This week Josh and Sean discuss Josh’s 50th birthday celebrations which took place the night before recording of this episode. They danced the night away at a north London vegan venue and met a few listeners of the podcast!

The pair also discuss their favourite stand up comedians including Stewart Lee, Frankie Boyle, and Meg Stalter. Josh shares his thoughts on being a bit let down by the recent Kristen Schaal show he attended, although he was impressed by opener Chloe Petts. 

The episode also revisits the hosts’ love for Abigail’s party, the legendary filmed-for-television play featuring iconic actor Alison Steadman. It is the reason why Josh and Sean call each other Sue every episode!

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #AbigailsParty #AlisonSteadman #KristenSchaal #ChloePetts #Comedy #UKcomedy

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

00:50 The Concept of Money and Happiness

02:46 Exploring Emotional Blocks and Mental Health

05:49 Comedy: Subjectivity and Personal Preferences

08:48 Stand-Up Comedy: What Makes It Funny?

11:50 Live Comedy Experience: Kristen Schaal's Show

17:45 Reflections on Absurdist Comedy and Personal Taste

23:46 Comedy and Performance Styles

27:00 The Challenge of Live Comedy

31:49 Feedback and Audience Reception

33:56 Celebrating Milestones and Community

45:19 Cultural References and Shared Humour

46:49 Outro

This week Josh and Sean discuss the record-breaking chart performance of Kylie Minogue and Madonna as their collaboration, Love Sensation, hits the UK top ten. How many more hits does Madonna need to pass Cliff Richard? Why don’t old people know how to stream music? All this and more is discussed!

The pair also discuss the recent partial eclipse seen around the UK and how the moon is actually travelling away from Earth, meaning one day eclipses will be a thing of the past. But don’t worry. That won’t happen for another 650 million years or so.

The episode also explores the rising cost of renting a home in London. From bedrooms in share houses to caravans in a stranger’s driveway, working class people are being forced out of the capital by extortionate rents for tiny properties.

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #Madonna #Kylie #KylieMinogue #LoveSensation #Eclipse #London #RentalCrisis

Mentioned in this episode

Tickets for Queer Vegan Disco on 21st August:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-vegan-disco-tickets-1993624603857

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters

00:00 The Art of Selective Pruning

03:38 Celebrating Birthdays and Plant Care

09:43 Madonna and Kylie's Chart Success

19:37 Streaming vs. Physical Sales in Music

21:17 The Streaming Dilemma: Charting Success

24:33 Housing Crisis in London: The Cost of Living

29:51 The Struggles of Job Hunting in London

37:11 Eclipses and the Future of Earth

45:05 Public Safety Alerts: A Necessary Measure?

46:51 Outro

This week Josh and Sean discuss the recent (and historic) controversies surrounding celebrity gossip blogger, Perez Hilton. Following the blogger’s apparent mental health emergency that was live-streamed, the duo discuss how he mistreated mostly-female celebrities across decades.

The pair also discuss the death of music producer William Orbit, most known for his collaboration with Madonna on her Ray of Light album. Sean explores the diversity of Orbit’s work and uncovers some surpassing collaborations including Betty Boo, Blur, and Belinda Carlisle.

The episode also explores the current UK political landscape as Josh suggests that perhaps the Conservative Party is losing votes to Reform (and Restore) because some voters don’t want to support a Black woman (Kemi Badenoch) as the potential Prime Minister.

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #PerezHilton #WilliamOrbit #RayOfLight #Madonna #UKpolitics #KemiBadenoch

Mentioned in this episode

Tickets for Queer Vegan Disco on 21st August:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-vegan-disco-tickets-1993624603857

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Light Banter

02:25 Celebrity Gossip and Mental Health

05:27 The Controversial Figure of Perez Hilton

08:37 The Impact of Celebrity Culture

11:38 Mental Health and Public Perception

14:35 Empathy in the Age of Social Media

17:25 Pop Culture and Personal Taste

22:09 Remembering William Orbit

35:03 The Conservative Party's Controversial Candidate

46:28 Celebrating Milestones and Upcoming Events

46:36 Outro

This week Josh and Sean discuss the death of Academy Award-winning artist Glen Hansard, including his controversial reputation for having relationships with younger women. They ask the question about how easy it is to separate a celebrated artist from their controversial actions.

The pair also discuss Boy George and his recently released AI-assisted song. The track contains lyrics that show support for Israel while condemning other musical artists that have publicly stood up for Gaza. 

The episode spends time remembering comedian, conservationist, singer, bird enthusiast, and TV star Bill Oddie. Sean recalls how omnipresent Bill and his The Goodies castmates were during his childhood in Australia, whereas Josh talks of never having seen the show.

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #GlenHansard #BillOddie  #UKpolitics #BoyGeorge #TheGoodies

Mentioned in this episode

Tickets for Queer Vegan Disco on 21st August:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-vegan-disco-tickets-1993624603857

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts - Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Connection Issues

01:59 Personal Updates and Grooming Choices

05:04 Subcultures and Stereotypes in Fashion

07:53 Celebrity Deaths and Media Consumption

11:03 The Grammys and Cultural Representation

17:08 Reflections on Glenn Hansard's Legacy

22:03 Controversial Relationships in Music

24:07 Reflections on Recent Deaths in the Music Industry

26:01 The Legacy of Bill Oddie

33:22 Boy George's Controversial New Single

42:06 AI in Music Creation and Ethical Dilemmas

45:30 Outro

This week Josh and Sean discuss the always soaring costs of subscription services, including YouTube movie rentals and Spotify Premium. Why do we increasingly find ourselves not ever owning anything, but rather leasing our experiences?

The pair also remember music icon Sinead O’Connor on the third anniversary of her passing. They share their memories of the pop culture legend and recall the poignant experience of visiting her grave.

Sean wraps things up by going on a rant about the UK’s news Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. He questions if announcements made by the new PM to fight the cost of living are just performative and how he thinks the Government should be going after elites and billionaires with wealth taxes and caps.

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #AndyBurnham #Clueless #YouTube #AliciaSilverstone #UKpolitics #wealthcap #SineadOconnor

Mentioned in this episode

Tickets for Queer Vegan Disco on 21st August:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-vegan-disco-tickets-1993624603857

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:37 Sean discusses YouTube's movie rental and purchase prices

02:04 The issue of digital ownership and passing rights to heirs

04:09 Lloyd Cole's views on digital music and ownership

05:44 Sean on YouTube Premium and quality restrictions

07:10 The experience of watching videos with and without Premium

08:20 Subscription services and targeted ads on Spotify and podcasts

12:44 The societal implications of subscription capitalism

14:10 AI models breaking containment and potential dangers

16:44 The dystopian future and AI hacking incidents

19:13 Personal reflections on anniversaries and mortality

20:13 Celebrating Sean and Hill's anniversary and plans

21:41 Dealing with illness and upcoming open mic performance

23:01 Josh's hosting style and musical interests

24:23 Remembering Sinead O'Connor and her legacy

25:23 The significance of her death and memorials

26:10 Reflections on aging, retirement, and economic concerns

28:18 UK political updates and cost of living measures

30:18 The future of work, pensions, and economic stability

35:45 Critique of capitalism and societal inequality

36:09 Closing thoughts and personal reflections

45:31 Outro

This week Josh and Sean discuss Madonna's famous "Italians do it better" T-shirt. How did this tee become so iconic? It only appeared in one music video but went on to become forever linked to the pop superstar.

The pair also chat about the death of film star Sam Neill, his views on meat eating, and some of his best known film roles, before tackling bigger conversations about privilege, consumerism, and the complexities of living ethically in an unequal world.

Things then take a distinctly Australian turn as Sean attempts to explain the mysteries of "yeah nah" before the pair share some truly terrifying stories involving huntsman spiders, including one with a dead mouse that might make you think twice about visiting Down Under.

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #SamNeill  #NigelFarage #AnnWiddecombe #Spiders #ItaliansDoItBetter #Madonna #Australia

Mentioned in this episode

Giant Spider Carries Mouse up wall:

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/oct/24/australia-giant-spider-mouse-carry-horrifying-impressive

Tickets for Queer Vegan Disco on 21st August:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-vegan-disco-tickets-1993624603857

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and T-Shirt Talk

02:55 Madonna and Karaoke Night

05:59 Cultural Identity and Ancestry

08:57 Sam Neill's Legacy and Impact

11:59 Controversial Views on Meat Consumption

14:56 Reflections on Wealth and Hypocrisy

21:37 Privilege and Consumerism

24:46 White Guilt and Global Disparity

27:46 The Complexity of Political Safety

31:25 Language and Cultural Nuances

35:11 Fears and Encounters with Nature

46:54 Outro

In episode 103 of Tell Me Where I’m Going (Wrong), Josh and Sean discuss the death of Welsh pop music legend, Bonnie Tyler, and how public figures across the entertainment and political spectrums have reacted to the news.

The pair also discuss the suspicious developments surrounding the passing of UK political figure, Ann Widdecombe. At the time of recording, police had announced they were approaching the situation as a possible murder investigation.

This episode also touches on the many farces of Nigel Farage, his more than questionable cash gifts, and how a forced by-election in Clacton has him facing off with Count Binface. Farage’s dealings coupled with record breaking heatwaves in the UK give the impression we might already be in hell

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #CountBinface #NigelFarage #Clacton #AnnWiddecombe #SpiceGirls #MelanieC

Mentioned in this episode

Total Eclipse of The Heart Literal Video Version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMmXCyrV_WQ

Count Binface’s manifesto:

https://countbinface.com/makerfieldmanifesto

Melanie C on the Louis Theroux Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-louis-theroux-podcast/id1725833532?i=1000775722622

Tickets for Queer Vegan Disco on 21st August:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-vegan-disco-tickets-1993624603857

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by  Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Context of the Podcast

02:40 Cultural Differences and Australian Sayings

05:31 Heat Wave Experiences in the UK

08:34 Public Transport Challenges During Heat

11:43 Tributes to Bonnie Tyler and Anne Widdecombe

17:36 Political Legacy of Anne Widdecombe

21:25 Celebrity Deaths and Their Impact

23:21 Political Turmoil: Nigel Farage's Resignation

28:57 The Rise of Absurd Political Figures

35:38 Populism and the Disenfranchised Voter

39:00 The Spice Girls: Fame and Personal Struggles

46:18 Outro

In episode 102 of Tell Me Where I’m Going (Wrong), Josh and Sean discuss the current global obsession with the Mens World Cup. Football fans all over the planet are cheering for their national teams, but do the hosts of this podcast care? Not a lot, in all honesty.

The pair also discuss the grotesque display of spending when billionaires get married. This conversation comes hot on the heals of pop superstar Taylor Swift and sport star Travis Kelce hiring Madison Square Garden for their wedding. 

This episode also touches on the new album released by Madonna. Josh has listened a few times and doesn’t mind it. Sean does a lot of shrugging in his reaction to the new music by the music legend. Is it a wrap on Madonna?

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #TaylorSwift #TravisKelce #Billionaires #SocialJustuce #Wealth #Madonna #WorldCup #Mexico

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by  Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Light Banter

07:47 World Cup Fever and National Pride

18:09 Language and Terminology in Global Contexts

21:26 Socioeconomic Classifications and Capitalism

23:34 The Absurdity of Billionaire Weddings

28:04 Wealth Distribution and Personal Responsibility

30:51 The Impact of Wealth on Society

31:36 Pride and Public Events

34:16 Madonna's New Album and Artistic Reflection

39:42 Madonna's Persona and Public Perception

44:30 Concluding Thoughts on Wealth and Fame

45:37 Outro

In episode 101 of Tell Me Where I’m Going (Wrong), Josh and Sean discuss the ongoing heatwave in the UK, as the country swelters through multiple record-breaking daily temperature highs. Why are we so incapable of dealing with extreme heat and what does it mean for the future?

The pair also discuss the political upheaval within the Labour Party, the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the seemingly unavoidable ‘coronation’ of King of the North Andy Burnham. Is the UK political system no longer fit for purpose?

This episode also touches on the rise and fall of pop superstar Lizzo, who in a few short years went from being a multi-Grammy award-winning artist with mega hits to not being able to sell more than a few thousand copies of her latest album. Times have changes and everyone from Madonna to Katy Perry is desperately looking for creative ways to market their art.

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #vegan #Lizzo #Madonna #AndyBurnham #UKPolitics #Heatwave  #KatyPerry

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Other things mentioned:

Signup for London Vegan Beer Fest updates:

https://www.veganbeerfest.co.uk

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Heat Wave Discussion

01:45 Coping with Extreme Heat in London

04:46 Health Concerns and Bowel Cancer Screening

10:52 Cultural Commentary on Music and Celebrity

16:42 Madonna's Controversial Public Image

23:05 Staying Relevant in the Attention Economy

23:57 The Saturation of Music Releases

26:45 The Cost of Concerts and Live Events

28:59 Language and Identity: The Use of 'Homosexual'

31:19 Navigating Body Language and Appearance

38:06 Political Resignation and Public Sentiment

41:33 The Process of Choosing a New Leader

44:59 The Future of Political Representation

47:42 Outro

In episode 100 of Tell Me Where I’m Going (Wrong), Josh and Sean discuss their love for award winning television show, Hacks. The pair discuss what appeals to them about the dark comedy while sharing praise for the iconic cast including Jean Smart, Megan Stalter, and Paul W. Downs. 

The pair also discuss the ups and downs of air travel, from economy seating not suitable for larger people through to vegan meal requests that go ignored. How easy is it to travel as a vegan in 2026? Sean also reports back on the vegan food scene in Tokyo, while Josh remembers his culinary adventures from a recent trip to Barcelona.

This episode also touches on AI. The topic has been discussed a lot by the pair however artificial intelligence and its impact on our lives doesn’t seem to be going away. Is AI a new form of religion? Are people relying on it too much? Does it stop critical thinking skills from developing in humans? As always, we have none of the answers but lots of opinions.

Enjoy the ride!

#podcast #popculture #LGBTQ #CurrentAffairs #Travel #vegan #Hacks #JeanSmart #AI #MegStalter 

About the Hosts

Josh Leuner is a London-based singer and plant-geek. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/joshandthejumpstarts 

Sean O’Callaghan is an award-winning blogger and published author. Find out more about him here:

https://linktr.ee/fatgayvegan 

Theme Music

Our theme music is the song Empty Seat by Josh and The Jumpstarts   -  Stream it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KxOAKJFWCoSWBMA99QEax?si=3Q_SjkQKTVuXANcrxmh95g

Other things mentioned

Queer Open Mic London:

https://www.meetup.com/queer-open-mic-london/ 

Buy your tickets for London Vegan Beer Fest:

https://www.veganbeerfest.co.uk

Chapters:

00:00 Celebrating 100 Episodes: A Reflection

12:36 The Challenges of Modern Travel

19:45 Culinary Adventures: Vegan Food Around the World

24:42 AI: The New Deity?

25:40 The Rise of AI as a New Religion

29:52 AI in the Workplace: A New Mandate

32:51 The Impact of AI on Critical Thinking

36:45 Cognitive Decline and AI Dependency

38:49 Reflections on 'Hacks': A Cultural Commentary

46:32 Outro