Delighted to welcome fellow Comedy Improvisation Performer, Writer, Actress & regular "Comedy Store Player", Ruth Bratt to The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. Ruth is the 1st 'new recruit' of "The Comedy Store Players" in the last 30 years of their close to 40 year history.  Ruth was 'Passed the Golden Baton' to be in the show by Comedy Store Player Co-Founder Neil Mullarkey, who recorded a "Good Listening To Show" LIVE with me at the Bath Theatre Royal a few months ago. You can also Watch/Listen to Neil's LIVE episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Ye4tXFI4k Just befor ..read more

Delighted to welcome Patrick Vasey, Laurel & Hardy life-long Super-Fan & Presenter of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, for a special 'Legacy: Life Reflections' episode in which we preserve the legacy & hare our mutual love and admiration for all things Stan & Ollie. Stan Laurel is my all time comic hero. I first encountered Stan on a Black & White TV set that hummed into action in Uganda at the age of 7.   And to this day he still inspires me in all the work that I do through his innocence, kindness, warmth & humanity. Growing up, the antics of Laurel and Hardy we ..read more

A wonderful and thought-provoking voyage of discovery with Denise Baden, Professor of Sustainable Practice at Southampton University.  Denise was 'Passed the'Golden Baton' to be in the Show by previous Guest, Paul Z Jackson. Denise is a luminary in the sustainability sphere and a pioneer in climate change discourse. She is also on the Forbes Official List as 1 of the world's top 68 Climate Leaders & Change Makers. Listen as she reveals the intricacies of her "Green Stories" initiative, a narrative alchemy that spins the climate crisis into compelling fiction. We pivot from discussin ..read more

Have you ever wondered what it takes to rebuild not just a body, but a life? Gareth Dauncey, an Architect passionate about low-impact design and sustainability, joins us to share his journey of recovery and the power of maintaining routines, like his invigorating sea swims in the cold welsh sea.  He opens up about the challenges he faced post-hip surgery and the morale-boosting connections that kept him afloat—reaching out to admired individuals like hat maker Mike Holmes. Our conversation with Gareth is a toast to the profound moments that subtly shape our existence and a nod to the imp ..read more

When life throws you curveballs, how do you swing back? Join me, Chris Grimes, as I sit down with the indomitable Johann Ilgenfritz, a man whose conquest over heartache and illness is just as captivating as his rise to the helm of UK Health Radio. Tune in to our heart-to-heart as we navigate through Johann's remarkable tale of resilience, from his martial arts discipline and art school creativity to his steadfast approach in battling cancer and prioritizing well-being. Embark on a sensory-rich excursion through the corners of Johann's mind, where a cactus garden in Ibiza offers him solace, an ..read more

Ever find yourself scribbling down your dreams on a scrap of paper (or a napkin!) only to rediscover them months later? Melanie Staunton of CommunicateTraining did just that, and her story of transforming whimsical napkin notes into a tale of achieved aspirations will have you believing in the power of intention! As we chat with Melanie, a stroll down her memory lane in Hong Kong reveals the importance of mental clarity and the role of diverse cultural experiences in shaping her journey from law and acting to becoming a corporate training maestro. She brings her experiences full circle, illus ..read more

Rosie was 'Passed the Golden Baton' to be in the Show by previous Guest, the Canadian viral sensation "Brittlestar: The internet's favourite dad!" Brittlestar's episode is here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1206005/13384586 Have you ever been so engrossed in a satire that you found yourself double-checking whether you're in on the joke? That's the genius of Rosie Holt – the comedian who could pass for an MP with her scintillating political parodies, leaving audiences unsure whether to laugh or call for her resignation! Delighted to welcome Rosie Holt to the Good Listening To Show 'Clearing' t ..read more

It's a 'Red Letter Day' here in the Good Listening To Show 'Clearing', as I welcome a personal comedy hero to the Show!  Delighted to welcome Charles Murray Higson - aka Charlie Higson - born in 1958 in Frome and billed as "That man off of The Fast Show" and credited by The Daily Mail as being both "An idiot and a disgrace!" Charlie is life-long comedy foil of the likes of Paul Whitehouse,  Mark Williams, John Thompson, Arabella Wier (& the now sadly departed Caroline Aherne) who together make up the splendid ensemble and co-creators of the iconic British TV Comedy Classic, "The ..read more

Imagine sitting down to a tale that's every bit as gripping as the highest stakes drama on stage, yet deeply personal and resoundingly human. That's what awaits you as we're joined by the Olivier Award-nominated Actor Robert Hands, whose life reads like a script filled with both critical acclaim and harrowing personal demons. The spotlight falls on his transformative battle with addiction and the pursuit of peace through spirituality, yoga, and meditation, offering an unflinching look at the resilience needed to rebuild from the ground up. 10 years ago to the day of our recording, Robert surf ..read more

Delighted to welcome Actress & Director Joanne Howarth to "The Good Listening To Show" Clearing. With many a Theatre & TV banger to her name, having performed at most of the major theatres in the land.  Including 3 seasons at the RSC, one highlight of which was "The Alchemist" with Hugh Bonnerville & David Bradley. She also played on TV opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh in "Wallander". And we have history! Joanne and I met way back when at the Salisbury Playhouse in a production of "Custer's Last Stand", directed by previous Show Guest, Lucy Pitman Wallace. Suffused with theatric ..read more