Welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

As a festive treat, we present to you a brilliantly honest episode of Crushed with the magnificent comedy legend that is ARABELLA WEIR. 

This conversation is as funny as it is wise – and it is really funny. And so therefore it is really wise.

Arabella can be seen the Two Doors Down Christmas Special on BBC iPlayer and The Fast Show 30th Anniversary Tour continues in 2026 – you can find out where and when here.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best. 

Come and find us...

On ⁠Substack⁠ where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠Instagram⁠ for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On ⁠email⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠⁠

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in ⁠Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas⁠ with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep until 18th January 2026.

Merry Christmas, Smashers xx

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello here's your FIVE STAR Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast where I grill funny people about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features hilarious actor and writer JOE TRACINI. 

This was a super funny, honest chat and you're all going to fall in love with him. Do seek out his fantastic book Ten Things I Hate About Me. It’s a brilliant account of his history with BPD - a gut punch of a story, delivered in a charming and honest way. 

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people. If you can up your devotion and give us a five star rating  I'll be able to sense it when I see you, and will give you a hug (Or complicated salute if hugging's not your thing).

Come and find us...

On ⁠Substack⁠ where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠Instagram⁠ for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On ⁠email⁠, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠⁠

I'm appearing in ⁠Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas⁠ with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas – well, from NOW until 18th January 2026.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is our pleasure to welcome you to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

We're joined here by the wonderful and brilliantly talented comedian, presenter, artist and podcaster BEC HILL. She’s so funny and wise and also the proud owner of a life-sized cardboard cutout so she is very much our people.

If you want more Bec, you can also listen to the excellent podcast she does with the standup and mathematician Matt Parker - A Problem Squared is available from all good podcast shops.

And, if you’re quick and feeling festive, you can catch Bec alongside former Crushed guest John-Luke Roberts in his Geoffrey Chaucer’s Mediaeval Christmas Festivitye shows in early December 2025

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best. 

Come and find us...

On Substack where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments   Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas – well, from NOW until 18th January 2026. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode involves a proper funny and deeply unfiltered chat with radio comedy ledge JON HOLMES. Highly recommend you check out his work, especially The Skewer, Naked Week and Jon Holmes Says The C-Word, all available on BBC Sounds. I love Jon, he brings the vibes, even at a funeral.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas 2025. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Big thanks to Mighty Bunny in general and Laura Grimshaw specifically. I love them all too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh hello there, welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith - the podcast about unrequited love.

We're lucky enough to have comedy dynamo DESIREE BURCH as our guest today. She's wonderful and SHE'S ON TOUR - you can buy tickets here https://www.desireeburch.com/the-golden-wrath-tour/

Thanks for downloading and supporting us (me). You're the absolute best.

Come and find us...

On ⁠Substack at crushedbymcs⁠; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On ⁠instagram⁠ @crushedbymcs for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  ⁠[email protected]⁠ Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in ⁠Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas⁠ with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas 2025. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Big thanks to Mighty Bunny in general and Laura Grimshaw specifically. I love them all too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh look, it's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features the brilliantly talented Hollie McNish. BUY HOLLIE'S BOOK VIRGIN!!! It's just so good. Beautiful and moving and angry and funny. We totally lucked out getting Hollie. She's an awesome poet just oozing empathy and warmth and has a totally unique take on crushes. So there.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive blogs as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On instagram @crushedbymcs for a right old ragbag of silly and serious videos and clips.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  [email protected] Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

Just out of interest: I'm appearing in Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed at the Birmingham Rep over Christmas 2025. When I was a kid they'd have announcements like that over the closing credits of comedy programmes sometimes. I'd love to bring that back.

Big thanks to Mighty Bunny in general and Laura Grimshaw specifically. I love them all.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've found Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

Today's episode features utterly charming, delightfully hilarious Josh Jones. As Producer Laura says "What a joyful f**king mess his list of crushes is." Though I will say, Josh's reason for going off Henry Cavill is highly relatable.

Josh is currently touring the UK and you can find out where he's going and how to get tickets here.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're the best. In exchange I hope we're bringing glimmers of warmth to you in a pretty frightening world.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs where I post quite personal videos and nuggets from the show.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but simply chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

I'm on the iPlayer in Not Going Out if you fancy checking that out. I am also up at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from November 2025 - January 2026 doing Sherlock Holmes with former guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed. See you there.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahoy there, it's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

This episode features awesome writer-performer and podcaster AMY HOGGART who has a hugely varied CV and currently hosts TWO excellent podcasts - What's Left? and FeMANism. Check her out on instagram at ⁠@amyhoggart.⁠

Absolutely loved chatting to Amy and felt at home discussing her many disasters. My favourite moment was the total delusion caused by a Valentine's Card.

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people. If you can bear to go and lob us a 5 star review

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs where I occasionally dress up and lip-synch to Chappell Roan.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but gratefully chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ⁠ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs⁠

Just out of interest: you can currently see me in Not Going Out on the iplayer, if you fancy seeing me  being pedantic in a pencil skirt. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh hello there, welcome to Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

This episode features the marvellous actor, writer, and excellent-showbiz-anecdote-provider EMMA KENNEDY. What a gossipy joy this episode is, Emma is just so much fun. You're gonna have a great time. And if you want more from Emma, she's @emmak67 on Instagram.
Thanks for downloading and supporting us. You're my people. If you can bear to go and lob us a 5 star review we’d really love that.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs where I occasionally dress up and lip-synch to Chappell Roan.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

And if you want to do nothing but gratefully chuck me £4 to buy myself some sellotape and a copy of the Radio Times to make a collage, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs

And, if you're so inclined, you can currently see me in Not Going Out on the iPlayer, if you fancy seeing me  being pedantic in a pencil skirt. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey you - it's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

This episode I interview brilliant writer, speaker and activist LAURA BATES.

Laura is a ludicrously impressive and articulate human and SO FUN despite the fact that her work is generally super serious. Do check out her books, especially the most recent THE NEW AGE OF SEXISM which is a terrifying account of how AI is affecting our lives when it comes to misogyny. I'm not saying it's a fun read but it's absolutely, profoundly important and gripping.

Thanks for downloading and supporting the podcast. If you can bear to go and tap out a 5 star review for us, that'd be dreamy. Or for some harder financial based support, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs It makes all the difference in keeping this baby alive and thriving and if you've already done that, I LOVE YOU.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs where I occasionally dress up and lip-synch to Chappell Roan.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

Just out of interest: you can currently see me in Not Going Out on the iPlayer, if you fancy seeing me being funny in a pencil skirt and nametag. 

THANKS GANG 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there it's Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith; the podcast about unrequited love. 

This episode I talk to awesome comic Hayley Morris.

I can't wait for you to discover her if you haven't yet. She's properly fabulous. Hilarious and open and a really gifted communicator. Highly recommend you binge all her previous content on  https://www.youtube.com/@hayleymorris/videos

Thanks for downloading and supporting us. If you can bear to go and tap out a 5 star review for us, that'd be dreamy. Or for some harder financial based support, head for ko-fi.com/crushedbymcs It makes all the difference in keeping this baby alive and thriving and if you've already done that, I LOVE YOU.

Come and find us...

On Substack at crushedbymcs; where if you subscribe, you’ll have access to the podcast ad-free and exclusive content from me as well as a lot of gushy love from me.

On Instagram @crushedbymcs where I occasionally dress up and lip-synch to Chappell Roan.

On email, where you can send us anecdotes, adoration and arguments  crushedbymcs@gmail. Who doesn't love post!?

Just out of interest: you can currently see me in Not Going Out on the iPlayer, if you fancy seeing me being funny in a pencil skirt and nametag. 

THANKS GANG 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices