Pod Bible Issue #027 - Pod Save The UK

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PODCASTS

FEATURING NISH KUMAR & COCO KHAN FROM POD SAVE THE UK, FLORENCE & REED FROM F**KS GIVEN AND A VARIETY OF PODCAST REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS!

EDITOR'S NOTE

Welcome to Issue #027 of Pod Bible, featuring a wide array of new podcast recommendations for you to sink your teeth into!

For our lead interview we're delighted to have Nish Kumar and Coco Khan from the chart topping Pod Save The UK. Not only were the pair generous with their time in answering our questions, we also think this may be one of our favourite cover illustrations yet. Big up Dan Evans as usual for his astounding work!

Also in this issue we have an interview with Florence Bark and Amber Reed from the F**ks Given podcast and regular columns from Audible, Stak and Auddy. You may also notice the Oh My Pod section looking a little different this time as for this issue it's brought to you by the upcoming Independent Podcast Awards!

Before we go we'd like to say hi to all the wonderful people we met at The Podcast Show in London at the end of May. What an incredible couple of days that was! It's the first year we've had our own booth and were able to give away hundreds of magazines so if you're a new reader after meeting us there, or you came to see our live show, hello!

We'll be back with our next issue in August, until then keep listening and keep spreading the word of pod...

// @podbible

“WE'RE GREAT BELIEVERS IN THE POWER OF HUMOUR TO CUT THROUGH THE NONSENSE”

THEY MAY BE THE NEWBIES ON THE POLITICAL PODCAST BLOCK BUT NISH KUMAR AND COCO KHAN ARE COMING IN HOT (AND FIRING STRAIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS) WITH NEW SHOW POD SAVE THE UK. WE SAT DOWN WITH OUR NEW SAVIOURS TO DISCUSS FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF POD SAVE AMERICA, MAKING SENSE OF THE CONSTANT CHAOS AND THE PODCASTS THAT HELP THEM SWITCH OFF...

PB: TELL US ABOUT OFF AIR WITH JANE AND FI ! WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PODCAST ELEVATOR PITCH?

Coco: A progressive politics podcast from an outsider's perspective, where the listener isn't talked down to and instead lifted up and encouraged to engage in politics - all through the prism of hope and humour.

CAN A PODCAST ACTUALLY SAVE THE UK?

Nish: Probably not, but we’ll give it a damn good go. I’m hoping that by asking experts questions about the things that really matter to a lot of us, we can start trying to find

solutions to some of the problems facing the country. But look, at the end of the day it’s probably not going to be a podcast that saves us, but the studios are booked so we should realistically press on with it.

HOW SIMILAR TO POD SAVE AMERICA WILL THE NEW SHOW BE?

Nish: Definitely different by virtue that John, John and Tommy actually have worked in politics and can explain how the sausage is made. Coco and I are more firmly on the side of the sausage consumers (this metaphor has got away from me), so unlike the founders of the company we aren’t experts and won’t be pretending to be.

Coco: We'd love to emulate the rapport between the hosts and the no-bullshit approach you can only really get between actual friends, rather than professionals shoved together for the sake of a podcast.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF MAKING THE SHOW SO FAR?

Nish: Working with Coco has been an absolute dream. We’ve been friends for a long time and I am delighted to have contractually obligated her to hang out with me every week. I look forward to a day when I can force all my friends to spend time with me by paying them money.

WHAT KIND OF DYNAMIC CAN LISTENERS EXPECT FROM YOU AS CO-HOSTS?

Coco: We're great believers in the power of humour to cut through the nonsense, and being relentless optimists we genuinely believe change is possible. We're outside the Westminster bubble ourselves and want to represent that position - we want to represent the listener. If you ever find yourself watching politics on TV and feel frustrated that everyone seems like they are on another planet, this is the podcast for you. Plus, there's a lot of jokes.

COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE GUESTS YOU ARE LIKELY TO HAVE ON THE PODCAST?

Coco: We want to pass the mic to people out there doing good work to make Britain a more equitable place. This is people from inside and outside Westminster -from activists to political scientists, authors and artists.

WHO’S YOUR DREAM GUEST FOR POD SAVE THE UK?

Nish: Marcus Rashford, both for his good work and also so I could meet Marcus Rashford.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE POLITICAL PODCAST?

Nish: Obviously the Crooked Media output, but I also really loved being a small part of About Race – a series Reni Eddo Lodge did a few years ago. It was really excellent and is available to download still. Slow Burn is also always great, whether it’s political or about Biggie and Tupac.

WHICH PODCASTS AWAY FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

Coco: I listen to every Guardian Long Read - I love the depth and breadth of it - and I am partial to a true crime series. Naturally, Serial excel at the narrative series but I also love a self-contained case explored in a single episode, like with Casefile with its almost deadpan, factual approach. And for warm, genuine rapport, the pop culture series, How Did It Get Made cannot be beat.

Nish: I think people would be surprised by the number of football pods I listen to, including Stadio and Guardian Football Weekly.

FINALLY, IN THREE WORDS, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE SUBSCRIBE?

Nish: I am nice.

THE ULTIMATE MUSIC PODCAST IS BACK

RECENT EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

THE HOLY GRAIL // IN ASSOCIATION WITH

DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...

EACH ISSUE WE BRING YOU A ROUND-UP OF THE AUDIBLE ORIGINAL PODCASTS OUR MEMBERS ARE LOVING AND PRESS ARE BUZZING ABOUT TOO. WITHOUT FURTHER ADO HERE’S OUR MEMBERS ON THEIR FAVOURITE LISTENS…

IF YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF THESE WHY NOT TRY THIS AUDIBLE ORIGINAL...

F**KS GIVEN

PODCAST DISCIPLES // IN EVERY ISSUE WE ASK A PODCAST DISCIPLE FIVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR LOVE OF PODCASTS AND PODCASTING. FOR THIS ISSUE WE’RE

JOINED BY FLORENCE BARK & REED AMBER, FROM F**KS GIVEN!

WHY DO YOU LOVE PODCASTS?

Podcasts have been one of the platforms where we can be authentically ourselves, completely honest and explicit all at the same time. Having struggled with talking about sex education on social media, it’s been a complete blessing to have the space to get people talking about sex.

We love podcasts because it's effortless learning, it’s having a conversation with people and feeling part of a community.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST POD YOU EVER LISTENED TO?

Florence: The first ever podcasts I listened to were Guys We F*****d (very on brand) and the original Serial. Both captivated me so much and were always my perfect gym companion. I loved the open sex discussions,

hearing other people doing what I was doing was really inspiring.

Reed: The first podcast I actively started listening to was Criminal, probably because I'm sick and twisted individual who loves to get spooked. It’s still my number one to listen to when I'm relaxing in the bath, often letting out a gasp or a tear on occasion.

WHICH PODCASTER MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

Florence: I’m a big fan of Duncan Trussell on Duncan Trussell Family Hour. The intros to his episodes never fail to make me crack up. It was an absolute honour to have him on our own podcast.

Reed: Haha the one podcast series that actually has me howling, probably because it helps me access my inner child and I cant

help but laugh or cringe at the toilet humour and sex jokes is Gossipmongers. David Earl and Joe Wilkinson’s laughter gets me so violently, even if I'm having the worst day I can't help but grin.

WHICH PODCAST HAS EDUCATED YOU THE MOST?

There are so many to choose from here! Learning through podcasts is our favourite way to be educated. We’ve gained serious knowledge from Science Vs, Where Should We Begin? with Ester Perel, Jon Ronson's Butterfly Effect, The Diary of a CEO, Duncan

Trussell Family Hour and On Purpose.

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

The Orgasm Cult was an amazing documentary podcast series. It was so gripping and shocking, and the journalist gave us an amazing tour through the whole journey. Who doesn’t love a cult documentary, especially when it's a sex cult. ComeCurious

BREAKING BREAD // WITH

THE END OF THE OFFENSIVE

FOOTBALL

MOCKUMENTARY SERIES, THE OFFENSIVE, IS COMING TO A FINALE AFTER 5 SEASONS!

Award-winning mockumentary series, The Offensive, has reached its final episode after 5 seasons! Written and directed by Joel Emery & Adam Jarrell (Holy Smokes), produced by Stak (Football Ramble, Abroad in Japan), The Offensive has gathered a hugely loyal fanbase over six years of releases.

The Offensive follows the fictional Premier League club Ashwood City FC through their tricky transfer windows, disastrous deadline days and multiple manager breakdowns. The mockumentary gives a hilariously quick-witted insight into the behind the scenes of running a football club. The Offensive gives an entertaining take on the football industry from all angles, including the engaging vocal talent of Paul Waggott (Patrick Nolan), Helena Doughty (Jess Tate) and Adam Jarrell (Chris Woodall).

The Guardian has called the series, “The Thick Of It meets Fifa career mode - a must listen for football fans''. The series placed top of the Apple Fiction Podcasting Charts and won Bronze at the 2019 British Podcast Awards for Best Fiction.

We caught up with creators, Joel & Adam, to reflect on 6 years of The Offensive

HEY GUYS! SO, 5 SEASONS OF THE OFFENSIVE! DID YOU EVER IMAGINE THE SERIES WOULD GROW TO THIS SCALE?

AJ: We're incredibly lucky with the listeners of the show and their passion for not only the characters, but Ashwood City itself! There wouldn't be a total of five seasons without them, we'd have disappeared after one season in the Premier League like Swindon.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE OFFENSIVE?

JE: The idea was around before the ‘Sunderland Til I Die’s, the PL ‘All or Nothing’s, Ted Lasso or anything like that. It was born from a love of things like the Warnock documentary and Big Ron Manager. We deliberately aligned our style as close as we could to The Thick Of It. Not just in terms of documentary style, but also explicit content.

We wanted something that wasn't gushy or romantic about football.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT OR EPISODE FROM THE SERIES?

AJ: There's too many to choose from. Our lead actors, Paul Waggott and Helena Doughty, bring so much to Patrick Nolan and Jess Tate respectively, often it could be an ad-lib or a variation of a certain line of dialogue that keeps us on our toes and provides us with a laugh we weren't necessarily expecting.

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE SERIES?

AJ: Personally, we've been through a lot of tough times during the process of making the show. The entire world has as well, and it has been nice to receive tweets and messages saying how we have provided a bit of laughter during the toughest of times, or how family members have bonded over the storylines of the show, making it a regular listen each week.

LASTLY, DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL WORDS FOR THE SERIES?

JE: Final words for the series would be a clichéd thank you from Joel and myself. Thank you to the principal cast, thank you to our Producers Stak, thank you to the 200

plus cast members who have graced us with their vocal talents, to the cameos from the real footballing world but most of all, thank you to the listeners who have taken a chance on a football comedy fiction show that when we first released back in 2018, one of our favourite early reviews read : "I thought this was going to be shit-it is not". I think that sums it up.

To listen to all six seasons of The Offensive, subscribe and listen by searching ‘The Offensive’ wherever you get your podcasts. stakpod stakpod

BREAKING BREAD // WITH

ARE YOU READY FOR THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023?

UPFRONT ARE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY BROADCASTING FROM AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Last summer was a pivotal moment for women’s football in the UK. An England victory was then bettered as they urged the government to increase P.E. provisions for girls in schools across the country. Women’s football crowds are up, TV figures are growing, and more of these amazing women are household names - and this summer, it’s going up another notch.

The Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand kicks off in July, as England look to follow up their Euros win while Rep. Ireland will be bringing their World Cup debut.

For fans who can’t make the trip out there, fear not! Upfront, the women’s football podcast, from the team behind the Football Ramble, will be Down Under with all the latest news from what’s set to be another landmark moment for the women’s game.

Upfront’s tournament coverage last summer earned them a silver award in the 2022 British Podcast Awards, as hosts Rachel O’Sullivan and Chloe Morgan captured the unique spirit of the international tournaments. They’ll have episodes recorded live at matches, across both countries, where they’ll be engrossed amongst worldwide fans. All delivered with

the fun, occasionally chaotic tone that makes Upfront the biggest women’s football podcast in the UK. Think: the best mates’ football holiday ever, sent straight to your podcast app multiple times a week.

“One of the best parts about Upfront so far has been covering the Euros together” states Rachel. “To get to do that for a World Cup AND down under in Oz and New Zealand is even more exciting. Embedding yourself in a tournament is so fun and doing it so far away from home makes it a real adventure. I can’t wait to try and bring some of that atmosphere and tournament vibes (and the football of course) to our listeners.”

Upfront has never been afraid to tackle the big issues affecting women’s football; from the ACL injuries that threaten England’s chances, to how young girls from minority backgrounds haven’t felt the effects of the national team’s success. Guests from all corners of the game have joined Rachel and Chloe to raise awareness of issues and causes vitally important to the women’s football community.

For all your latest news and reaction from this summer’s women’s World Cup, make sure you’re subscribed! Search ‘Upfront’ wherever you get your podcasts.

THE SCRIPTURES //

PODCASTS

WITH BACK CATALOGUES THAT ARE ALL KILLER, NO FILLER

SOME PODS YOU DIP IN AND OUT OF, OTHERS YOU LISTEN TO RELIGIOUSLY. HERE’S OUR LATEST SELECTION OF PODCASTS THAT ARE WELL WORTH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

PODCASTS WITH A SOCIAL CONSCIENCE

JASON REED FROM LEAP UK & THE STOP AND SEARCH PODCAST SPEAKS TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND PODCASTS FROM THE CHARITY AND CAUSES SECTOR

Dan Maudsley is the senior producer of the BBC Sounds podcast, Finding Britain’s Ghost Children, he is also co-founder of Listen United Media, Dan explains why we need greater awareness of the many missing children from our schools after the pandemic.

As Covid subsided and schools returned to normal, many of the children who previously attended weren’t there. The then 100,000 severely absent pupils in England – those missing more than 50% of sessions – began to be referred to as ‘ghost children’.

The spark for this story was the terrible death of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo Hughes at the hands of his father and stepmother. There was such a huge reaction to his case that it left a deep impression on all of us who covered it at BBC 5 Live.

It was my colleague, Sophie Donnelly, who approached our editor, Anna Stewart, with the idea for a podcast. They’d both recently read journalist and NSPCC ambassador, Terri White’s memoirs, Coming Undone, about

dealing with her own childhood abuse. As a child, school had been Terri’s safe place. It was also her route to university and a successful magazine career.

With such an important issue, which was fairly under-reported, how did the production team set about telling this story?

We knew we wanted to get to the heart of the issues but we were also wary of making a podcast that people ‘should’ listen to, but didn’t. By weaving in Terri’s own story and by speaking to some inspiring and compelling individuals, we hoped to create something that people would be drawn to.

Terri reunited with her old primary school teacher, who told her she had just as much grit and determination then as she does now, and met an incredible head teacher in Barrow who has transformed a local primary school. Gradually we learned more about what was going wrong in education and children’s services, but also just how much of it was similar to Terri’s experiences in the 1980s.

Despite repeated requests for a minister, one voice we didn't hear was the Government’s. We did eventually receive a statement and, more intriguingly, a quiet offer of a meeting from one individual at the heart of policy making so – watch this space.

Thankfully, the podcast has managed to shine a spotlight onto what’s become a deeply overlooked issue.

Terri’s personal story touched people too, from teachers to abuse survivors. We heard from social workers, educational psychologists, youth workers and many, many parents. They felt isolated, misunderstood, mistreated andultimately - often traumatised by the drive for 100% attendance.

When you have the Guardian calling your podcast, "required listening for our political leaders”, and the Telegraph agreeing that it,

"should be at the heart of the news agenda”, you know you've done something right. But we were particularly pleased by how it was received by groups and charities in the sector. The Centre For Social Justice tweeted that it had brought the issues to life, which was exactly what we set out to do. Square Peg, which represents children who struggle to attend school, talked about the series' “incredible storytelling and nuance.”

Nuance in particular is something that narrative podcasts can deliver so much better than typical news reporting.

CLASSIC EPISODES FROM THE PODCAST ARCHIVES

OH MY POD //

INDEPENDENT PODCASTS

FOR THIS ISSUE, THE OH MY POD SECTION IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE INDEPENDENT PODCAST AWARDS! EACH ONE HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY THEIR ADVISORY BOARD, MADE UP OF DREW TOYNBEE (SEQUEL PITCH), EM MCGOWAN (VERBAL DIORAMA), MARK ASQUITH (CAPTIVATE), SIMON BREW (FILM STORIES), KOBI OMENAKA (FLIXWATCHER), MARK WOODYATT (MARK AND ME PODCAST) AND JACK CHAMBERS-WARD (SEQUELISERS).

DISTURBINGLY PRAGMATIC

Up first, Disturbingly Pragmatic - it's a "discuss anything and everything" pod, but hosts Dave and Paul, being partners, have such an incredible rapport, and if you are OK with/actively enjoy irreverent (and occasionally pretty dark) humour it definitely needs listening to.

THAT SONG FROM THAT MOVIE

That Song from That Movie taps into movie soundtracks like no other podcast, they talk about the songs from the movie, rather than the movie itself, but again it's just a really relaxed, informal podcast with great hosts that you just immediately like. Great for people who love movies or music, or both!

DO DRAGONS DREAM OF SCORCHED SHEEP

A bi-weekly D&D actual play show brought to you by the Modern Escapism team. It features the characters of Stigveld, T'Reble O'Clef, Calbo Greymerkin & Capri Smitty as they explore the world of Erethria in search of fame, fortune, a good fight and a nice tankard of ale.

SAUSAGE ON A FORK

A podcast dedicated to the U.K.'s longest running children's drama, Grange Hill. Each episode features an interview with a former cast member about their life before, during and after Grange Hill. A terrific example of someone with a passion for a subject building a podcast from scratch about it.

THE SQUAREPEG PODCAST

The Squarepeg podcast is all about giving autistic adults an opportunity to hear from other neurodivergent people. It’s hosted by Amy Richards who was diagnosed autistic in 2016 at age 37 and covers topics including late diagnosis and navigating life as neurodivergent adults.

BINGE MOVIES

Hosted by Jason from the last video store left in the universe, he takes on 5-10 films an episode all linked on a theme. He and a guest then review and rank, selecting a film each to be placed into Last Movie Standing, where guests battle to save only one film.

WINTER OF DISCONTENT - A BEATLES PODCAST

It’s January 1969 and The Beatles are commercially at their peak with a number one Album in the charts and the summer’s smash hit ‘Hey Jude.’ Professionally things couldn’t be worse, however. This is ‘The Winter of Discontent’. And we’re going to listen in to what will transpire.

THE SUCCESSIONISTAS

A brilliant gem with astute insights and well-researched knowledge. The hosts' rapport and respect for each other, along with staying on topic, make it a standout. If you love Succession, don't miss this essential podcast—you'll be glad you listened.

The Independent Podcast Awards are the brand new awards launched for those podcasts that are truly free of corporate ties. We’re taking things back to those who create their content in their backrooms, in their spare time and without the pressures of upsetting their sponsors along the way.

If you create a podcast but don’t think you have a chance of winning an award against some of the bigger players out there, then this is the place for you.

Whether you are talking about comedy, horror, sport, or focus on fiction then we want to hear from you.

Find out more and enter at: independentpodcastawards.com