Refreshing Pod - Railway 200 (Mike Lamport)

In this 200th year since the birth of the modern railway, train enthusiast Johnny chats to Mike Lamport, and both discuss how the railways in Britain have transformed the country since 1825.

Mike's knowledge on the railway is second to none, and in some capacity his family have been a part of railway history for roughly 170 years, so he's the perfect person to discus the past, present and future,

and how important it is to inspire the future generations of railway enthusiasts.

Find out about Mike's railway past, including how his great great grandfather saved many lives after a crash. Mike also shares his views on the future of the railway, and both him and Johnny arrange a cup of tea at the National Railway museum in York ... and possibly get into a big conversation about what train they like the most.

The official date since the first Rail journey is Saturday 27th September, and will be marked across a variety of platforms, so look out for a host of TV, Radio, Print & Podcasts etc this month.

A special train is also making trips on the rail network, 'Inspiration'

Young and old can go on a journey of discovery exploring the railway’s 200-year story of innovation, brought to life by interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities. The timetable is below, Inspiration set off in June, and will make it's final departure in December 2025.

Celebrations are in full swing for Railway 200, the links below give details on how you can get involved.

Online: Railway200.co.uk

Linktr.ee : https://linktr.ee/railway200

X : x.com/railway200

Insta: Railway200

Future Day Out : www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

Mike And Andrew Lamport : The search for Britain’s longest serving railway family:

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/search-is-on-for-uks-longest-serving-railway-family

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refreshing Pod - Fringe 2025: Footballers' Wives The Musical

It's Johnny's last Fringe Festival Interview for 2025 and he takes you back to the year 2002.

We're delighted to be joined by Ceili O'Connor, AKA Tanya Turner, from Footballers' Wives, The Musical, that ends it's run this Sunday.

A new British musical based on the iconic TV series following the fall and rise of captain's wife Tanya Turner as she schemes to save her marriage and her husband's career. Go back to 23 years, Sven as the England manager, and the WAG scene was just kicking in. Premier League football was the new rock'n'roll – with the money, glamour and bad behaviour to match.

Johnny & Ceili talk about life back in 2002 (fashion, haircuts, big mobile phones) the impact the show had, and how each character was OTT, including how well Zöe Lucker played the original Tanya.

Ohh & look out for a great piece of knowledge from Ceili regarding the whole 'Wagatha Christie' saga.

Behind the scenes of this musical, has music and lyrics by Kath Gotts (Bad Girls The Musical), based on the book by Maureen Chadwick (original creator of Footballers' Wives, ITV; Bad Girls, ITV; Waterloo Road, BBC), and choreography by Dame Arlene Phillips. The show is directed by Anthony Banks.

Spoiler alert: Contains scenes of an adult nature, drug-taking, noughties fashion, attempted murder, coercion, offensive language, outmoded attitudes, sexual impropriety, drama, heartbreak, comedy, singing, dancing – and absolutely no football! '

Gloriously OTT sass with brains and heart' (Musicals Magazine)

Nominated for 'Musical Theatre Award - Best Musical Award'

Tickets: edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/footballers-wives-the-musical

Online: www.fwmusical.com (bookmark to see what happens post Fringe Festival).

Footballers' Wives: The Musical

Music Hall at Assembly Rooms, New Town, Edinburgh.

Ends Sunday.

ITVX: Complete Footballers Wives original series available to stream now.

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refreshing Pod - Fringe 2025: Alex Berr

A scientific life & personal one collide with Alex Berr's debut Fringe show .. 'How To Kill A Mouse'

The debut comedy show from a scientist reconciling her personal life with her professional one. Alex spent her adolescence studying a rare form of brain cancer; years later her mum was diagnosed with the same form of rare cancer.

Reflecting on a life dedicated to science, Alex uses humour to process her mum's death, whilst hoping for moral absolution for all the mouse casualties along the way. A deeply personal, funny and at times absurd look at grief and the human side of science.

Johnny also shares his own personal experience (about his Grandma) and how Alex's show has helped others showcase all angles of grief, it really is laugh or cry .. and finds time to chat 'Have I Got News For You USA', and the recent cancellation of the 'Late Show with Steven Colbert.'

Nominee: BBC New Comedy Awards 2024.

Get tickets:

Tickets: edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/how-to-kill-a-mouse

Online: https://linktr.ee/alexberr

Show contains distressing or potentially triggering themes.

Alex Beer - How To Kill A Mouse

Just the Snifter Room at Just the Tonic @ The Mash House

Ends 24th Aug 2025

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refreshing Pod - Fringe 2025: Henry Naylor

With content of a sexual nature, & drug taking from the start, this is the story of the Fringe hit called 'Monstering The Rocketman' (winner of the Scotsman Fringe First award for 2025).

Hold The Front Page!

'EXCLUSIVE: ELTON IN VICE BOY SHAME'. When Elton John, 39, is falsely accused of having sex with prostitutes, he launches Britain's largest libel lawsuit.

Involving The Sun newspaper, it’s editor finds that sorry the hardest word, and tries bullying the Rocketman into submission with a blistering campaign of Media harassment.

Elton faces punch-ups, gangsters, bugged phone calls, a 10-million pound divorce suit and a pair of Devil Dogs. Based on a true story, it's a timely drama about press values and life in 1980's Britain.

Henry and Johnny also talk about his writing credits, including when we was putting pen to paper for comic's Griff Rhys Jones & Mel Smith, Spitting Image & Noel's House Party ... oh & those credit card adverts that helped inspire Johnny English.

Get tickets: Selling Fast (sold out until 20th Aug)

Tickets: edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/monstering-the-rocketman-by-henry-naylor

Insta: naylor.henry

Henry Naylor 'Monstering The Rocketman'

Ace Dome at Pleasance Dome

Ends 24th Aug 2025

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refreshing Pod - Fringe 2025: Tamsyn Kelly .. returns to the Refreshing Podcast.

Johnny welcomes Tamsyn back, as she follows up from her 2023 Fringe debut hour, with Hot Titty Bungalow.

As ever, Tamsyn is a great guest, and you'll love her energy ... and story about her Gran's nipples in this short catch up.

Her 2025 show takes you on a journey from one end of the country to the other. After just four months of dating, Tamsyn blew her life up ditching Penzance for Glasgow. Leaving behind the matriarchs who raised her, and most importantly, her hairdresser, all for a boy. Now she’s questioning why she left a family of formidable women to start over in the rain. A hilarious hour of family, fresh starts and questionable decisions from the off.

Also, listen out for a special guest in the shape of her dog, that Tamsyn co-parents with her ex bf ... that story to be addressed at a later date.

Get tickets:

Tickets: edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tamsyn-kelly-hot-titty-bungalow

Insta: tamsynkelly (Tamsyn will provide support for the upcoming Ardal O'Hanlon 'Not Himself' tour. Sep 2025 - March 2026)

Tamsyn Kelly 'Hot Titty Bungalow'

Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire)

Ends 24th Aug 2025

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refreshing Pod - Fringe 2025: Charlie Mulliner

We're halfway through the Fringe 2025.

Johnny chats with David Elms, who mix's crowd work, with the art of clown & improv.

'David Elms Describes a Room' builds a comedy mind palace before your very eyes.

David has a small reminisce about his time at Edinburgh Uni (and how it shaped his life in a handful of ways) and the beginning of his Improv & Fringe Journey almost 15 years ago, through to his current work that combines acting, comedy and teaching workshops.

Find out about how nothing is of the cards for objects that can end up in the room David describes, and some of the one's he's had in the past.

Plus David gives johnny a small exclusive regarding his friend Nick Mohammed (who himself is appearing for 1 night only in Edinburgh on the 22nd Aug).

'You'll want to move in for good' (Phil Wang).

Get tickets & a taste of what you can expect via:

Online: www.davidelmsdescribesaroom.com

Tickets: edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/david-elms-describes-a-room

Insta: lildavidelms (will David keep his promise to his manager, about being very active on social media?)

'David Elms Describes a Room'

Baby Grand at Pleasance Courtyard

Ends 24th Aug 2025

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refreshing Pod - Fringe 2025: Charlie Mulliner

Fringe Fever has taken over Edinburgh!

From now, and ending late August, the Fringe Festival is here for summer 2025.

This weekend (in-between Oasis taking over town), Johnny managed to catch up with Charlie Mulliner, who's on stage each afternoon with her show 'Love Hunt'

A recent nominee for 'Best New Show' at the 2025 Brighton Fringe, Charlie Mulliner makes her Edinburgh debut in a character comedy playing Amber in 'Love Hunt'.

After her terminally disappointing boyfriend dumps her instead of proposing on their anniversary, Amber is forced to take matters into her own hands. Join her as she meets a host of unforgettable characters on her epic Love Hunt across the universe. A hilarious exploration of what it is to find love and avoid self-awareness in your mid-30s at all costs.

In this thoughtful chat, that covers many a topic, including how in your 30's the pressure can get too much to conform with life, and asking the question 'if your single, and alone, are you actually lonely?' ... Plus, find out about Charlie's love history, time in Paris, and love for Cilla Black (ish).

Get tickets to see Charllie Mulliner 'Love Hunt'

Online: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/love-hunt

Insta: cmulliner (check out Charlie trying to balance many objects on her head as the Fringe goes on)

Charlie Mulliner - Love Hunt

Just The Wee One at Just the Tonic, at The Caves

Ends 24th Aug 2025

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Refreshing Pod - Fringe 2025: Kate Owens

Fringe Fever has taken over Edinburgh!

From now, and ending late August, the Fringe Festival is here for summer 2025.

In the 3rd Fringe Festival interview, Johnny (after some tech problems and getting the time wrong) finally managed to speak to Kate Owens, who brings 'Cooking With Kathryn' to Edinburgh in her Fringe debut.

Expect eggs, some slight audience/congregation participation & lots of tin foil (or Aluminium foil) for anyone from the USA in this mad, but brilliant 60 minutes.

Award-winning comedian Kate Owens presents her smash hit, critically acclaimed comedy show. Meet Kathryn: the "star" of her own community cookin' show. A wannabe Nigella Lawson, and down-home southern belle with more wine in her veins than Jesus. She's serving up a wacked-out fricassee of absurd recipes for a start, main and final course.

Kate also let’s Johnny in on the origins on the show, her relationship with her parents & what's next for this production. Johnny also discusses the recent cancellation of The Late Show with Steven Colbert on CBS, and wider opportunities for comedy stars.

Kate's show is a wild ride, but one to add to that Fringe list!

'Furious, gratuitous, and moving, this will be the best show you will see at the Fringe' (PortFringe.com)

Get tickets to see Kate Owens : Cooking With Kathryn.

Online: edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/kate-owens-cooking-with-kathryn

Insta: kate__owens

Kate Owens: 'Cooking with Kathryn'

Big Belly at Underbelly, Cowgate

Ends 24th Aug 2025

Refreshing Pod is a magazine style podcast, giving you ideas, interviews, big name guests, and guaranteed laughs along the way, with new content every month, now in it's 8th series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.