This week we catch up with brilliant Natalie Haynes. We find out how comedy has shaped her career in classics and how the classics have shaped her career in comedy. Full of laughs and insight, we learn what it takes to a have a successful Radio 4 comedy series, write columns in leading papers and have your novel short listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction. 

Natalie is a classicist, author and stand-up comedian as well as the host of Radio 4’s “Natalie Haynes Stands Up For the Classics” which is also available as a podcast. Natalie’s books include A Thousand Ships and Pandora’ Jar and have featured on numerous best seller lists. 

After popular demand we have added out new theme tune to our library as a surprise special gift for Spotify users. Add to your favorite playlist and listen whenever you like!

Theme tune by Charles Harrison based on the tune created by Guy Dowsett.

Welcome back to the first episode of this new season of Career in Ruins. It’s been six months since we last did a pod and my word have we been busy. This week our hosts, Derek and Lawrence, catch up on what they have been up to, address some of the amazing archaeology that has been on the telly box of late and interview the fantastic Dr Cat Jarman. Cat is bioarchaeologist and archaeologist specializing in using forensic techniques to understand past peoples. Her research involves vikings, diet, and mobility. Her book 'River Kings' was one of the Times' best history books of 2021. Cat can also be seen hosting the BBC's Digging for Britain and  Ancient Secrets of Althorp on Channel 4. 

Theme tune by Charles Harrison based on the tune created by Guy Dowsett (series sound engineer).  Logo created by Ed Hudspeth.

In this Festival of British Archaeology special Career in Ruins gets a significant upgrade as Lawrence is joined by Neil Redfern (CEO, Council for British Archaeology) with a special guest appearance by Matt Williams (Time Team legend and RSPB reserves archaeologist) in Derek’s absence. The podcast was recorded on-location at RSPB Arne where the team explore the importance of archaeology against the backdrop of this year’s festival theme “exploring local places”. Lawrence, Neil and Matt discuss the many ways to celebrate and enjoy natural and cultural heritage and the opportunities for archaeologists to share local and hidden heritage with the wider public.  

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)

In this Dig4arch special Derek and Lawrence talk to people behind the new campaign that aims to send a clear message that archaeology matters, Dr Chloë Duckworth (Newcastle University) and David Connolly (BAJR). They discuss the current risks to archaeology and explore some of the ways to overcome them the panel are joined by representatives from key organisations within the discipline to explore a range of issues, Kate Geary (CIFA), Neil Redfern (CBA) and Kenneth  Aitchison (FAME). The panel also discuss what you can do to help protect archaeology’s future and how future archaeologist might shape the discipline. 

Find out more here dig4arch.co.uk 

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)

This episode we are joined by Dr Toby Driver, Senior Investigator (Aerial Survey) at the Royal Commission Wales. Toby discusses his career in archaeology, how he got into aerial research and how the process works. We also discuss a number of things that have caught our attention, including the passing of Victor Ambrus (Time Team), the lost stone circle of Stonehenge and the Great British Dig.

This episode we are joined by Gareth Chaffey, Senior Project Manager at Wessex Archaeology.  Gareth discusses his career in archaeology, his experimental partnership with Butser Ancient Farm and  how he taught Derek everything he knows. Derek, Lawrence and Gareth also discuss new jobs, commercial archaeology and share some secrets about he CiR twitter feed.

NOTE: this episode was recorded in late 2020

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)

This week we are joined by Dr Sadie Watson, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at MOLA.  Sadie discusses her archaeolgoical background, her fellowship in ‘Measuring, maximising and transforming public benefit from UK Government infrastructure investment in archaeology' and her work on the amazing Bloomberg excavation . Derek, Lawrence and Sadie also discuss podcasts, the future of archaeology in the UK and metal detecting reality TV.

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)

This week we are joined by Matt Ritchie, Archaeologist for Forestry and Land Scotland. Matt discusses his diverse career, love of innovative outreach and his particular passion for Ferries. Derek, Lawrence and Matt also discuss the value of local heritage and how its managed as well as delving into the contentious issue of the Stonehenge tunnel project.

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)

This week we are joined by Kristina Douglass, Joyce and Doug Sherwin Early Career Processor in the Rock Ethics Institute and Assistant Professor of Anthropology and African Studies, Penn State Collage. Kristina brings her fascinating prospective to how she became the leading professional that she is today, as well as discussion around the positive outcomes from Covid and research, multiculturalism, and the role of archaeology in re-evaluating historic racial narratives. Derek, Lawrence and Kristina also discuss her work in Madagascar, extinct flora and fauna and the pit falls of archaeological interpretation when looking at the computer game Fall Guys.

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)