Best Sam Bilton Podcasts (2024)

1
50 Years of 'English Food' by Jane Grigson with Sam Bilton, Annie Gray, Ivan Day & Jill Norman 58:05

2d ago58:05

58:05

The book English Food by Jane Grigson was published 50 years ago this year. It’s a book that has completely changed my life and I wanted to celebrate it – and there are four excellent guests in today’s slightly longer-than-usual episode: Sam Bilton, Ivan Day, Annie Gray and Jill Norman It is because of Jane and her book that I am doing what I’m doi…

1
The Man Behind ChatGPT (Sam Altman Interview) 48:38

6d ago48:38

48:38

You know him as the CEO of OpenAI — but did you know that Sam Altman is an avid writer? As one of today’s most successful entrepreneurs, Sam champions the tremendous value of writing: how it clarifies your thinking, expands your ideas, and levels-up your life in every sense, both personally and professionally. Plus, he has a love for the creative. …

1
How to Tell a Great Story (The Robert Greene Blueprint) 1:22:16

15d ago1:22:16

1:22:16

Robert went from being “a drunk, failed screenwriter” to writing seven bestsellers with millions of copies sold. Entrepreneurs, politicians, and hip-hop artists like 50 Cent all love his work. His secret ingredient? Storytelling. In Robert’s eyes, story is a form of seduction. So, welcome to 76-minutes of seductive storytelling advice. You’ll learn…

1
Nick Bilton: How to Write a Thriller 1:19:46

20d ago1:19:46

1:19:46

Welcome to 74-minutes of storytelling strategy that’s better than all of your English classes combined. Nick is a journalist who has written for The New York Times and Vanity Fair. He’s a screenwriter, an author, a murder mystery enthusiast. In other words, he knows how to push a story through a brick wall. And he’s going to show you how you can, t…

1
Coming soon: season 8 of the podcast (& a free Zoom talk!) 2:57

27d ago2:57

2:57

The podcast will return for its 8th season later this month and there are some great episodes coming up for you. I’ve got a new book out called Knead to Know a History of Baking is out on the 12 September published by Icon Books I will be doing a free Zoom talk at 7pm (UK time) on 10 September. To book your spot, please click this link to the Event…

1
How Peter Attia Wrote His First Book 1:15:59

1M ago1:15:59

1:15:59

“I’ll never forget the first patient whom I ever saw die.” Sheesh, what an opening line, right? Peter has an outstanding resume: he’s a medical surgeon, a Stanford grad, and a longevity expert with 25+ years of industry experience — not to mention, a published author who has sold over two million copies of his book, Outlive. In a nutshell, Peter is…

1
How Ben Thompson Built a Writing Empire 1:33:01

1M ago1:33:01

1:33:01

What if writing a newsletter could pay your rent? Well, it can. And today, you’re going to learn how. Ben Thompson makes millions of dollars a year with his writing. He’s the OG of subscription-based newsletter writers. Maybe that’s your dream, too, but you’re plagued by questions like: “What should I write about?” “What’s my business model?” “How …

1
Rob Henderson: How To Write A Memoir 1:34:48

2M ago1:34:48

1:34:48

Ever thought to yourself, “I would love to write a memoir someday”? Then you’re in the right place. Rob has an exceptional story — from foster care to Yale, from a troubled childhood to a best-selling memoir called Troubled — and in this episode, he demystifies the memoir-writing process just for you. We cover questions like: Which stories are wort…

1
The Cultural Tutor: Two Kinds of Writing (Which One Are You?) 1:16:24

2M ago1:16:24

1:16:24

Your success as a writer boils down to your style. And today, you’re going to learn how to master the two different types of style — minimalism vs. maximalism — from the style-king himself: The Cultural Tutor. Minimalism is clear, concise, and direct. It distills an idea. Maximalism captures the texture, the nuance, the beauty of life. It creates a…

1
Mark Forsyth: How to Make Your Writing Memorable | How I Write Podcast 56:39

2M ago56:39

56:39

What do Katy Perry, Charles Dickens, and the Bible all have in common? They’re responsible for some of the most famous lines in history. And in this episode, you’ll find out why. Mark, an author and mad scientist of language, reveals the secret sauce to memorable writing: rhetorical devices. Chiasmus. Anaphora. Antithesis. Synecdoche. Writing today…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Avocado Anxiety with Louise Gray 18:16

2M ago18:16

18:16

In this bonus episode Sam explores the Instagram sensation that is the avocado and why this berry that takes its name from the Aztec word for testicle makes some people rather anxious. This is the full interview with author and environmental journalist Louise Gray, who’s book Avocado Anxiety tracks the stories of our five-a-day from farm to fruit b…

1
Learn Great Copywriting in 76 Minutes | Harry Dry 1:16:05

3M ago1:16:05

1:16:05

Harry is a master copywriter — and that’s not hyperbole. With Marketing Examples, he’s taught over 100,000 people how to write copy that rips. And guess what? You’re next. Copywriting is the wrapper of success for every company. It’s the difference between Snickers, the bestselling chocolate bar in the world (“You’re not you when you’re hungry”) an…

1
A is for Anchovy, Alewife & Avocado 1:10:33

3M ago1:10:33

1:10:33

In this episode - the last of the A series! - Alessandra, Neil and Sam take on listeners’ suggestions to create quite the pot pourri mix of anchovies, alewives and avocados. If you have any suggestions for season ‘B’ let us know! You can find A is for Apple on Instagram and X (Twitter) or email us at aisforapplepod@gmail.com Useful links and things…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Amino Acids, Nitrogen and the Soil 9:05

3M ago9:05

9:05

In this extra bonus episode, Neil talks with Sam and Alessandra about why getting plenty of nitrogen in the soil is good for making amino acids and therefore protein. You can follow the A is for Apple Podcast on Instagram and X (Twitter). Sam Bilton also hosts the Comfortably Hungry Podcast and is the author of First Catch Your Gingerbread, Fool’s …

1
How to Write Fearlessly (like Scott Galloway) 1:24:36

3M ago1:24:36

1:24:36

Scott is a cocktail of crass humor, brutal honesty, and millionaire advice. He spent ten years wanting to write a book, and when he finally did, everything he learned could be summed up into two words: Be fearless. So buckle up — because today, you’re going to learn how to write fearlessly. In this episode, we break down the nitty-gritty mechanics …

1
A is for Aloes, Aspic and Amino Acids 1:13:30

3M ago1:13:30

1:13:30

In this episode Allie gives Sam and Neil a topic to sink their teeth into as we discuss all things meaty. We chat about fake birds, meat jellies and learn why certain molecules make savoury food so irresistibly scrumptious. Useful Links and things mentioned in the episode Neil cooks Jane Grigson’s recipe for Guards of Honour Eating Ortolans - Gastr…

1
Everything Nat Eliason Learned Writing His First Book 1:39:16

3M ago1:39:16

1:39:16

Two words: Storytelling. Masterclass. Yeah, yeah, we know — “become a better storyteller” is probably the most basic writing advice out there. But this episode is far from basic. It’s all about the storytelling advice you actually need that you didn’t get in school. Once upon a time, Nat wrote online SEO blogs: simple, generic, and kind of boring. …

1
How to Write a Book Like Ryan Holiday 1:14:46

3M ago1:14:46

1:14:46

Sign Up for "Writing Examples" and Learn From The Best Writing of All Time: https://www.writingexamples.com Ryan Holiday is one of the world’s most prolific writers. He’s published sixteen books, written a daily email newsletter every day for the past eight years, has 1.7 million YouTube subscribers, and runs his own creative agency. (Reciting that…

1
Jerry Seinfeld’s Rules for Writing | How I Write Podcast 41:35

4M ago41:35

41:35

Jerry Seinfeld taught me more about writing than all my English teachers combined. People forget that comedians aren’t just jokesters — they’re writers. And with 10 Emmy Awards, 3 Golden Globes, and a TV show that’s generated over three billion in revenue, it’s safe to say that Jerry Seinfeld is a dang good one. In this episode, I share the top ten…

1
S1 E5: Vegetables - Bonus Bits! 9:20

4M ago9:20

9:20

Here is an extra helping of the A is for Apple podcast following on from our last episode on vegetables. If you listened to the last 'A' episode, you’re probably thinking that we were on our best behaviour. But you should know us better than that by now! As ever Allie, Neil and I talked for ages about our vegetal A’s and inevitably we strayed onto …

1
Special Postbag Edition #4 29:18

4M ago29:18

29:18

It’s the end of season seven, so it is time for the traditional special postbag edition of the podcast. Much is covered: feminist dining tables, 17th-century household books, regional gingerbreads, musk-flavoured sweeties and much more. Thanks to everyone who wrote in with a question, comment or query. The podcast will return in August. Support the…

1
A is for Asparagus, Arrowroot and Artichoke 1:02:59

4M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

In today’s episode we will be discussing what many a child dreads encountering on their dinner plate. So prepare yourself for a wrinkled nose or two, an impromptu visit to the sick room and a few prickly surprises as Allie, Neil and I explore the verdant world of vegetables. Useful Links Sam’s Recipe for William Verrall’s Sweetbreads With Asparagus…

1
Addicted to Distraction | Ted Gioia | How I Write Podcast 1:55:01

4M ago1:55:01

1:55:01

You may know Ted as a music historian, and the go-to expert on jazz. Or, you may know him as The Honest Broker on Substack. Either way, he’s the most erudite guest this show has ever seen. Ted gives a masterclass on the state of our culture at large. What’s up with our obsession with minimalism? Why do we value speed over beauty? Do we even realize…

1
How Writing Helped Jason Fried Build an 8-Figure Business 1:31:20

4M ago1:31:20

1:31:20

Get ready to swap everything you know about business-writing for an unconventional approach that actually works. Basecamp CEO Jason Fried is one of the world’s most successful software entrepreneurs. And he’s unique for the way he challenges the tenets of Silicon Valley startups. He’s bold like Bezos, but relaxed like Buffett. He cares less about “…

1
Historical Cookery with Jay Reifel 40:09

5M ago40:09

40:09

Today I am talking with chef Jay Reifel who specialises in cooking historical food. He has co-written a beautiful book with collaborator Victoria Flexner called The History of the World in 10 Dinners. We talk about the influence of other cultures on British cuisine as well as the influence British cuisine has had on other cuisines, sweet and sour f…

1
A is for Aga, Aberffraw Cakes & Angelica 1:00:39

5M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

In today’s baking themed episode, Alessandra looks into that classic piece of kitchen kit, the Aga, Neil investigates hyper-regional Welsh biscuits called Aberffraw cakes and Sam goes oh-so-retro with a deep-dive into angelica. Books and other things mentioned in this episode: Joanna Trollope A Village Affair (1989) Televised version (1995) Book on…

1
What’s Wrong with Writing Education? | Ana Lorena Fabrega | How I Write Podcast 48:49

5M ago48:49

48:49

From frustrated middle school teacher to Chief Evangelist at Synthesis School. From 46 email subscribers to 165,000. From hating writing to publishing her first book with a major publishing house: The Learning Game. What made all of this possible for Ana Fabrega? She unlearned how to write. In this episode, Ana shares the seven writing principles y…

1
Ormskirk Gingerbread with Anouska Lewis 38:09

5M ago38:09

38:09

Niche topic alert! Today I am talking to Anouska Lewis about Ormskirk Gingerbread. Anouska is the writer and presenter of the BBC Sounds podcast Hometown Boring? The first episode being all about Ormskirk gingerbread We talk about how one lands getting a podcast series on BBC Sounds in the first place; the ingredients of Ormskirk gingerbread, the t…

1
Sam Corcos: How Writing Helped This CEO Build a $300m+ Company 1:38:55

5M ago1:38:55

1:38:55

This is business writing like you’ve never seen it before. Sam Corcos is the founder of a $300 million company called Levels. He’s built a culture of intellectual rigor by hiring excellent writers and giving them time to think on paper. But don’t get it twisted — a successful “writing-first work culture” is far more than grammatically correct Slack…

1
A is for Almond, Apricot & Aubergine 1:02:20

5M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

Things start to get fruity in this third episode. Neil chooses almonds, fuelling a historical debate that goes a bit nuts. Apricots are more Allie’s jam as she looks at their use in literature and Sam takes the less beaten track of the aubergine, sparking memories of the time she made a parmigiana…on TV! Useful Links Neil's recipe for - or, rather,…

1
The History of Food Waste & Preservation with Eleanor Barnett 41:49

5M ago41:49

41:49

Today I am talking to Eleanor Barnett about the history of food waste and preservation. Eleanor has written a fantastic book about the history of how we as a society have (and sometimes have not) dealt with eliminating waste and preserving precious food resources. It is called Leftovers: A History of Food Waste & Preservation, and it is out now pub…

1
Paul Millerd: Why Writing Is The Path For Self Discovery 1:06:23

6M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

“I’m not writing for you.” This was Paul’s response to a scathing critique that came early in his writing career. Since then, Paul’s book, The Pathless Path, has sold over 50,000 copies and has spurred thousands of writers to forge their own path forward — scathing critiques and all. Writing isn’t about building the biggest readership possible. It’…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Wherefore art thou Jerk? 6:14

6M ago6:14

6:14

Ever wondered what the origins of the word jerk are? Or how you can tell whether your allspice is fresh? Sam, Neil and Allie seek answers to these questions in this mini bonus episode. Suggested Reading Hans Sloane, A voyage to the islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica, with the natural history ... (Volume 1) (1707) Hans Slo…

1
Steph Smith: How to Make Your Writing Stand Out 1:35:33

6M ago1:35:33

1:35:33

There is an intrinsic interestingness inside of you. But, you’re probably suppressing it. Welcome to 96-minutes of learning how to use your interestingness to stand out online. Speaking of standing out, Steph Smith: Hosts a16z, a top five technology podcast Taught herself to code and launched multiple websites that hit #1 on Product Hunt Sold over …

1
A is for Asafoetida, Allspice & Anise 58:23

6M ago58:23

58:23

We’ve been fine tuning our olfactory organs and immersing ourselves in a cloud of wonderful scents. In this episode Neil explains why asafoetida is a substitute for garlic and onions by some religious groups; Sam chats to food writer and broadcaster Melissa Thompson about jerk seasoning (which includes allspice) and Allie has a gripe about a litera…

1
The Scottish Salt Industry with Joanna Hambly, Aaron Allen & Ed Bethune 40:06

6M ago40:06

40:06

Today I am talking to three guests about the Scottish Salt Industry – returning guest Aaron Allen, and also Joanne Hambly and Ed Bethune In today’s most enlightening discussion, we talk about the importance of the salt industry in Scotland from the early modern period, the uses of salt – beyond seasoning of food, the Cockenzie Saltworks Project, th…

1
Brie Wolfson: How Writing Builds Billion-Dollar Companies | How I Write Podcast 1:06:35

6M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Writing is thinking, which means it’s like lighter fluid for business growth. Brie has played major roles at writing-rich companies like Stripe, and her expertise on writing-first culture is now used by giants like Amazon and Basecamp. As she says: “Reality has a surprising amount of detail.” Writing illuminates all the interesting details worth pu…

1
Stuffed with Pen Vogler 40:08

6M ago40:08

40:08

In today’s episode, I am talking with author and food historian Pen Vogler about her book Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain which was published toward the end of last year 2023. We discuss how precarious our food supply was and is, the Enclosure Acts and their effect upon our relationship with food, allotments, havercakes, a…

1
10 Lessons from the Best Writer in Tech | Paul Graham | How I Write Podcast 1:00:07

6M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Paul Graham is one of the most successful writers and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. Sure, he sold a company to Yahoo and co-founded Y Combinator, which has created hundreds of billions of dollars in value. But more than that, Paul is a renowned essayist and his thoughts on what makes good writing are worth paying attention to. So, how has writin…

1
Neil Strauss: Writing With Brutal Honesty | How I Write Podcast 1:22:19

6M ago1:22:19

1:22:19

Neil writes about all the icky, taboo things you’re not supposed to say out loud. As the author of ten New York Times Bestselling books, he’s built his career on getting celebrities like Rick Rubin, Kevin Hart, and Jenna Jameson to open up in a way that most writers are too afraid to do. But don’t get it twisted — “being vulnerable” doesn’t mean “w…

1
Shaan Puri: 3 Principles to Master Storytelling | How I Write Podcast 1:48:30

7M ago1:48:30

1:48:30

Every year, 25 million people download Shaan’s podcast. Sure, he’s a brilliant entrepreneur, investor, and writer, but there’s one skill in particular that keeps Shaan’s audience coming back for more: storytelling. And not the kind of storytelling that feels like an IQ contest. (I know you know what I mean.) Shaan tells stories that burst with aliv…

1
BONUS EPISODE: The Apple Detective 6:09

7M ago6:09

6:09

In this bonus episode, Allie interviews apple detective Tom Adams to discuss his work in uncovering forgotten and nearly extinct apple varieties, and why preserving them is crucial. Contact us: email: aisforapplepod.gmail.com Find our Substack, social media & various other bits and bobs via our Linktree: linktr.ee/aisforapplepod…

1
The Leeds Symposium on Food History & Traditions with Ivan Day 40:40

7M ago40:40

40:40

In today’s episode, I am talking with renowned food historian, chef and confectioner Ivan Day. The 38th Leeds Food Symposium of Food History and Traditions is coming up – 27 April 2024 to be exact – Ivan is the Chair of the Symposium, so we had a good talk about the history and influence of this most important annual event on the study of food hist…

1
Michael Mauboussin: How To Find Your Edge As A Writer 1:07:56

7M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

Perhaps the best-kept secret of any writer is the ability to find inspiration in unconventional places. And that’s Michael Mauboussin in a nutshell. Investing, business, reading, writing, luck, skill — name a topic he’s passionate about, and he’s found a way to make money from it in his writing. How? By subverting “The Curse of Knowledge.” With his…

1
PILOT: A is for Apple, Absinthe & Adulteration 54:55

7M ago54:55

54:55

In the very first episode, Neil is presenting and gives everyone a free choice as to what topic they want to talk about, as long as it begins with A of course. Alessandra goes for apples, Neil chooses absinthe and Sam looks into adulteration. Links to things mentioned in this episode: ‘13 Magical Ways to Use Apples’ Glyn Hughes’ Alan Turin sculptur…

1
BONUS EPISODE: 'A is for Apple' with Sam Bilton, Neil Buttery & Alessandra Pino 56:12

7M ago56:12

56:12

This bonus episode is in fact a pilot for a new podcast show I have made with Sam Bilton and Alessandra Pino. Enjoy! In the very first episode, Neil is presenting and gives everyone a free choice as to what topic they want to talk about, as long as it begins with A of course. Alessandra goes for apples, Neil chooses absinthe and Sam looks into adul…

1
Packy McCormick: How To Publish Your Best Ideas Online 1:23:19

7M ago1:23:19

1:23:19

Packy McCormick is proof that writing online can attract real-world opportunities you never dreamed of. He went from 20 Substack subscribers to a $40 million venture fund — and he’s still growing. In this episode, we dive into the three main “how’s” of Packy’s growth. First, he has a distinct, unforgettable style. His business-meets-memes newslette…

1
Howard Marks: How Writing Helped Him Raise Billions | How I Write Podcast 53:52

8M ago53:52

53:52

Want to build influence with great ideas and simple writing? Look no further than Howard Marks. Most smart people use big words and plastic jargon to reinforce the barrier between themselves and “the common folk.” Howard, on the other hand, breaks down this barrier, and that’s why his ideas are so influential (and why he’s Warren Buffett’s favorite…

1
Medieval Meals & Manners with Danièle Cybulskie 35:43

8M ago35:43

35:43

In today’s episode, I am talking with medieval historian Danièle Cybulskie – also known as the 5-Minute Medievalist – about table manners in the Middle Ages. Danièle’s excellent new book Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners for a Modern World is out now and published by Abbeville Press. We talked about table manners, the importance of sharing an…

1
Amor Towles: The Secret to Telling a Great Story 1:15:28

8M ago1:15:28

1:15:28

Amor Towles is our modern day F. Scott Fitzgerald. Sure, he’s a critically acclaimed, award-winning novelist (ever heard of “A Gentleman in Moscow”?) but not because he’s cracked the publishing algorithm. Rather than scheming how many books he can sell or how many critics he can impress, his #1 goal is to fulfill his covenant with his reader. “They…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Sam Bilton Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide