In this episode of Amy Talks, I speak to Alan Katz, Presiding Officiant at Great Officiants. We talk about how he got into the job, how his acting background has helped him in his career and building a team. I also ask Alan about crazy stories, the celebrities he's married, and LGBT+ weddings.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Great Officiants: https://www.greatofficiants.com/about-our-officiants/our-non-denominational-officiants/alan-katz/
• Follow Great Officiants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatofficiants
• Follow Great Officiants on Facebook: https://www.greatofficiants.com/about-our-officiants/our-non-denominational-officiants/alan-katz/

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apologies for the background noise - it was clearly too hot for my laptop to cope!

In this episode of Amy Talks, I continue my discussion surrounding anxiety, a mental health condition that I have suffered with for a long time. I talk about my anxious ways as a child, my (thankfully rare) experience with panic attacks, and recent events that have challenged my overthinking in a good way.

Links mentioned in the episode:

- Good news story (via TikTok): https://www.tiktok.com/@pinknews/video/7663064620990500118

- Listen to Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8-about-having-anxiety-part-1/id1669325883?i=1000597612114

- UK Resources:

- Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk

- Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-problems/how-to-manage-anxiety-and-worry/

- Mindwell Leeds: https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/myself/exploring-your-mental-health/anxiety/apps-and-tools/

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Amy Talks, I speak to Simon Marks, who has spent the better part of 40 years on TV and radio. We speak about his fascination with TV and radio from a young age, and his beginnings at LBC and Radio Luxembourg.

We also cover his ITN traineeship (and I show him some old footage), juggling his job in broadcasting with raising a family, the impact on his mental health and more.

Links mentioned in this episode:

- Good News Story (via positive.news): The blind football team opening up the world for women in Mexico - Positive News

- Clip of Simon from 1989 (via ITN Archive/Getty Images): repackaging plans; Contaminated baby food: repackaging plans; Simon... Stock Footage Video - Getty Images

- Watch Simon's interview on 'Cops Gone Bad' (via Crime + Investigation Play/ITN Productions): Policeman hospitalises five babies - Cops Gone Bad | Crime+Investigation UK

- Find out more about Feature Story News: Feature Story News - Home

- Subscribe to Simon Marks Reporting: https://plinkhq.com/i/1111788303

- Read his reporting for the i paper: Simon Marks, Author at The i Paper

- Follow Simon Bluesky/Instagram: @simonmarksfsn

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Amy Talks, I speak to Lynda Sunshine West, book publisher and podcaster. She tells me the story of running away at five years old and suffering from anxiety. She then faced one fear a day for a year, allowing her to expand her comfort zone.

Lynda shares her tips for overcoming fear, what she's learnt along the way, her podcast Let Me Tell My Story, as well as her publishing career.

Links mentioned in the episode:

- Good News Story: 10 Downing Street - GOV.UK- Listen to Lynda's podcast 'Let Me Tell My Story': https://letmetellmystorypodcast.com

- Follow Lynda on Instagram: @lyndasunshinewest

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Amy Talks, I speak to Bob Saul, a former paediatrician and author. We speak about how his perspective on the profession changed after the 1999 Columbine massacre, the books he’s written, the most impactful patient he’s ever looked after, and more.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Bob Saul’s website: https://mychildrenschildren.com

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Amy Talks, I explore the world of deepfakes, AI-generated images used for both entertainment and nefarious purposes. I discuss the harm caused, as well as what we can do to report deepfakes to prevent scams and trauma.

Links mentioned in the episode:

- Good News Story: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/caracas-mobile-gynecological-care-homelessness/

- Watch 'Deepfake Porn: You Could Be Next' on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001c1mt/deepfake-porn-could-you-be-next

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Amy Talks, I discuss the rise of 'Kidfluencers' - children who make content online for money. I talk about whether parents are exploiting their children, the legal grey area regarding their income, and what effect a social media ban would have.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Good News Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c042z33vw55o?ref=goodnewspost.co.uk

'Children in Content' Safeguarding Digital Toolkit by Dr Francis Rees, University of Essex: https://www.essex.ac.uk/research-projects/children-in-content

Reddit post - "I was brought up by family vloggers and it ruined my life": https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueOffMyChest/comments/yuzsno/i_was_brought_up_by_family_vloggers_and_it_ruined/

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Amy Talks, I speak to David Page, executive producer of Food Network hit show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”. We talk about the premise of the show, what being an executive producer involves and winning Emmy awards.

We also discuss his career in journalism, his time as a reporter in London, the amazing story of him interviewing Muammar Gadaffi within the rubble of his home, and more.

Links mentioned within the episode:

• ​Good News Story (via TikTok): https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRsXgfQ5/
• ​Listen to David’s podcast, Culinary Characters Unlocked: https://culinarycharactersunlocked.com/
• ​Follow David on X: @pageprod
• ​Buy David’s book “Food Americana”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Food-Americana-Remarkable-Incredible-Entertainment/dp/1642505862

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I discuss the prank-filled holiday of April Fools' Day. I cover the history of the event, the best examples I've seen, and the role of AI in creating these prank posts by brands and influencers.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Good News Story (via Good News Post): https://www.goodnewspost.co.uk/new-uk-charity-launches-free-mental-health-platform-for-neurodivergent-people/

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy Talks is back for 2026 🥳 and we’re starting off with an interview featuring James Walton, Intrepid Commander of the Prepper Broadcast Network, writer and podcast host.

We discuss how people need to stick together in times of crisis, what is required for being able to stay alive during a disaster, how getting outside and learning survival skills is crucial and more.

Listen to The Prepper Broadcasting Network: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/prepper-broadcasting-network/id1449990173

Subscribe to the Prepper Broadcasting Network newsletter: https://pbnfamily.com/mailing-list/

If you want to hear more from me, please subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast platform by searching 'Amy Talks'. If you like these episodes, a five-star rating would be amazing.

Follow the show on social media:

X/Bluesky: @amytalkspodcast

Instagram: @amytalks.podcast

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected].

Music: "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.