John Niven is a Scottish author and screenwriter known for his darkly comic, satirical novels. Born in Ayrshire in 1966, he studied English Literature at the University of Glasgow before spending a decade in the music industry. This experience inspired his breakout novel, Kill Your Friends (2008), a biting satire of the late-1990s music business. The book earned widespread acclaim for its brutal honesty and sharp wit, and was later adapted into a film for which Niven co-wrote the screenplay. His other works include The Amateurs, The Second Coming, Straight White Male, and O Brother, showcasing his distinctive blend of humour, cynicism, and moral insight. In addition to novels, Niven has written for film and journalism, often exploring themes of fame, failure, and modern hypocrisy. Known for his outspoken political views, Niven remains a provocative and influential voice in contemporary British literature and culture.

Harriet Dyer is a Cornish comedian, writer and mental health advocate known for her quirky, original and offbeat brand of comedy. She has gigged all over the world and is resident MC at ROFL Comedy Club, Sheffield and at the multi award-winning mental health comedy night she founded, ‘Barking Tales’ in Manchester.

She recently won the the Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award for 2024, designed to showcase talented new writers and performers who embody the alternative comedic spirit of Sean and Channel 4.

2025 is a major year as she embarks on a huge UK live tour named 'Easily Distra...', which kicks off in September taking in 18 towns and cities, including Brighton, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Birmingham. The start of the year saw her make her Live at the Apollo debut on BBC Two.

Cheryl The Queen and Nikki Druce are two incredible people in their own right. 

You might know Cheryl from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “UK vs. the World” and generally being hilarious and being ‘The Queen Of Essex’. 

And you might know Nikki Druce as ‘London’s Spooky Specialist’. Nikki hosts “Macabre London” and is an expert on Haunted History and True Crime and has so much incredible (and very interesting) knowledge on the subject. Which you’ll definitely hear some of throughout this episode.

Together, they make the podcast Killers, Cults and Queens, and they spend their time looking into some of the craziest true crime cases in history, spine-tingling spooky paranormal activities, the weirdest corners of the internet, and the freakiest cults. 

James Goss (born 1974) is an English writer and producer renowned for his extensive work in the Doctor Who and Torchwood universes. Initially part of the BBC, he managed the official Doctor Who website from 2000, expanding its scope before transitioning to TV tie‑in media .

He wrote multiple Torchwood novels—Almost Perfect, Risk Assessment, First Born—and crafted acclaimed Doctor Who audiobooks and novels, including Dead Air (Best Audiobook 2010), Dead of Winter, and novelisations of Douglas Adams’ scripts like City of Death and The Pirate Planet .

John Green is an American author best known for his young adult novels, including The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, and Paper Towns. His work often explores love, loss, and mental health with emotional depth and wit. Green is also a prominent YouTuber, co-creating the educational channel Crash Course and the Vlogbrothers with his brother Hank. He’s an advocate for global health and education through initiatives like Project for Awesome. Known for his thoughtful storytelling and openness about living with OCD, Green has become a major voice in both literature and online media.

In this episode of We Can Be Weirdos, the pair discuss the possibility of life outside of earth, the power of influencing football matches with superstitions, the strangeness of human consciousness may affect our belief in the afterlife and the existence of God.

You can buy John's books here

Sikisa, is a dynamic British stand-up comedian, writer, producer, and qualified immigration lawyer. Born in South London and having spent part of her early life in Barbados, she brings a rich blend of cultural perspectives to her work.

Sikisa's comedy often explores themes of race, class, and identity, delivered with an infectious energy and authenticity. Her unique style has earned her appearances on notable TV shows such as "Live at the Apollo," "Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club," and "The Stand Up Sketch Show" . She has also been featured on various radio programs and podcasts, including BBC Radio 4's "Museum of Curiosity" and the "Off Menu" podcast .

Adam Buxton is a British comedian, writer, podcaster, and actor best known for his work in comedy and broadcasting. He gained prominence in the 1990s as one half of the comedy duo Adam and Joe, alongside Joe Cornish. Their cult TV show The Adam and Joe Show on Channel 4 mixed sketches, pop culture parodies, and homemade creativity, becoming a hit with alternative comedy fans.

Buxton is also widely respected for The Adam Buxton Podcast, where he conducts warm, thoughtful, and often humorous interviews with a range of guests, from comedians and musicians to writers and filmmakers. His distinctive style blends genuine curiosity with playful absurdity.

Outside of his podcasting and TV work, Buxton has appeared in various acting roles and voice work (including Hot Fuzz, The IT Crowd, and Bug). He is known for his love of music (especially David Bowie), tech, and a strong DIY aesthetic in his creative projects.

BUY HIS BOOK: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/i-love-you-byeee-rambles-on-diy-tv-rockstars-kids-and-mums-adam-buxton?variant=54865015898491

Dan and Al talk interior design premonitions, plotting pigeons, awkward interactions, and share some of the weirdest correspondence from the week. Plus, paranormal historian Dr Kate Cherrell has an awesome new book out, called Begotten. Find the link to that below! Kate's also been unearthing some of the strangest prophesies for our listening delight... the pope-pocalypse is back on.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Begotten-Gothic-Novel-Kate-Cherrell/dp/1803418044

https://www.waterstones.com/book/begotten/kate-cherrell/9781803418049

Andrew Hunter Murray is a writer and researcher for the BBC panel show QI, as a member of the team known as the "QI Elves". He co-hosts the spin-off podcast series No Such Thing as a Fish.

Murray wrote and co-presented the podcast's spinoff television series No Such Thing as the News. He currently hosts "Drop Us a Line" as part of the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast, and also the BBC's satirical current affairs podcast The Naked Week.

Andrew Hunter Murray works for Ian Hislop as a writer for Private Eye magazine and hosts the magazine's podcast, Page 94.

Emmie Brookman made a very spooky discovery while renovating her home... human bones in the wall, and a mysterious little bottle. Could there be a connection to witchcraft? Emmie's been hunting for answers.

Also, Synchronicity Corner, a Spurs-pocalypse and memory-wiping yellow liquor.

**Please note, this episode was recorded prior to the new pope being chosen - Congrats Leo XIV!**