"What's the criteria for being 'real'?"

Nina Conti is an internationally acclaimed ventriloquist, comedian and actress. Among many credits, she starred in Her Master's Voice, where she takes the bereaved puppets of her mentor Ken Campbell on a pilgrimage to the resting place for puppets of dead ventriloquists.

Nina Conti's new show 'Whose Face Is It Anyway?' will be at the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End for five nights, from 29th April - 3rd May 2025, before touring the UK in the autumn. Tickets for all dates at ninaontour.com. Her directorial debut film 'Sunlight' is set for release later this year.

Tom Phillips is a British author, journalist, and humorist known for his witty and insightful takes on history and human folly. A former editorial director at Full Fact, the UK’s independent fact-checking charity, Phillips has written books such as Humans: A Brief History of How We Fcked It All Up* and Truth: A Brief History of Total Bullsht*. His works blend humor with historical analysis, exploring humanity’s mistakes and misconceptions in an engaging and accessible way.

Marc Burrows is a British writer, musician, and comedian. He is best known for his work as a journalist and author, particularly for The Magic of Terry Pratchett (2020), an award-winning biography of the beloved fantasy author. Burrows has also written for publications like The Guardian and New Statesman. In addition to his writing, he has been involved in music and comedy, performing stand-up and playing bass in bands. His work often blends humor, pop culture, and deep-dive research.

More Marc stuff: https://www.marcburrows.co.uk/

" But I kind of loved the power of that, the power of weirdness"

"The Secret Painter" is a memoir by Joe Tucker that delves into the concealed artistic life of his uncle, Eric Tucker. Eric, a laborer from Warrington, Cheshire, led a double life, secretly creating over 500 paintings and approximately 1,000 sketches depicting mid-20th-century working-class northern life. His works, often compared to those of LS Lowry, capture scenes of pubs, theaters, and street life with authenticity and depth.

Despite his sociable nature, Eric was reserved about his art, seldom sharing his creations publicly. His family discovered his extensive collection only after his death in 2018, leading to posthumous exhibitions that garnered significant public and media attention.

Joe Tucker's memoir offers a touching and thoughtful exploration of his uncle's life, reflecting on themes of class, ambition, loneliness, and community. The book provides insight into Eric's personal history, his dedication to art, and the broader disconnect between working-class culture and the art establishment.

"The Secret Painter" serves as a poignant tribute to Eric Tucker's unwavering artistic commitment, bringing his life's work into the public eye and celebrating the extraordinary found in unexpected places.

Peter Singer, born on July 6, 1946, in Melbourne, Australia, is a prominent moral philosopher renowned for his work in applied ethics and animal rights. Educated at the University of Melbourne and the University of Oxford, he has taught at institutions worldwide, including Princeton University, where he serves as the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics. Singer's seminal 1975 book, "Animal Liberation," is often credited with initiating the modern animal rights movement. He has authored over 50 books, addressing topics such as global poverty, bioethics, and effective altruism. In 2023, he published "Animal Liberation Now," updating his original work to reflect contemporary issues. Singer is also the founder of the non-profit organisation The Life You Can Save, which advocates for effective philanthropy to combat global poverty.

For more information about Peter Singer and his work, you can visit his official website:

petersinger.info

As its half term we wanted to provide some SFC (safe for car) content to all the families driving back from half term trips. This is an excerpt from Dan's young friendly book IMPOSSIBLE THINGS.

It's the perfect book for young curious minds who love to ask WEIRD and WONDERFUL questions.

Want to impress your friends and family with some BANANAS but TRUE facts? Then discover the world of impossible things with Dan Schreiber. This book will give you the answers to all of your big questions, no matter how silly! From discovering if monsters are real to seeking out haunted sausage rolls, exploring the world's strangest curses to finding the truth about time travel, this book has everything!

With hilarious illustrations and comic strips in every chapter, you won't want to put this book down!

Available from all good book shops, and online. Check it out on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/04XKIkuf

Leah Renee is a stand-up comedian based in Philadelphia and New York City. A mother of three, she describes her comedic style as "like a budget version of Brian Regan if he was a Mormon housewife."

Leah has been open about her journey from being a Mormon to embracing comedy, discussing challenges such as religious OCD (scrupulosity) and cultural pressures. She has shared her experiences in various interviews and podcasts, highlighting how humor has been a pathway to healing and self-discovery.

In 2024, Leah performed her solo hour show, "Ten Pound Baby," at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, receiving praise for its humor and poignancy.

leahrenee.co

Hannah Willow, a 36-year-old early years teacher and children's author from Glasgow, was crowned the city's first tree-hugging champion in October 2024. The event, held at Dams to Darnley Country Park, featured various rounds, including speed hugging, dedicated hugging, and freestyle hugging. Willow's spontaneous dance around a tree during the dedicated hugging round secured her victory. She now plans to represent the UK at the World Tree Hugging Championships in Finland and has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to support her participation.

Robin Ince is an English comedian, actor and writer. He is known for presenting the BBC radio show The Infinite Monkey Cage with physicist Brian Cox, creating Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People, co-creating The Cosmic Shambles Network, and his stand-up comedy career.

For more Robin Ince go to https://robinince.com/

" I experienced something once in an undertaker's that I've never fully, managed to work out"

Zoe Lyons is a British comedian and television presenter known for her sharp wit and engaging storytelling. She gained recognition through stand-up comedy, appearing at major festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe. Lyons has been a regular on popular British panel shows such as Mock the Week and QI. Her humour often blends observational comedy with personal anecdotes, drawing on her experiences growing up in Wales and Ireland. Zoe has also hosted Lightning, a BBC quiz show, showcasing her charisma and versatility.

More Zoe stuff here: https://zoelyons.co.uk/

Susan Blackmore is a renowned British psychologist, writer, and visiting professor at the University of Plymouth, specialising in the study of consciousness, memes, and anomalous experiences. With a background in psychology and physiology from the University of Oxford and a PhD in parapsychology from the University of Surrey, she gained prominence for her critical yet open-minded approach to topics like near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, and paranormal claims. Blackmore is also the author of several influential works, including The Meme Machine, where she explores the concept of memes in cultural evolution, and Consciousness: An Introduction, a widely used textbook in the field. Known for her engaging public speaking and thought-provoking ideas, Blackmore continues to challenge conventional thinking about the mind and human experience.

Find out more about Susan through her website: https://www.susanblackmore.uk/