Best Alec Chambers Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 23. Halloween Special! The October Game by Ray Bradbury! 29:27

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1d ago29:27

29:27

Ray Bradbury is back with a Halloween tale so gruesome it'll even scare old Mudfoot Brown. And if you get that reference, you'll have no problem with any of the others. Join us for horror, beer, and all the Gen-X shenanigans you can ask for. We do spoilers here, so be sure and read the story first! Social Links Website: shbeercast.com Instagram: @s…

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Ep. 22. The River Styx Runs Upstream by Dan Simmons 53:51

4d ago53:51

53:51

It's Dan Simmons's breakthrough tale of bitter bereavement, childhood loss, and all kinds of undead shenanigans. It's a horror story with too much horror in it. Brace yourselves—this one stings like a nettle with a grudge. Grab a beer and lock your doors. Oh, and spoilers ahead, so read the story, why don'tcha? Social Links Website: shbeercast.com …

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Episode 52 - All the Marilyns with Rob Woodall 1:07:16

16d ago1:07:16

1:07:16

I sat down with Rob Woodall to talk all things peak bagging. After completing all the Munros, Corbetts and Grahams, Rob progressed to more obscure categories such as HuMPs (hundred metres of prominence) and TuMPs (thirty and upwards metres of prominence), via some long distance hill running rounds (The UK Big Three, the Rigby Round, and his Cuillin…

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BONUS EPISODE: What's the Deal With Harlan Ellison? 21:54

26d ago21:54

21:54

By Paul Lorello and Alec Chambers

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Ep. 21: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison - Part II 49:55

1M ago49:55

49:55

In Part II of our breakdown of Harlan Ellison’s 1967 Hugo Award winner, we're all in on the AI apocalypse! Craft beer pairing and Gen-X tangents—what more can you ask? This is classic horror fiction, apocalyptic sci-fi, and two guys overanalyzing everything with a pint in hand like you've never heard! Spoilers ahead, so read the story first! Or rea…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 34: An interview with Ian Wilson 12:34

1M ago12:34

12:34

This month we are joined by one of our advisers Ian Wilson, Managing Director of IW Process Solutions. To celebrate International Manufacturing Day we talk about Ian's Manufacuring experiences and his vision for the future. Ian Wilson is a Lean expert with over twenty years' experience of implementing continuous improvement methodologies across a w…

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Episode 51 - The Long Run with Wendy Dodds 1:20:49

1M ago1:20:49

1:20:49

Wendy Dodds has been at the heart of English and British fell running since before most of us could tie our laces. Now approaching her 75th birthday, Wendy has been racing in the hills since the early 70s, across the breadth of the sport. In 1972 she paired up with Val Finch (nee Pacey) to be the first women's team to complete the KIMM mountain mar…

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Episode 50 - Himalayan Artist, Highland Crofter with Rob Fairley 1:45:07

2M ago1:45:07

1:45:07

Rob Fairley talks to me about his journey as an artist - starting at an early age with a school visit to St Kilda, through Edinburgh College of Art and onwards to Mallaig and then Shona Beag island where he spent 5 years as its sole occupant in his early 20s. There he created what would now be described as land art, for example altering the movemen…

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Ep. 20: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison - Part I 47:31

2M ago47:31

47:31

Season Three opens with a delightful little yarn by the one and only Harlan Ellison. Grab a beer and snuggle with your favorite AI chatbot girlfriend while you listen! Spoilers ahead, so read the story first if you feel it'll do you some good. Story Info Title: "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" Author: Harlan Ellison Originally Published: If, Ma…

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Ep. 19: The Events at Poroth Farm by T.E.D. Klein - Part II 1:08:45

2M ago1:08:45

1:08:45

We're back and not a moment too soon with the sequel to The Events at Poroth Farm by T.E.D. Klein, the scariest cat horror story since Garfield met the ghost pirates! It's an action-packed cap to Season Two and we couldn't be more out of ideas! Spoilers ahead, so read the story first if you feel it'll do you some good. Also, be sure to check out Pa…

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Ep. 18: The Events at Poroth Farm by T.E.D. Klein - Part I 1:10:51

3M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

This week on The Short Horror Beer Cast, it's a cat-lovers nightmare as we settle down for a bug-infested summer with "The Events at Poroth Farm", by T.E.D. Klein. Spoilers ahead, so read the story first if that chills your wort. Story Info Title: "The Events at Poroth Farm" Author: T.E.D. Klein Originally Published: From Beyond the Dark Gateway , …

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 33: The University of Cumbria's new campus in Barrow. 16:41

3M ago16:41

16:41

This month we are joined by Matt Ryder the Principal Lecturer at the University of Cumbria. The topic of our conversation is the opening of the new university campus in Barrow. We discuss the different courses that the university will be running and how the campus community will affect Barrow's local economy. Click here to learn more about the Barr…

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Episode 49 - Flow Country Traverse with Dan Ashwood 1:15:47

3M ago1:15:47

1:15:47

Dan Ashwood (Dash) talks me through the Flow Country Traverse which he pioneered in April 2025. This 100km route started at Berriedale on the Caithness coast and headed west into the Flow Country: one of the largest blanket bog systems in the world. Dan has become a bog expert having worked in peatland restoration projects with Caledonian Climate f…

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Ep. 17: Graveyard Shift by Stephen King 1:05:27

4M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

This week on The Short Horror Beer Cast, we’re getting rodential with a little known up-and-coming writer by the name of Stephen King. We expect great things from this kid! Spoilers ahead, so read the story first if it'll blow your skirt up. Story Info Title: "Graveyard Shift" Author: Stephen King Originally Published: Cavalier, October 1970 Beer P…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 32: Build leadership fitness - LEAD iT for founders and family business leaders 25:27

4M ago25:27

25:27

This month we are joined by the Directors of Thomas Jardine and Co. Keith and Jaqui Jackson, who are here to talk about their new leadership programme LEAD iT. A 10-month leadership programme built specifically for founders and family business leaders of independent UK businesses. To learn more about the programme click here…

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Ep. 16: Dance of the Dead by Richard Matheson 50:55

4M ago50:55

50:55

This week on The Short Horror Beer Cast, we’re rockin’ with Richard Matheson’s kooky, kwazy dystopian world of happy fun times! Spoilers ahead, so read the story first if you're precious like that. Story Info Title: "Dance of the Dead" Author: Richard Matheson Originally Published: Star Science Fiction Stories No. 3, 1955 Beer Pairing Alec's choice…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 31: Discussing plans for a Carlisle BID with Adrian Lochhead and Kevin Beaty 24:35

5M ago24:35

24:35

Businesses in Carlisle will have received information in recent weeks about the Great Border City and plans to establish a Carlisle Business Improvement District (BID). We've invited Adrian Lochhead and Kevin Beaty, who are part of the team working on the Great Border City, onto the podcast to discuss what prompted the BID proposal; how establishin…

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Ep. 15: The Emissary by Ray Bradbury 48:33

5M ago48:33

48:33

This week on The Short Horror Beer Cast, we’re diggin’ on Dog. That’s right, it’s Ray Bradbury again, wagging a tail—er, uh—weaving a tale of terror. Spoilers ahead, so read the story first if you're precious like that. Story Info Title: "The Emissary" Author: Ray Bradbury Originally Published: Dark Carnival, 1947 (re-published as The October Count…

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Episode 48 - Climbers Against Cancer with Dominic Oughton 44:12

5M ago44:12

44:12

I speak to Dominic Oughton, a Trustee of Climbers Against Cancer (CAC), which is a charity raising money for research and therapeutic projects around the world that support those living with or after cancer. Founded by John Ellison, CAC has recently celebrated it's 10 year anniversary, and has raised over £700,000 to support cancer research and the…

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BONUS EPISODE: The Lost Words 25:16

5M ago25:16

25:16

In this bonus mini-ep, we dive into our dusty dictionaries to dig on some of our favorite words that have fallen out of fashion. Paleologisms, if you will. (And we know you will.) Some words are due for a comeback, and today they’re getting their shot! Theme song: “Afterparty”, by Paul Lorello, performed by Sid Seizure and the Conniption Edited by …

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Episode 47 - Winter Munro Round Record with Helen Rennard 1:45:23

5M ago1:45:23

1:45:23

In this conversation with Helen Rennard we hear about her Winter Munro round of last winter in which she completed all 282 Munros in 80 days, beating the previous record of 83 days shared by Martin Moran (1985) and Anna Wells (2024). Helen talks about her formative days in a local Staffordshire hill walking club, before her progression to many year…

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Ep. 14: Free Dirt by Ray Bradbury 44:07

6M ago44:07

44:07

This week on The Short Horror Beer Cast, we’re gettin diggy wit it once again with "Free Dirt"—Bradbury style, baby! Spoilers ahead, so read the story first if you're precious like that. Story Info Title: "Free Dirt" Author: Ray Bradbury Originally Published: Quicker Than the Eye, 1996 Get it here: https://a.co/d/cqO8n7R Beer Pairing Alec's choice:…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 30: How to take your business global with Martyn Staveley 17:54

6M ago17:54

17:54

This month on the podcast, we're joined by Martyn Staveley, Director of Three Peaks Consulting, to discuss all things international trade and to breakdown our new Export Consultancy service. We discuss: Challenges and opportunities for Cumbrian exporters The impact of global events on international trade Businesses Martyn has helped succeed in expo…

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Ep. 13: Free Dirt by Charles Beaumont 49:33

6M ago49:33

49:33

This week on The Short Horror Beer Cast, we’re cracking open “Free Dirt” by Charles Beaumont and pairing it with two beers that go down smoother than a buttered gerbil. This is Part 1 of a two-parter! Sort of. We’ll explain when you get here. Till then, you can expect our usual mix of literary over-analysis, pop culture nerdery, and tangents about …

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Episode 46 - Trofeo Mezzalama with Iain Innes 1:25:12

6M ago1:25:12

1:25:12

In this episode I talk to Iain Innes about his season racing skimo in the ISMF World Cup series, before going on to chat about longer team races and our season finale in the iconic Trofeo Mezzalama race in the Monte Rosa region of the Pennine Alps. Iain raced for Team GB as a downhill skier for over ten years, before switching to more mountaineerin…

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Ep. 12: The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar by Edgar Allan Poe 45:08

6M ago45:08

45:08

Today we look at Poe’s masterpiece of mesmeric, macabre, malodorous morbidity while masticating malt from murky mugs! Also, Irish antics! Swooning students! And how we nearly inhaled ourselves into early graves! The Beers * Paul’s choice: Aurora Brewing Company, Fresh to Death * Alec’s choice: Dragonmead Brewery, Final Absolution The Book * The Com…

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BONUS EPISODE: Our Favorite Dark Music 30:21

6M ago30:21

30:21

Welcome to the afterparty! In this follow-up to Episode 10, we bring you the darkest music we could think of in a moment’s notice without pre-thought, forethought, or intuition of any kind. Nevertheless, you’ll love what we chose: * S. Prokofiev, Montagues and Capulets * Johnny Cash, Hurt * The Beach Boys, ‘Til I Die * The Talking Heads, The Overlo…

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Ep. 11: Cool Air by H.P. Lovecraft 41:52

7M ago41:52

41:52

Grandpa Lovecraft is back with another delightful tale. Fill yer tub with ice and crack open a cold one. Doctor’s orders. We’re gettin shiv’ry wittit. Also, Surströmming! Paul gets another bad taste in his mouth! And Alec becomes a keyboard warrior! The Beers Paul’s choice: Freigeist Bierkultur, Smoke and Ice Sixpoint Brewery, The Crisp Alec’s choi…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 29: Leadership challenges and how to tackle them with Alec Pearson Coaching 16:35

7M ago16:35

16:35

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub Podcast, we're joined by leadership coach Alec Pearson to explore our new Leadership Mentoring Programme. We discuss... Current trends within leadership and leadership challenges facing the UK economy The 'accidental manager' Specific areas leaders are struggling with How the programme will work and exp…

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Ep. 10: The Music of Erich Zann by H.P. Lovecraft 58:21

7M ago58:21

58:21

We kick off Season Two with everyone's favorite racist uncle, H.P. Lovecraft! Join us as we witness our poor narrator endure the worst soundtrack since Moulin Rouge. Get a front row seat to Erich Zann's All-Star Celebrity Hootenanny! Also, the plausibility of ghosts! Keith Emerson's Moog! And Paul offends 15,448 people in a single rant! The Beer * …

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 28: Innovation Support for Cumbrian Businesses with Tracy Eyres of Innovate UK 16:57

8M ago16:57

16:57

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast, we welcome Tracy Eyres, Senior Innovation and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK. In this episode, we explore how Innovate UK helps businesses drive innovation, the financial support available for Cumbrian businesses, real-world case studies of successful innovation projects, and opportunities fo…

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TRAILER: It's The Short Horror Beer Cast... Season TWO! 2:59

8M ago2:59

2:59

Greetings, mofos! So here’s the deal. Season 1 was a test run to see if we could actually do this thing. Turns out, we sorta can. At any rate, we're having fun, and that's all that counts. (That's not all that counts.) This season, Season 2, is actually our first real season, the one where we finally figured stuff out. But to avoid the crises of sc…

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Episode 45 - Northern Horizons with Will Herman 1:41:51

9M ago1:41:51

1:41:51

In this episode I talk to Will Herman about his new book Northern Horizons. The book explores the hills of Cumbria and Scotland in a series of personal reflections illustrated with the author’s photography. Will has been a fell racer, a runner, a kayaker and a climber - but his book is primarily about mountain experiences themselves. He takes us on…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 27: Tackling food waste with Guardians of Grub 19:45

9M ago19:45

19:45

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast we're joined by Gemma Procter Sustainable Tourism Officer at Cumbria Tourism. We discuss food waste, its impact on the environment and steps businesses can take to reduce it. Learn about the national scheme 'Guardians of Grub' and the tools available to help your business reduce its food waste. …

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 26: Social Value - top tips on getting started with Claire Louise Chapman 29:50

10M ago29:50

29:50

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast we're joined by Claire Louise Chapman of the Shared Value Business. The topic of our conversation is Social Value. We discuss: definitions and differences between Social Value and Corporate Social Responsibility; the benefits of embedding social value into a business strategy; top tips for small…

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Ep. 8: The Boarded Window by Ambrose Bierce 43:27

10M ago43:27

43:27

NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS: This is a toned-down, less special-effecty version of the show we uploaded as a treat on New Year’s Eve. That glitzier edit was a one-time dealio, you see. But the show’s more or less the same. If you listened to it already, we hope you liked it and urge you to listen again. And bring a friend. And take notes this time. What th…

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BONUS EPISODE: A Very Special Beer Cast Christmas 1:06:05

10M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

Ah, ‘tis the season of warmth, of joy, of strict atomization of humbug, of all things wintery and blazing with good humor, benevolence, comfort, and extreme pessimism regarding the futility of all human existence… Yes, we're covering the king of bad tidings, Thomas Ligotti, by discussing his masterpiece of unnerving horror, "The Frolic." Also, terr…

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Episode 44 - Lactate Threshold and VO2max Testing with Dr Mia Burleigh 30:16

10M ago30:16

30:16

In this episode I meet Dr Mia Burleigh at the University of the West of Scotland in Blantyre, Glasgow, to undertake some physiology testing. I had Lactate Threshold and VO2max testing done and we discuss the results. Dr Burleigh is a Senior Lecturer and Laboratory Director at the university’s Sport and Physical Activity Research Institute, which is…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 25: Claire Aindow on education and business at the University of Cumbria 21:28

11M ago21:28

21:28

In this episode, we sit down with Claire Aindow, the Pro Vice Chancellor for Growth and Development at the University of Cumbria. Claire discusses her new role and the university's new campus in Barrow-in-Furness opening in 2025. She also shares how the university is working closely with local businesses to create educational opportunities that mee…

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Ep. 7: Soft by F. Paul Wilson 53:14

11M ago53:14

53:14

We’re back with a banger by F. Paul Wilson. Join us at the end of the world with the most hideous disease to befall humankind since ABBA. Plus, rats! Paul Newman! Mutant bunnies! And more! Make no bones about it, this one’ll get under your skin. The Beer * Paul’s choice: Unibroue, La Fin Du Monde * Alec’s choice: Short’s Brewing Company, Soft Parad…

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Episode 43 - SIPR Selkies Live at Kendal Mountain Festival 1:04:13

11M ago1:04:13

1:04:13

This is a live recording of a conversation at The Barrel House, Kendal as part of Kendal Mountain Festival on Saturday 23rd November 2024. Finlay Wild talks to The Selkies (Suzy Connor, Lizzie Goodfellow, Heloise Le Clanche and Cat Riaz) about their journey to the finish line of the 2024 Scottish Islands Peaks Race (SIPR), as the first all-female t…

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Episode 42 - Beyond The View with John Fleetwood 1:46:30

12M ago1:46:30

1:46:30

If you delve into the history of almost any endurance mountain running challenge in the UK you will likely see the name John Fleetwood. Usually flying under the radar solo and unsupported, his website www.longdistancechallenges.blogspot.com reveals a plethora of epic mountain adventures in the wild trackless bounds of Scotland, England and Wales. J…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 24: Denise Gosney on her appearance on Dragon's Den 21:11

12M ago21:11

21:11

As part of our activity for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024, we're sharing an interview with Denise Gosney - founder of Razzamataz - which was previously shown at our 'How To Slay the Dragons' event held in partnership with North and West Lancs Chamber of Commerce in November 2024. Hear Denise's inspiring story all about how she started her Razza…

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Episode 41 - OMM Glen Artney with Phil Rutter 44:22

1y ago44:22

44:22

I took the audio recorder along on the OMM Elite course in Glen Artney over the weekend of 26&27th October 2024. I was paired with Phil Rutter of Kendal who has won the Elite race in 2022 and 2023. The OMM is a 2 day mountain marathon in which teams of two navigate between checkpoints to a midway camp, carrying all the food and kit they require to …

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Growing your brand on social media with Martha Wood Marketing 24:31

1y ago24:31

24:31

We're joined on the podcast by Martha Wood, founder of Chamber member Martha Wood Marketing. We discuss the role of social media in the marketing industry and how a marketing strategy can help you take advantage of the platforms available. To learn more about Martha's freelance marketing services visit her website: https://marthawoodmarketing.com/…

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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 23: Financing business transformation with River Capital 24:34

1y ago24:34

24:34

We catch up with Head of Debt John Gray and Investment Manager Jonathan Nelson following River Capital's recent expansion into Cumbria after securing the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II Smaller Loans Fund. We discuss investment solutions currently available to Cumbrian businesses; getting investment ready; common challenges and how River Cap…

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Episode 40 - Mullardoch Round with Alice Tirbooman 1:32:27

1y ago1:32:27

1:32:27

In this episode I sit down with Alice Tirbooman to talk about her journey from aerial circus and climbing in Bristol, to solo Scottish long distance running. We share tales of the remote and unsung Mullardoch Round, a 50km circuit of 12 Munros north of Glen Affric, which Alice ran solo and unsupported in 2022 and 2023. She then contrasts this with …

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Ep. 6: Dance of the Frogs by Loren Eiseley 43:30

1y ago43:30

43:30

Hop on over and settle in for a night of batrachian terror! It’s anthropologist Loren Eiseley’s masterful foray into fiction, or so we’re inclined to believe. We took a leap with this one, dissecting something toadily new, warts and all. Also, more impressions! How to pronounce “Schuykill”! And we unveil the catchy new jingle: “Is it Horror?” Enjoy…

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Discussing plastic waste in the health care system with Clare Atkinson of Nu Green 17:13

1y ago17:13

17:13

We're joined on the podcast by Clare Atkinson, Founder and Director of R&D at NuGreen, a sustainability consultancy researching the use of plastic in the health care sector and how resources from medical waste can be recovered and recycled. We discuss NuGreen's work to date, the challenges and opportunities when it comes to using plastic in the hea…

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Episode 39 - Trofeo Kima 2024 with Jack Kuenzle and Finlay Wild 1:30:41

1y ago1:30:41

1:30:41

Trofeo Kima is a unique technical race in the beautiful Val Masino region of Italy, in the rough granite mountains not far from Lake Como. While I don't usually devote episodes to organised races, I think Kima justifies an exception, especially this year's race - in which I had a fantastic racing experience with none other than Jack Kuenzle. Jack i…