Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about unrequited love. Today's episode features wonderful stand-up dynamo Jordan Gray - she's @talldarkfriend on Instagram and her sitcom Transaction starts on ITV2 the 24th June 2025. This was a really funny, fun episode and I apologise for getting emotional at the end. I was about to apologise for asking for money too but I WON'T. I'll just say thanks for listening. What I will also do is say these are some amazing chari...
Jun 20, 2025•58 min
Here's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about their unrequited love history. Today's episode features hilarious comedian and podcaster Lou Conran. She is ON TOUR in the UK in September so check out her dates at louconran.com. This was a jaw-droppingly funny episode with many unexpected, utterly filthy twists. Do check out her raucous podcast with Sally-Anne Hayward https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/spit-or-swallow-podcast/id1548269935 Thanks for downl...
Jun 06, 2025•58 min
Congratulations! You have just won a new episode of Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. We didn't win a Golden Lobe - but we did get highly commended which is coincidentally the best I ever did in a ballet exam too. Today's episode features iconic ball of charisma that is comic, writer and actor STEVIE MARTIN. Some gems revealed in this episode - it's puppet heavy but has real life gorgeous stories too. See her on tour later in 2025 - for all the dates and info ...
May 23, 2025•57 min
This is Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about unrequited love. SO excited to tell you that this episode features all round comedy legend KATHERINE RYAN. Big reco for her all round, especially her podcast Telling Everyone Everything - she's also currently on tour in the UK and Ireland until the end of June 2025. If you've seen the clips of her solving audience problems you'll know how brilliant and hilarious she is. Thanks for downloading and supporting u...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Good morning (it's always morning when there's a new podcast episode). Here's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about unrequited love. Today's episode features awesome and delightful stand-up writer-performer-podcaster-dancer SUZI RUFFELL. Suzi is the perfect guest for Crushed - naturally funny and articulate and thoughtful while happy to be vulnerable. As a fellow anxiety-ridden human, I can't wait to read her book Am I Having Fun Now. https://uk.bookshop...
Apr 25, 2025•50 min
Hello here's the FIVE STAR Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about unrequited love. Today's episode features hilarious Welsh writer-performer, podcaster and bloody bombshell ESYLLT SEARS - she's @esyllt.mair on Instagram. This was a super funny, chat and you're all going to fall in love with her. Do seek out her podcast with the brilliant Gareth Gwynn: I'm So Not Over It podfollow.com/1587195141 We've both been nominated for cheerfulearful.co.uk's Golden L...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Yes! It's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. This episode features brilliant stand-up starlet Stephen Bailey telling stories of intense classroom crushes, shoe shop flirting and misguided international dating adventures. Stephen is on a UK tour in the autumn - best to go to his insta, he's @stephencomedy, a lot of the dates are already sold out so hotfoot it (Love that phrase, not sure I've ever used it before). Thanks for downloading and supporting me and my g...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. This SPECIAL THIRD ANNIVERSARY episode features my inimitable sisters, Carol Cabourn-Smith and Beth Sines (nee Cabourn-Smith). Not to be too sentimental but the truth is they are incredibly important to me and I think this episode illustrates our closeness. It's funny talking to people I know so well, neither of whom do any performing but are naturally honest and hugely entertaining. I hope it all makes sense! It's ...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Ooh look it's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. Today's episode features glorious Chasers Vixen JENNY RYAN. She knows everything (except how to keep numbers in her head). You can catch her with Crushed alum Lucy Porter on her Fingers On Buzzers podcast. Jenny has excellent taste in crushes and is stealth seducing Michael Sheen from a distance if you want tips. Thanks for downloading and supporting us. Been thinking a lot about fans and fandom and I just want t...
Feb 28, 2025•58 min
Look! It's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. Today's episode features friend of the show, incredible writer and broadcaster Julia Raeside. Julia has come back to the podcast to talk about her brilliant new novel Don't Make Me Laugh (working title Sausage Factory). We discuss the science and horrors of fancying funny people, as we're both suckers for it. They're not all terrible. Is our conclusion. But also: BE CAREFUL. Thanks for downloading and supporting the...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. Today's episode features wonderful actor, writer and reformed stand-up GEMMA WHELAN. Gemma is a top tier guest - as she says, she over-talks. My kind of human. Absolutely eye-watering tales of penis-worrying on Game of Thrones, and fawning over Kevin McCloud on The One Show, as well as the sweetness of sending overly intense texts to the man she ended up marrying. Look out for her forthcoming film The Last Disturban...
Jan 31, 2025•56 min
You've found Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. Brrrr, cold innit. I'm ashamed to say I'm wearing a heated gilet. Height of glamour. Today's episode features glorious comic, writer and ABSURDIST (get it right) sensation JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS. You can hear us mucking about on his excellent and hilarious podcast Soundheap (available wherever blah blah blah). Loved this chat - did you know if you have a crush on someone you have to write their name in a heart? It's li...
Jan 17, 2025•54 min
Happy New Year, Crushed-Os! My first guest for 2025 is the wonderful writer, comedian (and former awkward teenager) GRÁINNE MAGUIRE. We discussed loving strongly (but not wisely), how men who wear glasses are definitely more intelligent and sensitive than those who don't, and how everyone loves a bit of will-they-won't-they. As always, we're over on Substack for all your additional MCS needs. And please do tell your friends. And like. And subscribe. Every click of validation is a lovely little l...
Jan 03, 2025•49 min
This week I'm honoured to be joined by the multitalented powerhouse that is Caroline O'Donoghue! Host of wonder-podcast Sentimental Garbage and author of The Rachel Incident and Promising Young Women, I loved chatting all things crush with her, and look out for the bit that our recording platform's autogenerated programme notes referred to as 'using Wayne's World as a model for healthy relationship dynamics'. As ever, I'm over on Substack if you'd like to come and pay me a visit over there - htt...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Another superfun LIVE episode this week, recorded at the Cheerful Earful podcast festival with actual comedy legend KERRY GODLIMAN, who chats - amongst other things - about her time trailing boys from buses… As always, if you want to find out more, we are over at crushedbymcs.substack.com – you can join as a member for an ad-free version of the show if that’s your bag, or, just come and hang out for bonus content and vibes. Edited by Laura Grimshaw. A Mighty Bunny Production. Learn more about yo...
Dec 06, 2024•54 min
Another lovely episode this week with writer, actor (and former Nuala - if this means nothing to you, look it up) TARA FLYNN! Tara is an all round brilliant egg, and I love her very much. Also, the latest live episode of HER new podcast, 'Now You're Asking' (which she presents alongside Marian Keyes) has just dropped, and it's fab. So when you're done here you can pop across and listen to that. But please come back in a fortnight. I need you. I'd miss you. Thanks so much for listening, and if yo...
Nov 22, 2024•56 min
Brilliant comedian and writer Holly Walsh (you'll have seen her on QI, or heard her on Just a Minute, or watched Motherland, which she co-writes) joins me to talk about crushes and unrequited love. As you know, I love talking about crushes. Can't stop me. But what I love about this conversation is how hard Holly finds it to talk about, even years on. I think we can all relate to that. Also, good coverage of Gladiators in this episode, for all you sports fans. If you're not on Substack already, m...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 68
I am OBSESSED with Rivals, which is just the perfect mix of camp nostalgia and (occasionally inappropriate) 80s style romance. David Tennant as a ludicrous villain? Sure, why not. And Danny Dyer in a moustache? Win. Win. Win. So, I'm delighted that Katherine Parkinson is my guest today, as she's playing one of my favourite characters in the show. She's so funny, and relatable, and bonkers - and of course so is Katherine. We talk about all sorts in this episode - from the fan letter, of which we ...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 3 min
This week my guest is the amazing ALICE LOWE! Alice is an incredible comic actor who you'll know from her films Prevenge and Sightseers, as well as tons of other comedy including Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. We chatted in advance of her new film TIMESTALKER (out in all good cinemas NOW) and covered all manner of crushes from Peter Pan, to Jareth the Goblin King. I absolutely loved chatting to her and sort of wish we'd done it after I'd seen the film (I have, it's great) as there are so many Crush...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Hurrah! The hiatus is over. Welcome back friends and fellow crushers. Crushed is back with the live episode recorded at the London Podcast Festival just a couple of weeks ago. If you were there, you might hear yourself chuckling. My guest is of course the inimitable (and yes, I have tried) Miles Jupp! Former News Quiz host, erstwhile portrayer of Archie the Inventor in Balamory (in a very dashing Tam O'Shanter, honestly, google it), and the lucky, lucky man who got to be in Hugh Laurie's "Why Di...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr
It's the last hiatus episode! In case you missed the memo, we are taking a short break from uploading new episodes over the summer. I'm away, you're away... seems like a good time for it. But the podcast will be back with a bang on the 26th of September with new guests for your ears. In the meantime, I wanted to dip into the back catalogue and share an episode that you might not have heard if you only joined us recently. This one is the lovely Jess Fostekew of Sturdy Girl Club on Radio 4, and th...
Sep 12, 2024•46 min
Come and join me and guests Miles Jupp and Kerry Godliman for two live Crusheds in London over the next couple of months. Handy links here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/crushed-by-margaret-cabourn-smith-2/ https://cheerfulearful.podlifeevents.com/festival/crushed-by-margaret-cabourn-smith-live-from-cheerful-earful-podcast-festival-19th-oct-tickets See you there? MCS xx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 06, 2024•3 min
The hiatus continues... In case you missed the memo, we are taking a short break from uploading new episodes over the summer. I'm away, you're away... seems like a good time for it. But the podcast will be back with a bang on the 26th of September with new guests for your ears. In the meantime, I wanted to dip into the back catalogue and share an episode that you might not have heard if you only joined us recently. This one is the lovely Chris Neill, and it's one of my absolute favourites. I thi...
Aug 29, 2024•57 min
Welcome to the hiatus! We are taking a short break from uploading new episodes over the summer, and we've had a lovely scattering of new subscribers, so it feels like a good time to dip into the back catalogue to share a couple of favourites that you might not have heard if you've joined us recently. First up, it's the first EVER episode, with one of my absolute favourite people, Dolly Alderton. I have known Dolly since she was 16, so have really been there for the full range of crush madness. A...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
It's the last episode before the hiatus! In this episode, I'm talking to American comedian Chloe Radcliffe about her experiences with unrequited love. In many ways my favourite kind of love. We talk about her first crush, and the power of being looked at with adoration. Interestingly, Chloe is not a fan of the celebrity crush, and we had a really interesting discussion about how we differ there. I loved talking to her - hope you'll enjoy it too. She's currently in the UK at the Edinburgh Fringe ...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Hello! My guest this week is writer, comedian, actor and all round marvel Katy Brand. Katy is a true crusher, so I know you're going to love the conversation. Apologies in advance though - the sound is a little rougher than the producer likes to let past, but the chat is so good, I thought it was worth it. We talk about so many things - from saving yourself for Jesus, to long lasting devotion to Dirty Dancing, with far, far too many uses of the phrase "god shaped hole". I apologise in advance fo...
Jul 19, 2024•54 min•Ep. 63
This week my guest is the incredible comedian/impressionist/actor/writer JESS ROBINSON. This recording was so much fun - I love her. We cover a lot of important ground in the episode, including the hot button topic of developing a massive crush on someone while you're in a panto together and what to do if you fall in love with a fictional detective. And some DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES: We will be doing a show in September at the London Podcast Festival (tbc) and on the 19th October (8.30p.m) at the ...
Jul 05, 2024•52 min
We cover some absolute classic crushes in this episode. Not just the horror that is the made up boyfriend (we've all done it, right? Just me?) but the strange allure of a good, albeit dead and murderous, vampire. I think that one is more widespread than people let on. And I know that one definitely isn't just me, as today's guest Beth Morrey shares it. Aside - completely blown away to discover that the actor who played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (aka James Marsters) isn't actually British...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Another episode from Machynlleth and A SECOND MAN ON THE TROT as I talk to the lovely Jonny Donahoe (Jonny and the Baptists) about unresolved friend-crushes and abandoning your team (or not). Plus you get the immersive audio experience of a Sunday morning in central Machynlleth - church bells, the lot. If you want to get in touch - email us: crushedbymcs@gmail.com. Or for exclusive access to ad-free episodes, come and visit our home from home at crushedbymcs.substack.com. Or leave a review if yo...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min
We're Live from MachFest this week with comedian, writer, illustrator and Bean: Henry Paker! (Three Bean Salad, Kay's Anatomy) Henry tells me all about his psychosexual awakening, matrons with sturdy calves (quite a lot about sturdy calves, actually) and a publican's response to his first snog in a booth in a pub near the National Gallery. It's a brilliant fun episode with a fab audience and I hope you love it. Love and thanks - as always - for your continued and valued support. MCS xxx Learn mo...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min
