Strong Lincs

What happens when you hand Dan a microphone and send him out into the world? He talks to complete strangers, of course!In this special Extra Strong Lincs episode, Dan is out and about during his travels around the UK, striking up conversations with people he meets along the way. No scripts, no pre-planned interviews just genuine conversations with people who have an interesting story to tell.In this little compilation of encounters, we meet Will the Student, Seb the Railway Signaller, Rob the Rocker's Amazing Grace, and Diana from Norway.Four strangers. Four very different stories. And a reminder that sometimes the most interesting conversations are the ones you never planned to have.So, grab a cuppa and join Dan with strangers!

We’re back! After a brilliant first series packed with fascinating people, local adventures, questionable decisions and plenty of laughs, Strong Lincs returns for Series 2.In this September episode, Rich and Dan are back together in the studio to kick off the new series by taking a fond look back at some of their favourite moments from Series 1, before turning their attention to what they’ve been up to over the summer.And, as you might expect from Strong Lincs, there are plenty of stories to tell!Rich has been enjoying a family summer holiday in France, but what should have been a relaxing break takes a rather unexpected turn when illness threatens to put a serious dampener on proceedings. He tells Dan all about his French escape, the highs, the lows and the moment when his holiday nearly turned into something of a medical drama!While Rich was enjoying his French adventures, Dan was out and about closer to home at Rand Festival 2026 at Rand Farm Park.With three days of live entertainment, tribute acts, family activities, food, farm park attractions and plenty going on around the site, Rand Festival brought a proper summer festival atmosphere to Lincolnshire. Dan catches up with Rand Festival organiser Jack Walker, finding out more about the thinking behind the event, how the festival has developed and what goes into putting on such a huge family-focused weekend.He also meets two new friends, Barney and Forbes from Barney’s Churros, and discovers more about the people behind these delicious festival treats. And if that wasn’t enough, Dan catches up once again with the team from Magna Radio, festival traders and gets a lesson from Spider-Man himself on how to be a good superhero.After all those adventures, Dan rejoins Rich in the Strong Lincs studio to do what they do best: shoot the breeze, catch up on what’s been happening and inevitably wander off on a few conversational detours!Then it’s time to head out again. This time, it's off to The Playhouse in Sleaford, where the Strong Lincs duo catch up with Sean Hasbean and Judy Drench from Gone Rogue Theatre to chat about preparations for their new production of Art, the acclaimed play by French playwright Yasmina Reza, to the West Gate stage.We get stuck into Gone Rogue Theatre’s production of Art, a play where three mates discover that friendship can survive almost anything… except having wildly different opinions about a very expensive white painting.We chat about the characters, the production, the challenges of bringing this brilliantly sharp and very funny play to life, and what audiences can expect when the curtain goes up. Expect friendship, relationships, artistic differences, bruised egos and the sort of argument that starts with “It’s just a painting” and somehow ends with everyone questioning their entire existence.Finally, we head back to the studio for a Your Local Lincs magazine round-up, and see what’s happening across the local area.So, grab yourself a cuppa, settle in and join us for the first episode of Series 2 of Strong Lincs.Links & Mentions:Rand Park Farm: www.randfarmpark.comBarney's Churros: www.instagram.com/barneyschurrosSleaford Playhouse: www.sleafordplayhouse.co.uk Your Local Lincs Magazine: www.yourlocallincs.co.uk

Rich and Dan are back in the TARDIS!For this month’s Extra Strong Lincs, the Strong Lincs duo make a return visit to the incredible Console Room in South Kyme, where they sit down for a fascinating chat with its creator, former BBC television producer and lifelong Doctor Who aficionado, Brendan Sheppard.And this is no ordinary trip down memory lane.Brendan takes Rich and Dan behind the scenes of the story that led to the creation of the Console Room, revealing how an extraordinary idea grew from a passion for Doctor Who into an experience that brings a little bit of Time Lord magic to Lincolnshire.Also, with a long career in television behind him, Brendan shares some fascinating memories from his time in the industry, including of Matt Baker and his remarkable first day at the BBC’s iconic Television Centre.And there’s a lovely personal story attached to that first day too. Brendan reveals that he started at BBC Television Centre on the same day as his good friend, the much missed, and much-loved Caroline Flack.It’s a glimpse into a fascinating period of television, told by someone who was there and who has plenty of stories from behind the cameras.And then comes the story that might just steal the episode… What happens when comedy legend Ronnie Barker turns up at your door for a chat? Yes. That Ronnie Barker.Brendan recounts the remarkable story of the time the legendary star of Porridge, Open All Hours and The Two Ronnies came knocking, and it’s exactly the kind of unexpected television tale that makes you realise just how many incredible stories are hiding behind the scenes of the entertainment industry.There’s plenty of Doctor Who chat, too, as Brendan’s passion for the programme shines through. From the inspiration behind the Console Room to the details that make the experience so special, this is a conversation packed with nostalgia, television history, creativity, and a healthy dose of Time Lord enthusiasm.So, whether you’re a lifelong Whovian, a fan of classic British television, fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes, or simply enjoy listening to someone tell a really good story, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Grab your sonic screwdriver, find yourself a comfortable spot in the Console Room and join Rich, Dan and Brendan for a journey through television, Doctor Who, Matt Baker, Caroline Flack, Ronnie Barker, memories, creativity and one very unexpected knock at the door.Extra Strong Lincs: because sometimes the best stories are the ones you never expected to hear.Links & Mentions:The Console Room: theconsoleroom.co.uk

This month, Rich and Dan are back where it all began as they return to one of Lincolnshire’s biggest and best-loved events, the Heckington Show.Recorded live from the heart of the showground, the pair spend the weekend soaking up the atmosphere, catching up with familiar faces, and speaking to some old friends of the podcast to find out what they’ve been up to since their last appearance.From the livestock and trade stands to the food, entertainment and everything in between, Rich and Dan experience everything that makes the Heckington Show such a special event in the county calendar, sharing plenty of laughs and stories along the way.Away from the showground, the Strong Lincs duo receive a very special invitation to a beautiful garden in the village of South Kyme for the launch of Lincolnshire’s exciting new Doctor Who experience, The Console Room.Stepping into a world of time, space and adventure, they get an exclusive look behind the scenes and enjoy a fascinating chat with Sophie Aldred, the much-loved actor who played the unforgettable Doctor's companion Ace. From memories of travelling in the TARDIS to the enduring passion of the show’s fans, it’s a conversation that no Whovian will want to miss.This month the show finishes with music from the amazing Matt Cook and his band Our Frank with a track from their new debut album Nostalgia Isn't What It Was.Join us for another packed episode celebrating the people, places and personalities that make Lincolnshire such a unique county.Links & Mentions:Heckington Show: www.heckingtonshow.org.ukGrantham Vintage Photo Pods: www.wildthingevents.co.ukHeckington Railway Museum: sites.google.com/view/heckingtonrailwaymeuseum/homeFairfield Farm: www.fairfieldcf.co.ukThe Console Room: www.theconsoleroom.co.ukOur Frank (Matt Cook): www.youtube.com

Lights, camera… podcast!This month on Extra Strong Lincs, Rich and Dan are joined by the father-and-son filmmaking team Andrew Burn and Callum Burn, the creative force behind Tin Hat Productions and the brand-new feature film Landship.The pair take us back to where it all began, sharing how a passion for storytelling grew into an award-winning independent film company. They discuss the origins of Tin Hat Productions, the challenges of making feature films, and the journey that has led them to their biggest project yet, Landship, which premiered to audiences last month.Along the way, Andrew and Callum reveal what goes on behind the scenes of independent filmmaking, reflect on some of their previous productions, and explain what it takes to bring an ambitious historical feature to the big screen.Of course, no conversation about Landship would be complete without discussing Dan’s appearance in the film. The Burns cast a critical eye over his on-screen performance, offering their honest (and entertaining!) verdict on whether Hollywood should be calling anytime soon.If you’re a fan of filmmaking, local success stories, or simply enjoy hearing how big ideas become reality, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Links & Mentions:Tin Hat Productions: www.tinhatproductions.comLandship Film: www.landshipfilm.com

This month on Extra Strong Lincs, Rich lets Dan out of the studio to catch up with his old friend and original podcasting partner, Leon Smith.Long before podcasts became mainstream, Dan and Leon were experimenting with the format, recording conversations, and creating content when most people had never even heard the word 'podcast'. Together they look back on those pioneering days and reminisce about how two mates ended up launching their own show at the dawn of a new medium.The conversation also takes a nostalgic detour to their time presenting a Saturday afternoon radio show on the now-defunct Siren FM. Neither of them is quite sure how they were ever trusted with a live microphone, but they share some fond memories of their broadcasting adventures and the characters they met along the way.The pair bond over their shared status as fully paid-up members of the bald community, flat caps, style, Free Hugs, and the confidence that comes with embracing who you are.Dan and Leon also revisit their involvement in organising one of Lincolnshire’s biggest music festivals, including the extraordinary story of how the event created a nine-mile traffic jam and nearly brought unwanted attention from the authorities. It’s a tale of ambition, chaos, and somehow avoiding prosecution.Away from broadcasting and festivals, Leon reflects on his early life and the experiences that shaped him before revealing how his career has taken him into the world of science and innovation. Today, he is helping develop and improve new materials in the laboratory, working at the cutting edge of technology and research.It’s a funny, nostalgic, and fascinating conversation between two old friends whose journeys have taken them on adventures they could never imagine, and whose shared stories continue to entertain. Check out the Grimsthorpe Festival Podcast here.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off this month, Rich and Dan are joined by good friend, teammate, and football aficionado Harry Costa for a celebration of the beautiful game.From muddy grassroots pitches to the biggest sporting stage on the planet, the trio discuss everything football. Harry shares his experiences playing in Richard’s legendary Tuesday night kick-around, a friendly fixture that has been bringing players together for around 25 years, as well as his exploits as one of the star performers for Dansum FC.The conversation then turns to the highs and lows of the 2025/26 football season. Dan reflects on the heartbreak of seeing West Ham United relegated, while Rich’s Liverpool and Harry’s Leeds United muddle through and survive to fight another season. Closer to home, the team celebrate Lincoln United’s fantastic promotion to the Championship and what it means for football in Lincolnshire.Looking ahead, they discuss the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and assess England’s chances of finally bringing football home. As always, there’s plenty of football nostalgia, debate, banter and passion along the way.This month’s episode is played out by Paradox of Ravens with another track from their brand-new album Eye Of The Storm.Links & Mentions:Dansum FC: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559220578844Paradox of Ravens: www.facebook.com/groups/1387648635973851/

This month, Rich and Dan visit the home of their good friend, Matt Shaw who happens to be a local authority on the explosion of rave culture in the late 1980s and early ’90s.The Strong Lincs duo dive deep into the origins of the UK rave scene, from illegal warehouse parties and acid house nights to the flyers, fashions and unforgettable energy that defined a generation. Matt shares how he first got swept up in the movement, the legendary nights he attended, and why the culture still means so much to him today.The conversation also explores the 2025 documentary Gotta Have It, To Feel It, which follows Matt’s lifelong obsession with collecting original rave flyers and memorabilia. At the heart of it all is his famous “Wall of Frame”, an incredible archive celebrating one of the most exciting eras in British nightlife history.Expect nostalgia, laughter, untold stories and a fascinating look back at the underground scene that changed music and youth culture forever.Check out Matt Shaw in the rave documentary “Gotta Have It, To Feel It” (2025).