Getting Better Acquainted

In GBA 96 we get better acquainted with Angela. She talks about being a librarian, being a teenage Goth in Michigan, being a "start up wife", being someone who follows their wanderlust to New Zealand, being an A & R person for hair metal bands, being a writer with a flair for editing and lots more.

This is the first instalment of Angela this week. She returns with along with GBA 95 guest Sofia on Friday in an episode where I follow up with then both and delve into some of the areas I missed the first time.

She is the second Angela to have appeared on the show.

Angela plugs:

Her husband's internet start up company: http://www.bookingbug.com

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

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In GBA 95 we get better acquainted with Sofia. She talks about writing screenplays and being interested in film making, going from Sweden to Texas, back to Sweden, then to LA, then to London, with some stop offs in Malaysia, surviving on a low wage in London, the etiquette of working as a barista in a coffee chain, not wanting children but wanting a relationship and more!

Sofia plugs:

Her photography and her writing: Contact [email protected] to be put in contact with her about either of those skillsets.

This is her flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sofialundberg/

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 95 we get better acquainted with Sofia. She talks about writing screenplays and being interested in film making, going from Sweden to Texas, back to Sweden, then to LA, then to London, with some stop offs in Malaysia, surviving on a low wage in London, the etiquette of working as a barista in a coffee chain, not wanting children but wanting a relationship and more!

Sofia plugs:

Her photography and her writing: Contact [email protected] to be put in contact with her about either of those skillsets.

This is her flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sofialundberg/

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 94 we get better acquainted with Andy. He talks about sex, suicide, evolution, Countdown, cocaine addiction, true storytelling and more. It's very open & honest conversation.

A substantial amount of this episode covers issues around sexuality, feminism, evolutionary psychology/biology, sex work and we even touch on "nice guys" (although the conversation was recorded before the Nice Guys of OK Cupid Tumblr appeared and disappeared.)

We also talk about how Phil Collins saved his life, get the inside scoop on behind the scenes at the Channel Four series Countdown, the relationship between stand up comedy, journalism and Oxford University and how his two Grandmothers influenced his life.

Andy will be telling a true story at the upcoming Stand Up Tragedy which is also at the Hackney Attic on Friday 18th January:

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/show-1-18th-january-2013/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Stand_Up_Tragedy/

https://www.facebook.com/events/232685033529087/

Andy plugs:

Womanology: http://www.womanology.co.uk/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_Womanology_

Mentioned:

The audio version of the Womanology blog we'd just recorded: http://www.womanology.co.uk/folder/?p=437

Spark London: http://www.sparklondon.com/

Down Post Office Lane: http://www.mixcloud.com/sparklondon/down-post-office-lane-andy-bodle/

Escorts: http://www.mixcloud.com/sparklondon/escorts-andy-bodle/

Daily Mail Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1190966/I-addicted-girls-A-respected-script-writer-explains-succumbed-lure-paying-sex.html

Stuart Jeffries: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Slocombes-Pussy-Stuart-Jeffries/dp/0002258897

Sex at Dawn: http://www.sexatdawn.com/

Dan Savage: http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=15754593

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 94 we get better acquainted with Andy. He talks about sex, suicide, evolution, Countdown, cocaine addiction, true storytelling and more. It's very open & honest conversation.

A substantial amount of this episode covers issues around sexuality, feminism, evolutionary psychology/biology, sex work and we even touch on "nice guys" (although the conversation was recorded before the Nice Guys of OK Cupid Tumblr appeared and disappeared.)

We also talk about how Phil Collins saved his life, get the inside scoop on behind the scenes at the Channel Four series Countdown, the relationship between stand up comedy, journalism and Oxford University and how his two Grandmothers influenced his life.

Andy will be telling a true story at the upcoming Stand Up Tragedy which is also at the Hackney Attic on Friday 18th January:

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/show-1-18th-january-2013/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Stand_Up_Tragedy/

https://www.facebook.com/events/232685033529087/

Andy plugs:

Womanology: http://www.womanology.co.uk/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_Womanology_

Mentioned:

The audio version of the Womanology blog we'd just recorded: http://www.womanology.co.uk/folder/?p=437

Spark London: http://www.sparklondon.com/

Down Post Office Lane: http://www.mixcloud.com/sparklondon/down-post-office-lane-andy-bodle/

Escorts: http://www.mixcloud.com/sparklondon/escorts-andy-bodle/

Daily Mail Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1190966/I-addicted-girls-A-respected-script-writer-explains-succumbed-lure-paying-sex.html

Stuart Jeffries: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Slocombes-Pussy-Stuart-Jeffries/dp/0002258897

Sex at Dawn: http://www.sexatdawn.com/

Dan Savage: http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=15754593

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 93 we get better acquainted with Alastair. He talks about putting on shows, creativity, filmmaking, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, Doctor Who, activism, hugging and more. This episode was recorded at the Hackney Attic (where he works), just before the last Spark London Hackney Open Mic of 2012 (which I run.)

The episode will also feature two Spark London true stories recorded at the attic, both touching on sibling relationships. Al told his story at the first ever Spark Hackney Night when the theme was "Back to School". I told my story on the evening after we recorded the episode when the theme was "Family".

The next Hackney Open Mic and first Spark London event of 2013 is on Monday 14th January: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Spark_London_Story_Telling_Theme_Open_Heart/

http://sparklondon.com/

We also mention the upcoming Stand Up Tragedy which is also at the Hackney Attic on Friday 18th January:

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/show-1-18th-january-2013/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Stand_Up_Tragedy/

https://www.facebook.com/events/232685033529087/

Alastair plugs:

The Hackney Attic: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/Attic/

The Hackney Picture House: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/

Autumn Shift: http://autumnshift.co.uk/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Autumn_Sessions_Poetry_Special/

TeaFuelled: http://www.teafuelled.co.uk/

Once Upon A Console: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Once_Upon_A_Console_Marvel_Vs_Capcom/

Filmphonics: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Filmphonics_The_General_Live_Score_By_Costas_Fotopoulos/

Mentioned:

The Adventures of Prince Achmed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Prince_Achmed

The Story of the Best Movie Ever Told (Hitler 2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enKnQ8AoBWI

Superbard: http://www.superbard.co.uk/

http://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-70-superbard

BBC Question Time Tweetalong: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Bbc_Question_Time_Tweetalong/

Unfortunatalie: http://twitter.com/unfortunatalie

http://nothingbutawordbag.wordpress.com/

Everyday Sexism: http://twitter.com/EverydaySexism

http://www.everydaysexism.com/

MA'AM: http://menagainstassholesandmisogyny.tumblr.com/

http://menagainstassholesandmisogyny.tumblr.com/post/36955802825/dave-pickering-is-a-maam

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 93 we get better acquainted with Alastair. He talks about putting on shows, creativity, filmmaking, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, Doctor Who, activism, hugging and more. This episode was recorded at the Hackney Attic (where he works), just before the last Spark London Hackney Open Mic of 2012 (which I run.)

The episode will also feature two Spark London true stories recorded at the attic, both touching on sibling relationships. Al told his story at the first ever Spark Hackney Night when the theme was "Back to School". I told my story on the evening after we recorded the episode when the theme was "Family".

The next Hackney Open Mic and first Spark London event of 2013 is on Monday 14th January: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Spark_London_Story_Telling_Theme_Open_Heart/

http://sparklondon.com/

We also mention the upcoming Stand Up Tragedy which is also at the Hackney Attic on Friday 18th January:

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/show-1-18th-january-2013/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Stand_Up_Tragedy/

https://www.facebook.com/events/232685033529087/

Alastair plugs:

The Hackney Attic: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/Attic/

The Hackney Picture House: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/

Autumn Shift: http://autumnshift.co.uk/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Autumn_Sessions_Poetry_Special/

TeaFuelled: http://www.teafuelled.co.uk/

Once Upon A Console: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Once_Upon_A_Console_Marvel_Vs_Capcom/

Filmphonics: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Filmphonics_The_General_Live_Score_By_Costas_Fotopoulos/

Mentioned:

The Adventures of Prince Achmed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Prince_Achmed

The Story of the Best Movie Ever Told (Hitler 2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enKnQ8AoBWI

Superbard: http://www.superbard.co.uk/

http://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-70-superbard

BBC Question Time Tweetalong: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Bbc_Question_Time_Tweetalong/

Unfortunatalie: http://twitter.com/unfortunatalie

http://nothingbutawordbag.wordpress.com/

Everyday Sexism: http://twitter.com/EverydaySexism

http://www.everydaysexism.com/

MA'AM: http://menagainstassholesandmisogyny.tumblr.com/

http://menagainstassholesandmisogyny.tumblr.com/post/36955802825/dave-pickering-is-a-maam

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 92 we get better acquainted with Ben Target. He talks about being enigmatic, stand up comedy, creativity, family history, observing from the outside and more.

http://vimeo.com/49831059

The conversation takes place upstairs in a central London pub as a comedy gig (a London showing of Lou Sanders http://lousanders.com/ Edinburgh show) is set up around us and features cameos from Lou and others. Ben Target is a really brilliant "upcoming" comedian and so this is the perfect setting to capture a conversation with him.

Ben will be performing at the first Stand Up Tragedy of 2013 on Friday 18th January at the Hackney Attic. It will be a great show:

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/show-1-18th-january-2013/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Stand_Up_Tragedy/

https://www.facebook.com/events/232685033529087/

Ben Plugs:

http://plebtalks.com/

2013 - Discover Ben Target: Upcoming gigs including one with Nick Sun on 25th Jan: http://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/b/33760/ben_target

http://bentarget.com/

http://twitter.com/BenTarget

Mentioned:

John Kearns: http://www.thatjohnkearns.co.uk/

Stand Up Tragedy: http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

Lou Sanders: http://lousanders.com/

WTF with Marc Maron: http://www.wtfpod.com/

Tangentially Speaking episode that talks about Flamenco: http://feralaudio.com/3-tao-ruspoli/

Stewart Lee: http://www.stewartlee.co.uk/

Demeteri Martin: http://www.demetrimartin.com/

Nick Sun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Sun

Kim Noble: http://www.mrkimnoble.com

Andy Kaufman: http://andykaufman.jvlnet.com/core.htm

George Carlin: http://www.georgecarlin.com/

Milton Jones: http://www.miltonjones.com/

Tony Law: http://www.mrtonylaw.com/

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 92 we get better acquainted with Ben Target. He talks about being enigmatic, stand up comedy, creativity, family history, observing from the outside and more.

http://vimeo.com/49831059

The conversation takes place upstairs in a central London pub as a comedy gig (a London showing of Lou Sanders http://lousanders.com/ Edinburgh show) is set up around us and features cameos from Lou and others. Ben Target is a really brilliant "upcoming" comedian and so this is the perfect setting to capture a conversation with him.

Ben will be performing at the first Stand Up Tragedy of 2013 on Friday 18th January at the Hackney Attic. It will be a great show:

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/show-1-18th-january-2013/

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse/film/Stand_Up_Tragedy/

https://www.facebook.com/events/232685033529087/

Ben Plugs:

http://plebtalks.com/

2013 - Discover Ben Target: Upcoming gigs including one with Nick Sun on 25th Jan: http://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/b/33760/ben_target

http://bentarget.com/

http://twitter.com/BenTarget

Mentioned:

John Kearns: http://www.thatjohnkearns.co.uk/

Stand Up Tragedy: http://www.standuptragedy.co.uk/

Lou Sanders: http://lousanders.com/

WTF with Marc Maron: http://www.wtfpod.com/

Tangentially Speaking episode that talks about Flamenco: http://feralaudio.com/3-tao-ruspoli/

Stewart Lee: http://www.stewartlee.co.uk/

Demeteri Martin: http://www.demetrimartin.com/

Nick Sun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Sun

Kim Noble: http://www.mrkimnoble.com

Andy Kaufman: http://andykaufman.jvlnet.com/core.htm

George Carlin: http://www.georgecarlin.com/

Milton Jones: http://www.miltonjones.com/

Tony Law: http://www.mrtonylaw.com/

You can hear Getting Better Acquainted on Stitcher SmartRadio, Stitcher allows you to listen to your favourite shows directly from your iPhone, Android Phone, Kindle Fire and beyond.

On-demand and on the go!

Don’t have Stitcher? Download it for free today at http://www.stitcher.com or in the app stores.

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!

In GBA 91 we get better acquainted with Christmas (again). It's the 2012 Christmas Special: A festive curiosity once again full of intimacy, doubt, shared history, music & cheer.

This year though it's much more NSFW.

It's a longform true story of the trip I took to Amsterdam with my mum in 2005.

It features a man in a Gorilla suit wearing a strap on, my mum teaching me how to look at art, a sex worker telling me I'm not a good writer, a moment of closure in my relationship with both Christmas and my mother, a classic weed freak out, beautiful churches and lobster for Christmas dinner.

DISCLAIMER:This contains reference to actions which are not legal in this country but are legal in Holland and it should go without saying that I have never and would never do anything that is illegal in this county.

The audio was originally told via skype to Kevin Allison (http://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-90-kevin-allison) from Risk! (http://risk-show.com/)

It's has been edited and scored by me, using music from many music projects that I've done over the years, and a few samples.

The episode ends with a Christmas song I wrote a few years back called "Time to be Nice" Here it is in video form: http://youtu.be/UiPXNO7WJAQ

This is my other Christmas song in video form: Ghosts of... http://youtu.be/XqCKfOwA9vE

This is a true story I told at Spark London that focuses on an incident that is touched on as back story in this episode: http://www.mixcloud.com/sparklondon/two-cathedrals-david-pickering/

Last year's episode focused on how I learned to love (albeit a highly neurotic and ambiguous love) the season despite its past crimes against my childhood. Here it is: http://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted/gba-christmas-special

Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year!

(There will be no GBA next week. It will return on the 2nd of January 2013.)

Help more people get better acquainted. If you like what you hear why not write an iTunes review?

Follow @GBApodcast on Twitter. Like Getting Better Acquainted on facebook. Tell your friends. Spread the word!