Keeping Athena Company

A MESSAGE FROM ME!   This podcast is taking a break but I'll be back! You have lots of lovely episodes to enjoy again or listen to for the first time if you're new to the podcast.  Thank you to all my lovely guests who have honoured me with some good chat over the past two years and I promise I have plenty more lined up for you so watch this space.  

Jimmy James Jones and his mate Karz came round to eat fried plantain and talk about depression. How can you talk about depression whilst partaking in one of life's greatest pleasures? How can you not? The Keeping Athena Company table is the perfect place to talk about career lows, embarrassment and being bad at decorating. This was one of the most surprising and wonderful conversations. It's full of honesty, humility and gratitude and I can't wait for you to hear it.  Find Jimmy on your socials: @jimmyjamesjonesgram / @jimmyjamesjones More on Jimmy: Jimmy James Jones is a comedian, actor and star of ITV2's "Pranksterz" and "Sorry I didn't know" He was the host for two years of the infamous new act 'Night at the Comedy Cafe' in Shoreditch. When still a seasoned performer in musical theatre, he ventured stand up comedy. He's been making people laugh since - supporting some of the biggest acts in the UK and was the resident host of one of London's most beloved venues, the Comedy Cafe.

Canadian comedian and my old housemate Dana Alexander came to visit! An international headliner, podcaster, presenter and COOK (spelt in capital letter for a reason, this woman THROWS DOWN in the kitchen), we chat about how to deal with kids who say problematic things, why it's good to eat unhealthy stuff, gender, giving our parents grandchildren...a whole heap of stuff really.   I have a lot of time for Dana. And you know what the evidence of this is? She doesn't like plantain. But I still let her in my house :) Find Dana on Instagram and Twitter with her handle @comediandana. Look out for her cooking tutorials which are mouthwatering and informative!   Enjoy. 

In this episode I am joined by royalty, the Cockney Prince himself, Quincy the Comedian! We talk about vaccine hesitancy in the Black community, being in a dance crew in the 80s and what it's like to hear your first pub shooting as an eight year old.  Quincy is a comedian, radio host, actor (catch him in In The Long Run on Sky) and promoter. One of the funniest comedians on the circuit, he's been bringing the funny for years  - a true comedy legend. A community champion, he's contributed to A Place for We, a collection of stories written by people connected to the Windrush Generation.  Follow him on Instagram (@quincy_comedian) or Facebook @QuincyComedian

In this episode I am joined by the irrepressible Ria Lina. As well as being a top notch comedian, Ria has a BSc in Experimental Pathology, an MSc in Forensic Science and a PhD in Virology. More degrees that you can shake a Polaroid picture at. She's a fab talker and our conversation covered more miles than Ellen MacArthur. From breastfeeding to the civil service to gender to the British education system to how they treat public servants in Singapore. And more. Enjoy. More about Ria: Ria is a comedian, writer and actor who has been seen on on shows like Mock The Week (BBC), Yesterday, Today and the Day Before (Comedy Central) and Unforgivable (Dave). At the time of publishing, she's the only pro Filipino comedian in the UK today and probably the only one with all those tasty degrees but that makes for an intelligent, considered and vital comedian and comedy writer. She's got various scripted projects up her sleeve as well as more TV appearances to come. Keep up by following Ria on her socials: Twitter: @rialina_ Instagram: @rialina_      

Alex Wheatle keeps my company in this episode. Yes, THE Alex Wheatle - author of countless novels, activist and subject of the Small Axe episode that told us we all need a Simian in our lives. We talk about unlearning inferiority, putting on fake accents and how to get your first book published.  This chat was as delicious as the plantain I finally got to feed someone with. Enjoy.

I had a good natter with incredible soul and my comedy writing sound board, Amy Howerska. We chat about IUDs, pull the curtains back on panel shows destroying all magic in the process, and she shares the most wonderful, heart swelling reason behind her decision to get married. Enjoy!   Amy is a top lady who is a writer, comedian, producer, filmmaker and all sorts. Everything you need to know about her is here:   https://www.amyhowerska.com/   Follow her on instagram, dammit: https://www.instagram.com/howerska/

This episode I am joined by the wonderful comedian Nico Yearwood. We chat about Barbados, procrastination, having pre school children and how to occupy them and living in a place where you can't buy plantain. Thoughts and prayers are with Nico at this difficult time. More about Nico: Nico is a comedian and MC who is prolific on Instagram and YouTube. He's the resident MC of Top Secret Comedy Club in London and you can find him via the handle @neeksman on Instagram and Twitter. I highly recommend you do this - he is a comedy king.

Another MICRO edition of Keeping Athena Company! I had a short and sweet catch up with the unstoppable Verona Rose who is currently hosting her own show on ITV2! It's called Secret Crush, it's on weekdays at 6pm and available on ITV Hub and I am giving you these details because Verona is iconic and I want the world to know if you don't know already! You will also remember her from an earlier episode - yep, I seem to have run out of friends but don't worry, I am making new ones and there are some juicy conversations coming up I promise. More about Verona:   Verona Rose is a comedy writer performer best known for BBC Three short comedy series Fully Blown (with comedy partner Donna Preston) based on two wannabe rappers ‘Starz’ and ‘GapC’ which was nominated for the Broadcast Digital Award 2020. She was most recently seen on new Sky show Dating No Filter and has also appeared on E4’s Pants of Fire, Channel 4’s Celebrity Come Dine with Me, 8 Out of 10 Cats and new ITV panel show Sorry I Didn’t Know. Verona will be next seen CBBC’s Horrible Histories.

It's a very special MICRO episode of Keeping Athena Company, recorded during Library Laughs, a fundraiser for The Library of Africa and the African Diaspora held last month. I "tricked" Ella into a quick chat about dating, pooping on boats and literary festivals in Somalialand. Ella is comedian, broadcaster, explorer, writer, palaeontologist and probably loads more - she's prolific. Follow her on her socials and buy her book using the links below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/LittleMsFossil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemsfossil/ Book and other things: https://linktr.ee/littlemsfossil

In this episode writer, director, producer, performer and all round great dude Steve Whiteley joins me for a chat and we properly go round the houses. From surfing to consumerism to breastfeeding to tap water to pissing in public to the correct way to say 'tumeric'. It's safe to say we right all the wrongs of the world in this episode. Enjoy!  Follow Steve on Twitter: @OffKeySteve Find out more about his work: www.offkeyworld.com More about Steve: Steve is a writer, director, producer and performer. His comedy sketches and parody music videos have earned his YouTube channel a nomination for ‘Best Internet Programme’ at the British Comedy Awards. Steve’s award-winning debut short film ‘Swiped’ won the 2019 Silver and Peoples Lovie Award. It was also nominated for the 2019 Edinburgh TV Festival New Voices Award for best pilot and is an official selection at numerous Oscar & BAFTA qualifying festivals. Steve has been selected for the BFI Network x Bafta Crew 2021 and is currently developing his sitcom project ‘Woke Heroes’ for Channel 4.

Chris Betts is a stand up comedian and podcaster and a friggin delight. He kept my virtual company explaining why his six year old self wanted to be a comedian really, really badly, how he ended up in a Thai monastery and why he once spent his last 14 euros on a CD by a band he had never heard of. Actually, he never explains why he did that. And now it's keeping me up at night! More about Chris: UK based Canadian comedian Chris Betts performs all over the world with his unflinching, poetic and raucous comedy. His laconic style, confident presence and keen mind make for a one of a kind comedy experience. Before covid he opened on tour for Phil Wang, Rob Schneider and Tom Green. Now Chris divides his times hosting the Chris Betts Versus Podcast bringing his award winning live comedy/debate show Chris Betts Vs the Audience show online and the Big Shiny Podcast talking about the seminal Canadian 90s alt-rock compilation Big Shiny Tunes. Find him on Twitter: @mrchrisbetts Listen to Chris Betts vs: www.thechrisbetts.com/versus and Buy Tickets to Library Laughs to hear comedy, improv and a live stream of a new mini episode of Keeping Athena Company! 

Becky Singh kept my virtual company this time round and we had a good chat about my Amazon boycott, open top tourist buses and getting familiar with take away delivery guys. Also at the end I share the definitive difference between good people and bad people. Enjoy! More about Becky: Becky is a  comedy producer, director and writer for US, UK, Irish and Australian stage and TV.  Recent work includes Kevin Hart’s Emmy nominated Netflix seriesDon’t F**k This Up” and currently has work featured in the British Library’s exhibition “Unfinished Business: The Fight For Women’s Rights”.  Check out her website  

Pope Lonergan is a comedian, podcaster and soon to be published writer. A voracious reader, he makes my bookshelf look like a children's library.  I came very close to muting him at one stage as his habit of sharing his current reads was contributing to my book habit. We had a chat about the lockdown, free speech, politics, working in care and how he spoke a book deal into existence through his frank and personal comedy. Enjoy! More about Pope: Pope Lonergan is a comedian, writer, Quaker, (recovering) drug addict and creator of ‘The Care Home Tour’ (“The comedians taking slapstick into new territory” ~ The Guardian) and ‘Pope’s Addiction Clinic’ He gigs up and down the UK and has had sold out shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Brighton Fringe, Vault Festival, Leicester Comedy Festival and Hastings Fringe.  He’s signed a book deal with Penguin (Ebury) for a memoir due out in 2022. Follow him on Twitter: @PopeLonergan

Paul Eccentric is one half of poetry and musical act, the Anti-Poet as well as a musician and writer in his own right. He's just published a book, The Giant Step. We have a good chat about it in his beautiful home in the countryside - this was recorded in between lockdowns. We get into the steampunk genre, character, plot and the creative process. Enjoy! The Giant Step is available from Caffeine Nights publishing You can find Paul on: Facebook: www.facebook.com/AntipoetThe Twitter:  @pauleccentric  

Njambi Mcgrath is a comedian and writer who published her debut book last year, Through The Leopard's Gaze (available now in all good bookshops!). She is Kenyan and is determined to document the history of Kenya and the African continent as a whole before, during and post colonisation. You can see already why we get on quite well. We have a chat about how African history exists but has to be searched for, white saviour complex held by both Europeans and Africans and the denial of the gruesomeness of British imperialism impacts us all. And other things too. Enjoy!   You can follow Njambi on Instagram (@thehotafrican) and Twitter (@NjambiMcgrath)

This week I am joined by a fabulous creative comrade, Sanjit Chudha. We have a lovely virtual catch up that includes ponderings on staycations, how the media patronises the "white working class" and why getting out of the city is good for the soul. More about the wonderful Sanjit: Food fuels Sanjit's love for communication; apparently, it's a family motto 'good food is everything'. When not battling to control his waistline, Sanjit is a Marketing and Comms supremo with a variety of clients across Theatre, Publishing and the Arts - notably Talawa Theatre Company. Follow Sanjit on twitter: @sanjitchudha Go visit his website where he writes about food, culture and society: https://sanjitchudha.com/

Louise Power is an entrepreneur and CEO of company iOrbit. We chat about starting a business, getting to know your kids and redefine the word 'minority'. Find Louise on instagram: @the.powerhour or search for her on LinkedIn (how professional is that??)

Pamela Nkyi is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) and an Associate Fellow of The British Psychological Society (AFBPsS). Specialising in public health, she's an expert in wellbeing, mental health, training and policy. She's a very useful person to know during these strange times. We talk about her baking addiction, including her 'Bake and Chat' sessions that she runs for her community, lockdown and anti-black racism.    Find out more about Pamela here: https://about.me/drpamelankyi Publish now  

This was recorded before people had to be reminded that Black Lives Matter but so much of this conversation is pertinent. It's not al conversations about travelling whilst black and white privilege in the arts, I find out what wine goes with my omelette and chips.  More about the wonderful Vicki: Vicki Amedume initially trained as a research scientist, entering the circus world in 1997. She performed and created aerial and circus based work in the UK and worldwide and has worked across all spheres of circus from traditional touring tented circuses to large-scale outdoor spaces and intimate touring indoor theatre. She founded Upswing to bringing new artists and experiences to the stage and beyond that reflect a dynamic, diverse and modern world

It's the first lockdown edition of Keeping Athena Company! Put your phone down and refrain from snitching, no actual company was kept during the recording of this podcast. Recorded via our laptops, I catch up with my friend Shaherah to talk about working as a new mum, environmentalism and why people made too big a deal about panic buying. I also relive my ill fated attempt to start a hashtag. Enjoy. Shaherah Jordan is a Communications professional currently studying for a PHD. Amongst other things she's an ex pro-volleyball player, body builder and nutritionist. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @shaherahjordan 

Bilal came round and the child picked him as her favourite so far. He had her smiling throughout! We chat about feeling bitter as creatives, grandparents, dating rich people and the inescapable reality of identity politics.  Bilal Zafar is a Stand up Comedian, Actor and Writer from and based in London. He was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe 2016 and won the Hackney Empire New Act Award (NATYS) in the same year. “Witty and absorbing…highly entertaining.  I look forward to whatever Zafar cooks up next” Dominic Maxwell, The Times “Delivers big laughs”  Brian Logan, The Guardian Follow Bilal on Twitter: @ZafarCakes

Rahnak Patel has spent almost 20 years working in television and is now head of development in a big ol' television company, which means at some point in the past decade or so you would have watched a show that she invented! As well as that, she's my friend innit. She came down to talk about meal preps, diversity, dating whilst sober and our twin mothers. I also come up with a business idea which I beg you not to steal please. Find her on Instagram: @rahnakpate1. Enjoy!

Chris Enti and I go waaaay back. He knew me before the dreadlocks. We used to work together hatching up major life goals in local authority offices and now he's a businessman with an even bigger plan. He came round to chat about dating, entrepreneurship, sustainability and explains why I have a thing for big black horses.  Chris is the inventor of a brilliant card game: What He Really Thinks. We talk about it, I play it and you can buy it here: www.whathereallythinks.co.uk You can follow Chris on Instagram: @whrt100 You can find out more about Eden Textiles, his ethical used clothing company: http://www.edentextiles.co.uk/ The child is especially noisy and disuptive in this one but as always, poor quality recording is made up for with top quality conversation, I promise!

LIVE AND DIRECT FROM ACCRA! Whilst in the capital of Ghana I had to connect with my sis Sylvia Arthur. Writer, journalist, communications guru and now librarian of Libreria, a small library that makes a big difference in the country we are both from.  We talk about working in a different country, how being in Africa doesn't mean you are free from Euro-centric thinking and how to survive without saveloys. Keep up with Sylvia by following her on Facebook and Instagram (@liberiagh) and find out more by checking out all her juicy press: The World Today magazine: Learning to Love Libraries Ghana's Wondrous One-Woman Library Lit Hub: On Opening Ghana’s First Subscription-Model Library Global Impact: Hedgebrook Blog Leading Ladies Africa Checkout Africa The Voice newspaper  Yale University Radio interview  More about Sylvia: Sylvia Arthur is a British-Ghanaian narrative nonfiction writer whose work explores identity, diaspora, politics, and place. Her work has been published in The Guardian, the BBC, and The British Journalism Review and her essay, Britain’s Invisible Black Middle Class appears in the anthology, Know Your Place: Essays by the Working Class for the Working Class. She has been awarded fellowships to Hedgebrook and Santa Fe Art Institute and received a grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation via 516 Arts to produce a publication on immigration and art produced in and about the US-Mexico border region. Her short play, Haze, had a six-night run at The Vaults theatre in London and her one-woman show, Obama & Me, was performed in London, Brussels, and San Francisco to a sold-out audience. She holds an MA in Narrative Nonfiction Writing and has worked as a consultant to the European Commission on communicating Freedom of Movement. Much of this experience of living and working in mainland Europe informs her writing. She's currently working on a collection of interconnected narrative essays called African, & Other Curse Words. She lives in Accra where she has turned her vast collection of books into Ghana's first private lending library.

In this episode I talk panto, history, improv and Great British comedy with the uber talent that is Ben Van Der Velde. This was an absolute pleasure to hear Ben share his vast knowledge, curiosity and his most favourite fact. More about Ben: Ben Van der Velde is a stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter. He is a regular host and act for respected British comedy clubs such as The Comedy Store, Komedia, The Backyard, The Glee, Covent Garden Comedy Club, The Stand, Comedy Loft, Top Secret Comedy, Outside the Box, the Frog & Bucket and Comedy Club 4 Kids, as well as hosting stages for Bestival, Festival No.6, End of the Road and Sunday Papers Live.    On top of that, he has taken commissions to perform a voodoo re-marriage ceremony, founded the Church of the Holy Kazoo with comedy legend Mark Thomas, walked the entire London Underground network to raise money for The Refugee Council, hosted a comedy tour of the FIFA Museum in Zurich and even took part in experiments at The Royal Society that revealed him to have the most infectious laugh of any human, rat or monkey.   What more do you need to know? Press play!

In this episode I am joined by someone with a PHD in economics and if you you listen you will learn about the following: Why anti capitalists are really just anti imperialists because capitalism as it is intended to be doesn't really exist Why financiers want to leave the EU Why left wing politics has up until this point been imperialist  Why the City of London might note be as sinister as you think. This was recorded on the Sunday after the Thursday before so this is also your last word on the 2019 General Election! I promise this has plenty of food for thought. Susie reads all the books so you don't have to and it was a pleasure to get her intellect on wax, so to speak. More about Susie: Susie Steed is a writer and comedian who has written for publications such as The Guardian, HuffPost and appeared on the TEDx Talks, LSE Podcast and Institute of Ideas. She has appeared in several documentaries including The Spiders Web and In Transition 2.0. She has performed several times at the Edinburgh Festival, last year in a show called ‘Gold Diggers’ and the year before on a walking tour exploring the hidden history of Capitalism which was featured on Al Jazeera in this clip. She runs economics walking tours around the City of London. She also co-runs a comedy night in Brixton. She writes excellent blogs at: http://susiesteed.com/      

In this episode I am joined by the epically talented rapper and comedian Joe Jacobs. We chat about success, where Eminem is going wrong and the underground rappers you need to be listening to if you're bored of Ed Sheeran. Plus we have the definitive winner of the ultimate creative battle: comedy vs. rap. Enjoy! Find Joe Jacobs on Twitter, Instagram and You Tube: @JesterJacobs More about Joe: Joe Jacobs is a London based comedian, rapper and writer. Since 2012, he has performed nationally and internationally, sharing bills with acts including Bill Burr, Stewart Lee and Mr. Motivator. His live shows effortlessly flit between hip hop and comedy and he’s been seen/heard on Channel 4, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music, Radio 1XTRA, plus gained millions of viral video views online. In addition to stand up, as solo artist Jester Jacobs, he has put out regular music since 2008. His latest EP State Of The Art was released in 2019. In 2017, Joe took Ripe to the Edinburgh Fringe where it received critical acclaim. In 2019, he returned with Grimefulness.  Joe has just appeared on Channel 4’s stand up show ClubNite.

We are back! After a brief hiatus caused by a house move and various conflicting work commitments I am finally able to release to you my chat with James Harris. We have a must listen chat about what being anti-racist is actually about, anti-semitism, non-league football and the hostile environment.  James Harris is a writer and comedian. His satirical storytelling show 'The Palace of Earthly Delights' is currently booking new dates. He tweets @JamesHarrisNow.    

I was joined by character comedian President Obonjo otherwise known as Benjamin Bankole Bello. We chat about spending formative years in Nigeria, starting comedy a little later in life and whether or not we'll see this mad dictator in Nollywood. Plus he has a hidden talent...press play and all will be revealed. Benjamin is a treat and this was a pleasure to record!   More about President Obonjo:   n the age of Trump, populism and Brexit, the world probably doesn’t need another bloated ego pretending to give easy solutions. Thankfully what we need is a comedy character who skewers them with precision, hilarity and who isn't afraid at showing vulnerability. Following civil unrest due to the President’s long periods of absence to go and secretly perform stand up comedy in Britain, there was a military coup in the Lafta Republic. The official line is that President Obonjo was tried and executed for his neglect of the Laftarian people with his decapitated head stuffed and mounted in their new government headquarters. However, some say it's a myth and has instead moved to St Albans where he now performs headline spots and festival shows throughout the United Kingdom.    President Obonjo,  is an upcoming and increasingly successful stand-up comedian and who has been peforming Comedy for the past 10 years.. As the larger-than-life, uber-confident, self-appointed, side-splitting dictator of 'Lafta Republic', President Obonjo has quietly been leading a comedy revolution to become the first President to take over the comedy industry by storm. He has been creating rumblings by storming New Act competitions including winning Luton Comedian of the Year, Runner-Up at Great Yorkshire Fringe and was a finalist in the Naty New Act of the . His previous solo show President Obonjo Stole My Identity was performed in 2015 at Bath Comedy Festival, Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals in 2015  and 2017  to packed crowds and critical acclaim.   President Obonjo took his third Edinburgh Show titled Goodbye Mr President to the fringe in 2019 

In a Keeping Athena Company first, Sadia refused plantain, albeit politely. I soldiered on to have the kind of conversation I swore blind I would never have on this podcast, the kind of conversation that is two comedians talking about comedy. However give this one a chance, it was bloody brilliant. We charge through taking offence (obviously), doing gigs on the Black, Muslim and 'mainstream' circuits, white supremacy and writing material on difficult subjects. I also give a handy definition of racism.   More on Sadia Sadia is a stand up comedian and writer from East London. She's the host of hit podcast on the BBC, No Country for Young Women and BBC Radio 2's My Single Life. Neither of those shows are recorded in her mother's kitchen so they are already much more worthy of a listen than this one! Find her on Twitter: @sadia_azmats_  or Instagram: @sadia_azmats Enjoy!  

I welcome 1.5 Arabs into grandma's kitchen, Fatiha el-Ghorri and Esther Manito! This was so much fun, even the child was entertained as you will hear throughout this very enjoyable conversation. I was giggling throughout the whole edit I swear. We chat about freedom of speech, challenging perceptions, people's fear of the Middle East and the stress of friends watching you perform.  These two comedians are so funny and as 1.5 Arabs produce some of my favourite online sketches right now! Find them on Instagram: @1.5arabs, esthermanito and fathia.elghorri PLUS! You can see Fathia and myself perform with a load of top top acts on Wednesday 16 October at Library Laughs https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/librarylaughs/t-ngzxdg It's a fundraiser for Libreria, a lending library in Accra. Find out more about them here: https://lithub.com/on-opening-ghanas-first-subscription-model-library/

In this episode I spend a glorious sunny afternoon with the wonderful Arielle Souma. She's so funny and I am very grateful she found the time to pop by. Listen to find out why we had boiled plantain this time and hear her thoughts on the one thing that British people are really bad at (she's French so she has some opinions on us). Arielle is the most honest person I know so she keeps it real throughout! We talk, amongst other things, about customer service, writing jokes about sad things and food addiction.    More about Arielle:   She's a force to reckon with and a dynamic "wild card" in a line up. Punchy, blunt, accessible; french and Arielle Souma performs with a distinctive style. Performs for major clubs like The Stand, Glee Club, Top secret, Angel comedy club and clubs all across the country.      "Arielle Souma is just what the comedy industry needs and should be forced upon every audience until they buckle under her spell" _Frankie Boyle   "Her delivery is really strong  and lively, she’s brilliant fun and totally commands the stage. She killed it and totally raised the roof. Clearly very accomplished, she just has it." _ The Stand Comedy Club   And you can see me live at Library Laughs! 100% of all money raised supports Liberia, a lending library in Ghana that makes a difference.   Tickets are here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/librarylaughs/t-ngzxdg   Read more about Libreria here: https://bookmarks.reviews/ghanas-wondrous-one-woman-library/

I can't believe I've made it to episode 10! I am so pleased to say Samuel Williams found the time to come by and meet the baby (which may have been his primary motivation for coming through!). We had an insightful conversation that meandered around topics like entrepreneurship, creativity, the influence strangers can have on your life and what it's like to work in your sleep. Stay tuned to the end especially if you are an aspiring actor or comedian because we both have golden advice that is not to be missed. Samuel is an actor, comedian, clothing designer and collector from London. Check out his brand Insane Gentlemen: https://www.insanegentlemen.com/ Find him online on Twitter and Instagram at @OgaSamuel And catch me live on Wednesday 16 October, raising money for Libreria, a lending library in Accra started by a British Ghanaian that runs literacy projects for children and adults who would otherwise not have access to such an amazing resource. All money goes to this project! Tickets are £12.50 in advance and available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/librarylaughs/t-ngzxdg

The blooming delightful Faye Treacy joins me to talk about living Florida, being a trombone playing rock star and what it's like to be raised by a punk loving father.  More about Faye: Faye Treacy is a comedian, trombonist, presenter, writer and educator. ​ Born in Croydon, S.London, in rebellion against a punk Dad, Faye decided to pick up trombone and then ended up being luckily enough to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Music (she did a lot of practice.) . ​Upon graduation Faye has had a busy freelance career. Her musical career highlights include having been the resident trombonist for the Chris Moyle’s Quiz Night on Channel 4, as well as playing for The Selector, Kiko Bun, The Maccabees, Rod Stewart, Tankus The Henge, PRO Glenn Millar Big Band, Hackney Colliery Brass Band, Riot Jazz and The London Vegetable Orchestra. 

Katie Lane drops by to talk bullfighting, reaching rock bottom, Black Twitter v Fiat 500 Twitter and Love Island.  This episode genuinely could have been over an hour long. So much good stuff was cut there may even have to be a part 2... More about Katie: Katie and Athena first met on the open mic circuit many moons ago and have enjoyed pies together in Edinburgh. She wouldn’t pretend to call herself a comedian any more but still keeps her hand in with a hometown monthly gig in Streatham. In her spare time, Katie cooks endless curry, deadheads her roses and watches horrendous television programmes when she should be reading more. She is very excited at the prospect of all-day brunches with Athena’s child once she can learn to hold a decent conversion.  Which, during this episode, you hear is not such a distant prospect. Enjoy! And find Katie on Twitter at @katieklane

In this episode I am joined by comedian, blogger and burlesque performer Carmen Ali and I don't think my mum's kitchen has ever witnessed such saucy conversation. Find out about why Indian Caribbean food is like Indian food but even better, the difference between sex and kink and how to deal with cakes that are blatantly asking for it.  I strongly suggest listening to this episode then checking out her alter ego April Fiasco via the You Tube link below. More about her: Carmen is a stand-up comedian and blogger who loves playing chess, kinky sex, and 90s nostalgia (in that order). She also performs Burlesque as April Fiasco which involves indulging in some very tasty food fetishism. You can see more of her work here:    Blog: https://carmenali.com/ Twitter: @CarmenAli / @MissAprilFiasco Insta: @CarmenJeanAli / @AprilFiasco Burlesque Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7bSwkeqTIY&feature=youtu.be    

We are back and it's a belting episode with the fantastic Kate Weston. We speak about mental health, randy kittens and the stress of stand up comedy. Kate is one to watch as she is soon to drop a big announcement that WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT but you can hear it first if you find her on her Instagram and Twitter at @katelizweston. Enjoy!

In this episode I am joined by actor, writer, photographer, improviser and all-round diamond Verona Rose. Hailing from Southampton the London-based creative polymath and I chat about growing up in majority white areas, the DIY ways to getting your  work commissioned and finding your life partner via siblings. You can find Verona on: Website: www.veronarose.co.uk Instagram: theveronarose And watch out for her new show Fully Blown soon to be released on BBC3

In this episode I am joined by Gavino di Vino. Gavino is an actor and writer I met in Edinburgh almost 4 years ago and we've been hanging out ever since. Gavino is one of the most intelligent people I know - he speaks five languages fluently (including Russian!), is phenomenally well versed in art, history and fashion. He's a very cool guy to be around. Amongst a whole host of subjects we skip through identity, class, being a polyglot, hate crime, travel and festivals with saunas - which I did not know was a thing.  Does Gavino look familiar? You've probably seen him already in this video that went viral and gained him a new set of fans from across the world. More about Gavino: Gavino di Vino is a London-based actor and writer. He was raised between Wirral and Wigan in the north west of England and has lived in London since 2014. His play, AUNTIE, a tragicomedy about an African Hackney family, has been defined by The Guardian as ‘exuberantly idiosyncratic’, and he’s been featured as the face of a UK-wide campaign celebrating diversity for BBC, Perfect Day. Fluent in French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, he’s an internationally-focussed artist, working with Royal Academy of Arts, Soho House and Pushkin House.   Find him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @Gavinodivino

In Episode 3 I am joined by comedy screenwriter Nathan Foad. I've worked with Nathan and it's always quality bants when he's around so I couldn't wait to break his fried plantain virginity and have a good old catch up about life. We talk about drama school, growing up in a chip shop and the glamour of WW2 evacuee children, amongst other things. Watch out for the 'c-word' near the end if you are listening in the car with your kids, and yes, the babble you can hear in the background is the child who inspired this podcast. I won't let the their reluctance to nap stop me from living my best life. More about Nathan: Nathan is a comedy writer and former bully’s wet dream. He has written things for Channel 4 and Sky, most recently scripting an episode of The Young Offenders for BBC3/RTE. Originally from Newark-on-Trent, Nathan is a bravely gay person who writes about class, bodies and queerness.  That makes it all sound quite worthy. Mostly it's just jokes about his Mum.

Sinta Tantra is a contemporary artist who exhibits art all around the world. Our friendship started one summer in Camden, North London when she was asked by a very naive and clueless project manager to paint a 40m bridge... Sinta pops round for a chat and we talk about how people can make sense of modern art when it's often toilets and unmade beds to the naked eye and how our heritage influences our creativity. Minidisc players (RIP) get a brief mention and of course, when south Asian, Caribbean, Indian and African DNA meet in a kitchen, we have to talk about food too. Find Sinta on Instgram and Twitter (@sintatantra), her art is truly sensational.  Also visit www.sintatantra.com More about Sinta: A British artist of Balinese descent, Sinta Tantra was born in New York in 1979. She studied in London at the Slade School of Fine Art (1999-2003) and at the Royal Academy Schools (2004-06).  Highly regarded for her site-specific murals and installations in the public realm, commissions include; Facebook London (2018); Folkestone Triennial (2017) Newnham College, Cambridge University (2016); Songdo South Korea (2015); Royal British Society of Sculptors (2013); Liverpool Biennial (2012); Southbank Centre (2007). Tantra's most notable public work includes a 300-metre long painted bridge commissioned for the 2012 Olympics, Canary Wharf, London.     Didn't I tell you she was brilliant?? Now go eat some modern art. 

Episode 1 of Keeping Athena Company. Being a new parent whilst living with your mum is HARD WORK. In this podcast, special guests pop round to visit comedian and writer Athena Kugblenu (BBC Radio, Time Out, Stylist) so she can keep up with the world and have a well deserved break. Athena is joined by comedian and voice over artist Russ Peers. Amongst other things, we chat about his love of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching out to your crush on Facebook, sex euphemisms (warm pie???) and the correct way to eat plantain. Enjoy! Russ is a fellow BBC New Comedian of the Year Finalist. He is a regular presenter on the Talk Radio Weekend Breakfast Show and brings down comedy clubs with his unique brand of cutting, observational humour all over the UK. "He's one of those people who's just born with it.'  BBC Radio 4 Extra Comedy Club ​"Deliciously dry observations and witty one liners...The odds of a promising career in comedy are...well stacked and definitely in his favour." Herald Scotland Newspaper "A thoroughly enjoyable set by Peers. The delivery is easy, the humour feels true."The Scotsman Newspaper  "Russ delighted a sell out crowd at Brighton Komedia."Zoe Lyons, brilliant telly comic and promoter of Bent Double "You are hateful! Have some crisps! Lol!"@BoyGeorge on Twitter Follow him: https://twitter.com/RussPeers