Worst Ever Podcast With Christine And Alaa

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to creative people about words - mostly from books that they have written and recently published... The guests bring along a word and so do I...if only I could rememnber that...In this episode I talk with Robin Ince - Live at the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge after he visited Mr Books Bookshop - about his new book, The Importance of Being Interested.Robin started out in standup, having done an English degree at Royal Holloway College. He then developed material based on science and on pseudo-science and launched his, now famous “Twelve Lessons and Carols” – originally for atheists (but now open to everyone). Of course Robin is best known for presenting The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox but he's a very busy man – a writer and performer and having just completed his 100 bookshop tour. But he does so much more – most of it available through his Cosmic Shambles Network and you can check out any gigs (and Robin's blog) on his we

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to creative people about words - all kinds of word - funny ones, sad ones and strange ones... The guests bring along a word and so do I...it's all downhill from there on...In this episode - the first face to face one of the series - I meet up with the fun David Barry who many of you will know as Frankie Abbott from the TV series (and film) Please Sir! which ran from 1969 to 1972 and led on to the Fenn Street Gang (1971-3) but David is also an accomplished writer.We talked about David's real name and his upbringing in London and how he got to work with the most famous power couple of the day - Laurence livier and Vivien Leigh. David chose the word intuition whilst I chose comedic (you'll have to make do with a link to the word 'comedy') because I was curious about how David learned to write for TV - at the feet of the masters Esmonde and Larbey no less. As ever, don't forget to check out the visual representation of the network of words

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to people about words and books and the shift, sly use of words in untruths and the books that shine a light on shadowy falsehood. The guests bring along a word and so do I...it's all downhill from there on...The guest this time is the journalist Peter Oborn whose book The Assault on Truth – Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and the Emergence of a New Moral Barbarism was published this year traces the origins of lying and catalogues the lies of the current Prime Minister. Particularly topical as it drops because of…well…pretty much everything emanating from 10 Downing Street.Peter brought along the work integrity for obvious reasons, whilst I brought the word power.We talked about how Peter got into journalism (after a couple of false starts) and how conservatism has changed – for the worse. As well as what we can do to resist the rise of the liars.Apologies that the sound set up isn’t the best in this episode. I’ll do my best to improve thi

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to people about words and books and the how, why, when and where of writing. The guests bring along a word and so do I...it's all downhill from there on...In this episode I talk to the award-winning writer David Quantick whose TV credits include The Day Today, So Graham Norton, Harry Hill's TV Burp and Veep for which he won an Emmy. he's also written and presented shows on radio and TV and has now written several novels and books about the craft of writing.Given that I was speaking to a comedy writer, there is a spectacularly badly judged and poorly delivered joke at about the 1 hour mark..from me. If you are of a sensitive disposition etc etc...The word David brought along was wednesday not in itself an interesting definition, but it leads on to the curious word 'hebdomad'. My word, absurdism isn't there, but absurd and surrealism are both so you can explore these words at the fun Visuwords dictionary just by clicking them. Take a loo

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to people who use words, about words, using words ...and dispose of them like there's no tomorrow. The guests bring along a word and so do I...and if that's not a copper-bottomed format, I don't know what is...In this episode, I spoke with the journalist, LBC broadcaster and author, James O’Brien about his latest book How Not to be Wrong, the art of changing your mind.James brought along the word footballification which screws up the dictionary link I usually put here so I've linked to tribalism instead. Maybe we can start a campaign to get footballification into the OED. My word was lies. You can probably see the connection.James and I chatted about the events in Washington and how and why liars prosper and how we got to this sorry state. We also talked about his approach to writing his books, his upbringing in a loving adopted family and, what he calls, the 'golden ticket' of an expensive, private education. We also talked about his

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to people who use words - written, spoken, performed and even sung and, sometimes only uttered in your mind... The guests bring along a word and so do I...it's all downhill from there on...In this episode I talk to the lovely Ian McMillan – he's a poet, of course, and a playwright and a columnist and you've probasbly seen him on TV and listened to him on BBC radio. But have you seen him on a giant toilet in Leicester Square? No? Well, stay tuned.We talked about Darfield in Yorkshire where he was born and lives, escaping and making a living as a poet. We talked briefly about his daily tweeting and how that sharpens his mind. We also talked about him visiting Tonbridge for an event as soon as possible.Ian - without ever having listened to the podcast before - chose the word palimpsest (see episode one!) whilst I chose theatre - you'll see why if you listen. And don't forget to check out the visual representation of the network of words e

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to people who use words - written, spoken, performed and even sung and, why not, hand drawn? The guests bring along a word and so do I...it's all downhill from there on...In this episode I talk to the brilliant Sophie and Scarlett Rickard creators of a graphic novel version of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – the hugely influential book by Robert Tressell is long and sometimes difficult to read but this version ISN'T!, This is a really emotional and moving story (that happens to explain capitalism) and which tells the story of the people who suffer most.We talk about how the Rickard Sisters started writing and drawing in Whalley in Lancashire, just up the road from where I was born, the difficulties of adapting a huge book, how they work remotely, their admiration for TV and film adaptations and a bit about politics and bookshops.The word Sophie and Scarlett brought along was philanthropy and we discuss that a little, whilst mine

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to people who use words - written, spoken, performed and even (once again) sung. The guest brings along a word and so do I...it's all downhill from there on...In this episode I talk to the brilliant Arthur Smith who has been at the top of the tree of comedy for many many years and is often cited by other comedians as a hero. Arthur is one of the few performers who can genuinely claim to be a national treasure having become a fixture on Radio 4 on shows like Loose Ends and the One Show for BBC TV. He is also practically the headline act of every Edinburgh Fringe and frequently persuades visitors in summer that Arthur's Seat is named after him.Above all Arthur is a wordsmith (dammit, why didn't I say THAT during the podcast?) and apart from obviously writing his own material (and giving comedy masterclasses) he writes movingly about his upbringing, his parents, his love of walking, friendship and just getting on with life. Many of his pi

I'm Philip Holden and this is Ideas in Writing - the podcast where we talk to people who use words - written, spoken, performed and even sung. The guest brings along a word and so do I...it's all downhill from there on...In this episode I talk to the science writer Liam Drew, author of I-Mammal, a great book about what it means to be a mammal.Liam's word for this episode was Connection whilst mine was auto-correct (I can't link to my usual Visuwords as it's not there; the Oxford English Dictionary only listed it in 2011 here..so here's the word 'correct' instead).We talked about Liam's book and his writing for Nature, New Scientist and the Guardian amongst others. We talked about what makes science-writing good and how Liam made the transition from being a neuroscientist - studying the senses and epilepsy - to a freelance writer. We discussed evolution, brain implants, the need for a human perspective on science stories, scientists, pandemics, Twitter antivaxxers and his forthcoming book for children...but we

Hello, I'm Philip Holden and in this episode I talk to Tom Carradine, a dapper chap who is well known for his Cockney Singalong.Tom's word of the episode is quodlibet (no, me neither) while mine is craft, which I think suits the skill and talent Tom brings to the podcast.In this this chat Tom talks about his experience in the pit of West End musicals and as a piano entertainer - preserving and sharing great songs from over a century ago right up to the present day(ish). We discuss what makes a funny and engaging song - and how come we all know the chorus.You can find lots of Tom's work at - www.tomcarradine.com and www.carradinescockneysingalong.co.uk. Look for his singalong on Facebook and/or tomcarradinepianist and follow him on Twitter @tomcarradineIdeas in Writing is produced with the support of Mr Books Bookshop in Tonbridge - the home of inspiring, imaginative and intelligent books, gifts and conversation. You can find it at mrbooks.co.uk and on Twitter @mrbooks_ton to order all kinds of books new and s

Hello, I'm Philip Holden and in this episode I talk to Ian Tucker-Bell writer and composer.In the vein of Ready Steady Cook, Ian brings along his ingredient - the word journey whilst I offer mine; the pretentious palimpsest. So the conversation reflects how our own experiences inevitably shine through in writing and performance and how, even though you might want to escape it, sometimes you just have to embrace it. We also talk about forthcoming projects and plans.You can see and hear Ian’s work online via the Viral Theatre Festival website www.ViralFestival.net and at the OrangeWorks and on SoundCloud.Ideas in Writing is produced with the support of Mr Books Bookshop in Tonbridge - the home of inspiring, imaginative and intelligent books, gifts and conversation. You can find it at mrbooks.co.uk and on Twitter @mrbooks_ton to order all kinds of books new and second hand – or you can visit them – at least when they reopen after the Covid lockdown.CREDITS & linksIdeas in Writing is recorded and produced by

This is the very first Ideas in Writing podcast  - supported by Mr Books Bookshop Tonbridge, Kent.This first event was recorded at the Old Fire Station with a live audience. In it James Graham (Brexit: The Uncivil War, Labour of Love, Quiz, Ink) talks about his life, his writing and how he made Rupert Murdoch into a sympathetic character. He also talks about the Coughing Major and what's coming up next.It was recorded in October 2017Theme music (C) Sid Stafford See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.