Off Air with Jane & Fi

Do you notice a difference in today’s podcast? Is there a whiff of professionalism about it? No? Never mind then... Jane and Fi are undeterred by management and chat Taylor Swift’s graphic lyricism, life drawing with your daughter, and Stone Age orgies. Plus, writer and broadcaster Elizabeth Day discusses her latest novel ‘One of Us’. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patt...

Welcome to this elevated, culturally charged, aggressively sophisticated podcast. Jane and Fi tackle Frankfurt kitchens, Liverpool Echo obituaries, the ethics of wearing a baseball cap indoors, and the art of putting off boiler servicing - among other highbrow pursuits. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify...

Welcome back to another Friday special! This week's bonus episode features an interview with co-host of the TLS podcast Alex Clark. Alex is a literary journalist and book extraordinaire. She discusses her podcast and imparts her literary wisdom... 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 Instagra...

Happy International Ken Follett Day to all those who celebrate! Jane has dusted off her medieval wench dress (and it was under a thick layer of dust), and there is a musty smell about the studio... Once the excitement dies down, Jane and Fi chat formal letter writing, being tofu-positive and house names. Plus, best-selling author Ken Follett discusses ‘Circle of Days’ - his latest novel tackling o...

It’s Wednesday, and Jane and Fi are very, very busy. We understand that you’re also busy, but do try to keep an eye out for Swiss gags, Greek gags, and yoghurt gags in this episode... you're welcome! Plus, former finance minister of Greece Yanis Varoufakis discusses the British economy and his latest book ‘Raise Your Soul’. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. Yo...

It's a “welcome to autumn” type of day, and the vibes are good! Jane and Fi discuss bike theft, pet obituaries, and the moment you knew it was time to retire - now known as a 'Denise moment'. Plus, foreign correspondent Lyse Doucet reflects on her career and discusses her new book ‘The Finest Hotel in Kabul’. We've announced our next book club pick! 'Just Kids' is by Patti Smith. You can listen to...

Happy Ken Follett week to all those who celebrate! Jane and Fi cover Swiss humour, Kamala's narrator skills, lady moon landings, and the male form. 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=uOzz4UYZRc2nFOP8FV_1jg&pi=BGoacntaS_uki. If you want to contact the show to ask...

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...