PB: WHY DO YOU LOVE PODCASTS?

AL: I love podcasts for so many reasons. I love the feeling of really clicking with a show, learning the in-jokes and the idiosyncrasies of the hosts, the verbal foibles and when the rhythm of the format becomes familiar and hypnotic and you feel one of the gang. I love learning things through audio too, I’m such a slow reader and I just feel like podcasts are a format my brain can digest.

I listen to podcasts for a big part of the day, every day – so they soundtrack everything. So in a weird way they also offer companionship – a constant presence of someone smarter, funnier, cooler in my ears, improving me a little, osmotically!

WHAT WAS THE FIRST PODCAST YOU EVER LISTENED TO?

The Ricky Gervais Show with Karl Pilkington and Stephen Merchant. I must have listened dozens and dozens of times now. I can quote large chunks of it still. Subconsciously (and maybe a bit consciously!) I think I was channelling a bit of that dynamic when we started My Dad Wrote A Porno.

WHICH PODCASTER MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

I’ve been a huge fan of Julia Davis for a long time now and it was through her that I discovered Vicki Pepperdine. Dear Joan & Jericha is so perfect, I love hearing podcasters genuinely making each other corpse.

WHICH PODCAST HAS EDUCATED YOU THE MOST?

Recently I really loved Nice White Parents – great journalism and just so gripping even though on the surface the public education system in a specific neighbourhood in the US doesn’t necessarily sound like it would be. It was informative and educational without being preachy or inaccessible. You can really hear that it was a labour of love. Newscast is always clarifying and helpful so I never miss that, that’s one of only a few long standing regulars in my library.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SHOW OUR READERS MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF?

I’m always surprised when people say they haven’t heard The Mystery Show. Starlee Kine investigates mysteries ”you can’t solve with the internet” like ‘How tall is Jake Gyllenhaal?’ – why do we care? Because this is a prime example of the ordinary made extraordinary in story telling. It is a logistical feat, with the yarns sometimes unravelling over weeks or even months, and yet the production strikes a perfect balance between slick and DIY. The fact that it only ran for one season is a tragedy.

Want more from Alice Levine? Check out the Gospel According To… My Dad Wrote A Porno, where we hear form her and her podcast partners in crime…

The post Alice Levine: “You feel one of the gang” appeared first on POD BIBLE.

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

SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD: Spit or Swallow is a podcast about your favourite drink. Lou and I (Sally) invite a celebrity guest to join us at the Spit or Swallow bar with a drink of their choice. We chat around it and the show culminates in whether the beverage of choice is a spit or a swallow. (Spoiler alert: it’s rarely a spit).

LOU CONRAN: Spit or Swallow is a great accompaniment to any beverage filled evening. It’s the tipple that keeps on giving. We drink with celebrity guests, their choice of what goes down the gullet, and after we’ve chatted over a relaxed glass or three, the guests make their final decision. It’s a great night out, in.

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

SAH: We initially videoed ourselves but realised it was fairly horrific for us to look at, so how on earth could we ask anyone else to do so. But mainly because I love podcasts. I like the picture to be painted for me. If Lou is going to be sick from drinking too much wouldn’t it be better for the listener to imagine the colour and texture rather than see it?

LC: We decided that no one needed to see our faces after a bottle or two of plonk, and we’re both of an age where ‘Booze Rouge’ sets in quite early and we wanted to retain a little dignity of what we have left. We also love the fact that listening to a podcast is a little like listening in to a drunken conversation in a bar, and the freedom the podcast allows you is so refreshing.

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

SAH: We are in the early stages but I really try to make it about the guest, whilst determining that mine and Lou’s relationship comes through. We have been lucky so far in that we have had great guests with fantastic tales to tell. I’m used to doing stand up where, if somebody talks I’ve either got to stamp on it or celebrate it (if it’s funny). Either way I have to speak fairly soon after the audience member has spoken. Also I am used to doing call backs when I’m on stage (call backs are references to things that have happened/been said before). With podcasts I keep doing them but I have to be careful because if the conversation the call back is relating to is cut then what I say makes no sense!

I used to be a radio presenter and the first interview I was sent out to do was with Brian Connolly. He was really lovely to me and at the end of the interview gave me a bit of advice. He very nicely said, “let the guest speak.” It stuck with me. I was obviously so nervous about interviewing him that I just gabbled on and on. He was very gallant with me (is that the right phrase)?

LC: We get on. We have good chemistry. We also love wine, and a good chat, which helps.

What do you think makes a great podcast guest?

SAH: That’s a difficult question! So far we have only had great guests so I can’t compare to awkward guests. Yet. I think it’s great when they really get on board and enjoy the show for what it is. Every guest so far has been completely different but they have all been amazing. I think if we all find each other funny then we are off to a good start.

LC: We get on. We have good chemistry. They also love drinking and a good chat, which helps!

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

SAH: Slow down. But mainly, really enjoy everything. And let the guest finish their story – you don’t have to try and find the funny in everything.

LC: Don’t start drinking before the podcast because chances are you’ll start throwing the wine around someone else’s new baby’s nursey and dyeing their bare magnolia walls purple.

What’s been your worst podcast moment so far?

SAH: I haven’t seen Lou’s answers but I suspect it is when she was recording from her best mates house. Lou was already drunk before we started recording. She then threw the red wine we were drinking up her mate’s nursery wall. We were later told that they had to paint the stain off.

I, on the other hand, have done nothing wrong.

LC: See above…

And the best podcast moment?

SAH: So many. Recording one from Dubai. Yes, I wasn’t able to get my hands on Nick Helm’s choice of Jammy Red Roo. But I was getting a lovely golden tan whilst gigging abroad in the worst year on record (2020).

LC: We’ve chatted to so many different people, that that is impossible to answer. Although the Rully we tried with one guest was exceptional and made us feel well posh.

Which episode of your podcasts mean the most to you?

SAH: Sarah Millican was our first guest and she was wonderful. She brought loads of different things to trial with her choice of drink. We have recently recorded one with dream double act Trev and Simon, which could have gone on forever and ever – until our producer, Amanda, informed us that we had to stop as it was all so good and she didn’t want to cut any of it. Christopher Biggins showed us his M&S discount card. Joe Lycett showed us his art work. The visuals won’t be shared sadly but they were great moments for us! We have some fantastic episodes still to launch with great guests including Jimmy Carr, Yvette Fielding, Rustie Lee, Bernie Clifton…

LC: Hmmm, that’s so hard. I think the early ones where we were cutting our teeth are really important but I have literally enjoyed every single one because they have been so different.

Which podcast hosts inspire you most?

SAH: I enjoy the girls who host Even the Rich. They are funny whilst being very informative. They have a great chemistry. Louis Theroux is a great host as well. He gently coaxes information out of people. He’s very disarming.

LC: I absolutely love the ladies on Drunk Women Solving Crimes, I also love Jess Fostekew on the Hoovering Pod, and oh blimey… anyone that is relatable.

Finally, what are your current favourite podcasts?

SAH: Even the Rich, and Grounded, of course. Drunk Women Solving Crime, Fingers on Buzzers, Don’t Tell Anyone But…, Casefile, Industry Standard… And more and more that I discover!

LC: See above! And anything to do with drink and food is right up my straza. Although I do love Casefile, which is fascinating. I love a good murder.

You can listen to Lou and Sally-Anne getting drunk in the Spit or Swallow podcast on ACAST, SPOTIFY and all OTHER PODCAST APPS.

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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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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 Practices to Get You Through Lockdown 2.0 appeared first on POD BIBLE.

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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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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Run Pod

What’s its vibe? What I love about this podcast is not knowing every guest she has on and yet still finding the episodes so engaging and informative, not to mention hilarious. From the cast of Eastenders, many of whom were getting into running for the first time for charity, to radio and TV presenters you would never think were into running. There is no ego here, as Jenni says, if you can move one foot in front of the other, you are a runner and Jenni is ready to welcome you into the RunPod running club with open arms and miles!

How’d you hear about it Lou? I actually think I came across this podcast via the wonderful Pod Bible! 

Recommended episode: That’s a tricky one, but I have to say the chat with endurance runner Susie Chan. I loved hearing about her running journey and how she never set out to be a runner but stumbled into it – truly inspiring. And her Instagram account has had me lacing up and hitting the trails, almost (I ain’t no endurance runner!) every time! 

How to Fail with Elizabeth Day

What’s its vibe? Ever had an honest and positive conversation about failure? It’s not something which comes easily to most, certainly not in British culture. Building on discussions from her book How to Fail: Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong, Elizabeth holds honest and deeply personal interviews with some incredible guests on the topic of failure. She provides the space for each guest to be able to share and explore their failings and the learnings they have and can take from them. For me, these are conversations we should be having more – after all, we do some of our best learning when we fail! 

How’d you hear about it Lou? Good question!I’ll be honest, I cannot remember but I am so glad I did, however it happened! 

Recommended episode: The one which has really stuck with me is her interview with the formidable Meera Syal. From discussions on race, ageing, embarrassing smear tests and womanhood, I was engrossed with Meera’s honesty and vulnerability throughout their conversation, especially when she spoke about her failure to raise her second child in the way she wanted to and instead being fixated with rigid regimes. This is a discussion of true self-reflexivity and guidance.

Louise Jenkins is a feminist based in the UK. She is a freelancer in women’s and girls’ rights whose work focuses on ending all forms of violence against women and girls, and the power and importance of feminist movements to bring about such change. When her ears aren’t glued to music or her heads in a book she can be found losing her ears and mind to an eclectic list of podcasts, primarily ones led by strong, passionate women.

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