Hellish

Episoder

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  Tom Turner (The Failing Writers Podcast), podcaster & voice artiste 13.09.2026 1t 8min

  This week TOM TURNER of the Failing Writers Podcast gives us the five tracks he will meet in Hell!Tom tells us all about his multi-award winning Failing Writers Podcast, in which two struggling writers – Tom and co-host Jon Rand – learn everything there is to know about writing. They talk to best-selling authors, screenwriters and poets in order to help their listeners achieve their writing goals. Tom also tells us about his day job as a voiceover artist (artiste), which has seen him lend his voice to a number of high profile brands; AND we get into politics, gravelly voices, and musical onanism.The Failing Writers Podcast is available here.Learn more about Tom's voiceover work here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Liam Higginson, writer 06.09.2026 1t 13min

  Writer LIAM HIGGINSON gives us the five tracks he will meet in Hell!We talk about Liam's debut novel, the excellent rural Welsh folk-horror The Hill in the Dark Grove. We hear about its origins as a lockdown project, how it was acquired in a four way auction, and what it has to say about the modern world. We also talk arcade games, the nightmare that is the UK immigration system, and Ireland's legendary Great White Horse.Get hold of a copy of The Hill in the Dark Grove here.You can watch footage of the vintage arcade game we talk about here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ariane Sherine Juniper, writer 30.08.2026 1t 14min

  Writer ARIANE SHERINE JUNIPER gives us the five tracks she will meet in Hell!As well as her Infernal Playlist, Ariane tells us about her many adventures, which include: nearly being in a massive pop band; winning then writing for a massive quiz show; getting hate mail for suggesting that existence of God is unlikely on the side of a bus; her teenage friendship with one of the biggest bands in the world; making her debut as a solo pop artist in her forties; and writing out labels for videotapes. And that's just the stuff we had enough space to keep in the edit. (Patreon listeners get a much longer episode - patreon.com/hellishpod)Ariane's debut solo album, Better, is available to buy here or you can stream it on Spotify and everywhere else.The Real Sinéad O'Connor, Ariane's biography of the singer, is available here.Ariane's novel, Sh*tcom, is available hereFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Henry Widdicombe, comedy producer & comics author 23.08.2026 1t 16min

  Top comedy producer - and now graphic novelist - HENRY WIDDICOMBE guides us through the five tracks he will meet in Hell!Henry told us all about his journey to setting up Little Wander, Wales's biggest comedy producer. We also spoke about Henry's Ringo-nominated comic book, How to Survive an Affair: A Practical Guide, which was inspired by Henry's discovery that his wife had been having an affair for fifteen years. We talked about using art as therapy, tidying up a rubbish dump for a living, and how bands get big long after they should have done.Order Henry's excellent comic, How to Survive an Affair: A Practical Guide, hereHenry's Records Retrieval Service radio show can be found hereAberystwyth Comedy Festival runs from October 2nd-4th 2026, check it out hereYou've missed the 2026 edition of Machynlleth Comedy Festival, but keep your eyes peeled here for 2027To check out all the things Henry's comedy company Little Wander do, go here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  RJ Barker, writer 16.08.2026 1t 15min

  Sunday Times bestselling author RJ BARKER magics up the five tracks he will meet in Hell!RJ tells us about his latest smash hit fantasy novel, Mortedant's Peril, and we discuss its unusual main character. Alex gets to chat about his love of David Gemmell, we listen to the greatest earworm in the history of the podcast, a popular thing that nerds like is simultaneously celebrated and given a kicking, AND Daniel issues a challenge to the pop star YUNGBLUD.We also get to hear about A Numbers Game, RJ's first crime novel which is being published this week under the name RJ Dark. Get that here.Check out Mortedant's Peril here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Anchoress, musician & producer 09.08.2026 1t 8min

  Catherine Anne Davies, aka THE ANCHORESS, produces the five tracks she will meet in Hell!Catherine tells us all about the new Anchoress album, As We Once Were, including how she made it with Pete Townshend's vintage synth collection, and the surprise audio rediscovery that inspired it. We also hear about music video mishaps, sibling rivalry, what Catherine would do if we made her cover a track off her infernal Playlist AND Catherine tests Alex's songfacts abilities live on air!The new album by the Anchoress, As We Once Were, is out now. You can get it everywhere, but the best places are either The Anchoress Bandcamp or direct from the label, Last Night from Glasgow.In the interview, Catherine talks about how she isn't touring the album this year. Your one chance to see her live is at London's 100 Club on August 28th. Tickets here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Gary Panton, writer 02.08.2026 1t 10min

  Writer GARY PANTON gives us the five tracks he will meet in Hell!Gary tells us all about his Laugh Out Loud award nominated children's book series, the Notwitches. We also get to hear about writing for Bluey, Hey Duggee, and the Beano; making the switch from writing for hire to creating your own characters; and Gary puts two tracks in Hell that could get him thrown out of Scotland.Vote for the Notwitches at the Lollies here: https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/lollies (it's on the 6-8 Shortlist. You can also vote for our former guest Catie Wilkins on the 9-12 shortlist!)FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Jodie McNee, actor 26.07.2026 1t 11min

  Actor Jodie McNee gives us the five tracks she will meet in Hell!We talked to Jodie about the first production of the Broadway musical Fun Home, in which she plays legendary cartoonist Alison Bechdel. We also discussed taking jobs that make you uncomfortable, how an actor knows when something is good or not, fake tan, and whether anyone wants any wine.This week we have decided to give you, the non-Patreon listeners, the gift of the Patreon content this week. We only do this once a season, and Jodie has some pretty interesting things to say, so we thought we'd let EVERYONE hear them. If you want this sort of extended amusement and wisdom every week then please consider subscribing to the Patreon, or you can still do us a huge favour by tipping us at www.ko-fi.com/hellishpodFun Home is currently on at the Royal Exchange, Manchester (if you are reading this in the week the episode goes out). These performances are left:Tue 28th 18:00Wed 29th 14:30 & 19:30Thu 30th 19:30Fri 31st 19:30Sat 1st August 14:30 & 19:30Get your tickets hereFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Rachel Fairburn, comedian 19.07.2026 1t 10min

  Comedian RACHEL FAIRBURN gives us the five tracks she will meet in Hell!We are back after four weeks away, and who better to drag you all back to Hell than top comedian Rachel Fairburn? Rachel tells us about her new show, Vexy Beasts, and making the switch between character comedy and stand up. We also talk about working in a library, how Rachel's hit serial killer podcast, All Killa No Filla, increased her confidence as a comedian, and discuss whether Liam Gallagher ever calls his mum after a gig.Rachel is about to appear at the Edinburgh Festival. She's at the Monkey Barrel from August 6th - 30th, tickets for that are here.Then, in October and November, she takes Vexy Beasts on a tour of Great Britain. Dates and tickets can be found here.Watch Rachel in action for free! Rachel's show, Showgirl, is on YouTubeRachel's short story podcast, Harpurvale, is available here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Hellish presents ... MAKING TROUBLE WITH MOLLY NAYLOR 12.07.2026 1t 11min

  Hellish has been taking a break for the last few weeks, but as we didn't want you to be without something to listen to we called in some of our top podcast pals to help us out. We've been running a mini series we're calling 'HELLISH PRESENTS ...' Each week we've introduced you to a podcast we love: there's a short intro from Daniel, and then a whole episode of the show of the week.This week is our final 'Hellish presents ...' and we're presenting MAKING TROUBLE WITH MOLLY NAYLOR. Molly was our guest on episode 56 in September 2025, and she's very kindly loaned us her episode with podmaster ADAM BUXTON. If you're not already a troublemaker, this will make you into one. You're gonna love it.Listen and subscribe to MAKING TROUBLE WITH MOLLY NAYLOR here.Hellish is back next week with episode 72!FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Hellish presents ... THE WELSH MUSIC PODCAST 05.07.2026 1t 1min

  Hellish is taking a break for the next few weeks, but as we didn't want you to be without something to listen to we've called in some of our top podcast pals to help us out.We're running a mini series we're calling 'HELLISH PRESENTS ...' Each week we're going to be introducing you to a podcast we love: there will be a short intro, and then we'll let you enjoy a whole episode of the show of the week.This week we're bringing you THE WELSH MUSIC PODCAST. In this show, James Cuff and Neil Collins usually invite a guest to nominate an album by a Welsh artist for inclusion in the Welsh music Hall of Fame. HOWEVER .... in the episode they've given us for your listening pleasure, they present a documentary about the Super Furry Animals album Mwng, with contributions from members of the band!Listen to more of THE WELSH MUSIC PODCAST hereFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Hellish presents .... STARSHIP ALEXANDRIA 28.06.2026 55min

  Hellish is taking a break for the next few weeks, but as we didn't want you to be without something to listen to we've called in some of our top podcast pals to help us out.We're running a mini series we're calling 'HELLISH PRESENTS ...' Each week we're going to be introducing you to a podcast we love: there will be a short intro, and then we'll let you enjoy a whole episode of the show of the week.This week we're bringing you STARSHIP ALEXANDRIA. In this show, Emma Newman and Adrian Tchaikovsky take it in turns to recommend a work of sci-fi or fantasy to each other, all from the comfort of the titular spacecraft. There are complex narrative reasons, Emma and Adrian will explain when you hear the show! The peiosde you're about to hear features a discussion on 1980 sci-fi spectacular Battle Beyond the Stars.Listen to more STARSHIP ALEXANDRIA hereFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Hellish presents ... SONGS FROM A PADDED ENVELOPE 21.06.2026 1t 23min

  Hellish is taking a break for the next few weeks, but as we didn't want you to be without something to listen to we've called in some of our top podcast pals to help us out.We're running a mini series we're calling 'HELLISH PRESENTS ...' Each week we're going to be introducing you to a podcast we love: there will be a short intro, and then we'll let you enjoy a whole episode of the show of the week.This week we're bringing you SONGS FROM A PADDED ENVELOPE. In this show, Ben Clay and Steve Swindon talk to their guests about their old demo tapes. They've had loads of awesome guests, including Stuart Braithwaite, Mike Peters, and James Acaster. The episode you're about to hear, however, has two guests you will all be very familiar with: us.Listen to more SONGS FROM A PADDED ENVELOPE hereFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  John Osborne, writer & storyteller 14.06.2026 1t 19min

  Writer and storyteller JOHN OSBORNE gives us the five tracks he will meet in Hell!Music is a massive part of John's work as a writer and performer: his career kicked off with a Edinburgh show called John Peel's Shed, and he's also written and performed work called The New Blur Album, and My Car Plays Tapes. As well as getting him to select his Infernal Playlist, we talked about the eighties cartoon that has no lore, working with Craig Cash (Early Doors/The Royle Family), 'Three Lions' and why it shows the UK is unfair (again), and the nature of truth when creating something that is presented as autobiography. John also relentlessly tries to make everything into a positive, and Alex and Daniel do their best to foil him. This is Hell, after all.John's Bandcamp, where you can listen to many of his shows, is hereJohn's new poetry anthology Sandy Arse is out now. John says: "it's the first publication from a brand new (tiny) publishing company I have set up with Katie Cooper called Paper Boat ... [it's] a collection of seaside poetry. It has poems from some of our favourite poets, including Salena Godden, Inua Ellams, Luke Kennard, Ella Frears, Joe Dunthorne, Luke Wright, Henry Normal, Phill Jupitus, Martha Sprackland and Anna Jordan." FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Daisy Buchanan, writer 07.06.2026 1t 4min

  Writer DAISY BUCHANAN gives us the five tracks she will meet in Hell!Daisy tells us all about her new novel, All Grown Up, which is a modern British reimagining of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. We also talk about tribute bands, indie sleaze, what all the cool kids at the Tory Party Conference listen to, and the ahem suggestive number one record that was bouncing round her head when she had to talk about Salman Rushdie on television.All Grown Up came out on June 4th. Get it here.The bookshop Daisy talks about is Simply Books https://www.simplybooks.co.ukFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  James Errington (Centuries of Sound), sound artist 31.05.2026 1t 8min

  Sound artist, and creator of Centuries of Sound, JAMES ERRINGTON gives us the five tracks he will meet in Hell!James tells us all about his fascinating Centuries of Sound project, in which he has been producing an audio collage for every year of recorded sound, which goes back a lot further than you'd think and involves a pig, some ink, and a misguided Frenchman. We also get to hear about the passport mishap that saw him move to the Czech Republic, his love of Pulp, and something called a bug complaint counter.You will find Centuries of Sound here.You can read James's blog on Pulp here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Rose Ruane, writer 24.05.2026 1t 7min

  Writer and artist ROSE RUANE gives us the five tracks she will meet in Hell!Rose talks about moving between art and writing; her love of Manic Street Preachers; the time she walked out of a job AND she names one song in particular a "C*nts' Charter", so that's worth the price of listening alone. (Listening is free. But why not support us on Patreon anyway?)Find Rose on Instagram and BlueSky Get her books This is Yesterday and Birding here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Catie Wilkins, comedian & author 17.05.2026 1t 2min

  Comedian and author CATIE WILKINS gives us the five tracks she will meet in Hell!Catie talks about settling scores in comedy and children's fiction; moving away from stand up and then coming back to it; being lampooned by Steve Martin; and she reveals very incorrect opinions about one of the five tracks she's chosen, according to Daniel anyway. Oh, and she talks about the time she got done for attempted murder too.Catie's website is here - Cafe Chaos book 2 is out now, and you can see Catie live in St Albans in June!FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pete Astor, musician 10.05.2026 1t 5min

  The Loft frontman PETE ASTOR gives us the five tracks he will meet in Hell!Pete told us all about The Loft's new album, Badges, as well as the forty year gap between the band releasing their second single and their first album. We talked about the band's very public end on stage in Hammersmith in 1985, their reunion, and - believe it or not - their favoured choice of travel tavern.Get Badges by the Loft hereThe Loft are on tour throughout May. Tickets here.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  REDEMPTION SONGS #1: Valerie Phillips 01.01.2026 56min

  Happy New Year!In this special New Year episode, Alex and Daniel are sent to purgatory to cover holidays. There, they must sit in judgement as a former damned soul offers up their REDEMPTION SONGS in an attempt to escape Hell!They are reunited with the photographer VALERIE PHILLIPS, who was the guest on episode 16 of Hellish (which you will find here). Valerie has three songs with which to convince the judge she is worthy of being let out of Hell...will she succeed?Valerie's new book is called CANDY CAT HEAD. You can read more about it in this article on Fashion Grunge. It's out now in Japan from Marginal Press, and will be coming to the rest of the world early this year!___________________________________________________________________________Hellish now has a bookshop - https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/hellish - where you can get books written by our guests, and a choice selection of Hell literature.Find us on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/hellishpodYou can find us/beg for absolution on social media...Instagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: www.instagram.com/hellish_podBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hellishpod.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@hellish_podFacebook: www.facebook.com/hellishpodcastTikTok: www.tiktok.com/hellishpodThe Hellish logo was drawn by Nick Roche https://nickrocheart.bigcartel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.