Best One Scone Podcasts (2026)

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Big Ben: At the stroke of midnight... | An Architectural Icon | Ep. 102 50:17

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3h ago50:17

50:17

As the resonant peals of the Great Bell usher in the New Year, we turn our eyes to the Elizabeth Tower; the neo-gothic sentinel that is universally - if erroneously - known as 'Big Ben'! In this New Year's special episode, Rory helps deconstruct the architectural swan song of Augustus Pugin, whose feverish medieval detailing perfectly complements C…

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E73 - Dust and Ears 31:47

4h ago31:47

31:47

Camden and Margaret discuss if household dust is mostly just your dead skin floating around (2:45) and whether our ears keep getting bigger our entire lives (16:05). Camden's Misconception: Dust is mostly dead skin Citations: "What If? 2" by Randall Munroe "Is Dust Mostly Dead Skin?" by Veritasium "Making an epidermis" by Maranke Koster, University…

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The parish church | A Christmas special | Ep. 101 48:43

2d ago48:43

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We are delighted to be joined in this week's 'Christmas special' by historian Daniel Wilson - known for his brilliant social media platform 'Daniel's Historic Architecture' (@greatbritisharchitecture). Join Daniel, Geoff and Rory as they discuss the parish church - the long and storied history (architectural and social) of these important buildings…

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Where palatial homes & politics meet | Helena Rees-Mogg & the Fitzwilliam family | Ep. 100 1:13:47

14d ago1:13:47

1:13:47

On this week's podcast episode, we are delighted to be joined by Helena, Lady Rees-Mogg. This marks the first time Lady Rees-Mogg has ever appeared on a podcast, and the first time she has spoken publicly about her extraordinary family history. The daughter of the sole surviving child of the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam, Lady Rees-Mogg offers a unique, int…

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BA Bake Club: One Giant Cinnamon Roll 43:54

23d ago43:54

43:54

We like big cinnamon buns and we cannot lie. December’s Bake Club is dedicated to the tireless efforts of Shilpa Uskokovic and her creation of a giant, gooey cinnamon roll. Not only is this recipe perfect for any festive gathering, but it also has all the nostalgia of a mall food court in the 90s. Shilpa tells Jesse about her decision to include tw…

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Heists & heavenly frescoes | Galerie d'Apollon at Le Palais du Louvre | Ep. 99 58:37

1M ago58:37

58:37

In this timely episode, Rory steps into the shoes of Inspector Clouseau to give Geoff - and you - a tour of the Galerie d'Apollon; the scene of the crime for the latest Louvre heist in which eight priceless pieces from the French Crown Jewels were stolen in only eight minutes. We invite our listeners to join us in the luminous splendour of the Gale…

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The poet & the house that inspired an empire | Kipling & Bateman's | Ep. 98 1:08:39

1M ago1:08:39

1:08:39

In this Remembrance Day special, we step through the doors of Bateman’s, the 17th-century Jacobean house that became both a refuge and a muse for imperial poet, journalist and writer, Rudyard Kipling. Nestled in the folds of the Sussex Weald, the sandstone gables, mullioned windows and heavy beams of Bateman's speak of endurance - a quality that ru…

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Introducing Tough Cookie: The Wally “Famous” Amos Story 45:12

2M ago45:12

45:12

Meet Wally Amos. He founded the ubiquitous Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies in 1975, turning the brand into an overnight sensation and himself into a pop-culture fixture in the 1970s and 1980s. But there’s a darker side to Wally’s seemingly sweet story. One filled with five marriages to six women and a string of bad business decisions that led hi…

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An unexpected inheritance: Robert Parker & Browsholme Hall | Ep. 97 59:31

2M ago59:31

59:31

In this episode - the final part in our series on the shortlisted candidates for the HHA Collections Award (sponsored by Dreweatts) - we travel to the heart of the Forest of Bowland to visit Browsholme Hall, Lancashire’s oldest surviving family home. We’re joined by Robert Parker, current custodian of Browsholme, who inherited his family home somew…

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BA Bake Club: Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookie 46:22

2M ago46:22

46:22

Finally, Jesse, BA's resident cookie expert, treats the Bake Club to his latest creation: Chocolate Chip Cookies With Olive Oil and Sea Salt. In this episode, Jesse and Shilpa discuss how this accidentally vegan chocolate chip cookie came together. They explore the best methods to ensure the perfect chocolate distribution in the cookie and what Jes…

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If walls could talk: Jane Austen & Chawton House | Ep. 96 1:02:13

2M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

Many country houses claim to be the inspiration for Pemberley, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, but few houses have such tangible links to Jane Austen as Chawton House in Hampshire. On this week's podcast - the penultimate episode in our series on the HHA Collections Awards shortlisted candidates - Jane Austen’s world comes to life at Chawton H…

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Fairfax House: The finest Georgian townhouse in England? | Ep. 95 56:43

2M ago56:43

56:43

What happens when the last in a line of viscounts has only one child - a daughter - but the family's ancestral seat is entailed to the male line (meaning it'll go to a distant cousin)? This was the dilemma facing Charles, 9th Viscount Fairfax, in the mid-18th century... The answer (for Lord Fairfax, at least) was to purchase a prime site in the cen…

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From Milk Street Radio: Dining Dos, Dining Don’ts 17:49

2M ago17:49

17:49

This episode is from our friends at Milk Street Radio. Bon Appétit columnist Maggie Hennessy helps us navigate the new rules of dining out. Is it ever OK to take out your phone? What’s the best way to grab your server’s attention? And how fussy is too fussy? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

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Burton Constable Hall & its 'Cabinet of Curiosities' | Ep. 94 37:48

3M ago37:48

37:48

A Cabinet of curiosity (also known as a wonder-room) is an encyclopaedic collection of objects assembled in post-Enlightenment Europe by noblemen, landowners and merchants who were fascinated by science and natural history. In the second of our 5-part series looking at the houses shortlisted for this year's Historic Houses Association Collections A…

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Scone Palace with Viscount Stormont: The crowning place of Scottish kings | Ep. 93 1:04:59

3M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Over the next five weeks, we will be exploring the history and collections of the five shortlisted candidates for this year's Historic Houses Association Collections Award (sponsored by Dreweatts). Geoff is a judge in this year's awards, along with Francis Terry (architect), Rita Konig (interior designer), Tessa Murdoch (art historian) and Will Ric…

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BA Bake Club: Banana Pudding Paris-Brest 41:36

3M ago41:36

41:36

By Bon Appétit

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Painting Houses: Rory's Watercolour Portraits | Ep. 92 51:59

3M ago51:59

51:59

The challenge for all portraitists is in painting not only what they see but in trying to distil and capture the essence or spirit of their subject in oil, ink or watercolour. This challenge applies as much to those who paint portraits of buildings as it does to those who paint people. On The Country House Podcast we often talk about how houses are…

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Somerleyton Hall with Lord & Lady Somerleyton | Ep. 91 59:31

3M ago59:31

59:31

This week Geoff 'goes it alone' (Rory's on holiday) and visits Somerleyton Hall in Suffolk, where he's joined on the podcast by Hugh and Lara Crossley, Lord and Lady Somerleyton. The seat of the Crossley family since the late 19th century, Somerleyton has a fascinating story to tell. Aside from the theatrical Jacobethan/Italianate architecture and …

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BA Bake Club: Peach-Blueberry Crumb Pie 44:19

4M ago44:19

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We'll say it: late summer is peak pie season. And August's Bake Club recipe - for Shilpa's cardamom-laced Peach-Blueberry Crumb Pie - provides an excellent reason to turn your oven on and crank up the AC. In this episode, Shilpa and Jesse commiserate about how frustrating pie crust seemed (at least until Shilpa developed her Actually Perfect Pie Cr…

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Highland Retreats | The storied history of Scotland's shooting lodges with Mary Miers | Ep. 90 1:09:46

4M ago1:09:46

1:09:46

The shooting lodges of the Scottish Highlands have beguiled and entranced people from all walks of life for generations. But beyond the romantic facade - the magnificent architecture and breathtaking scenery - lies a complex and at times troubled past that continues to echo down through the centuries. Joining Geoff and Rory on this week's episode i…

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Shaken, Not Stirred | Goldeneye: The Jamaican home of 007 creator Ian Fleming | Ep. 89 56:33

5M ago56:33

56:33

James Bond is one of Britain's most iconic fictional characters, and without a doubt the most famous spy in the world. And the man behind the legend - author Ian Fleming - lived a life almost as thrilling as Bond's. In this high-octane podcast episode, Rory guides Geoff through the life (and many country houses) of Fleming - from his time at Eton a…

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BA Bake Club: Live at the Bell House 22:53

5M ago22:53

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In this bonus episode of BA Bake Club, Jesse and Shilpa take the stage live at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY to introduce a new audience to the club. They cover the rules of Bake Club and give a sample of the kinds of questions they answer on the podcast - plus share some baking horror stories of their own! Join us on Substack! Listen to the other…

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Clandon Park: Its historic past, present state & uncertain future | Ep. 88 1:06:12

5M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

How a fire reduced this 18th century Palladian house to a mere shell... and the questions that it raises. This week, Geoff and Rory are joined by Cornelia Van Der Poll - an Oxford academic and co-founder of Restore Trust - a lobbying group that encourages the National Trust to focus on its founding principles to safeguard our nation's heritage for …

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BA Bake Club: No-Knead Cheddar-Jalapeño Loaf 30:07

5M ago30:07

30:07

For July's bake, you all brought out your dutch ovens to make Jesse's crusty-yet-tender Cheddar Jalepeño loaf. On this episode, Shilpa and Jesse break down the process of making this same-day, no-knead bread and answer listener questions about overnight proofing, filling options, and more! Join our new Substack chat! Watch Jesse demonstrate the str…

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From Venice with Love: Canaletto & 'Canaletto Rooms' in country houses | Ep. 87 58:29

5M ago58:29

58:29

How a humble Venetian artist became synonymous with Britain's country house collections... This week Geoff and Rory are joined by renowned Canaletto expert, Charles Beddington, to discuss all things Canaletto! From the artist's humble Venetian beginnings to his 'discovery' by the British Consul in Venice - Joseph Smith - who became Canaletto's patr…

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Country House Festivals: From opera & art to motor racing & horse trials | Ep. 86 1:05:57

5M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

Every summer, dozens of country houses open their gates for festival-goers, with a huge array of different events hosted within the grounds of our most cherished estates. Off the back of our recent episodes on 'Capability' Brown and Vache Baroque Festival, we have chosen this week to dedicate an entire episode to festivals held on country estates, …

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The Vache: Baroque music in an Elizabethan setting | Ep. 85 1:01:07

6M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

This week, Geoff and Rory are joined by countertenor, arranger of classical music and co-founder of 'Vache Baroque', Jonathan Darbourne, to discuss the storied history of the The Vache - an elegant, privately owned Elizabethan country house nestled in the gently rolling Chiltern Hills - and the Baroque music festival he directs every summer in its …

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'Capability' Brown: Visionary or vandal? | Ep. 84 1:05:08

6M ago1:05:08

1:05:08

Lancelot 'Capability' Brown is known throughout the world as the master of the English landscape garden. A visionary who created carefully curated, idyllic and natural-looking landscapes at many of the greatest country houses in England, Brown is one of those true 'greats' after whom a whole style is named; the 'Brownian' landscape continues to ins…

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BA Bake Club: Hummingbird Cake 41:19

6M ago41:19

41:19

June's bake, the delightfully tropical Hummingbird Cake, was the first Bake Club layer cake, and our listeners had questions! Jesse and Shilpa dig in to this iconic Southern cake and explain the differences between our recipe and the classic. Plus, they're joined by Great British Bake Off S1 winner Edd Kimber to answer a listener question and talk …

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The Country House Podcast LIVE at Nevill Holt Festival: A country house reborn | Ep. 83 1:05:02

6M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

We were delighted to host our first LIVE podcast recording at Nevill Holt Festival - an arts and culture festival held in the grounds of Nevill Holt Hall, a historic country house set within a thriving working estate. In front of a packed-out audience of over 200 people, we discussed The rise, fall and rebirth of the English country house through t…

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Elveden Hall with Sam Dalrymple: A Mughal palace in the Suffolk countryside | Ep. 82 1:05:51

7M ago1:05:51

1:05:51

Geoff and Rory are joined by renowned writer, film-maker and Mughal historian, Sam Dalrymple, for a fascinating and storied episode on the history of Elveden Hall in Suffolk. Once the English home of the last ruler of the Sikh Empire - Sir Duleep Singh, Maharajah of Punjab - and now the seat of the Guinness family, Earls of Iveagh, Elveden is a res…

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I Need Recipes for Vacation, Friday Night, and More 41:35

7M ago41:35

41:35

In this episode, Chris and Amiel Stanek answer a mix of questions from our inbox, about cooking in an AirBnb, Castelvetrano olives, what to do with a surplus of nuts, and more. Recipes & Links: Chris Morocco's Extremely Extra Travel Coffee Kit Sizzling Turmeric-Dill Fish Tacos Date-Almond Party Snack Kale Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette Aromatic Rice …

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Beaulieu Palace House: 'The Gilt and the Gingerbread' | Ep. 81 53:15

7M ago53:15

53:15

Geoff and Rory are joined by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and his nephew, Ben Montagu-Scott, for a fascinating episode on the extraordinary and storied history of Beaulieu Palace House in the New Forest, Hampshire. Originally the 13th-century gatehouse to a medieval abbey, Beaulieu Palace House is an unusual example of Scots Baronial architecture in so…

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BA Bake Club: Coffee Cake Scones 42:37

7M ago42:37

42:37

Put on the kettle, grab your finest Earl Grey, and join Jesse & Shilpa to discuss their recipe for Coffee Cake Scones. They'll discuss the recipe development process (and the existential journey it took them on), answer questions from bake clubbers, and introduce listeners to New Orleans-based recipe developer and pastry chef Bronwen Wyatt... who A…

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Joseph Paxton: Gardener, engineer, entrepreneur | Ep. 80 1:06:33

7M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

Geoff and Rory discuss the remarkable life of a Victorian genius; the upwardly mobile Joseph Paxton. The son of a farmer, he found a patron in the 6th Duke of Devonshire and by the age of 23 Paxton was Head Gardener at Chatsworth. He would later become a nationally sought-after engineer and latterly a Member of Parliament. The Silicon Valley entrep…

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I Need to Up My Salad Game (rerun) 31:40

7M ago31:40

31:40

Shivani LOVES salad. But by Friday, the lettuce she bought on Monday is just... sad. To help Shivani get a fresh, crisp salad on the table every night, Chris calls on Jess Damuck, the cookbook author behind Salad Freak and Health Nut. The key? Rethinking what a salad can be. Recipes & Links: Cantaloupe, Cucumbers, Lime, and Mint Watermelon Salad wi…

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Brideshead Revived: Castle Howard's 21st century renaissance with Nick Howard | Ep. 79 1:05:53

8M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

Nestled in the Howardian Hills of ‘God’s own country’ of Yorkshire, something extraordinary is happening at Vanbrugh's great English Baroque masterpiece, Castle Howard. Famed for its seminal role in Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton, for 75 years, an entire wing of Castle Howard has remained a burnt-out shell after fire ravaged the house in 1940.…

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I Need a Dinner Party Menu 36:18

7M ago36:18

36:18

We get messages in our inbox ALL the time from listeners who have planned dinner parties, picnics, and other gatherings... but want our advice on what to serve. So this week, Chris is joined by hostess-with-the-mostess Kendra Vaculin to tackle a bevy of listener questions and menu-plan for strawberry-picking lunches, murder mystery dinner parties, …

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I Need Leafy Greens 34:54

8M ago34:54

34:54

Natalie and her husband are capable, adventurous cooks, but they can't seem to get leafy greens on the menu outside of a salad. So Chris and Kendra Vaculin team up to sell Natalie on their favorite greens and techniques. Recipes & Links: Lemony Tortellini Soup with Spinach and Dill Salmon Rice Bowl with Green Curry Creamed Spinach Mostly Chard Tiny…

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'The Three Classicists': Fifteen years on with Francis Terry, Ben Pentreath & George Saumarez Smith | Ep. 78 36:09

8M ago36:09

36:09

This week were are privileged to be joined by legendary architectural trio 'The Three Classicists' to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their seminal exhibition at RIBA (The Royal Institute of British Architects). In May 2010, friends Ben Pentreath, George Saumarez Smith and Francis Terry collaborated as 'The Three Classicists' on an exhibition tha…

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Castel Gandolfo: The Pope's summer palace | Ep. 77 58:49

8M ago58:49

58:49

As conclave meets to decide on a new Pope, all eyes are on the Sistine Chapel as millions of Catholics around the world wait in eager anticipation for white smoke to billow from the Chapel chimney. In recognition of this extraordinary ritual, and in tribute to the life of Pope Francis, this week's podcast episode explores one of the great papal pal…

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BA Bake Club: Millionaire's Shortbread 38:32

8M ago38:32

38:32

Join Jesse and Shilpa to dive into each layer of Jesse's decadent, pantry-friendly Millionaire's Shortbread and answer questions from bake clubbers. Starting with the key differences that make this shortbread extra-toasty and tender, this episode travels through Jesse's caramel-studded past and obsession with the perfect, aesthetic slice. Recipes &…

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The Ancient Seat of an Ancient Family: Powderham Castle with the Earl of Devon | Ep. 76 1:01:55

8M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

In light of the upcoming sale at Dreweatts auction house entitled 'The Attic Sale: Powderham Castle & Brocklesby Park' (taking place on 3rd June 2025), we are delighted to be joined this week by Charlie Devon (Charles Courtenay, 19th Earl of Devon) to discuss his ancient family seat of Powderham Castle. The Courtenays, a crusader family who came to…

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Auckland Castle: The resurrection of a Bishop's Palace | Ep. 75 1:01:45

9M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

Over the Easter weekend, Christians around the world celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this episode we decided to choose a country house that has also been somewhat 'resurrected' in recent years! For 800 years, Auckland Castle in County Durham was the seat of the 'Prince Bishop' of Durham. In 2012, following years of declin…

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Is Spring Produce Actually Good? 39:53

8M ago39:53

39:53

Spring has sprung, but Chris isn’t sure spring produce is actually worth the hype. So noted asparagus enthusiast Shilpa Uskokovic joins him to gush about the joys of the season. They’ll also answer listener questions about ramps, managing the first few weeks of CSA season, and more. Recipes & Links: Crispy Miso-Butter Fish With Asparagus Grilled As…

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I Need a Weeknight-Friendly Pantry (rerun) 31:24

9M ago31:24

31:24

Gillian has found herself working from home permanently and finds getting to the grocery store just isn't what it used to be. So, she's turned to Chris and Shilpa to help her stock her pantry and get her out of her weeknight rut. Recipes featured in the episode: Jammy Onion and Miso Pasta Creamy Tahini and Harissa Beef Hummus Bowls with Merguez-Spi…

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'Houses at War' with Tim Bouverie | Ep. 74 49:59

9M ago49:59

49:59

In this week's episode we're joined by renowned historian Tim Bouverie to discuss his new book, Allies at War, and the political role that country houses played during the Second World War. From Chequers and Ditchley to the Livadia Palace (location of the Yalta Conference), country houses have long been important instruments of 'soft power' during …

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I Need Matzo Ball Soup 34:20

9M ago34:20

34:20

Janae has been struggling to make the perfect matzo balls for 6 Passovers now. What's worse, even though everything else on Janae's seder table is delicious, her mother-in-law won't let her forget her matzo ball fails. So Janae turns to Chris & Kate Kassin for help making tender, fluffy dumplings that won't fall apart in her soup. Recipes & Links: …

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St Giles House Pt. I: The rise and fall of a country house | Ep. 73 52:37

9M ago52:37

52:37

This week we look at the rise of a political dynasty - the Ashley-Cooper family, Earls of Shaftesbury - and the evolution of their house in Dorset, St Giles (affectionately known by the 7th Earl as 'The Saint'). Like so many grand houses and their families, the Ashley-Coopers fell upon hard times in the 20th century, and so we also look at the decl…

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The Mitford Sisters: A family divided | Ep. 72 1:04:35

9M ago1:04:35

1:04:35

In this fascinating episode, Geoff gives Rory and our listeners a whistle-stop overview of the famous (or infamous) Mitford sisters; the socialite daughters of the 2nd Lord Redesdale and all great beauties of their day. From Nancy the novelist and Diana the Fascist to Jessica the Communist and of course Debo the Duchess, the six Mitford sisters ent…