Off Air with Jane & Fi

Happy Hump Day! It’s all going on: Fi’s been taken over by a spirit, and we’re about 50 miles outside Bromley… Jane’s added even more items to her ever-growing list of dislikes… They also chat about lying-in hospitals, burping yoga, mallen streaks, and Frank Bough. Namaste! Plus, Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on his career and discusses his tour with his husband Richard Clifford. We’re taking suggestions for our next book club pick! The brief is: books that deserve to be re-read. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton. You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQIf you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producers: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

Jane and Fi consider coming out with their own self-help book and muse on the title: ‘Do Less, Be Happier’ or ‘Can I Be Arsed? Probably Not’… the jury is still out. They also chat about wassailing, cat incontinence, and the dangers of star signs. Plus, best-selling Australian writer Helen Garner discusses her diaries 'How to End a Story: Collected Diaries', and her new book 'The Mushroom Tapes'. We’re taking suggestions for our next book club pick! The brief is: books that deserve to be re-read. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton. You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQIf you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producers: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

Namaste. Happy Monday. Jane’s got a bee in her bonnet about - well, quite a few things... Jane and Fi also chat about the 5am Club, unexpected legumes in the bagging area, playing the organ, and the talents of Omar Sharif. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton. You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQIf you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producers: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

Jane and Fi’s career delusions continue today as they ponder why they’ve never been offered a professional cricket commentary career. They also chat embracing 2026, socks over shoes, being a centrist granny, and moving to Dubai. Please also heed an accent warning! Plus, former prisoner turned writer and actor Ric Renton discusses working on the new BBC prison drama Waiting for the Out. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton.You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQIf you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producers: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

Happy Wednesday! Hope you're keeping warm and managing to stay upright. Besides sport, politics, corruption, and shortbread, Jane and Fi discuss using low-sodium salt on your front path, The Pepper Wars, Erasmus, and the power of the shacket. Plus, presenter Jake Humphrey discusses his new book ‘Micro-Habits: Tiny Habits that Supercharge High Performance’. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton.You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQIf you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producers: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

Fi’s blood pressure has well and truly spiked today, so join us as we collectively try to bring it back down… Coming off the lid today, there’s chat about re-reading books, army ladies, and cancel culture.Plus, bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell discusses the film adaptation of her novel 'Hamnet', starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton.You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQIf you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producers: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

It’s 2026, and Jane and Fi are back - reunited and ready to run their mouths. In this episode, they demonstrate their budding potential as high-level film critics. There’s chat about hair transplants, Imodium, and the WoolOvers debate is reopened… then firmly closed. There’s also conversation surrounding grief and loss.Recommendations you'll hear in this episode: 'The Thinking Game' documentary, 'Gabriel's Moon' and 'The Predicament' by William Boyd, 'A Schooling in Murder' by Andrew Taylor, and musician Jesse Welles' 'Join Ice' song. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton. You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQ If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radio Follow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producers: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

In this special bonus episode brought to you by Ancestry, Fi chats to The Times and Sunday Times editor Andy Silvester, and Ancestry family history expert Laura House. Andy shares what he's learned about his family's past from his Ancestry journey, and Laura chats about how she helps people make discoveries about their own family stories. Head to www.ancestry.co.uk/newyear and start discovering your family history today.If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

It’s officially 2026! Happy New Year - we hope your head is OK… In this bonus episode, we revisit Jane and Fi’s conversations with Joanna Lumley, Rob Rinder, and Gary Numan. Enjoy!If you find yourself at a bit of a loose end after this, why not go and listen to our latest playlist, titled “I’m in the cupboard at Christmas”: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQWe’ll be back on Monday the 5th of January.If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler