Podcasts about thames

We're back, a few days later than normal due to the festive break but we have a fantastic podcast to kick start 2026. This month we have two great guests, first up is Jake Davoile, a Fisheries Management Advisor who works for the Angling Trust on a variety of predation projects including the one I really wanted to discuss, seal predation. Yes you read that right, it's a far bigger issue than many even know and Jake plus others have been working tirelessly to re-home seals that ended up in the river Nene with devastating impacts to fish populations. This really is a must-listen as seals in our freshwater systems are on the rise and sadly seal predation has decimated many freshwater river sections in recent years, including a section of the Thames that I was fishing only last year. We follow that with a thoroughly enjoyable chat with Simon Hartop. Now in my opinion Simon once caught a carp that rocked the angling world, almost unknown at the time but equally as impactful as the Black Mirror but this one was even harder to catch. We get an insight into that incredible campaign, as well as his time on the Thames and how fishing for odd uns, carp with very few captures has consumed him over the years. It's not all carp, it was wonderful to touch on Si's editorial work with the BCSG magazine and his involvement with Gaz's Subsurface journals too. To add a little slice of nostalgia to the mix I got to record this chat on Si's old Thames boat, the "Griffin" as by some strange turn of fate my good friend Liam now owns it and it's taken on a new chapter in it's angling life. Hope you enjoy it and Happy New Year to all our listeners. 

watch the video below: listen to the podcast below: It's time to close out yet another year of the Dandy Fun House. While all those “other shows” are slacking off and giving you retrospectives of everything they've already done in the past year, it is instead our tradition here at the Dandy Fun House to leave the past exactly there… in the past and instead look ahead to the brand spankin' new year coming at us like Frehley's Comet and take a glimpse at the coolest stuff we've been able to find that's waiting for us in 2026! We're going to look at theme parks, movies, pinball and of course the TOTY AWARD NOMINATION picks for the upcoming 2026 Toy of the Year Awards! Are you ready to get your kicks in 26? Then LET'S step into the FUN HOUSE! Hello and welcome to the Dandy Fun House 2025 year-end extravaganza where we wear the hats and blow our hooters about the very best in retro pop culture, toys and games and all the fun stuff! I’m your host Neil Dandy and in this episode we're going to look ahead at WHAT’S HOT ON THE HORIZON FOR 2026 in the worlds of theme parks, movies, pinball and my personal picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS (Toy of the Year). BUT FIRST! I have to show you these amazing DANDY FUN HOUSE T-Shirts before time runs out! Perfect for swaddling the baby new year, They have a front and a back so you don’t get cold and we even cut 4 holes in them! One to crawl your body into, one to stick your head out of and two to poke your arms through! Find them in the Dandy Fun Shop at the Dandy Fun House website at dandyfunhouse.com before the Dandy Ball Drops! Alrighty, hold on tighty and let’s get right into what's hot on the horizon for 2026 starting with… THEME PARKS! And up first is going to be UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD (which isn't actually in Hollywood, it's in Studio City kind of like the LA Angels baseball team is actually in Anaheim and how they call the Embassy Suites here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee “Nashville South” which we absolutely are not. But anyway that's a rabbit hole rant for another day.) Anyway, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS in the greater Los Angeles, California area is breaking ground on a new roller coaster where each individual car experiences its very own 360 degrees of rotation. The coaster is called FAST AND FURIOUS HOLLYWOOD DRIFT themed after the Fast and Furious movies obviously. This one is expected to peel out in 2026! And Legoland California is busy building the Lego Galaxy space-themed land including an indoor roller coaster. Over at Kings Island in Ohio they're opening what they are calling a new “dark ride” in 2026 called “PHANTOM THEATER: Opening Nightmare.” It's in the location that has most recently held an attraction called Boo Blasters but is apparently the site of a previous attraction also called PHANTOM THEATER and this is apparently the return of that attraction with some various upgrades. I went to the Kings Island website to get more information and there's just a teaser video showing two girls walking into Boo Blasters and ending up in the Phantom Theater which appears to be a very loose sendup on the Phantom of the Opera. The cartoon phantom character they show in the teaser graphic is obviously based on the classic Lon Chaney silent film character, and visitors ride inside cars that resemble opera boxes. So… yeah. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (my neck of the woods kinda sorta) will be undertaking a $50 million expansion and also opening the world's first ever hybrid indoor family coaster and whitewater river raft ride called the “Night Flight Expedition.” Then under at Sea World, Orlando Florida they're diving into a new dark ride called SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep. If you don't know what a dark ride is, it basically means it's indoors and you get moved from scene to scene. It doesn't necessarily mean it's actually dark. Anyway, this new dark ride at Sea World Orlando will be what they are calling a suspended dark ride. The only information about this ride currently is that the rider will “discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder.” NEW MOBILITY DEVICE POLICY AT SEA WORLD! And speaking of Sea World, they have a controversial new policy which has been making the news lately that has just rolled out regarding mobility devices for the disabled. It appears that rollator walkers with seats are no longer permitted. The official updated policy from the Sea World website is as follows: “For the safety of our guests and employees, rollator walkers with seats on them are not permitted at SeaWorld Orlando. Alternative personal transportation options, including standard wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs), are available. Walkers without a seat are permitted.” I'm guessing that more than a few guests were using their rollators like wheelchairs and it was causing some sort of safety concern in the parks. As someone who transports disabled people as my profession and handles mobility devices all day long, I can tell you from personal experience that a wheelchair itself is something you need to exercise caution with while pushing someone around. A rollator walker would be very, very easy to tip over if someone were attempting to use it as a wheelchair. So while I am disappointed at the inconvenience some disabled guests are going to face with this new policy, I want to be very careful not to demonize Sea World too quickly on this new policy. Guests can still borrow suitable mobility devices from guest services. Ok, time to work our flippers over to the world of PINBALL! Here are the rumored pinball releases expected in 2026 that caught my eye during the research for this episode. Please keep in mind these are only rumors… AMERICAN PINBALL is rumored to be releasing a CUPHEAD pinball machine in 2026 based on the wildly popular video game featuring some amazing vintage animation styles. I'll admit I'm not familiar with the character or the video game but I do love this vintage cartoon style! SPOOKY PINBALL is said to be working on a MOTORHEAD pinball machine for 2026. NO offense to guitarist Wurzel or drummer Mickey Dee (now playing with the Scorpions) who were crucial to keeping the band going in its later years, but I'm really hoping it honors the original lineup of Lemmy, Philthy Phil and Fast Eddie! BARRELS OF FUN PINBALL appears to be cooking up some GOONIES pinball for the new year! RAMPS PINBALL will be coming out with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS! Oh please let the carnivorous plant eat the ball! And last but not least in our pinball 2026 rumours we have PINBALL ADVENTURES bringing us SUSHI MADNESS! Ni Ohashi Kudasai ! And if you're REALLY a pinball nut as we know you are, you'll want to put March 20th through the 22nd on your calendar because that's when Frisco, Texas braces itself for the annual TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL! Over 440 games. One incredible weekend! The website says tickets go on sale October 4th 2026. I have to imagine that's a typo and they really mean 2025 otherwise only those with the ability for reverse time travel will be able to attend. There will be tournaments and challenges, special guests and panels, exhibitors, parts, memorabilia, new games and there will be a special tech day for those trying to upgrade and/or fix their own machines. That's the TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL 2026! Rope you a ticket today! Yeehaw! Alright, I think we're ready to “steer” away from pinball and “drive” this herd into… MOVIES! First I'll start with letting you know a few of my favorite movies of 2025 before we get into what's ahead for 2026: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH: Ok, it was pretty much par for the course but it had Scarlett Johansson carrying the entire movie on her shoulders alone and she pulled it off amazingly! MICKEY 17: This is a movie about a guy who signs on to do very dangerous grunt work in space for a corporation and every time he gets killed, the company just prints out a new copy of him with all his same memories. The crux is that the new copy never knows if he's actually the person being reborn every time or if he really dies and the new copy just has his memories and merely thinks he's the same person. Weird stuff. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS – After many fantastic fails at trying to make this work on the big screen, they finally got the Fantastic Four right! The retro future vibe was spot on and all the actors were perfect! SUPERMAN: I was really upset about losing Henry Cavill as Superman, but James Gunn came back with a fresh new fun feel on this one starring David Corenswet, even bringing in Supe's dog Krypto! This movie was just a great time! More please! THE SMASHING MACHINE: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a dramatic role co-starring Emily Blunt. It's the story of Mixed Martial arts and UFC Champion Mark Kerr and how he conquered his biggest opponent: addiction. And finally in my roundup of my favorite movies of 2025 I bring you… BUGONIA! This movie was a crazy trip with some really wild twists and many moments of pure cringe and I loved it! Starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons who seems to be showing up in everything lately! It's a story about two conspiracy nuts who kidnap a corporate CEO thinking she's a space alien trying to destroy the Earth. This was easily my biggest delightful surprise of 2025. But before we get to 2026, I'd like to give a special nod to TRON: ARES because I always expect anything starring Jared Leto to suck eggs and this did not! And SPINAL TAP II: The End Continues… Rest in peace Marty DiBergi. MOVIES I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! THE ODYSSEY Expected Jul 17, 2026: After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Circe along the way. starring Matt Damon, Mia Goth, and Anne Hathaway. This could be really good or it could be really stupid. I'm betting this is going to be good and double or nothing that Mia Goth will be a siren or maybe Medusa. I think she'd make a good Medusa! EVIL DEAD BURN Expected Jul 24, 2026 – I'm a sucker for the Evil Dead movies. This one is not likely to have any Bruce Campbell, but they're keeping the details under tight wraps for now so who knows? COYOTE VS. ACME Expected Aug 28, 2026 PG A story set in the ACME warehouse, the manufacturer of anything and everything used by the Looney Tunes characters. And apparently John Cena is voicing one of the characters! Oh please oh please oh please get this right! If 2025's “The Day The Earth Blew Up” starring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig is any indication, I think we can have high hopes here! Ooh, that’s another one of my favorites from 2025 I left off the list! INSPECTOR GADGET – No details are available but I think we're long overdue for some Go Go Gadget action! DUNE Part Three Expected Dec 18, 2026 It follows Muad’dib, heir to unimaginable power, as he brings to fruition the ancient scheme to create a superbeing ruler among men, not in the heavens. And according to imdb it’s starring Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy. Did you pick up what I just picked up? Zendaya is not listed as a cast member on IMDB! How can this IMD Be!? You tell me! PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (untitled) – That's all we know folks. Hopefully they got things squared away with Johnny Depp. That is if they want to sell tickets. I AM LEGEND 2 – Military scientist Robert Neville seems the sole survivor in virus-ravaged New York. He’s waging a fight against “Darkseekers”, mutants resembling vampires trying to capture him as he searches for a cure. Starring Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan Alright! I could go for a sequel to I AM LEGEND! Especially when you add Michael B into the mix! I'd really like a sequel to iRobot but this'll do me for now! BLADE – That's right they are teasing a new Blade movie for 2026 with Mia Goth listed in the cast but of course the burning question is DO THEY HAVE WESLEY SNIPES??? They gave him a cameo as Blade in the Deadpool vs. Wolverine movie last year. But Snipes is NOT listed in the cast on IMDB as of yet! There is also an Untitled Denzel Washington Project Based on the historical figure of Hannibal, considered one of the greatest military commanders of all time. The film covers the crucial battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. You had me at Denzel, not to mention I love historical action movies. Bring it on! THE BRIDE Expected Mar 6, 2026 In 1930s Chicago, Dr. Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale THIS IS THE ONE I'M WAITING FOR! Love Christian Bale and love the concept of setting the story of The Bride of Frankenstein in 1930's Chicago! Let's go! SCANDALOUS! This will be the story behind the Hollywood romance of Sammy Davis Jr. and actress Kim Novak. I love anything related to Sammy Davis Jr. “It's gonna be fantastic baby!” CLAYFACE – Expected Sep 11, 2026 A shape-shifting creature made of magical clay haunts Gotham City, alternating between villain and ally of Batman. Ok, it's a Batman villain and not a super obvious one! Looks interesting! EVEL KNIEVEL ON TOUR – This one is going to be about Legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel and apparently the drama that surrounded the run-up to his 1974 attempt at jumping the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.Starring Leonardo DiCaprio Ok, first of all, Evel was planning to jump the Grand Canyon but couldn't get the ok from the US Government so he made a deal with an Indian tribe to jump the Snake River Canyon seeing how it was located on sovereign tribal land. Anyway, a new movie about Evel Knievel? Heck yeah! THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING – Expected Nov 20, 2026 This new installment of the Hunger Games will explore Panem 24 years before Katniss’ saga, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy participates. Ok, this could be alright. I'm not super excited about it but I could be swayed since it won't have Jennifer Lawrence in it. And that's it for THE MOVIES I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! Now for TOYS! What I like to do this time of year is see what toys from 2025 have been nominated in various categories for a coveted TOY OF THE YEAR award otherwise known as a TOTY and let you know my personal picks, not that anyone in the industry is giving me a vote. Maybe someday. BUT TODAY I bring you MY PERSONAL 2026 TOTY AWARD NOMINEE PICKS! ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR: I like Avatar Interactive Shoulder Banshee by Disney Consumer Products – This thing looks pretty cool. It's basically a small, colorful looking dragon that sits on your shoulder and attaches via a magnetic base you wear under your clothing. A handheld controller allows you to control head and wing movements as well as its voice. This thing is pretty darn awesome! In the COLLECTIBLES category: There are two different nominees that caught my eye. One is Sticki Rolls Series 2 by Sky Castle Toys which is basically charm bracelets marketed to girls with rolls of small stickers on them with different fun graphics. The other nominee I like is Wigglitz by ZB Designs. These are tiny toy figurines of almost every type of fun character you can imagine that have some sort of wiggly aspect to them, or better put: something that moves when you wiggle them. If I had to choose between these two, I'd probably go with Wigglitz because it's something you'll get continual enjoyment from whereas the Sticki Rolls are only fun until you run out of stickers. CONSTRUCTION PLAYSET OF THE YEAR: I have to give it to GeckoBot 2.0 by Thames & Kosmos, This is a kit where you build your very own robotic gecko that actually climbs up your windows. Thames & Kosmos just keeps knocking it out of the park! CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR: Crayola Marker Airbrush has got my vote (that is if I HAD A VOTE which I don't!). If you've ever dreamed of someday making awful-looking t-shirts and hats on the boardwalk, then THIS could be your starter kit! It's an actual working airbrush sprayer courtesy of everyone's favorite crayon company, Crayola! It even comes with various spray color cartridges so you start saying it by spraying it! DOLL OF THE YEAR: Admittedly, I as a 57 year old man should absolutely NOT be voicing my opinion on the Doll of the Year Award (DOTY award?) but if I had to choose from the list of 2026 nominees I would hands-down pick Woof & Co by Sunny Days Entertainment. It's a collection of fashionable dogs of various breeds who all dress FABULOUS! Yeah, this is the one I'd go for. EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR: In this category I am really liking the SNAP CIRCUITS SPY KIT by Elenco Electronics. This has a bunch of components that you just snap together to make all sorts of cool stuff like a vibration sensor, motion detector, trip wire, voice changer and a whole lot more. Oh the trouble I would have gotten myself into if I had something like this when I was a kid! GAME OF THE YEAR: I've gotta tell you, there's not a bad one in the bunch of nominees this year for Game of the Year! They've got an EXPLODING KITTENS BOARD GAME where you actually flip the entire board and all the pieces stay in place! There's a Simon game (you know, the memory game Simon?) where they took it and incorporated it into a dance mat called SIMON JUMP. So you stomp out your moves on the dance mat! Then there's COWS IN SPACE where magnetic flying saucers dangle from your forehead via a sproingy headstrap and the object is to abduct cows from a field with your flying saucer! But the game that caught my attention the most was TETRIS TUMBLE XL! It's sort of like Giant Jenga except there is a base that rocks side to side and you roll a die to see what tetris pieces you have to stack on top of it and of course whoever makes the stack fall to the ground is the LOSER! I like this. It's like a great big fun yard game you could also play in your living room. TETRIS TUMBLE XL for Game of the Year is my choice! INFANT / TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, maybe another category I might not be the best judge for but I'm who you've got pal! And in this category I choose Pour ‘N’ Grow Pop-Up Garden by Yookidoo. This appears to be mainly a bath time toy kit but you could play with it really anywhere as long as you have some water onhand. It's pretty simple: you've got three different toys, The fill and water flower, Peek A Bee and Pop Up Worm. You pour water into them or onto them and the water turns some internal mechanisms to make the flower open, the worm come out and wiggle or gets the bee to play peek a bee with you! Very unique and inventive and in my opinion, the absolute best of this year's bunch! KIDULT TOY OF THE YEAR: Kidult? That means it's made for ages 14 and up. And I'm really torn down the middle between two nominees on this one. I like the Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 by MGA Entertainment which is an art kit for making your own food minis that you control the designs and colors of. Have you ever walked past a restaurant that had fake food on display showing examples of their most popular dishes? Well that's what you'll be making with this kit only really, really small. The name is way too long though. Or if you just want something cool to play with that doesn't really take any time and effort, I offer you the ZipString Aracna, which is a newer version of the ZipString string loop toy, but it attaches to your wrist so you can shoot it out like Spiderman! (although they obviously aren't allowed to actually invoke Spiderman but they sure are bending over backwards suggesting it as extremely as they legally can!) The really cool feature of this Kidult toy of the year nominee is the glow feature! Flip a switch on the ZipString wrist launcher, turn off the lights and do all sorts of awesome tricks and shapes in the dark with a glowing string loop. So… Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 or the the ZipString Aracna! The Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 triggers me relentlessly with that obnoxiously long name, so on that basis alone I am giving the nod to the ZipString Aracna! OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR: I think there should really be two sub categories here. One for younger kids and one for older. For the older kids, I was really blown away by the Crazy Cart Shuffle by Razor USA. This thing is like a Big Wheel or a Green Machine on steroids. Not only can you pedal around in this thing but you can spin and also drift. It's really neat. And speaking of neat, for the little ones I absolutely love the Outdoor Kitchen by Hape. It's not a real kitchen of course but it's a really cool miniature toy version of an outdoor kitchen setup! Come on TOTY Awards, let's break this one up by age groups! PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, there were some good ones in here and maybe I'm judging on my own male bias from a bygone era but my favorite here was the Little Tikes Creative Construction Power Cuts Set by MGA Entertainment. It's a woodworking shop playset with an actual working , low-powered plastic chop saw which cuts through foam 2x4s and also comes with a play hammer, nails, measuring tape and carpenter pencil which is actually a marker. In the video demonstration I watched, the chop saw did struggle getting through the foam wood, but when you're talking about preschoolers, that's probably about the best you can hope for. We desperately need more encouragement and inspiring of our youth towards the skilled trades in my humble opinion and this is a refreshing step in that direction. Nicely done! SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR: I was truly taken by the Yes & Know Original Invisible Ink Trivia Game Books by Tree Town Toys. These are basically activity books where different things are revealed with the use of a special invisible ink pen. This looks fantastic for keeping the younguns busy on a road trip or maybe in a waiting room or anywhere you want to keep them distracted. That is until you run out of invisible ink and invisible ink activity books! And those are my picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS and THAT'S our look ahead at what's hot on the horizon for 2026! What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know! If you’re enjoying this episode on one of the socials, leave a comment. Otherwise you can email me at neil @ dandyfunhouse . com And even though I said I wasn't going to do a retrospective of this past year, I will tell you my favorite Dandy Fun House episode from this past year of 2025: Oh, who am I kidding? It's always the Halloween episode where the Dandy Fun House becomes the Dandy Spook Shack and I get to dress up like a ghoul. But my second favorite might have to be the deep dive into the iconic toy company WHAM-O! I learned so much doing that one! You might think I just come on here and already know all this stuff I talk about but on the contrary, I do a great deal of research in the weeks leading up to producing an episode and I'm constantly learning amazing new things which is why I really love doing this! DANDY FUN HOUSE Plans for 2026? More of the same of course! We're getting really close to monetization on YouTube. Technically we're already supposed to be there but YouTube gives conflicting information on this and is notorious for constantly moving the goalposts. So while we love publishing to YouTube, we certainly don't put all our Dandy Eggs in that basket. We also publish to Instagram, Facebook, X, Tik Tok and Rumble as well as our very own DANDY FUN HOUSE WEBSITE AT dandyfunhouse.com where you can watch the video, listen and subscribe to the podcast or read the entire episode in written form along with pictures! Who does that!? WE DO! THAT'S WHO! And we do it by hand. No AI stuff. Okay, full disclosure, we DO use AI to help transcribe the episodes into written form and also the captions for the short form videos, but it always gets things wrong so we always go over it personally and make the needed corrections. But while you're on our website checking out all the episodes and buying stuff from the Dandy Fun Shop, be sure to visit our PATRONAGE PAGE where you can support future productions with your modest financial gifts! SUPPORTERS gain access exclusive bonus content AND SUPER SUPPORTERS gain that same access plus I’ll personally send you something amazing from right here at the Dandy Fun House Studios if you include your mailing address! Podcast Listeners may often support through a donation link in your listening app of choice of the app offers it, I understand not all do. And your 5 star reviews wherever you can leave them are always highly appreciated! And THAT ladies and gentlemen sticks a fork in 2025. Please don't forget the reason for the season, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and come on back next year for some amazing new frivolities in 2026! You never know what kind of crazy trouble we could get into, right here at the Dandy Fun House where everything is always FUN AND DANDY! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody! Neil Dandy is the creator of The Dandy Fun House and the alter-ego of Neil Smith, the Big Cheese at Neil Smith Entertainment, follower of Jesus, musician, Emcee, Paratransit Driver and Author. Aren't you impressed?

Bear Grylls has achieved worldwide fame as one of the most recognised faces of survival and outdoor adventure. A former SAS soldier, he has climbed Everest, circumnavigated the British Isles on a jet ski, rowed naked in a bathtub along the Thames and once broke his back in a parachuting accident. But he's most famous for his TV career. He starred in seven seasons of the Discovery Channel's Emmy Award-nominated Man vs. Wild TV series and hosted Running Wild, which has featured Bear taking President Obama, Julia Roberts, Roger Federer, Will Ferrell, Channing Tatum, and Kate Winslet on extreme adventures. Bear is thoughtful, open and surprisingly gentle. This conversation will make you reflect on resilience, bravery and what it really means to keep moving forward when things fall apart. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Living with nerves and self-doubt 07:12 Public success versus private fear 13:45 Losing his father and learning to live with grief 18:10 Breaking his back and rebuilding confidence 23:40 Faith, inner voices and self-belief 29:05 Courage, fear and moving towards the difficult things 35:20 Failing SAS selection and earning confidence 41:00 TV failure, risk and starting again 46:40 Why giving up is the only real failure

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is another of those London places many have heard of but know little about as it is tucked out of the way near the Thames. In this podcast we'll tell you all about the place and its history. Join us....

In this second check-in with Delirious WEST 2026 athlete Matthew Farrand, we catch up just a week out from Christmas — and honestly, things are ticking along beautifully. Matthew describes his last month as “average”… which quickly turns out to mean consistent, strong, and quietly confidence-building. He's stacking weeks in the high-70km range, ticking off strength, hills, speed work and long runs, and feeling his endurance come together without feeling trashed. We chat early-morning running routines, managing training around family life, and why getting runs done before the day begins just works. Matthew also shares his thinking around breaking long builds into blocks, using a January ultra as a smart training milestone rather than grinding nonstop all the way to April. There's plenty of runner-nerd goodness in here too — from blister management kits and pole practice (urban runners, you'll relate), to destination long runs along the Thames, running through foot tunnels under the river, and soaking up the history that comes with exploring London on foot. This is a calm, grounded check-in that shows what sustainable ultra prep really looks like: patience, planning, curiosity, and enjoying the journey.

Æthelstan was crowned in Kingston upon Thames 1100 years ago, in AD 925. He went on to extend his authority far beyond his initial powerbase of Wessex and Mercia to become the first king of England. David Musgrove talks to Professor David Woodman, author of The First King of England: Æthelstan and the Birth of a Kingdom, to hear why we should remember Æthelstan's reign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Northumberland Avenue is one of those roads that so many people walk down, as it leads between Trafalgar Square and the Thames, yet not many know the history! Join us in this podcast to fill in the gaps....

Welcome to the Project Football Podcast and the second half of the final episode of 2025. A new guest with singer/songwriter/musician Chas Leman and a team covered for only the 2nd time, its a trip to the Thames and inhabitants of Craven Cottage, Fulham.This half of the episode will cover Chas' picks for Four Four You and Trippier Through Time as well as the next chapter in the FM Story, League 2 up to the Premier League in Six Tier Champs and a few more new tunes in the Top Six. Also a couple of trailers for podcasts you may want to lend your ears to.Anyway, now you've read this, it's time for kick off!!Enjoy!Contact -Podcast - Twitter/X - @proj_footInstagram - @projectfootballpodcastTik Tok - @proj_foot_podFacebook - Search for Project Football PodcastEmail - projfoot@gmail.comFPL code - fqjzpoGuest - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QQCFWd92YuCl5LwvNMTcQ?si=kY6TL-G5SDu2DGrty0UjSQ⁠Podcast Trailers - What An Oddcast Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1zjcXeJ4gppus6TEmHHdnV?si=b44852cf2199458bTwitter - OddcastNInstagram - oddcastnetworkTik Tok - whatanoddcastGame For A MovieSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0te0ZbVNEDP2ub568Wv81h?si=292fab27d4c0458aTwitter - GameForAMovieInstagram - gameforamovieTik Tok - gameforamovieTop 6The Fods vs Jay LukeBandcamp - https://thefods.bandcamp.com/Twitter - thefodsbandInstagram - thefodsbandMax AvoidanceSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jEkRwGuXCOkxb2WApkZ9w?si=60fOp5XoSGC2dWm38EPIHwInstagram - maxavoidanceTik Tok - maxavoidanceMax BiancoSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2PMnVzMlCh1PjNnaKUzLyE?si=1sANFuuoTVK-kgEbkRzKigInstagram - maxibiancoTik Tok - maxibiancoJace CampbellSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4XCRTon02sz6rBuaJVfQmJ?si=1XzEVLXJRym-IyghYMuVIATwitter - Jacecampbell03Instagram - jacecampbellofficial

El titular de Defensa Civil de PBA, Fabián García, afirmó sobre las consecuencias del temporal: “Se realizaron 30 rescates de 30 vehículos con familias. Obviamente que durante estos eventos las diferentes emergencias tienen diferentes tipos de prioridades. El rescate de la persona, las personas que corren riesgo de la vida, porque hubo gente que corrió riesgo de su vida, fue algo eventual, muchísima agua, estaban circulando, porque tampoco no daba la circunstancia para dejar de circular y tampoco dio el tiempo de aviso. entonces se focalizó la respuesta en salvar la vida de esas personas”.“La cantidad de agua que cayó fue mucha, 80 milímetros en menos de una hora, y muy focalizada, muy focalizada. Además, en la zona sur del Conurbano y gran parte de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires no llovió, ni siquiera no cayó una gota. Entonces fue un evento extraordinario. Previsible, digo, estaba dentro de los márgenes del pronóstico, siempre el pronóstico, el metodológico nacional, nos avisa, nos alerta que localmente puede haber incidentes de esta característica. a veces ocurren, a veces no a veces ocurren por el río y no nos enteramos, bueno, ahora cayó sobre San Martín, San Isidro”, agregó Fabián García.Un hombre afectado por el temporal en Panamericana y Thames, contó: “Fue un susto tremendo, mucha angustia cuando mi hijo me dijo que empezó a subir el agua y no más lo dijo con mi señora, mi hijo y todos, y empecé a sacarlo todos. Y empezamos a caminar y empecé a gritar para que todos salgamos del auto. La asistencia no llegó, y que sean un poquito solidarios, seguro de todos, que ahora es el problema, si bien entendemos la situación de la autopista del Sol para sacarnos, pero después hay que cada uno buscar su seguro. Y eso es lo que estamos pidiendo creo que todos, que venga rápido y que sean solidarios”.Diego Santilli señaló: “Ahí está el modelo de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Es el modelo de la provincia. Después, sumale lo que vos le quieras sumar. Che, es un tema que tiene que ver con el concesionario. Es un tema de que llovieron no sé cuántos milímetros. Porque cuando vos mirás, tormentas de recurrencia. De arriba de 80 milímetros. Pero todo tiene que ver con todo. Tiene que ver con un modelo donde ese modelo se cansó la sociedad. Y quiere que cuando vos te haces cargo de un servicio, lo brindes. Cuando vos te comprometes una cosa, la cumplas. Y que todos los días se trabaje para tener mejores servicios, mejor calidad de vida, más desarrollo, más laburo, más crecimiento. Es el camino. El que plantea el presidente Milei. Yo creo que la gente votó a Milley para que termine con la inflación”.Javier Milei recibió a pastores de la Alianza Cristiana de Iglesias Evangélicas en la Casa Rosada y afirmó: “Gracias, estoy profundamente agradecido. Valoro enormemente que estén acá en este momento y desearle de todo corazón felices fiestas, que Dios nos bendiga a todos y que la fuerza del cielo nos acompañe. Felices fiestas”.Noticias del miércoles 24 de diciembre por María O'Donnell y equipo de De Acá en Más por Urbana Play 104.3 FMSeguí a De Acá en Más en Instagram y XUrbana Play 104.3 FM. Somos la radio que ves.Suscribite a #Youtube. Seguí a la radio en Instagram y en XMandanos un whatsapp ➯ Acá¡Descargá nuestra #APP oficial! ➯  https://scnv.io/m8Gr 

https://bbvproductions.co.uk/products/Faction-Paradox-The-Confession-of-Brother-Signet-AUDIO-DOWNLOAD-p389922366 The War Between the Land and the Sea is a British science fiction television miniseries. The series was created by Russell T Davies for BBC One and Disney+ as part of the Doctor Who franchise, known as the Whoniverse. Starring Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, the series features UNIT in their attempt to prevent a global war caused by the return of the Sea Devils, now known as "Homo Aqua". Jemma Redgrave, Colin McFarlane, Alexander Devrient and Ruth Madeley reprise their respective roles from Doctor Who and its franchised series. The series was first reported on in July 2024, and filmed from August to December 2024 across Wales, Cardiff and Spain. Of the five episodes, the premiere and finale were written by Davies, with the other three by Pete McTighe. The War Between the Land and the Sea premiered on BBC One on 7 December 2025 with its first two episodes, and is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2026. The series has received generally positive reviews from critics for its performances (particularly Redgrave's) and its similarities to Torchwood. Premise UNIT must take action to prevent a global war once an ancient species, the Homo aqua, comes out from the sea, revealing itself to humanity.[1] Cast Main Russell Tovey as Barclay Pierre-Dupont, a low-level UNIT transportation arranger who is unexpectedly appointed as humanity's ambassador. Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, the Ambassador of the Homo Aqua. Recurring Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, the commander-in-chief of UNIT. Redgrave reprises her role from Doctor Who. Colin McFarlane as General Austin Pierce, a high-ranking American UNIT officer. McFarlane reprises his role from Torchwood: Children of Earth. Alexander Devrient as Col. Christofer Ibrahim, a senior UNIT officer who is part of Kate's personal staff. Devrient reprises his role from Doctor Who. Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham, UNIT's fifty-sixth scientific advisor and part of Kate's personal staff. Madeley reprises her role from Doctor Who. Adrian Lukis as Jonathan Hynes, a politician initially appointed as humanity's ambassador. Vincent Franklin as Harry Shaw, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Steward Alexander as General Oscar Gunsberg, a high-ranking American general acting as the US envoy and a key ally of Shaw. Barbara Probst as General Dominique Dussolier, a high-ranking French general acting as the French envoy and a key ally of Shaw. Patrick Baladi as Sir Keith Spears, a key ally and donor of Shaw. Francesca Corney as Sgt. Hana Chakri, a UNIT soldier assigned to protect Barclay. Ann Akinjirin as Barbara Pierre-Dupont, Barclay's estranged spouse. Cat Gannon as Kirby Pierre-Dupont, Barclay and Barbara's teenage daughter. Lachele Carl as Trinity Wells, an American news reporter. Wells reprises her role from Doctor Who. Samuel Oatley as Tide, a Homo Aqua who succeeds Salt as ambassador. Guest Mei Mac as Min Tso, a member of UNIT. Waleed Hammad as Col. Tariq Hashim, a UNIT field officer. Hannah Donaldson as Captain Louise Mackie, a UNIT company officer. William Gaminara as Ted Campbell, an ambassador selected to represent his nation. Episodes No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date UK viewers (millions) [2] 1 "Homo Aqua" Dylan Holmes Williams Russell T Davies 7 December 2025 4.31 Transport clerk Barclay Pierre-Dupont is contacted by UNIT after the discovery and killing of a Homo Aqua by fishermen. The creature that had been discovered at sea is recaptured by its own kind, killing two UNIT soldiers in the process. UNIT immediately initiate first contact between the two species. Both agree to a treaty of peace, and the Homo Aqua simultaneously reveal their presence to humanity worldwide, desiring to speak to all humans. A meeting is set up in London and several members of the Homo Aqua are seen for the first time. They introduce their humanoid ambassador, Salt, who requests that Barclay serves as the human ambassador. Barclay agrees. 2 "Plastic Apocalypse" Dylan Holmes Williams Pete McTighe 7 December 2025 3.56 Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, the commander-in-chief of UNIT, agrees to work with Barclay to carry out diplomatic negotiations with Homo Aqua, who wish for worldwide pollution to cease. Barclay's estranged family is brought into UNIT custody for safety while UNIT scientists examine eggs breed by the Homo Aqua that had been affected by pollution. At the next meeting, Salt requests water from the River Thames for Barclay to drink. Due to the water's contamination, Barclay refuses and, against UNIT instruction, chooses to acknowledges humanity's mistakes instead. Humanity presents a plan to reduce pollution within forty years, which Salt disagrees with. In response, a storm releases all the plastic from the world's waters back onto land. When world leaders challenge Salt, Barclay agrees to meet with the Homo Aqua under the Atlantic Ocean in the Romanche Gap. 3 "The Deep" Dylan Holmes Williams Pete McTighe 14 December 2025 TBD A UNIT team, consisting of Barclay, General Austin Pierce, Min Tso, Captain Louise Mackey, and diplomatic representatives Ravi Singh and Ted Campbell, are assembled for the underwater meeting; Campbell brings a globe as a gift for Salt. During their submarine descent, Kate meets at Downing Street with Prime Minister Harry Shaw and General Oscar Gunsberg with tensions rising over who owns the world's water. A new war plan named "Severance" is prepared without the knowledge of UNIT. Under the water, the submarine team exit into an environment created for them by the Sea Devils. UNIT colonel Cristofer Ibrahim is assassinated while with Kate on the surface, by an unknown assailant. Once the submarine team are stood in front of the Homo Aqua assembly, Campbell presents the globe as a gift, only to reveal that he is a mole and the globe is a concealed bomb which he detonates. 4 "The Witch of the Waterfall" Dylan Holmes Williams Pete McTighe 14 December 2025 TBD The entire submarine crew, with the exception of Barclay, are killed by the detonation. As Salt safely returns Barclay to land, a deepfake video of her is shown to the public, threatening any human who enters the water. Salt is captured by UNIT, until Barclay rescues her, both immediately becoming fugitives. Shaw is pressured into moving forward with Severance, spearheaded by Gunsberg. Meanwhile, Kate meets Salt's successor, Tide, who informs Downing Street that Salt is considered a traitor for saving a human and is subject to execution. Salt and Barclay go on the run from both UNIT and Severance while Kate struggles to cope with the death of Ibrahim. Barclay contacts his wife Barbara and requests they rendezvous with a vehicle on Lambeth Bridge, with a plan to meet an ally in North Wales and attempt contact with Kate. They are ambushed by UNIT and Severance operatives. When it is revealed that the video of Salt is a deepfake, Kate orders UNIT to fire at Severance just as Salt releases a vocal high-pitched shriek, giving her time to escape into the Thames. In retaliation, Tide threatens to use rust to end humanity. 5 "The End of the War" Dylan Holmes Williams Russell T Davies 21 December 2025 TBD Disagreements continue to occur over the melting ice. Kate hallucinates Colonel Ibrahim. She requests her therapist for an increase of her prescription for paroxetine, but is threatened with being signed off. Kate bribes her in response. Barclay is medically assessed and begins secret nightly visits to Herne Bay, calling for Salt in the sea. Kate presses Prime Minister Shaw for information about the word 'severance', who denies having any knowledge of it. After blocking a signal disruptor used to prevent Salt contacting Barclay, they finally meet. Salt tells Barclay to use the word 'accord', which has ancient meaning. Barclay informs Kate and they plan to disguise the message throughout the oceans. Dead Sea Devils begin to show up at shores and at the surface of lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the world. Kate deduces that this is Severance. At Downing Street it is revealed that the virus is engineered to only affect nine out of every ten Sea Devils. The Sea Devils surrender and inform humanity that they have won the war, but to be wary of water in the future. Kate drives Barclay to the sea, who finds Salt there. Salt gives Barclay gills, and they swim away together. A man drops a plastic bottle, who after refusing to pick it up, Kate threatens with a gun. Production Development In July 2024, Deadline Hollywood reported a new Doctor Who spin-off titled The War Between the Land and the Sea was set to begin filming in September.[3] Russell T Davies confirmed later that month at San Diego Comic Con that production would begin in August.[4] Produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios, Davies served as executive producer along with Pete McTighe, Joel Collins, Julie Gardner, and Jane Tranter.[5][6] Edoardo Ferretti took on the role of television producer with pre-production underway by July 2024.[7] Casting Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw lead the series with Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient reprising their roles from Doctor Who as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and Colonel Ibrahim, respectively.[1][8] Tovey and Mbatha-Raw previously played Alonso Frame and Tish Jones in Doctor Who.[9] Ruth Madeley also returns from Doctor Who, playing Shirley Anne Bingham. Colin McFarlane reprises his role as General Austin Pierce, a character first introduced and last seen fifteen years prior in the third series of Torchwood, another Doctor Who spin-off.[10] Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Vincent Franklin, Francesca Corney and Mei Mac were announced as additional cast members in October 2024.[11] Writing The five-part series was written by Davies and Pete McTighe.[12] According to McTighe, Davies had already devised the series' concept and scripted its first episode prior to writing the 60th anniversary specials of Doctor Who,[13] which marked the beginning of his second tenure on the series as writer and showrunner. After McTighe delivered the first draft of "Lucky Day", his episode of the fifteenth series of Doctor Who (and third for the show as a whole), Davies asked him to collaborate on the remainder of the spin-off in 2023.[13] The two split writing duties across the programme, with Davies writing the finale in addition to his existing opening script, and McTighe the second, third and fourth episodes; Davies initially stated he had co-written the fourth with McTighe,[14] but was subsequently not co-credited in the episode itself.[15] Following filming wrapping on series 15 of Doctor Who, the first read-through for all five episodes occurred on 19 August 2024.[7] Filming Some filming took place internationally, including on Mallorca.[16] All episodes were produced in one block, compared to the two to three blocks that would usually be used for five episodes.[17] Location shooting began on 29 August 2024 in Barry and Atlantic Wharf, both in south Wales. Filming continued into September in various locations across Wales, including at the Welsh Government Building, City Arms pub, Hodge House, and Merthyr Mawr. In October, the series was spotted filming at Cardiff City Hall and National Museum Cardiff. November filming occurred

Welcome to the Project Football Podcast and the first half of the final episode of 2025. A new guest with singer/songwriter/musician Chas Leman and a team covered for only the 2nd time, its a trip to the Thames and inhabitants of Craven Cottage, Fulham.This half of the episode will feature Chas chatting about his music, general Fulham stuff and a few of the guest segments with Five From Five, Room One On One and Fulham based Blind Ranking.Also, to add to this will be the next installment of the FM Story with Dumbarton, Six Tier Champs and some new music with the Top Six, plus, a couple of trailers for podcasts you may want to lend your ears to.Anyway, now you've read this, it's time for kick off!!Enjoy!Contact -Podcast - Twitter/X - @proj_footInstagram - @projectfootballpodcastTik Tok - @proj_foot_podFacebook - Search for Project Football PodcastEmail - projfoot@gmail.comFPL code - fqjzpoGuest - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QQCFWd92YuCl5LwvNMTcQ?si=kY6TL-G5SDu2DGrty0UjSQPodcast Trailers - My Weekly Mixtape - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/449QpFFYt6vg3FeBU1ll6Z?si=06c075e9ef004330Twitter - MyWeeklyMixtapeInstagram - myweeklymixtapeK J and A - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0Z2Df6Zp1wyrveaPWHASup?si=92f42c8016784fb6Twitter - KJandApodcastInstagram - kjandapodcastTop 6 -The TelephonesSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5QJMJmdiiFmDEi35gVev1S?si=Rp_vJ5nhQByQVVr06AZI_gInstagram - the_telephones_ukThe NSOSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3z2PpqwAm3mCkmhjKvdNcI?si=dBeQReYYRTm2gTHqPwMsqwInstagram - the_n.s.oTik Tok - nsobandTres KingsSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/30Xw9YwwOTrjpD3cSTmYcb?si=gQgxiNxHR4KN4r2gwhEnUwTwitter - treskingsmusicInstagram - treskingsmusicAll The YoungSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4RxoGXDtTm90RPtELIZqpS?si=HUH-8aqDRBi-NeSXURzQjQTwitter - weareATYInstagram - weareaty

Today we get to meet and know an author who is synonymous with Christmas - Charles Dickens - brought to life in this episode by his great-great grandson, Gerald Dickens. Yes, that's right - you're going to hear an interview with one of our greatest ever writers, who has been dead for over 150 years. Only on Rosebud.In this fascinating conversation, Dickens tells Gyles about his childhood, growing up in the towns and villages of the Thames estuary in Kent, and how his father's debts led him to be imprisoned in the Marshalsea. The young Charles suddenly found himself put to work, a formative experience which influenced much of his later writing. We hear about his marriage to Catherine Hogarth, and about his mistress, Ellen Ternan. We hear about the terrible Staplehurst train crash, about Charles Dickens's travels in the USA, and about his latter-day success as a performer. This is a fabulous way to immerse yourself in the story of our greatest novelist, at this most Dickensian time of the year.With thanks to Gerald Dickens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this near-final episode of 2025, the three co-hosts of Talk Eastern Europe reflect on the key political, social and geopolitical developments that shaped the region over the past year. They discuss waves of protest across several countries, the resilience of civil society, and the evolving security environment and geopolitical shifts since the start of 2025, including the impact of the new US presidency. The conversation also looks ahead to 2026 and considers what listeners should be watching in the year to come.The opening part concludes with a reflection on the success of Talk Eastern Europe in 2025, as the co-hosts share their favourite episodes and recommend past conversations worth revisiting.In the second part of the episode, Nina speaks with Owen Hatherley, a British writer, journalist and cultural critic known for his work on architecture, urbanism and politics, particularly modernism and communism. Together, they explore the profound influence of Central European émigrés on British architecture, culture and literature in the mid-20th century, tracing how these figures reshaped Britain's intellectual and cultural landscape during and after the Second World War.These themes are explored in depth in Owen's book The Alienation Effect: How Central European Émigrés Transformed the British Twentieth Century: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/311898/the-alienation-effect-by-hatherley-owen/9780241378205Some figures and references mentioned in the interview:Otti Berger – Croatian designerEugene (Evžen) RosenbergJosef Herman – Polish-British painterJankel Adler – Polish painterJan Tschichold – German calligrapher and typographerHans Schmoller – German and British graphic designerRomek Marber – Polish-born graphic designer behind Penguin's ‘Marber Grid'Walter Neurath and Eva Neurath – founders of Thames & HudsonBerthold Lubetkin – architect associated with Soviet Bauhaus and VkhutemasErnő Goldfinger – Hungarian architect, designer of London's Balfron Tower and Trellick TowerKarel Čapek – Czech author and his book Letters from EnglandBertolt Brecht – German theatre practitioner, and the author of the Alienation theory (Verfremdungseffekt)Otto Neurath – Austrian polymathDua Lipa – British-Albanian pop singer, born to Kosovar Albanian parentsFor Talk Eastern Europe Patrons, Owen Hatherley stayed on for an extended discussion on Polish milk bars and their cultural significance which can be heard here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/249-bonus-polish-146141039

Step with me into a palace that no longer stands, yet once witnessed some of the most important Christmases of the Tudor age. In this episode of my Tudor Christmas Advent series, we journey to Richmond Palace, once known as Shene: a beloved winter residence of the Tudor monarchs, rebuilt by Henry VII after a devastating fire and transformed into one of the most elegant palaces of the dynasty. Although Richmond has almost entirely disappeared, surviving sketches, descriptions, and ground plans allow us to reconstruct it in our imagination - its great halls glowing with candlelight, greenery hung for Christmas, music echoing through long galleries, and the Thames mist curling around red-brick towers. This was a palace where: Henry VII celebrated Christmas with ceremony and splendour Henry VIII spent tense, politically charged winters during the Great Matter and Elizabeth I passed her final Christmas, bringing the Tudor dynasty quietly to a close Richmond was not just a festive retreat — it was a stage for power, diplomacy, celebration, and endings. If you enjoy uncovering lost Tudor places, imagining historic Christmases, and exploring the quieter, more atmospheric side of royal history, this episode is for you. If Richmond Palace still stood today, would you want to walk its halls at Christmastime? Let me know in the comments. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and click the bell so you don't miss the rest of my Tudor Christmas Advent series. #RichmondPalace #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #LostPalaces #HenryVII #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #TheAnneBoleynFiles #TudorCourt

My investigation into the barges of the Thames culminates in a trip to the furthest reaches of the Essex coast into the stark territories of Pin Mill and Beaumont's Quay. Expect wildlife, an Essex giant and a revelatory link to the Jack the Ripper murders.

You might detect a slight difference in Elis's demeanour this week; a bolstered confidence, an increased self-worth, a man with a purpose. Elis has tasted power, and he ain't looking back. This is the new Elis, Elis 2.0, Elis ‘You'll Do What I Say' James. Because Elis has looked after 4 children on a school trip to The Monument. This feels significant.Meanwhile John thinks we're molly-coddling the next generation and has gone rogue. He's chucking things into the Thames left, right and centre. Step on the wrong side of Robins in this mood and you'll be swimming with the London fishes before you know it. Oh, and he's suffered the consequences of chilli rice…There's also a Cymru Connection which leaves Elis with mixed feelings, a festive Made Up Game classic, and some advice for young would-be stand up comedians.Send in your festive missives, Shames, and Mad Dads to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp the show on 07974 293 022.

Send us a textWelcome to the December edition of Deaths of the Month on The Days Grimm! Hosts Brian Michael Day and Thomas Grimm are joined by producer and comedian Graham Gallagher to rank the wildest, weirdest, and most chilling winter-related deaths in history. From Victorian parties on frozen rivers to modern mysteries that still baffle investigators, this episode covers it all.In this episode, the guys break down:The Thames Frost Fairs: Between 1600 and 1814, the River Thames in London would freeze solid, leading to massive fairs with pubs, fires, and shops right on the ice—until the ice broke, leading to tragic (and bizarre) consequences.The Man Who Froze in an Unplugged Freezer: The strange case of Nick Sitzman, a man who reportedly died of hypothermia symptoms while locked in a freezer that wasn't even turned on, proving the deadly power of the mind.The Great Smog of London (1952): A lethal combination of industrial pollution and weather patterns that covered London in a deadly yellow smog for five days, resulting in thousands of fatalities.Paradoxical Undressing: The terrifying biological phenomenon where freezing victims strip off their clothes in the final stages of hypothermia due to a false sensation of extreme heat.The Year Without a Summer (1816): How a massive volcanic eruption caused global cooling, leading to famine, riots, and frozen crops in the middle of July.The Dyatlov Pass Incident: The ultimate winter mystery where nine experienced hikers cut their way out of their tent and fled into the freezing night, eventually found dead with inexplicable injuries like missing eyes and tongues.Join us as we rank these frozen tragedies from "weak" to absolute nightmare fuel!TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro & December Deaths 02:29 - The Thames Frost Fairs (Parties on Ice) 08:42 - Man Dies in Unplugged Freezer (Nick Sitzman) 14:28 - The Great Smog of London (1952) 20:00 - Frozen Man & Paradoxical Undressing 26:40 - The Year Without a Summer (1816) 36:20 - The Dyatlov Pass Incident 39:45 - Ranking the Deaths#TheDaysGrimm #DyatlovPass #TrueCrime #HistoryPodcast #StrangeHistory #LondonSmog #Hypothermia #WinterDeaths #ComedyPodcast #ParadoxicalUndressing #FrostFairs[The Days Grimm Podcast Links]- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDaysGrimm- Our link tree: linktr.ee/Thedaysgrimm- GoFundMe account for The Days Grimm: https://gofund.me/02527e7c [The Days Grimm is brought to you by]Sadness & ADHD (non-medicated)

Henry VIII wanted to have the most powerful Navy in Europe; he also didn't want to have to travel very far to get it. Around 1512, he built a colossal Naval dockyard on the southern banks of the Thames in London up river from his Greenwich Palace, where he set about building the biggest ships the world had ever seen. Today, you can still find the telltale signs of the history that took place here if you know where to look. Dan joins London tour guide and friend of the podcast, Rob Smith, to trace the beginnings of Britain's Navy and tell the curious tales of early life in the dockyard, the mega ships, the disastrous failures and incredible innovations that made Britain a naval superpower in the 16th century and beyond. If you'd like to take a tour with Rob, you can check out his events here: https://footprintsoflondon.com/live/guides/rob-smith/Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal PatmoreSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on.You can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For as long as cats have coexisted with humans, they have been feared, revered and respected. They appear as dynamic hunters in Palaeolithic carvings and cave paintings; were venerated as gods in ancient Egypt; and still have the power to fascinate and frighten us, as the popularity of Joe Exotic, the self-styled Tiger King, shows. How did we go from hunting, and being hunted by, cats to keeping them as pets in our homes? In Cat Tales: A History (Thames & Hudson, 2025), Dr. Jerry Moore presents a wide-ranging and captivating history, charting cats' journey from the African plains of the Pleistocene through the first human settlements in the Near East and on to ships setting sail for the Americas. What emerges is a complex picture of mutual domestication: cats chose to live with us as much as we chose to live with them, and as our growing cities bring the world's wild cats into closer contact with humans, we must learn new ways to live together. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

For as long as cats have coexisted with humans, they have been feared, revered and respected. They appear as dynamic hunters in Palaeolithic carvings and cave paintings; were venerated as gods in ancient Egypt; and still have the power to fascinate and frighten us, as the popularity of Joe Exotic, the self-styled Tiger King, shows. How did we go from hunting, and being hunted by, cats to keeping them as pets in our homes? In Cat Tales: A History (Thames & Hudson, 2025), Dr. Jerry Moore presents a wide-ranging and captivating history, charting cats' journey from the African plains of the Pleistocene through the first human settlements in the Near East and on to ships setting sail for the Americas. What emerges is a complex picture of mutual domestication: cats chose to live with us as much as we chose to live with them, and as our growing cities bring the world's wild cats into closer contact with humans, we must learn new ways to live together. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

For as long as cats have coexisted with humans, they have been feared, revered and respected. They appear as dynamic hunters in Palaeolithic carvings and cave paintings; were venerated as gods in ancient Egypt; and still have the power to fascinate and frighten us, as the popularity of Joe Exotic, the self-styled Tiger King, shows. How did we go from hunting, and being hunted by, cats to keeping them as pets in our homes? In Cat Tales: A History (Thames & Hudson, 2025), Dr. Jerry Moore presents a wide-ranging and captivating history, charting cats' journey from the African plains of the Pleistocene through the first human settlements in the Near East and on to ships setting sail for the Americas. What emerges is a complex picture of mutual domestication: cats chose to live with us as much as we chose to live with them, and as our growing cities bring the world's wild cats into closer contact with humans, we must learn new ways to live together. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology

For as long as cats have coexisted with humans, they have been feared, revered and respected. They appear as dynamic hunters in Palaeolithic carvings and cave paintings; were venerated as gods in ancient Egypt; and still have the power to fascinate and frighten us, as the popularity of Joe Exotic, the self-styled Tiger King, shows. How did we go from hunting, and being hunted by, cats to keeping them as pets in our homes? In Cat Tales: A History (Thames & Hudson, 2025), Dr. Jerry Moore presents a wide-ranging and captivating history, charting cats' journey from the African plains of the Pleistocene through the first human settlements in the Near East and on to ships setting sail for the Americas. What emerges is a complex picture of mutual domestication: cats chose to live with us as much as we chose to live with them, and as our growing cities bring the world's wild cats into closer contact with humans, we must learn new ways to live together. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/archaeology

For as long as cats have coexisted with humans, they have been feared, revered and respected. They appear as dynamic hunters in Palaeolithic carvings and cave paintings; were venerated as gods in ancient Egypt; and still have the power to fascinate and frighten us, as the popularity of Joe Exotic, the self-styled Tiger King, shows. How did we go from hunting, and being hunted by, cats to keeping them as pets in our homes? In Cat Tales: A History (Thames & Hudson, 2025), Dr. Jerry Moore presents a wide-ranging and captivating history, charting cats' journey from the African plains of the Pleistocene through the first human settlements in the Near East and on to ships setting sail for the Americas. What emerges is a complex picture of mutual domestication: cats chose to live with us as much as we chose to live with them, and as our growing cities bring the world's wild cats into closer contact with humans, we must learn new ways to live together. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

What did winter really feel like in Tudor England? Spoiler: nothing like the winter we know today. Hello, I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's Tudor Christmas Advent episode we're stepping into a world of bone-deep cold, frozen rivers, and incredible resilience, the world of Tudor winter during the Little Ice Age. Between the 14th and 19th centuries, Europe and North America endured some of the coldest winters in recorded history. And the Tudors? They lived right in the middle of it. In this episode, discover: What Tudor winters were really like — without heating, forecasts, or modern comforts The astonishing times the River Thames froze solid How Henry VIII and Elizabeth I reacted to the deep freeze The extraordinary celebrations that took place on the ice Why London's legendary frost fairs eventually disappeared At the end, I'd love to hear from you: What's the coldest winter you remember, and how did you cope? If you enjoy these festive Tudor deep dives, please like, subscribe, and click the bell so you don't miss the next episode in the Advent series. Keep warm!   #TudorHistory #LittleIceAge #FrostFairs #TudorChristmas #HistoryChannel #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles #HistoryDocumentary #OnThisDayHistory #WinterHistory #BritishHistory

Chapter 11 - Henley On Thames

Today's episode is a two-for-one feast of mystery. First, the curious gems that keep washing up on the river Thames. What are they? Who put them there? And why? Historian Ellery Weil joins Café del Weirdo to dig into the leading theories and the world of Thames mudlarks.Next, we slip into the shadowy woods to visit Baba Yaga, the legendary Slavic witch-grandmother who may help you, may eat you, and definitely lives in a house with chicken legs. Author Kris Spisak tells us why this ancient figure still hooks us today.Host: Dan SchreiberGuests: Ellery Weil and Kris SpisakProducer: Cassie MerrittHead of Podcasts: Al Riddel

Before convicts were shipped to Australia, they rotted aboard decommissioned warships anchored in the Thames — floating dungeons so brutal that a condemned man called them "a college of villainy" where every prisoner graduated "a master of arts in scoundrelism."IN THIS EPISODE: It was in 1975 when the first skull of what was believed to be Bigfoot was found. But the owner of the skull hadn't been dead too long, for the local people said they remembered the creature before it died. And even more shocking – they personally knew some of its descendants – a cross-breeding of Bigfoot and human beings! (Villagers Remember Descendants of Bigfoot) *** A young woman falls unconscious and awakes with a fantastical story about fairies kissing her, how she was treated like a princess by them, and falling in love with one of the fairy men. While you might say it was just a fanciful dream, how do you explain that this girl also woke up with clairvoyant abilities? (The Fairies and Anne Jeffries) *** On 15 July 1910 the Sheffield Evening Telegraph recorded the anniversaries of the day. One particular entry was this: “Prison hulks first seen on the Thames…1776”. But what were the prison hulks, and what was life like on board these ‘floating hells,' as they came to be known? (Floating Hells) ***Depending on whether or not you want to get the scare of your life, you will either want to, or not want to honk your car's horn three times on Burnt Mill Road in the Pine Barrens area of New Jersey. If you do, you risk an encounter with the Atco Ghost. (The Atco Ghost Legend of New Jersey) *** Archaeologists excavating the tomb of an ancient Egyptian queen just discovered something chilling… a 13-foot long scroll – a lost chapter from Egypt's “Book of the Dead”. (Queen Nearit's Book of the Dead) *** Feeling the Lord Ganesha wanted milk, a man ran to get some and placed it before the elephant headed statue in a temple near his home. Then it happened… the milk disappeared as if the statue had consumed it. And then the same thing happened to others… and others. (The Hindu's Milk Miracle)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:02:52.155 = Anne Jefferies And The Fairies: The Servant Girl Who Returned From Fairyland With Strange Abilities00:08:02.738 = *** Floating Hells: The Rotting Ships Where Convicts Awaited Transportation00:26:23.492 = *** The Atco Ghost: The Boy Who Chases His Ball Into the Road00:29:25.081 = Queen Nearit's Book of the Dead: 50 Coffins, a Board Game, and a 13-Foot Scroll to the Underworld00:34:25.521 = The Hindu Milk Miracle: India Ran Out of Milk Because the Statues Were Drinking It00:39:32.718 = *** Zana: The Bigfoot Who Gave Birth to Human Children00:44:41.808 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakSOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Fairies And Anne Jeffries” by Brian Haughton: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yf4vany4“Floating Hells” by Rose Stavely-Wadham for British Newspaper Archive: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/jjrumumw“The Atco Ghost Legend of New Jersey” by Christina Skelton: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/hy5jehz6“Queen Nearit's Book of the Dead” posted at BuggedSpace.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ukz7vnds“A Mass Scientific Mystery in India” by Michael Gross for Consciousness Unbound:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/7tac5377“Villagers Remember Descendants of Bigfoot” by Ron Strickler for Phantoms and Monsters: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2hrahhdx=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: May 03, 2021EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/FloatingHellsABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#PrisonHulks #FloatingHells #ConvictShips #BritishHistory #AustralianHistory #TrueCrime #DarkHistory #CrimeAndPunishment #PrisonHistory #WeirdDarkness

Episode OverviewIn this episode, we travel back to London's Whitehall district—a place infamous for political intrigue, shadowy alleyways, and, in the autumn of 1888, a mystery so disturbing it was almost forgotten beneath the thunder of the Jack the Ripper murders happening at the same time.This is the story of The Whitehall Women—a case involving multiple unidentified female remains discovered in and around Whitehall. Long before modern forensic science, police were left piecing together bodies found in separate locations, months apart, with no clear suspect, no confirmed victim identity, and a timeline that overlaps with another unsolved murder series just streets away.Overshadowed by the Ripper mythology, this case has become one of Victorian London's darkest cold cases. And in many ways, it's even stranger.In This Episode, We Explore:The grisly discovery of a woman's torso during construction of the new Metropolitan Police headquartersThe earlier and later discoveries of additional body parts in the Thames and in vaults beneath WhitehallWhy investigators believed the remains belonged to a single unidentified womanHow this murder fits into the broader pattern of the so-called “Thames Torso Murders”Comparisons between the Torso Murderer and the Ripper — and why many historians believe they were not the same personThe forensic limitations of 1888 and how they shaped the investigationThe haunting question that lingers:Who were the Whitehall Women, and why did nobody report them missing?Why This Case MattersUnlike the Ripper victims, the Whitehall Women had no names, no occupations, no known family — at least, none that history recorded. Their anonymity is part of what makes this case so chilling.The killer showed anatomical precision, access to private spaces, and enough confidence to deposit remains in highly trafficked areas — including right under the noses of the authorities building Scotland Yard.This case forces us to consider the women Victorian society ignored, the victims whose stories weren't sensational enough for newspapers, and the mysteries still sitting in archival corners waiting to be fully understood.Like the Episode?If you're enjoying From The Void, please consider:Leaving a 5-star reviewSharing the episode with a friendSubscribing so you don't miss future mysteriesSupporting the show through PatreonYour support keeps the fireside burning — and the stories coming.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/from-the-void-podcast1430/exclusive-content

What's the strangest thing wildlife has whisked away from your garden? How can I prevent codling moth from spoiling apples? And how do I make reliably nutritious compost using horse manure?Peter Gibbs and a panel of green-fingered experts return to Henley-on-Thames, where a lively audience of passionate gardeners awaits answers to their most pressing horticultural dilemmas.Joining Peter are pest and disease specialist Pippa Greenwood, head gardener Matthew Pottage, and the ever-enthusiastic plantswoman Christine Walkden.Later in the programme, Bunny Guinness offers her expert advice on creating your very own dead hedge.Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Junior producer: Rahnee Prescod Assistant Producer: Suki Glocking Assistant Producer: William NortonA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

We sat down with the incredible Thames Malerose at Anime Magic to talk about his stunning new cosplay build, his process, and what it takes to be a professional cosplayer in 2024. Get the exclusive details here!#ThamesMalerose #MaleroseCosplay #CosplayInterview #AnimeMagic #AnimeMagic2025 #ConLife #Cosplay #Cosplayer #Anime #GamingCosplay #Comicon #CosplayTips #CosplayTutorial #CostumeDesign

“People today are so used to Basquiat's prices being extraordinarily high and rising that it's almost hard for people to understand that wasn't always the case. In the year he died, 1988, a terrific painting by Basquiat might have sold for $30,000. Relative to his other artistic peers, like a great Julian Schnabel painting that cost $800,000. After Basquiat died, some speculative capital entered his market, and his prices did pop, but in the early 1990s, his prices fell apart, and for much of the first half of the 1990s, his work was selling for 80% off what it had been selling before. Auction houses didn't want to include him in their auctions. There was a really good chance he was going to be remembered, but certainly not become a great star. Three key figures believed in him and proceeded to buy almost every available Basquiat in the first half of the 1990s. They were also just passionate believers in his work. But for those three people, it would have taken much longer for Basquiat to achieve acclaim, if ever.”Today, we're joined by someone uniquely positioned to unpack the art world's inner workings and to help us understand one of its most mythic figures — Jean-Michel Basquiat. Doug Woodham is the author of the new biography, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon, the first major life study of Basquiat in over twenty-five years. Drawing on more than a hundred interviews — from family and friends to collectors and curators — Doug traces the rise, fall, and resurrection of an artist who redefined what it means to be a cultural icon. Before turning to writing, Doug served as President of the Americas for Christie's, one of the world's leading auction houses. That role gave him an insider's perspective on how value is created — and mythologized — in the modern art market. In this conversation, we'll explore not just the man behind the legend, but the powerful machinery that turned Jean-Michel Basquiat into one of the most recognized and commercially successful artists in the world.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcastImages courtesy of Doug Woodham and Thames & Hudson. For image credits, see Episode Website.

“People today are so used to Basquiat's prices being extraordinarily high and rising that it's almost hard for people to understand that wasn't always the case. In the year he died, 1988, a terrific painting by Basquiat might have sold for $30,000. Relative to his other artistic peers, like a great Julian Schnabel painting that cost $800,000. After Basquiat died, some speculative capital entered his market, and his prices did pop, but in the early 1990s, his prices fell apart, and for much of the first half of the 1990s, his work was selling for 80% off what it had been selling before. Auction houses didn't want to include him in their auctions. There was a really good chance he was going to be remembered, but certainly not become a great star. Three key figures believed in him and proceeded to buy almost every available Basquiat in the first half of the 1990s. They were also just passionate believers in his work. But for those three people, it would have taken much longer for Basquiat to achieve acclaim, if ever.”Today, we're joined by someone uniquely positioned to unpack the art world's inner workings and to help us understand one of its most mythic figures — Jean-Michel Basquiat. Doug Woodham is the author of the new biography, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon, the first major life study of Basquiat in over twenty-five years. Drawing on more than a hundred interviews — from family and friends to collectors and curators — Doug traces the rise, fall, and resurrection of an artist who redefined what it means to be a cultural icon. Before turning to writing, Doug served as President of the Americas for Christie's, one of the world's leading auction houses. That role gave him an insider's perspective on how value is created — and mythologized — in the modern art market. In this conversation, we'll explore not just the man behind the legend, but the powerful machinery that turned Jean-Michel Basquiat into one of the most recognized and commercially successful artists in the world.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcastImages courtesy of Doug Woodham and Thames & Hudson. For image credits, see Episode Website.

“People today are so used to Basquiat's prices being extraordinarily high and rising that it's almost hard for people to understand that wasn't always the case. In the year he died, 1988, a terrific painting by Basquiat might have sold for $30,000. Relative to his other artistic peers, like a great Julian Schnabel painting that cost $800,000. After Basquiat died, some speculative capital entered his market, and his prices did pop, but in the early 1990s, his prices fell apart, and for much of the first half of the 1990s, his work was selling for 80% off what it had been selling before. Auction houses didn't want to include him in their auctions. There was a really good chance he was going to be remembered, but certainly not become a great star. Three key figures believed in him and proceeded to buy almost every available Basquiat in the first half of the 1990s. They were also just passionate believers in his work. But for those three people, it would have taken much longer for Basquiat to achieve acclaim, if ever.”Today, we're joined by someone uniquely positioned to unpack the art world's inner workings and to help us understand one of its most mythic figures — Jean-Michel Basquiat. Doug Woodham is the author of the new biography, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon, the first major life study of Basquiat in over twenty-five years. Drawing on more than a hundred interviews — from family and friends to collectors and curators — Doug traces the rise, fall, and resurrection of an artist who redefined what it means to be a cultural icon. Before turning to writing, Doug served as President of the Americas for Christie's, one of the world's leading auction houses. That role gave him an insider's perspective on how value is created — and mythologized — in the modern art market. In this conversation, we'll explore not just the man behind the legend, but the powerful machinery that turned Jean-Michel Basquiat into one of the most recognized and commercially successful artists in the world.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcastImages courtesy of Doug Woodham and Thames & Hudson. For image credits, see Episode Website.

“People today are so used to Basquiat's prices being extraordinarily high and rising that it's almost hard for people to understand that wasn't always the case. In the year he died, 1988, a terrific painting by Basquiat might have sold for $30,000. Relative to his other artistic peers, like a great Julian Schnabel painting that cost $800,000. After Basquiat died, some speculative capital entered his market, and his prices did pop, but in the early 1990s, his prices fell apart, and for much of the first half of the 1990s, his work was selling for 80% off what it had been selling before. Auction houses didn't want to include him in their auctions. There was a really good chance he was going to be remembered, but certainly not become a great star. Three key figures believed in him and proceeded to buy almost every available Basquiat in the first half of the 1990s. They were also just passionate believers in his work. But for those three people, it would have taken much longer for Basquiat to achieve acclaim, if ever.”Today, we're joined by someone uniquely positioned to unpack the art world's inner workings and to help us understand one of its most mythic figures — Jean-Michel Basquiat. Doug Woodham is the author of the new biography, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon, the first major life study of Basquiat in over twenty-five years. Drawing on more than a hundred interviews — from family and friends to collectors and curators — Doug traces the rise, fall, and resurrection of an artist who redefined what it means to be a cultural icon. Before turning to writing, Doug served as President of the Americas for Christie's, one of the world's leading auction houses. That role gave him an insider's perspective on how value is created — and mythologized — in the modern art market. In this conversation, we'll explore not just the man behind the legend, but the powerful machinery that turned Jean-Michel Basquiat into one of the most recognized and commercially successful artists in the world.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcastImages courtesy of Doug Woodham and Thames & Hudson. For image credits, see Episode Website.

“People today are so used to Basquiat's prices being extraordinarily high and rising that it's almost hard for people to understand that wasn't always the case. In the year he died, 1988, a terrific painting by Basquiat might have sold for $30,000. Relative to his other artistic peers, like a great Julian Schnabel painting that cost $800,000. After Basquiat died, some speculative capital entered his market, and his prices did pop, but in the early 1990s, his prices fell apart, and for much of the first half of the 1990s, his work was selling for 80% off what it had been selling before. Auction houses didn't want to include him in their auctions. There was a really good chance he was going to be remembered, but certainly not become a great star. Three key figures believed in him and proceeded to buy almost every available Basquiat in the first half of the 1990s. They were also just passionate believers in his work. But for those three people, it would have taken much longer for Basquiat to achieve acclaim, if ever.”Today, we're joined by someone uniquely positioned to unpack the art world's inner workings and to help us understand one of its most mythic figures — Jean-Michel Basquiat. Doug Woodham is the author of the new biography, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon, the first major life study of Basquiat in over twenty-five years. Drawing on more than a hundred interviews — from family and friends to collectors and curators — Doug traces the rise, fall, and resurrection of an artist who redefined what it means to be a cultural icon. Before turning to writing, Doug served as President of the Americas for Christie's, one of the world's leading auction houses. That role gave him an insider's perspective on how value is created — and mythologized — in the modern art market. In this conversation, we'll explore not just the man behind the legend, but the powerful machinery that turned Jean-Michel Basquiat into one of the most recognized and commercially successful artists in the world.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcastImages courtesy of Doug Woodham and Thames & Hudson. For image credits, see Episode Website.

Our insatiable appetite for creativity in the kitchen – or around the open fire – is reflected in the fascinating array of objects explored in this book. Authored by food writer Jenny Linford in consultation with curators from the British Museum, Repast: The Story of Food (Thames & Hudson in partnership with the British Museum, 2025) focuses on artefacts in the museum's collections – from ancient clay cooking vessels to exquisite gold goblets – spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Australasia, from prehistory to the present day. Arranged into thirteen broad themes such as Hunting, Alcohol, Religion, Feasting and Eating Out, with lavish plates accompanying absorbing essays on subjects including tea (the world's most consumed drink after water), pork (the world's most widely consumed meat), and wheat (the source of 20% of the world's human calorie consumption), Repast conveys the extraordinary global story of food, drink and the culinary arts. This clearly structured, beautifully illustrated book will engage and delight the growing audience interested in the history of food and drink. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Our insatiable appetite for creativity in the kitchen – or around the open fire – is reflected in the fascinating array of objects explored in this book. Authored by food writer Jenny Linford in consultation with curators from the British Museum, Repast: The Story of Food (Thames & Hudson in partnership with the British Museum, 2025) focuses on artefacts in the museum's collections – from ancient clay cooking vessels to exquisite gold goblets – spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Australasia, from prehistory to the present day. Arranged into thirteen broad themes such as Hunting, Alcohol, Religion, Feasting and Eating Out, with lavish plates accompanying absorbing essays on subjects including tea (the world's most consumed drink after water), pork (the world's most widely consumed meat), and wheat (the source of 20% of the world's human calorie consumption), Repast conveys the extraordinary global story of food, drink and the culinary arts. This clearly structured, beautifully illustrated book will engage and delight the growing audience interested in the history of food and drink. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Our insatiable appetite for creativity in the kitchen – or around the open fire – is reflected in the fascinating array of objects explored in this book. Authored by food writer Jenny Linford in consultation with curators from the British Museum, Repast: The Story of Food (Thames & Hudson in partnership with the British Museum, 2025) focuses on artefacts in the museum's collections – from ancient clay cooking vessels to exquisite gold goblets – spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Australasia, from prehistory to the present day. Arranged into thirteen broad themes such as Hunting, Alcohol, Religion, Feasting and Eating Out, with lavish plates accompanying absorbing essays on subjects including tea (the world's most consumed drink after water), pork (the world's most widely consumed meat), and wheat (the source of 20% of the world's human calorie consumption), Repast conveys the extraordinary global story of food, drink and the culinary arts. This clearly structured, beautifully illustrated book will engage and delight the growing audience interested in the history of food and drink. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/food

HEADLINE: GAIUS & GERMANICUS IN LONDINIUM 91 AD: Discussing the Pragmatic 28-Point Plan for Ukraine. Broadcasting live from Londinium, where the Thames is too rough for boatmen due to the grim weather, Gaius and Germanicus analyze the 28-point plan aimed at ending the Ukrainian disruption. This plan, a multiple of Wilson's 14 points, is driven by an emperor in Washington, and the Kremlin is currently prevailing. The core provision involves the ceding of territory, specifically Donbas, to Russia, followed by Russian-won elections. Unlike the disastrous Versailles Treaty that led to future conflict, the 28 points are deemed pragmatic, solving the issue of ardent Russian nationalists within Ukraine's borders. The plan also prevents Ukraine from joining NATO and offers Russia reintegration into the world order, potentially rejoining the G8. The speakers agree the solution is positive, allowing Ukraine to survive as a sovereign nation while losing only territories that did not want to be a part of it. 1037

Twice, on the same date 281 years apart, the River Thames froze solid – first in 1434, when London's lifeline turned to stone, and again in 1715, when it became a carnival ground. From famine fears to frost fairs, this is the story of a city brought to a standstill by winter, and how Londoners turned disaster into revelry.

Londinium 91 AD: The Debate Over Venezuela. Gaius and Germanicus of the Friends Mystery Debating Society discuss at a cold wine bar by the choppy Thames the potential decision by emperor Trump to invade Venezuela, noting the presence of a sizable, powerful military force gathered deliberately off its shores. Germanicus argues that American engagement in the Caribbean is a deep-rooted tradition dating back to the Monroe Doctrine, with the current military buildup serving as a symbolic initiative signaling to powers like China and Russia that the U.S. is reasserting influence in its accepted sphere. However, he cautions there are huge risks because the U.S. military's connection to strategic realities has declined massively, with capabilities depleted partly due to the war in Ukraine. U.S. history of warfare since Korea is marked by poor net assessment, where planners privilege desires over reality. Maduro has reportedly offered tribute of 300 million barrels of oil, suggesting the conflict is currently an aggressively conducted negotiation dependent heavily on Venezuelan armed forces loyalty. The emperor faces pressure to achieve a consolation prize if he chooses not to invade to avoid looking weak, leaving the outcome undecided. 80 BCE. SULLA

Hear about travel to the south of England as the Amateur Traveler talks to Heather Cowper from HeatherOnHerTravels.com about hiking the Thames Path National Trail. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠here. Why should you walk the Thames Path National Trail? Heather says, "There are some people like me who are avid walkers and love to do a national trail, a long-distance trail, and I've done a few, and this was a very enjoyable one. I think this particular trail takes you through the south of England, and you really do see some quintessentially English landscapes. You've got really beautiful rural landscapes, and then as you come towards London, you've got some of the most iconic landmarks in England." In this episode of Amateur Traveler, Heather Cowper returns to the show to share her experience walking the Thames Path National Trail, a 300-kilometer (185-mile) long-distance route that follows the River Thames from its source in rural Gloucestershire all the way to London's Docklands. Heather, who hiked the trail in sections with her sister over the course of a year, explains why this is one of the most scenic, accessible, and flexible long-distance walks in England. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/thames-path-trail-in-england/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With his political fortunes waning in France, Lafayette decides to embark on a long-deferred trip to the United States. As one of the last surviving figures of the founding generation, Lafayette's 18 month grand tour inspires some of the most rapturous celebrations in the young nation's history. Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com Podcast Website Follow me on Twitter Facebook Page Buy Some Used Books Bibliography Auricchio, Laura. The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered. Vintage Books, 2015. Babeau, Emile and Maurice de la Fuye. The Apostle of Liberty: A Life of Lafayette. Thames and Hudson, 1956.  Duncan, Mike. Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution. Hachette Book Group, 2021.  Israel, Jonathan. The Expanding Blaze: How the American Revolution Ignited the World, 1775-1848. Princeton University Press, 2011.  Kramer, Lloyd S. Lafayette in Two Worlds: Public Cultures and Personal Identities in an Age of Revolutions. University of North Carolina Press, 1996. Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier. Memoirs, Correspondence, and Manuscripts of General Lafayette, vols 1-6. Saunders and Otley, 1837.  Schama, Simon. Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution. Alfred A. Knopf, 1989.  Unger, Harlow Giles. Lafayette. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2002. Woodward, W.E. Lafayette. Farrar & Rinehart, 1938. Cover Image: Portrait of Gilbert Motier the Marquis De Lafayette as a Lieutenant General, 1791. Painting by Joseph-Désiré Court, 1834. Closing theme: "Ça Ira" (It will be fine)- popular song from the French Revolution.

Ken Worpole, ‘a literary original, a social and architectural historian whose books combine the Orwellian ideal of common decency with understated erudition' (New Statesman), has written on many subjects during his long career, from cemeteries to hospices to the novels of Alexander Baron, but has often returned to the subject of his beloved Essex. His latest essay collection Brightening from the East (Little Toller) focuses on the natural and built landscapes of the ‘region of the mind' that is the estuarine marshlands of the Thames and the East Anglian coast, bringing us stories of radical communities and arcadian dreams of new ways of living. Worpole is in conversation with writer and journalist Melissa Benn; the evening will be hosted by writer and producer Gareth Evans.

Russian Aggression, NATO Tensions, and the Specter of 1914. Gaius and Germanicus, hosting the Friends of History Debating Society in Londinium, discuss the future of the Roman Empire's inheritor, the United States, and its empire in the 21st century. The conversation, held by the turbulent Thames, focuses on the extreme challenges facing US institutions, both outside and inside its borders. The primary external challenge discussed is Russian aggression against Ukraine and the heightened tensions along the NATO frontier. Gaius is reliably told that any provocation, such as blockading the Russian shadow fleet or shooting down a Russian warplane, could lead to Mr. Putin's removal by his right-wing compatriots who believe he has supervised a bad war. Germanicus notes that while no one plans provocations, accidents happen, and hotheads exist in NATO alongside appeasers. Putin is seen as driven by his right-wing elements, demanding recognition and respect for Russia, with conditions comparing the situation to 1914, not 1939. Germanicus counters that Putin is a "Kaiser" (Caesar), comparable to the emperor in Washington, D.C., and must secure a "big victory." Putin's attack on the Ukrainian electrical grid is viewed as smart, bringing Ukraine to the brink without destroying the whole grid, thereby deterring Western media backlash and demonstrating Russia's capacity against NATO. Gaius observes that Washington (specifically the neocons) thinks it must win. The comparison to 1914 suggests that a quick collapse of the Ukrainian war effort could spark a dangerous "July crisis" if the West loses its head. Germanicus, however, sees domestic US political turmoil and European weakness making a major war "almost impossible," suggesting Democrats might prefer Russia to win to politically damage Mr. Trump. 1923 PETROGRAD

On a Tom Cruise-ish trot along the Thames, Rob talks to Kris King from Beyond The Ultimate about their mission to take the challenge of even the most extreme Ultra Marathons somewhere new - figuratively and literally.Thanks Kris!SUBSCRIBE at ⁠https://runcompod.supercast.com/⁠ for early access, bonus episodes, ad-free listening and more... BUY OUR BOOKS; you can get Rob's book Running Tracks here - ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/running-tracks/rob-deering/9781800180444⁠ - and you can get Paul's book 26.2 Miles to Happiness here: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/26-2-miles-to-happiness/paul-tonkinson/9781472975270 ⁠Thanks for listening, supporting, and sharing your adventures with us. Happy running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Might our otherwise polluted River Thames have a positive impact on my garden? Why has there been so much whitefly this year? Do the panel have a favourite garden they've visited?Peter Gibbs and a panel of green-fingered gurus head to the Phyllis Court Club in Henley-on-Thames, where a lively audience of passionate gardeners awaits answers to their most pressing plant problems.Joining Peter are pest and disease specialist Pippa Greenwood, head gardener Matthew Pottage, and the ever-enthusiastic plantswoman Christine Walkden.Later, Johnny ‘Hot Stuff' Mayard discusses how he grows chillies in his polytunnel that are used for his hot sauce.Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod Assistant Producer: William Norton Assistant Producer: Suki GlocklingA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

A northern lad takes a cheap room above a Wapping pub in '87, where the Thames presses at the windows like weather. He wants to be a journalist not a barman, but he needs the money... He learns. that the cellar has secrets and that the beer is popular. Especially the Thames Halloween Dark Ale. I've made this members only story for November available to everbody as it's the Halloween one. Hope members don't mind! Here is my ebook and audiobook store payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast For 33% discount - use coupon 33OFFGHOSTPOD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy these back to back throwback episodes! Forbidden Knowledge Network https://forbiddenknowledge.news/ FKN Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/FKNlinksWe are back on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@forbiddenknowledgenews?si=XQhXCjteMKYNUJSjBackup channelhttps://youtube.com/@fknshow1?si=tIoIjpUGeSoRNaEsDoors of Perception is available now on Amazon Prime!https://watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.8a60e6c7-678d-4502-b335-adfbb30697b8&ref_=atv_lp_share_mv&r=webDoors of Perception official trailerhttps://youtu.be/F-VJ01kMSII?si=Ee6xwtUONA18HNLZPick up Independent Media Token herehttps://www.independentmediatoken.com/Be prepared for any emergency with Prep Starts Now!https://prepstartsnow.com/discount/FKNStart your microdosing journey with BrainsupremeGet 15% off your order here!!https://brainsupreme.co/FKN15Book a free consultation with Jennifer Halcame Emailjenniferhalcame@gmail.comFacebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561665957079&mibextid=ZbWKwLWatch The Forbidden Documentary: Occult Louisiana on Tubi: https://link.tubi.tv/pGXW6chxCJbC60 PurplePowerhttps://go.shopc60.com/FORBIDDEN10/or use coupon code knowledge10Make a Donation to Forbidden Knowledge News https://www.paypal.me/forbiddenknowledgenehttps://buymeacoffee.com/forbiddenJohnny Larson's artworkhttps://www.patreon.com/JohnnyLarsonSign up on Rokfin!https://rokfin.com/fknplusPodcastshttps://www.spreaker.com/show/forbiddenAvailable on all platforms Support FKN on Spreaker https://spreaker.page.link/KoPgfbEq8kcsR5oj9FKN ON Rumblehttps://rumble.com/c/FKNpGet Cory Hughes books!Lee Harvey Oswald In Black and White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ2PQJRMA Warning From History Audio bookhttps://buymeacoffee.com/jfkbook/e/392579https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jfkbookhttps://www.amazon.com/Warning-History-Cory-Hughes/dp/B0CL14VQY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=72HEFZQA7TAP&keywords=a+warning+from+history+cory+hughes&qid=1698861279&sprefix=a+warning+fro%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1https://coryhughes.org/Become Self-Sufficient With A Food Forest!!https://foodforestabundance.com/get-started/?ref=CHRISTOPHERMATHUse coupon code: FORBIDDEN for discountsOur Facebook pageshttps://www.facebook.com/forbiddenknowledgenewsconspiracy/https://www.facebook.com/FKNNetwork/Instagram @forbiddenknowledgenews1@forbiddenknowledgenetworkXhttps://x.com/ForbiddenKnow10?t=uO5AqEtDuHdF9fXYtCUtfw&s=09Email meforbiddenknowledgenews@gmail.comsome music thanks to:https://www.bensound.com/ULFAPO3OJSCGN8LDDGLBEYNSIXA6EMZJ5FUXWYNC6WJNJKRS8DH27IXE3D73E97DBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forbidden-knowledge-news--3589233/support.

Actor Mason Thames finds out he has something big in common with Stephen Colbert: their shared love of the mysteries contained in the classic horror film, "The Thing." Thames's latest film, "Black Phone 2," opens in theaters this Friday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices