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Octothorpe131: We’re Performance Before We’re InterestJohn is moderating, Alison is auctioning, and Liz is lecturing.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: The situation in the USA
Letters of comment
Handwriting guesses!
John, Alison, Liz: Ed Morland
Alison, John, Liz: Chris Garcia
Alison, Liz, John: Tammy Coxen
Liz, John, Alison: Tammy has another go
Liz, Alison, John: Ang Rosin...
2025-03-2752 min
Jock's Celtic CalamityJCC Show No 516Send us a text | Artist | Title | Album | The Celtic Fiddlers | Ding Dong Merrily On High/I Saw Three Ships/Here We Come A-Caroling | A Time For Christmas | Tim O'Brien Sean Sullivan | Old Christmas Day | Old Christmas Day | Dalla | Anthony Payne | K5 | Gunna Sound Ceilidh Band | Land Of Dreams | Land Of Dreams | In Dulci Jubilo | A Windham Hill Christmas | Alisa Jones, Mark Howard, John Mock, Stuart Duncan | Carol Of The Bagpipers - Instrumental | Irish Christmas | Dave Gunning, David Francey | A Game Goin' on (Rmx) | La...
2024-12-182h 00
You're BookedCatherine Newman - You're BookedWe are ending series 15 in style with one of our all-time favourite authors Catherine Newman! Catherine wrote the memoirs Catastrophic Happiness and Waiting for Birdy, novel for kids One Mixed-Up Night, craft book Stitch Camp and the acclaimed novels We All Want Impossible Things and Sandwich. We talked to her about food in books, Laurie Colwin, disaster reading, the importance of pretension and reading the Ikea catalogue for fun. Find out more about all the books mentioned by visiting our Bookshop.org store. Order your copy of Daisy's new novel Pity Party RIGHT HERE and see book tour dates...
2024-08-1957 minJock's Celtic CalamityJCC Show No 490Send us a text@Breabach @John McSherry @Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Hass @Sunna @Wayne Gratz @Catriona McKay @Burning Bridget Cleary @Cloudstreet @Eric Bogle @Ashley Davis @Beltaine @Will Champion @Bill Whalen @Ceolbeg @Dick Gaughan @Fay Hield @Blazin' Fiddles @John Carty, @Seamus O’Donnell, @Brian McGarth @Beoga @The Chieftains @The Selkie Girls @Cherish The Ladies @Gaelic Storm @Cara @William Coulter @Niall and Cillian Vallely @The Waterboys @Claire Hastings, @Robyn Stapleton, @Ainsley Hamill, @Ryan Young
2024-06-222h 00
The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastSaltburnJoin us for a chat about Saltburn, the black comedy thriller that had everyone talking in 2023. Emerald Fennel's film tells the story of Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a scholarship kid at Oxford who befriends the charming, fabulously wealthy aristocrat Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). When Oliver's father dies unexpectedly, Oliver is reluctant to return home to his mother, who struggles with substance problems and mental illness, and so Felix kindly invites him to stay over summer at his family home, Saltburn. It's there that Oliver meets Felix's unconventional family, and he soon finds himself irresistibly drawn into an intoxicating world...
2024-04-041h 18The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastCards on the TableMr Shaitana had a reputation for hosting the best parties in London. That is, until he throws a 'murder party', which ends up being his last. Guests at the murder party include four people Shaitana suspects of murder (his 'collection of murderers') and four sleuths: private investigator Hercule Poirot, crime novelist Ariadne Oliver, secret serviceman Colonel Race and Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard. During a game of bridge, Mr Shaitana is stabbed to death while he sleeps in an armchair by the fire, in full view of the four murderers. It's up to the four sleuths to figure out...
2024-02-181h 27
Normal WorldEp 83 | Ins-erection in the Senate Room! | Guests: Bridget Phetasy and Ann CoulterTucker Carlson has a strong reaction to the Texas border issue. Matt Gaetz talks about the voting habits of "Karens." Plus, the Capitol Police announce no charges will be filed over the filming of a sex video in a Senate hearing room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-02-021h 02The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastThe MousetrapWe review Agatha Christie's world-renowned play The Mousetrap. We recorded this as a special spoiler-free episode, so that everyone can enjoy the episode, even if they haven't seen the play! In keeping with the famous tradition of The Mousetrap, we won't be talking about anything that happens in the play beyond the initial set-up, the characters and the setting.The production we went to see was at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield on 3 June 2023, and it was part of the 70th anniversary tour of The Mousetrap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2023-12-0841 minThe Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastA Haunting in VeniceIt's Halloween season, so today we're bringing you a spooky Halloween special all about Kenneth Branagh's latest Poirot film, A Haunting in Venice, which is based on Agatha Christie's 1969 novel Hallowe'en Party.The film joins Poirot (played by Branagh) as he navigates the narrow streets of creepy post-war Venice. Soon Poirot finds himself embroiled in a horrifying murder mystery at the home of Rowena Drake, a famous opera singer whose daughter Alicia tragically fell from her balcony and drowned in the canal below. After Rowena Drake holds a séance with the famous medium Joyce Reynolds (p...
2023-10-301h 00The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastThe ABC MurdersAs Agatha Christie’s esteemed detective Hercule Poirot often says, ‘murder is a habit’. But the murderer we’re talking about today takes this to a whole other level...In this episode, we’re talking about Agatha Christie’s 1936 novel The ABC Murders. In this novel, Poirot comes face to face with a mysterious serial-killer adversary who goes by the name of ABC. ABC commits murders in alphabetical order, beginning with Alice Ascher in Andover, then Betty Barnard in Bexhill-on-Sea, then Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston… But are these killings the work of a senseless sadist, or are they ca...
2023-07-191h 36The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastThe Big SleepJoin us as we head to the mean streets of 1930s LA for an episode all about Raymond Chandler's hardboiled detective story The Big Sleep.In The Big Sleep, we meet tough guys, petty criminals and dangerous femme fatales as we follow jaded PI Philip Marlowe in his quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the wealthy Sternwood family.In this episode, we discuss the character of Philip Marlowe – the prototype of the cynical detective, whose hard-drinking, wisecracking exterior conceals a somewhat more sensitive side – and we look at Chandler's writing style, which came to h...
2023-05-0153 minThe Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastGlass Onion: A Knives Out MysteryToday, we're looking at Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, a new comedy mystery film, which is available to stream on Netflix.Glass Onion stars Daniel Craig as gentleman detective Benoit Blanc. Other big names include Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson and Edward Norton. The film puts a contemporary spin on the classic Golden Age whodunnit genre, so – of course – we had to give it a go!The story begins when a close-knit group of wealthy celebrities and socialites retire to billionaire Miles Bron's private island for a murder mystery party. But soon the f...
2023-01-201h 01The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastHercule Poirot's ChristmasIt's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid... Unless you're Simeon Lee!Hercule Poirot's Christmas tells the story of rich tyrannical businessman Simeon Lee, who is brutally murdered on Christmas Eve, just as his relatives are gathering to spend a lovely family Christmas together at Gorston Hall.This Agatha Christie has everything you need for the cosy festive season: a creepy country house, uncut diamonds, shifty valets, fake moustaches and mysterious strangers from faraway places.In this Christmas special, we take an in-depth look at this classic mystery. We...
2022-12-241h 31The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastReview of Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen (BBC)In this episode, we review Lucy Worsley's fantastic new documentary mini-series Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen, which is available now on BBC iPlayer.This series was like catnip to Agatha Christie superfans like us, so we just had to do a deep dive into it! In the podcast, we discuss Agatha's life, including her childhood, her relationships and marriages, and her infamous 1926 disappearance. We consider how Agatha Christie, who presented herself as an 'ordinary' woman, became one of the greatest novelists of all time.We also debate...
2022-12-161h 02The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastLord Edgware DiesIn this episode, we'll be chatting about Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie. Lord Edgware Dies transports us to the glamour and fantasy of London high society between the two world wars – a world of bohemian actors, dazzling movie stars and wealthy aristocrats. In the novel, Poirot teams up with his good friends Captain Hastings and Inspector Japp to solve the grisly murder of the cruel and vindictive Lord Edgware. Join us as we unpick the story, exploring how Christie creates an immersive sense of place and crafts colourful characters who stay with you long after yo...
2022-11-0656 minThe Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastThe Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Part TwoJoin us for part two of our discussion about The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. In this episode, we discuss tall dark strangers, lovable rogues and secret meetings in the summerhouse, as well as many other topics from the novel.Please note, this episode contains spoilers for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-08-0533 min
Resilient and RowdySay Her Name! Shedding light on the tragedy of Army Veteran Madalyn CoulterThe Veteran community is at a loss with the events unfolding but how come one person is praised a hero & the other isn't being mentioned? Say it with your chest. THE FACTS! ALL OF THEM!
41 year old Zachary Scalf took the life of 28 year old Madalyn Coulter then took his own. This is not a 22 a day issue, this is DV and mental illness issue. If you are struggling, get some help, put your guns away, and talk things through. Zachary's behavior and actions are inexcusable. The lack of accountability is baffling.
Janae, Bridget and I s...
2022-07-241h 35
Save Our Children PodcastS2E13:UPDATE-Let's talk...Bringing to light the murder of Veteran Madalyn CoulterStay Connected...Thank you for your support !UPDATE:Let's talk...Bringing to light the murder of Veteran Madalyn CoulterThis info is directly from the two people who found Madalyn. What is @ninelineapparel hiding? Why didn’t they help and why is everyone treating HER death like a secret? This is heartbreaking.🗣🗣Share her story please 🙏🏽A conversation we need to have! At what point does this behavior become dangerous to our community as a whole? Vulnerability is courageous.To my male counterparts, don’t turn a blind eye to abu...
2022-07-2302 min
Save Our Children PodcastS2E12:Let's talk...Bringing to light the murder of Veteran Madalyn CoulterStay Connected...Thank you for your support !A conversation we need to have! At what point does this behavior become dangerous to our community as a whole? Vulnerability is courageous.To my male counterparts, don’t turn a blind eye to abuse/exploitation of our female Veterans in order to preserve the “brotherhood”. The signs were there. We scream from mountaintops and remain unheard, y’all whisper and the community stops to listen. -janae_perfectlyflawed@ninelineapparel#madalyncoulter #zacscalf #22aday #dvawareness #veteran #MurderSuicide Connect with us:Janae: https://www.instagram.com/janae_pe...
2022-07-221h 35The Crime Fiction Casebook PodcastThe Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Part OneIn this episode, we take a look at one of Agatha Christie's most famous novels, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. We discuss the characters, the plot and – of course – our favourite Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. Other subjects that we touch on include architecture, social class, female detectives and 1920s technologies!Please note, this episode contains spoilers for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-06-1652 min
Futility ClosetThe Murchison Murders In 1929, detective novelist Arthur Upfield wanted to devise the perfect murder, so he started a discussion among his friends in Western Australia. He was pleased with their solution -- until local workers began disappearing, as if the book were coming true. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll describe the Murchison murders, a disturbing case of life imitating art. We'll also incite a revolution and puzzle over a perplexing purchase. Intro: Jacques Jouet wrote a love poem in the language of Tarzan's great apes. To accompany...
2019-10-0732 min
Walk-Ins Welcome with Bridget PhetasyE38. Mitchell Sunderland Believes in Socializing with People You Disagree WithMitchell Sunderland is a freelance writer (Vice, Adult, Penthouse) known for his nuanced profiles on everyone from Stormy Daniels to Mike Tyson, Anne Coulter, Nick Jonas and more. His stories are insane, from growing up the son of one of the largest dog breeders in Florida and dealing with protestors for most of his childhood, to being banned from a gay safe space in college (he’s gay), to being the first American named to the 50 most hated people at Oxford list. He has profiled eclectic groups of people living at the Sausage Castle in Florida and the Bunny Ranch in...
2019-07-031h 26
Atomic MomsOur Great Escape: Sleep-Away Mom Camp!Got cabin fever, atomic mamas? On the side of the road near Lake Arrowhead, CA, three recurring podcast friends: Bridget Moloney-Sinclair, Jessica Coulter, and Becca McHugh join me in a recap of our Mom Retreat experience, including how hard it is to get on the top bunk now that we're adults. We're chatting about an epic mom talent show, meeting moms in real life that we chat with in a secret mom Facebook group, a vintage PlayGirl featuring Brad Pitt, and most importantly, what's in the moms' fanny packs! Also, Becca's baby boy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last month...
2018-10-1031 min
Atomic MomsOur Great Escape: Sleep-Away Mom Camp!Got cabin fever, atomic mamas? On the side of the road near Lake Arrowhead, CA, three recurring podcast friends: Bridget Moloney-Sinclair, Jessica Coulter, and Becca McHugh join me in a recap of our Mom Retreat experience, including how hard it is to get on the top bunk now that we're adults. We're chatting about an epic mom talent show, meeting moms in real life that we chat with in a secret mom Facebook group, a vintage PlayGirl featuring Brad Pitt, and most importantly, what's in the moms' fanny packs! Also, Becca's baby boy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last...
2018-10-1031 min