The Romesh Ranganathan Show

What do Loki, Everest and Arsenal tea bags have in common?

In this episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by actor Tom Hiddleston to talk about his new film Tenzing the true story behind the first successful ascent of Mount Everest, and what it was like filming it for real, with no green screen.

They also get into 16 years as Loki, what Marvel gets right (and why it deserves more credit), and exactly how much Tom knows about what comes next.

A Ranga Bee Production.

Tenzing is available on Apple TV from 16th October. 

Chapters

00:00 Intro
02:50 A gift for Tom
05:02 How will Arsenal do this season?
06:16 Tom’s Soccer Aid experience
10:41 Are actors competitive?
13:30 Tom’s new film, Tenzing
14:28 Why Tenzing’s story needed telling
23:33 Filming Everest for real
25:08 Playing Loki
31:21 Why Marvel connects with everyone
38:05 Doomsday theories
42:07 A question from Shanthi
45:42 That Chatty Man dance
46:56 Dancing in Much Ado About Nothing
55:40 The best advice Tom’s ever been given
57:42 Outro

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What do you say when your 8-year-old walks in on you in 'the act'?

Romesh and his mum Shanthi take on your questions and family dilemmas, even though they remain thoroughly unqualified to do so.

This week, a listener needs help after their son caught them in the middle of the night, and Romesh and Shanthi try to work out the best response. A role play that quickly goes off the rails...

Got a dilemma? Send us a voice note or email, and we might answer it on the show. Nothing is off limits (we really mean it).

A Ranga Bee Production.

00:30 Shanthi's Next outfit

03:08 Caught by an 8-year-old

05:11 Questionable role play

14:03 Romesh on gym self-consciousness

19:10 Romesh's golden rule for sticking to fitness

20:13 Shanthi's diet and jacket potato fillings

22:16 Farting etiquette

24:56 Does reincarnation exist?

29:12 The reincarnated child surgeon

31:48 Shanthi's fortune teller and the fake FUBU

36:23 Romesh can't read the menu

43:07 Outro

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What makes Stacey Dooley such a good documentary maker?

In this episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by broadcaster and documentary maker Stacey Dooley to reflect on her journey through documentary-making, how she approaches telling them and the stories and experiences that have stayed with her.

They also get into some very important Selling Sunset and Below Deck gossip, before Stacey explains exactly why she hates Southampton.
Plus, there's some questionable role play, a game of Misquoted and a brief detour into boxing, Little Mix and Jamie Oliver.

A Ranga Bee Production.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
05:56 A gift for Stacey
08:21 Why Stacey loves boxing
12:39 Stacey hobbies
14:36 Questionable role play
17:06 What makes Stacey a good documentary maker
25:37 Selling Sunset and Below Deck gossip
28:16 Louis Theroux and the manosphere
29:55 Stacey's new documentaries
38:38 Are there really goodies and baddies?
44:35 A question from Shanthi
45:43 Why Stacey hates Southampton
50:47 Lessons from inspiring women
55:16 Who Stacey would love to interview
1:07:27 Outro

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Can Shanthi do a better celebrity impression than Romesh?

In this Thursday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh and Shanthi are back with listener questions, family stories and a celebrity impressions challenge that quickly gets out of hand.

From Shanthi’s early morning routines to what it's like being a grandma, the pair discuss family relationships throughout including a family trip to Devil's Dyke that Romesh missed out on.

Elsewhere, the team suggest a Celebrity Impressions Challenge where Romesh is put through his paces as he attempts impressions of David Attenborough, Simon Cowell, and Gordon Ramsay and Shanthi is challenged to Nigella Lawson (you don't want to miss it).

And, as usual, we take on your questions, discussing what happens when children start pulling away as they get older, and how to approach telling a traditional family about a relationship that crosses caste boundaries, with some of the best advice in the business.

Plus, Shanthi shares a deeply personal story about her parents and the choices they made for love.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:58 Morning routines & garden chat

05:02 Shanthi’s advice to Rom

07:30 Shanthi as a grandma

08:50 TikTok Shop & Bank mishaps

14:15 When Lenny Henry had Shanthi’s back

15:20 Celebrity Impressions Challenge

25:52 Shanthi holds Romesh to his word

28:14 Shanthi's favourite podcast moment

29:46 Shanthi's trip to Devil's Dyke

35:10 Listener questions: parenting & caste

54:45 Shanthi shares her parents story

57:27 Outro

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What did Eddie Murphy say to Lenny Henry?

In this Monday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by the legendary comedian, actor, and writer, Sir Lenny Henry.

The pair look back at Lenny’s incredible career, from his early stand-up and TV shows, to his latest projects. They discuss racism, realities of working in the entertainment industry, and the pressure that comes with a long career.

Lenny talks about his return to stand-up with his new tour, Lenny Henry: Still at Large, and his new BBC show,The Split Up (available on BBC iPlayer now).

Plus, they deep dive into the world of being a stand-up comedian, inspirations, and how it's changed over the years.

Elsewhere, Romesh and Lenny get into self-care, manscaping, and some questionable fashion choices, and Lenny opens up about death, grief, and some of the lessons he’s learned throughout his life. Plus, Shanthi has a bone to pick with Romesh...

A fascinating conversation about comedy, careers, ageing, loss, and what it takes to keep going.

Buy tickets to Lenny's tour 'Still at Large' with dates until November 4, 2026.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

If therapy is something you've been thinking about, visit Counselling Directory and find a therapist that's right for you: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=romesh_sponsorship

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:46 When Lenny and Romesh met

05:20 A gift for Lenny

08:34 Lenny’s career

13:53 On True Identity

17:30 On chef and career mentality

18:54 The challenges of the industry

20:44 Lenny reads Romesh

22:45 Self-care and manscaping

25:20 Fashion faux pas

29:29 The upcoming tour and being on stage

40:06 A question from Shanthi on impressions

43:54 The Split Up

29:38 Misquoted

57:11 On death and grief

58:45 Some advice from Lenny

59:59 Outro

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Who does Shanthi want next on the podcast?

In this special, one-year anniversary episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh and Shanthi celebrate a whole year of the podcast with a little help from the team and a surprise message from none other than our first guest, Michael Sheen.

The pair look back at some of their favourite moments from the show, reflect on how far the podcast has come, and discuss what they’d like to do next, including a potential trip to Los Angeles and a team yacht holiday.

They also tackle a listener dilemma about dogs at parties, pet boundaries, parent and child tattoos, and discuss Romesh’s ambition to get on Below Deck.

Plus, Shanthi has some very sweet words about Romesh and the team behind the podcast.

It’s a special anniversary episode celebrating one year of The Romesh Ranganathan Show.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

07:32 Celebrating one year of the show

10:28 A message from Michael Sheen

11:15 Rom’s takeaways from the podcast

15:08 A holiday question for the team

17:43 Romesh wants to get on Below Deck

23:20 A question about dog boundaries

32:21 Convincing your mum to get a tattoo

39:22 Who do we want next on the pod?

42:11 Shanthi’s thoughts on Romesh

45:25 Outro

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How did Stephen Graham become one of Britain's best actors?

In this Monday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by legendary actor, producer, and writer, Stephen Graham, to talk about his incredible, award-winning career, spanning over two decades.

Stephen reflects on his career, from This Is England and Boiling Point, to his latest work on Adolescence and Nocturne. He discusses method acting, the challenges of filming in one-shot, and what it takes to disappear into a character.

They also get into a discussion on their shared love of music and hip-hop, breakdancing, street fashion, and the culture around it. Plus, he talks about his new book, Letters To Our Sons, which he was prompted to write after Adolescence. He reflects on being a dad and the importance of communication.

Plus, Romesh and Stephen discuss Liverpool FC, fragrances, and the unexpected ways their lives have crossed paths.

It's an episode you don't want to miss.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

If therapy is something you've been thinking about, visit Counselling Directory and find a therapist that's right for you: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=romesh_sponsorship

Go to https://surfshark.com/romesh or use code ROMESH at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:27 A gift for Stephen

08:39 Music & hip-hop

11:48 Rom’s Ice Cube interview

14:22 On breakdancing & culture

17:15 The street fashion

18:52 Adolescence

26:11 Boiling Point & the one-shot take

31:40 Method acting & This Is England 90

36:50 Stephen’s new book

38:28 On being a dad

46:26 A question from Shanthi

48:03 Being working class & changing the story

53:31 Nocturne

55:28 Imposter Syndrome, fame and being yourself

58:57 Misquoted

01:08:40 Liverpool FC

01:11:08 What fragrance is Romesh wearing?

01:13:10 An exclusive

01:14:38 Outro

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Is Romesh a bad gift-giver?

In this Thursday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh and Shanthi celebrate Apple Dumpling Day, discuss recipes, and get to work tackling your listener dilemmas, from parenting support to the art of gift-giving.

Plus, we give you a little taster of what Shanthi's cookery show, Shanthi’s Kitchen, could look like, complete with mutton rolls, some very important serving suggestions, a theme song, and a live post-show review.

Another classic Thursday episode with Shanthi.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

If therapy is something you've been thinking about, visit Counselling Directory and find a therapist that's right for you: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=romesh_sponsorship

Chapters

00:00 Intro

05:55 Jamie Oliver and recipes

07:23 Shanthi’s TV cook show teaser

13:11 A show review

14:07 Shanthi’s quick dinner

15:58 Listener questions

17:46 Parenting advice

26:23 A question about the best gift-giving

29:16 Romesh’s present prank

30:41 Is Romesh a bad gift-giver?

35:41 Outro

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What really happened with Jamie Oliver's school dinners?

In this Monday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by one of the UK’s best-known chefs, Jamie Oliver.

Jamie talks about life after 50, his career in the kitchen and what keeps him motivated after decades in the food industry. He also reveals what it’s really like to work in a high-pressure kitchen, whether restaurant food has ruined the experience of eating out and the truth behind kitchen hazing.

Elsewhere, Jamie critiques Shanthi's best dishes, we get into the neuroscience of food, England's eating habits and what we can learn from the Blue Zones.

And, of course, Jamie opens up how his pioneering social enterprise Fifteen led him to campaign for healthier school dinners featuring the infamous Turkey Twizzler drama that rocked the nation.

We also get a sneak peak into his new book, 20 Minute Meals: Real Fast Food, which is out now.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

If therapy is something you've been thinking about, visit Counselling Directory and find a therapist that's right for you: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=romesh_sponsorship

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:40 Vegan lasagna

06:07 Being in your 50s

08:38 Working in the food industry

11:37 A gift from Shanthi

12:27 Jamie talks through Shanthi’s curries

14:25 How do you cook a squirrel?

15:39 Another gift for Jamie

16:40 Dogs and their diets

18:50 Does being a chef ruin the restaurant experience?

22:00 The neuroscience of food

22:59 Ratatoullie & The Bear

24:45 Is the kitchen that high pressure?

26:14 Is kitchen hazing true?

30:38 What keeps Jamie in the game?

31:57 Where did campaign Jamie come from?

36:26 The Turkey Twizzler debacle

37:37 School Dinners

47:23 The nations eating habits

49:08 What are they doing in the blue zones?

50:50 20 Minute Meals

56:15 Why cook over buy?

59:35 A question from Shanthi on the sesh

01:04:22 Getting a pilots license

01:10:30 On being a bit more selfish

01:14:32 Misquoted

01:19:20 An exclusive

01:21:57 Outro

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Should children be allowed at weddings?

We're back with another Thursday Shanthi special, and in this episode, Romesh and Shanthi tackle your listener dilemmas and butt heads about one in particular - should children be allowed at weddings?

They also discuss the pressure to always be productive, how to be kinder to yourself, and whether you can really retrain the negative voice in your head.

Finally, they answer a question on unusual habits, and Romesh reveals some of Shanthi’s worst ones before addressing his bizarre shower routine.

From wedding drama and self-talk, to Henry VIII and questionable habits, it’s another classic and chaotic Thursday episode with Shanthi.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:05 Henry VIII and photo requests

05:55 Shanthi influences

08:23 Cockney accents and gangster roles

13:15 Answering your questions

14:40 Children at weddings

21:05 How to be kind to yourself

25:25 Rom’s positive self-talk training

27:32 Unusual habits

36:37 Shanthi’s Outro

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