BEST OF LONDON – Details, episodes & analysis

JACK BERNHARDT reveals new DISNEY show; The best Taskmaster series, contestant & tasks; Writing The Taskmaster Compendium with Alex Horne & Working with JENNY ECLAIR & LOU SANDERS.

My guest's written for The Guardian and series like Horrible Histories and The News Quiz. 

He’s recently been writing for a Disney production that’s coming out next year and he gives us an exclusive on that.

He wrote The Taskmaster Compendium with my previous guest Alex Horne and he’s presented Taskmaster The People’s Podcast since it’s inception with Lou Sanders and then Jenny Eclair.

He tells us what it was like writing the book with Alex, I press him on the good points and bad points of working with Jenny and Lou and he reveals which Taskmaster series is best and his favourite contestant. He grew up in London so he also has so many amazing recommendations and lifehacks.

Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

E-mail:⁠ben@lifemac.com⁠ I read and reply to all your e-mails.

For the Alex Horne video episode of Best of London please watch on YouTube or Spotify here:

https://www.youtube.com/@benpodz

and

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3a4djMtTnaJ2GSusHxNYFW

For more Jack Bernhardt visit:

⁠https://jackbern23.medium.com/ ⁠

⁠https://bsky.app/profile/jackbern.bsky.social⁠

You can get his EXCELLENT book The Taskmaster Compendium here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Absolute-Casserole-Taskmaster-Compendium/dp/B0DDY2TCXQ/

or

https://www.waterstones.com/book/an-absolute-casserole/alex-horne/jack-bernhardt/9781529441529

Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.

Intro and Outro music by Ben Holland

Best of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.

Ben's instagram is ⁠https://www.instagram.com/benpodz/⁠ 

Ben's TikTok is⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@benpodz⁠

Ben’s X is⁠ https://x.com/benpodz⁠

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by my good friend Bobby Magill of recolodesign.com. E-mail bob@recolodesign.com

Chapters and transcript are created by Spotify and may contain inaccuracies these also take 24 hours show up. If you're listening to it in the first 24 hours thank you and why not guess what the first chapter will be called!? Also I think Spotify need to get their AI to work harder so you don't have to wait around for so long for these!

Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including apple podcasts, amazon music, audible, instagram, twitter/x and Facebook, please click here :⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

My guest's a bestselling author, millions watch his videos he was recommended by our former guest the academic and historian Elizabeth Ingleson when she was on Best of London. In 2023 he published his first book called London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers, which was a Sunday Times Bestseller.

Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE TO  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠ 

[00:00] Ready to Uncover London's Secret Spots? 🤫 This episode takes you on a journey to discover the hidden gems of the city, starting with Jack Chesher's favourite locations.

[00:12] Beyond the Tourist Trail: What Makes London Unique? 🗺️ Hear how Jack Chesher suggests moving beyond the well known landmarks to find the true heart of London.

[00:30] Can You Get Lost in London? 🌳 Find out how Jack Chesher manages to escape busy London life without going too far away.

[01:02] Hampstead Heath: How Was it Saved From Development? 🏛️ Discover the fascinating history behind Hampstead Heath, and how it became a space for public well-being, according to Jack Chesher. The City of London Corporation now runs Hampstead Heath.

[01:30] What Can Bird and Plant Apps Reveal About London? 📱 Jack Chesher explains how they use apps to identify birdsong and plants to enhance their walks in nature. He uses Erlin Bird ID for birdsong and Seek for plants.

[02:17] What birdsong do you hear in London? 🐦 Learn about the common birdsongs and the distinct sounds of parakeets, as explained by Jack Chesher.

[02:44] Are London's Noisy Parakeets Hiding a Secret? 🦜 Jack Chesher notes the common sounds of blackbirds, robins, and wrens, as well as the parakeets' screech.

[03:15] Shhh! What Are London's Best Quiet Corners? 🤫 Discover the best places to go to find a little peace and quiet away from the bustle of central London, as revealed by Jack Chesher.

[03:50] The City of London: Why Is It So Quiet at the Weekends? 🌃 Explore the City of London and its transformation into a peaceful place on weekends, according to Jack Chesher. The area between the Tower of London and St. Paul's is quiet at the weekends.

[04:29] Roman Ruins in London? Where Can You Find Them? 🪦 Jack Chesher reveals the location of the Roman amphitheater remains in the City of London and the Guildhall Art Gallery.

[04:48] Hidden Gardens and Pocket Parks: Are You Missing Out? 🌿 Jack Chesher explains how they love to wander around the pocket parks and hidden gardens in the City of London, and how each one has its own fascinating history.

[05:13] Can You Discover London's Forgotten History? 📜 Learn how to discover more about London's history and hidden gems, to make your everyday journeys more interesting, as suggested by Jack Chesher.

[05:38] What is the Ultimate Life Hack for London Lovers? 🔑 Jack Chesher explains how learning about London’s history makes the city more interesting, and helps you build your own stories as you explore.

[06:15] How Can London's History Change Your Everyday Life? 💖 Learn how to make your daily commute or weekend walks more engaging by knowing more about London's history, thanks to advice from Jack Chesher.

[06:48] Ready for More? What's Next on Best of London? 🎧 Find out how to access the full episode, and what to expect next time.

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links to us on ALL the platforms and social media please simply click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

Welcome back to Season 3 of Best of London, I’ve missed you all so much.

For this season there’ll be an episode every 2 weeks as I’ve got another exciting project to reveal soon. 

My guest this week is DR RICHARD BROWN an eminent doctor and scientist who hit headlines around the world when his team used groundbreaking gene therapy to allow a deaf child to hear again. When the news broke in May this year he was interviewed on news TV channels around the world as they all wanted to know about the ground breaking procedure which will help restore hearing for deaf people with auditory neuropathy and will be life changing for many people with this form of deafness.

My guest was a medical student at Oxford University where he was on TV in University Challenge, after he graduated he moved to London to work as a doctor and lived and worked here before moving to Cambridge where he became a consultant paediatrician, he also coaches Hockey but still loves going out in London when he has the time and I can tell you from personal experience he’s great fun on a night out. He has so many great London stories and recommendations and I know you’re going to love this episode. This is Best of London according to Dr Richard Brown.

His X handle is @DrRichJBrown

I also wanted to tell any of you who are fans of the smash hit Channel 4 show Taskmaster which is now in its 18th series that I’ve been invited along to The Taskmaster Experience in London where I’ll be performing tasks and being judged so wish me luck for that and I’ll be sure to let you know what that was like in a future episode so be sure to subscribe or follow.

Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.

I read and reply to all your emails.

Intro and Outro music by Ben Holland

Best of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram is @benpodz

Ben's TikTok is @bentiktoks

Happy Birthday to my niece Lilac who's birthday is today.

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of ⁠⁠⁠recolodesign.com⁠⁠⁠. If you or your company would like to work with him email: ⁠⁠⁠bob@recolodesign.com⁠⁠⁠ - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including apple podcasts, amazon music, audible, instagram, twitter/x and Facebook, please click here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon⁠⁠

In this Hidden Gem comedian and Bill Murray founder Barry Ferns talks about how to find peace, joy and meaningful connections in London. He tells us about a mass meditation event and a mass pillow fight!

It's the end of Season 2 and Season 3 starts soon.

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms and social media click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

You can listen to the FULL episode which this HIDDEN GEM is taken from by going to the previous edition of BEST OF LONDON or by clicking here:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bestoflondon/episodes/MC--COMEDIAN--VENUE-OWNER--WRITER-on-founding-THE-BILL-MURRAY--ANGEL-COMEDY-being-HOMELESS--bankrupt--changing-his-name-to-LIONEL-RICHIE-and-the-TRUE-meaning-of-SUCCESS---Best-of-London-BARRY-FERNS-e2h6b8o

Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.

I read and reply to all your emails.

Intro and Outro music by Ben Holland

Best of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram is @benpodz

Ben's TikTok is @bentiktoks

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of ⁠⁠recolodesign.com⁠⁠. If you or your company would like to work with him email: ⁠⁠bob@recolodesign.com⁠⁠ - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including apple podcasts, amazon music, audible, instagram, twitter/x and Facebook, please click here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon⁠⁠

SPECIAL EPISODE with a Q&A featuring your questions answered including the best indoor date spots and the best streetfood place and how to meditate and the best places to do that.

Each season of Best of London will be 20 episodes long and that consists of 10 wonderful guest episodes, 10 HIDDEN GEM episodes then a Your Questions episode. If you have any questions do please send them through to ben@lifemac.com

BEST OF LONDON is having a one month break and Season 3 will be back in early April. We've already recorded episodes for Season 3 and it's going to be a great one.

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms and social media, just click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E-mail: ben@lifemac.comYou can email us ben@lifemac.com

I read and reply to all your emails.

Original Intro and Outro music by Ben Holland

Best of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram is @benpodz

Ben's TikTok is @bentiktoks

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of ⁠⁠recolodesign.com⁠⁠. If you or your company would like to work with him email: ⁠⁠bob@recolodesign.com⁠⁠ - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Pocketcasts and our social media like Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook, and TikTok please click here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠

The DESIGNER RACHEL JACKSON talks about the greatest holiday destination and going from a market stall earning £100 a. week to a £2million business.

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms and social media click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

You can listen to the FULL episode which this HIDDEN GEM is taken from by going to the previous edition of BEST OF LONDON or by clicking here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lfI5y638oSjXOaeDDnxiw?si=ZhFRHzsvSdGNELN7KjV6OQ

Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.

I read and reply to all your emails.

Intro and Outro music by Ben Holland

Best of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram is @benpodz

Ben's TikTok is @bentiktoks

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of ⁠⁠recolodesign.com⁠⁠. If you or your company would like to work with him email: ⁠⁠bob@recolodesign.com⁠⁠ - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including apple podcasts, amazon music, audible, instagram, twitter/x and Facebook, please click here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon⁠⁠

Includes a HIP HOP song I wrote about our guest. I was introduced to him by our mutual friend Damian Lewis, he’s starred in award winning films and he became close friends with Hollywood actor Tom Hardy who’s since been nominated for an Academy Award. They’ve acted together and even set up a theatre company together. My guest’s also a stand up comedian who’s performed with stars like Harry Hill, Stephen Merchant and Russell Howard. I run with him and I wrote a rap about our guest DAVID WHITNEY that you can hear at the beginning of this episode. There's also a crazy song at the VERY END of the outro after I have done ALL of my spoken outro.

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms and social media click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.

You can follow David Whitney here:

https://www.instagram.com/whitneycomedy

His website is here:

https://www.davidwhitney.org/

I read and reply to all your emails.

Songs and music by Ben Holland

Thanks also to Marshall Mathers and Mr K West

Best of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram @benpodz click here:

https://www.instagram.com/benpodz

Ben's TikTok @bentiktoks click here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@bentiktoks

Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including apple podcasts, amazon music, audible, instagram, twitter/x and Facebook, please click here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon⁠⁠

.

.

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of ⁠recolodesign.com⁠. If you or your company would like to work with him email: ⁠bob@recolodesign.com⁠ - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

JOHN MEAGHER was recently featured in ROLLING STONE who said he was "Ireland's next great comedian." The Irish Times said “it's like watching a young Irish Billy Connolly” he won an award at last year’s Edinburgh Festival and he's been a finalist at the greatest Best Act competitions including ones at The Hackney Empire, The Leicester Mercury's, the BBC AND The Leicester Square Theatre. 

He’s also turned his hand to investigative journalism and has an explosive documentary coming out on BBC Radio 4 in April called The Devil's Own which is going to shock the world. I was lucky enough to get an inside scoop and I can't believe what he's uncovered. It’s ostensibly about a crazy underground devil-worshipping cult called the White Hoods but what he uncovers is stranger than any fiction you can imagine and if it wasn’t going out on the BBC I wouldn’t even believe it. He tells us more in this episode.

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms and social media click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

You can listen to the FULL episode which this HIDDEN GEM is taken from by going to the previous edition of BEST OF LONDON or by clicking here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0phjopseCyvAO7MsO516N9

Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.

You can follow John Meagher here:

https://www.instagram.com/johnmcomedy

I read and reply to all your emails.

Intro and Outro music by Ben Holland

Best of London is presented and produced by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck.

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram is @benpodz

Ben's TikTok is @bentiktoks

Follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on ALL the platforms including apple podcasts, amazon music, audible, instagram, twitter/x and Facebook, please click here:

⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestoflondon⁠⁠

I've written 2 songs about my guest. One's at the beginning and one's at the end so let me know what you think and whether I should ever do this again!?

My guest this week is Tom Ward, one of the UK’s funniest comedians. He performed a storming set on BBC’s LIVE AT THE APOLLO and he’s been on TV shows like QI and ROAST BATTLE. He hosts a show called Abandoned Engineering where they visit breathtaking places all over the world like Abandoned Olympic Villages, Huge Space Rocket Facilities, Ghost Towns and Jungle Cities. Time Out said he has fine jokes and star presence and Best of London gives him 5 stars and says he is a hilarious comedian, he’s wonderful, warm, funny, loveable and relatable. He’s got a show at this year’s Edinburgh Festival called Choose Your Delusion and then he starts a UK wide tour of the same show… This is Best Of London According To… Tom Ward

For tickets to his forthcoming Edinburgh show click here:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/tom-ward-choose-your-delusion

For Tom's Linktree including tickets to his forthcoming tour click here:

https://linktr.ee/tomwardcomedian

Please FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE TO  BEST OF LONDON as we have great shows coming up. For links on all the platforms and social media, just click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ben@lifemac.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow us on instagram here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bestolondon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The show is produced and hosted by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck (with 1 F).

You can follow / subscribe to BEST OF LONDON on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Pocketcasts and everywhere else you get podcasts.

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of ⁠recolodesign.com⁠. If you or your company would like to work with him email: ⁠bob@recolodesign.com⁠ - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

Ben wrote the lyrics to the songs in the podcast. Thanks also to Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool, Mike Dirnt and Lars Ulrich and the computer for helping vocalise.

After every 10 guest episodes we do a Q&A episode so please send in questions on any subject. E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

BEST OF LONDON Instagram/x is:

@bestolondon with NO F ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bestolondon/⁠

and has just joined TikTok at bentiktoks

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

BAFTA winning screenwriter Paul Coleman gives us his insider secrets of the BAFTAS although only after a lot of coaxing by Ben! He also tells us about the talk he gave with Sharon Horgan, Rob Delaney and Nicole Taylor and how much respect he has for them.

You can listen to the FULL episode which this HIDDEN GEM is taken from by going to the previous edition of BEST OF LONDON or by clicking here:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/oQR5wPnh8Kb

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram is @benpodz

Ben's TikTok is @bentiktoks

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms and social media click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠

Please click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE depending on which platform you're listening on.

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

Each week I ask a guest 7 questions including what’s your best London venue, event, place to eat, area and London Lifehack. You’ll find out the best things to do and places to go.

The Best of London audience is growing exponentially every week and we now have listeners in over 60 countries around the world. If you’re one of the many people who’ve been sharing the podcast on social media or WhatsApping links to friends and family then thank you, you make a real diference you have a radiant personality and wonderful taste!

Here's the info taken from the full Paul Coleman episode:

A special BAFTA winning guest who I’m lucky enough to have known for a long time. He has a hilarious take on things on social media and he shuns the limelight and like my last guest Rachel Jackson he hardly ever gives interviews. He’s one of Britain's best loved writers and he’s created some the UK’s best loved shows. He devised and co-wrote Car Share which is one of  the most watched Box Sets of all time on the BBC iPlayer and episodes have now been seen by over 20 million people. 

He’s written for Comic Relief, The Royal Variety Show, the Brit Awards and was co-writer of Britain's got the Pop Factor which was Channel 4's most watched show of that year.

He’s also worked in radio for BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and Magic and he co-founded an Insight, Innovation and Strategy Agency called Humanise.

His amazing recent series The Power of Parker was described by The New Statesman as ‘comic perfection’ and is available now on BBC iPlayer. It became the number one highest ranking new Comedy across all UK linear in 2023.

He’s won a BAFTA, a National Television Award, a Royal Television Society Award and even an LA BAFTA.

You can follow PAUL COLEMAN on Twitter/X @PColemanchester

You can see follow us on instagram here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bestolondon⁠⁠

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms click here: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon⁠

The show is produced and hosted by Ben Holland and Ben Afleck (with 1 F).

FOLLOW this podcast to get the low down on Best of London podcast. You can follow / subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Pocketcasts and everywhere else.

BEST OF LONDON logo and artwork by Bob Magill of ⁠recolodesign.com⁠. If you or your company would like to work with him email: ⁠bob@recolodesign.com⁠ - he's a talented, patient and good natured designer/publisher with decades of experience who I whole-heartedly recommend.

Thanks to my friend Ben Webb Taylor for the intro music.

Thanks to my friend Joe Holtaway for the outro music from the song 'Lay Down' by Joe Holtaway from the album 'More The Love that's Given' you can find him on streaming platforms and to say hi visit joeholtaway.com.

E-mail: ben@lifemac.com

Best of London Instagram/x is @bestolondon with NO F

Ben's instagram is @benpodz

Ben's TikTok is @bentiktoks

Please follow and subscribe to BEST OF LONDON for links on all the platforms and social media, just click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/bestolondon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠