Rob and Theo check in following 'festivus', discussing how they spent the season and looking ahead to some plans for 2026, not least finally finding an answer to the meaning of life (watch this space on that one). They also return to their usual Guardian quick crossword stomping ground in a bid to kick off the year with a win.

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17369

Contact us:

[email protected]

Listen to Enthusiasts:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

Welcome to the third annual Christmas special. Theo and Rob have a special treat lined up for listeners, namely a dedicated festive crossword which, with 50 clues, will test their timekeeping to the limit. They also discuss a much-loved film, reminisce over Christmases past, and Rob discusses a not-so-happy memory from his time as a backpacker (see link below). Wherever you are in the world, we wish you a very merry Two Across-mas!

Play along:

https://www.sightsavers.org/christmas-crossword/

Contact us:

[email protected]

Read Rob's article:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2002/sep/01/bangkok.thailand.observerescapesection

And a special thank you to Rob for his festive musical contributions. Listen to his solo project, Enthusiasts, here:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

Theo is on his travels and, despite a croaky voice and dodgy microphone, manages to tackle a crossword mid-wedding celebrations in Colombo. Rob meanwhile has returned to Montreal, where the temperatures are far from equatorial.

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17350

Contact us:

[email protected]

Listen to Enthusiasts:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

Such is his commitment to Two Across, Rob hunkers down near the coffee machine at Kathmandu airport to record this latest episode, which is soundtracked by regular whistlings of steam. This week's crossword meanwhile seems to be plain sailing... Until it isn't. Can they crack an especially fiendish clue?

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17345

Contact us:

[email protected]

Rob has returned to the Himalayan foothills for work purposes (international development or spying, you decide...), while Theo is contemplating a long haul trip of his own. They also ponder the passing of Tom Stoppard, Spotify's AI-authored spoilers and their combined career malaise. But, more importantly, will the jetsetting duo manage to crack the crossword?

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17341

Contact us:

[email protected]

Listen to Enthusiasts:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

Theo and Rob muse the theme of 'enshittification' and whether our culture is doomed to become an AI-infested swamp forever more (a theme that regular listeners will know they are fond of), and what we can do about it. They also tackle an especially fiendish crossword.

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17334

Contact us:

[email protected]

Listen to Enthusiasts:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

The Guardian podcast referenced:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2025/nov/24/enshittification-how-we-got-the-internet-no-one-asked-for-podcast

Rob and Theo get into some juicy insurance-based chat in the wake of the latter's latest technical problem. They also discuss topics ranging in scope from tinnitus to Hitler's allegedly small appendage. But, most importantly, can they also further their crosswording lead for the series? There's only one way to find out.

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17328

Contact us:

[email protected]

Listen to Enthusiasts:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

Rob introduces Theo (and Zeus) to his new furry companion, a shih-poo named Snoopy. Which prompts them to ponder whether the podcast should henceforth be called Shih-Tzu across... They also have a crossword to tackle, of course, which is another one of those with a twist in the tail.

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17321

Contact us:

[email protected]

Listen to Enthusiasts:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

Rob and Theo discuss the loss of the Blue Jays to the LA Dodgers in baseball, and what it tells us about the nature of failure. They also contemplate themes ranging from ice cream to careers, whilst trying to continue their crossword winning streak.

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17317

Contact us:

[email protected]

Listen to Enthusiasts:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

With Rob back on terra canadia, the guys catch up on their respective weeks, which have encompassed sailing, sumo wrestling, and trying to work out how to have a 'growth mindset'. They also tackle a crossword in a bid to extend their frankly embarrassingly handsome lead.

Play along:

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17303

Contact us:

[email protected]

Some highlights of sumo at the Royal Albert Hall:

https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/the-grand-sumo-tournament-in-pictures

Enjoy the spectacle of periodical cicadas (narrated by Sir David Attenborough):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWr8fzUz-Yw