Off Air with Jane & Fi

Happy Wednesday! Hope you're keeping warm and managing to stay upright. Besides sport, politics, corruption, and shortbread, Jane and Fi discuss using low-sodium salt on your front path, The Pepper Wars, Erasmus, and the power of the shacket. Plus, presenter Jake Humphrey discusses his new book ‘Micro-Habits: Tiny Habits that Supercharge High Performance’. Our most asked about book is called 'The...

Fi’s blood pressure has well and truly spiked today, so join us as we collectively try to bring it back down… Coming off the lid today, there’s chat about re-reading books, army ladies, and cancel culture. Plus, bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell discusses the film adaptation of her novel 'Hamnet', starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Our most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by P...

It’s 2026, and Jane and Fi are back - reunited and ready to run their mouths. In this episode, they demonstrate their budding potential as high-level film critics. There’s chat about hair transplants, Imodium, and the WoolOvers debate is reopened… then firmly closed. There’s also conversation surrounding grief and loss. Recommendations you'll hear in this episode: 'The Thinking Game' documentary,...

In this special bonus episode brought to you by Ancestry, Fi chats to The Times and Sunday Times editor Andy Silvester, and Ancestry family history expert Laura House.  Andy shares what he's learned about his family's past from his Ancestry journey, and Laura chats about how she helps people make discoveries about their own family stories.  Head to www. ancestry.co.uk /newyear...

It’s officially 2026! Happy New Year - we hope your head is OK… In this bonus episode, we revisit Jane and Fi’s conversations with Joanna Lumley, Rob Rinder, and Gary Numan. Enjoy! If you find yourself at a bit of a loose end after this, why not go and listen to our latest playlist, titled “I’m in the cupboard at Christmas”: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1awQioX5y4fxhTAK8ZPhwQ We’ll be back on...

Merry Christmas! You may be hiding in the pantry right now - we’re right there with you! In this bonus podcast episode, Jane and Fi are live on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, speaking to model and television personality Penny Lancaster. If you find yourself at a bit of a loose end after this, why not go and listen to our latest playlist, titled “I’m in the cupboard at Christmas”: htt...

Happy Monday! Just three more sleeps until Christmas - we hope this will help you drift off soundly, or simply provide you with an excuse to step out of the house and away from the madness for a moment… In this bonus episode, we revisit Jane and Fi’s conversations with Miriam Margolyes, Rick Astley, and Jameela Jamil. Enjoy! If you find yourself at a bit of a loose end after this, why not go and l...

It’s the final official podcast episode of the year! Merry Christmas from all the Off Air team. Pour yourself a glass of fizz and settle in as Fi chats Swiss hot tubs, ribbed cranberry sauce, and a truly uncomfortable Ken Follett colander. Plus, comedian Chris McCausland discusses his documentary ‘Seeing into the Future’, about the future of technology and what it might hold for him personally. Ch...

’Twas the penultimate Off Air episode of the year, and all through the studio… it was anything but quiet. Fi chats yacht showrooms, Christmas haikus, rock star merch, and some very niche sex spots. Plus, Andrew Billen - journalist, feature writer, and celebrity interviewer at The Times - looks back on his year at the paper and remembers some of the interviewees we sadly lost in 2025. You can liste...

Fi’s still manning the podcast solo, with a bit of help from Eve and your wonderful emails along the way. There’s chat of double reeds, doing the splits during lockdown, homosexual animals, and Paul Mescal’s silver chain. Plus, Managing Director of F1 Academy Susie Wolff reflects on her career and discusses her memoir 'Driven'. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: ht...

In this special bonus episode brought to you by Thomas Fudge's biscuits, Fi chats to Britain's most celebrated ceramicist, Emma Bridgewater. They talk about Emma's classic designs, how she gets her inspiration, and Christmas traditions. Pick up your favourite Thomas Fudge's flavour at your local supermarket, and discover Thomas Fudge's Seasonal Selection at Sainsbury's and Morrisons. If you want t...

Today is a new day and the playlist is closed! Fi finally delivers her heavily-trailed lodger email, and there are accents… proceed with caution. There are also threats of a Christmas haiku, discussions about childhood hobbies, and another door of Hetty's advent calendar is opened. Plus, Paul Feig, director of Bridesmaids, discusses directing the adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel T...

The playlist is open and the cupboard door is closed and locked! Take a deep breath... In this episode, Fi is underwhelmed by a French B&B, she’s over-enthusiastic about putting your arms above your head, and she’s downright put off by the idea of climbing a mountain. Plus, TV personality Spencer Matthews chats to Times Radio’s Rosie Wright about completing an epic challenge: seven Ironman tri...

There are lots of questions left unanswered in today's pod. Fi is steering the ship solo - exploring whether TV characters should say goodbye? What the Off Air robot should look like? And who (or what) is Super Trouper? And Sebastian Faulks discusses his memoir ‘Fires Which Burned Brightly’ with Royal Editor of The Sunday Times, Roya Nikkhah (who’s helping out on the live show this week). You can...

A final thank you to everyone for thanking us for thanking you… get it? Fi dives into open-water faux pas, Spotify Wrapped, early-years parenting, and the future of AI - she’s got range! Plus, we peel back a few more doors on Hetty’s advent calendar. Also, lexicographer Susie Dent discusses her new book ‘Words for Life’ with Fi and Rosie Wright. You can listen to our 'I've got the house...

It’s just Fi and her one remaining Greggs share today, with a member of production on standby to act as a bit of a sounding board. Fi covers aquafaba, slutty curtains, and early-years parenting. Plus, Eline van der Velden, the founder and CEO of London-based AI production company Particle6, and the creator of AI actress Tilly Norwood, discusses the future of AI and tech. You can listen to our 'I'v...

It's just Fi today as Jane remains in the North. Fi peels back the first door of our 'Jane and Fi Advent Calendar' and shares her favourite primary school banger... Plus, Dr. Chris van Tulleken, author of the bestseller 'Ultra-Processed People', discusses his upcoming live show. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKU...

We've made it to our tenth book club edition! This one is what we call a mixed bag, so pop the prosecco and sit back... Jane and Fi discuss 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith. Plus, the wonderful Laura Hackett, deputy literary editor of The Times and Sunday Times, joins them to share her thoughts and bring a touch of class. Thank you so much for your engagement and interaction. We hope you'll join us for...

Gobble Gobble! Happy Thanksgiving... Jane and Fi try to clear up why Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November - and fail miserably. They also attempt to make sense of Easy Peelers, being Irish-adjacent, and the “e” at the end of “Concorde.” Plus, screenwriter Sally Wainwright discusses her latest show 'Riot Women'. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: ht...

We bring you an email-only episode to mark today's fiscal event… Jane and Fi chat supermarket encounters, road rage, and poonamis - plus there's more on the shower squad v bath brigade debate. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJ If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversa...

Jane has been telling porky pies (ahem) and she’s been caught out again… Jane and Fi also cover their love of Ikea, investment, driverless cars, and there’s even a special sound-effect competition. Plus, Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of London, joins to discuss stepping into the role and what she wants for the future of businesses. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist her...

Please have your driving gloves at the ready - there’s plenty of car chat in today’s episode. Jane and Fi also chat replenishing the store cupboard, Windy Miller, cricket, and the dying art of sweet and sour. Please get your thoughts in for book club! We will be recording it this week. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX7...

Happy Thursday! Feel free to suck the goodness out of this episode and spit the rest into a napkin. Jane Pongo Garvey and Fi chat manned petrol pumps, maternity, the longevity of baths, and The National Trust. Plus, comedian Tom Allen joins to discuss gardening and his new podcast 'Pottering with Tom Allen'. Please get your thoughts in for book club! We will be recording it next week. You can list...

We're in a healing mode so vasectomy chat is on pause... Instead, Jane and Fi chat driverless cars, which language you think in, and bold-faced lies... Plus, Samantha Secomb, financial planner and founder of Women’s Wealth, discusses how to get more women investing. You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX74TJuVKUPAuJ We've an...

Why do black and white photos look so good? Who's carrying around turkey in their dressing gowns? What is it with celebrities in Suffolk? All questions pondered in today's pod... Plus Jane speaks to Lord Mark Price on his new book, "Work Happier: How to Be Happy and Successful at Work". You can listen to our 'I've got the house to myself' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkG0A4kkX...