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Keeping Athena CompanyMessage from AthenaA MESSAGE FROM ME!
This podcast is taking a break but I'll be back! You have lots of lovely episodes to enjoy again or listen to for the first time if you're new to the podcast.
Thank you to all my lovely guests who have honoured me with some good chat over the past two years and I promise I have plenty more lined up for you so watch this space.
2022-03-2201 minKeeping Athena Company42. Jimmy James Jones - Keeping Athena CompanyJimmy James Jones and his mate Karz came round to eat fried plantain and talk about depression. How can you talk about depression whilst partaking in one of life's greatest pleasures? How can you not? The Keeping Athena Company table is the perfect place to talk about career lows, embarrassment and being bad at decorating. This was one of the most surprising and wonderful conversations. It's full of honesty, humility and gratitude and I can't wait for you to hear it.
Find Jimmy on your socials: @jimmyjamesjonesgram / @jimmyjamesjones
More on Jimmy:
Jimmy James J...
2021-12-051h 10Keeping Athena Company41. Dana Alexander - Keeping Athena CompanyCanadian comedian and my old housemate Dana Alexander came to visit! An international headliner, podcaster, presenter and COOK (spelt in capital letter for a reason, this woman THROWS DOWN in the kitchen), we chat about how to deal with kids who say problematic things, why it's good to eat unhealthy stuff, gender, giving our parents grandchildren...a whole heap of stuff really.
I have a lot of time for Dana. And you know what the evidence of this is? She doesn't like plantain. But I still let her in my house :)
Find Dana o...
2021-10-1458 minKeeping Athena Company40. Quincy - Keeping Athena CompanyIn this episode I am joined by royalty, the Cockney Prince himself, Quincy the Comedian! We talk about vaccine hesitancy in the Black community, being in a dance crew in the 80s and what it's like to hear your first pub shooting as an eight year old.
Quincy is a comedian, radio host, actor (catch him in In The Long Run on Sky) and promoter. One of the funniest comedians on the circuit, he's been bringing the funny for years - a true comedy legend. A community champion, he's contributed to A Place for We, a collection of...
2021-08-311h 10Keeping Athena Company39. Ria Lina - Keeping Athena CompanyIn this episode I am joined by the irrepressible Ria Lina. As well as being a top notch comedian, Ria has a BSc in Experimental Pathology, an MSc in Forensic Science and a PhD in Virology. More degrees that you can shake a Polaroid picture at. She's a fab talker and our conversation covered more miles than Ellen MacArthur. From breastfeeding to the civil service to gender to the British education system to how they treat public servants in Singapore. And more. Enjoy.
More about Ria:
Ria is a comedian, writer and actor who has...
2021-08-021h 01Keeping Athena Company38. Alex Wheatle - Keeping Athena CompanyAlex Wheatle keeps my company in this episode. Yes, THE Alex Wheatle - author of countless novels, activist and subject of the Small Axe episode that told us we all need a Simian in our lives.
We talk about unlearning inferiority, putting on fake accents and how to get your first book published.
This chat was as delicious as the plantain I finally got to feed someone with. Enjoy.
2021-07-191h 17
The Guilty Feminist260. Being Extra with Felicity Ward and special guests Sol Escobar and Dema AktaaThe Guilty FeministPresented by Deborah Frances-White and Felicity Ward Episode 260: Being Extrawith special guests Sol Escobar and Dema Aktaa and music from AVAWAVES Recorded 22 June 2021 at Kings Place in London. Released 28 June 2021. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. More about Deborah Frances-White http://deborahfrances-white.com https://twitter.com/DeborahFW https://www.virago.co.uk/the-guilty-feminist-book More about Felicity Ward https://twitter.com/athenakugblenu https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000tsld https://keepingathenacompany.podbean.com More about Sol Escobar and Give...
2021-06-281h 41Keeping Athena Company37. Amy Howerska - Keeping Athena CompanyI had a good natter with incredible soul and my comedy writing sound board, Amy Howerska. We chat about IUDs, pull the curtains back on panel shows destroying all magic in the process, and she shares the most wonderful, heart swelling reason behind her decision to get married. Enjoy!
Amy is a top lady who is a writer, comedian, producer, filmmaker and all sorts. Everything you need to know about her is here:
https://www.amyhowerska.com/
Follow her on instagram, dammit: https://www.instagram.com/howerska/
2021-06-2147 min
The Guilty Feminist259. Hidden Inequalities with Deborah Frances-White, Athena Kugblenu, Bell Rebeiro-Addy, Dr Christine Ekechi, Mathilda Mallinson and Tinuke AweThe Guilty FeministPresented by Deborah Frances-White and Athena Kugblenu Episode 259: Hidden Inequalitieswith special guests Bell Rebeiro-Addy and Dr Christine Ekechi and a special report from Mathilda Mallinson and Tinuke Awe Recorded 1 June 2021 via Zoom. Released 21 June 2021. The Guilty Feminist theme by Mark Hodge and produced by Nick Sheldon. More about Deborah Frances-White http://deborahfrances-white.com https://twitter.com/DeborahFW https://www.virago.co.uk/the-guilty-feminist-book More about Athena Kugblenu https://twitter.com/athenakugblenu https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000tsld https://keepingathenacompany.podbean.com More about...
2021-06-211h 23Keeping Athena Company36. Keeping Athena Company - Nico YearwoodThis episode I am joined by the wonderful comedian Nico Yearwood. We chat about Barbados, procrastination, having pre school children and how to occupy them and living in a place where you can't buy plantain. Thoughts and prayers are with Nico at this difficult time.
More about Nico:
Nico is a comedian and MC who is prolific on Instagram and YouTube. He's the resident MC of Top Secret Comedy Club in London and you can find him via the handle @neeksman on Instagram and Twitter. I highly recommend you do this - he is a...
2021-05-1747 minKeeping Athena Company35. Verona Rose returns - Keeping Athena CompanyAnother MICRO edition of Keeping Athena Company! I had a short and sweet catch up with the unstoppable Verona Rose who is currently hosting her own show on ITV2! It's called Secret Crush, it's on weekdays at 6pm and available on ITV Hub and I am giving you these details because Verona is iconic and I want the world to know if you don't know already!
You will also remember her from an earlier episode - yep, I seem to have run out of friends but don't worry, I am making new ones and there are some...
2021-05-1217 minKeeping Athena Company34. Ella Al-Shamahi - Keeping Athena CompanyIt's a very special MICRO episode of Keeping Athena Company, recorded during Library Laughs, a fundraiser for The Library of Africa and the African Diaspora held last month.
I "tricked" Ella into a quick chat about dating, pooping on boats and literary festivals in Somalialand.
Ella is comedian, broadcaster, explorer, writer, palaeontologist and probably loads more - she's prolific. Follow her on her socials and buy her book using the links below:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LittleMsFossil
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemsfossil/
Book and other things: https://linktr...
2021-04-0614 minKeeping Athena Company33. Keeping Athena Company - Steve WhiteleyIn this episode writer, director, producer, performer and all round great dude Steve Whiteley joins me for a chat and we properly go round the houses. From surfing to consumerism to breastfeeding to tap water to pissing in public to the correct way to say 'tumeric'. It's safe to say we right all the wrongs of the world in this episode. Enjoy!
Follow Steve on Twitter: @OffKeySteve
Find out more about his work: www.offkeyworld.com
More about Steve:
Steve is a writer, director, producer and performer. His comedy sketches and p...
2021-03-2655 minKeeping Athena Company32. Keeping Athena Company - Chris BettsChris Betts is a stand up comedian and podcaster and a friggin delight. He kept my virtual company explaining why his six year old self wanted to be a comedian really, really badly, how he ended up in a Thai monastery and why he once spent his last 14 euros on a CD by a band he had never heard of. Actually, he never explains why he did that. And now it's keeping me up at night!
More about Chris:
UK based Canadian comedian Chris Betts performs all over the world with his unflinching, poetic and...
2021-02-2350 minKeeping Athena Company31. Keeping Athena Company - Becky SinghBecky Singh kept my virtual company this time round and we had a good chat about my Amazon boycott, open top tourist buses and getting familiar with take away delivery guys. Also at the end I share the definitive difference between good people and bad people. Enjoy!
More about Becky:
Becky is a comedy producer, director and writer for US, UK, Irish and Australian stage and TV. Recent work includes Kevin Hart’s Emmy nominated Netflix seriesDon’t F**k This Up” and currently has work featured in the British Library’s exhibition “Unfinished Business: The Fight Fo...
2021-01-3148 minKeeping Athena Company30. Keeping Athena Company - Pope LonerganPope Lonergan is a comedian, podcaster and soon to be published writer. A voracious reader, he makes my bookshelf look like a children's library. I came very close to muting him at one stage as his habit of sharing his current reads was contributing to my book habit. We had a chat about the lockdown, free speech, politics, working in care and how he spoke a book deal into existence through his frank and personal comedy. Enjoy!
More about Pope:
Pope Lonergan is a comedian, writer, Quaker, (recovering) drug addict and creator of ‘The Care Hom...
2021-01-141h 00Keeping Athena Company29. Keeping Athena Company - Paul EccentricPaul Eccentric is one half of poetry and musical act, the Anti-Poet as well as a musician and writer in his own right. He's just published a book, The Giant Step. We have a good chat about it in his beautiful home in the countryside - this was recorded in between lockdowns. We get into the steampunk genre, character, plot and the creative process. Enjoy!
The Giant Step is available from Caffeine Nights publishing
You can find Paul on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AntipoetThe
Twitter: @pauleccentric
2020-11-2238 minKeeping Athena Company28. Keeping Athena Company - Njambi McGrathNjambi Mcgrath is a comedian and writer who published her debut book last year, Through The Leopard's Gaze (available now in all good bookshops!). She is Kenyan and is determined to document the history of Kenya and the African continent as a whole before, during and post colonisation. You can see already why we get on quite well. We have a chat about how African history exists but has to be searched for, white saviour complex held by both Europeans and Africans and the denial of the gruesomeness of British imperialism impacts us all. And other things too. Enjoy!
2020-10-2154 minKeeping Athena Company27. Keeping Athena Company - Sanjit ChudhaThis week I am joined by a fabulous creative comrade, Sanjit Chudha. We have a lovely virtual catch up that includes ponderings on staycations, how the media patronises the "white working class" and why getting out of the city is good for the soul.
More about the wonderful Sanjit:
Food fuels Sanjit's love for communication; apparently, it's a family motto 'good food is everything'. When not battling to control his waistline, Sanjit is a Marketing and Comms supremo with a variety of clients across Theatre, Publishing and the Arts - notably Talawa Theatre Company.
2020-09-0846 minKeeping Athena Company26. Louise Power - Keeping Athena CompanyLouise Power is an entrepreneur and CEO of company iOrbit. We chat about starting a business, getting to know your kids and redefine the word 'minority'.
Find Louise on instagram: @the.powerhour or search for her on LinkedIn (how professional is that??)
2020-08-0547 minKeeping Athena Company25. Keeping Athena Company - Dr. Pamela NkyiPamela Nkyi is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) and an Associate Fellow of The British Psychological Society (AFBPsS). Specialising in public health, she's an expert in wellbeing, mental health, training and policy. She's a very useful person to know during these strange times. We talk about her baking addiction, including her 'Bake and Chat' sessions that she runs for her community, lockdown and anti-black racism.
Find out more about Pamela here: https://about.me/drpamelankyi
Publish now
2020-06-2454 minKeeping Athena Company24. Keeping Athena Company - Vicki AmedumeThis was recorded before people had to be reminded that Black Lives Matter but so much of this conversation is pertinent. It's not al conversations about travelling whilst black and white privilege in the arts, I find out what wine goes with my omelette and chips.
More about the wonderful Vicki:
Vicki Amedume initially trained as a research scientist, entering the circus world in 1997. She performed and created aerial and circus based work in the UK and worldwide and has worked across all spheres of circus from traditional touring tented circuses to large-scale outdoor spaces and...
2020-06-0145 minKeeping Athena Company23. Shaherah Jordan - Keeping Athena CompanyIt's the first lockdown edition of Keeping Athena Company! Put your phone down and refrain from snitching, no actual company was kept during the recording of this podcast. Recorded via our laptops, I catch up with my friend Shaherah to talk about working as a new mum, environmentalism and why people made too big a deal about panic buying. I also relive my ill fated attempt to start a hashtag. Enjoy.
Shaherah Jordan is a Communications professional currently studying for a PHD. Amongst other things she's an ex pro-volleyball player, body builder and nutritionist. She can be...
2020-05-0452 minKeeping Athena Company22. Keeping Athena Company - Bilal ZafarBilal came round and the child picked him as her favourite so far. He had her smiling throughout! We chat about feeling bitter as creatives, grandparents, dating rich people and the inescapable reality of identity politics.
Bilal Zafar is a Stand up Comedian, Actor and Writer from and based in London. He was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe 2016 and won the Hackney Empire New Act Award (NATYS) in the same year.
“Witty and absorbing…highly entertaining. I look forward to whatever Zafar cooks up next”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times
“Deliv...
2020-04-0243 minKeeping Athena Company21. Keeping Athena Company - Rahnak PatelRahnak Patel has spent almost 20 years working in television and is now head of development in a big ol' television company, which means at some point in the past decade or so you would have watched a show that she invented! As well as that, she's my friend innit. She came down to talk about meal preps, diversity, dating whilst sober and our twin mothers. I also come up with a business idea which I beg you not to steal please. Find her on Instagram: @rahnakpate1. Enjoy!
2020-03-0941 minKeeping Athena Company20. Keeping Athena Company - Chris EntiChris Enti and I go waaaay back. He knew me before the dreadlocks. We used to work together hatching up major life goals in local authority offices and now he's a businessman with an even bigger plan. He came round to chat about dating, entrepreneurship, sustainability and explains why I have a thing for big black horses.
Chris is the inventor of a brilliant card game: What He Really Thinks. We talk about it, I play it and you can buy it here: www.whathereallythinks.co.uk
You can follow Chris on Instagram: @whrt100
...
2020-02-2439 minKeeping Athena Company19. Keeping Athena Company - Sylvia ArthurLIVE AND DIRECT FROM ACCRA!
Whilst in the capital of Ghana I had to connect with my sis Sylvia Arthur. Writer, journalist, communications guru and now librarian of Libreria, a small library that makes a big difference in the country we are both from.
We talk about working in a different country, how being in Africa doesn't mean you are free from Euro-centric thinking and how to survive without saveloys.
Keep up with Sylvia by following her on Facebook and Instagram (@liberiagh) and find out more by checking out all her juicy press:
2020-02-0345 minKeeping Athena Company18. Keeping Athena Company - Ben Van Der VeldeIn this episode I talk panto, history, improv and Great British comedy with the uber talent that is Ben Van Der Velde. This was an absolute pleasure to hear Ben share his vast knowledge, curiosity and his most favourite fact.
More about Ben:
Ben Van der Velde is a stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter. He is a regular host and act for respected British comedy clubs such as The Comedy Store, Komedia, The Backyard, The Glee, Covent Garden Comedy Club, The Stand, Comedy Loft, Top Secret Comedy, Outside the Box, the Frog & Bucket and Comedy...
2020-01-1237 minKeeping Athena Company17. Keeping Athena Company - Susie SteedIn this episode I am joined by someone with a PHD in economics and if you you listen you will learn about the following:
Why anti capitalists are really just anti imperialists because capitalism as it is intended to be doesn't really exist
Why financiers want to leave the EU
Why left wing politics has up until this point been imperialist
Why the City of London might note be as sinister as you think.
This was recorded on the Sunday after the Thursday before so this is also your l...
2019-12-2446 min
Keeping Athena Company16. Keeping Athena Company - Joe JacobsIn this episode I am joined by the epically talented rapper and comedian Joe Jacobs. We chat about success, where Eminem is going wrong and the underground rappers you need to be listening to if you're bored of Ed Sheeran. Plus we have the definitive winner of the ultimate creative battle: comedy vs. rap. Enjoy!
Find Joe Jacobs on Twitter, Instagram and You Tube: @JesterJacobs
More about Joe:
Joe Jacobs is a London based comedian, rapper and writer. Since 2012, he has performed nationally and internationally, sharing bills with acts including Bill Burr, Stewart...
2019-12-1637 minKeeping Athena Company15. Keeping Athena Company - James HarrisWe are back! After a brief hiatus caused by a house move and various conflicting work commitments I am finally able to release to you my chat with James Harris. We have a must listen chat about what being anti-racist is actually about, anti-semitism, non-league football and the hostile environment.
James Harris is a writer and comedian. His satirical storytelling show 'The Palace of Earthly Delights' is currently booking new dates. He tweets @JamesHarrisNow.
2019-12-0141 minKeeping Athena Company14. Keeping Athena Company - President ObonjoI was joined by character comedian President Obonjo otherwise known as Benjamin Bankole Bello. We chat about spending formative years in Nigeria, starting comedy a little later in life and whether or not we'll see this mad dictator in Nollywood. Plus he has a hidden talent...press play and all will be revealed. Benjamin is a treat and this was a pleasure to record!
More about President Obonjo:
n the age of Trump, populism and Brexit, the world probably doesn’t need another bloated ego pretending to give easy solutions. Thankfully what...
2019-11-0541 minKeeping Athena Company13. Keeping Athena Company - Sadia AzmatIn a Keeping Athena Company first, Sadia refused plantain, albeit politely. I soldiered on to have the kind of conversation I swore blind I would never have on this podcast, the kind of conversation that is two comedians talking about comedy. However give this one a chance, it was bloody brilliant. We charge through taking offence (obviously), doing gigs on the Black, Muslim and 'mainstream' circuits, white supremacy and writing material on difficult subjects. I also give a handy definition of racism.
More on Sadia
Sadia is a stand up comedian and writer from East Lo...
2019-10-2143 min
Keeping Athena Company12. Keeping Athena Company - 1.5 ArabsI welcome 1.5 Arabs into grandma's kitchen, Fatiha el-Ghorri and Esther Manito! This was so much fun, even the child was entertained as you will hear throughout this very enjoyable conversation. I was giggling throughout the whole edit I swear. We chat about freedom of speech, challenging perceptions, people's fear of the Middle East and the stress of friends watching you perform.
These two comedians are so funny and as 1.5 Arabs produce some of my favourite online sketches right now! Find them on Instagram: @1.5arabs, esthermanito and fathia.elghorri
PLUS! You can see Fathia and myself p...
2019-10-0733 minKeeping Athena Company11. Keeping Athena Company - Arielle SoumaIn this episode I spend a glorious sunny afternoon with the wonderful Arielle Souma. She's so funny and I am very grateful she found the time to pop by. Listen to find out why we had boiled plantain this time and hear her thoughts on the one thing that British people are really bad at (she's French so she has some opinions on us). Arielle is the most honest person I know so she keeps it real throughout! We talk, amongst other things, about customer service, writing jokes about sad things and food addiction.
More about Arielle:
She's a force to...
2019-09-2336 minKeeping Athena Company10. Keeping Athena Company - Samuel WilliamsI can't believe I've made it to episode 10! I am so pleased to say Samuel Williams found the time to come by and meet the baby (which may have been his primary motivation for coming through!). We had an insightful conversation that meandered around topics like entrepreneurship, creativity, the influence strangers can have on your life and what it's like to work in your sleep. Stay tuned to the end especially if you are an aspiring actor or comedian because we both have golden advice that is not to be missed.
Samuel is an actor, comedian, clothing d...
2019-09-0944 minKeeping Athena Company9. Keeping Athena Company - Faye TreacyThe blooming delightful Faye Treacy joins me to talk about living Florida, being a trombone playing rock star and what it's like to be raised by a punk loving father.
More about Faye:
Faye Treacy is a comedian, trombonist, presenter, writer and educator.
Born in Croydon, S.London, in rebellion against a punk Dad, Faye decided to pick up trombone and then ended up being luckily enough to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Music (she did a lot of practice.) .
Upon graduation Faye has had a busy freelance career. Her musi...
2019-08-2638 minKeeping Athena Company8. Keeping Athena Company - Katie LaneKatie Lane drops by to talk bullfighting, reaching rock bottom, Black Twitter v Fiat 500 Twitter and Love Island.
This episode genuinely could have been over an hour long. So much good stuff was cut there may even have to be a part 2...
More about Katie:
Katie and Athena first met on the open mic circuit many moons ago and have enjoyed pies together in Edinburgh. She wouldn’t pretend to call herself a comedian any more but still keeps her hand in with a hometown monthly gig in Streatham. In her spare time, Kat...
2019-08-1231 minKeeping Athena Company7. Keeping Athena Company - Carmen AliIn this episode I am joined by comedian, blogger and burlesque performer Carmen Ali and I don't think my mum's kitchen has ever witnessed such saucy conversation. Find out about why Indian Caribbean food is like Indian food but even better, the difference between sex and kink and how to deal with cakes that are blatantly asking for it. I strongly suggest listening to this episode then checking out her alter ego April Fiasco via the You Tube link below.
More about her:
Carmen is a stand-up comedian and blogger who loves playing chess, kinky se...
2019-07-2936 min
Keeping Athena Company6. Keeping Athena Company - Kate WestonWe are back and it's a belting episode with the fantastic Kate Weston. We speak about mental health, randy kittens and the stress of stand up comedy. Kate is one to watch as she is soon to drop a big announcement that WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT but you can hear it first if you find her on her Instagram and Twitter at @katelizweston. Enjoy!
2019-07-1732 minKeeping Athena Company5. Keeping Athena Company - Verona RoseIn this episode I am joined by actor, writer, photographer, improviser and all-round diamond Verona Rose. Hailing from Southampton the London-based creative polymath and I chat about growing up in majority white areas, the DIY ways to getting your work commissioned and finding your life partner via siblings.
You can find Verona on:
Website: www.veronarose.co.uk
Instagram: theveronarose
And watch out for her new show Fully Blown soon to be released on BBC3
2019-07-0139 minKeeping Athena Company4. Keeping Athena Company - Gavino di VinoIn this episode I am joined by Gavino di Vino. Gavino is an actor and writer I met in Edinburgh almost 4 years ago and we've been hanging out ever since. Gavino is one of the most intelligent people I know - he speaks five languages fluently (including Russian!), is phenomenally well versed in art, history and fashion. He's a very cool guy to be around. Amongst a whole host of subjects we skip through identity, class, being a polyglot, hate crime, travel and festivals with saunas - which I did not know was a thing.
Does Gavino l...
2019-06-1742 minKeeping Athena Company3. Keeping Athena Company - Nathan FoadIn Episode 3 I am joined by comedy screenwriter Nathan Foad. I've worked with Nathan and it's always quality bants when he's around so I couldn't wait to break his fried plantain virginity and have a good old catch up about life. We talk about drama school, growing up in a chip shop and the glamour of WW2 evacuee children, amongst other things.
Watch out for the 'c-word' near the end if you are listening in the car with your kids, and yes, the babble you can hear in the background is the child who inspired this podcast...
2019-06-0436 minKeeping Athena Company2. Keeping Athena Company - Sinta TantraSinta Tantra is a contemporary artist who exhibits art all around the world. Our friendship started one summer in Camden, North London when she was asked by a very naive and clueless project manager to paint a 40m bridge...
Sinta pops round for a chat and we talk about how people can make sense of modern art when it's often toilets and unmade beds to the naked eye and how our heritage influences our creativity. Minidisc players (RIP) get a brief mention and of course, when south Asian, Caribbean, Indian and African DNA meet in a kitchen...
2019-05-2035 minKeeping Athena Company1. Keeping Athena Company - Russ PeersEpisode 1 of Keeping Athena Company.
Being a new parent whilst living with your mum is HARD WORK. In this podcast, special guests pop round to visit comedian and writer Athena Kugblenu (BBC Radio, Time Out, Stylist) so she can keep up with the world and have a well deserved break.
Athena is joined by comedian and voice over artist Russ Peers. Amongst other things, we chat about his love of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching out to your crush on Facebook, sex euphemisms (warm pie???) and the correct way to eat plantain. Enjoy!
Russ...
2019-05-0636 min