Best Jay Shell Podcasts (2025)

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Here Be Media - Episode 63 - Superman: Fortress of Imperialism w/ André 1:25:28

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31m ago1:25:28

1:25:28

Hello everyone!! We're wrapping up the year in serious fashion, diving once back into Imperialism everywhere, with the 2025 Superman, and bringing our superhero liasion along, André! This was a film really well talked about for being positive, and progressive and... things which it isn't. It's still imperialist and still very much on the US' side w…

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The Day the Town Forgot to Dance - Jordan from Wagga 5:27

1d ago5:27

5:27

In this children’s tale, we visit Willow Wiggle—a town that mysteriously forgets how to dance overnight. Only young Lila notices the missing joy, and with a brave little twirl, she inspires the whole community to move again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Podshape

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The Left Page - Episode 98 - The Hobbit: Hobbitual Fantasy 1:09:17

39m ago1:09:17

1:09:17

Hello everyone!! We're finally tackling Tolkien! And so here we are, at the beggining... In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. We go into Tolkien's role in fantasy, how The Hobbit still holds up as both a monument of fantasy and still an excellent book, and the resonance that this work has to fantasy still. Thus we close off 2025 on The Lef…

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Bella Freud - Learning To Trust Herself 52:42

7d ago52:42

52:42

Fashion icon Bella Freud on abandoning psychics, learning to trust herself and realising that what happens next is entirely up to her. Freud is a designer and creative whose clothes have adorned the likes of Zadie Smith, Kate Moss, Little Simz and…well…me. She’s also a cult podcaster with her hit show, Fashion Neurosis, where guests are invited to …

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Speedy Fly Flicker and Mr. Bob - Christopher from Brunswick 4:10

8d ago4:10

4:10

In this charming children’s tale, we meet Speedy Fly Flicker — a super-fast, extra-buzzy little housefly with a big personality — and Mr Bob, a friendly baker who just wants a peaceful kitchen. When Flicker goes hunting for a cookie crumb, a hilarious chase begins, full of swoops, swishes and clever tricks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i…

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ON FRIENDSHIP… With Dawn French and Vogue Williams 24:16

9d ago24:16

24:16

I’ve always been obsessed with friendship - how it shapes us, challenges us and often goes uncelebrated. In this episode, both Dawn French and Vogue Williams get honest about the beauty and the messiness of it all. Despite being surrounded by great friends, Vogue explains why she worries she’s not the best friend back - although she’s definitely wo…

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Alex Hassell - Rivals, Rejection and Taking Acid at Alton Towers 45:58

13d ago45:58

45:58

You might know the star of Rivals for his revealing role in the hit Disney+ show, but did you know about his dramatic allium allergy?! I thought not. Alex Hassell might be best known for his portrayal of the dashing bounder, Rupert Campbell-Black in the Emmy-Award winning TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals but his career spans the Royal Shakesp…

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The Fastest Bike Rider in Bluegum Bay 4:46

15d ago4:46

4:46

Join us for a heartwarming children’s story about Milo, a young bike rider who dreams of being the fastest in town. But when he stops mid-race to help a friend in need, he discovers that kindness is the greatest victory of all. A gentle tale about courage, compassion, and what it really means to win. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat…

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ON PERSPECTIVE… With Adeel Akhtar and Pat Cummins 12:03

16d ago12:03

12:03

Perspective is something we all chase - because when it slips, life can feel chaotic and overwhelming. But when we find it again, everything becomes a little clearer. In this episode, actor Adeel Akhtar reflects on a time when he lost sight of perspective and how becoming a parent helped him rediscover what truly matters. Cricketing great Pat Cummi…

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Mo Gawdat - The 3 BIGGEST Mistakes We Make In Finding Love 1:02:24

21d ago1:02:24

1:02:24

I don’t often have repeat guests on How To Fail but Mo Gawdat is the exception. When he first came on this podcast in 2019, he fundamentally changed my mindset and my approach to life. Back then, he was on a mission to make 1 billion people happier. Now, he returns to focus his brilliant philosophical and analytical brain to the perpetual human que…

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The Secret Happy Place - Ingrid from Northcote 5:39

22d ago5:39

5:39

When adventure-loving April hears a mysterious crash inside her house, she discovers something extraordinary — a hidden door that leads to an entirely new dimension filled with magical creatures, floating islands and a new alien friend named Keira. But when her mum unexpectedly appears at the secret doorway, April learns that everyone needs a speci…

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ON IVF… With Jessel Taank and Paloma Faith 35:51

23d ago35:51

35:51

We don’t talk about this enough, even though so many of us face it personally or through someone we love. Real Housewives of New York star, Jessel Taank, opens up about her three-year journey to become a mum; the strain it put on her marriage, the financial toll and the moments during five rounds of IVF when she questioned everything - even whether…

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The Left Page - Episode 97 - Golden Harvest: Abolish the Present State 54:50

25d ago54:50

54:50

Hello everyone!! We're back talking about Brazilian Literature, with a long overdue request! It's "Golden Harvest" or "São Jorge dos Ilhéus", by Jorge Amado! The horrors of capitalism are everywhere, and none less here, where the forces of empire and capital seek to make Brazilian cocoa production their own, with no regard for people and their live…

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Ruth Wilson - Be Challenged By What Disgusts You 44:07

28d ago44:07

44:07

Ruth Wilson MBE has made a habit of tackling psychologically demanding roles. You’ll know her from playing a mother grieving the loss of her child in The Affair, a sociopathic research scientist in Luther or even from her acclaimed stage performances in Anna Christie and King Lear. Now, Wilson is back with Apple TV's Down Cemetery Road, based on no…

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Christopher's Musical Detour - Christopher from Brunswick 6:21

29d ago6:21

6:21

When Christopher receives a letter from his best friend Mark in Adelaide—inviting him to meet a brand-new kitten—he packs his favourite blue suitcase and sets off on a trip filled with excitement and airport wonders. But when he finally arrives, Christopher’s journey takes a hilarious detour! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Here Be Media - Episode 62 - Arrival (2016): Posadist Aliens Show Us the End of History 1:22:54

18d ago1:22:54

1:22:54

Hello everyone!! We're talking about a great Sci-fi film, going into language, history and time. As we discuss some of Ted Chiang's short story "Story of Your Life", but primarily, the Denis Villeneuve film "Arrival"! Why are aliens here? How can our understanding of reality changing help us confront the horrors of capitalism? How is time's lineari…

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ON REJECTION… With Mel B and Nicole Scherzinger 19:07

30d ago19:07

19:07

We all face rejection, no matter who we are. In this episode we revisit conversations with two extraordinary women who have faced rejection and overcome it: Spice Girl Mel B opens up about her unsuccessful audition for The Sound of Music and the pain of feeling like she didn’t fit the mould because of how she looked while Nicole shares what life wa…

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Michelle Yeoh - On typecasting, fertility and THAT Oscars speech 53:19

1M ago53:19

53:19

Michelle Yeoh has created a legendary body of work that defies easy categorisation. You’ll know her from cult classic Kung Fu Cinema, Everything Everywhere, All At Once - the film that made her the first Asian woman to be given the Academy Award for Best Actress at the time. She was cast as a Bond girl in Tomorrow Never Dies, then starred in the gl…

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ON PARENTING…with Andy Cohen and Caitlin Moran 13:34

1M ago13:34

13:34

Today, we’re chatting all about parenting on How To Fail! We’ll be revisiting some of the most meaningful moments from the archive - the ones that can bring a fresh insight, thoughtful perspective and a sense of comfort through parenting’s tougher challenges. First, you'll hear from the Daddy of Reality TV, Andy Cohen, who speaks about a time he fe…

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Conversation #0004: Star Trek, The Original Series - Continuities of Empire 1:39:23

30d ago1:39:23

1:39:23

In our latest Conversation, Frank has something special for us! Following attempts at bringing together all their academic work, Frank goes into Star Trek proper for the first time in the podcast, surprisingly. In an attempt to articulate how the original 1966-1969 run articulated a certain version of the future that, while utopian, was still entre…

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Kelly Brook - I’m In My Don’t Give A Damn Era! 52:55

1M ago52:55

52:55

Just a heads-up that in this episode we talk about late miscarriage. I am so grateful to Kelly for opening up about something that affects and speaks to so many of us - it’s a beautiful conversation but if you’re feeling tender around those issues for whatever reason, we’ve put in the time-stamps below in case you need to skip that bit. Kelly is a…

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ON REALITY TV… With Dorinda Medley and Captain Sandy 14:13

1M ago14:13

14:13

If you know me at all, you’ll know that I am a huge advocate for reality TV. So what better reason to have a little trawl through my archives than to revisit some of my favourite interviews from reality TV stars? First, we hear from Dorinda Medley, known and adored from The Real Housewives of New York. Dorinda speaks about being approached to join …

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Malala Yousafzai - I Am Not Who You Think I Am 52:12

2M ago52:12

52:12

You might think you know about Malala. But you’d be wrong. For so many years, she stood as a symbol of resistance: the teenage girl who was shot by the Taliban for insisting on the right to go to school and who later won the Nobel Prize at 17 for her efforts to make education available for everyone. But there was another story that existed behind t…

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ON EMBARRASSING MOMENTS… With Dan Levy and Phoebe Waller-Bridge 11:34

2M ago11:34

11:34

Welcome back to this How to Fail episode where we journey through the archive to revisit some of the best bits. This week we’re keeping it light and taking a look at some of the funniest and most entertaining embarrassing moments on How to Fail. You’ll hear from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, originally released in July 2018. Phoebe talks about trying to im…

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Here Be Media - Episode 61 - Titane: Liberté, égalité, Peugeot Coupe w/Jay 1:23:02

1M ago1:23:02

1:23:02

Happy closing of the spooky season Listeners Jay and I are talking about Titane, and subsequently Queer relations and cars. Enjoy! Find more of us at: https://www.patreon.com/leftpage Find Jay at: www.librarypunk.gay https://bsky.app/profile/wildeatheart.bsky.social Intro Music: I Would Never Have To Know - Samurai Drive. From the Album: Samurai Dr…

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Jon Bon Jovi - Fame is a liar and a thief 52:18

2M ago52:18

52:18

We have a bonafide legend on How To Fail: the American singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor and philanthropist who, along with his band, sold more than 130 million albums and performed in over 50 countries for more than 40 million fans before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s ACTUAL Jon Bon Jovi - the frontman of the world-do…

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Matty and the Magpie - James from Runaway Bay 4:25

2M ago4:25

4:25

When ten-year-old Matty finds a hurt magpie on the edge of the local footy oval, his quick heart and gentle hands set out to make things right. In this heartwarming Aussie tale, we follow Matty’s journey to care for his new feathered friend, helping him heal and take flight once more. A story about kindness, courage, and the bond between humans and…

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ON BODY IMAGE… With Martine Wright and Paloma Faith 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

Body image is a common theme on How to Fail. It’s something everyone at some point has either struggled with personally, or knows someone who has. We hear from Paloma Faith on the topic - she speaks about being thrown out of ballet school aged 10, because she showed signs of becoming curvy, and that wasn’t the correct body for a ballet dancer. Then…

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The Left Page - Episode 96 - Berserk (Golden Age): Revitalizing Your Resolve w/ Horror Vanguard 1:24:01

2M ago1:24:01

1:24:01

Hello everyone!! We're finally talking about one of the big ones for our special Halloween collab with Horror Vanguard, it's Berserk! Focusing on the Golden Age Arc, we talk about how this manga so effectively depicts despair and hope, how it can have ultraviolence and still have one emotional gutpunch after another. And, of course, about fighting …

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Denise Welch - I Got Sober For Love 59:28

2M ago59:28

59:28

You might know Denise from Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, or as the winner of Celebrity Big Brother in 2012 and a regular panelist on ITV’s flagship panel chat show, Loose Women, or remember when she won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. But what you might not know is the extraordinary story that shaped the strong woman she is. It’s a story of addi…

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The Shiniest Shell - Sophie from Canberra 4:47

2M ago4:47

4:47

When Lila the crab joins the Great Beach Treasure Hunt, she’s determined to finally outshine her best friend Penny the seahorse. But when a moment of danger puts friendship before winning, Lila discovers that the brightest treasures aren’t the ones we find—they’re the ones we share. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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ON SCHOOL… With Jamie Dornan and Bernie Sanders 18:19

2M ago18:19

18:19

I’m diving into the back catalogue, bringing you moments of insight, laughter and truth from past guests. These themed episodes are a chance to reflect on the universal experiences that connect us all. This week we’re looking at school and those formative years that shape who we become. You’ll hear from actor Jamie Dornan, originally released in No…

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Here Be Media - Episode 60 - El Paso: Elsewhere: Facing All That's Abyssal 1:35:56

2M ago1:35:56

1:35:56

Hello everyone!! We're back talking about vampires and abuse, but with a twist! It's far more elaborate and engaging this time, as we discuss the indie game El Paso: Elsewhere! How do we deal with the holes of violence? With the abyss of abuse that seems to swallow and destroy us whole? In this Max Payne-inspired game (1 and 2, not 3, not at all) w…

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Charlotte Church - ‘I was totally exploited. I was a commodity’ 45:48

2M ago45:48

45:48

Charlotte Church is currently starring in the first ever series of BBC One’s Celebrity Traitors. But she first found global fame as the young classical singer with the voice of an angel. By 22, she had sold 10 million records and performed for popes, presidents and princes. The success came at a devastating personal cost - here, she tells us what r…

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Leo Finds the Music Within - Nick from West End 4:36

2M ago4:36

4:36

When Leo’s first guitar feels more like frustration than music, he almost gives up. But with a little help from his grandma, a loyal dog, and the sounds of the world around him, he learns that real music comes from the heart — not the hands. A gentle reminder that every song, and every dream, begins with one brave note. See omnystudio.com/listener …

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ON BABY LOSS… With Sara Pascoe and Trinny Woodall 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

Welcome back to this How to Fail special, where we revisit powerful moments from the archive that offer insight, perspective and - hopefully - a sense of comfort during life’s more difficult chapters. This week, to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week (9th to 15th October) and Elizabeth’s new role as ambassador for The Miscarriage Association, we're refle…

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Stephen Grosz - ‘Real love is going to hurt’ 52:23

3M ago52:23

52:23

Warning: this episode may contain MIND-BLOWING moments. Stephen Grosz is a practising psychoanalyst and a personal hero of mine. He has worked with patients for more than 45 years and his first book, The Examined Life, drew on these experiences. When it was published in 2013, it caused a sensation and went straight to number one in the Sunday Times…

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The Bear Who Found Rhythm - Christopher from Brunswick 7:10

3M ago7:10

7:10

By Podshape

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Jilly Cooper: On Failure, Love and Literature 38:07

2M ago38:07

38:07

By Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment

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ON NAVIGATING YOUR 20s... With Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Lily Allen 17:15

3M ago17:15

17:15

Welcome back to this How to Fail special where we journey through the archive to uncover insight and revisit powerful conversations. Each week, I hand-pick moments that speak to our shared challenges - hopefully offering comfort, clarity, and a renewed sense of perspective for whatever life might be throwing your way. Your 20s are notoriously a tim…

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Jane Goodall on Optimism, Hope and Conservation 1:00:28

3M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

We said goodbye to Jane Goodall, who passed away yesterday at 91 after a life that inspired millions. I feel so grateful to have had the chance to speak with her back in July 2022, a conversation I’ll never forget. Today, in honour of her incredible legacy, I want to re-share it with you. ____________________________________________________________…

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Letitia Wright - ‘I was bullied… now I’m Black Panther’ 52:54

3M ago52:54

52:54

You’ll know Letitia Wright from her standout roles in Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, Black Mirror and Top Boy. She won the BAFTA Rising Star award in 2019 and is currently starring in Not Your Superwoman at The Bush Theatre, London. But Letitia’s journey hasn’t always been lined with red carpets. Born in Guyana and raised in Tottenham, North Londo…

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Ellie and the Snowboard That Wouldn’t Listen - Tracy from Auckland 4:39

3M ago4:39

4:39

Ellie dreams of snowboarding like her big brother, but every attempt ends with a tumble in the snow. Just when she’s ready to give up, an unexpected friend teaches her that falling isn’t failing—it’s part of learning. A heartwarming winter tale about courage, persistence, and finding joy in every slip along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for …

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ON ADDICTION... With Mae Martin and Marian Keyes 16:29

3M ago16:29

16:29

Welcome back to this How to Fail special where we revisit conversations from the archive to highlight particular themes and tap into the wisdom they contain. Each week, I select moments that can offer perspective, comfort and encouragement for whatever you might be going through. Since September is National Recovery Month, we’re exploring the theme…

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Joe Locke - ‘At 20, I Felt Like I Was Already 35’ 46:20

3M ago46:20

46:20

Joe Locke shot to global fame as Charlie Spring in Netflix’s Heartstopper, a role that catapulted him overnight from a schoolboy on the Isle of Man to an Emmy-nominated actor with millions of followers. In this candid conversation, the Heartstopper star reflects on the whirlwind of early success, the pressure of being seen as a role model and why h…

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Handball Heroes - Alex from Wollongong 3:28

3M ago3:28

3:28

In this heartwarming children’s story, a simple lunchtime handball game at an Australian primary school turns into a lesson about kindness, teamwork, and including others. When Mia notices a boy who’s never played before, she shows that being a true champion isn’t about winning—it’s about making sure everyone gets a chance to belong. See omnystudio…

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Here Be Media - Episode 59 - Ghost in the Shell (1995): This whole thing smacks of gender 1:41:05

3M ago1:41:05

1:41:05

Hello everyone!! We're talking about another classic today, but for sci-fi, it's the 1995 anime film of Ghost in the Shell! Time to talk about one of the most iconic cyberpunk objects there are, and for good reason. Quite a lot to go over when thinking of bodily relations and representation, identity, the urban landscape and, of course, a whole hea…

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ON WRITING... With Salman Rushdie and Kazuo Ishiguro 24:18

3M ago24:18

24:18

Welcome to another special edition of How to Fail, where I revisit conversations from the How to Fail archives. Each week, we shine a light on a particular theme, hopefully offering inspiration, perspective and comfort through the words of past guests. This week’s theme is on writing - appropriately, because my new book ‘One of Us’ is out this week…

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Mark Ronson - The Stories Behind ‘Uptown Funk,’ Amy Winehouse & ‘I’m Just Ken’ 50:59

3M ago50:59

50:59

Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of drug use. Mark Ronson is the hitmaker behind some of the most iconic music of the past two decades. A nine-time Grammy-winning producer, DJ, and Oscar-winning songwriter (yes - he wrote “I’m Just Ken”), Ronson has collaborated with legends like Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Miley Cyrus and Duran Duran…

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Maya and the Monkey Bars - Charlotte from Hobart 4:20

3M ago4:20

4:20

In this heartwarming story, we meet Maya—a spirited young girl who just can’t seem to conquer the monkey bars. While others soar across with ease, Maya keeps slipping, swinging and landing in the sand. But with patience, determination and a little encouragement, Maya discovers that success isn’t about being the best—it’s about never giving up and c…