Off Air with Jane & Fi

Happy Monday! Just three more sleeps until Christmas - we hope this will help you drift off soundly, or simply provide you with an excuse to step out of the house and away from the madness for a moment… In this bonus episode, we revisit Jane and Fi’s conversations with Miriam Margolyes, Rick Astley, and Jameela Jamil. 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/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQ We’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

It’s the final official podcast episode of the year! Merry Christmas from all the Off Air team. Pour yourself a glass of fizz and settle in as Fi chats Swiss hot tubs, ribbed cranberry sauce, and a truly uncomfortable Ken Follett colander. Plus, comedian Chris McCausland discusses his documentary ‘Seeing into the Future’, about the future of technology and what it might hold for him personally. Chris' book is called 'Keep Laughing': https://www.waterstones.com/book/keep-laughing/chris-mccausland/9780241777367 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

’Twas the penultimate Off Air episode of the year, and all through the studio… it was anything but quiet. Fi chats yacht showrooms, Christmas haikus, rock star merch, and some very niche sex spots. Plus, Andrew Billen - journalist, feature writer, and celebrity interviewer at The Times - looks back on his year at the paper and remembers some of the interviewees we sadly lost in 2025. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJIf 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 still manning the podcast solo, with a bit of help from Eve and your wonderful emails along the way. There’s chat of double reeds, doing the splits during lockdown, homosexual animals, and Paul Mescal’s silver chain. Plus, Managing Director of F1 Academy Susie Wolff reflects on her career and discusses her memoir 'Driven'. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJIf 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

In this special bonus episode brought to you by Thomas Fudge's biscuits, Fi chats to Britain's most celebrated ceramicist, Emma Bridgewater.They talk about Emma's classic designs, how she gets her inspiration, and Christmas traditions.Pick up your favourite Thomas Fudge's flavour at your local supermarket, and discover Thomas Fudge's Seasonal Selection at Sainsbury's and Morrisons.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

Today is a new day and the playlist is closed! Fi finally delivers her heavily-trailed lodger email, and there are accents… proceed with caution. There are also threats of a Christmas haiku, discussions about childhood hobbies, and another door of Hetty's advent calendar is opened. Plus, Paul Feig, director of Bridesmaids, discusses directing the adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel The Housemaid. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJIf 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

The playlist is open and the cupboard door is closed and locked! Take a deep breath... In this episode, Fi is underwhelmed by a French B&B, she’s over-enthusiastic about putting your arms above your head, and she’s downright put off by the idea of climbing a mountain. Plus, TV personality Spencer Matthews chats to Times Radio’s Rosie Wright about completing an epic challenge: seven Ironman triathlons on seven continents in just 21 days. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJIf 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

There are lots of questions left unanswered in today's pod. Fi is steering the ship solo - exploring whether TV characters should say goodbye? What the Off Air robot should look like? And who (or what) is Super Trouper? And Sebastian Faulks discusses his memoir ‘Fires Which Burned Brightly’ with Royal Editor of The Sunday Times, Roya Nikkhah (who’s helping out on the live show this week). You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJ 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! @janeandfi Podcast Producers: Hannah Quinn and Eve Salusbury Executive Producer: Rosie Cutler

A final thank you to everyone for thanking us for thanking you… get it? Fi dives into open-water faux pas, Spotify Wrapped, early-years parenting, and the future of AI - she’s got range! Plus, we peel back a few more doors on Hetty’s advent calendar. Also, lexicographer Susie Dent discusses her new book ‘Words for Life’ with Fi and Rosie Wright. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJ 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