Best Callum & Neil Podcasts (2025)

1
Joe Stilgoe and Heidi Fardell celebrate Yuletide Classics 42:35

5d ago42:35

42:35

Anna and Jeffrey host an Add to Playlist Yuletide special. They are joined by jazz musician and songwriter Joe Stilgoe and baroque recorder player Heidi Fardell to pick apart five cracking festive tracks, from Sleigh Ride to the Carol of the Bells. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The fiv…

1
Katy Richardson and Ben Gernon head to Mongolia 42:37

11d ago42:37

42:37

Conductor Ben Gernon and Music Director Katy Richardson join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add another five tracks, taking us from the Mongolian landscape to a sunrise in Lesbos, a famous TV theme, and some seriously wronged wives. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks…

1
The Algerian war of independence 6:10

14d ago6:10

6:10

In this episode, we dive into one of the most complex, brutal, and transformative struggles of the 20th century: the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962). What began as a colonial uprising quickly turned into a full-scale war that reshaped France, liberated Algeria, and changed global politics forever. We break down how the conflict started, th…

1
Emma Rawicz and Keelan Carew enjoy the vibes 42:43

18d ago42:43

42:43

Pianist Keelan Carew and saxophonist Emma Rawicz join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add five more tracks, taking us from an unforgettable Nat King Cole classic to a sunken cathedral, a famous submarine, and the Austrian Alps. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in th…

1
Claire Wickes and Vince Pope and plenty of strings 42:37

25d ago42:37

42:37

Flautist and composer Claire Wickes and composer Vince Pope join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add five more tracks, taking us from some traditional Irish violins to San Francisco's Kronos Quartet, stopping along the way for some musical Greek mythology. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoe…

1
Amy Harman and Peter Long cue the bass 42:35

1M ago42:35

42:35

Bassoonist Amy Harman and bandleader, jazz man and multi-instrumentalist Peter Long join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye to add five more tracks, a journey which starts with a virtual cartoon band and ends up in Colombia, stopping off at Gotham City, Knebworth and the New York jazz scene in 1946. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical dir…

1
Neil Brand and Imogen Whitehead launch a new series 42:45

1M ago42:45

42:45

Pianist and silent film music specialist Neil Brand and trumpeter Imogen Whitehead join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add the first five tracks of the new series, taking us from an energetic bee to Woodstock via The Netherlands and Bristol. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tr…

1
The Gunpowder Plot 7:07

2M ago7:07

7:07

In 1605 a small group of conspirators tried to blow up the English Parliament and change the course of history. Neil and Callum tell the story — from the plot’s desperate origins and the men behind it, to the plan, the discovery, and the surprising political fallout.By Callum & Neil

1
1066 The Battle of Hastings 5:34

2M ago5:34

5:34

On the 14th October 1066, England changed for ever. On this episode join us as we look at the Battle of Hastings, Like Comment and subscribe and share with othersBy Callum & Neil

1
The Zulu war 9:14

3M ago9:14

9:14

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic and brutal conflict between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. From the causes of the war and the ambitions of British colonial expansion, to the power and organization of the Zulu nation under King Cetshwayo, we trace the road to one of the most shocking defeats in …

1
Anne Dudley and Joe Stilgoe round off the series 42:43

3M ago42:43

42:43

Musician and songwriter Joe Stilgoe and Oscar-winning composer and arranger Anne Dudley join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add the final five tracks of the series, taking us from calypso to K-pop via Beethoven and Brubeck. Add to Playlist returns on 14 November. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and A…

1
Catrin Finch and Rhodri Marsden on absence and resilience 42:44

3M ago42:44

42:44

Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and musician and composer Rhodri Marsden join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add five more tracks, with unexpected and surprising connections. The eclectic music choices range from an Americana classic knocked off in just 30 mins to the winner of this year's Ivor Novello Award for Best Album, via a reworking of a …

1
Callum Au and Natalie Duncan and the beauty of brass 42:39

4M ago42:39

42:39

Trombonist, arranger and big band leader Callum Au, and composer, pianist and singer Natalie Duncan, are today's studio guests as they look for unexpected links that connect five disparate tracks. With Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye, they head from an early Adele classic to a reinterpretation of a Roberta Flack hit via a 15-minute reworking by Duke…

1
Jess Gillam and Keelan Carew with music fit for a king 42:44

4M ago42:44

42:44

Saxophonist and Radio 3 broadcaster Jess Gillam and pianist Keelan Carew are Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe's studio guests as they add the next five tracks, taking us from an east London housing estate to Heaven, via a certain celebrated Norwegian hall of a Mountain King. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boaky…

1
The 7 years War 17:33

4M ago17:33

17:33

Join us for the latest episode of Textbook Dummies, on this episode we take a look at a forgotten global conflict, the 7 years war

1
Alison Balsom and Linton Stephens celebrate the BBC Proms 43:02

4M ago43:02

43:02

With three weeks remaining of this year's BBC Proms, Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe present a Proms-themed edition. Studio guests are the celebrated trumpeter Alison Balsom, who'll be performing in this year’s Last Night of the Proms, and bassoonist, Radio 3 and Proms presenter Linton Stephens. Expect music from the Proms and beyond as we head from…

1
Victoria Canal and Roderick Williams launch a brand new series 42:44

4M ago42:44

42:44

Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe return with a new series, in the company of two studio guests - Spanish-American singer-songwriter and composer Victoria Canal, and baritone and composer Roderick Williams. Kicking things off with that Rickrolling earworm, the first five tracks include a celebrated Bizet composition and some playful Lovecats with a ve…

1
Franco-Prussian war 8:31

5M ago8:31

8:31

Europe, 1870. An ambitious Prussian chancellor. A weakened French emperor. A telegram that changed history. It began with a diplomatic insult—and ended with the fall of an empire, the birth of a nation, and a legacy of bitterness that would haunt Europe for decades. Join us on this episode of Textbook Dummies as we discover the Franco Prusian War…

1
The war of the roses 11:15

6M ago11:15

11:15

Step into the blood-soaked corridors of power in a gripping historical podcast that unravels the brutal civil war that tore England apart. From the rival claims of Lancaster and York to the decisive battles of Towton, Barnet, and Bosworth Field, we explore the betrayals, shifting alliances, and royal ambitions that shaped a nation.…

1
Debbie Wiseman and Ben Gernon round off the series 43:10

6M ago43:10

43:10

Wolf Hall composer Debbie Wiseman and conductor Ben Gernon join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add the final five tracks to the playlist for the current series. From the UK's first Eurovision winner to a heavy metal classic via Europe's second-longest river, the team wrap up the series before returning in August. Producer: Jerome Weatherald…

1
Anna Lapwood and Andrew Roachford celebrate the 100th episode 42:44

6M ago42:44

42:44

Star organist Anna Lapwood and singer/songwriter Andrew Roachford join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add tracks 496-500 in this 100th edition of the show! What better way to celebrate than a double dose of organ, and a trip to Mumbai, Hawaii and Cape Verde? Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna P…

1
Ashley Henry and Amy Harman on Bowie and Beethoven 42:53

6M ago42:53

42:53

Jazz pianist Ashley Henry and bassoonist Amy Harman join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add five more tracks to the playlist, taking us from a Bowie dance classic to Marvin Gaye via an unexpected rare, live, performance by a jazz icon in a school in California, surprisingly recorded by the caretaker in 1968. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented …

1
Nicky Spence and Heidi Fardell drop in on the Honky Château 42:47

7M ago42:47

42:47

Operatic tenor Nicky Spence and recorder player and Baroque flautist Heidi Fardell are the studio guests of Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe. In today's five-track journey they head from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Belgium, a rural French château, a charitable institution in Venice, finishing up in Ireland where the past casts a long shad…

1
Claire Booth and Gavin Higgins on a few very famous notes 46:59

7M ago46:59

46:59

Composer Gavin Higgins and soprano Claire Booth take us from a massive Wembley chant to a ground-breaking early rap by a famous white rock group as they join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add five more tracks to the playlist. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this we…

1
Errollyn Wallen and Neil Brand launch a brand new playlist 42:49

7M ago42:49

42:49

Errollyn Wallen, composer and Master of the King's Music, and musician and writer Neil Brand are the studio guests of Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they launch a brand new series. From Lady Gaga to an early Disney classic and ending up in Mexico, the journey begins. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye a…

1
The English Civil War 11:17

8M ago11:17

11:17

Step into one of the most turbulent periods in British history with Divided Kingdom. This podcast dives into the causes, battles, and aftermath of the English Civil War, from the clash between King Charles I and Parliament to Oliver Cromwell's rise and the temporary abolition of the monarchy. Unravel the political intrigue, religious tensions, and …

1
R.M.S TITANIC 5:47

8M ago5:47

5:47

In this episode of Text Dummies, we delve into one of the most catastrophic maritime disasters in history: the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Join us as we recount and relive the events of that fateful voyage.By Callum & Neil

1
Tawiah and Linton Stephens round off the series 43:11

9M ago43:11

43:11

Singer, songwriter and film & TV composer Tawiah and bassoonist Linton Stephens join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add the last five tracks in the current series. Love and longing feature prominently, be it for a distant homeland, a parent to a child, or infatuation. But the curtain rises to a famous march representing the forces of darkne…

1
The Black Death 4:30

9M ago4:30

4:30

In this episode of Textbook Dummies, we examine the Black Death. In the 1340s, the world changed and not for the better. Join us as we explore the global pandemic that affected the world.By Callum & Neil

1
Natalie Duncan and Richard Stilgoe celebrate the Red Planet 43:06

9M ago43:06

43:06

Lyricist Richard Stilgoe and musician and songwriter Natalie Duncan prepare for a square dance as they add five more tracks to the playlist. With Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye, they head from Scottish reels to Mars, via California's Santa Monica Boulevard. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoeb…

1
Carol Jarvis and Keelan Carew head for a hoedown 42:48

9M ago42:48

42:48

Pianist Keelan Carew and trombonist Carol Jarvis join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add five more tracks to the playlist, as they take us from the great Winifred Atwell to an ambitious prog-rock reimagining of Aaron Copland's Rodeo ballet. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tra…

1
Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and Anne Dudley salute Amy 42:43

9M ago42:43

42:43

Concertina and melodeon player Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and composer and arranger Anne Dudley contribute to the next five tracks on the playlist. Alongside Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe, they take us on a journey from the elegant vocals of Amy Winehouse to a Japanese folk tune about hardworking fishermen. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented wit…

1
Maya Youssef and Ben Gernon take us to Syria and Hamburg 42:04

10M ago42:04

42:04

British-Syrian Maya Youssef - virtuoso player of the Middle Eastern stringed instrument the qanun - and conductor Ben Gernon, join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add five more tracks to the playlist. Starting by the dock of the bay, they travel to Damascus, Hamburg and land on a 1950s familiar pop classic sung by a 14-year-old. Producer: Jerome …

1
Emma Rawicz and Neil Brand reach for the skies 42:04

10M ago42:04

42:04

Bandleader and jazz saxophonist Emma Rawicz and the writer and composer Neil Brand join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe as they add the next five tracks to the playlist. The journey takes them from Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, across the English Channel in a rickety aeroplane, then right up to the moon with Les Paul and Mar…

1
Julian Joseph and Aoife Ní Bhriain open the new series 42:46

10M ago42:46

42:46

Irish violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain and jazz pianist and composer Julian Joseph are the first guests in the new series with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe. Together they add the first five tracks, taking us from the Mercury Prize-winning jazz group Ezra Collective to a celebrated pair of sisters at the piano, via a 1975 pop classic heavily influenced …

1
The Suez Canal Crisis 7:36

12M ago7:36

7:36

In this episode, we dive into one of the most dramatic geopolitical confrontations of the 20th century: the Suez Canal Crisis of 1956. Learn how Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's bold move to nationalize the vital waterway ignited a showdown involving Britain, France, Israel, the United States, and the Soviet Union. We'll unpack the crisis's …

1
The Falkands War 9:35

12M ago9:35

9:35

In this episode of Textbook Dummies, we journey to the South Atlantic, where Britain faces off against a determined Argentina in the high-stakes conflict of the Falklands War.By Callum & Neil

1
The great fire of London 6:30

12M ago6:30

6:30

In the first episode of 2025 we head back to 1666 and look back at the events and aftermath of the Great Fire Of LondonBy Callum & Neil

1
Intro 0:27

12M ago0:27

0:27

A brief Introduction the who the textbook dummies are and what you can expect from this podcast seriesBy Callum & Neil

1
The Magna Carta 3:55

12M ago3:55

3:55

Join Us for the Debut Episode of Textbook Dummies! In our first journey, we’re heading back to the year 1215 to uncover the events that led to the creation of the Magna Carta. Discover how this historic document paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. Don't miss it!By Callum & Neil

1
Georgie Ward and Abel Selaocoe round off the series 42:47

12M ago42:47

42:47

Georgie Ward, composer and keyboard player to the stars, and cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe, head to the Add to Playlist studio to add the final five tracks of the series. Together with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe, this episode takes us from a reinterpretation of a Bob Marley classic to a Sinatra father-and-daughter 'novelty' song via a grou…

1
Seckou Keita, Tess Tyler and Nick Patrick, from Prince to Kings 42:48

12M ago42:48

42:48

Kora player and composer Seckou Keita and screen composer Tess Tyler join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye as they add five more tracks to the playlist, taking us from bootlegs to Africa's biggest-selling single, via an early classic video game. They are joined by the British producer Nick Patrick, the man behind two of the tracks in today's playlist…

1
Festive classics with Amy Harman, Francesca Ter-Berg and Roderick Williams 42:44

1y ago42:44

42:44

Bassoonist Amy Harman, cellist Francesca Ter-Berg and baritone and composer Roderick Williams get in the festive spirit as they create a dynamic playlist of five classic seasonal tracks. In this Add to Playlist winter special, Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye are going to take us from a solitary chorister to a massive Christmas singalong banger, so s…

1
Lucy Shaw and Ben Nobuto take us to space 42:43

1y ago42:43

42:43

Keyboard player and composer Ben Nobuto and double bass player Lucy Shaw take us from clocks and clouds into space as they join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye, before landing on a John Coltrane classic. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe The five tracks in this week's playlist: Prisencoline…

1
Rhodri Marsden and Yazz Ahmed head from Bahrain to Japan 42:43

1y ago42:43

42:43

British-Bahraini Flugelhorn and trumpet player Yazz Ahmed and writer and musician Rhodri Marsden bring their instruments to the studio to add the next five tracks with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe. The musical patch will lead them from the Caribbean to Springfield, Bahrain, Japan and a controversial optimistic slice of British humour. Producer: J…

1
Sam Amidon and Heidi Fardell with music to make you dance 42:45

1y ago42:45

42:45

American folk musician and multi-instrumentalist Sam Amidon and recorder player and baroque flautist Heidi Fardell take us on a global musical journey, from Salzburg to Soweto, with Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe. The history of the humble tambourine, the challenge of being a left-handed musician, and a little-known controversial involvement in sla…

1
Jess Gillam and Richard Stilgoe launch the new series 42:34

1y ago42:34

42:34

Saxophonist and Radio 3 presenter Jess Gillam, and lyricist and songwriter Richard Stilgoe, launch a new series as they join Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe to add the first five tracks of the new playlist. The elements feature in three of the tracks (but Earth, Wind & Fire don't!), before we head to the barber's and round off with a Dylan classic. …

1
The Peterloo Massacre 7:35

1y ago7:35

7:35

On August 16th, 1819, tens of thousands of peaceful protestors gathered on St. Peter's Field in Manchester. Their goal? To demand reform, justice, and representation What began as a call for democracy ended in tragedy—one of the bloodiest days in Britain's history. The Peterloo Massacre, as it came to be known, exposed the fragile line between powe…

1
The Falklands War 9:35

1y ago9:35

9:35

In 1982, two nations found themselves on the brink of war over a group of small, remote islands in the South Atlantic. The Falklands—isolated, wind-swept, and seemingly insignificant—became the center of a fierce conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Over the next 74 days, soldiers from both sides would battle across land, sea, and sky…

1
Errollyn Wallen and Neil Brand round off the series 42:49

1y ago42:49

42:49

Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen, recently announced as Master of the King's Music, and composer and silent film music specialist Neil Brand, join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye to round off the current series. From the first winner of the Eurovision Song contest to a Marvin Gaye masterpiece, via warring brothers, Add to Playlist wraps …

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