The Martin Talk Show

From pole dancing to protests, River Olivia Rose has lived a story unlike any other. In Episode 583 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin Colton meets fearless storyteller River Olivia Rose to discuss her Edinburgh Fringe show, Love, Peace and Chicken Grease. River transforms raw lived experience into sharp, soulful comedy, drawing on a globe-spanning life and her activism in racial and environmental ju...

What if comedians were allowed to rewrite the rules of the world? In Episode 582 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin Colton meets comedian and host Leslie Gold at the Edinburgh Fringe to explore 101 Rules for a Better World (by Comedians).Following its sell-out 2025 Fringe run, the interactive panel show returns with a changing line-up of comedians proposing their own rules for improving the world. Th...

In Episode 581 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin talks with New Zealand comedian Ray O’Leary to discuss I Can See O’Leary Now The Ray Has Gone at Edinburgh Fringe 2026.Known for Taskmaster New Zealand, Have You Been Paying Attention? and his unmistakable grey suit, Ray has built a distinctive comedy style around deadpan delivery, off-kilter observations and meticulously crafted jokes. Martin and Ray...

In Episode 580 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin sits down with New York comedian and clown Chloe Matonis to discuss Lt. Love Dr.’s Boot Camp for Lonely People Like You. Chloe transforms into Lt. Love Dr. Hotty McTotty—a futuristic soldier sent back from 2075 on a mission to revive human connection and fight our increasingly isolated reality. Through hilarious interactive drills involving small talk...

In Episode 579 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin steps inside the Virgin Radio podcast space at Edinburgh Fringe 2026 for an epic conversation with broadcaster and podcast pioneer Geoff Lloyd. Geoff currently hosts Virgin Radio Evenings from Monday to Thursday and presents Geoff Lloyd’s Friendzone, where he meets extraordinary guests and attempts to turn them into friends. Martin and Geoff explore t...

In Episode 578 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin sits down with choreographer and aerial artist Tara Steele to discuss The Meeples: XXX at Edinburgh Fringe 2026.The world’s most famous puppet-style characters have lost their funding and their television home—so they respond by creating a wildly unhinged adult cabaret packed with live music, dance, puppetry, aerial performance and glorious chaos. Mar...

In Episode 576 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin sits down with Rhys Payne, the creator of Rhys Reviews, during his first Edinburgh Fringe experience. Rhys Reviews is an entertainment and theatre platform dedicated to shining a spotlight on new productions, emerging creatives and musical theatre. Martin and Rhys discuss the excitement and intensity of reviewing at the world’s largest arts festival,...

In Episode 575 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin sits down with writer and performer Susan “SJ” Hodges and actor Ramón de Ocampo to discuss Already Here at Edinburgh Fringe 2026.This darkly funny and deeply personal new play follows a widowed mother who turns to an AI companion for comfort—only for grief, technology and intimacy to become increasingly intertwined. Susan and Ramón explore one of the...

In Episode 574 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin sits down with Detroit-born comedian Brendon Lemon at the Edinburgh Fringe. Brendon shares his unique perspective on American identity, politics and the cultural divide between Britain and the United States—all through the sharp lens of comedy. His full Fringe show, An American Comedy Show That Quite Possibly Might Be Funny to the British, is a fast-p...

In Episode 577 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin sits down with New York writer and comedian Marina di Marzo to discuss Love in the Time of Fifth Grade. Marina looks back at her early-2000s childhood—when she was an unstoppable romantic—and asks what changed when love, dating and growing up became far more complicated. They discuss Marina’s first-generation Italian upbringing, rediscovering her fear...

How much does it really cost to become a star? In Episode 573 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin Colton is joined by New York-based writer and performer Katy Murphy, creator of the interactive Edinburgh Fringe show (No) Refunds. Hosted by Katy’s dazzling alter ego Tiffany Gold, (No) Refunds transforms the theatre into an unpredictable game show. One premium ticket holder becomes the evening’s “Star P...

In Episode 572 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin Colton is joined by Portuguese actor and theatre-maker Joana Raio, creator and performer of the award-winning solo show Voltei. Joana shares the story behind this autobiographical production, inspired by her 12 years living in the UK and her eventual return to Portugal. Together, Martin and Joana explore emigration, identity, belonging, cultural diffe...

Some performers make you laugh. Gail Porter makes an entire room feel like it has just made a new best friend. In Episode 571 of *The Martin Talk Show*, Martin Colton sits down with Scottish television personality, comedian and ghost hunter Gail Porter to discuss her Edinburgh Fringe 2026 show, *Portergeist*.Gail has experienced fame, homelessness, mental-health struggles and more than a few paran...

Some people light up a room. Liz Coin turns the whole room into part of the show. In Episode 570 of *The Martin Talk Show*, Martin Colton sits down with New York comedian, actor and writer Liz Coin to discuss *Lizzy Sunshine* at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026.When Lizzy’s partner fails to appear, the audience becomes her co-star. What follows is a chaotic, feel-good mixture of clowning, character comed...

What do you do when people claim they cannot understand you? If you’re Rosie Jones, you turn their words into the title of your show—and make them listen. In Episode 569 of The Martin Talk Show, host Martin Colton sits down with comedian, writer, actor and Taskmaster star Rosie Jones at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Rosie’s stand-up show, I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying, confronts the online comme...

What happens when loneliness meets a pile of rubbish—and imagination transforms it into connection? In Episode 568 of The Martin Talk Show, host Martin Colton welcomes Chicago-based clown, puppeteer and physical performer Michele Stine back to the podcast at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Always, Sometimes, Maybe introduces us to Lou, a lonely janitor who creates friends from the rubbish around he...

What happens when doing everything “right” nearly costs you everything? In Episode 567 of The Martin Talk Show, Martin Colton reconnects with award-winning storyteller, writer and artist Kristina Libby at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Kristina returns to the podcast following her earlier appearance in Episode 477—this time with her deeply personal one-woman show, I Almost Died for This?!, finally...

“Everyone is searching for connection—but what happens when that search becomes messy, painful and impossible to control?”At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, Martin Colton reconnects with Emmy-nominated playwright Ren McAslan and performer Hannah Strauss to discuss their darkly comic, confessional one-woman show, *Woman Seeking Cuddles*.The play follows Harper, who discovers that a previous sex...

“What happens when your childhood diaries understand you before you understand yourself?”At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, Martin Colton reconnects with New York and Los Angeles-based actor, writer and comedian Winnie Stack to discuss her autobiographical solo show, *@Jenna*.Built from Winnie’s unedited childhood diaries, home videos and digital memories, *@Jenna* tells the funny, awkward and...

“Parenthood is a balancing act—but Dick and Dale take that literally.”At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, Martin Colton is joined by Britt Anderson and returning guest Richie Schiraldi, the co-creators and performers behind *Well-Balanced Dads*.Dick and Dale are two suburban American dads, empty nesters and best friends embarking on a camping adventure in their trusty man-van. Expect dad jokes,...

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGThis episode contains a sensitive discussion about suicide, self-harm and deaths caused by pesticide poisoning. Some viewers may find the subject matter distressing. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. If you or someone else is in immediate danger in the UK, call 999 or go to A&E. You are not wasting anyone’s time. UK AND IRELAND SUPPORTSamaritans — call 116...

“Art can restore the humanity that history tries to flatten.”In Episode 562 of *The Martin Talk Show*, Martin Colton meets artist and writer Naz Saad at Words & Actions for Peace in Edinburgh. Naz discusses her exhibition, *(Op)pressed Flowers*, which reimagines historical portraits by introducing flowers, colour and new life into images shaped by the colonial gaze. The conversation explores t...

If the world were ending, would humanity pull together—or squabble all the way to impact? At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, Martin Colton is joined by performers Tom Johnson and Rob Glenister to discuss their dark, loud and gloriously anarchic sketch show, *Armageddon Outta Here*.An asteroid is hurtling towards Earth, threatening total annihilation. As the end approaches, ego, denial, faith,...

“What does freedom truly mean to you?”Recorded in the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Martin Colton meets James Robertson — better known as the Freedom Guy — for a spontaneous and completely unfiltered conversation. In Episode 560 of *The Martin Talk Show*, James shares his message of freedom, individuality and living life on your own terms. This Edinburgh Fringe UnCut conversation capture...

Discover the vibrant history and culture of Edinburgh through the eyes of local entertainer Adam. In this video, Adam shares his unique experiences and insights about performing on the streets of this iconic city. Key takeaways:* Adam's connection to Edinburgh and its significance in his life.* The challenges and joys of entertaining tourists.* Fascinating historical facts about the Picts and...