Good Evening Swansea

Paul Beer loves a challenge - and at the start of October he announced that he was going to walk 100 miles during October to raise money for the National Autistic Society. His family were concerned - with a history of heart issues they feared the 75-year old would push himself too far. Just as well then that they didn't know that Paul had a different target in mind!

With less that three miles of what's became a 300 mile challenge still to walk, the former television engineer joined Jack and Ant to talk about his motivation for the challenge, his favourite routes and a whole range of other topics. There's memories of the Vetch Field, going to the Qatar World Cup to watch Wales, his favourite Swans players and some of his favourite places across the city to eat out.

Paul's charity fundraising was closing in on £1,000 when this podcast was recorded. Anyone wanting to know more about it can visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul1788360874915?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=TW&utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_transactional_--_page_launched_--_campaign

July sees Swansea-born actor Jonathan Houlston bring his first full-length play to the Grand Theatre and the former Gorseinon schoolboy joins Jack and Ant in this episode to discuss the production, his upbringing and influences, and his ambitions moving forward.

The play - Physical Education - is set in a comprehensive school changing room and it explores how masculinity and lad culture affect young men in school. Jonathan, 25, plays one of the characters as the issues of power, sexuality and the importance of friendship are dealt with. It's been described as being poignant, funny and at times excruciatingly cruel and caustic.

The play is directed by Richard Mylan (see podcast episode 10 for about Ricard) and its being put on by the city's Grand Ambition group. It runs from 2-11 July and tickets are available from the box office.

On Sunday 7 June 2026, thousands of runners of all abilities will defend upon our great city for the Swansea Half Marathon. The 13.1‑mile challenge - along Swansea's scenic coastal roads - was first run in 2014... and this year our Jack will amongst those lacing up the trainers and treading the tarmac!!

The run is organised by Front Runner Events, and this podcast episode sees Jack and Ant joined by the CEO David Martin-Jewell to talk about it. Together they discuss how the event came about (and the reasons there was resistance to it), the year-round planning and how, one year, the delivery of the iconic medals was so close to the start time that panic set in that runners might be unrewarded!

And, with Jack's own training reaching its peak, and with race day approaching, David shares his nutritional and training tips for the big day.

The event has raised millions for charity and Jack has chosen "Going The Extra Mile For Cancer" (The Swansea Bay Health Charity). To find out more about the charity: https://swanseabayhealthcharity.com/appeals/going-the-extra-mile-for-cancer/

And, should you have a spare pound or two and would like to sponsor Jack, here's how: https://swanseabayhealthcharity.enthuse.com/pf/jack-o-connell

After amazing feedback from episode 11, we've brought back global tour manager Paul ("Welshie") Chapman to update us on his ventures in the music world. The former Bishop Vaughan School pupil has just completed a world tour with Welsh heavy metal band Bullet For My Valentine - including several stadium crazy dates in South America - and is planning for a busy 2026 out on the road, and working with, Avitar, Five Finger Death Punch, Live and BFMV.

We suggest you dig out episode episode 11 (Morriston to Megadeth) if you want to know how a boy from Swansea has risen through the ranks to have one of the biggest contact books in rock music - but in this episode you'll get a deeper insight into the work of tour manager on the day of a gig... riding pillion through Bogota to sort the band's visas, striking the meet-and-greet balance between fan interaction and artist preparation, and never being able to relax until back on the tour bus. Oh, and he also explains precisely why show tickets cost what they do!

Since our first podcast with "Welshie" we've been lucky enough to have shared several social occasions and found our way into that contact book (hopefully in the "friends" section) - we hope this podcast allows a wider audience to see what a a top guy he is... and what can be achieved when you follow your dream!

Earlier this year Swansea's Fiona Hughes became a national celebrity after appearing on BBC's The Traitors. The hit show's first Secret Traitor was at the centre of a viewer's guessing game and, once revealed, she quickly put the proverbial cat among the pigeons... which led to her explosive departure from the series.

Since then, the former Swansea Council worker has retired and there's been few newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television shows or social media that haven't wanted to talk Traitors with her.

So, given just short of 30 minutes in Fiona's busy schedule, Jack and Ant fancied mixing it up a bit. Instead of the Traitors questions that had been aired elsewhere, they instead delved into Fiona's upbringing in the city, her love of the Swans and where she'd like her celebrity status to take her.

There's a little bit of Traitors, but we hope you enjoy hearing a little bit about Fiona herself.

2026 promises to be a busy year for Summer Treharne... the Swansea teenager who "never wanted to do anything else but sing!". Immediately on the horizon for the singer / songwriter is Croeso Fest - a weekend St David's celebration across the city from 28 February to 1 March. Then, on 7 March, Cardiff's Immersed Festival has her booked to perform.

Not that such high-profile gigs are anything new for the 19-year-old music student - as she's been performing since she was a toddler, including with Swansea's Stage Coach drama group. And, with her guitar and own material,  she's already headlined The Bunkhouse and entertained at the city's Arena's coffee shop sessions.

Sitting down with Jack and Ant, she discussed the musical influences that have shaped her, the inspirations behind her lyrics, moments of self-doubt and how her course at the University of South Wales has further developed her talents.

With an online EP released, Summer can often be seen at live music venues across Swansea - keep an eye out for her... but in the meantime, sit back and enjoy the story so far!

After a longer than planned Christmas break, Jack and Ant return - and are joined by Dylan Evans, the head chef at Swansea's prestigious Morgans Hotel. Dylan, was a picky eater as a youngster, but he told the boys what led him to train for the hospitality sector and how his career path has taken him around South Wales, into Europe and back to Adelaide Street.

Also a big Swans fan, Dylan gave an insight into the planning of the city's legendary Beaujolais Day celebrations, the pressure of wedding days and how he'd love to prepare and serve up some kangaroo.

It's not all highs - the podcast includes redundancy and Covid hitting Dylan personally and the hospitality sector at large - but here's about 45 minutes with a guy who's now loving life, both at work and at home with his family.

There's a few issues with Ant's mic - sometimes making him sound like he's swimming under water. Hopefully these don't detract from your enjoyment!

After more weeks off than they had planned for, Jack and Ant are back - and they are joined by Carolyn Harris, the MP for Neath and Swansea East. An MP since 2015, Carolyn is again championing the "Everyone Deserves A Christmas" campaign that she helped initiate. The charity provides food hampers filled with festive essentials to struggling families and individuals, ensuring they experience the joy of Christmas.

Carolyn talked with the boys about how the campaign has grown from a small kitchen effort to around 1,600 hampers being distributed this Christmas across areas such as Swansea, Neath, and Merthyr Tydfil. 

As well as the campaign, Carolyn gave some insight into life as an MP, told how she accidentally disrupted the Prime Minister's official tree lights switch on, discussed whether she would stand at the next General Election, and put herself up for a Strictly Come Dancing appearance.

You won't find anything in this one about fiscal policy, neither will you hear any rubbishing of political rivals - but you may just enjoy hearing how a Swansea woman operates at the heart of the UK Government.

Well it was bound to happen... the scheduled guest dropped out at the last minute and so it was left for Jack and Ant to either have a chat for half an hour or to leave it for a week.

Given Jack's away at Cardiff School of Journalism and Ant was going to be ringing him for a catch up anyway, they decided to just record it and pop it out as this week's podcast.

Amongst the topics covered were Christmas curry nights, meeting Dr Who(s), global excitement that Ant had gone out and had a pint, and Jack's venture into Cardiff's five-a-side scene.

This one may not be for everyone - and no grudges are held if it's not - but, likewise, it may help you through a short car journey on these dark November days!

Dan Brooks was a criminal solicitor in Swansea and a (half) decent player for Mumbles RFC. But, in 2024, he packed both in, filled a suitcase with clothes and other bits, and set off to Canada to fulfil an ambition of experiencing a different lifestyle.

Landing in Canada he had no plan, no accommodation and no job - so it was clear he needed to get a few things sorted... and quickly!

During the 12 months that have followed he has flipped eggs for hungry fast food diners, captured and castrated young bulls, and undertaken a baby-sitting role with difference!

In this episode, Dan (the voice of our podcast intro) chatted to Jack and Ant about the highs and lows of life across the Atlantic - and he offered a little advice to anyone brave enough to up sticks and do something similar!