Off Air with Jane & Fi

Welcome back to another Friday special! This week's bonus episode features an interview with Nicholas Pearson, editor and friend to Hilary Mantel. It's been three years since the Wolf Hall author and two time Booker prize winner Hilary Mantel died. Now, her friends and colleagues are honouring her memory with a literary prize. The Hilary Mantel prize seeks to support unpublished writers, with...

Down your tools and give this podcast your FULL ATTENTION! Jane and Fi chat real tennis, Bruce Forsyth's ghost, house husbands, and gravestones for pets. Plus, co-founder of ZOE and gut health guru Tim Spector discusses his new book 'Ferment'. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg8...

Jane and Fi are back together, but they've returned to some confusion about who’s who… Once they helpfully clear that up, they ponder minced-sheep airlines, the naming of naval ships, and the countdown to Christmas. Plus, they're joined by Joan Higginbotham, former NASA astronaut, as she reflects on her career and discusses the future of space. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids'...

In this special bonus episode brought to you by Cancer Research UK, Jane and Fi speak to Clara, who was diagnosed with blood cancer as a child. Clara tells us how her experiences in hospital inspired her to become a children's nurse. Get more information at: Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People:  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/children-and-young-people?utm_source=new...

Happy Thursday from the past... Jamal and Fi travel through time to bring you their musings on vacuum packed sausages, beef-cheese and Be-Ro flapjacks. Plus, Jane M chats to Nigella Lawson, queen of the kitchen, about her partnership with Tourism Australia and the best that Aussie food and wine has to offer. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to...

BIG NEWS. Trump has landed and Jamal and Fi are getting a bit sidetracked... They also chat Bananarama, period pants, and over-sized bath robes. Plus, Tiggy Walker, wife of DJ Johnnie Walker, discusses caring for him before his death and her new book 'Both Sides Now'. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.c...

Calling all Davids! This one’s for you. Jane M and Fi dive into everything from beard-growing and cycling to hormones and being triggered in East London. Later, Roya Nikkhah, royal editor of The Sunday Times, speaks with best-selling author Ian McEwan about his new novel 'What We Can Know', set a hundred years in the future in a UK partially submerged by rising seas. We've announced our next book...

Jane M keeps Jane Garvey's seat warm this week, but she only just made it in by the skin of her teeth. Fi also had a slightly treacherous journey in. Once they're both settled, they chat tuna-mushroom-soup casserole, driving on both sides, and nookie. Plus, Lady Hale, former President of the Supreme Court, discusses her new book 'With the Law on Our Side'. We've announced our next book club pick!...

Stories of jugged hare, absolute monarchs and applicator tampons have carried Jane and Fi to the end of another week at Times Towers. And they are joined by broadcaster, Clare Balding, to discuss her debut novel 'Pastures New'. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si=uOz...

Jane and Fi recount their visit to Downing Street last night and it sounds like the Champagne was well and truly flowing. Larry the cat was did not make an appearance, but Hugh Grant was there - not that Jane remembers. Plus, they speak to singer and songwriter, Rick Astley, about his 2026 UK and Ireland Tour. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen t...

The Mayoress of Liverpool (aka Jane) has denounced Fi for her attempt at a northern accent, and has further decreed that the next Deputy Leader of the Labour Party must actively keep ferrets. Thoughts? Plus, Fi speaks to Miriam Margolyes about her new book, 'The Little Book of Miriam'. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to the playlist here: http...

Should the teacher related to Cheddar Man become the King? Why did the Queen ride side saddle? And what wisdom will Jane and Fi dish out during their trip to Downing Street? Many questions are answered in today's email special. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si=uOz...

It’s Double Tash Thursday! Welcome! Jane picks her pope of the week (no prizes for guessing who), they also cover UFO sightings, riding side saddle, and not getting Charlie Chaplin. Haveagoodone. Plus, pioneering brain surgeon and writer Henry Marsh reflects on his career and discusses the new documentary about his life 'Confessions of a Brain Surgeon'. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Ju...

Please bear with Jane - she's feeling rather 'liverish' after a raucous Tuesday night. There's more discussion of hot tuna, parking scams, and the true meaning of a Brucey Bonus... Plus, Nick Clegg - former deputy prime minister and former president of global affairs at Meta - discusses his new book 'How to Save the Internet: The Threat to Global Connection in the Age of AI and Political Conflict'...

The sheltered housing for the more commercially viable is under construction, and we expect it to open its doors to Jane and Fi soon… While they wait, they discuss Gremlins, more funeral songs, brine ideas, and blancmange. Plus, novelist and historian Mary Chamberlain discusses her book 'Fenwomen', a fascinating insight into 20th-century rural life, 50 years on from its first publication. You can...

Pinch, punch, first day of the month! Jane and Fi muse over significant events associated with the 1st of September. They also discuss Julia Roberts’ voice, infused marmalades, storing feta, and the eternal question: Lego brick or cat sick? You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si=uOzz4UYZRc2nFOP8FV_1jg&pi=BGoacntaS_uki If you want to con...

Is anyone thinking about Johnny's sister? And what about Johnny's sister's husband?! Well, we are! Jane and Fi also think about dog DNA, cockneys, and AI unions. Plus, academic and writer James Fox joins us to discuss his book 'Craftland'. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si=uOzz4UYZRc2nFOP8FV_1jg&pi=BGoacntaS_uki If you want to cont...

If you've seen an appallingly large sea monster with frightening eyes and a seaweed-like mane, and it's not your husband - please get in touch! Jane and Fi also cover pearly kings and queens, Robert Dyas cards, and eclectic funeral playlists. Plus, woodsman, instructor, and broadcaster Ray Mears discusses his latest book 'Outdoor Tracking Handbook: How to Find Anything in the Wild'. You can listen...

Happy Tuesday! Fi’s over summer, but it’s still hanging in there - a bit like us… Jane and Fi also get into bilingual pets, Guildford, and a cheese smuggling escapade. Plus, criminal barrister Alex McBride discusses the new upcoming series of 'The Jury: Murder Trial'. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si=uOzz4UYZRc2nFOP8FV_1jg&pi=BGoa...

Welcome back to another Friday special! This week's bonus episode features an interview with Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England, speaking about how we can protect children online. If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radio Follow us on Instagram! @janeandfi Assistant Producer: Hannah Quinn...

Happy Thursday! Jane is kicking off about what she deems to be an inappropriate funeral song, whilst Fi expresses her biggest fear: eating jellyfish cereal in a lighthouse. Plus, Fi speaks to Professor Sophie Watson, Head of Sociology at The Open University, about the importance of water to our cities. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si...

In today's episode it emerges that Fi forgot to compliment Jane on her flecks of grey, so now the whole 'au naturale' plan has gone out the window... more on the big cat man in a moment. Plus, Jane speaks to Health Editor of The Sunday Times, Shaun Lintern, about his coverage of The Sodium Valproate scandal. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC9...

Fi returns from her holiday of doom and reunites with Jane, or should we say Mystic Garv.  They discuss previously predicted big cat sightings which are cropping up across the country. But why are they never seen in December? You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjhtS9sprg864IXC96he?si=uOzz4UYZRc2nFOP8FV_1jg&pi=BGoacntaS_uki If you want to contact the s...

Come in Brighton? This is Garvey calling. It's Mulkerrins' last day on the pod before Fi returns tomorrow and the two Janes discuss Pride and Prejudice alternate endings and inappropriate reading material. Plus, Jane G speaks to Deesha Dyer, Former White House Social Secretary Under Obama about her memoir 'Undiplomatic'. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qIjht...

Taylor Swift, if you’re reading this (and you probably are), watch out - Jane is coming for your man! Jane and Jamal also discuss A-Level results, airport security, and p*cky b*ts. Plus, Scottish crime writer Val McDermid discusses her upcoming Karen Pirie novel Silent Bones and shares her thoughts on the addition of that bum bag... You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/pla...