The HelenaSips Podcast

Mike Figgis is an artist in every sense of the word. He is not only an Oscar-nominated film director and musician but a man who involves himself in every part of the creative process from writing screenplays to composing the music and editing. He is also a very talented photographer.You may know Mike best from Leaving Las Vegas; The film that won Nicolas Cage an Oscar and earned Mike two nominations of his own, but Mike has never stopped learning and pushing the boundaries of film. He’s the one film students look to for a more curious, human approach.Most recently, he took us behind the scenes of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic Megalopolis with his fascinating documentary, Megadoc and now, he’s working on his very own unicorn project that we get to hear about first!Please subscribe if you enjoy these conversations - and tell your friends.Find Mike FiggisInstagram: @figgismikePodcast: Figgis UnfilteredThe 36 Dramatic Situations book & card deckIn the glass…Torrione, by Petrolo A red wine from Tuscany made with a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.petrolo.it*******Liked this? Listen to more episodes:Late actor and legendary human, Sam NeillDesigner & entrepreneur, Cath KidstonArtist & designer Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne HarrisBroadcaster & super athlete, Vassos AlexanderCo-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex WatsonClick the banner to see more… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe

Helen Thorn is an Australian-British comedian, writer, podcaster and one half of the Scummy Mummies comedy double act that she created with Ellie Gibson. She has spent the best part of a decade making mums everywhere feel less alone (and considerably more entertained), while turning the chaos of parenting and adult life into bestselling books, a hit podcast and numerous sell-out live shows.Her latest book, How to Face Big Change and Come Back Stronger, is out now, drawing on the women who helped her through a very difficult few years of navigating the sudden, gut-punching end to her marriage followed by the grief of losing her darling mother.Right now she’s touring the UK with Hot Mess, the new Scummy Mummies live show covering everything from menopause to mansplaining and training for a marathon without being able to run. In this episode, we hear how she’s managing it all!In the glass…Apérol Spritz: Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add three parts Prosecco D.O.C. Extra Dry, two parts Aperol and one part soda water. Garnish with an orange wheel and serve with crisps and an olive. Subscribe for more episodes and drinks wisdom in your inboxFind Helen ThornInstagram: @itsmehelenthorn & @scummymummiesThe Scummy Mummies PodcastHelen’s BooksHow to face big change and come back stronger NEWGet divorced, be happyThe TourHot Mess: Find dates and book tickets for the new Scummy Mummies tour HERE ***Liked this? Listen to Series One:Actor & Winemaker Sam NeillDesigner & Artist Laurence Llewellyn BowenOlympian Legend, Dame Jess Ennis-HillDesigner & entrepreneur, Cath Kidston‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne HarrisWine Expert Tom GilbeyBroadcaster & super athlete, Vassos AlexanderCo-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex WatsonArtisan perfumer, Sarah McCartneyMr Plant Geek, Michael Perry This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe

Tom Gilbey has spent over 30 years in the wine trade, but you’ll probably know him best as that guy on social media who is brutally and hilariously honest about every wine he tastes, rating them CLASS, PASS or absolute ARSE.He’s tasted a different bottle at every mile of the London Marathon, demonstrated wine temperature by sitting in an ice bath at 3 degrees, he has a book, a new wine club and is about to take his live show Absolute Filth on tour around the UK and Ireland. In a world of stuffy tasting notes, he’s a real breath of fresh air.In this conversation, we talk about his long family history in booze, a joint love of unpretentious wine places, the bottle that ‘did it’ for him, ice baths, sensory memories, TikTok, Jam Shed wine and his upcoming tour, Absolute Filth. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Find Tom Gilbey Instagram: @tomgilbeywineFor all things tour, book and info: tomgilbey.comIn the glass…A Chilli Martini from Sophie’s Soho Make it yourself? Here’s how:* Vodka: 50 ml (or 1.75 oz) premium or vanilla-infused vodka* Passionfruit Puree: 25 ml (or 0.8 oz)* Vanilla Syrup: 15–20 ml (or 0.5–0.75 oz) depending on sweetness preference* Red Chilli: 1/2 to 1 sliced red chilli (adjust to your preferred heatChill a martini glass, then muddle fresh red chilli slices with vanilla syrup in a shaker to release the heat. Add vodka and passionfruit puree, fill with ice and shake hard for 15-20 seconds. Double strain into the chilled glass to keep out seeds, and float a chilli slice on top to garnish.*******Liked this? Listen to more episodes:Olympian Legend, Dame Jess Ennis-HillDesigner & entrepreneur, Cath Kidston‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne HarrisActor & Winemaker Sam NeillDesigner & Artist Laurence Llewellyn BowenBroadcaster & super athlete, Vassos AlexanderCo-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex WatsonArtisan perfumer, Sarah McCartneyMr Plant Geek, Michael Perry This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe

This episode is a little different in format, as I managed to grab some time with Sam Neill while on a recent wine press trip to New Zealand before I knew The HelenaSips Podcast would exist!In this intimate chat, we hear about Sam’s philosophy on wine and the character of each of the Central Otago subregions where he grows his grapes for Two Paddocks. We hear what he drinks when it’s not Pinot, get an explanation of each of his cuvées as songs, discover his favourite role to play and learn why he will never put his wine under a cork again!Please subscribe if you enjoy these conversations - and tell your friends.Find Sam NeillInstagram: @samneillthepropIn the glass…Two Paddocks Estate Pinot Noir 2024Silky, elegant and aromatic with notes of wild herbs and bright red cherry. A delight! twopaddocks.com*******Liked this? Listen to more episodes:Designer & entrepreneur, Cath KidstonChocolate author, Joanne HarrisBroadcaster & super athlete, Vassos AlexanderCo-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex Watson This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is an interior designer turned TV icon who’s now reclaiming his roots as a fine artist. Classically trained at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, he spent years adorning everything from oligarchs’ boudoirs to West End theatre ceilings before the cameras showed up.He then spent the best part of a decade transforming other people’s living rooms on national television with Changing Rooms, watched by 12 million Brits at its peak and since then has been a regular feature on all sorts of shows, from being thrown around a jungle on celebrity bear hunt to playing pictionary live on air. But somewhere between the leather trousers and the velvet curtains, the painter got quietly sidelined by the tvs star. Now, in his 61st year, he’s picking the brushes back up and touring the country with his third solo show, Drawn to Adorn, and by his own admission, hitting a technical peak most pensioners don’t get to brag about…We talk gin as an antiseptic, simple food habits, his upbringing in Kensington and southeast London and his journey from art school to television and back to artist again. Along the way, we touch on his mother’s influence, the importance of arty careers, confidence, genitals and some pretty solid advice for life. Find Laurence Llewelyn-BowenInstagram: @llewelynbowenLLB Design Website: llb.co.ukDrawn to Adorn show with Buckingham Fine Art:* Sat 27th June in Brighton* 11th July in Stratford-upon-AvonGet tickets and more information HERE.Buy the art here: cotswoldcontemporary.co.ukIn the glass…Gin. Any Gin. And sometimes, with tonic!*******Liked this? Listen to more episodes:Olympian Legend, Dame Jess Ennis-HillDesigner & entrepreneur, Cath Kidston‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne HarrisActor & Winemaker Sam NeillBroadcaster & super athlete, Vassos AlexanderCo-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex WatsonArtisan perfumer, Sarah McCartneyMr Plant Geeek, Michael Perry This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe