AarBalls

Episodet

• 
  End Of Year Review 03.01.2025 28min

  To mark the 50th episode of Aarballs, we look back on our first year of great guests. There's also the countdown of the Top 10 Most Downloaded Episodes!The moment almost nobody has been waiting for!Thanks to all the kind folk who agreed to be our guests over this year and thank you also to everyone who has given us a listen. Happy New Year!contact: aarballs2023@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The Racing Driver 20.12.2024 39min

  Jason Pribyl is a Chicago-based racing driver currently competing in the UK’s Formula Ford category. At only 19 years of age Jason has over a decade of racing experience. At age 7 he won his first ever kart race, and since then, has gone on to win countless championships in both karts and cars. We talk about those early go-kart beginnings, the importance of Cars the movie, and the similarities and differences between racing and tracks in the US and the rest of the world. We also chat about his journey to the top and his ambitions for the future.https://jasonpribylautosports.com/aarballs2023@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aarballs/http://www.youtube.com/@Aarballshttps://open.spotify.com/show/7tUlryttCVAetrw6uB15qohttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/aarballs/id1742336735 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The Fishmonger 06.12.2024 37min

  Mike Warner is a Suffolk fisherman, fishmonger, food writer, and chairman of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain He talks to us about the decline of a once thriving fishing industry, its causes and possible solutions. We hear of fisherman's tales, the history of herring, and some delicious seafood recipes. You can find Mike's film Silver Darlings at https://www.apassionforseafood.com/moviesaarballs2023@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.
• 
  The Jailer 29.11.2024 35min

  This week we talk to Carter who has recently started working on a small county jail in Oklahoma. We hear all about what life inside an American jail is like, how he was thrown in the deep end in terms of training, and the important things he’s learnt already on the job. A lovely guy and a fascinating chat!Please send your ideas and recommendations for guests to aarballs2023@gmail.com. You can also support by following at https://www.instagram.com/aarballs/ Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The Ukrainian Drone Pilot 22.11.2024 42min

  An extraordinary episode this week in which we hear from “Lito”, a Ukrainian drone pilot on the front line in the war fighting the Russian invasion. We hear his extraordinary personal story of joining up, of daily life in the front line, and how all those years playing video games turned out not to be a waste of time after all. He also gives fascinating insights into Ukraine’s long-term plight, his frustration at the lack of tangible Western support, and the consequences should the West continue to fail to stem Putin’s murderous war of aggression.   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.
• 
  The Climate Change Warrior 15.11.2024 40min

  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.
• 
  The Croupier 08.11.2024 33min

  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.
• 
  The Makeup Artist 01.11.2024 37min

  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.
• 
  The Theatrical Composer 25.10.2024 38min

  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.
• 
  The Conservationist 18.10.2024 37min

  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.
• 
  The Whisky Guru 11.10.2024 32min

  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.
• 
  The Genealogist 04.10.2024 43min

  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.
• 
  The Miniaturist 27.09.2024 33min

  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.
• 
  The Radio Presenter 20.09.2024 38min

  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.
• 
  The Conservative MP 13.09.2024 36min

  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.
• 
  The Anti-Poaching Ranger 06.09.2024 39min

  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.
• 
  The Wedding Florist 19.07.2024 47min

  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.
• 
  The Priest 05.07.2024 49min

  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 Stoat Detection Dog Handler 28.06.2024 50min

  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.
• 
  The Expedition Leader 21.06.2024 51min

  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.