AarBalls

Pallavi Sethi is a Policy Fellow at the Grantham Institute, part of the London School of Economics which focuses on climate change and the environment. Her work centres around trying to combat the misinformation and lies which attempt to undermine the science of environmental crisis. We chat to Pallavi about what drives media such as The Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and The Sun to peddle lies and undermine scientific consensus, and whether the likes of Farage et al. actually believe what they say. Pallavi explains the difference between misinformation and disinformation and we discuss what, if anything, can be done when people we know disappear down conspiracy rabbit holes. To read more about the important work done by Pallavi and the Grantham Institute visit https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/profile/pallavi-sethi/aarballs2023@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/http://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you feeling lucky? Gabor has worked as a croupier for 11 years and talks to us about spinning the roulette wheel, the biggest wins and the biggest losses. We hear about chips and cheats, card counting, and how to ban yourself when the gambling gets too much!aarballs2023@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/http://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From early days with Bros, to working with many of the biggest names in music, Kate Strong worked as a make-up artist to the stars for 24 years. The list of artists she worked with is far too insanely long to list here but includes The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Dire Straits, Oasis, INXS, Billy Joel, New Kids on The Block, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Sheryl Crow and Mel Gibson (!) We hear of which pop superstar was a decent sort and which was an utter arse, as well as whose guitar you must never touch, rock legend golf, and The Shaun Ryder incident. aarballs2023@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/http://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marc Teitler is an award-winning musical theatre composer whose works include Baddies, The Grinning Man, and The Magician’s Elephant. He was kind enough to chat to us here about his journey to becoming a composer, the distortion of fairy tales, why children love darkness, disagreeing with good reviews, and working on a retro-futuristic Gepetto. He was also kind enough to let us some of his wonderful pieces throughout this episode. https://marcteitlermusic.com/If you know anyone who has an interesting job, career, or story, please do let us know at aarballs2023@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/http://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve been to some far flung corners of the globe on this podcast but none have been flung further than Ascension Island, a lone rock in the middle of the Atlantic, and home to this week’s guest Kashmir, who works on the island as a conservationist. She takes us on a captivating journey from Margate to Madagascar, via the Amazon jungle, to life on one of the most remote islands in the world. We hear extraordinary tales of turtles, sand fleas, The Drunk Bus, and what’s top of everyone’s list when a boat comes in. A full transcript can be downloaded at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bPQLN-0sJNTc2djG9YHCzacde7WmeB0S/view?usp=sharinghttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/http://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-PodcastEmail: aarballs2023@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After more than 20 years working with the biggest names in whisky, Ken Grier has now set up his own company, De-Still Creative, driving a wide range of drink brands. He talks to us (ignorant novices) about all things whisky – casks, history, glasses, prices and much more. He also discusses his collaboration with some of the world’s most famous photographers, including Rankin and Annie Leibovitz, for Macallan’s Masters of Photography project. And finally we talk about his beloved Queen of The South, and end with a whisky cocktail for everyone (even if you think you don’t like whisky!)For listeners who've joined us from Luke's English Podcast a transcript of the whole episode is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UDpKV7Mm_PPcwdr_J8tPdvgYbOOyD3C4/view?usp=sharinghttps://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcasthttp://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/Email: aarballs2023@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we chat to Gemma Simms, a frontline police sergeant of 17 years service, who is also professional genealogist with a special interest in genetic genealogy, and a tutor in adult education teaching courses in family history and DNA for genealogy. Gemma talks to us about moving to Cornwall from Surrey and the differences that brings in terms of policing. We discuss how perceptions of “skeletons in the closet” change over time, and the seismic discoveries she made in researching her own family tree. She also talks about how commercial DNA testing works, if we really are all descended from Henry VIII, the Golden State Killer, and how IGG (investigative genetic genealogy) could provide the perfect combination of her two careers – policing and genealogy.https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcasthttp://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ffion Morgan is an incredibly talented artist, creating miniature replicas of houses and other amazing projects. Before listening to this week’s episode make sure you first check out her creations on her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/ffimini/ Ffion very kindly talked to us about abandoning the bus driver plan, making rocks for Dr Who, Shackleton’s boat, big plans, and worrying about model railways.https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcasthttp://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As always, our overly reductive episode titles do not do our guest justice - for Claudia Hammond is not ONLY an award-winning broadcaster who presents All in the Mind on BBC Radio 4 covering psychology, neuroscience & mental health AND the weekly global health show Health Check on BBC World Service,.but she is also the author of numerous fascinating books (see links below) in which she shares the ways that psychological and medical research can help us in our everyday lives AND Visiting Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Sussex. Claudia also gives talks on psychology around the world and often chairs public events on psychology, medicine and science.She talks to us here about the importance of boring factory jobs, changing perceptions of mental health, noticing kindness, and governments and happiness. An absolutely fantastic chat!Some of Claudia's books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mind-Over-Money-Psychology-Better/dp/1782112057https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Rest-Find-Respite-Modern/dp/1786892804https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keys-Kindness-Kinder-Yourself-Others/dp/1838854444/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcasthttp://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.comThank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In addition to having gone to the same school as Aarballs Podcast's very own Aar and Bailles, Richard Fuller's main achievement is to have become the MP for North Bedfordshire and the current Chairman of the Conservative Party. He was very kind in giving up his time to talk to us about how and why he moved into politics, bringing US-style campaigning strategies to Bedford, his cross-bench work with the enquiry into the BHS scandal and businessman Philip Green, why he still thinks Brexit is a good idea, and life in his second home in Texas.Please help us grow by following on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/or give us five stars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qoor Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735or Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcastalso, find extra stuff on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.comThank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nyaradzo Hoto is an original member of Akashinga, an all-women anti-poaching team in ZimbabweShe explains to us the fantastic positive impact the team has had, not only on massively reducing poaching but also in the broader context of empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated society. She also tells of her two favourite species and the best ways to survive if you encounter elephants, lions, and water buffalo in the wild! (spoiler: running is not going to help) If you enjoyed listening to Nyaradzo’s wonderful story please consider making a donation to Akashinga to continue the fantastic work they do: https://www.akashinga.org/donatePlease help us grow by following on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qoor Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735or Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcastalso, find extra stuff on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.comThank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Appalachian Mountains, Madelaine moved from starting off in science and agriculture to setting up her own wedding floristry company in Durham, North Carolina. She talks to us about some of the most memorable displays she's designed, the escalating scale of American weddings, and why she now yearns for dark snug English rooms. You can check out Madelaine's incredible work at https://www.moodfleuriste.com and also at https://www.instagram.com/moodfleuriste/?hl=enPlease help us grow by following on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qoor Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735or Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcastalso, find extra stuff on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.comThank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After becoming a nun in (the then shabby) Notting Hill, Anne became a teacher, working mostly in challenging schools in London’s East End. Joining the St Hilda Community, a group pursuing the ordination of women as priests, Ann was present at the eventual success of the movement when the first women were ordained at Bristol Cathedral in 1994. Three years later, Ann became a priest herself, has since then been made a Canon, and now has the role of Preacher at the Charterhouse, an almshouse in the heart of London established in the 17th Century.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aarballs Award for Best Job Title 2024 goes to Chantel who works as a Stoat Detection Dog Handler on the Orkney Islands. Chantel tells us how she broke into conservation working with newts at Froglife, before taking on the dream job of combatting invasive species in the far northern island of Orkney. We hear about life on this remote archipelago and of Skye her fabulous working dog. Please help us grow by following on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qoor Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735or Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcastalso, find extra stuff on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.comThank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ex-soldier and expedition leader Rory talks to us of the perils of RAF trousers, joining the army at 18 and rising from the ranks to become an officer, cuddling toffs on the moors, running expeditions for young people in Asia, Africa and South America, his experiences of living in Borneo, the camaraderie born of leeches and ticks, and dodging roos at dawn.Please help us grow by following on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qoor Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735or Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/yk2ih-2ec871/AarBalls-Podcastalso, find extra stuff on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@AarballsAny comments, questions or recommendations for guests for future episodes please email us at aarballs2023@gmail.comThank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top good egg Lizzie Simmonds talks to us about her incredible achievements in fund raising, through marathon and ultra-marathon running and epic walks often while dressed as a rhino! We also hear of Lizzie’s other work for charity and worthy causes and about an extraordinarily altruistic decision she made. To support Liz on her latest epic feat of fundraising please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/lizziedoesthewall?utm_term=Q5PV76qvdThank you very much to all the support, especially from our new listeners from Luke's English Podcast from around the world. Please help us by following us at https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/ and subscribing at https://www.youtube.com/@AarballsIf you have questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes please get in touch at aarballs2023@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diogo talks to us about getting started in Dave Stewart’s kitchen, the correct music for penis-shaped pasta, prising royalties out of Italy, being urban (but not that urban), forays into gangsta rap with Spoonface, recording orchestras in Budapest and Prague, the pecking order of composing, marrying into rock royalty, and hanging out with some Beatles, doing backing vocals for U2, and failing at washing up.Please help us by following us on https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/or subscribing to https://www.youtube.com/@AarballsEmail us at aarballs2023@gmail.com with your questions, comments and suggestions! Do you know anyone with an interesting job/life who'd be a good guest? Let us know! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sacha Harding talks about breaking into professional rugby, the highs and lows of his career and the skills gained from sport that have been useful in establishing his physical training company. We also talk about how the sport of rugby has or hasn’t changed, both in terms of its surrounding culture and in the way the game is played. We also hear his thoughts on who should captain the British Lions and on Owen Farrell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Lloyd talks about rising from runner to be a top award-winning TV producer. She chats about working with documentary-maker Asif Kapadia, trying to hide Roger Moore, being pestered by U2 and The Coors, supermodel seaweed, Noemi Campbell being lovely, accidents in remote Portugal,  working with Taylor Swift, chasing Madonna down a beach in a golf buggy, and the Bulgarian New York.Please also visit our other pages and Like/Subscribe/Follow etc. Thank you!https://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 15 years Luke's English Podcast has been helping people from around the globe learn English, and currently has over 1,000 episodes. The talent Luke has for teaching English in a funny and engaging manner is reflected in the huge number of devoted followers he has around the world; at the time of recording this in early May 2024, his YouTube channel has 1.13 million subscribers.Luke talks to us about the phenomena of his podcast, about not setting up his own sports centre, about why he still teaches English classes in Paris, and about his stand up-comedy career (and the wonderful joke that nobody gets). Even if you're from the south of England and can speak English perfectly, Luke's podcast is still very entertaining, https://teacherluke.co.uk/ so do check it out and help him reach 2 million subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/@LukesEnglishPodcast. You can see some clips of our chat with Luke at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzvMQuNk8nE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr_O9ZWXUl8. The whole episode minus intro and jingles is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp0hWif8yPELanguage learners can also click on this free worksheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z8lwhTQ6NpJCitk8ZEApGkp1zNNK9gix/view?usp=drive_link which looks at some of the vocabulary Luke uses in the interview.Please also click on the links below and like/subscribe/follow and help us get to 100 subscribers!https://www.youtube.com/@Aarballs   https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/https://www.facebook.com/groups/316324227914376 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.