From true crimes and scams (we steer clear of murder, though) to science and technology, we explore stories where small details made a big difference, and laugh a lot along the way.
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Listed in The Guardian's "50 Podcasts You Need To Hear" list. "Beautifully written and produced. The soundscape is excellent", "Non stop giggles from beginning to end. Each episode gets funnier!"..."A fantastically funny audio series" ... "This is what crowd-funding should be about"... "Superb production on a micro-budget, full of cartoon wit and invention"... "Great cast, great production" ... Six episodes of comedy space adventure for anyone aged 8 to 80, and beyond. Written by, and starri ...
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A very personal story today, as we hear about a special man from Jamaica, part of the Windrush generation, who touched many lives and made a huge difference to so many people. If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscribe, rate and review to support us; it really is a small detail that makes a huge difference…
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The unsettling story of The Watcher, the mysterious figure who wrote to an unsuspecting suburban family when they bought their dream home. What did The Watcher want? Why were they writing the bizarre letters? Were the threats for real? And most of all, who was The Watcher? This is the spookiest story we've told, and we can't stop thinking about it.…
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We're very sorry but there's no episode this week, as we just needed to catch up with life and our respective families. But we will be back soon with more fascinating stories where small details made a big difference. In the meantime, if you've not heard all the episodes yet, check out the rest of Season 1, and let us know what your favourite stori…
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The difference one little word can make - frustration, hunger, hilarity, and more! Instead of one main story, we have lots of shorter stories this time, all with the same theme of Lost in Translation. And a special thank you to Scott Sammons, our very first guest! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscribe…
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S1E12: No such thing as a random number...?
22:07
22:07
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There is no such thing as a random number. Particularly when it's chosen by a human. Don't believe us? Listen to Nathan explain. And how "Benford's Law" helps unearth fraudsters. It will also help you find out how to be better at committing fraud, but don't do that! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscri…
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We're in Florida, and other places (Clare gets confused!) this time. The FBI are about to get their man, who has been committing crimes for years and years...when they make a small mistake that could have a huge impact! This is the story of the McDonalds Monopoly Scandal, and we discuss who was behind it, and who really got harmed. If you enjoy thi…
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We're in Sicily in January 2023, outside a clinic, where the police approach a sick, elderly man and arrest him. Nathan explains why, and tells us about the decades' long investigation into the Mafia that brought the authorities to this point, and the small details along the way, that had big impacts. If you enjoy this episode of What's The Differe…
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S1E9: No Friend of Mine - The Erin Andrews Case
29:54
29:54
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This is the story that gave us the name for this podcast, that Clare's been wanting to tell for a long time. We tell you about TV presenter Erin Andrews, and how she was violated in a hotel (another Marriott Hotel - remember the Hotel Hacker in episode 6?) by someone who claimed to be her friend, but was anything but a friend. If you enjoy this epi…
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S1E8: Canoe Man - One Canoe, One Photograph and a HUGE Ego
27:48
27:48
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Another cautionary tale, in the UK this time, about how ego can trip us up. This is the well known case of The Canoe Man, also known as John Darwin, and his wife Ann Darwin. And as Nathan explains to Clare, he has both a geographical and a personal connection to the case! If you enjoy this episode of 'What's The Difference?' please, please, please …
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S1E7: The Worst Kind of Fraud - Identity Theft of a Child by Someone She Trusted
26:12
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When Axton Betz-Hamilton discovered the identity theft that had blighted her childhood was still causing her trouble as an adult, she became an expert in the field of childhood identity theft, even winning awards with her parents standing proudly beside her, and earned a PhD in the subject. When she found out who was behind her family's money and c…
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You might feel differently about staying in hotels after you hear about the Hotel Hacker, and how he was able to get away with his crimes for so long... but stay tuned to the end for a low-tech solution to your worries! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscribe, rate and review to help us get the podcast …
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A cautionary tale about the dangers of being addicted to TV - the story of the Boy in the Balloon. In Colorado, in 2009, a UFO-shaped balloon takes off on a test flight...but where is 6 year-old Falcon? His parents raise the alarm when it appears he must be in the balloon flying across the state! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?,…
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Nathan explains why the saying, "If it's free, you're the product" is now out of date... but not necessarily in a good way! ---------------------------------------- What’s The Difference? is co-hosted by Nathan Bent and Clare Paterson, two data geeks… sorry, enthusiasts, with a fascination for the small details in life that can make a big impact. F…
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S1E3: The Rise and Fall, and Rise again, of "Miracle Healer", Peter Popoff
26:32
26:32
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In this episode, Clare tells Nathan about someone who claimed to have extraordinary powers to heal the sick, but he wasn’t a doctor, or any other type of medical professional – he was healing people using divine revelation and "God-given ability"...apparently. (Clare uses the word "apparently" a lot in this one!) Peter Popoff didn't come off well a…
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S1E2: Chatting with A.I. Adventures in Wonderland
32:11
32:11
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Did you hear the one about the business case and the judge? No, it's not a weird joke, it's just two of the ways the new AI craze - ChatGPT - has been used recently. In this episode, Nathan explains to a very un-techy Clare what ChatGPT is, what it can do, and most importantly what you can't trust it to do! And of course, we have a few laughs along…
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S1E1: The GPO Girl - to publish or not, that is the question
38:12
38:12
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We’re in Dublin, in October 2013, and the police (the gardai) have a conundrum. They need help in identifying a vulnerable teenage girl and want to publish a photograph of her in the media to see if anyone recognises her. But being a minor, who may have suffered trauma and abuse, they have to think very carefully about the potential benefit versus …
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A sneak peek at what you can expect from the What's The Difference podcast, and the story of how Nathan and Clare came to be making a podcast together! We'll be telling fascinating stories, some that you might already know, but maybe not from this angle. There will be a lot of tangents and laughter along the way too, because we don't take ourselves…
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Christmas in Space from Pink Custard, Tilbury's No1 synth pop band. With guest star Sophie, Song performed by Trev & Simon, and Sophie Aldred Lyrics by Trev & Simon Music by Dave Palser There are still a number of cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - AND Pink Custard's Greatest Hits on CD! Anyone buying anything will be helping u…
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Myoclonic Jerks from Pink Custard, Tilbury's No1 synth pop band. "It's Serious... we're well RhinocerERIOUS..." Song performed by Trev & Simon, Lyrics by Trev & Simon, Music by Dave Palser. There are still a number of cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - AND Pink Custard's Greatest Hits on CD! Anyone buying anything will be helpi…
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Android from Pink Custard, Tilbury's No1 synth pop band. "ANDROID... I'm in a void with the Android I'm annoyed with the Android He's avoiding the Android " Song performed by Trev & Simon, Lyrics by Trev & Simon, Music by Dave Palser. There are still a number of cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - AND Pink Custard's Greatest Hit…
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L.E.M.O.N is usually busy doing ... well, L.e.m.o.n.y type things... but he found time in his busy schedule to let Trev interview him .... then Trev had a lie-down. Thanks #BarnabyEdwards! Another clip from our Collectors' Edition CDs - There are still a number of those, and cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - anyone buying anyt…
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Square Sun from Pink Custard, Tilbury's No1 synth pop band. " turntables.. a bowl of soup ....doughnuts ... bagels .... roundabouts ..." Song performed by Trev & Simon, Lyrics by Trev & Simon, Music by Dave Palser. There are still a number of cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - AND Pink Custard's Greatest Hits on CD! Anyone buyi…
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another bonus material piece from the Collectors Edition CD - this time Peter Guinness talks about Dr Scarifium's catchphrase... Proving yet again that not only are all our cast brilliant, but they're all great sports... There are still a number of cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - anyone buying anything from there will be hel…
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The cast were terrific sports recording bonus material for us to add to Dave's remastered episodes for the Collectors' Edition Cds ... then this happened... #SorryJeremy There are still a number of cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - anyone buying anything from there will be helping us keep the series online a wee bit longer...…
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#MondayEarworm from Pink Custard, Tilbury's No1 synth pop band. "wellyboot, platform, flipflop, clog ...." Song performed by Trev & Simon, Lyrics by Trev & Simon, Music by Dave Palser. There are still a number of cast signed scenes & photos in our crowd-funding shop - AND Pink Custard's Greatest Hits on CD! Anyone buying anything will be helping us…
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we left the mic on for the brilliant Katy Brand & Sally Phillips to chat ....here they are uncut and with no warning... Katy plays Professor Nicole Petite and Sally, Dr Nicky Shipp in Part 1 of our Season Finale - both characters were named after very kind Strange fans who bought that perk in our Finale crowd-funding. (PS: they still Don't Do Duvet…
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Rufus Hound Attempts Doon Mackichan's Name (bonus)
1:38
1:38
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Amongst the gems in the Collectors' Edition CD bonus material is Rufus Hound attempting to say Doon Mackichan's name; Doon of course, plays our irrepressible Studio Announcer Bounty Flightingale. We simply asked if he fancied giving us something to use as bonus material; popped him in front of a mic... and off he went.... #genius There are still a …
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when we released Eps 1 & 2 on CD, not only did our sound magician Dave Palser remaster them, but we added in some bonus material. Amongst some of those gems is this interview with Barnaby Edwards; giving his tips on voice-overs and sharing some of his characters with us - from Welsh Hippy to Mancunian Rock Star.... There are still a number of cast …
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first created as a 'previously on' promo in advance of Ep4, here's a little taster for you. The full first season of our comedy adventure is all here, starring Saturday Morning TV legends Trev & Simon, with Sophie Aldred (Doctor Who's 'Ace') stuck on a Spaceship orbiting Planet Mirth. With a brilliant supporting cast of David Annen, Barnaby Edwards…
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The series is entirely crowd-funded. If you'd like to join our magnificent Mirthling supporters in helping us keep it online anything you buy from our Memorabilia Store, or any loose change from the back of your space sofa is very welcome! Our season reaches its Mirth-tastic climax - will Sophie's Dad be able to rescue them? Will he want to rescue …
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Finale Part 1: "Home is Where The Heart Is"
31:57
31:57
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The series is entirely crowd-funded. If you'd like to join our magnificent Mirthling supporters in helping us keep it online anything you buy from our Memorabilia Store, or any loose change from the back of your space sofa is very welcome! Our Season Finale picks up from the cliffhanger at the end of Episode 4 - can Sophie's Dad rescue her? How doe…
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The series is entirely crowd-funded. If you'd like to join our magnificent Mirthling supporters in helping us keep it online anything you buy from our Memorabilia Store, or any loose change from the back of your space sofa is very welcome! Trev & Simon embark on another mad mission to Planet Mirth with Sophie, to find the rightful owner of her belo…
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The series is entirely crowd-funded. If you'd like to join our magnificent Mirthling supporters in helping us keep it online anything you buy from our Memorabilia Store, or any loose change from the back of your space sofa is very welcome! Trev, Simon and Sophie have been stuck in Space, orbiting the Planet Mirth on their broken down spaceship for …
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The series is entirely crowd-funded. If you'd like to join our magnificent Mirthling supporters in helping us keep it online anything you buy from our Memorabilia Store, or any loose change from the back of your space sofa is very welcome! Ep2 sees Trev, Simon & Sophie still orbiting the Planet Mirth but an unforeseen emergency sends them in search…
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The pilot episode of our comedy adventure written by and starring Saturday Morning TV legends Trev & Simon, with Sophie Aldred (Doctor Who's 'Ace') stuck on a Spaceship orbiting Planet Mirth. With a brilliant supporting cast of David Annen, Barnaby Edwards, Doon Mackichan & Sarah Madigan; it's produced by Clare Eden with soundscape by Dave Palser. …
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