Off Air with Jane & Fi

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

Merry Christmas! You may be hiding in the pantry right now - we’re right there with you! In this bonus podcast episode, Jane and Fi are live on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, speaking to model and television personality Penny Lancaster. 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.radio Follow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler

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