Animal Nonsense

Jess explores the world of the jellyfish that can in theory live forever. David delves into the rumour about snails and post boxes. We eventually remember the show email address ... animalnonsensepodcast@gmail.com + talk about a dream where Gromit was a guest on 'Animal Nonsense'. 

A real birthday episode for Jess. David reveals that animals are not the most orthodox of present givers + offers a hen. 

On this episode, Jess remembers her morning making a pom pom rabbit. They report back on their recent BBC radio interview. David regales Jess with his experience of looking after her dog. David does not remember the 'Animal Nonsense' email address... he has learned it is animalnonsensepodcast@gmail.com! Do reach out to us. 

Happy New Year. In the first episode of 2026, we explore the '12 Animals of Christmas' based on the well known festive song. We learn about the animals 7 to 12... 

Merry Christmas. On this podcast, we explore the '12 Animals of Christmas' based on the well known festive song. We learn about the animals 1 to 6... 

In episode 10, we answer the question... what animals were really at the nativity? David asks Jess to remember the animal-related lines of Christmas carols + we re-create on an audio adventure how the night of Jesus' birth might have been for poor Mary.  Use of BBC Sound Effects library for the purposes of non-advertised and educational reasons only. 

On episode 9, we hear about the heart-warming Christmas movie 'Prancer' that Jess acted in with a real reindeer. Jess provides a behind the scenes insight into how the movie was made and how the reindeer flourished in the role. 

On episode 8, David explains how he wrote the 'Animal Nonsense' music. Jess plays the sound round and tries to recognise the animal muse of 3 classical composers. Jess remembers working at Battersea Dogs Home and we explore if cows really enjoy jazz music.

On episode 7, Jess and David reveal how hard it has been to name the podcast and yet naming a real animal is really easy. Jess plays David's 'Personal Name Guessing Game' and hears about an Andean Bear, a Desert Locust and a Great Green Macaw on route to the reveal.

On episode 6, Jess tells David about her recent visit to the Oceanarium in Lisbon and we discuss the pros and cons of having animals in captivity. Jess explains how the sea otter has the fluffiest fur of any animal and how it eats 1/3 of it's own body weight every day. They also float together in 'rafts'. 

On episode 5, we remember the BBC Children In Need mascot Pudsey Bear. I also show Jess a photo of the original 'Sooty' I recently saw on the North Pier in Blackpool. We learn about the relationship between President Theodore Roosevelt and 'teddy' and the reason a Priest thought the bear would result in the end of the human race. 

On episode 4, we reminisce about our relationship with Jess' dog, remember our first real encounters with dog, Blue Peter and learn how dogs rescued Hollywood. 

On episode 3 on Halloween, we explore our real encounters with the animals that really frighten us including mice and spiders. Also, Jess brings in a noise round of the most unsettling bird noises. 

On episode 2 being released on Halloween, hear about animals that really are the 'stuff of nightmares'. We explore vulture bees, butcher birds, and the spotted ragged toothed shark. These creatures will make your blood run cold. 

On episode 1, in honour of Halloween, hear about the 'Vampyroteuthis Infernalis' - or as Jess dubbed it 'the Vampire Disco Squid From Hell'. Learn about how they protect themselves and bring some much needed colour to the deepest ocean.