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Desperate and Appauling

Wonderful Words and Notable Numbers

Season 2, Ep. 1

Des and Paul chew over some favourite words from their book, 1234 Wacky Witty and Wonderful Words. They discuss some remarkable numbers and go on a lateral wander around some fascinating trivia.

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  • 8. Favourite Quotes

    20:07||Season 2, Ep. 8
    We share our selections of favourite quotes from Mark Twain, William Shakepeare, Woody Allen, Oscar Wilde, Yogi Berra and many more. Prepare for some laughs and insights.
  • 7. Fiendish Facts and Querolous Questions

    22:21||Season 2, Ep. 7
    Which country has the most pyramids? What is a mountweazel? How can you always have a beautiful girl on your arm? Some of the crazy questions that Paul and Des pose in this podcast.
  • 6. Paul Sloane Interview on BBC Radio London 23 April 2024

    12:07||Season 2, Ep. 6
    Shay Grewal on BBC Radio London chats to Paul Sloane about 1001 Pieces of Absolutely Useless Advice (co-authored with Des MacHale) and lateral thinking topics.
  • 5. 1001 Pieces of Absolutely Useless Advice

    11:06||Season 2, Ep. 5
    We talk about our new book, 1001 Pieces of Absolutely Useless Advice. It is packed with atrocious advice, juvenile jokes and terrible tips. Listen to this short podcast to hear many, many examples.
  • 4. Things that annoy us

    17:37||Season 2, Ep. 4
    We chat about things that annoy us from tattoos to cancel culture, onions to ballet.
  • 3. What word has 6 letters but if you take away 1 you are left with 12?

    21:15||Season 2, Ep. 3
    Paul is in Cork in Ireland visiting Des and they chat about words and language. There are some puzzles from their book, World's Best Word Puzzles.What word has a triple letter with no hyphens? What word has three double letters in a row? Answers in the episode
  • 2. Why do People Love Puzzles but Hate Mathematics?

    21:51||Season 2, Ep. 2
    Paul and Des meet in Cork and chat about why puzzles are so popular yet mathematics is not. They also cover; What games promote thinking? Questions of morality and ethics, Lateral thinking puzzles, Assumptions, Questions and much more.
  • 16. Lateral Thinking for Every Day

    13:28||Season 1, Ep. 16
    We discuss everyday examples of lateral thinking, set a lateral thinking puzzle, describe a clever idea to deter speeding in Estonia and review a proposal to increase fitness and generate electricity. Plus comments on Paul's new book, Lateral Thinking for Every Day.