We're aware that we say this almost every week, but this might be our most ridiculous episode yet. Join us on a wild ride from having the horn over stationery to Nick Hornby, and from radio to really awful bits of Changing Rooms. What can we say, we like to cover a lot of ground.Happily our guest this week has much the same mantra. A composer, writer, lyricist, musical director, sound designer and apparently now a tarot reader too, Kate Marlais is one of the most talented and annoyingly, downright hilarious humans we've ever had the pleasure of chatting to. PSA: Don't listen to this chat while running in cemeteries/drinking coffee. It will not go well for you. You have been warned. As always we'd love it if you'd subscribe (we're here every week baby), tell your friends, and most especially get in touch at the following:Instagram: @calmdowndearpodcastTwitter: @calmdowndearpodWebsite: calmdowndearpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] may have heard too that we're poor and as such have a Patreon which is quite frankly hilarious and, with all the fun bonus goodies you'll get, greatly worthwhile - no matter how much you're able to spend! It'll also mean that we have the time to be able to keep making these as while they're very fun, they're also a lot of work. Have a goosy-gander here: https://www.patreon.com/calmdowndearShownotesNTS Radio - Chloe Sevigny First Love - https://www.nts.live/shows/we-are-who-we-are/episodes/nts-x-we-are-who-we-are-firNick Hornby - High FidelityNick Hornby - Juliet, NakedKate Marlais - https://www.katemarlais.com/John Walter - Lockdown Tarot - http://johnwalter.net/lockdowntarot/ Changing Rooms Teapot Disaster - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opb8iaslEjE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Another week, another podcast... Or a few, based on Becky and Sarah's suggestions for this week. Once again it's been a bountiful week of viewing, listening, reading and fostering an astounding number of new obsessions, including but not limited to Dan Levy, pumpkin pasta and Emily In Paris. Our guest this week too is a jack of all trades, and annoyingly a master of them all too. Abbie McCarthy is an award winning presenter for BBC Radio 1, 4 Music, Match of the Day 2, and (along with our Sarah) a fellow BBC Music Introducing presenter, in her case for Kent, making her responsible for discovering the likes of Slaves and Sports Team. No biggie. She is the founder of the internationally renowned Good Karma Club nights, is an A&R rep for Insanity Records, and as we discover in this episode, really knows her sitcoms. Her journey to greatness has been one paved with hard work, determination and graft - if you've ever been interested in radio or broadcasting, this is most certainly the episode to download and take notes. As always we'd love it if you'd subscribe (we're here every week baby), tell your friends, and most especially get in touch at the following:Instagram: @calmdowndearpodcastTwitter: @calmdowndearpodWebsite: calmdowndearpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] may have heard too that we're poor and as such have a Patreon which is quite frankly hilarious and, with all the fun bonus goodies you'll get, greatly worthwhile - no matter how much you're able to spend! It'll also mean that we have the time to be able to keep making these as while they're very fun, they're also a lot of work. Have a goosy-gander here lovely friend: https://www.patreon.com/calmdowndear?fan_landing=true ShownotesEmily in Paris - https://www.netflix.com/browse?jbv=81037371Peaches by Peter Davison - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/154255/peachesAdam Buxton with Robbie Williams - https://open.spotify.com/episode/00NCCRmCv9lmrUYcMEpjZz?si=Y4ia2Mg8T4CUokQEDlua5A I Hate Suzie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnxWuZyNILQDan Levy 73 Questions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_UGLf9mUg8Dan Levy Hot Ones - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl84QblsNP8Good Karma Club - https://www.facebook.com/GoodKarmaClub1/BBC Music Introducing - https://www.bbc.co.uk/introducingGavin & Stacey - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b007nf70/gavin-staceyThe Office US - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B00EU7Z3CY/ref=atv_dp_season_select_s1Homes Under The Hammer - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006v5kb See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're back baby! After a long break (to read, watch, and in Sarah's case, actually break some tendons) Becky and Sarah return with a shedload of new loves, and a phenomenal first guest. She's Mercury Prize 2020 shortlisted, the former composer-in-residence with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, loves a board game and has an MBE... Anna Meredith may well be our perfect enthusiastic guest and as always, we're asking the big questions, finding out who has inspired her, what her secret sidelines are, and what her Mastermind specialist subject would be.Plus as per usual, Becky and Sarah's minds are in the gutter at every turn, Becky's been binging and Sarah's finally come to understand Reality TV... Heaven help us all. If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love to hear from you (not if you didn't, that would be mean). You can reach us at the following:Email: [email protected]: @calmdowndearpodcastTwitter: @calmdowndearpodWebsite: calmdowndearpodcast.comShow notes:Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour - Hounds of Love at 35, A Kate Bush Special - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000my63Selling Sunset - https://www.netflix.com/title/80223108Olive Kitteridge - https://www.elizabethstrout.com/books/olive-kitteridgeTess of the D'urbervilles - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dlpcjThree Women - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/27/three-women-lisa-taddeo-reviewUs - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p08qfb0y/us-series-1-episode-1Mercury prize - https://www.mercuryprize.com/news/the-2020-hyundai-mercury-prize-albums-of-the-yearLaura Marling and 12 Ensemble - https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e94rn38th Grade - https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/28/eighth-grade-coming-of-age-bo-burnham-review-mark-kermodeLiving With Yourself - https://www.netflix.com/title/80178724Paramour music video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjmZLaymJU8Killjoy music video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6WP4dXGOvgYogi - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/224271/yogiPandemic - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30549/pandemicArticulate - https://www.drumondpark.com/articulateGeoguessr - https://www.geoguessr.com/Exploding Kittens - https://explodingkittens.com/Camel Up - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/153938/camelShaun T - https://shauntfitness.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our final episode of the season (don't worry, we'll be back in a month!) Becky has a chat with the phenomenally enthusiastic children's author Michelle Robinson about everything from building a desk in Animal Crossing instead of in your own home to the joys of listening to something faintly horrifying while you're drifting off to sleep. We didn't get it either, but Michelle was very persuasive.Plus of course, Sarah and Becky have a natter about what they've been up to over the past week - spoiler, it's largely being mad at the heat - and debate whether humanity really is doomed. All in a day's work eh? As always, we'd love to hear what you think of the podcast, what's been getting you enthused recently, and who you'd like to hear in SEASON TWO of Calm Down Dear. You can find us at:Instagram: @calmdowndearpodcastTwitter: @calmdowndearpodWebsite: www.calmdowndearpodcast.comEmail: [email protected]:Do Humankind’s Best Days Lie Ahead? https://www.waterstones.com/book/do-humankinds-best-days-lie-ahead/steven-pinker/matt-ridley/9781786070760Adam Buxton and Malcolm Gladwell - https://open.spotify.com/episode/17vjlbbzcmhPL6C5XPWmj7?si=LEphEvwNRySSJA-9QbKRgQEssays in Love - Alain De Botton - https://www.alaindebotton.com/essays-in-love/Arvon Foundation - https://www.arvon.org/Mojo Moves - https://www.mojomoves.co.uk/#:~:text=Mojo%20Moves%20is%20a%20feel,t%20take%20your%20wellbeing%20seriously. Winchester Mystery House - https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In episode 11, Sarah has the joy of chatting to the beloved author of How I Live Now and The Great Godden (and enthusiastic polymath) Meg Rosoff, who it seems is outright gunning for her job. Cue madcap chat about monsters under the bed, ghosts, devious childhood plans and human oddities in one of our favourite chats yet (we know, we say that every time). Plus of course, Becky and Sarah have their weekly catch-up on what they've loved (Adam Buxton, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and Raymond Carver to name) and the less-loved (never finishing anything. Ever.).We love this episode, and hope you do too. And y'know, because we're needy, please like and subscribe if you're into it, and pop us a message at one of the following:Instagram: @calmdowndearpodcastTwitter: @calmdowndearpodWebsite: calmdowndearpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're on our tenth episode! Blimey that's flown. To celebrate, out big guest chat of the ep is with the award winning Australian-British conductor Jessica Cottis who has, among others, performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and the BBC Concert Orchestra, and has been described as “cool, contained, super-articulate and engaging” - given that the first three at least are the opposite of us, she seemed like the perfect guest.The early morning recording (read 11:30am) also sent us somewhat giddy, so expect our most consistently lewd recommendations chat yet, complete with inappropriate underwear and EE Cummings - don't worry though, we're not quite as randy as Bernadine Evaristo. If that's not ringing any bells, well you'll just have to listen to the show, won't you?Links:E. E. Cummings poem - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/fieldnotesandfootnotes.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/e-e-cummings-being-cheeky/amp/Bernardine Evaristo: ‘How often do I have sex? Eight times a day’ - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/25/bernardine-evaristo-how-often-have-sex-eight-times-a-dayAngie Wickenden ceramics - https://instagram.com/angiewickenden?igshid=7aawybicnsztSarah Cooper Twitter - https://twitter.com/sarahcpr?s=21Outlander - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/outlanderJurassic Park Updates - https://twitter.com/JurassicPark2go?s=21Will Hislop Twitter - https://twitter.com/WillDHislop?s=21Marie-Claire Alain - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/mar/04/marie-claire-alainStrauss: Der Rosenkavalier - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D7abQTy71I Vladimir Ashkenazy - http://www.vladimirashkenazy.com/ Sir Colin Davis - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/apr/14/sir-colin-davis-obituary Peacock butterflies - https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/peacock Vladimir Nabokov, Butterfly Illustrator - https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/vladimir-nabokov-butterfly-illustrator#:~:text=A%20drawing%20by%20Vladimir%20Nabokov,at%20the%20age%20of%20seven.&text=Petersburg%20for%20Crimea%2C%20where%20he,seven%20species%20of%20Crimean%20butterflies. Irkanda 1 by Peter Sculthorpe - https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/workversion/sculthorpe-peter-irkanda-i/2207 The Monstrous Child - https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-monstrous-child-by-timothy-sheader#:~:text=Background,her%20own%20darkly%20humorous%20novel. BBC Philharmonic Orchestra do David Bowie's 'Sound and Vision' -https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=otTiodsb-sUAs always, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch via email at [email protected], or by following us on Twitter and Facebook @calmdowndearpod, and Instagram @calmdowndearpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our ninth episode sees Sarah getting to chat again to one of her favourite interviewees ever - the award-winning and much beloved playwright, Winsome Pinnock. Often referred to as "the godmother of black British playwrights", she was the first black British female to have a play produced by the Royal National Theatre. You might have heard her recent play Rockets And Blue Lights as part of BBC Radio 3's Lockdown Theatre, but did you know that it all started with a childhood slapstick double act prancing around in school? Nope, us neither. Definitely one of our most inspiring guests to date, we discuss in depth the nuances in conversation on black identity and British identity, and the obvious overlap therein, and of course Becky and Sarah catch up on their week's antics with an unsurprising focus on the outrageously extraordinary I May Destroy You. Oh and they play "Guess What's In The Bin Bag". Because what else would they be doing. Links:James Fenton - I’m In Paris With You - https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-paris-with-you/Philip Larkin - This Be The Verse - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48419/this-be-the-verseAdrian Mitchell - This Be The Worst - https://learn1.open.ac.uk/mod/oublog/viewpost.php?post=75755I May Destroy You - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000jyxy/i-may-destroy-youMichaela Coel - The James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odusP8gmqsgRockets and Blue Lights - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k1kjRockets and Blue Lights review - https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/jun/13/rockets-and-blue-lights-review-bbcPeer Gynt - https://www.britannica.com/topic/Peer-Gynt-play-by-IbsenJMW Turner - Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On) - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/31102The Mimic Men essay - https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/128519/10/07_chapter%203.pdfBliss by Katherine Mansfield - http://www.katherinemansfieldsociety.org/assets/KM-Stories/BLISS1918.pdfAs always, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch via email at [email protected], or by following us on Twitter and Facebook @calmdowndearpod, and Instagram @calmdowndearpodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our very first co-interview, we're barely holding in the squeals as we chat to Luna Lovegood herself, the actor, activist and all round brilliant woman, Evanna Lynch.The result is maybe our most broad-reaching chat yet - from Nabokov to Circus school, from highs of the Harry Potter filming experiences to the nerves hiding beneath, and from vegan activism to why Marianne and Connell really just need to cool it, Evanna was an incredibly generous (and appropriately enthusiastic) guest. Oh, and Sarah does a worryingly accurate impression of a cat, and Becky reveals, far later than expected, her undying adoration of Stanley Tucci.(This interview with Evanna was recorded in May).Come join the gang on Twitter and Facebook @CalmDownDearPod, and Instagram @calmdowndearpodcast.If there's someone you'd love to hear on the podcast or just fancy getting in touch, drop us an email at [email protected]. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Links: Wild bison to return to UK for first time in 6,000 years: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/10/wild-bison-to-return-to-uk-kentBig Night: https://www.netflix.com/title/305300Stanley Tucci cookbook: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Tucci-Cookbook/Stanley-Tucci/9781451661255Love Stories Stanley Tucci: https://play.acast.com/s/lovestories/love-stories-with-stanley-tucciWarning: When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/warning/Pandora Sykes: How do we know we’re doing it right: https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-do-we-know-were-doing-it-right/pandora-sykes/9781786332073Very important cat meowing video: https://www.tiktok.com/@fabiancreates/video/6848680897269583110?source=h5_mBricks Magazine: Black culture in fashion: A brief history of trends that originated from black communities: https://bricksmagazine.co.uk/2020/06/29/black-culture-in-fashion-a-brief-history-of-trends-that-originated-from-black-communities/Bodyform #WombStories: https://www.bodyform.co.uk/our-world/why-our-wombstories-need-to-be-heard/Transgender resources:https://www.gires.org.uk/https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/https://www.stonewall.org.uk/Harry Potter at home: https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp?si=r9xTDyXlTbWZanjZM26tPQ Lolita: https://www.waterstones.com/book/lolita/vladimir-nabokov/john-ray/9780141182537The Chickpeeps podcast: https://www.thechickpeeps.com/The Sexual Politics of Meat: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/the-sexual-politics-of-meat-9780826411846/Charlotte’s Web: https://www.waterstones.com/book/charlottes-web/e-b-white/garth-williams/9780141354828Grilled: Turning Adversaries Into Allies to Change the Chicken Industry: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/grilled-9781472962584/Kinder Beauty Box: https://kinderbeauty.com/Obsessed with Normal People: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08bm103/episodes/player See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In episode 7, Becky has a natter with artist, stylist and print-maker extraordinaire Sophie Molyneux of Lucy & Yak to chat all things from Mastermind specialist subject Gilmore Girls through to the perils of improv, and those much maligned teenage showcases.Amid the creative tips and joyful tidbits (much on keeping foliage alive - what a win) Becky and Sarah have a catch up on the week past involving much exhaustion, many enervating articles and TV shows (or realistically, deer-in-grocery-store videos) and an insight into next week's extraordinarily exciting guest... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Episode 6 Becky and Sarah are joined by multi-award winning, bestselling author, Kiran Millwood-Hargrave. Amid serious author chat about plot construction and research on the witch trials which drove her brilliant novel The Mercies, Kiran chats with Sarah about Mastermind specialist subjects ranging from the gothic fiction of Shirley Jackson through to the feline language of her loveable cat Luna, and unexpectedly, much more besides.Plus of course there's the weekly ramble from Becky and Sarah, full of poems, podcast recommendations and prose, and a good deal of shouting at patronising men.If you'd like to get in touch with any recommendations or comments, we'd love to hear from you! You can reach us by email at [email protected], or on Twitter and Facebook @CalmDownDearPod, and on Instagram @CalmDownDearPodcast.Links: WatchingI May Destroy You - BBC iPlayer - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000jyxy/i-may-destroy-youVanderpump Rules - https://www.bravotv.com/vanderpump-rulesEnrique Iglesias - Hero (yes, really) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koJlIGDImiUReadingThe Mercies - Kiran Millwood-Hargrave - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Kiran-Millwood-Hargrave/The-Mercies/24070825Staying Alive: Real Poems For Unreal Times/Being Alive/Staying Human - ed. Neil Astley - https://www.hive.co.uk/Search/Keyword?keyword=neil%20astley&productType=0(Becky reads For Desire by Kim Addonizio) How To Be Both - Ali Smith - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Ali-Smith/How-to-be-Both/14131231Autumn/Winter/Spring/Summer - Ali Smith - https://www.hive.co.uk/Search/Keyword?keyword=Ali%20Smith&productType=0The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Shirley-Jackson/The-Haunting-of-Hill-House/359483Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life - Ruth Franklin - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Ruth-Franklin/Shirley-Jackson-A-Rather-Haunted-Life/20924146Listening Call In The Crash Team - LYR - https://store.universalmusic.com/mercurykx/*/*/Call-In-The-Crash-Team-Exclusive-Signed-Vinyl-Lyric-Book/6DWJ0000000How To Proceed with Linn Ullman - Ali Smith episode - https://podtail.com/en/podcast/how-to-proceed/We Will Get Past This with Sandi Toksvig - https://play.acast.com/s/we-will-get-past-this See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.