GOSPEL ACCORDING TO…

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO… Wolf & Owl

Published on September 6, 2023

Two men having a chat is hardly a new trend in the world of podcasting, but when the men involved share humour, vulnerability and an undying love for each other then you’re probably on to a winner. For issue #020 we spoke to two of the sweetest souls in podcasting, Romesh Ranganathan & Tom Davis from Wolf and Owl!

PB: TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR SHOW! WHAT’S YOUR PODCAST ELEVATOR PITCH?

TOM: Two buddies chatting nonsense for an hour each week, join us, you might just learn something about the World and maybe, about yourself.

WHY PODCASTING? WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE FORMAT THAT APPEALED TO YOU?

TOM: There’s a feeling of freedom in working in a medium on a show that can go just about anywhere. For me the chance to spend time connecting, bonding and butting heads with one of my best mates and finest comedy minds in the game never feels like work, it’s a pure joy.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF YOUR SHOWS HAVE BEEN RECORDED REMOTELY OVER THE INTERNET. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE PROS AND CONS TO RECORDING THAT WAY?

ROMESH: The main thing about podcasting remotely is you know you can do it anywhere, but you definitely notice a better connection face to face. Tom’s wi-fi is also a fucking shambles.

TOM: Recording remotely has been a blessing as it suits both of ours schedules, it’s all we’ve known aside one episode in the flesh. Bad wifi signals are always a kick in the crutch and can butcher the flow. I do look forward to a time when we sit across from one another, in the flesh, a touch away, and we make sweet pod together.

YOU OFTEN RECEIVE PRAISE FOR GIVING GREAT ADVICE TO YOUR LISTENERS, BUT WHAT’S THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE GIVEN SO FAR?

TOM: Hardest thing about giving advice is that you seldom see the outcome, it’s like missing the second half of a film. I like the thought that all our advice and musings have helped those who’ve reached out, who knows, you can only hope.

ROMESH: I told somebody to not feel bad about challenging some rude behaviour to a woman, and although he shouldn’t feel bad I should have been clearer that men should challenge that shit whenever we can.

DO YOU THINK YOUR RELATIONSHIP HAS CHANGED SINCE STARTING THE PODCAST?

TOM: Massively so, I think it’s grown into something pretty special, like a first love, a childhood sweet heart you share a heart pendant with. Sometimes late at night, I’ll think about a life without Rom, the bookish Owl flying no longer alongside my renegade Wolf, it’s always too much to even contemplate, so I fire up my phone and look at pictures of my guy doing wacky things and listen to all the voice notes I’ve saved from him… The darkness ends.

ROMESH: Tom is one of my favourite people in the whole world. I love him and the podcast is testament to how tight the friendship is. Although if I got the call up to parenting hell I’d f**k this off straight away.

WHAT OTHER PODCASTS ARE YOU ENJOYING AT THE MOMENT?

TOM: I’m a fan of the big hitters Off Menu and Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe’s Parenting Hell. I love 2 Bears, 1 Cave and shout out my G The Blindboy Podcast.

ROMESH: I’ve been listening to the Sweet Bobby podcast which is a catfish story of the maddest order. I also dip into What’s Upset You Now? with Seann Walsh and Paul McCaffrey.

FINALLY, TOM, WOULD YOU DO US THE PLEASURE OF ENDING THIS INTERVIEW LIKE YOU END THE PODCAST? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO OUR READERS?

TOM: What is a podcast? Well friend it’s a many layered onion or soap opera like Neighbours or Emmerdale, full of such wonderful characters, it’s a world reaching out to be heard, it’s a stranger saying hello sit with me I have a story a tell, it’s a meal you’ve never dared try nae taste that has you smacking your lips in anticipation. It can be almost and just about anything and that is what makes a podcast just about the most special gift you could give not just someone else, but give yourself.