Matt Stephens is an ex-professional cyclist and GCN presenter who now commentates and presents for Eurosport, Sigma Sports, Zwift and many other outlets.

We’ve all indirectly spent hours in Matt’s company through his work at GCN and Eurosport, and so I wanted to get a flavour of the man behind the microphone. We ended up having a broad-ranging conversation including some cycling topics, and some non-cycling topics such as language, art, reverence, and culture. 

Matt gives an insight into his time in the police and how that helps him host conversations with the biggest names in cycling, what makes a bad interview and how he aims to bring the humanity of the riders to the fore, his use of emotion and language in the commentary box, how the history of art helps him as a presenter, the early days of GCN and why he moved on, and so much more. 

There is a depth to Matt that I - and now you - get to enjoy, and it was a real pleasure to have an hour of Matt’s time. I don’t think there are many podcasts in the world where Mark Cavendish and Francis Bacon are both mentioned, but that’s the way we roll on the Joe Reilly Podcast. 

If you’re new here, consider subscribing and leaving a 5-star review as it enables me to bring you more conversations like this.

Find Matt on Instagram: www.instagram.com/realstephens/?hl=en

Listen to Matt's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2JMMyFJkuqORQSv9YHObXD

Watch Sigma Sports "Cafe Ride" Series: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMWi0rb1SwQHnDbv25G0vxLp0EXkr9pGo

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Watch the episode on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JoeReillyPodcast

Listen to the episode on Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/joe-reilly-podcast/id1701779589⁠⁠⁠ 

Ioannes Chountis de Fabbri returns to the to discuss the life, politics, and philosophy of Edmund Burke. Ioannes wears many intellectual and academic hats and we discuss his background, work in the House of Lords, and books on Lord Byron in Episode 49. 

The first ten minutes Ioannes provides a historical account of Burke's life, and then we delve into some of his ideas and writings. Why did he think the French Revolution destroyed the fabric of good society? Why was he in favour of the aristocracy? What did he mean when discussing the “little platoons” of society? Why his work and legacy have been misappropriated by Liberals and Conservatives alike? What does Burke mean when he says we are living the tradition of the dead and the unborn? And so much more. 

If the ideas of Burke and conservatism piqued your interest, Ioannes has provided a reading list which I have shared in the show notes below.

Find Ionnes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ioannes___/?hl=en  

Find Ionnes on X: https://x.com/IChountisref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en  

Watch the episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JoeReillyPodcast⁠⁠ 

Listen to the episode on Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/joe-reilly-podcast/id1701779589⁠⁠ 

RECOMMENDED READING LIST:

Aristotle, Politics.

Cicero, Political Speeches.

Peregrine Worsthorne, Democracy Needs Aristocracy (2010).

David Canadine, Aspects of Aristocracy (1994)

Michael Oakeshott, ‘On Being Conservative’, 1956 essay.

Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790).

Roger Scruton, The Meaning of Conservatism (1980).

T.S. Eliot, Notes Towards Definition of Culture (1949).

Russell Kirk, The Conservative Mind (7th edition, 2001).

Noah Dines is a skier who is on a mission to ski 3 million human-powered feet in one year. That means skiing uphill - without the aid of a chairlift - some 10,000 feet or 3000m every day. Noah has been chasing winter to accomplish this world record and has skied 5-8 hours every day across Europe, North America and now Chile. We discussed the challenge, his daily routines, ethos, how he occupies himself, why Friend Vert is free vert, his nutrition and, of course, some classic war stories in there too. 

I’ve linked his Strava below for some sensational viewing purposes. Anyone who has ever ridden, walked, or skied 3000 vertical meters in one day will know how much effort is required, so imagine doing that every day for a whole year. 

In the meantime, enjoy the episode.

Find Noah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noah.dines/?hl=en

Find Noah on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/55101907

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Watch the episode on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JoeReillyPodcast⁠ 

Listen to the episode on Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/joe-reilly-podcast/id1701779589⁠ 

Ioannes Chountis de Fabbri is an academic, House of Lords advisor, biographer of Lord Byron, has three master's degrees and is currently completing a PhD in Intellectual History specialising in Eighteenth-Century history of political ideas. And that is just scratching the surface. 

Ioannes was fascinating to talk to and he gives a real insight into the work which goes on in the House of Lords. In this episode, he provides a thorough and concise history of the British upper Chamber from its conception to the modern day, with all of the reforms and changes that have occurred. He also talks about the potential reform in the House of Lords under the new government and what would actually happen, amongst many other stories and anecdotes. 

Lord Byron is a name which conjured up a host of emotions in his fans, foes, and readers, and his works and personal life have been subject to many books, columns and debates.

Ionnes biography instead focusses on Lord Byron's political side and views. He was a Whig grandee, but his speeches and support were more radical, but where were they actually? Was Byron actually a big hippocrite like his political hero Charles James Fox? Ionnes discusses whether he would have really been attracted by Marx and his message, or would he have actually broken free from the shackles of romanticism and radicalism, and become a staunch Victorian Peer?

Given that he died aged 36, we shall never know, but Ionnes presents a fascinating case. 

Find Ionnes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ioannes___/?hl=en

Find Ionnes on X: https://x.com/IChountis?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Watch the episode on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@JoeReillyPodcast⁠ 

Listen to the episode on Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/joe-reilly-podcast/id1701779589⁠ 

Ralph Allwood who is a British choral conductor, composer and teacher. Ralph was the Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years, has conducted over 40 choirs for the BBC, and now on a mission to make music and singing accessible to as many people as possible.

We discuss a wide range of topic in this episode: should we change the British national anthem? Is the experience of singing Handel the same as someone at a Taylor Swift concert? Why the term classical music should be banned? The history behind the Jerusalem hymn, and why we’re all singing God Save The Queen AND Happy Birthday wrong, and how to sing it correctly. King Solomon to King Henry to Architecture and John Ruskin. 

Ralph is enthusiastic and exuberant, and this conversation was so much fun. Do check out Ralph’s courses in the show notes, we Rodolfus it in the episode and it’s a fantastic charity and sounds like a very fun course. 

If you’re new here, welcome! Consider subscribing and giving a five star review as it allows me to continue to create more episodes like this.

Find Ralph online: www.ralphallwood.com/

Find Ralph on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ralphallwood/?hl=en

Sign up to a Rodolfus Course: www.therodolfusfoundation.org.uk/

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoeReillyPodcast 

Listen to the episode on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/joe-reilly-podcast/id1701779589 

Kieran Brown is a travel content creator on a mission to travel to every country on planet Earth, and this episode is jam-packed with tales and stories from the first 97 countries in which he has visited.

Sit up and be tense at his encounters with the Taliban, the brutality of some border controls, the terrors of Columbia, the hospitality of Pakistan, his hitchhiking trip from Asia to London with the challenge of spending no money,  and his upcoming trip to Belarus and Ukraine and so much more.

This is a really entertaining episode, I enjoyed it and I know you will too.

Find Kieran on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kieranbrowntravel/

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Ryan Mallinson is a businessman and founder of Mallin & Sons based in Yorkshire, England. A few years ago, Ryan realised that most wax jacket owners - be it Belstaff or Barbour - didn’t know that their jackets could be rewaxed and continue to wear as good as new. And so, he set out on a mission in his Red Mini Clubman and Tweed Cap to travel the length of the country collecting, reproofing and then delivering customers' wax jackets. 

He’s come on along way since then, and now has his own line of clothing, works with international brands, and collaborates with some of the best-known names in the fashion industry. 

In this episode, Ryan shares his story from the origins of the business, why the wax jacket is so appealing, why the cycling brand Rapha inspired his own business journey, how he elevated his customer experiences, insights from Patrick Grant to David Gandy, and so much more.

Mallin & Sons Website: www.mallinandson.com/

Mallin & Sons Instagram: www.instagram.com/mallinandson/

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Robin’s Reverie is an Instagram page dedicated to Robin’s year of living and travelling in Italy. Having studied languages and art at both Durham and Oxford University, he set off to Italy for a year of teaching, exploring, and learning. 

As his time there draws to a close, we discuss his main lessons and takeaways from his immersion in the Italian way of life. 

We discuss everything from 

And so much else. From Byron to Dante to Austen to James Herriot. We cover a wide range of literary figures and their works. 

If you’re new here, please consider subscribing and giving the show a 5-star review as it is the main way a podcast grows. This means that in the future, I can bring you more episodes like this.

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Find Robin on Instagram: www.instagram.com/robins_reverie/ 

Luke Hodges is a style consultant, content creator, and entrepreneur. Suits, celebrities, and style are a mainstay in our society, and in this episode, we dissect and discuss each of those points, amongst many other topics. 

Luke works with clients who are looking to invest in their wardrobe, and we discuss the best brands to look out for, why the suit isn’t dead, vented vs charity shops, what to avoid when buying a suit as someone with a bigger frame, or want to choose if you have a smaller frame. Why Bill Nighy should be on your list for fashion inspiration, but Henry Cavill shouldn’t, what the Armani got wrong with the euros football but Marks and Spencers got right. The best-dressed borough in London, and so much more. 

Luke’s content is fun, entertaining and informative, and I’d highly recommend checking it out. 

If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing and giving it a 5-star review.

In the meantime, enjoy the episode. 

Find Luke on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mrlukehodges/?hl=en

Find Luke on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LukeHodges/videos

Find me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joe.reilly/?hl=en

Joseph Tate is an illustrator and artist who draws inspiration from British and traditional styles and creates drawings for the Instagram age. Hailing from Nigeria, he began drawing to express his views on fashion and has since grown a business working with well known luxury brands.