Off Air with Jane & Fi

Fi’s still off, so Jane is holding down the fort, with some help from Eve ('fresh' from Berlin). There’s more discussion about revision, fear of failure, the eccentricities of Berlin, and Jane’s love of work (and Smash Hits). Plus, Jane speaks to Stéphane Babonneau, the lawyer to Gisèle Pelicot. Gisèle’s book is called 'A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides'. Our next book club pick is 'A Town...

Fi is on half term this week but fear not... school is still in session for Jane, who is joined by Robbie Millen, literary editor of The Times and The Sunday Times. Robbie graces us with his withering verdict on the new Wuthering Heights adaptation, baths in bedrooms and eavesdropping Alexas. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Shute. Our most asked about book is called 'The La...

Welcome to a Friday special! This week's bonus episode features an interview with Julianne Miles MBE, chartered psychologist and co-founder of Career Returners. Her book 'Return Journey: How to get back to work and thrive after a career break' offers a psychology-led, step-by-step guide for any professional looking to get back to fulfilling work.  If you want to contact the show to ask a ques...

It's Thursday and we're about to break up for half-term... Fi's off next week so Jane will be holding down - with some (minimal) help along the way. Before that happens, they chat about Dick Van Dyke, revision periods, CoolCats in a GoPro, and finding love in Asda. Plus, best-selling author Jennie Godfrey discusses her new novel T'he Barbecue at No. 9'. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alic...

This podcast is the living embodiment of managing your expectations - please keep them low… at all times. In today’s episode, Jane and Fi chat piles, the questionable nature of freestanding baths, the danger of paving stones, the similarities between CoolCat and Kim Jong Un, and estate agent jargon… Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Plus, Zac Goldsmith, sculptor and former Tory minister, discusses his...

We know you’ve all been on the edge of your seats (particularly if you’re anything like Shaun Evans), but fear not, Fi brings you an Anusol update… Plus, there’s discussion about Jane on the drums, lengths of meetings, fat and happy pets, and the diabolical nature of the sheet cake. Also, Lisa McGee, creator and writer of Derry Girls, discusses her new show ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’. Our...

Fi’s had a bumpy start to the morning in the form of a classic misplaced-phone palaver, but crisis averted… After that, Jane and Fi chat unsubtle Anusol product placement, the glis glis, confused supermarket chocolate, and latex-clad mother-in-laws. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Shute. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton. You can listen...

Welcome to a Friday special! This week's bonus episode features an interview with Vicky Ward, an investigative journalist who has spent decades reporting on Jeffrey Epstein. Vicky wrote a profile of Epstein for Vanity Fair back in 2003. It was due to include allegations of abuse from Maria and Annie Farmer - who filed the earliest known complaints against him - but those allegations were later red...

Jane and Fi's work outside the home is over for the week... They'll now be moving indoors... Before that, they chat nut balls, the downside to en-suites, carrot cake being the armpit of the cake world, and they demand justice for the bean burger. Plus, wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan discusses her upcoming tour 'Not Just A Wild Life'. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Sh...

This is an after-hours podcast episode…Welcome to the twilight zone… well, 4:12pm. Expect more butter-dish chat, non-traditional ratatouille, neutering your pets (and your ex), and there's an accent warning... Plus, Steve Crawshaw, journalist and former UK director at Human Rights Watch, joins us to discuss his book Prosecuting the Powerful: War Crimes and the Battle for Justice. Our next book clu...

Jane and Fi are feeling nostalgic today and they’re reminiscing about simpler times: when the landline phone knew its place, the Mini Cooper stayed in its lane, and washing your hair and body was a straight forward with Matey... Plus, Virgin Radio’s Emma B discusses her new podcast 'I Can Run A Marathon'.  Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Shute. Our most asked about boo...

Happy Monday! Jane’s been putting her pipes to good use over the weekend, and she brings a flavour of it to this episode… aren’t you lucky? Jane and Fi also chat butter wars, claggy swallows, handwriting, and Le Creuset. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Shute. The original music for The Greatest Showman is by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Our most asked about book is called 'T...

Forget his party, your party, Melania’s party - this is an Off Air party! Welcome… Jane and Fi cover the practicality of the negligee, funeral cruising, far-fetched Valentine’s Day promo, stamp prices, and Stacey Solomon’s pool. Plus, Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP discusses the expansion of the Victims’ Right to Review scheme. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Shute. Our...

Normal programming resumes - Jane’s back, and there’s actually a guest. Jane and Fi discuss glove flirting, removing offspring from the phone plan, the resurgence of the butter dish, age-defining shopping, and whether there’s ever really a right time to don a fascinator. Plus, evolutionary biologist Dr. Ben Garrod discusses cloning his dog Jack. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Ne...

Jane’s still off, so it’s an Off Air Fi and Eve special... They’re ricocheting between knick-knacks for dickheads’ business ventures, enlightenment in Croydon, slinkies, stiff-guy yoga, and fanny gallops. No guest today due to technical issues so enjoy lots of chat. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Shute. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornto...

Welcome to Monday! Jane is off today and tomorrow, so we’re bringing you a big book special today… Robbie Millen, literary editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, joins Fi to discuss his current book recommendations, being an intellectual snob, deliciously bitchy writing, why you should avoid poets, and Ed Balls doing the Gangnam Style dance. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice' by Nev...

It’s a jam-packed Thursday: there are parish notices; an idea for a new podcast format steam-rolled by a book club announcement; a reflection on the lasting impact of the whoopee cushion; a call for respect for farts in yoga; and a moment of real self-indulgence... enjoy! Plus, Carol Vorderman reflects on her career and discusses the perks of mid-life. Our next book club pick is 'A Town Like Alice...

Happy hump day! Owners of France and Mytchett - or, as you know them, Jane and Fi - discuss Dongret, women in dungarees, how to tie a loincloth, and there's been a kilt sighting… Plus, comedian and writer David Baddiel discusses his latest TV show ‘David Baddiel: Cat Man’. We’re taking suggestions for our next book club pick! The brief is: books that deserve to be re-read. Our most asked about boo...

Fi's a bit blissed out on medication and Jane doesn't really know anything today, so bear with us as we muddle through... Jane and Fi chat the Buxton postal system, washing your oven gloves, the Beckham feud, and cats on leads. Plus, academic psychologist and presenter Claudia Hammond discusses her latest book ‘Overwhelmed’. We’re taking suggestions for our next book club pick! The brief is: books...

Forget Blue Monday - we’re all about Waffling Monday here! Jane and Fi muse over well-turned calves, party leaders in Lycra, being overwhelmed by M&S, using your boob as a tea towel, and ending friendships over lemon & herb Nando’s. We’re taking suggestions for our next book club pick! The brief is: books that deserve to be re-read. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by...

Warning! This episode covers sexual activity! Explicit sexual activity! Jane and Fi also cover getting your tonsils out in Dundee, lying-in hospitals, the Freedom Pass, and poking around... Plus, director Catherine Abbott discusses her latest film ‘Becoming Victoria Wood’. We’re taking suggestions for our next book club pick! The brief is: books that deserve to be re-read. Our most asked about boo...

Happy Hump Day! It’s all going on: Fi’s been taken over by a spirit, and we’re about 50 miles outside Bromley… Jane’s added even more items to her ever-growing list of dislikes… They also chat about lying-in hospitals, burping yoga, mallen streaks, and Frank Bough. Namaste! Plus, Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on his career and discusses his tour with his husband Richard Clifford. We’re taking suggesti...

Jane and Fi consider coming out with their own self-help book and muse on the title: ‘Do Less, Be Happier’ or ‘Can I Be Arsed? Probably Not’… the jury is still out. They also chat about wassailing, cat incontinence, and the dangers of star signs. Plus, best-selling Australian writer Helen Garner discusses her diaries 'How to End a Story: Collected Diaries', and her new book 'The Mushroom Tapes'. W...

Namaste. Happy Monday. Jane’s got a bee in her bonnet about - well, quite a few things... Jane and Fi also chat about the 5am Club, unexpected legumes in the bagging area, playing the organ, and the talents of Omar Sharif. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton. You can listen to our 'I'm in the cupboard on Christmas' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlis...

Jane and Fi’s career delusions continue today as they ponder why they’ve never been offered a professional cricket commentary career. They also chat embracing 2026, socks over shoes, being a centrist granny, and moving to Dubai. Please also heed an accent warning! Plus, former prisoner turned writer and actor Ric Renton discusses working on the new BBC prison drama Waiting for the Out. Our most as...