A 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.
Jimmy 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: ...
Canadian 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 he...
In 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 Plac...
In 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 com...
Alex 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.
I 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/...
This 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...
Another 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...
It'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 Inst...
In 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 perform...
Chris 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 r...
Becky 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 th...
Pope 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, (recove...
Paul 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: @pauleccentri...
Njambi 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 gruesomenes...
This 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 acros...
Louise 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??)
Pamela 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...
This 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 sphere...
It'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 thin...
Bilal 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 whatev...
Rahnak 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!
Chris 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...
LIVE 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...
In 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 Secre...
In 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 last word on the 2...
In 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 in...
We 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.
I 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...
