mae Martin and Bisha K Ali who’ve gone on to huge success. Brilliant funny, insightful stuff. Best Pick – the film podcast about Oscar winning films from Tom Salinsky, Jessica Regan and John Dorney is so well researched and full of joy. How to Citizen with Baratunde Thurston is a must-listen. Talk Art with Robert Diament and Russell Tovey is gorgeous. Brown Girls Do It Too, Have You Heard George’s Podcast and Griefcast are all top drawer. Finally Wheel of Misfortune with Alison Spittle & Fern Brady. So funny I once had to turn it off before a TV appearance because my make-up artist and I were laughing too much to do eyeliner.

Listen to The Guilty Feminist now on SPOTIFY, ACAST or your preferred podcast app.

@deborahFW // @dfdubz

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It’s not just for the Boys
Target Jobs at Bloomberg London HQ Nov 2012

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m Sue Black, Professor of computer Science and Technology Evangelist at Durham University. Our #100Moments podcast is about the 100 most exciting moments that rocked computer science. Tech is all around us these days and is changing the world in front of our eyes, we talk to the key people involved in the most exciting moments about their involvement in changing tech history.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

Oooh, good question! I’m not sure I can remember now, probably Serial – which is absolutely amazing and heartbreaking, that’s definitely the one that got me hooked.

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

I absolutely love technology and the computer science that it is based on. Tech and education have completely changed my life enabling me to bring my family out of poverty, run the campaign that saved Bletchley Park and so much more…

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I like On the Edge with Andrew Gold and anything by Malcolm Gladwell.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

No question, [19th Century mathematician] Ada Lovelace <3

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

It’s so much fun! I can’t wait to do more

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

We thought hard about the order for our first series, they are all stand alone episodes. Episode 1 is a good intro, episode 2 was a lot of fun, so either 1 or 2.

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

The best place to find me is sueblack.co.uk. You can listen to 100 Moments That Rocked Computer Science on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. 

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

I’m a stand up comedian who did what every comedian in lockdown probably contemplated, and started a podcast. It’s a panel show that brings together three interesting people to contribute anecdotes based on random topics drawn from a bingo ball. The whole point of it was to bring new people together talking about things they might never have talked about before. It’s been mainly stand up comedians so far but I’ve enjoyed blending in other personalities for fresh perspectives.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

I have been listening to Radio 4 packaged up in podcast form for years – Infinity Monkey Cage and Friday Night Comedy have been staples of my listening calendar for as long as I can remember.

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

I am a massive podcast fangirl but the quality and scale of the ones I was listening to was pretty intimidating and I initially didn’t really know what I could bring to it that was unique enough to justify joining the noise. I started doing a Twitch panel show in the first lockdown while I was looking for a way to stay relevant – and get attention – with stand up off the cards, and it gathered a small but quite devoted following. On one of the shows, the tech failed but I still had the audio file so I sent it out to the people that normally watched it, and they really enjoyed it.

It put an idea in my head that maybe I had found a concept that might work. There weren’t that many panel shows cutting through so felt like I might finally have something that could work. It also offered me an opportunity to be the change I wanted to see in the world, women don’t get enough representation on panel shows, now not only do I now host one, but I also have booking rights. 67% of guests have been women and non binary so far, yet my demographic skews slightly towards male listeners (56%) We’re funny, give us more shows.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Drunk Women Solving Crime is one of my stand outs, the dream is that I can create something like that where people love it, and them, so much as a concept that even if they don’t necessarily know the panel, they’ll still listen. One of the big things I’ve enjoyed about this is mixing in established personalities with up and coming talent that I’ve worked alongside on the open mic circuit and helping people discover their new favourites. I also love Women Talking Bollocks and Rich Wilson’s Men Brain / Fem Brain – my favourite type of podcasts are the ones where you really want to join the conversations, and I always do with these.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I’ve been really lucky that I’ve already had quite a few of them on my podcast already but Sue Perkins, Eddie Izzard, Joe Lycett, Nicky Wire and Joel Golby are all on my list. There is also a pernicious rumour amongst my friends that the whole podcast business has been an elaborate long range scheme to have an excuse to legitimately talk to Nick Cage. I can neither confirm nor deny that this was in the mix when I was deciding whether to do this.

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

No matter how prepared you are, you can’t completely control how things will go. If you have guests, how they perform can vary based on so many internal and external factors, and if you have multiple guests then the odds of keeping control are so ridiculous not even a bookie would take your money. Also, once it’s out there, you can’t control how people will respond to it. Control the bits you can, let go of the bits you can’t and lean in to the unpredictable moments.

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

Every single one has had a slightly different feel but the episode with Russell Kane, Katy Brand and Stuart Whiffen was an absolute joy to do and Elf Lyons, Taylor Glenn and Daniel Clarkson was so much fun none of us wanted to leave the Zoom recording. They’re a great starting point to get a sense of what it’s all about.

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

@PRvix on Twitter, and @comedy_arcade for the pure podcast stuff and for more from the guests. Arcade also has it’s own Instagram, @Comedyarcadepodcast.

Listen to Comedy Arcade on ACAST, SPOTIFY or your favourite podcast app.

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Hear Me Roar with Ashveen Kohli is the only British podcast that actually champions the success stories of our ethnic minority heroes. We’re talking about real life legends that are our generations first brown ‘insert title here’! Our guests are winners and overachievers in their industries and communities.

Oftentimes, minority podcasts only focus on the traumas and difficulties inherent to our situation as minorities. The Hear Me Roar Podcast is about bringing to light our successes; to encourage our listeners to be bold and follow in the footsteps of the great achievers in our communities!

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The Receipts podcast was the first podcast I listened to and loved straight away, as it is for a lot of others. It’s like being on the sofa with the girls and a glass of wine!

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

I spent my career in investment banking being the only brown woman in the room. I always felt like there was a lack of relatable role models for people like me in the workplace and in the media. The podcast just began as a way to start meaningful conversations with people I could learn from. It just so happened that a lot of people were craving these conversations from our guests as well.

Ashveen Kohli with an upcoming guest Jaye Parson, Fashion Designer: Ashanti, Floyd Mayweather, Jhene Aiko.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I regularly ask myself ‘what would the Ikonn’s do?’, so The Ikonn’s podcast is definitely one that I’ve always found personal growth from. This wife/husband duo have a mindset that I really think is rare to come by, particularly on social media. They’re honest and very intentional about the topics they choose to discuss. Their podcasts are generally about their numerous businesses and their eco-friendly actions, personality behaviours and a bit of mindfulness thrown in. I feel like they’re the best kind of influencers out there, as it’s all authentically them.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

So the Hear Me Roar producers and I sat down at the very beginning and actually made a dream guest list of people we will hopefully have on! Michelle Obama is probably at the top of my list, but there’s also Naga Munchetty and Gurinder Chadha.

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

To listen… like really listen. A lot of the time we go through life not really hearing other people and giving the response we think is correct, but since our podcast involves interviewing each of our guests (and whilst they might be in serious or casual environments), I’ve definitely learnt to drop the rigidness, and instead, just listen to them. Something I think the Buddhists have gotten right: “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen you may learn something new.”

Ashveen Kohli with Tom Walker from Veenpool Media & Studios (Episode 17) on Start a successful Tech business with minority business clients.

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

Probably ‘What it’s like to be a Brown Doctors in the NHS’ because you’re sitting down with friends and having a real chat about the stuff you’ve been dying to ask your Doctor but never really do. Its also very personal, a bit sassy and a whole lot of saucy too!

I also think for the more CEO-savvy listeners, ‘How to be a Tech Entrepreneur’ with Tom Walker was a lot of fun! It was recorded very late into the night in the studio, and it was such an easy conversation, and it also covered a lot of my favourite topics, including business, technology, and talking about the examples set by reigning captains of industry, e.g. Nike’s, Phil Knight!

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

The podcast is available on all platforms, including Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, and Youtube! Just search “Hear Me Roar with Ashveen Kohli”. Check out our Instagram handle @HearMeRoar_Pod or email me directly if you want at ashveenkk@gmail.com!

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Due to the increased public interest in the Black Lives Matter movement, 2020 saw a surge of listens to podcast about Black history, and the way racism has shaped Western society. One of the most-listened to shows was 1619, a five part series from New York Times that explained how the transatlantic slave trade created the systems of power that we live by today.

It was incredibly powerful, but 1619 focused on America. There has been a lack of similarly powerful podcasts like 1619 that focus on Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

Now, Human Resources is here to do just that. From Britain’s first slave trafficker, to Sir Isaac Newton, and even chocolate, the 10-part series will to contextualise the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on daily life in modern Britain.

We asked host, Moya Lothian McLean, how the podcast came to be and what listeners can expect from the series.

Hi Moya, we’re very excited about this podcast. It’s a massive topic, where does the podcast start?

The starting point was actually the easiest part of the whole process. I’m on this journey of education as much as the audience is, so we began in the place I grew up, a county called Herefordshire. It was vital for me and the team to root this project in our most familiar worlds and uncover the hidden histories that bubble under the surface. Herefordshire is a sleepy, beautiful rural county, on the border of Wales. Lots of sheep. It’s the last place you’d think to look for stories about British slavery. Which is why we had to start there.

Was it easy to find the information about these histories?

Yes and no. Hunches often proved right but digging for hard evidence and paper trails can be much harder when investigating the history of British slavery – something we explore during the course of the project. The brunt of the digging was done by our amazing researchers, Arisa Loomba and Dr Alison Bennett who also found the right people to ask about the places and people we wanted to look into. This project would not exist without their work.

Why podcasting? What is it about the medium that works for this project?

I think podcasting is so well suited to exploring histories, especially hidden ones because it allows a depth and level of detail that sometimes there’s not space for in your standard TV documentary or one-off radio broadcast. There’s also a freedom and flexibility in the medium; for example, we decided at a late hour to do a two part-episode on one particular story because what we discovered was so rich and multi-faceted I just felt a fervent urge that we couldn’t limit the story to one episode. Podcasting is so accessible too – we wanted this history to be something people didn’t make excuses not to listen to. You can’t watch a documentary while driving. You can listen to a podcast.

Without giving too much away, was there anything you were particularly surprised by from your research?

Perhaps surprise is the wrong word because I’ve learnt not to be surprised by much when it comes to history. I think probably the scale of just how much of our modern way of life is built from institutions directly created through the slave trade – seeing that picture come into focus in front of my eyes was like a shock of cold water. It’s one thing saying it, it’s another hearing the detail of it.

Were you inspired by any particular podcasts?

When we started this project, we talked about podcasts we enjoyed. I definitely had in mind the atmosphere of 1619 although our format is certainly different. I’m sure the other members of the team had their own inspiration – I think I took mine from the likes of The Dream and Ponzi Supernova, not in form or content but just trying to make this engaging, and the journey to be unpredictable.

Who is your dream listener?

Anyone who wants to know why Britain in 2021 is the way it is.

The first episode of Human Resources is available to listen to right now on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and Skylark Collective – what’s your elevator pitch?

I started my first podcast, Smashing The Ceiling, back in 2018 as a challenge to myself after having a bit of an unsettled time in my professional life as a vet. Things were a bit up in the air work-wise, so I decided to set myself two personal goals instead: to launch a podcast and to run an ultramarathon. Sarah Williams, founder of the Tough Girl podcast, was my mentor and taught me everything I needed to know. She helped me to get started in podcasting and prepare for the ultramarathon, and things have gone on from there.

I’ve recently founded the Skylark Collective, which is a global collective for women in podcasting. Skylark is a place for women to connect, collaborate and celebrate their achievements, with the aim of raising the profile of female podcasters worldwide and levelling the playing field in the industry. There are womens’ networks across the UK in a range of different sectors – Women in Film & TV, Digital Women, Women in Football to name a few – and I thought it was time to start one for women in podcasting too.

Tell us about the name – why ‘Skylark’?

I spent AGES coming up with a name! I was torn whether to choose something obvious and quite ‘Ronseal’ like ‘Women Who Podcast’. But I really wanted to incorporate the word ‘Collective’ into the name, as what we’re building is an incredible community of like-minded women, with a passion for collective action and co-operative enterprise. After going through various iterations, I landed on using the name of a bird – I live in the countryside and I love to listen to the birds when I’m out walking the dog or running in the hills.

The skylark seemed like an apt choice, as they reflect the kind of women I wanted to attract to the Collective: they might look unassuming, but they are strong, they soar high in the sky, and their voice is clear, powerful and distinctive.

Who is the Skylark Collective for?

The collective is for women who have a vision for their podcast – whether that’s more listeners, recognition, opportunities or earnings. Membership is open to anyone who identifies as a woman and is involved in podcasting; whether you’re a host, writer, editor or producer, if you’re looking to find your tribe to accompany you on your journey in podcasting then Skylark is the place for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice podcaster learning the ropes, or a seasoned professional with a background in audio, we are here to support you, and we would love to hear your work for the International Women’s Podcast Awards.

One of my passions in life is meeting new people and connecting others, and I’m aiming to create a place where women meet like-minded friends and contacts for collaboration and quite honestly, a bit of fun. I think we all need that post-Covid!

The International Women’s Podcast Awards – what is it and who can enter?

I am so excited about this! A significant part of our offering at Skylark is the International Women’s Podcast Awards, which is a unique event celebrating the work of women in podcasting, both behind the mic and behind the scenes. I really believe women have important things to say, and that they deserve to be recognised and championed, and currently there are no awards anywhere in the world exclusively celebrating the work of female-led podcasts.

The International Women’s Podcast Awards are open to women from all over the world in five categories, and entries are now open – the ceremony is at the Allbright in London in September 2021 and entries are open until mid-June so there’s plenty of time to put your podcast into the mix. We very much encourage self-nomination; after all, if you don’t put yourself forward in life then other people rarely do either!

The categories are a bit different to those you’d usually find. How did you decide the themes?

To me, the joy of podcasting lies in the atmosphere created between the host, guest and listener, and in the moments of incredible sensitivity, humour or honesty that keep people engrossed. I talk all the time about these intimate moments, and decided that rather than rewarding genres or categories of podcasts, we would make the awards about individual moments of brilliance. You might not be the most well-known or most successful podcaster out there, but you may have captured that one piece of audio, that one moment in time that deserves recognition because it’s so brilliant. That’s what we’re after.

The categories for podcasters are based around four intimate moments: raw emotion, comedy gold, cliff-hanging drama and touching honesty, and there’s one separate award for editors, producers and writers for ‘Moment of Behind-The-Scenes Brilliance’ which rewards a moment from any of the other four categories that a woman has masterminded from behind the scenes. I felt it was important to recognise women working quietly away from the limelight as well as podcast hosts themselves.

What are you most excited about with Skylark Collective going forward?

I’m so excited about developing the bursary scheme, which will launch later this year. It will be open to young women aged 16-24 to pitch an idea they have and take it forward to production. It’s so interesting to me that the GenZ demographic haven’t yet adopted podcasting in the same way that they have TikTok and YouTube, and I think there’s a large pool of untapped talent there.
I’m also very excited about our first in-person events, which will be happening once restrictions lift – I’m so looking forward to meeting people and getting back out there as the Collective grows and develops.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers?

We are launching the Skylark Collective membership very shortly. for We’re looking for 100 founder members initially, who will be key to shaping and influencing the direction that the Collective takes. Whilst we’re inviting women from across the industry, we would love to hear from anyone that is interested in joining – we’ve been delighted with the amount of support and interest we’ve received so far but are very open to new members and would love to welcome anyone that would like to be part of our community!

Where can people find out more about you?

Our website is www.skylarkcollective.co.uk and we’re most active on Instagram where we’re @theskylarkcollective. I’ve also been on Clubhouse for a few months and have found that a useful place to network with other podcasters, particularly in the US – I’m @naomimellor on there.

Apply for the International Women’s Podcasting Awards on the Skylark Collective website now.

Naomi’s podcast, Smashing The Ceiling, has just returned for its third season, and you can listen now on Spotify, Acast or elsewhere. Naomi also hosts and produces two veterinary podcasts, Veterinary Woman and Borborygmi: Noises From The Veterinary World.

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Why do you love podcasts?

Podcasts are a great way to learn and a great way to escape your day to day environment. I never thought I would be a podcast listening type of person, so you can imagine my surprise when I listened to a podcast for the first time and I felt like I was instantly part of the conversation taking place and I looked forward to listening to the next episode. There are different podcasts for different activities in my life. There is the podcast I’ll listen to while running or if I’m at the gym. There is also the podcast I’ll only listen to when I’m cooking or doing household chores. Then there is the podcast I listen to only when I’m on my commute. There’s a podcast for literally everything and that is why I love podcasts so much!

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The Read by Kid Fury and Crissle was the first podcast I had ever listened to. It was recommended to me by a woman I used to pole dance with. She tried to explain to me why it was so good and I just wasn’t grasping the concept of listening to people I don’t know chatting in my
ear for ages. During the Christmas holidays that year I was bored and decided to listen to one episode, by New Years Day I think I had listened to about three years of the podcast episodes. I was clearly a podcast convert.

Which podcaster makes you laugh the most?

Definitely Kid Fury! I have a very deadpan sense of humour at times but I think his style of deadpan cuss you out type of humour far outshines mine. I love that he is so informed yet he delivers the things he knows in a really witty and irreverent way. A true King of comedy.

Which podcast has educated you the most??

Ooooh, this is a tough one. I think I’ve been educated the most by Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations because of the wonderful guests she has on the podcast and the amazing life experiences they share. It truly humbles me to know there are others out there on a spiritual journey and I could potentially learn from the things they’ve encountered and implement the lessons into my own life. The other podcast that has educated me is Esther Perel’s “Where Should We Begin” because I’m a no nonsense type of girl and Esther is similar in her approach to therapy. I’m a big advocate for mental health awareness and it is brilliant to listen to real people talk about the very human challenges they face in their relationships and how they are guided by Esther to work through them and to live through them.

Can you recommend a podcast our readers may not have heard of?

Shades of Black podcast is one that people really need to get into. I think in the landscape of podcasting it is dominated by white male voices. The reason I enjoy this podcast by Sam and Ola is because they shine a light on Black British parenting which is often left out of the narrative of mainstream parenting podcasts. One of my favourite episodes is the National Anti-Bullying Week feat Woke Babies because in this episode they explore how parents navigate the reality of their child being bullied in school especially if the bullying is also racialised. They are true, true Baby Girls and deserve to be celebrated.

Kelechi Okafor is the host of Say Your Mind. Tune in every Monday for her unique and hilarious take on Tarot, current events and pop culture sprinkled with bad language and an abundance of straws. Listen now on APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY and ELSEWHERE.

Read more Podcast Disciple articles in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop. 

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The Game Changers podcast speaks some of the biggest names in women’s sport as they talk frankly about their historic careers. There are now seven seasons worth of amazing women to listen to, and it’s difficult to know where to start! But to mark the fact that the Barclays FA Women’s Super League is also ten years old this year, they’ve put together a list of episodes with 24 women in football who have paved the way for others.

From left to right:

Sue Campbell

Director of Women’s Football at The FA and regarded by many as one of the most respected women in sport. Baroness Sue Campbell is former CEO at the National Coaching Foundation and The Youth Sports Trust and Chair of UK Sport from 2003 and 2013. Listen now >>

Shelley Kerr

The manager of the Scotland women’s team who led them to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 2019. Listen now >>

Moya Dodd

One of the most influential women in global sport. Moya served on the board of Football Federation Australia and Asian football’s governing body, before she became one of the first women to join the FIFA Council. Listen now >>

Hope Powell

Former England Women’s Football manager and the first woman to be awarded a UEFA Pro License. The second woman to be inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of the legendary Lily Parr. Listen now >>

Eniola Aluko

Professional footballer, media personality, lawyer and philanthropist and now best-selling author, Eniola’s high profile racism case against the FA led to critical reforms within the sport. Listen now >>

Jo Tongue

Football Agent, Director of Women in Football and a campaigner for equality in sport and the media. Former editor of 606, BBC 5Live’s flagship football phone in show and now CEO of Tongue Tied Management. Listen now >>

Stacey Copeland

Former England football player turned professional boxer. European silver medalist and three-time national champion and the first British woman to win the Commonwealth title. Listen now >>

Rose Reilly

One of Scotland’s greatest ever footballers. Eight league titles, World Player of the Year award, four golden boots, a professional career in France and Italy and a World Cup medal. Listen now >>

Mary Harvey

A goalkeeper for the US Women’s National Soccer team, winning both the World Cup and Olympic Gold. As former Director of Development at FIFA, Mary did much to drive gender reforms, and the work she did still has a huge global impact for the women’s game. Listen now >>

Kelly Simmons

Director of the Women’s Professional Game at the FA, Kelly leads the transformation of professional women’s football in England. Listen now >>

Emma Hayes

Hugely successful football manager at Chelsea Women, who also coached in the US. She led her team to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League title again in the 2019/20 season. Listen now >>

Jane Purdon

Jane Purdon leads Women in Football as its CEO. A qualified lawyer, Jane has worked at the highest level of football and sport. As Head of Governance and Leadership at UK Sport, Jane oversaw the creation of the Code for Sports Governance. Listen now >>

Sian Massey-Ellis

As one of England’s highest profile female match officials, working the Premier League and EFL, Sian has been a real trailblazer for female officials, appointed to matches in the Football League Trophy, UEFA Women’s Champions League, the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Europa League. Listen now >>

Rimla Akhtar

Former Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation and the first Muslim woman to sit on the FA Council. Awarded an MBE for her ‘contribution to equality and diversity in sport’. Listen now >>

Maggie Murphy

General Manager of Lewes FC Women, having previously worked at Amnesty International, Transparency International and Sport Integrity Global Alliance. Maggie is also a Director of Equal Playing Field, a charity dedicated to advancing women’s equality in sport. Listen now >>

Heather Rabbatts

Dame Heather Rabbatts is a businesswoman whose career has covered law, government, sport and media, including high profile positions at the Football Association, Millwall Football Club, the BBC and Channel 4. Listen now >>

Ebru Kosal

Former CEO at Galatasaray, the first woman to be elected to the Executive Board of the European Club Association and the first, and only, female General Secretary of the Turkish Football Federation. Ebru is now Chair of Women in Football. Listen now >>

Jill Scott

Football legend Jill Scott MBE has 149 caps for England and plays for Man City. She’s played in four World Cups and was part of Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics. Listen now >>

Steph Houghton

Captain of the Lionesses and Man City with over 100 appearances for England. Steph led Man City to two Women’s FA Cups, three Continental Cup successes and the Barclays FA Women’s Super League titles, as well as landing the PFA’s Merit Award in 2019. Listen now >>

Rachel Yankey

An incredible winger, Arsenal legend Rachel Yankey MBE was the first professional female player registered in England, and went on to become one of the country’s most successful and well known footballers.

Kelly Smith

Widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever female players, Kelly Smith MBE is England women’s record goal scorer and four-time Women’s Premier League winner with Arsenal Women. Listen now >>

Gail Newsham

Having spent almost three decades telling the story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies – arguably the most important team in the history of women’s football. Gail is the author of ‘In A League of Their Own!‘ Listen now >>

Casey Stoney

Manager at Man United Women, Casey was capped over 100 times for England and captained the Lionesses and Team GB during the London 2012 Olympics. Listen now >>

Jacqui Oatley

The first female commentator on Match of the Day, Jacqui presented the BBC’s flagship sports news show Sportsweek, hosted Euros and World Cups for the BBC and ITV and now hosts football and darts for ITV and the Sunday Supplement for Sky. Listen now >>

Listen to The Game Changers podcast: Fearless Women in Sport on ACAST, SPOTIFY and all OTHER PODCAST APPS. You can find out more at fearlesswomen.co.uk/thegamechangers.

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Since their inception in 2016, The Receipts have grown a cult following due to their open & unfiltered approach, where no subject is off limits. We caught up with Audrey, Tolani & Milena to discuss the importance of authenticity, corrupted files and podcasting during a pandemic.

Audrey Indome, Milena Sanchez & Tolani Shoneye

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

Audrey: The Receipts is a podcast hosted by three women from London made up of Nigerian, Ghanaian and Colombian descent, the show is made up of our lived experiences and no topic is off limits.

Tolani: It’s basically a group chat in podcast form, or that bit of a night out when you’re in the toilets and all the other girls are telling you how beautiful you are, how you deserve all of life’s good bits and that you don’t need your ex.

Milena: We’re very open and little too honest at times!

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

Audrey: I love the simplicity of the format, the fact you can go to a studio and just talk without all the theatrics. There’s something really cathartic about the process.

Tolani: It’s cheap and it’s also a platform that doesn’t need gatekeepers. There is no set formula, you just go and tell your story.

Milena: I didn’t know much about podcasts prior to starting one but I loved that it felt therapeutic and was an easy way to vent and share all of our experiences.

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

Audrey: I think being authentic. As a fan of podcasts you can tell what’s real and what’s not,
I think authenticity translates to your listeners.

Tolani: For me, I would say being a good storyteller, whether the story is theirs or someone else’s, can they tell it well?

Milena: I think just being yourself, only you can do an amazing job at being you! Do not try and be something you’re not because you think that’s what the listeners want.

How have you found podding during a pandemic?

Tolani: Technology is both our best and worst friend. It’s great because it means we can record remotely, but not everyone’s internet connection is good. But it’s been a great way to stay sane during it all. I feel very lucky to be able to do my job and keep making people happy during this time.

Milena: Totally agree! It’s definitely been frustrating but we always get through it, the lovely messages we receive makes it all worth it!

Audrey: At first it was a struggle as we’re so used to recording in the studio but it’s gotten easier as time has gone on.

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

Tolani: My piece of advice for myself would be to not let other podcasts influence what I am doing too much. I think we tried to do formulas and it took a few episodes to really find our voice. Also, I would have learnt more about the production side of podcasting.

Milena: I would definitely tell myself to maybe not talk about the people I was dating at that current moment as one week I was in love and then the next I had deleted their number! Though I’ll admit, some made great stories!

Audrey: I would tell myself not to give up too easily. I found that in the past if I tried my hand at something and didn’t see immediate success I would give up.

What’s been your worst podcast moment so far?

Tolani: Ooooh worst, so listening to the earlier episodes stresses me out because the sound on them is so bad. That is the worst for me, just how bad the quality was.

Milena: I think the most frustrating moment we’ve had so far is recording an amazing episode and then the file corrupting, meaning we have to start all over again! Super annoying!

Audrey: For me probably speaking on certain subjects we weren’t equipped to speak about, but it’s all been a learning experience.

Which episode of your podcast means the most to you?

Tolani: Episode 5 of the podcast will always stand out to me. It was the episode we did on Daddy Issues and I think for me it was the first time I really let my guard down and decided to be vulnerable on the podcast. I think that’s when we really started podding.

Milena: I have two episodes that I truly love. Just like Tolly, one is episode 5 but also episode 81 Mummy’s Girl where we all spoke on our different relationships with our Mothers.

Audrey: My favourite episodes are the ones where we have teachable moments but the one episode that means the most to me is episode 12 where we discussed our hair journeys.

Which podcast or podcast hosts inspire you?

Tolani: Modern Love and Passing Through. For me, both these podcasts have perfected storytelling. They manage to tell stories that make you feel like you were there, or that they are sat right in front of you telling it to you and only you.

Audrey: I love hosts that are unapologetically themselves which is why Amanda Seales’ Small Doses is one of my favourites and Chuckie Online from Halfcast too, he’s a great conversationalist.

Finally, what are your current favourite podcasts?

Tolani: Modern Love and The Joe Budden Podcast, both very different podcasts, but I like to diversify my listening.

Milena: I always listen to 90s Baby Show but currently I’ve just discovered a new podcast called Mama’s Code that talks on the realness of motherhood which I love!

Audrey: Amanda Seales Small Doses, Kelechi Okafor’s Say Your Mind and Halfcast.

Subscribe now on Acast, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Audrey, Tolani and Milena on Twitter @Ghanasfinestx // @Tolly_T // @milenasanchezx

Read more Gospel According To… articles in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop. 

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

Like Broccoli Productions, we don’t want to limit our International Women’s offering to just one article on one day. We’ve not quite stretched to a month, but we’ve got a week packed full of interviews and articles to help you find enough podcasts to take you through the year.  

Subscribers to the Pod Bible newsletter will know that Broccoli Productions have brought back their flagship podcast series, Anthems Women. For the second year, the series will run throughout March in celebration of women for International Women’s Day and beyond. 31 women have written and read original manifestos, speeches, stories, poems and rallying cries. The voices are diverse, and celebrate and contemplate what it means to be a woman.

As with their other Anthems series, each short episode begins with a “word of the day” that encapsulates the theme of the episode, leaving the listeners with something to contemplate after they’ve finished listening.

I asked the Creator of Anthems, Hana Walker-Brown, about creating the podcast and what to expect from it this year. Plus, there’s some bonus recommendations for some top podcasts to listen to on International Women’s Day and beyond!

Anthems Producer, Hana Walker-Brown. Image Credit Joe Magowan.

How does it feel to be back with your flagship podcast series?

HWB: It feels great. I love this show, I love how it’s evolved over the last year and how many incredible people we’ve gotten to work with and platform. It’s so important to me that women are elevated and championed within this industry which is why I created the series in the first place and if it leads onto other things for them then even better. There is definitely a renewed energy this year to the pieces and it really is a joy to get to sit with these women’s words.

Each woman in the series is so unique and so authentically themselves and yet, despite their differences, what begins to emerge throughout the series are so many common threads between the women, which is mirrored in the response we get from our listeners too. That feels important – a reminder that there is more that binds us together than sets us apart. So yeah, it feels good to be back and to be able to do this.

An episode a day for a month is an immense offering. How long has this taken to put together?

HWB: That was the intention all along really – to offer something big and bold in a really distinct style format that sort of stuck a middle finger up to the industry that often waits until the 8th March to release a women lead show. We kick off mid-January so it’s a comparatively short production time for the undertaking but we’ve really nailed down the process. This is series five in the “Anthems” strand so we’ve got a good system down. It’s just the Broccoli way and personally, I love making this series so while it’s a huge lift, it definitely feels worth it.

Is that about the same as last year’s series, or was it easier/harder this time?

HWB: Yeah pretty much, we’ve done Anthems Home, Anthems Pride and Anthems Black since last year’s Anthems Women so we know what we’re doing. We had a big rebrand recently so we’ve had to remake all the social media assets and artwork which is all done by our team at Broccoli but once we’re in the swing of it it’s like clockwork.

How did you decide the order for releasing the episodes?

HWB: Representation across the week is essential – in terms of both our contributors identity and experience. It’s a fact universally acknowledged that if you’re not seen then you don’t matter and it’s really important for us, professionally and personally, to make sure that every voice is amplified. Anthems was partly born out of my annoyance at this kind of “one size fits all” feminism that had been brewing for a while, exacerbated by social media that just excluded so many women and the rich kaleidoscope of our experience. We really try to tap into that across the series. The weeks are planned and there is a flow to each one – certain subjects do compliment certain days, but I’ll let you try and figure that out!

You did an episode in the first Anthems Women. Can you tell us if there is another one from you?

HWB: I did, it’s our Broccoli tradition that each team member has to do an Anthem so we’ve all been part of one of the series so far with the exception of our new production assistant who will feature in this year’s Anthems Pride. I think it’s cool to put makers in front of the mic, and it means you get to know us a little bit more. But ones enough from me – there are so many women out there with something to say that we want to offer this space to.

Can you recommend any other podcasts to start listening to this month (and continue listening to afterward)?

HWB: Yes absolutely, some great shows made by women, which are for life not just for IWD…

Masala Podcast by Sangeeta Pillai – I produced the first two series and Sangeeta is just a star. She’s not afraid to have the difficult but vital conversations around the taboo subjects in South Asian culture. Plus she really cares which you can hear in every single episode.

Confident and Killing It by Tiwa Ogunlesi, which offers a weekly dose of positivity and inspiration. Tiwa’s ability to celebrate women and instil confidence is like a super power.

Our series Broccoli Bookclub (of course) hosted by journalist Diyora Shadijanova. It introduces readers and listeners to bold titles and new authors through provocative conversation and meaningful discussion.

Listen to Anthems Women on ACAST, SPOTIFY or all OTHER PODCAST APPS. You can follow Hana on Twitter and Instagram. Broccoli Productions is on Twitter and Instagram.

The post Hana Walker-Brown // creating #AnthemsWomen for Broccoli Productions 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

The post Self Care Club: Celebrating sisterhood this International Women’s Day appeared first on POD BIBLE.

I was watching Top of the Pops 1989 in the small hours of the morning one weekend last May. Martika was singing her classic song Toy Soldiers and I wondered: “What happened to her?” And that was the idea that kicked off my podcast, Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did.

It’s an unashamedly nostalgic interview show that catches up with stars who were involved with much-loved TV, film and music in the 1980s-early 2000s, where we reminisce and talk about how their lives unfolded after. 

I’ve had some amazingly lovely guests on my first series, including Sir Tony Robinson, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off star Alan Ruck, director Dexter Fletcher, Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s Karyn Parsons and Zammo from Grange Hill.

In November I found myself at #2 in the Apple Podcast TV/Film chart – a surprising feat considering it’s literally just me making my podcast. No producers or researchers, no editors and no money to spend on marketing and promotion – let alone make the thing. Just me. In my spare room. With a microphone and Zoom.

If you rewind back to June, I didn’t even think I’d get the podcast off the ground. I booked my first two guests within a couple of days, but then hit a wall of “no” for four weeks. I bit the bullet and started releasing fortnightly episodes in July, thinking it would buy me time to secure more guests and I’d have an actual podcast to point people to. But I still hit a wall of rejection – this time for two months – and it hit me pretty hard.

Professional pride took over and after a few tears I was ready to throw in the towel. It was so frustrating, discouraging and disheartening. 

But then why would a celebrity give up their time to be on a podcast made by a ‘nobody’? Especially when they have nothing to promote. What was I thinking?! I should just accept that while it was a nice idea, in practice it was just too difficult for the Average Joe to pull off.

A mixture of hope and stubbornness made me persevere. One of my eventual guests followed me on Twitter and I asked him if he could spare the time to talk to me. He was my fairy godfather – he instantly legitimised the podcast and paved the way for others to say yes. (I’m sparing his name so he doesn’t get bombarded with lots of podcast requests!) Although it’s a testament to every guest I’ve had that they were so generous with their time in my early stages.

And then it happened. I was mentioned on Great British Podcasts’ weekly newsletter… two weeks later I was a pick in The Guardian and I slowly started gaining traction. My first series ended mid-November and I made it onto Apple Podcasts’ New & Noteworthy section. 

Despite being in the competitive – and arguably oversaturated – TV and Film category, I slowly climbed Apple’s chart. I watched in amazement as I overtook celebrity-fronted and “officially produced” podcasts – and then one day, I overtook Strictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast, and found myself at #2 behind The Crown. I couldn’t believe it – I had achieved what I thought was unachievable.

It’s pretty unheard of these days for a podcast made by just one person to almost top the Apple chart in that category. The thoughts from my wobble a couple of months before disappeared and I was so chuffed. I’ve since gone on to hit the top spot in a number of countries around the world and I couldn’t be prouder. The pressure’s now on to replicate the success for series two though – and I’m not going to lie, booking guests hasn’t got any easier!

So if you’ve been thinking about launching a podcast, or if you’ve been at it for a while and feeling a bit despondent and wondering if you should continue, I hope my story will inspire you. Take the plunge. Persevere.

My podcast has obviously tapped into something people like, but it’s taken a huge amount of work (and some tears…) in the face of a lot of rejection to get there.

But I’m proof that one person with an idea – competing in a space full of celebrity-fronted pods and ones made by established media companies with big budgets for production and marketing – can cut through and take on the big boys.

If you make great content, people will listen.

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Listen to Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all major platforms. 

The post The podcaster conquering the charts from her spare room 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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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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