Explore every episode of the podcast British Culture: Albion Never Dies
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BONUS: My First Time Living Overseas - A Brit in Turkish Cyprus (2001-2008) | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:34:46 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Have you ever wondered what it's like to live overseas? | |||
| Meeting the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak | 27 Jun 2024 | 00:07:02 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Today, I met the Prime Minister of the UK. I give my very quick impressions of the event, from out in a field | |||
| My Favourite James Bond Locations ~ by listener request! [Episode 162] | 09 Jan 2024 | 00:31:14 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! 007 visits many beautiful locations as part of his service to Queen (now King) and country, but which are the best? I talk about my own experiences in Hong Kong, Istanbul, and London, with an additional special mention for San Francisco. | |||
| The Next Prime Minister | 18 Jul 2022 | 00:20:01 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! The Prime Minister is the most visible representation of the UK, after the Queen. Travelling around the world, I have often been asked my views on Thatcher, Blair, and the most recent incumbent of Number 10 Downing Street, Boris Johnson (BoJo). | |||
| Bonus Episode: The Drinks of 007 | 13 Jul 2022 | 00:02:22 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Enjoy this special bonus episode, just a couple of minutes long. It was originally made for my Chinese social media account several years ago, as part of a campaign to promote a large James Bond themed event. Mixing Martinis and Vespers was a highlight of the event, as was our Goldfinger singalong (aided by the libations). | |||
| A James Bond Location: Queen Mary's Rose Garden, Regent's Park, London (1964's You Only Live Twice) | 11 Jul 2022 | 00:09:32 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Hello there! | |||
| Culture Shock: 5 Stages and Practical Solutions (from an Englishman Abroad) | 04 Jul 2022 | 00:29:47 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! What could be more English than an Englishman abroad? Having spent the majority of my adult life outside the UK, and much of my time in the UK supporting international students, I'm giving my insights into the phenomenon of 'Culture Shock'. | |||
| Back in Britain #10 | On the Bradford Busses | 27 Jun 2022 | 00:15:21 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! There were no strange stories about travelling on the busses here in the UK for the first few months, then suddenly, three mad stories all come along at once! You can find me on Instagram: @FlemingNeverDies | |||
| Back in Britain #9 | 3 months of being back... | 20 Jun 2022 | 00:12:35 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! I've been back home for 3 months now... how is it wearing on me? You can find me on Instagram: @FlemingNeverDies | |||
| British Culture Q&A! | 13 Jun 2022 | 00:18:26 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! In this episode, I respond to questions from my Instagram friends over at @flemingneverdies
All this and more. Thank you to everyone who asked these questions, and those who helped me answer them! | |||
| Back in Britain #8 | with St. Thomas' Church Bells, the City of Bradford Brass Band, and the Cathedral Chamber Choir for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee | 06 Jun 2022 | 00:16:25 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Britain has just celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee with a four-day national holiday. Rather than do a Deep Dive into the life and times of the Queen, which is done elsewhere and done well, I recorded my own audio diary as I joined celebrations in North and then West Yorkshire. Thank you very much to the City of Bradford Brass Band with Jonny Bates Musical Director, for allowing me to play some of their music here. You can find them at: http://www.bradfordbrass.co.uk Thank you also to Bradford Cathedral, Cathedral Chamber Choir directed by Alexander Berry for allowing me to play their performance of ‘I Was Glad’. You can watch “A Civic Service of thanksgiving for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee (Bradford Cathedral)” on Youtube. You can also follow Bradford Cathedral on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook. I hope you enjoy this week’s musical episode! I certainly did.
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| Back in Britain #7 | I'll buy you a Bettys! (no apostrophe) | 30 May 2022 | 00:11:56 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Just a quick slice of life from me this week. I haven't been travelling, except to go to Ilkley to take a friend to Bettys Tea Room (no apostrophe) . I talk about that, look forward to the Platinum Jubilee coming up, and tell a tie story too. A fuller episode coming next week. | |||
| Back in Britain #6 | The UK vs the US (listener mail edition) | Plus: taking a steam train to Howarth's 1940s Weekend | 23 May 2022 | 00:22:10 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! After the last episode went out, I was flooded with responses to my question, "What's the most interesting UK/US differences?" - Thank you to everyone who contacted me! | |||
| Romans, Pagans, and Christians in Britain ~ by listener request! [Episode 161] | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:27:15 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Friends, Romans, and podcast listeners! Lend me your ears for about 27 and a bit minutes! Listener Sam (https://www.instagram.com/britishbondfan), asked me to look into Pre-Roman and Pre-Christian Britain, and I kind of allowed this little rabbit hole to go wherever. I am very keen on written texts when it comes to history, archeology, less so (sorry Indiana Jones). I hope you all enjoy the highways and byways this took me down. | |||
| Back in Britain #5 | The UK vs the US (two countries divided by common clichés?) | 16 May 2022 | 00:40:12 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! I've largely avoided comparisons between UK and US culture until now, despite it being a terribly popular topic online. It's really a whole sub-genre, and there are some people putting out great content on this topic, but it was a video by David Zarinksky - better known as 'The Bond Experience' - that has prompted me to make this episode. His video, with Calvin Dyson, is called "USA vs UK Bond Fans | The Differences and the Similarities", and I make a fair few references to it, so do check out his Youtube channel. | |||
| Back in Britain #4 | A visit to London meeting "From Tailors With Love", Daniel Gaster, and "British Bond Addict" | 08 May 2022 | 00:15:10 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! In this episode, I ask three fellas in a pub in London, "What's the most British thing you've seen today?" - but these aren't just any random fellas: I'm talking to Pete Brooker of "From Tailors With Love", Daniel Gaster (who writes for the 'tailors' blog), and Chris, better known as @BritishBondAddict . You can find them all on Instagram, and see a variety of photos we took at a recent meet up. | |||
| Back in Britain #3 | I have a job in the UK!! | Alfred Chocolate Yumyum the Cat makes an appearance | 02 May 2022 | 00:11:08 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! That job interview I mentioned in "Back in Britain #2"? I got the job!! Telling them it was my birthday was clearly a good idea during the interview! I'm really looking forward to it.
Most importantly, my friend's cat makes an appearance, Alfred Chocolate Yumyum. I'll start owing him royalties soon, even though he'd probably spend it all on fish. | |||
| 'R' is for 'Royal' | 25 Apr 2022 | 00:50:00 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! The Alphabet of Britishness is back! Thank you to all those who suggested the following:
…and more!
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| A 'Shallow Dive' Into St. George's Day, with Caine (normally in Fuzhou, China) | 18 Apr 2022 | 00:33:59 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This week, I talk to Caine (normally in Fuzhou) about St. George's Day, which is coming very soon. It is often taken as a celebration of English culture and identity. But, who was St. George, where was he from, why is he important to the English, and how can you celebrate this special day? | |||
| Interview with "License to Cook" author, Edward Biddulph | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:36:23 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This week, I talk to Edward Biddulph, author of 'License to Cook' and the blog 'James Bond Food'. We discuss his new book COMING SOON called 'Double-0 Dining' from the publishers Bear Manor Media. | |||
| Back in Britain #2 | British Pubs with Caine (Normally in Fuzhou) | Plus: "A Slice of Derbyshire Life" with Alfred Chocolate Yumyum the Cat | 03 Apr 2022 | 00:25:43 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! The end of March consisted mostly of snow, an art exhibition, a trip to Derby and Nottingham, and the Derby Telegraph. I'm now over jet-lag and enjoying catching up with old friends and new sights. As I go through the local Derby newspaper, Alfred Chocolate Yumyum is with me once again, although largely silent. Must discuss his voiceover rate. These actors... | |||
| A Third Slice of Yorkshire Life | Britain as Seen Though Our Local Newspapers | 28 Mar 2022 | 00:15:56 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! A quick episode, quickly put together as I am still settling back into life back in Britain.
Guest starring my mate’s cat: Alfred Chocolate Yumyum | |||
| Back in Britain #1 | After 7 years Away… | 21 Mar 2022 | 00:23:16 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This is my live audio diary as I return to the UK after 7 years away, recorded at: LAX airport; London Heathrow Airport; an airport hotel; and in a town and the countryside in beautiful West Yorkshire. I intend this to be a series, charting my own responses and reactions as I return to my home country. Is this still the same country I remember? Will it still strike me the same way? We shall find out together. | |||
| Interview with "The Spy Command" Bill Koenig | 15 Mar 2022 | 01:05:17 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Bill Koenig runs "The Spy Command" blog which provides news and commentary about James Bond, “The Other Spies,” and other entertainment-related topics. | |||
| British Comedy & Expat Life: An Interview With Jorma Kirkko (The Blackmilkshake Comedy Pubcast) [Episode 160] | 26 Dec 2023 | 00:27:40 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This week, I interview a seasoned expat and comedy podcaster 'Jorma Kirkko', well known from his 'Blackmilkshake Comedy Pubcast'. He is based in Istanbul! It is always a joy for me to talk to a British expat in Turkey. We talk about the highs and lows of being a British culture 'insider' whilst outside the UK. I mainly leave the jokes to the pro. | |||
| A Few Fun Facts About Wales | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:18:02 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! A 'shallow dive' or a quick briefing about Wales, a beautiful and interesting country, part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but often overlooked. I try to correct that a little here. | |||
| 'Q' is for... 'Queen' | 28 Feb 2022 | 00:54:34 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This is the 17th episode in 'The Alphabet of Britishness'. I ask, what could possibly be more British than the Queen? Many, many people requested this topic. Rather than doing a simple biography of well known monarchs such as Queen Elizabeth II or Queen Victoria, I've taken a look at three lessor known, but equally interesting, female rulers: Queen Boadicea, Empress Matilda, and Lady Jane Grey. I also can't resist touching on Eleanor of Aquitaine again. Women have been no cyphers in British history. | |||
| A Second Slice of Yorkshire Life | Britain as Seen Though Our Local Newspapers | 22 Feb 2022 | 00:20:41 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! After the popularity of the previous episode looking at local news stories, I have another roundup of the goings on in Yorkshire's local newspapers. | |||
| 'P' is for 'Prince of Wales' | 15 Feb 2022 | 01:32:15 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! We start with the interview with Matt Spaiser, author of "From Tailors with Love: An Evolution of Menswear Through the Bond Films". We look at the clothing influences of two Princes of Wales, Prince Charles and his grand-uncle, once known as Edward VIII then as the Duke of Winsor. | |||
| Interview with "Being James Bond" Joe Darlington | 08 Feb 2022 | 00:56:05 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Joe Darlington began his podcast 'Being James Bond' back in 2006. He is a published author and a much loved member of the 'James Bond community' on Instagram and Youtube. This is a wide ranging discussion, which does touch on events in the latest 007 film, "No Time To Die", without dwelling on it. Plenty elsewhere for that! | |||
| 'O' is for... 'Oliver Cromwell' | 01 Feb 2022 | 01:02:24 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! There is so much to say about Oliver Cromwell that this is really just my first attempt at the topic. There is so much more, I recommend the documentary on Youtube called "Oliver Cromwell And The English Civil War - Full Documentary", and the 1970 movie starring Richard Harris (also known as Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone). I love the scene of Charles I entering parliament, even though it's probably the most inaccurate scene in an otherwise pretty accurate portrayal of events. | |||
| Rockall 2022 | An Epic Expedition for Charity | 25 Jan 2022 | 00:21:19 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! In June 2022 a team will land on Rockall Island, more than 200 nautical miles from the West Coast of Scotland and the nearest civilisation. Their intention is to survive on the island for one week and to raise £1,000,000 for Children’s Hospice South West & The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. | |||
| 'N' is for... 'National Health Service' | 17 Jan 2022 | 00:53:23 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This week, I start by looking at the UK's National Health Service. I look at an academic study examining the differences in healthcare in the UK and US. It provides the perspective of two twin sisters who were both successfully treated for the same cancer, one in the UK and one in the US. I then look at how the NHS was represented at the 2012 Summer Olympic opening ceremony, why this caused a controversy, and remember the weekly 'clap for our carers' in 2020.
You can contact me on Instagram, by e-mail (AlbionNeverDies@Gmail.com), or by commenting on my posts in the Facebook group "🇬🇧 Britain: People, Places & Past Times 🇬🇧". | |||
| A Slice of Yorkshire Life | Britain as Seen Though Our Local Newspapers | 10 Jan 2022 | 00:24:00 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This week I take a look at some local newspapers, the first is from Northern Ireland but the others are all from Yorkshire, including Bradford's Telegraph and Argus, the Ilkley Gazette, Keighley News, and the Hull Daily Mail. I live the little insights into life in the UK that they give. | |||
| 'M' is for... 'Monarchy' | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:45:24 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Thank you so much to everyone who sent in their suggestions, and thank you all the well wishes after my last episode. I very much appreciated every one of them.
You can contact me on Instagram, by e-mail (AlbionNeverDies@Gmail.com), or by commenting on my posts in the Facebook group "🇬🇧 Britain: People, Places & Past Times 🇬🇧". | |||
| BONUS Episode: The King James Bible, The Gospel According to St. Luke; The Coming of Jesus (Reading) | 22 Dec 2023 | 00:17:10 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! The King James Bible is one of the most influential works in English. As we approach Christmas, Thomas reads from perhaps the best known chapters telling of the nativity. | |||
| I have COVID (Keep Calm and Carry On) | 28 Dec 2021 | 00:10:23 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Yes, I tested positive for COVID over the holiday season. Oh well. | |||
| Merry Christmas! | 25 Dec 2021 | 00:06:24 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Merry Christmas! A special mini-episode where I look back at a busy month - three 007 reviews, two on this podcast and one on Youtube. I look back at 'C' is for 'crumpets' and my (limited) progress in that area. I admit, I've gotten no further in my investigation as to whether I should say 'scone' or 'scone'. Also: coming up... 'M' is for 'Monarchy'. Finally, if you haven't listened to my 'deep dive' into Christmas with Caine, check it out! There are, after all, 12 days of Christmas! | |||
| SPOILER! Review of No Time to Die with “Quantum of History" | 21 Dec 2021 | 00:55:06 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler review of the latest 007 film! Hopefully you've all had the time to go and see it by now! | |||
| 'L' is for... 'London' with 'British Bond Addict' & 'From Tailors With Love' (Pete Brooker) | 14 Dec 2021 | 01:02:34 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This special episode has *two* guests; Instagram’s ‘@BritishBondAddict’ and the prolific blogger, podcaster, Youtuber, and author ‘From Tailors With Love’ (Pete Brooker). Both help me out with the main topic, London.
For this episode, I was very much inspired by the printing, design and media company ‘London Sans’, which I talk about a little. you can find their work on Instagram at @LondonSans .
I also talk about Lancashire, the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the House of Lords, Lord Salisbury, Leyland, Liver and Onion, Lager and Lime, and Lovely countryside (including the Lake District).
You can contact me on Instagram, by e-mail (AlbionNeverDies@Gmail.com), or by commenting on my posts in the Facebook group "🇬🇧 Britain: People, Places & Past Times 🇬🇧". | |||
| A Deep Dive Into Christmas, with Caine! | 07 Dec 2021 | 01:56:53 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Caine (and Thomas) dive deep into the origins of some very British Christmas traditions.
You can find more from Caine here:
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| Coming up soon on the podcast! | 03 Dec 2021 | 00:05:44 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! As I enjoy my breakfast tea, I look back at what's gone on in the podcast and Youtube over the last month, and reveal what's coming up very, very soon! | |||
| 'K' is for... 'Kings, Knights, and Knaves' | 30 Nov 2021 | 00:45:00 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This week, I’m looking at Kings, Knights, Knaves, along with a few others, including:
…and a tiny bit of time on Khartoum, Kandahar and Khakhi. Thank you so much to everyone who sent in their suggestions! You can contact me on Instagram, by e-mail (AlbionNeverDies@Gmail.com), or by commenting on my posts in the Facebook group "🇬🇧 Britain: People, Places & Past Times 🇬🇧". | |||
| SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! review of No Time to Die with “That One Bond Guy” (Chris Morales, from California) | 23 Nov 2021 | 00:47:45 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! review of No Time to Die with Chris Morales (Instagram and Youtube’s “That One Bond Guy”) who has also appeared on TV as a major Bond fan!
If you haven’t checked out Chris’ work online, please do! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatone_bondguy/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ7xMlDhbc1ltEG7G-oWKQw
More coming up on this topic soon on the “British Culture: Albion Never Dies” Youtube channel, on http://www.youtube.com/britishculture | |||
| 'J' is for... 'Justice' | 16 Nov 2021 | 00:42:06 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Thank you to the 152 people who answered my question on Facebook, "What does 'j' stand for in the Alphabet of Britishness?", and the 23 who answered on Instagram. This episode is packed with more answers than ever before. I hope I do the topic of justice the justice it deserves! | |||
| Remembrance Day | 11 Nov 2021 | 00:13:20 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! This is a special episode to mark Remembrance Day. I talk about the significance of the day, give three readings often read on this day, and give some personal anecdotes. The readings are: "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon In Flander’s Field by John McCrae And also Revelations 21:1-4 taken from the King James Bible
I also talk about the Royal British Legion, a wonderful charity | |||
| The BEST THREE British TV Comedies According to UK Writer Roland Hulme: Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, and Red Dwarf [Episode 159] | 19 Dec 2023 | 00:31:41 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Humour (with a 'u') is one of the most defining characteristics of a culture, so what are the top three comedy TV shows from the United Kingdom and what can they tell us about British Culture? Here, writer Roland Hulme tells us about Blackadder (starring Rowan Atkinson), Fawlty Towers (starring John Cleese), Red Dwarf (we had to Google the main actor). No disrespect to the lead actor of Red Dwarf by the way, he simply embodies the role so well that he and the character are synonymous; think Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker or Christopher Reeve as Superman (although I didn't have to Google either of them). Anyway, here we talk about these shows, and what it might reveal about British culture as a whole. Enjoy! | |||
| The UK: Not Just London | An Exploration of Britain with Caine in Fuzhou (China) | 09 Nov 2021 | 01:56:05 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Our deepest dive yet! Caine in Fuzhou (China) joins me to talk about Britain, but not just London. We share with each other our own experiences travelling in the UK, beyond just London. As with most episodes with Caine, this episode is a recording of a call between the USA and China. The call quality was fantastic *compared to the usual* so I’ve kept this an ‘editing lite’ episode. Often, I will cut out pauses, gaps, and any technical oddities, but this conversation was so smooth and natural, I’ve done very little with it ‘in post’. Welcome to my world! In this episode, we talk about cities that mean a lot to us (such as Bradford for me), the North-South divide, the natural beauty of Britain, and ponder what *exactly* is in an English breakfast. | |||
| Remember, Remember, The Fifth of November | 05 Nov 2021 | 00:19:50 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! Remember, remember, | |||
| 'I' is for... [To be decided by you!] | 02 Nov 2021 | 00:43:32 | |
Don't be shy, send me a message! That's right! There was so many contrasting answers to 'What does 'i' stand for in the Alphabet of Britishness' that I'm leaving it to you the listener to decide! Message me your views on this ideas in this episode, and I'll read them out in the 'j' episode! | |||