In 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 r...
Oct 21, 2019•44 min•Ep. 14
I 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 ...
Oct 07, 2019•34 min•Ep. 13
In 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 foo...
Sep 23, 2019•37 min•Ep. 12
I 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 ...
Sep 09, 2019•45 min•Ep. 11
The 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 b...
Aug 26, 2019•39 min•Ep. 10
Katie 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 ...
Aug 12, 2019•32 min•Ep. 9
In 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 comedi...
Jul 29, 2019•37 min•Ep. 8
We 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!
Jul 17, 2019•33 min•Ep. 7
In 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...
Jul 01, 2019•39 min•Ep. 6
In 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 n...
Jun 17, 2019•42 min•Ep. 5
In 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 w...
Jun 03, 2019•37 min•Ep. 4
Sinta 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...
May 20, 2019•36 min•Ep. 3
Episode 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...
May 06, 2019•36 min•Ep. 2
