Best Stuart McLean Podcasts (2025)

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Deploying AI for land sourcing: James Fitzgerald (iO Partners) 15:19

Play Pause

6h ago15:19

15:19

The Central European real estate agency iO Partners has rolled out iO4Land, a digital solution that transforms how land is sourced, analyzed, and validated across Central and Eastern Europe. It's an interesting mix of existing map resources with a complex AI deployment that CEE Industrial director James Fitzgerald says takes weeks and months out of…

1
Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby 28:28

7m ago28:28

28:28

Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby tells the amazing true story of Scott and Jemma Bennett’s infant daughter Olivia and her battle with a rare genetic condition, how she was nearly fatally misdiagnosed and how Scott challenged the hospital to improve their care - by taking his dad’s advice to “Put a tie on”. First-time parents Scott and Jemma are take…

1
We Shall Remember - Remembrance Day 36:50

2h ago36:50

36:50

“There’s something about the ghosts who live in the house where you live.” This week something special for Remembrance Day: an essay Stuart McLean wrote about George Lawrence Price, a Canadian soldier killed in the very last moments of the first world war. And we have two Vinyl Cafe stories for you: a wartime story exchange, and a Dave and Morley s…

1
Gabriel Bergmoser and Rachael Johns

1d ago

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High octane action in a high rise building - that's where all the mayhem and murder takes place in Gabriel Bergmoser's latest novel, High Rise.Rachael Johns', The Lucky Sisters, is a moving story about life, death and miracles.By Gabriel Bergmoser with David McLean and Rachael Johns with Lisa Moule

1
Carbon Lifeforms 28:36

3d ago28:36

28:36

Jon Long and Dr Tara Shine join forces for more of the hybrid comedy-magazine show that emits jokes and facts that (carbon) capture all things climate to demystify the issues and offer advice on how to make positive choices in our everyday lives. This week - The Carbon Cost of Tech, The Internet and AI with special guests Chris McCausland and Mike …

1
All Hallows Eve – Halloween 35:48

6d ago35:48

35:48

“Let me state the case for Hallowe’en” Today’s the day - Happy Hallowe’en! We’ve got a wonderful story exchange about an immigrant’s first experience of Trick or Treating. And we'll also play Stuart McLean's story about Sam and Stephanie's Halloween; it's a story about this magical evening, but it's also about growing up and finding independence. H…

1
Stuart Wilson and Sofie Laguna

9d ago

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Oliver loves his job as the 113th Assistant Librarian, he knows books can be dangerous but if the wording in one is changed could it impact the stability of the kingdom? Travel books help him leave and return in ‘Lost in a Book’ the second book in the series by Stuart Wilson . Mythology and reality merge in Sofie Laguna's novel, The Underworld.…

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Humanwatch 14:46

10d ago14:46

14:46

The team look at human hobbies and wonder, what is the point? Gareth goes on a date, purely for research purposes, and roving reporter Phil is back at the Swindon nest to observe his favourite family...from a safe and morally appropriate distance. To listen to more episodes from this series, search "Humanwatch" on BBC Sounds. Written and presented …

1
Journeys - Vancouver & Kenny Wong's Practical Jokes 51:04

13d ago51:04

51:04

“The baker, the chef, the Indian maestro.” Today on the podcast it’s a smorgasbord from Stuart McLean. About food, about journeys and more in between! We’ve got a postcard from Canada, a moving listener story, and one of our favourite Dave and Morley stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Robyn Annear and Christian White

15d ago

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‘Shutter City’ has photographs of early Melbourne. They come alive as Robyn Annear guides our eye into the detail and describes it with her insightful humour. Christian White takes us on a journey of kidnapping, revenge and violence over one concentrated evening in, ‘The Long Night’.By Robyn Annear with Jan Goldsmith and Christian White with David McLean

1
Mark Steel's In Town 40:45

18d ago40:45

40:45

First stop of the new series is Oakham, nestled in the UK’s smallest county – Rutland. Rutland has a village that's proudly twinned with Paris (even if the Parisians don’t know), has Europe’s largest man-made lake (which required flooding a local village) and hangs its horseshoes the other way round (so the devil falls out, obviously). Joining Mark…

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Amazing Spaces – The Library of Parliament, Museum of History & Gander International Airport 41:58

21d ago41:58

41:58

“There was a time when the Gander airport was the biggest airport in the world” On this week’s episode, we have three of Stuart’s opening monologues – essays about some of the places and spaces that captivated him on his travels across the country. And Jess has a backstory about the perils of mispronunciations! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

1
Simon Plant and Heather Rose

28d ago

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Simon Plant takes us into the intriguing life of George Coppin and his theatrical touring party of Shakespeare specialists who went to Civil War America in the 1860's in his book, Entertaining Mr Coppin - an Antipodean Showman in Civil War America. (Theatre Heritage Australia publication)Heather Rose has been inspired by true events in this histori…

1
Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz 28:32

26d ago28:32

28:32

Paul Sinha tests his audience in Leicester on their knowledge of their home county, Trivial Pursuit-style - with all the colours of questions, from geography to entertainment, getting asked. Can they fill the wedges, and can Paul answer their favourite questions, about crisps, bells and cricket? To hear more episodes, search "Paul Sinha's Perfect P…

1
More Arthurs! 37:07

1M ago37:07

37:07

It’s our annual Thanksgiving tradition – the Vinyl Cafe Arthur Awards. More treasures from the Vinyl Cafe archives about some amazing acts of kindness! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Emma Mugglestone and Katherine Pollock

1M ago

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The Run Club has popularity because of the social media hits following a blossoming relationship, but these two only got together in a pretend situation, will it stay that way as there are many hurdles in their training for a marathon. ‘In the Long Run’ is a romance novel that does go the distance by Emma Mugglestone.Katherine Pollock’s ‘Starry Eye…

1
Do Gooders 28:40

1M ago28:40

28:40

Ken receives some bad news that requires him to spend more time at home and Achi is forced to cover his role with unexpected, rather peculiar consequences. Meanwhile Harriett furiously searches for a way to plug a hole in the charity’s finances. Garrett Millerick’s ensemble sitcom Do Gooders returns for another series. The show takes us back behind…

1
Quebec Connection - A Trip to Quebec 54:00

1M ago54:00

54:00

“The Pensionne du Quebec was lit up like a party ship” We’ve got a Quebec selection for you on today’s podcast. A story about Sam’s school trip to Quebec City, plus a Stuart McLean script about cheese making in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, and a backstory from Jess about the trip they took to write that story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

1
Holly Brunnbauer and Toby Schmitz

1M ago

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Makayla wants to make up for lost time after her divorce but her list of no regrets detailing things yet to be done leads to complications she didn't quite foresee in Holly Brunnbauer's novel, What Did I Miss?The Empress Murders is a razor-sharp whodunit by Toby Schmitz.By Holly Brunnbauer with David McLean and Toby Schmitz with Lisa Moule

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Ria Lina Gets Forensic: Microneedling 14:29

1M ago14:29

14:29

Former-forensic-scientist-turned-stand-up-comedian Ria Lina examines the gap between the science we’re sold by the wellness industry and the science that’s done in a lab – particularly when it comes to treatments that boast anti-aging effects. This episode, she’s joined by comedian Geoff Norcott to see if Microneedling can make their faces look any…

1
Cakes Gone Wrong - The Birthday Cake & Arthur Takes the Cake 37:20

1M ago37:20

37:20

“Surely Mary wouldn’t miss one of those little buttercream shrubs…” On this week’s episode of Backstage, two stories about cakes, those special occasion cakes that promise to be oh so good… That is, until Dave and co. get involved… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Noel Harcourt and Michael Rowbotham

1M ago

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Noel Harcourt writes about his job for 33 years as one of the zoo keepers at Melbourne Zoo in his memoir ‘For Keeps’.Philomena McCarthy is compromised in her role as a police officer because she is the daughter of one of London's crime bosses. How then does she investigate and solve the robberies and murders on her beat in 'The White Crow'? Michael…

1
Glenn Moore's Almanac 28:46

2M ago28:46

28:46

Comedian Glenn Moore looks in his almanac at world events and what he was doing at the time. In this episode, a deadly spy operation causes Glenn to suspect his completely innocent Russian flatmate who just happens to have a novelty cigarette lighter in the shape of a gun. And not a novelty gun in the shape of a cigarette lighter. Perhaps best-know…

1
Rodentia - Dave and the Mouse & Rat-a-tat-tat 51:13

2M ago51:13

51:13

“PPMS. Phantom peripheral mouse syndrome” Jess and Dave have something in common: rodent phobia! Jess shares how she got over hers. And in two hilarious Vinyl Cafe stories we’ll hear how Dave managed his. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
George Ivanoff and Joel McKerrow

2M ago

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George Ivanoff gives us 'Prehistoric Peril' in the latest choose your own adventure where virtual reality, mad scientists and you, as the reader, decides what will happen next.A heist, a robbery, a theft planned and undertaken to not only save the Earth, but even refugees from another planet. Science Fiction at its most dramatic, absurd and humorou…

1
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme: 2025 Special 44:36

2M ago44:36

44:36

2025's instalment of John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme is forty-five minutes of the funniest things John thought of in the last year, performed by John and his regular cast of Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Simon Kane, Lawry Lewin and Carrie Quinlan, with composer Susannah Pearse at the piano and Sally Stares on the cello. Please note that listening to …

1
Compromising Positions - The Bare Truth & Yoga Retreat 40:27

2M ago40:27

40:27

“Mary had never ever been downstairs with no clothes on. Never. Ever.” We’ve got some classic Dave and Mary Turlington adventures on this week’s episode – as they find themselves in some compromising positions! And Jess talks about how Stuart honed his onstage craft over the years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Pip Smith

2M ago

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Pip Smith explores the emotional and psychological consequences of the refugee vessel, The Janga, that crashed into Christmas Island in her fictionalised account of that event, The Pull of the Moon.By Pip Smith with David McLean

1
Icklewick FM 28:49

2M ago28:49

28:49

We return to Icklewick one year after the explosive events of Mischief Night. With Amy’s whereabouts still unknown and the rest of the team scattered, Chris has been struggling to keep Icklewick FM on the air from his home studio. Things are deffo looking bleak until he receives a mysterious call from Mainland Europe... Icklewick FM is created and …

1
September - School Days 37:48

2M ago37:48

37:48

“Every year on the first day of school, to the great amazement of the kids in kindergarten…Miss MacNeal would burp the alphabet from A to Z.” Welcome back to Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! Our first episode is all about back to school. We’ve got a story about how Dave and Morley tried to recreate the magic of their own school days for Sam (spoiler: i…

1
Monica Raszewski and Michelle Kalus

2M ago

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Monica Raszewski's, 'Crimson Light, Polished Wood', explores the intersecting lives of three generations of women and their connection over time.The love of literature from Then as 17 year olds to Now, 20 years later may lead to a new chapter in this rom-com ‘Love Overdue’ by Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus.…

1
Room 101 with Paul Merton 28:20

2M ago28:20

28:20

Returning in its original one-to-one incarnation, Paul Merton interviews a variety of guests from the world of comedy and entertainment to find out what they would send to Room 101. This week Paul welcomes Richard Ayoade.By BBC Radio 4

1
Season 6 - Starting September 5th 1:03

2M ago1:03

1:03

We hope you'll join us next Friday for Season 6 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! We’ve got more Dave and Morley stories for you, more of Stuart McLean’s wonderful Vinyl Cafe essays and, of course, more behind the scenes stories from Jess Milton. Here's a taster of what's in store... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Rhett Davis and Jo Dabrowski

2M ago

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Our social contract with the world, our very purpose in the digital age is brought into question in the novel, 'Arborescence', by Rhett Davis Martha has ideas but she is shy. Can she show her friends, family and classmates who she really is and what she is capable of? Jo Dabrowski is the author, and ‘The Making of Martha Mayfield’ is her book.…

1
The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Gala 2025 57:23

2M ago57:23

57:23

Comedy fans can catch the nominees for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 in this showcase for BBC Radio 4. Guaranteed to be packed with laughs, this special will be hosted by last year’s Best Comedy Show winner, Amy Gledhill. The prestigious awards is celebrating its 45th year and is recognising a Best Newcomer and a Best Show. In this gala, hosted …

1
Toni Jordan and A. L. Booth

3M ago

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Toni Jordan’s book ‘Ternderfoot’ is a coming of age story set in the 70’s.A. L. Booth’s crime novel, ’Death at Booroomba’ includes a mysterious inheritance, a violent murder, a hint of romance and a large dollop of country town gossip.By Toni Jordan with Lisa Moule and A. L. Booth with Jan Goldsmith

1
We Regret to Inform You: Rejecting Monty Python 24:20

3M ago24:20

24:20

This week, more from our Apostrophe Podcast Network family! We think you will enjoy, "We Regret to Inform You: The Rejection Podcast." Sidney O’Reilly shares the stories of successful people who have encountered rejection in their careers – and triumphed nonetheless. For this episode, we enter the wacky world of Monty Python and hear how risky it w…

1
Stuart Mitchell's Cost of Dying 14:31

3M ago14:31

14:31

This first episode takes a cheeky look at the costs of end of life care and you might be surprised to find out just how pricey it is to pop your clogs! When it seems like everything is getting more expensive; comedian, former banker and serial funeral-organiser Stuart Mitchell breaks down the true Cost of Dying. Using his own experience Stuart aims…

1
Nick Croydon, Luke Johnson and Anne Vines

3M ago

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If you had the power to change history would you dare? ‘The Turing Protocol’ by Nick Croydon.'King Tide' is Luke Johnson's debut novel set in a small coastal town where a mutilated body of an adolescent is found. Added to that, a child disappeared some five years before. Are the events linked and who is responsible?An American war hero with harsh l…

1
REWIND WEDNESDAY: Bloopers 19:33

3M ago19:33

19:33

Something special for you for our first bonus episode. From one of my absolute favourite Vinyl Cafe radio shows, from 2011, this is Stuart and I in studio talking about bloopers! We laughed so hard recording this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Oliver Callan Bins the Border 28:29

3M ago28:29

28:29

Oliver Callan hosts a panel show in which comedians from both sides of the Irish border and Britain imagine what a united Ireland would look like if it ever happened. This week, Oliver Callan is joined by Neil Delamere, Alison Spittle, John Meagher and Ashley Storrie to debate a new national flag, who the head of state might be and the official, na…

1
Matt Rogers and Jayne Tuttle

3M ago

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Matt Rogers takes us on a nhilistic journey of murder and corruption with equal parts of philosophy and asceticism in his novel, 'The Forsaken'.Jayne Tuttle's memoir is an exploration of creativity, motherhood and Paris.By Matt Rogers with David McLean and Jayne Tuttle

1
REWIND WEDNESDAY: Summertime – Mexican Climbing Mint & Summer of Stars 48:40

3M ago48:40

48:40

“There is nothing like a neighbour throwing money about their garden to make you feel bad about yours.” It's summer all the way on this week’s episode. In our first story, Mary Turlington unwittingly trips off a chain of events that get heated under the summer sun. And in the second, Sam and Murphy have the summer of a lifetime in Big Narrows, Cape…

1
Crybabies Present... 29:01

3M ago29:01

29:01

Jeremy Moleskine is the biggest writer in bawdy greetings cards. So when his car veers off the road, his number one fan is on hand to nurse him back to health. But when R&R turns into B&B (belittling and bludgeoning), Jeremy’s agent must track him down with the help of incarcerated lunatic, Clinton Scards. Brace yourself for a psychological thrille…

1
Dmetri Kakmi and Mark Brandi

3M ago

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Dmetri Kakmi's novel, The Woman In the Well, blends the spiritualism associated with numerous faiths; Christianity, Islam and indigenous belief.Not even a respectable job digging graves can keep an ex-con from a form of corruption that could put him behind bars once again. This is the world of guilt and suspicion that Mark Brandi explores in his la…

1
REWIND WEDNESDAY: Road Trip! – Cat in the Car 43:29

3M ago43:29

43:29

“Whenever the cat is around, things seem to go wrong.” This week, Dave discovers a stowaway on the family road trip, with hilarious consequences. And Jess shares two more of Stuart McLean’s Postcards from Canada: from St John’s, NFLD in the east and Powell River, B.C. in the west. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
The Lively Life of Lindsey Santoro 14:43

3M ago14:43

14:43

Today Lindsey is dragged to a rock climbing centre by her athletic friend Jenny which results in a life changing discovery about her over-zealous anatomy. She helps her mum rescue a missing rat and, with the help of Elton John, hosts an intimate funeral. Welcome to the life of the most beautiful princess in all of Birmingham and its surrounding are…

1
Amie Kaufman and Madeleine Watts

4M ago

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Amie Kaufman's, 'Lady's Knight' features the tournament of the dragon slayers and is a sapphic fairytale.A couple grapple with the breakdown of their relationship on a road trip in the southwest of America where the environmental degredation of the landscape is apparent in Madeleine Watts' novel, "Elegy, Southwest"…

1
The Beatlology Interviews: Actor Mark Hamill 45:09

4M ago45:09

45:09

Something a little different this week that we think you’ll enjoy. From our friends at the Apostrophe Podcast Network: Terry O’Reilly’s “The Beatlology Interviews”. You may not know that Stuart McLean was a huge Beatles fan (though really, aren’t we all?) And he collected Beatles memorabilia. Another huge fan and collector is Terry O'Reilly. In thi…

1
Kat Sadler's Screen Time 28:29

4M ago28:29

28:29

Industry heartthrob and nation's sweetheart Kat is on her way to an exciting product launch in a long car, with long suffering sidekick Alex Macqueen. On the way, she shares the secrets of her success, and how series one of Screen Time made her the most famous woman to ever grace the UK. Now that she's the biggest influencer ever, Kat teaches you h…