Mark Steadman

Hands up who overthinks stuff? Did you really put your hand up? Is anyone else putting theirs up? Did you put yours up too quickly? Maybe you were too slow? And what is a hand meant to do once it’s up in the air, anyway? I mean, we’re

Staple a jelly doughnut to your ear, set your spleen to channel 27 and ask your favourite albino squirrel to a dance. Lex Friedman joins Mark to discuss their top-5 songs by “Weird” Al Yankovic that aren’t parodies. Lex is, among many things (musician, improviser, podcaster, game developer and

Mark advocates for the devil of social media, Brendan addresses addiction and challenges the need for us to lean on crutches… and they both discuss ease and craft. * (00:00) - Spike me, daddy * (01:13) - Happy anniversary * (02:15) - Escape valves * (08:55) - Our strange addictions

Rhythm is a dancer. The rhythm is gonna get ya. And you must not, under any circumstances, stop the beat. This week, Stephanie Fuccio joins Mark to pick their top 5 songs that drag them to the dance floor. At the end of this, you’ll either leave with an

Mark echoes a fundamental question: “What are you doing to make yourself more attractive and interesting?”. * (00:00) - Hey, you're cute * (02:14) - 16 hour fasting * (12:02) - What men need to do to date women * (24:42) - Physical appearance as branding * (35:33)

Whether they go “pew pew”, “what is this thing called ‘love’?” or “Give me your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle”, androids have, it turns out, been a staple of sci-fi films for a century. This week, Ayesha Khan joins Mark to rank androids from sci-fi films. * (00:00) -

What do you give up once you’ve given up – to quote a popular Irish sitcom – cigarettes, alcohol, and roller-blading? Joy? Is it joy next? This one’s spicy if you’re a puritan. Otherwise it’s your pretty bog-standard Convergence fare. * (00:00) - Rattling around like Marley’s

Whether you like to bash away at them or tickle them gently, you can get a lot of beautiful noise out of 88 keys. Jon Hickman rejoins Mark to discuss their top-5 piano pop ac. * (00:00) - Cold open * (00:26) - Introduction * (00:47) - Jon’s pick:

The one where Mark and Brendan build a new society. Links * Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food … and Why Can’t We Stop?, by Chris van Tulleken * Why doing more exercise won't help you burn more calories – New Scientist * Trying Not to

Nothing is ever quite as it seems in the world of spies. A watch isn’t just a watch – it’s a deadly weapon. That phonebooth? Also a weapon. Bag pipes? Weapon. This sandwich though, that’s just Q’s lunch. Don’t touch it. Valerie Paris rejoins Mark to