Welcome, one and all, to Series 2, Episode 1 of Tony Slattery's Rambling Club!
The shed has survived another winter, the kettle is cautiously optimistic, and Tony's enchanted bingo machine has spent the break quietly plotting new ways to confuse everybody. With Sir Stephen Fry once again watching over proceedings from his omniscient vantage point, a brand-new series of rambling adventures begins.
And what a way to start.
Our first guest President of the new series is Pete Bennett — musician, actor, Tourette's campaigner, and, of course, winner of Big Brother. Pete arrives at the shed with a lifetime of stories, an infectious enthusiasm for life, and a willingness to follow the ramble wherever it may lead.
Our first destination is 211: Concepts of God. Nothing too challenging for the opening episode, then. What exactly do we mean when we talk about \"God\"? Before long we're discussing the Gaia Hypothesis, the curious relationship between belief and manifestation, and whether the universe is perhaps a little stranger than we often give it credit for. Along the way, magic mushrooms make an appearance, philosophical certainty departs the building entirely, and a compelling case emerges that Pete was somehow pre-determined to win Big Brother long before he ever entered the house.
Next, the bingo machine deposits us at 591: Zoology. This proves considerably more chaotic than expected. Pete's love of dogs leads to a heartfelt discussion about what our canine companions can teach us about loyalty, trust and living in the moment. From there, the conversation takes flight with the proposition that pigeons may actually be superior to human beings in several important respects. Matters deteriorate further when the ramblers attempt to establish how a doorknob, a mouse and a spider can become hopelessly confused with one another, often with alarming consequences.
Our third and final destination is 702: Miscellaneous (The Arts). Raised by musicians, Pete grew up surrounded by creativity, making this the perfect opportunity to explore his remarkable and eclectic career. We discuss music, performance, acting, and the joys of men wearing make-up long before it became fashionable to debate such things. The conversation also turns toward the recent controversy at the BAFTAs, before widening into a celebration of artistic expression in all its forms and the many unexpected roads a creative life can travel.
And then, with the first ramble of the new series complete, it's back to the Presidential shed. The machine is still humming, the biscuits remain under threat, and Series 2 is officially underway.
Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club is a free-associating conversation, involving very special guests. It drops every Friday on every podcasting outlet known to man. We’d love it if you came along for the walk. If nothing else, it’ll help you get your steps in!
Presented by Paul Carmichael & Allan Lear
Music composed and performed by Michael Livesley & Andy Frizell
The voice of Pwfthhh- Michael Livesley
Series Researcher- Soula Carmichael
Series Producers- Erica Lear and Mark Hutchinson
Producers- Alan Dyebing & Stuart Morris
Series Executive Producer- Mark Strickson
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Official Website- www.tonyslattery.com
Twitter/X: @SlatteryLive
Instagram: tony_slattery_official
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Paul's Twitter: @PaulCarmichaelV
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