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If you could go back and spend just one day in a previous chapter of your life, which day would you choose?

It's one of the questions I put to singer-songwriter Emma Stevens when she joined me on the latest episode of The MarshyCast.

Emma has a new single called Chapters, and it gave us the perfect opportunity to talk about looking back, moving forward and how life doesn't always follow the story we originally imagined.

When life doesn't go to plan

We've all experienced moments when something didn't work out the way we wanted.

Perhaps an opportunity disappeared, a relationship changed or life simply took us in a completely unexpected direction.

At the time, those moments can feel like setbacks. But when you look back years later, sometimes you realise they led you somewhere better than you'd ever planned.

Emma and I talked about those experiences and how our perspective changes as we move through different stages of life.

It's a theme that connects beautifully with her new song Chapters.

When a personal song becomes somebody else's story

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was about the relationship between an artist and their audience.

Writing a song can be an incredibly personal experience. The lyrics might come from a particular moment, feeling or memory that means something very specific to the songwriter.

But once that song is released, something fascinating happens.

Listeners begin connecting it to their own experiences.

A song written about one situation might remind somebody else of a completely different moment in their life.

So I wanted to know: does the meaning of a song change once other people start making it part of their own story?

We talked about that special connection between Emma and her fans, and how music can bring people together through experiences they might never otherwise have shared.

Emma Stevens heads back out on tour

Emma is also preparing to return to the stage, with her upcoming tour including a visit to Southampton.

We talked about what audiences can expect from the shows and why performing live creates such a personal connection between an artist and the people listening.

For fans who have followed Emma's music over the years, the tour offers another opportunity to share those songs and the stories behind them.

If Emma's life were a film...

Of course, I couldn't let Emma escape without a few more unusual questions.

If somebody decided to make a film of her life, which actor would she choose to play her?

And perhaps more importantly, which of her own songs would she choose to play over the closing credits?

Then there was the chance to revisit the past.

If Emma could spend just one day in any previous chapter of her life, which would she choose?

It's an interesting question because the obvious answer isn't necessarily the right one.

Would you revisit your happiest day, return to a moment you'd forgotten or choose an ordinary day with someone you miss?

Writing the next chapter

We finished by looking forward rather than back.

After talking about Chapters, the experiences that shape us and the moments that don't go according to plan, I asked Emma one final question:

If you could write the opening sentence of your next chapter, what would you want it to say?

It's a question that probably deserves a little thought from all of us.

Because while we can't rewrite the chapters that have already happened, there's still plenty of story left to tell.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Emma Stevens now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Find me on all social media @paulswampymarsh

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Getting older doesn't necessarily mean slowing down. In fact, midlife might be one of the most important times to start thinking about getting stronger.

Actor, writer and coach Andi Osho joined me on the latest episode of The MarshyCast to talk about navigating life's unexpected turns, the impact of menopause and perimenopause, and why physical strength can make such a difference to our wellbeing.

Life doesn't always follow the script

Andi has built a career across acting, writing and comedy, but one of the things we discussed was how life rarely works out exactly as you imagined.

Sometimes you land the role you've always dreamed of.

Other times, the opportunity doesn't come along, or things take a completely unexpected direction.

We talked about learning to accept those changes, knowing when to push forward and when it might be better to go with the flow.

It's a lesson that applies well beyond the entertainment industry.

Menopause affects more than one person

Our conversation also turned to perimenopause and menopause, and the changes women can experience during this stage of life.

Those changes aren't necessarily limited to physical symptoms.

Sleep, mood, concentration and emotional wellbeing can all be affected, and that can have an impact on relationships and everyday family life.

It's why understanding what's happening matters not only for women experiencing these changes, but also for partners and families.

We discussed the importance of talking openly about menopause and recognising that it can be a significant transition.

Why getting stronger matters in midlife

One of the key themes of our conversation was the importance of maintaining physical strength.

As we get older, looking after our muscles, bones and general fitness becomes increasingly important.

Regular strength-building activity can help support physical health, while exercise can also have benefits for mood, sleep and mental wellbeing.

For women going through perimenopause, those benefits can be particularly valuable, although exercise isn't a cure for every symptom.

Andi and I discussed how getting stronger doesn't necessarily mean spending hours lifting weights in a gym.

There are plenty of ways to build strength, from resistance exercises and bodyweight movements to activities you can do at home.

The important thing is finding something that works for you and your circumstances.

Beware the after-work cuppa!

Of course, knowing exercise is good for us and actually getting around to doing it are two very different things.

Andi had some wonderfully practical advice about choosing the right time.

If you're planning to exercise after work, perhaps don't go home and settle down with a cup of tea first.

Because we all know how that goes.

You sit down for five minutes, get comfortable, and suddenly the gym seems considerably less appealing than the sofa.

We talked about making exercise fit into your routine rather than trying to force yourself into a schedule that doesn't suit your life.

And that's perhaps the biggest takeaway from our conversation.

Getting stronger in midlife isn't about trying to become the person you were twenty years ago. It's about looking after the person you are now and the person you're becoming.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Andi Osho now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Imagine disappearing into the countryside for two years, living on a remote farm with no Wi-Fi, surrounded by sheep, and emerging with a double album.

That's part of the story behind The Outpost, the debut album from Outpost Drive, who joined me on the latest episode of The MarshyCast.

And if that sounds like an unusual way to launch a music career, it turns out putting themselves in extreme situations is something they're rather good at.

Two years, no Wi-Fi and plenty of sheep

Outpost Drive spent two years living on a remote farm on the English-Welsh border.

No constant notifications, no endlessly scrolling through social media, and no Wi-Fi.

Just the countryside, the music and, apparently, quite a lot of sheep.

We talked about what that experience was actually like and how living somewhere so isolated affected their creativity and relationship.

But they weren't completely cut off from the music world.

During that period, they also headed out on tour, creating an extraordinary contrast between the quiet isolation of their rural home and the noise, excitement and crowds of live performances.

One minute you're surrounded by sheep. The next you're back in the city, performing to an audience.

It must make coming home from a tour rather interesting.

Do Outpost Drive need a therapist?

One thing that became clear during our conversation is that this wasn't the first time the pair had deliberately put themselves in an unusual or challenging situation.

Throughout their relationship and their musical journey, they've repeatedly chosen experiences that push them outside their comfort zones.

Which naturally led me to ask whether they might actually need to see a therapist.

All in the nicest possible way, of course!

But behind the humour is an interesting question about creativity and whether stepping away from ordinary routines can help artists discover something new.

A double debut album, without AI

There's certainly nothing half-hearted about The Outpost.

Rather than introducing themselves with a conventional single album, Outpost Drive have made their debut a double album.

We talked about why they chose to release so much music at once, and how the experience of living and creating together influenced the project.

We also discussed their decision not to use artificial intelligence in making the album.

At a time when AI is becoming increasingly common in music, it's an interesting choice, and one that led us into a wider conversation about creativity and the importance of the human element.

Joe Perry, Johnny Depp and an awkward encounter

And then there's the story involving two rather famous names.

Outpost Drive told me about meeting Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, a pretty extraordinary moment for any musician.

But there was someone else there too.

Johnny Depp.

You'd think meeting one of Hollywood's most recognisable actors might be difficult to overlook.

Apparently not when you're Outpost Drive and Joe Perry is standing in front of you!

We talked about what happened and how Johnny Depp ended up receiving rather less attention than you might expect.

One song to save

Before letting them go, I finished with a particularly difficult question.

If every Outpost Drive song was about to disappear and they could save just one, which would they choose?

It's a tough decision for any artist, particularly when you've just released a double debut album.

But it's also a fascinating way to discover which songs mean the most to the people who created them.

From an isolated farm to a double album and an unexpected celebrity encounter, Outpost Drive have certainly taken an unusual road to get here.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Outpost Drive now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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We've all had a night out that didn't quite go to plan. Most of us just wake up with a headache and a slightly embarrassing story. Josh Weathers turned one into a country song.

The Texas singer-songwriter joined me on the latest episode of The MarshyCast to talk about his new single, When You Honky Tonk, his upcoming UK tour with Drake Milligan and why he's never been particularly interested in sticking to just one musical genre.

When You Honky Tonk: A night out becomes a song

Josh's new single When You Honky Tonk was inspired by a night out with his cousin.

And while the details might be particular to Josh's experience, the idea of a night taking an unexpected turn is something plenty of us can relate to.

We talked about the story behind the song and how real-life experiences can provide some of the best inspiration for music.

It's also a good introduction to Josh's personality, with plenty of humour alongside that unmistakable Texas sound.

Welcome to Fort Worth, Texas

If you've never visited Fort Worth, Josh is a pretty good person to ask what makes it special.

We talked about what visitors can expect from the city, its atmosphere and why it's such an important part of his musical identity.

Fort Worth has a strong connection to country music, but Josh's own sound doesn't stop there.

His music brings together country, rock, soul and other influences, and we discussed how difficult it can be to put artists into neat little musical boxes.

That led us to Sheryl Crow.

Josh pointed out that music which once fitted comfortably into the rock category might now be considered country. We talked about how musical boundaries have shifted, using Sheryl Crow's award-winning work as an example.

And there's an extra connection, because Josh is appearing at a festival alongside Sheryl herself!

Heading to the UK with Drake Milligan

British country fans will soon have the opportunity to see Josh live as he joins Drake Milligan on his upcoming UK tour.

We talked about what he's looking forward to, bringing his music to UK audiences and the relationship between the two performers.

But there's another connection between Josh and Drake that might have escaped some fans.

It involves a television show.

I asked Josh whether people had spotted it, and we even discussed the possibility of bringing that connection to life on stage.

Now that would be something worth seeing!

Quickfire with Josh Weathers

As always, I couldn't let Josh escape without putting him through a round of quickfire questions.

And given his personality, I had a feeling we'd get some entertaining answers.

From a night out in Texas to performing on stages across the UK, Josh has plenty happening, and this conversation is a great introduction to the man behind the music.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Josh Weathers now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Twenty-five years ago, Sarah Whatmore appeared on the very first series of Pop Idol. But while the programme opened doors to the music industry, what happened afterwards wasn't always the dream she'd imagined.

Sarah joined me on the latest episode of The MarshyCast to talk about her new single, Hate, her experiences in the music industry and why she decided to spend so many years away from the spotlight.

When the dream becomes difficult

For many young singers, appearing on a major television talent show is the opportunity of a lifetime.

The first series of Pop Idol arrived at a time when television talent competitions were beginning to change the way audiences discovered new artists.

Sarah was part of that original wave, but her experiences after the programme revealed a much less glamorous side of the business.

We talked about the gossip, fabricated stories and the way the press treated young female performers.

Sarah recalled photographers even taking pictures up her skirt around the time she released her first solo single following Pop Idol.

It's shocking behaviour, and it formed part of a much wider conversation about how she was treated and why she eventually decided to take a lengthy break from the public eye.

Looking back now, 25 years after that first series, I wanted to know what advice Sarah would give the younger version of herself who was just starting out.

A new chapter with Hate

Sarah is now releasing new music, including her single Hate.

It's a title that might make you expect something loud, aggressive and full of angry guitars.

Instead, it's a dance track.

We talked about why Sarah chose that musical direction, the story behind the song and whether this release is the beginning of more new music.

After everything she's experienced, it's interesting to hear her talk about making music again and where she wants to go next.

Pop Idol, Top of the Pops and Liam Gallagher

Of course, we couldn't talk about Sarah's career without revisiting some of those early experiences.

We looked back at what it was like being part of the very first Pop Idol, long before television singing competitions became such a familiar part of the entertainment landscape.

And then there was Top of the Pops.

For a generation of musicians, performing on that programme was a huge moment. Sarah got to experience it herself, and it also led to an unexpected backstage encounter with Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher.

Now, Liam has developed quite a reputation over the years for saying exactly what he thinks.

But what he said to Sarah might not be what you'd expect.

You'll have to listen to find out!

It's a conversation about fame, the pressures that come with it, finding your way back to music and what happens when the reality of your dream turns out to be very different from the fantasy.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Sarah Whatmore now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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If you could do one thing today to make life easier for yourself in ten or twenty years, what would it be?

It's a question more of us are beginning to consider as we think about our “future selves”, and it's something I discussed with renowned Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner when she joined me on The MarshyCast.

Although before we got to the sensible stuff, there was an important injustice to address.

Anthea finally has her Gold Blue Peter badge!

Given everything Anthea did during her time on Blue Peter, you might assume a Gold badge had been safely tucked away somewhere for years.

Apparently not.

Anthea told me she eventually received one, not necessarily because somebody looked back at her achievements and decided the time had come, but because she moaned that she didn't have one.

Sometimes asking really does work.

And Anthea certainly hasn't stopped taking on challenges since her Blue Peter days.

She recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity, which led us onto the increasingly adventurous things some of us seem to do as we get older.

You'd think age might encourage a quieter life.

Instead, Anthea has climbed Kilimanjaro and previously found herself jumping out of a plane on Celebrity SAS.

Looking after the person you'll become

Behind the adventures was a more serious conversation about planning for later life.

Looking after your future self isn't just about putting money aside. It's also about staying on top of your health and making decisions now that could make life easier further down the road.

We talked about the financial side too, including smart meters and how having a clearer picture of the energy you're using can help households understand their usage.

Although Anthea identified another potential benefit.

They can help you win arguments.

If someone insists they're definitely not responsible for the energy bill, having the numbers in front of you may suddenly turn domestic debate into a particularly low-budget episode of CSI.

We also talked about attitudes towards money among younger generations.

Being sensible with money and knowing how to save might not sound like the most romantic qualities on a dating profile, but financial habits can matter when people think about building a future together.

Ultimately, whether it's health, finances or simply continuing to challenge yourself, the conversation comes back to one question:

What can you do now that your future self will be grateful for?

Although if that future self fancies climbing another mountain or jumping out of an aeroplane, Anthea might be setting the bar slightly high.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Anthea Turner now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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There comes a moment in life when you realise you might not be cool anymore.

For comedian Laura Lexx and me, it appears that moment involves standing in a playground collecting conkers for your children.

How did this happen?

Laura joined me on The MarshyCast to talk about her show Yo-Yo, which looks at life, love and what happens when a marriage reaches the point where your partner has pretty much seen everything you've got.

As Laura and I have both been married for 11 years, our conversation inevitably became a minor investigation into one of life's great mysteries:

How do men and women actually manage to live together?

Because there's something peculiar about a long-term relationship.

You spend years fighting against whatever life throws at you. You're building careers, sorting out homes, raising families and generally trying to get yourselves to a place where everything feels reasonably settled.

Then one day you realise things are actually... good.

Excellent.

Now you can start arguing with each other about something completely ridiculous.

It's that up-and-down nature of relationships that helps explain the title Yo-Yo. Laura describes it as a metaphor not just for marriage, but for life itself. Things go up, things go down and just when you think you've got everything under control, off it goes again.

Of course, turning your marriage and family into comedy raises another question.

Does Laura's husband get veto power?

I asked whether she needs permission before putting jokes about him into a show. It turns out she does run material past him, and he's not the only member of the family with potential editorial influence.

Dad gets consulted too.

There must be something slightly terrifying about discovering that an embarrassing family moment hasn't just been remembered, it's now got a lighting cue.

We also talked about getting older and that strange moment when you look at your life and wonder when exactly the transition happened.

Once you were cool.

Now you're collecting conkers.

And because discussing 11 years of marriage wasn't risky enough, we finished with a game that could cause considerably more trouble:

Marriage: Keep It or Bin It?

A selection of the little things that come with married life, with Laura deciding whether they're worth keeping or need to go straight in the marital skip.

No relationships were harmed in the making of the podcast.

Probably.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Laura Lexx now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Sometimes you're so focused on where you're going that you forget to look back at how far you've already travelled.

That's something Poppy and Vicki from First Time Flyers reflected on when they joined me for the latest episode of The MarshyCast.

There's plenty to look forward to for the band, including their single and album Coming Home and a UK tour in 2027, but our conversation also gave us a chance to rewind to where First Time Flyers began.

Before becoming a band, all four members were independent artists with careers and musical identities of their own.

On paper, there's an obvious question: if four solo artists can come together and make it work, why don't more people do it?

As Poppy and Vicki explain, it's not quite that simple.

Becoming a band means finding a shared identity while still bringing four individual personalities, voices and experiences to the table. We talked about how that relationship has developed and whether they ever sit down to write a song with a particular member of First Time Flyers in mind.

Then there's Coming Home.

With new music, an album and a tour ahead, I asked whether this feels like the beginning of a new era for First Time Flyers.

We also talked about the importance of occasionally stopping to recognise what you've achieved. Music can be a world where the next single, next gig and next milestone are always demanding attention, so how good are they at actually enjoying the moment?

And there are going to be plenty more moments to enjoy when First Time Flyers head out across the UK in 2027.

Poppy and Vicki gave me a taste of what fans can expect from the tour, before we abandoned the sensible questions altogether for some First Time Flyers Quickfire Questions.

Four solo artists walked into a band...

It turns out that's where the adventure really started.

🎧 Hear my full conversation with Poppy and Vicki from First Time Flyers now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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When you're reading a murder mystery, are you trying to beat the detective to the killer, or are you perfectly happy being fooled until the final page?

It's a question I put to TV executive Amanda Ross when she joined me on The MarshyCast to talk about Between The Covers Live: Celebrating Agatha Christie.

The live show brings together Amanda with author, actor and director Ben Miller, bestselling crime writer Lucy Foley and barrister, broadcaster and bestselling author Rob Rinder to celebrate the enduring appeal of Agatha Christie.

Lucy also has a particularly fascinating connection to Christie's world, having been trusted by Agatha Christie Limited to write a brand new Miss Marple novel, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel, 50 years after Christie's final Marple adventure was published.

One of the things that struck me while preparing for the interview was simply the sheer amount of work Christie produced.

How do you keep coming up with new characters, crimes, motives and twists without the creative well eventually running dry?

Amanda and I talked about that extraordinary creativity and why, decades later, audiences are still fascinated by Christie's stories.

It also feels like the whodunit is having another moment.

Crime novels remain hugely popular, while murder mysteries have found enthusiastic audiences across books, television and film. Part of the fun is that they can be enjoyed in completely different ways.

Some of us mentally pin photographs to an imaginary evidence board, suspicious of anyone who enters the drawing room carrying a cup of tea.

Others haven't got a clue who did it and are having a marvellous time anyway.

We also talked about what happens when you take the experience of discussing books and put it in front of a live audience.

For Amanda, one of the joys of Between The Covers Live is bringing people together who share that enthusiasm for stories, characters and, in this case, the Queen of Crime.

With Ben Miller, Lucy Foley and Rob Rinder joining her, I also wanted to know whether Amanda had secretly vetted everyone beforehand.

After all, you don't want to discover halfway through an Agatha Christie celebration that one of your guests thinks Poirot is a French restaurant.

And what about the audience?

Do you need an encyclopaedic knowledge of Christie before taking your seat, or can complete newcomers turn up without doing any homework?

Thankfully, Amanda explains exactly what audiences can expect.

No magnifying glass required. 🔎

🎧 Hear the full conversation with Amanda Ross now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Getting older gets a pretty terrible marketing campaign.

Grey hairs, aching knees and suddenly making noises every time you get out of a chair. But comedian Sally-Anne Hayward thinks there’s another side to it.

Ageing isn’t a crisis, it’s an upgrade.

That’s the theme of Sally-Anne’s new comedy show and, when she joined me on The MarshyCast, I wanted to know what actually gets better with age.

One of the biggest changes is becoming more comfortable in your own skin.

There can be something liberating about reaching the point where other people’s opinions don't carry quite as much weight as they once did. We talked about whether that confidence simply arrives with age or comes from years of discovering who you actually are.

But is getting older the same experience for everyone?

Sally-Anne and I discussed the differences between ageing as a man and as a woman, and whether women potentially face greater pressure around appearance and expectations as they get older.

There's another part of ageing that doesn't get discussed quite as much: friendships changing.

People who were hugely important in your twenties might no longer be part of your everyday life years later. Careers change, relationships happen, families arrive and people move in completely different directions. Sometimes there isn't an argument or dramatic falling out. Life simply changes and people drift apart.

Sally-Anne also told me that getting more experienced as a comedian doesn't mean you stop learning.

She still watches other performers and notices the little things that make them particularly good at what they do. Sometimes it's something on stage, but often it's what audiences don't see: preparation, discipline and sheer work ethic.

And after discussing all the wisdom that supposedly arrives with age, there was only one sensible way to finish.

A game of Getting Older: Upgrade or Downgrade?

Because some parts of ageing might genuinely improve your life.

Others?

Well... your knees may wish to lodge an appeal.

🎧 Hear the full conversation with Sally-Anne Hayward now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Find me on all social media @paulswampymarsh