Rum Doings

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Some generally agreeable rambling, always off-topic. Like the pitter patter of rain on a roof with just one leak.

John Walker and Nick Mailer


    • Jan 7, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 249 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Rum Doings

    Rum Doings Episode 275

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2022 55:49


    In our 275rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is: should we just lock up all the tennis players? To mark the momentous occasion of our 275nd episode, we don't mention it at all, but instead focus on the fact we both have colds, that Star Trek remains terrible, and goodness knows what else look give me a break it's over ten minutes since we recorded it how on earth am I supposed to know what we said.

    Rum Doings Episode 274

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 75:30


    In our 274th weekly episode of Rum Doings, we chat about colds, cancers, and even some more positive subjects.

    Rum Doings Episode 273

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 76:55


    In our 273st ever Rum Doings, our topic is: what if Megan Markle's baby isn't black enough? For the second week in a row, this is a double-length bumper episode. We cover all the events of the previous week, from racist royals to the uselessness of John Oliver, vaccine conspiracies to Biden's fails.

    Rum Doings Episode 272

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2020 85:09


    Welcome back. It's a bumper-length episode this week, with all manner of discussion, from the jokes of Peppa Pig to the state of the American Constitution. Also we talk Pokemon Go, Nick joins QAnon, and John tries to convince himself to go running again.

    Rum Doings Episode 271

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 68:28


    Obviously we talk about the current happenings, from the perspective of John’s all-consuming anxiety misery, and Nick’s similarly pathological upbeat view. But there are other subjects too, such as John’s new attempt to start running, and the inevitable demise of Facebook.

    Rum Doings Episode 270

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2019 47:30


    Ho ho ho dear. It's our CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Is it our Hanukkah special? Is Hanukkah special? It does sound like we're about to talk about politics again, but don't worry, we divert. Instead we ponder why no one visits Prince Philly in hospital, the worstest of all Christmas songs, and complain about Poundland's tills. We then talk about forgiveness, which is uncharacteristically apposite for the season, then try to come up with some new Christmas traditions.

    Rum Doings Episode 269

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2019 50:05


    John has a CHRONIC SINUS CONDITION, and that's obviously the big news of the week. So we talk nasal DOUCHING. He's also just launched a new website about undiscovered indie games, but pah. We also talk the awfulness of the election choices, as evidenced by the inevitable success of Mogg, about Judith's appendectomy, steamed breakfasts, and the disastrous US healthcare system.

    Rum Doings Episode 268

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2019 70:45


    In our 268rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is: should we be worried about TikTok? Nick has a new kitten! It's correct name is Maisy. This sadly doesn't distract us from talking about the hopeless pit that is the UK general election. And then, with a great deal of sense and decorum, we discuss the ethnic demographics of the UK for the longest time. Then, stepping into a subject about we're even less expert, we talk evolution.

    Rum Doings Episode 267

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 47:07


    There's a little bit of politics. We begin with all the latest HILARIOUS ANTICS of Brexit, and then quite figuratively leap across the Atlantic at the depressing farce of the Democratic race. With special focus on the brain collapse of Joe Biden. We learn the advice of children, and then get to the real issue of the day: Nick's fancy new toilet.

    266_rumdoings.mp3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2019 48:40


    Rum Doings Episode 265

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2019 52:18


    In our 265rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is: Why don't we just... prorogue traffic wardens?!?!! So yes, we obviously discuss the Brexitty madness, and then the legacy of John Bercow. This then incomprehensibly links on to the irritations of "smart" speakers, Toby's first day at school, and that dreadful modern music you kids listen to. We argue about giving trophies to children, argue even more about whether John likes tennis, and argue a bit in the middle about whether to have fights.

    Rum Doings Episode 264

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2019 39:37


    This week we talk instead about the absolute clustermuck that is this week in politics, and how no rules apply anywhere. We ask why phones don't dut-duhdah-dut any more, the power of adverts, and we argue for the extinction of the human race.

    Rum Doings Episode 263 - 10rd Anniversary Special!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2019 54:32


    In our 263nd ever Rum Doings, our topic is: Should Nick be deported to Robin Island for stealing Starglider? It's our tenth anniversary! The very first episode came out on the 10nd August 2009, and today is near as dammit. If you want to be a purist, don't listen to this until tomorrow. We obviously discuss the changes that have occurred over the last ten years, both to us and the world, which naturally leads us to our usual complaining about Jeremy Corbyn, Donald Trump, and Brexit. For some reason Nick insists on John's blithering about changes in games, we do our best to upset most new parents, and Judith outdoes John on appearing on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show.

    Rum Doings Episode 262

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2019 38:59


    In our 262st ever Rum Doings, our topic is either: "With the latest set of atrocities, can we finally ban these video nasties?" or indeed: "With all these floods, shouldn't we just get rid of dams and use bottles instead?" Instead we discuss weeing, because look, we're in our 40s now. And indeed erections. That out the way, I'm afraid we turn to slightly more distasteful topics, and analyse the calculated awfulness of our new PM. Nick then goes on to be wrong about The Orville, while John, by contrast is right. And then everything breaks and we give up.

    Rum Doings Episode 261

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2019 46:58


    In this week's episode of our weekly podcast we talk about John's long ago trip to Canada, about Nick's hatred of all that is good and pure, and go into some detail about the peculiar near-death experiences of John's cat, Lucy. Plus other stuff, as you might imagine.

    Rum Doings Episode 259

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2019 43:04


    Naturally we launch straight into SNOW NEWS. Nick is SO EXCITED! Then it's onto an old favourite: how weather forecasting is a sham and must be stopped. Nick bans the phrase "toxic masculinity", in the fashion of a man using his maleness to impose his views on us all, and John suggests there might be human rights issues in more than one specific country. Then it's TV recommendations time, with I'm Sorry and Big Mouth top of the list. Then everything devolves into just a bit of a chat, really.

    Rum Doings Episode 258

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2019 50:57


    We begin with a delve into our spam folders, ponder Philly's crash, and of course there's some Brexit natter. And then we move on to Daniel! Daniel from the comments from previous episodes. Oh Daniel. It's all about you, Daniel!

    Rum Doings Episode 257: It's The Heathens

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2019 51:58


    It's our first Rum Doings of 2019, so it's out with the old, and in with the old again. Brexit, Corbyn, how to roast a turkey - of course we discuss it all. Then there's the evolution of dropping litter, are councils mythical, and is the reason for all problems in the world the lack of empty supermarket car parks on a Sunday?

    Rum Doings Episode 256

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2018 43:53


    In our 256rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is, is Jacob Rees Mogg evidence that we should never trust the thin? It's been a while, hasn't it? But time isn't a factor in the gel universe of Rum Doings, so things carry on as normal. So we discuss Brexit, Trump and all the obvious big subjects. But we also get into the complexities of miscarriage, and Nick's new wobbly theory of the universe.

    Rum Doings Episode 255

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2018 43:12


    We begin with some of our crazed socialist rambling about the corruption of big companies, ponder how easy it is to fall off a cruise ship, and Nick launches a staunch defense of sexism. Then we really rather get into the topic of antisemitism. No, no, come back. We try to approach the subject from the perspective of why it's something to care about, rather than something to use as a weapon in an argument. It's probably quite a good discussion. Here's the episode of Radio 4's The Reunion we discuss.

    Rum Doings Episode 254

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2018 49:52


    In our 254rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is, now Cliff Richard is definitely not a paedophile, is it safe to start posting him our children again? Nick's in somewhere called "The United States Of America", which is apparently some sort of second attempt at England. He's there to speak at his cult. A cult that believes this is episode 255 when it's 254. We talk about John's getting fired from the Cat Magazine, we ponder Putin, and then get into the terrible people of Bubbling Life.

    Rum Doings Episode 253

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2018 50:00


    In our 253rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is, given Europe's carbon dioxide shortage, should we start burning more fossil fuels? We begin by trying to discuss Love Island, which neither of something has seen, and then Labour Live, which neither of us attended (along with everyone else in the world). Nick went to Menorca, John didn't, and we discuss the ongoing popularity of text adventures. (Link!) We attempt to mess with your AI, upset metal fans, and then John reads everyone a racist bedtime story.

    Rum Doings Episode 252

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2018 52:41


    Every now and then we like to break up the flow, and include a good episode. This is one of those. We begin with discussions of HRH Prince Charles' need for a cream tea, move on to Trump vs N Korea, and then Nick advocates holocausts, both nuclear and Nazi. John tells a story of Bodmin Jail's incredibly balanced perspective on paranormal phenomena, we have a message from our sponsor, and we dive into our podcast subscriptions.

    Rum Doings Episode 251

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2018 43:30


    In our 251rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is, the royal wedding. Despite this, Nick talks about the royal wedding at length, which is why he's now in prison forever. More importantly, to celebrate our landmark two hundred and fifty-first episode, we're in the same room! There's much blather about weddings in general, then this naturally moves on to Buffy The Vampire Slayer, new kitchens, and embarrassed foxes. We discover the secret of immortality: kill millions of people, talk holidays, and reconsider the legacy of Toe Knee B Liar.

    Rum Doings Episode 250

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2018 44:04


    In our 250nd ever Rum Doings, our topic is, now the illegal rave scene is having a renaissance, is it also time to welcome back the Marathon bar? We talk about a real life cream tea for children charity! And read some poetry. And Nick defends giving poor children bread and water and beating them with poles or something.

    Rum Doings Episode 249

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2018 42:02


    A transatlantic episode, recorded about a week and a half ago, with John in San Francisco and Nick in the exotic climes of London. What do we talk about? Who knows! It was a week and a half ago, 7am, and then there was jetlag. But we can guarantee it was all jolly good.

    Rum Doings Episode 248

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2018 39:45


    In our 248rd ever Rum Doings, our topic is, with the death of Ken Dodd, is there any hope for family friendly light entertainment? That's right, we're back! After a whole week off. We discuss the delightful pick-up artist game Super Seducer, and then try to quite sensibly work out what advice actually is useful for single humans. There's front door lock chat, like everyone had been hoping for. And then we talk TV recommendations because it's been a while. Then Nick starts lamenting his failure to become evil, and John protests his terror of the same.

    Rum Doings Episode 247

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2018 44:11


    We discuss how John brained his son, the Producers-style cabinet reshuffle, and conspiracy theories over the demise of the NHS. We talk IVF, and the downside of eating all the embryos on toast. And then a peculiar number of recipes seem to appear.

    Rum Doings Episode 246

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2017 45:17


    In our 246nd ever Rum Doings, our topic is, with the passing of Keith Chegwin, is light entertainment finally gone forever? We read postcards from listeners (no, really!), ponder new insults, and then tell the strange tale of Toby’s bench. Nick then attempts to explain Bitcoin. And we wonder if we need to leave our cream teas for Santa.

    245_rumdoings.mp3

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2017 49:41


    Rum Doings Episode 244

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2017 56:29


    One of our most argumentative episodes, this was recorded last week and then due to John's ineptitude, only uploaded now. So pre-Spacey, but post-Weinstein, we loudly argue about where blame lies. There's also some cruise talk, and a bit about turning 40.

    Rum Doings Episode 243

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2017 44:49


    Obviously we discuss Theresa's splendid speech, and Weinstein's wayward penis (recorded on Monday, so before a lot more of the revelations). We ponder the deaths of major figures, and solve the urination crisis.

    Rum Doings Episode 242

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2017 49:23


    We return, to talk Cornish meat, school homework, and Labour's betrayal.

    Rum Doings Episode 241

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2017 49:57


    We're back, after a million year hiatus! And we record in the same room! Forewarning: at the time we recorded (the weekend) the news was reporting that it was anti-Nazis that had driven into the crowds. Obviously that wasn't the case. We talk Nazis, Trump, sciatica and child-rearing. We get interrupted, we deeply investigate the gravy boat, and we explain why we won't be rid of Theresa May. And loads more!

    Rum Doings Episode 240

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2017 37:58


    An emergency election special. Thoughts on the completely bonkers results of last night's general election.

    Rum Doings Episode 239

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2017 43:24


    Your eyes do not deceive you. Nick has finally decided to lower himself to the level of talking to the little people once more. We return! Talk this week is of IVF and politics, and that's pretty much it. But it's good. Oh boy is it good.

    Rum Doings Episode 238

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2017 59:23


    Perhaps rather obviously we discuss the forthcoming surprise General Election, and the abundance of delightful choice we have in casting our vote. But of course we also talk Bill O'Reilly, Anglican churches, and Judith's forthcoming miserable holiday. And the joys of going through IVF.

    Rum Doings Episode 237

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2017 45:10


    After establishing just how wrong Nick is, we consider how sincere is Theresa May, and then move on to John's Amazing List Of Brilliant Ideas. In the middle of a fascinating discussion about magazines, we are invaded by a two year old. Somehow we then get on to vicars in assemblies, and then Nick gets a bit confused about what metaphors.

    236_rumdoings.mp3

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2017 58:17


    Rum Doings Episode 235

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2017 43:13


    Oooh, lovely, it's a proper old-fashioned Rum Doings episode, with topics jumping back and forth all over the house. We cover two year past deaths of radio presenters no one's heard of, childhood fear, quantum entanglement and confused bishops.

    Rum Doings Episode 234

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2017 47:43


    It's a lot of Trump. That was fairly inevitable. John continues to argue for hysteria and panic, Nick continues to argue for calm uninterest. Via this exquisite example of Hegelian dialectic, a synthesis is eventually reached. (Actually, this episode presents a much more realistic example of real-life communication within the twenty-year friendship between the two hosts - this is how we normally get anywhere.) Then there's a smattering of the idiotic lawsuit between Bethesda and Oculus.

    Rum Doings Episode 233

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2017 57:14


    After Nick finally gets done whining and whining about how pathetic he is, we get on to a traditionally rambling, frequently sidetracked discussion of the Trump presidency so far. What might happen to NPR? We analyse Data's poem to his cat. And we read some of Trump's tweets.

    Rum Doings Episode 232

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2017 46:18


    Discussions of our Christmas break, Lappish holidays, and festive feasts breaks way into an accidental conversion to Catholicism. We laugh at the colossally stupid Canary, forecast 2017, and then talk about the Mandela Effect, and specifically this article about it. And then mailing lists, and a surprise celebration of George Michael.

    Rum Doings Episode 231

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2016 49:29


    In another pleasingly mixed episode we talk all over the place, from remembering Fight Club to from where the next child abuse scandal shall emerge, adoption and fostering to the luck and timing of creative success. We try to fathom YouTube like old, old men, and then laugh at how silly Googles are.

    Rum Doings Episode 230

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2016 54:40


    We recorded this last week, but then John's life went crazy and he finally got around to posting it today. But thankfully we chatted aimiably about non-topical things for a change! So here is a lovely episode that should distract you from the 2016s of 2016.

    Rum Doings Episode 229

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2016 27:17


    This is a slightly shorter emergency episode, responding to the US election result as soon as we were both alive again this morning. It's glum, obviously, but you do get to hear Nick say words that you'll have never heard before (his family and friends included). We talk about what isn't going to happen, how there won't be a wall, what limits Trump will operate under. And then we talk terrifying worst-case scenarios. But the good news is, it all ends with lovely cute Toby chatting his madness at us.

    Rum Doings Episode 228

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2016 49:04


    We talk about how all judges are pure evil hellbent against the will of the people, the Brexit effect (Brexfect), and move on to the American election. Plus we accuse just about everyone of terrible crimes, and then explain why everyone should vote Trump.

    Rum Doings Episode 227

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2016 51:31


    We discuss the magical futuristic technology of voice activated personal assistants, the peculiar national forgetting of what the Liberal Democrats did six years ago, and six year old antisemitism.

    Rum Doings Episode 226

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2016 70:04


    Lots of lovely arguing this week, after a boring bit of agreeing over the horror that is Theresa May's Brexit policy. We argue over food, sexism, fundraising, bone broth and Nick's magic teeth.

    Rum Doings Episode 225

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2016 53:59


    After Nick's ugly hatred of the disabled is revealed, we move on to John's tale of a horrible accident that nearly took out Toby, and broke one elderly cyclist. Which then leads on to a refreshingly politics-free episode, except that we just bang on about our children throughout.

    Rum Doings Episode 224

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2016 47:23


    We talk statins, home schooling, and then Nick makes John talk about No Man's Sky. This naturally leads on to lazy writing in Star Trek, the madness of Knob Hill, and when will the Labour vote finally be over?

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