The Following Through Podcast

Homelessness affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK and many millions worldwide. And this is the subject of this episode. Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd speak with comedian David Ferguson from the Believe podcast. He tells the story of how he ended up homeless for more than seven months and shares his experiences. David also explains how, thanks to the support he received, he's turned his life around and gotten things back on track. 

If you'd like to donate to one of the charities that really helped David in north-east London, visit: www.forestnightshelter.org.uk

This episode also features two of the most different anecdotes involving Kate Moss you are ever likely to hear in quick succession. 

Plus in Sh*t or Miss, there is a driving story with long delays and a twist. 

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

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Learning languages is the topic for this episode, and it certainly gets harder with age. 

Alex and Siobhan discuss their experiences of learning languages at school and later as an adult. They cover learning Spanish, German, and French, as well as how Duolingo can give you a false sense of security with your language abilities. 

Warning: This episode will feature very bad pronunciations of words and phrases in different languages. 

Siobhan also speaks about her challenges with learning British Sign Language to qualify as an interpreter, and Alex recounts learning shorthand as a trainee reporter. 

Plus in Sh*t or Miss, we hear about what happens when a French exchange experience with a family turns increasingly hostile and there is a locked door in the moment of need. 

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

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University is the theme of this episode, with Alex and Siobhan travelling back in time to reminisce about their student days. 

Although anyone expecting a constructive discussion about academia will be sorely disappointed, as Alex and Siobhan talk at length about undergraduate bowel movements. They also cover their experiences of campus life, moving away from home for the first time, stupid diets, and too much drinking. They do talk a bit about their courses. 

In Sh*t or Miss, we hear about what happens after a meal at a restaurant goes wrong and your housemate is in the shower when you desperately need to get in there. 

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

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The podcast about poo and perseverance returns. Comedians Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd discuss travelling in this first episode of season number two.

Siobhan is back from her holiday in Hong Kong and has stories to share, with a particularly disappointing flight that involved navigating the awkwardness of plane toilets. In fact, the subject of toilets comes up a few times – unsurprisingly.

They also talk about other trips they’ve been on and countries they’ve visited, including Siobhan’s Inter-Railing trips throughout Europe, and Alex backpacking around most of New Zealand – eventually, after three separate visits.

Plus in Sh*t or Miss, when a spa date goes horribly wrong thanks to low blood pressure. To learn more about the condition visit here: Low blood pressure (hypotension) - NHS

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

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Dating is the theme for this season finale, and the experience doesn’t get any better in your 30s and 40s. Alex and Siobhan are joined by Irish rising comedy star, Aideen McQueen. They discuss awkward dating stories, the issues with apps, sober dates, and the more philosophical aspects of this necessary evil of modern life.

Plus Siobhan sets Alex a speed-dating challenge. Will he accept? (I mean, probably).

In Sh*t or Miss, Siobhan tells a submitted story that involves a rugby night out and a bed. That surely won't get messy. 

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say you never forget how to ride a bike, but what if you get to adulthood having never learned? Siobhan is one such adult, who never learned to ride a bike as a child and had to do so when she was in her 20s.

Before they get to the cycling discussion, there are about 18 minutes of preamble chat where they discuss comedy gong shows, actual Shakespeare, and listener numbers.

Later on, Alex tells a tale about a horrible holiday in Madeira that involved a 30km mountain bike trek that he thought would be easy when he signed up. How wrong he was. The terrible trip away was capped off with Alex getting a norovirus the day before he flew home. This then leads nicely into a Sh*t or Miss story on a plane. Although perhaps “nicely” doesn’t describe it very well.

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

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Grief and screen addiction are two areas covered in this second part of Alex and Siobhan’s discussion about social media, as they delve a little deeper into this fascinating subject. 

Warning: This episode features open discussions about death and giving CPR to a parent that some may find distressing. Although perhaps not as distressing who was actually there and administering it. 

Siobhan tells how social media has helped her deal with grief, while reluctant-sharer Alex remembers how much nonsense he has in fact shared on his blog over the years as a coping mechanism for the harsh realities of comedy. 

The discussion also covers managing screen time and gaming. Alex recalls some worrying changes to his bowel movements caused by gaming, and how Siobhan tries to manage her son’s time on games. 

Both also have a related challenge set. Will they follow through with it this time?

Finally, Sh*t or Miss is brought to you courtesy of some Kiwi ingenuity amid a morning bathroom battle with a housemate.

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

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Social media is an integral aspect of daily life these days, but how do you manage your use of it properly? Be warned, this episode features some very strong language.

Siobhan describes herself as a social media addict, whereas Alex tries to keep a healthy distance. But doing comedy increasingly requires a social media presence for admin and promo (hello there). How do you strike the right balance for mental health? And when did it stop being fun?

They also discuss their history of social media, all the way back to MySpace (shout out to Tom from MySpace), then Facebook, and that former bird site that Alex used to really like before the dark times. 

There is also the first Sh*t or Miss from the bedroom and the subsequent fallout. But was it literal?  

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

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Ross Kemp: The Musical? Yes, it is a real thing that exists - at least partially. In this episode, Alex tells Siobhan how he developed this ridiculous project with his old musician mate from school, Rich Shillitoe, who is the guest of this episode.

Alex had the idea for the musical in 2018 during the Edinburgh Fringe. But it wasn’t until lockdown that Rich got in touch with Alex to see if he wanted to develop it further. We learn about the storyline and the songs that were written, with some played in this episode. In 2024, the project did technically become part of a  sold-out run at Edinburgh Fringe and was played at a packed London theatre. 

How does this all connect with Justin Hawkins becoming aware of the project? All will be revealed.

Alex and Siobhan also talk with Rich about his experience as a professional musician and what got him started. The three also agree to collaborate on a future Christmas number one. Plus you'll never think about a Pringles tube the same way ever again. 

Music is by Rich Shillitoe.

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

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Dr Nadia Kamil is the guest in this episode. In her 30s, Nadia decided to leave her successful comedy career behind to enrol in medical school and become a doctor with no scientific background. She speaks with Alex and Siobhan about the challenges of adjusting to a totally new culture and industry that was very different to anything she was used to.

Nadia and Siobhan have known each other since they met as students aged 18, when Siobhan used to go around campus disguised as her twin sister.

And if becoming a medical doctor wasn’t enough of a challenge to follow through with, Nadia also moved to Australia recently and has just started working shifts again after maternity leave. Expect discussions about the crisp packets being the wrong colours. Also, who is the best fictional doctor? 

Plus, can you guess the surprise cameo?

Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Come and like our stuff on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/followingthroughpod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.