Best Bessant Podcasts (2026)

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Geoff Barrow (Portishead), John Minton & Marc Bessant on their new thriller 'GAME' 1:03:01

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14d ago1:03:01

1:03:01

This episode is a little different as we're talking to three of the people behind new film GAME. It's the first feature from Invada Films, the movie arm of Invada Records, the label co-founded by Geoff Barrow of Portishead and Beak>. Barrow has scored many films and TV series over the last 15 years, including Ex Machina, Annihilation and more but t…

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Flogging Molly's Dave King Opens Up About Near-Fatal Brain Injury 42:36

18d ago42:36

42:36

Flogging Molly leader Dave King opens up for the first time about the traumatic brain injury that he suffered earlier this year that doctors say nearly ended his life. He was told by doctors as he was leaving the hospital that he was a “miracle.” During our conversation, Dave spoke about the scary incident that required him to undergo three brain s…

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Murder on the dance-floor - why your organization needs innovation routines 16:31

24d ago16:31

16:31

Why does innovation often feel like awkward "dad-dancing" at a party? Because repeating success requires more than just luck—it demands disciplined innovation routines. This podcast uses the metaphor of dance to explain how organizations create value from ideas through practiced, shared behavior patterns , from searching for opportunities to develo…

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New Podcast Alert! BV Weekly 1:47

28d ago1:47

1:47

Have you subscribed to BV Weekly yet? BrooklynVegan now has two podcasts! There's this one, BV Interviews (formerly known as The BrooklynVegan Show), as well as BV Weekly, a recently launched podcast in which BV founder Dave Levine and longtime editor (and original BV Interviews host) Andrew Sacher chat weekly about the biggest stories and trending…

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Midlake's Eric Pulido 39:51

2M ago39:51

39:51

This week we're talking to Eric Pulido of Denton, TX baroque folk-rock greats Midlake who just released A Bridge To Far, their sixth album overall and second since coming back from a nearly 10-year hiatus. Our conversation happened back in September, and we talked about recording the album with producer Sam Evian and how that differed from working …

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Gadgets or global good - why we need hopeful innovation 22:22

2M ago22:22

22:22

We're in something of an 'invention crisis'. On one side, you have the latest futuristic gadgets—like a stringless AI guitar or a robot cat that cools your coffee. On the other, you have millions who still lack basic human needs like healthcare, clean water, and shelter. This podcast challenges the direction of modern ingenuity and showcases why ho…

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The Charlatans' Tim Burgess 37:20

2M ago37:20

37:20

This week we welcome Tim Burgess of long-running Manchester band The Charlatans who just released their 14th album, We Are Love. We talk about working with producer Dev Hynes of Blood Orange on the album, and recording at famed Rockfield Studios in Wales for the first time since 1997's Tellin' Stories and the first time since original keyboardist R…

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Soulwax talk new LP, remixes, 2ManyDJs, Despacio, more 47:20

2M ago47:20

47:20

This week we've got Stephen and David Dewaele of Belgian dance-rock greats Soulwax, not to mention 2ManyDJs, Despacio and DEEWEE Records fame. Soulwax just released All Systems Are Lying, their first album in seven years, and we talk about that and how it differed from the last two records. Our wide-ranging conversation also hit on their approach t…

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Sewing up the competition: The larger-than-life story of Isaac Merritt Singer 33:01

3M ago33:01

33:01

(You can find a transcript here) Isaac Merritt Singer, the "father of the sewing machine" , was a larger-than-life character whose life was as dramatic as the stages he loved to tread. Born in 1811, Singer's early passion was acting, but he was also a shrewd entrepreneur and inventor. After running away to join an acting troupe at age twelve , he l…

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Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys 30:45

3M ago30:45

30:45

This week we've got Welsh indie rock legend and Super Furry Animals frontman, Gruff Rhys who just released his ninth solo album, Dim Probs, which is also his first for Mogwai's Rock Action label. We discussed the bleak themes of the album and the Welsh DIY music that inspired it, his recent US tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of his album Amer…

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Cate Le Bon on 'Michelangelo Dying,' producing Wilco, touring & more 33:27

3M ago33:27

33:27

This week we've got Welsh iconoclast Cate Le Bon who just released the wonderful, if heartbreaking new album, Michelangelo Dying. We discussed how the album was not the record she intended or wanted to make; her creative partnership with producer and engineer Samur Khouja; working with musicians Dylan Hadley, Valentina Magliati, Stephen Black and E…

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Fred Armisen on '100 Sound Effects,' Steve Albini, Uncle Fester spinoff, more 38:07

3M ago38:07

38:07

Comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen has just released a new album: 100 Sound Effects and yes it's exactly that -- a old school sound effects album, but one only Fred Armisen could make. We talked to Fred about how he came to make it, how the late Steve Albini played a part in it, and the unexpected difficulties there were in creating his own …

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The Hives' Howlin' Pelle on Microphone swinging disasters, Mike D & more 26:25

3M ago26:25

26:25

Swedish garage rock greats just released THE HIVES FOREVER FOREVER THE HIVES, their terrific seventh album which was co-produced by longtime collaborator Pelle Gunnerfeldt and The Beastie Boys' Mike D, with additional productions by Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme. We talked to Hives frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist about the new album, working…

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Baxter Dury talks 'Albarone,' Paul Epworth & more 31:08

3M ago31:08

31:08

Baxter Dury (son of British icon Ian Dury) just released his eight solo album, Allbarone, which he made with producer Paul Epworth (Adele, Bloc Party). Together they take Baxter's signature style -- a London Serge Gainsbourg by way of post-punk and indie -- into what he calls “mature art school rave" that has more than a little French Touch disco i…

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Suede's Mat Osman 41:54

4M ago41:54

41:54

UK group Suede (known to some in America as The London Suede) just released their 10th album, Antidepressants, which has them adding dark post-punk to their signature "beautiful trash" glammy sound. It's the latest release in of the best second acts in recent memory. We talked to bassist Mat Osman about Suede's longevity, the care they've put into …

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Saint Etienne's Pete Wiggs & Sarah Cracknell 45:00

4M ago45:00

45:00

After 35 years UK trio Saint Etienne have decided that their 13th album, International, will be their last. They've gone out with a bang, though, collaborating Confidence Man, The Chemical Brothers Tom Rowlands and Doves' Jez Williams, Haircut 100's Nick Heyward, Erasure's Vince Clark, and more on the album's songs. We talked with 2/3rds of the ban…

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Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor & Joe Goddard 39:52

4M ago39:52

39:52

We talked with Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard about the band's new Best Of comp Joy In Repetition, the purpose Best Of's serve in the streaming era, some of their favorite Greatest Hits albums, how they got Sgt Peppers designer Sir Peter Blake to do the album cover, technical difficulties at live shows, the impressive list of people who h…

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Innovation on a plate 29:00

4M ago29:00

29:00

Ever wonder what happens when a devastating setback becomes the spark for a revolution? The remarkable story of Josiah Wedgwood is a masterclass in turning personal tragedy into world-changing innovation. This isn't just about pottery; it's about a man who, forced to reframe his entire world, ended up shaping an industry and a nation. This podcast …

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Elbow's Guy Garvey talks 'AUDIO VERTIGO,' new EP, upcoming tour, more 29:09

4M ago29:09

29:09

Guy Garvey, who has led Manchester band Elbow since the mid-'90s, talks with us this week about the band's new EP, their upcoming first full North American tour since before Covid, their secret to longevity, and lots more. ** Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein…

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The Beta Band's Steve Mason on reunion tour, legacy and more 46:49

4M ago46:49

46:49

The Beta Band's Steve Mason gives only his second interview since the group announced they were reforming for their first tour in 20 years. We discuss the reunion, The Beta Band's legacy, the dangers of nostalgia, how they wanted to destroy Britpop when they formed, touring with Radiohead, and more. ** Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixe…

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Sweeping the floor with innovation 22:22

5M ago22:22

22:22

The humble vacuum cleaner is a household hero, but its story is far from simple. It's a fascinating saga of grit, genius, and a little bit of luck. Most people have never heard of J. Murray Spangler, the asthmatic janitor who cobbled together the first electric suction sweeper from a broom, a pillowcase, and an old fan motor. His ingenious inventio…

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Moving Mountains' Greg Dunn on Reunion Album, 20th Anniversary of the Band, & What's Next 1:03:15

5M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Moving Mountains leader Greg Dunn gives a rare interview in which he reflects on 20 years of Moving Mountains; dives into the band's first new album in 12 years, Pruning of the Lower Limbs; breaks the news that Moving Mountains are already planning their next album; and much more. ** Credits: Hosted & produced by Andrew Sacher Mixed by Nick Gray Th…

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Innovation alchemy: How an unlikley partnership sparked a global inudtsry 23:30

5M ago23:30

23:30

Welcome to the ‘Managing innovation’ podcast, where we uncover the stories behind some of history's most fascinating innovations! In this episode we look at how a runaway alchemist's impossible dream of turning base metals into goldinadvertently led to the creation of "white gold" – porcelain – and sparked a global industry. Join us as we explore t…

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Connecting the world 41:23

6M ago41:23

41:23

Skype is no more. The familiar blue and white logo has quietly disappeared, retired by Microsoft back in May. But this was always much more than a powerful piece of software; it was an innovation which changed the world. In this podcast we explore the surprising origins of Skype, from music compression in a German PhD student's lab to file-sharing …

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Fashioning an innovation revolution 26:39

7M ago26:39

26:39

This May marks a huge anniversary for a brand that utterly transformed the way we dress, a company that became a chameleon, adapting instantly to the hottest trends. We’re talking about Zara, celebrating 50 years of disrupting the fashion world! How did a small operation, started in A Coruña, Spain, by an entrepreneurial couple, Amancio Ortega Gaon…

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5 Pure Noise Albums that Shaped the Label with Founder Jake Round 1:17:39

7M ago1:17:39

1:17:39

To celebrate the (slightly belated) 15th anniversary of Pure Noise Records, label founder Jake Round joined us for a rare interview in which he reflects on the past, present, and future of the label, and also picks five releases that he feels altered the trajectory of Pure Noise. -- The BrooklynVegan Show is brought to you in part by DistroKid, a s…

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Pelican: 10 Albums That Influenced 'Flickering Resonance' 1:01:12

8M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Laurent Schroeder-Lebec and Trevor de Brauw of Chicago instrumental band Pelican join us on the latest episode of the BrooklynVegan podcast to discuss 10 (technically 11) albums that influenced their new album, 'Flickering Resonance,' which arrives May 16 via Run For Cover. It's Pelican's first album in six years, first with Laurent back in the ban…

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Neuroplastic entrepreneurs! 24:45

8M ago24:45

24:45

Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to rewire itself, is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. This video explores how this capability allows individuals to reframe problems and envision new possibilities, drawing parallels between historical innovators and modern-day ventures. Learn about Malcolm Maclean's container shipping revolution and James Bri…

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Audacious bubbles - the secret ingredient in innovation success 20:28

9M ago20:28

20:28

A classic story of entrepreneurial grit, a passion for something and the willingness to persevere when things don’t go quite according to plan. Central to it all was a remarkable woman – Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin. Born in 1777 she went hard against the grain of what women were expected to do, creating and championing what became one of the most famous…

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Why I’m Done Teaching STR Marketing the Old Way 12:28

9M ago12:28

12:28

Hey, it’s Jenn. After hitting serious burnout at the end of 2024, I stepped back and started rethinking everything about how I teach short-term rental marketing. I realized that hosts don’t need more content, they need clarity, support, and a system that actually gets the work done. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why I’m done teac…

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Working backwards to move forward – a surprising recipe for innovation success 21:23

10M ago21:23

21:23

This episode explores PR/FAQ in a fascinating interview withMarcelo Calbucci, an experienced entrepreneur who has extensive hands-on experience of using the 'Press release/FAQ' framework. Developed over a decade ago and widely used within Amazon this simple approach forces anyone with a change proposal to make their ideas come alive through the med…

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Bayside S/T at 20 with Anthony Raneri 1:30:52

10M ago1:30:52

1:30:52

2025 marks 25 years of Bayside and it also marks 20 years of their self-titled sophomore album, which vocalist/guitarist Anthony Raneri joined us on the BrooklynVegan podcast to discuss. The album came at a pivotal moment for both the band and the 2000s emo boom that they were part of, and Anthony discusses all the factors that led to this album tu…

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The data alchemists - how an entrepreneurial couple helped start a retail revolution 21:01

10M ago21:01

21:01

The story of dunnhumby, a small entreprenurial business which changed the face of retailing by bringing the concept of consumer data science into the mainstream with the launch of the Tesco Clubcard. You can find a transcript here and more resources like this at my website here

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'Peripheral Vision' at 10 with Turnover's Austin Getz 1:33:18

10M ago1:33:18

1:33:18

Drastically changing up your style as a young, rising band is a risk, but Peripheral Vision teaches us that making a beloved record never really comes down to style as much as it comes down to great songwriting. Turnover went all in on their newfound love of dream pop/post-punk for Peripheral Vision, and they still had the driving backbone and the …

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Paralysed by possibilities? How to get to grips with AI 19:30

11M ago19:30

19:30

We grow through what we know. Put simply that’s at the heart of the innovation equation. Innovation is creating value from ideas, a journey which starts with an input of knowledge But when it comes to using external knowledge to help us grow we run into some challenges - as this podcast explores. We need 'absorptive capacity'. You can find a transc…

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5 Ways to Master Direct Bookings Without Overwhelm or High Costs with Jamey King 41:29

11M ago41:29

41:29

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the tech and cost of managing your direct bookings? Without the right system in place, you risk lost revenue, double bookings, and a frustrating guest experience. In this episode, we break down exactly what you need—from secure payments to owning your brand—to make direct bookings effortless and profitable. Jamey King…

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Inspiration for innovation 15:58

11M ago15:58

15:58

Fifty years ago and Keith Jarrett created a legendary performance which was captured on record and became the best selling solo piano album of all time. That experience offers some powerful and inspiring lessons for today's innovation managers, as this podcast highlights. You can find a transcript and more resources at my website here…

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Unlock the Power of Your Vacation Rental Website with Jodi Bourne 31:53

12M ago31:53

31:53

Are you ready to turn your vacation rental website into a booking powerhouse? In this episode, we explore the art of creating high-converting websites with website strategist Jodi Bourne. With her extensive experience in the vacation rental industry and as a guest herself, Jodi shares invaluable insights on crafting a digital presence that not only…

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Beyond Airbnb Using Hospitality to Build Direct Booking Loyalty with Chad Harker 26:44

12M ago26:44

26:44

Are you ready to take your short-term rental business to new heights? In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Chad Harker, a savvy entrepreneur who has transformed his single-room Airbnb listing into a thriving portfolio of seven properties with an impressive 75% direct booking rate. In this episode, you’ll learn: The importance of pr…

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Beating the bougainvillea blues 16:06

12M ago16:06

16:06

Managing innovation isn’t a matter of abstract systems or process flow charts; it's much closer to the challenge of planting and tending an orchard. A rich harvest of innovation fruit comes from strong branches on trees which have matured thanks to careful cultivation. Maintaining what's already established and allowing for new shoots, sprouting in…

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Simplify Your 2025 Marketing with AI for Direct Booking Success 12:12

1y ago12:12

12:12

As we step into 2025, are you ready to revolutionize your short-term rental business? In this episode, we're exploring how to simplify, streamline, and set yourself up for success using AI in the new year. Discover how to create a strategic marketing plan that goes beyond mere consistency, focusing on purpose-driven content that resonates with your…

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How We Mastered Direct Bookings for Short-Term Rentals in 2024 23:46

1y ago23:46

23:46

As we wrap up an incredible year of growth and learning in the short-term rental industry, it's time to reflect on the valuable insights that have shaped our success. In this special episode of the Direct Booking Success Podcast, I'm sharing my favourite moments from 2024 - a year filled with practical strategies, inspiring stories, and expert advi…

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Dear Santa... 3:38

1y ago3:38

3:38

It’s the time of year when letters are getting hastily scribbled and sent to the old gentleman in Lapland expressing preferences for possible presents. This is a sample from a somewhat frustrated but ever hopeful innovation manager…. You can find the lyrics and a rich assortment of other innovation resources - songs, cases, videos, podcasts, tools,…

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Using Instagram to Get More Direct Bookings with Katie Bessant 26:34

1y ago26:34

26:34

Are you ready to turn your Instagram followers into paying guests? In this episode, we explore how to harness the power of Instagram to drive direct bookings for your vacation rental property. Join me as I chat with Katie Besant, founder of the Holiday Hive and social media expert with years of experience in the tourism industry. Katie shares her i…

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How Hosts Can Thrive in the Future with Caitlin Cassady 30:39

1y ago30:39

30:39

Are you prepared for the future of the vacation rental industry? In this episode, I sit down with Caitlin Cassady, VP of Marketing at Beyond, to explore the evolving landscape of short-term rentals and how data-driven insights can propel your business forward. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Discover why thinking beyond “short-term rentals” a…

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AI through the rear-view mirror 21:21

1y ago21:21

21:21

What we can learn from the past to help navigate the AI storm This podcast looks back at the experience of earlier technological revolutions to find some clues about how we might deal with this one You can find a transcript of this podcast here And check out my website here for more blogs, interviews, cases, videos and many other innovation-linked …

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Mastering STR Customer Service and First Impressions with Rachael Butler 25:43

1y ago25:43

25:43

Are you ready to elevate your guests' experience without breaking the bank? In this episode, we explore the art of creating unforgettable stays through thoughtful personal touches and exceptional customer service. Join me as I chat with Rachel Butler, owner of the Angel Caves bed and breakfast in Gran Canaria. Rachel shares her journey from bustlin…

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Why Hiding Behind Your Logo Is Costing Your Vacation Rental Bookings 10:06

1y ago10:06

10:06

Are you hiding behind your logo, leaving potential bookings on the table? In the world of short-term rentals, personal connection is the secret ingredient that can set you apart from the competition. This episode of the Direct Booking Success podcast explores why showing up matters and how to craft your story to resonate with ideal guests. As your …

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How Successful Hosts Know Their Ideal Guest with Gil Chan 28:32

1y ago28:32

28:32

Are you struggling to fill your short-term rental calendar? The secret to more bookings might not be what you think. In this episode, we explore why understanding your ideal guest is the key to transforming your marketing, increasing conversion rates, and creating seamless stays. Join me as I chat with Gil Chan, a short-term rental host and founder…

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Flying the flag for innovation 20:35

1y ago20:35

20:35

How having an innovation management standard can help — and why it might get in the way (you can find a transcript for this podcast at the 'Managing innovation' website, together with many other useful resources - please check it out) A standard is an old word for a flag. Back in the days of sailing ships you could see a forest of them fluttering a…