Best Small Town Poets Podcasts (2025)

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Liam Howlett (The Prodigy) • Friday Rewind 1:43:12

Play Pause

21m ago1:43:12

1:43:12

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Liam Howlett, originally episode 237 (a 2 parter) from 2018-10-31. Original writeup below: “…I like tension in music… and I think the stage is where it manifests itself…” A rare one right here folks, as L…

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Frazey Ford Revisits the Subtle Grooves of 'Indian Ocean', ep. 331 51:19

13m ago51:19

51:19

Frazey Ford has always loved soul music. She fell in love with Otis Redding at age 11 and discovered people like Ann Peebles along the way, but it was Al Green that really knocked her out. She loved the layers, the expression, and especially his voice. She completely dove in and even started an Al Green cover band. Although she had been perfecting …

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Edgar Wright: the man behind The Running Man returns! (The Running Man / Baby Driver / Scott Pilgrim) #644 1:04:48

11m ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined once more by the phenomenal director and true film lover EDGAR WRIGHT! Edgar is what we call a friend of the podcast. He can come and sleep on the couch at a moment's notice, we'll help him move house, drive him to the airport, whatever he wants.…

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Helen Chamberlain (Soccer AM / animal rescue hero) • Friday Rewind 1:13:39

5m ago1:13:39

1:13:39

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Helen Chamberlain, originally episode 171 from 2017-10-04. Original writeup below: A real lovely one this week as Pip properly catches up with his old mate and TV presenting legend Helen Chamberlain! "No-…

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Harry Baker: your poet best friend! (pre-order the new book 'Tender' now / Something Borrowed podcast) #643 1:11:08

11d ago1:11:08

1:11:08

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the absolute whirlwind of joy and good vibes, the poet HARRY BAKER! A meeting which is also a reunificiation, as Pip and Harry go back a good many years in the scene. Admittedly their time has been separated over the years, but that's the beau…

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Akala (rapper / poet / activist / author) • Friday Rewind 1:44:23

12d ago1:44:23

1:44:23

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Akala, originally episode 65 from 2015-10-28. Original writeup below: Pip and Akala cover lots in this in depth and honest chat, including the history of racism throughout Shakespearean text, the developm…

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The Barr Brothers Rally Around Mysticism, ep. 330 1:01:25

7d ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In the eight years since The Barr Brothers last released an album, Andrew has been drumming with people like Feist, Mumford & Sons, and Broken Social Scene while Brad released a solo record and underwent incredible personal change. Brad made the huge decision to get sober, which he talks about candidly in our Basic Folk interview. Anything you read…

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Craig Mazin: delivering script notes and dropping science on the small and big screen (Chernobyl / The Last Of Us / Scriptnotes Podcast) #642 1:14:56

18d ago1:14:56

1:14:56

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the incredible screenwriter, showrunner, producer and dungeon master CRAIG MAZIN! Craig is a self proclaimed Pipster! Which bodes incredibly well as an opening gambit right there... This is such a treat of an episode which anyone possessing an…

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Armando Iannucci (The Death Of Stalin / In The Loop / Veep) • Friday Rewind 49:04

14d ago49:04

49:04

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Armando Iannucci, originally episode 174 from 2017-10-24. Original writeup below: Responsible for an insane amount of some of the greatest UK comedy since the 90's, including the writing and production of…

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Dissecting Disfluency (w/ Cherry Burns) #641 1:11:12

16d ago1:11:12

1:11:12

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip discusses the broad topic of disfluency with journalist CHERRY BURNS! Those of you familiar with Pip's Twitch channel and the community within might well be familiar with Cherry, but if not, all is well as here is your formal introduction! Although their r…

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Kevin Smith (Mallrats / Chasing Amy / Clerks) • Friday Rewind 49:58

21d ago49:58

49:58

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Kevin Smith, originally episode 302 from 2019-12-04. Original writeup below: SNOOCHIE BOOCHIES! What a joy this is… While it is a slightly shorter episode, Pip could hardly turn Kevin down now could he…? …

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David Wilcox Can Heal Your Heart in Two Minutes, ep. 329 1:11:03

21d ago1:11:03

1:11:03

Asheville-based songwriter David Wilcox has been through some s-h-i-t. A difficult childhood in Northeast Ohio sent him seeking answers – mostly on his bicycle – in an attempt to get away. He has spent his lifetime leaning into his problems and digging into their roots at the source: his own heart. He decided to see what lessons his heart had been …

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122 Carman - No Monsters 1:19:30

1M ago1:19:30

1:19:30

Another Halloween Carman-spook-tacular is upon us! Donavon of Jesus Stole Our Movies joins us to discuss the No Monsters music videoBy Clifton Stuckey

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Miranda Sawyer: contextualising the music scene of an entire decade (Uncommon People / Talk 90's To Me) #640 1:09:14

1M ago1:09:14

1:09:14

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by legendary writer, journalist, critic and cultural treasure MIRANDA SAWYER! A natural fit in the Distraction Pieces jigsaw, Miranda is someone who was pretty much destined to eventually join Pip for an episode. As a necessary firm fixture in mu…

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Action Bronson (rap music / acting / hosting / more...) • Friday Rewind 48:36

28d ago48:36

48:36

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Action Bronson, originally episode 347 from 2020-09-30. Original writeup below: There’s no doubt about it, Action has done a ton in the past decade and by the looks of it all, had a goddamn blast while do…

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Adam Buxton: put on your conversation coat and find your talking hat (Adam Buxton Podcast / Buckle Up / I Love You, Byeee) #639 1:23:09

1M ago1:23:09

1:23:09

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Spike Lee (Highest 2 Lowest / Do The Right Thing / Malcolm X) • Friday Rewind 37:26

1M ago37:26

37:26

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Spike Lee, originally episode 225 from 2018-08-24. Original writeup below: While Spike is getting his promotion grind on for his new film BlacKkKlansman (which you should make efforts to see as it’s just …

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Kathleen Edwards: Making up for 30 Years of No Tears, ep. 328 1:07:00

1M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Kathleen Edwards claims that she's now a pretty frequent crier after not crying for the first 30 years of her life. One reason for this change is the connectedness she has been feeling since leaving music and starting her coffee shop, Quitters. In our Basic Folk conversation, Edwards tears up talking about the cover of her new album 'Billionaire,' …

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121 Silage - Watusi 1:31:38

1M ago1:31:38

1:31:38

Jay and Clifton wonder whether Silage’s Watusi is a ska album, rap-rock album, or even just an elaborate youth group prank.By Clifton Stuckey

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Justin Tipping: you will see Him (Him / Kicks / Flatbush Misdemeanors) #638 46:47

1M ago46:47

46:47

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the bold and awesome director JUSTIN TIPPING! Maybe here and there you've heard rumblings not unlike the ones Pip cites up top on the intro, but in a time when creativity can even be treated and regarded as a rebellious and awesomely unique ac…

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Stephen Graham (Adolescence / Boiling Point / The Virtues) • Friday Rewind 1:35:59

1M ago1:35:59

1:35:59

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Stephen Graham, originally episode 87 from 2016-03-09. Original writeup below: Not one, not two, but THREE welcomes upon you as standard to episode 87 of the Distraction Pieces Podcast, with Kirby's own c…

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Christopher Chung: all across the map to Slough House (Slow Horses / Blitz) #637 57:37

2M ago57:37

57:37

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the wonderful multi talent CHRISTOPHER CHUNG! An ultra inspiring chat featuring the insanely talented Christopher, in a catchup with Pip which goes all across the timeline from the wayback early days to what's coming ahead. He's had a full on …

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Mae Martin (Wayward / Feel Good / Handsome Podcast) • Friday Rewind 1:02:00

2M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Mae Martin, originally episode 314 from 2020-02-26. Original writeup below: A tremendous meetup of Pip and Mae, and dare I say a long overdue one at that… You’ll get to hear all about Mae in the greater s…

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Peter Rowan: The Bluegrass Buddha's Tex-Mex Roots, ep. 327 1:08:54

2M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Legendary Massachusetts-born, California-based musician Peter Rowan is best known for his bluegrass roots. A practicing Buddhist, he did time in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys as well as in the short-lived and epically important Old & In the Way with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. However, his latest album 'Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce' celeb…

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120 Petra - No Doubt 1:25:44

2M ago1:25:44

1:25:44

Jay and Clifton battle fatigue, confusion, and surprisingly funky bass lines as they revisit Petra’s 14th studio album, No Doubt.By Clifton Stuckey

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Chris & Pip's Staylist for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably • link in shownotes) #636 1:12:40

2M ago1:12:40

1:12:40

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the Hardcore Listing homie and everyday life homie CHRIS GLASSEN! You might have heard the pre-show shouts from Pip over the past few weeks, regarding a tie-in with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). CALM are trying to raise funds to ma…

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Karl Pilkington (Ricky Gervais XFM Show / An Idiot Abroad / Derek) • Friday Rewind 1:09:30

2M ago1:09:30

1:09:30

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Karl Pilkington, originally episode 306 from 2020-01-08. Original writeup below: While some see Karl as the grumpy one of the original podcast trio consisting of him, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, a…

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Mark Steel: making gold with tragedy and comedy (The Leopard In My House / The Mark Steel Lectures / Vive La Revolution) #635 1:32:05

2M ago1:32:05

1:32:05

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the legendary comic MARK STEEL! It's entirely likely you'll have been listening to and watching the work of Mark for decades now - he's been hard at work for a minute, and the fanbase is strong indeed. As you'll hear, Pip's been on board for y…

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Lolly Adefope (The Franchise / Ghosts / Shrill) • Friday Rewind 1:09:55

2M ago1:09:55

1:09:55

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Lolly Adefope, originally episode 254 from 2019-02-20. Original writeup below: ...what better way to begin than by Pip dreaming of Lolly the previous night? All shall be revealed and certainly not spoiled…

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Rissi Palmer & Miko Marks: "Buckle Bunny," No Cringe, and My Black Country, ep. 326 1:07:02

2M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

This time on Basic Folk, we are checking in with country singer-songwriter and Color Me Country radio host Rissi Palmer and Americana country artist Miko Marks. The two close friends both came up as Black women in country music in the early part of the 21st century where they experienced gatekeepers and discrimination in the industry, but undeniabl…

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Grandmaster Flash: further adventures on the wheels of steel #634 32:58

2M ago32:58

32:58

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by Hip Hop legend GRANDMASTER FLASH! Y'say... Y'say... Y'say / y'say / y'say (etc) and if you're not carrying that scratch sentence on in your head you have some SERIOUS homework to do. We flashback to the 20-teens to the era of the Beatdown radi…

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119 Puller - Roadside Monument Split EP 1:24:40

2M ago1:24:40

1:24:40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk_xuO48oAI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI7LO5vONRs&t=1505s&ab_channel=slint https://tenkillermusic.com/pages/meet-the-band https://calmcollapse.bandcamp.com/album/mirrored-nature https://calmcollapse.bandcamp.com/album/mirrored-natureBy Clifton Stuckey

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Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit / Black Light Burns / Big Dumb Face) • Friday Rewind 1:28:44

2M ago1:28:44

1:28:44

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Wes Borland, originally episode 25 from 2015-03-18. A very cool early episode featuring the guitarist of Limp Bizkit and many other groups besides. This was about 6 months into the evolution of Distractio…

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Vibe Coaches: Maya de Vitry, Ethan Jodziewicz, Joel Timmons, & Shelby Means, ep. 325 1:12:09

2M ago1:12:09

1:12:09

Maya de Vitry, Ethan Jodziewicz, Joel Timmons, and Shelby Means are on Basic Folk today talking about their new collaborations. Maya produced both Shelby and Joel's debut solo albums this year; Joel and Ethan play in Maya's band; and the two couples (Joel & Shelby are married and Ethan & Maya are partners) are all very close friends. They met in Na…

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Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip: don't call it a comeback! (Live In Places / Repent Replenish Repeat / The Logic Of Chance) #633 1:25:10

3M ago1:25:10

1:25:10

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by long term groupmate and music making legend DAN LE SAC! Together of course, they form Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip though - a duo name of which you will be abundantly familiar. To celebrate the release of their 'Live In Places' live recordings …

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118 Noggin Toboggan - Snapcase 1:45:57

3M ago1:45:57

1:45:57

Jay and Clifton get swept off in a sugar-crashing rush by Noggin Toboggan’s Snapcase, a record that asks: what if MXPX had no oversight except a youth pastor?Also check out our appearance on the Jesus Stole Our Movies podcast, with former guests Donovan and Zac, where we discuss The Last Temptation of Christ!…

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Ashley Walters (Adolescence / Top Boy / So Solid Crew) • Friday Rewind 53:41

3M ago53:41

53:41

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Ashley Walters, originally episode 317 from 2020-03-18. Original writeup below: Okay - in case you don’t recognise that name right there immediately, let’s bring you up to speed. ASHER D FROM SO SOLID. Ri…

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Paul Brady on Tina Turner, Irish Music and Not Being Too Famous, ep. 324 54:33

3M ago54:33

54:33

Bob Dylan once called Paul Brady a "secret hero" and meant it as a compliment. The Irish songwriting legend has not been bothered by the fact that his profile has not risen as high as some of his peers. Starting off in the world of traditional Irish music, Brady spent time in the hugely influential Irish group Planxty until they disbanded in 1975. …

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Rhys James: writing the honest behind the scenes life story of a comedian (You'll Like It When You Get There / Spilt Milk / Mock The Week) #632 1:12:40

3M ago1:12:40

1:12:40

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by hilarious comic and now author RHYS JAMES! An immediately bubbly and scattered catchup with Pip and Rhys, as they transmit in podcast-time from Rhys's equivalent of what Adam Buxton refers to as his 'nutty room'. On top of all things book rela…

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Kaitlyn Dever (The Last Of Us / Booksmart / Dopesick) • Friday Rewind 40:21

3M ago40:21

40:21

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Kaitlyn Dever, originally episode 475 from 2022-09-21. Original writeup below: If you are unaware of Kaitlyn in your adventures through the wide world of broadcast media, prepare to make fast friends with…

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Everyone Has a Friend in Joe K. Walsh, ep. 323 49:59

3M ago49:59

49:59

Originally from northern Minnesota, Joe K. Walsh grew up in Duluth and became enthralled with the mandolin (his primary focus, currently) after hearing the first David Grisman Quintet record. His dad got the young Joe his own mando. He ended up getting very serious about the instrument and found himself studying at Berklee College of Music in Bosto…

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Xelia Mendes-Jones: self-tapes and screens of all sizes (Fallout / Havoc / The Wheel Of Time) #631 1:04:42

3M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the incredible actor XELIA MENDES-JONES! Such a great episode as Pip and Xelia catch up over everything involved with life on and off screen (I mean, mainly on-screen - but there's huge amounts on both sides). Xelia has led a unique journey fr…

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Stewart Lee (VS The Man Wulf / Comedy Vehicle / Jerry Springer The Opera) • Friday Rewind 1:24:04

3M ago1:24:04

1:24:04

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Stewart Lee, originally episode 15 from 2015-01-21. A VERY early episode from the back catalogue but one that is hugely important in the DPP canon. This episode is refered to to this very day, and has rem…

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Everyone Belongs at the Olive Klug show, ep. 322 52:36

3M ago52:36

52:36

Olive Klug and I (Cindy) recorded this interview in my closet while they were in Portland, Maine to play a show. They stayed along with their band Cori, Haley, and Payton and it was a real pleasure to be around them for a few days. You can tell that Olive is at their best around their band and it is a true collaboration on stage. Shoutout to the wh…

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117 This Train - You're Soaking In It 1:14:21

3M ago1:14:21

1:14:21

Jay and Clifton get lured in by a punky Amy Grant cover, only to wake up in a double wide with pink flamingos, Mr. Rogers, and some surprisingly solid songwriting.By Clifton Stuckey

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Michael Socha (Part 2): a classic two parter for the books with the brilliant actor (The Gallows Pole / Toxic Town / This Is England) #630 37:44

3M ago37:44

37:44

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the glorious actor MICHAEL SOCHA! Part 2 of 2! Drop right into this really lovely chat with Michael and Pip, who previously chatted in podcast form all them years back in 2016! Verging on a decade. Time marches on doesn't it. It's lovely to he…

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Michael Socha (Part 1): a classic two parter for the books with the brilliant actor (The Gallows Pole / Toxic Town / This Is England) #630 43:18

3M ago43:18

43:18

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by the glorious actor MICHAEL SOCHA! Part 1 of 2! Drop right into this really lovely chat with Michael and Pip, who previously chatted in podcast form all them years back in 2016! Verging on a decade. Time marches on doesn't it. It's lovely to he…

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Louis Theroux (documentaries / podcasts / television) • Friday Rewind 1:11:04

3M ago1:11:04

1:11:04

emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Louis Theroux, originally episode 289 from 2019-09-25. Original writeup below: The conversation starts right up top with pseudonyms and nom-de-plumes the moment Louis joins Pip, and things don’t let up fr…

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Gina Chavez: From Choir Kid to Latin Grammy Nominee, ep. 321 1:05:37

3M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

New bestie Gina Chavez speaks about her journey in music, her deep love for connecting with people, and the influence of her mixed cultural background on Basic Folk. Her parents are of Mexican and Swiss-German descent. Her father, although second generation Mexican-American, was not raised with Spanish language or any Mexican culture. Gina discusse…

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Lauren Lyle: forging a unique path to primetime, brick by brick (Karen Pirie / Outlander / The Outrun) #629 1:02:50

4M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip! This week Pip is joined by fabulous actor LAUREN LYLE! A perfect piece of acting-focused chat but of course, not limited to...! Lauren is a very welcome guest, who has been on a proper mission on her way to securing bigger roles and ones that would find those huge audie…