Refreshing Pod - Edinburgh's Christmas 2025 (BTS)

The Holidays Are Coming ... Johnny continues the festive feels with a behind the scenes look at Edinburgh's Christmas 2025.

Edinburgh’s Christmas is back with festive fun for all the family, open now and running until 4th January 2026.

We've been blessed with having Dani Rae (nicknamed the chief Elf by Johnny) chatting Christmas, and how the wonderful city of Edinburgh celebrates it.

Dani has spoken to Johnny every year since 2022, and as usual she lets you in on a few secrets for 2025.

Edinburgh's Christmas is the ultimate destination for festive family fun this winter. Edinburgh is transformed, the city centre has festive fun for all the family, including traditional Christmas Markets, funfair rides, spectacular live outdoor events, the amazing Santa Stories, delicious food and drink, plus so much more.

If you've been in the past you'll know how good it is, and if not add it onto your bucket list.

Get all the BTS gossip from the big boss (yes Dani is the person who can actually tell Santa what to do) ahead of your visit.

Merry Christmas

Find out more, and get involved this Christmas

Online: https://edwinterfest.com/edinburgh-christmas

Insta: edinburghschristmas

X: @EdXmas

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 9th series.

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

Refreshing Pod - Paul Kelly (KellyBronze Turkeys)

The Holidays Are Coming ... and Johnny has his Santa suit on to Refresh Christmas.

First off Johnny talks Turkeys with Paul Kelly.

• Free-range KellyBronze turkeys are “the Rolls-Royce of turkey” - The Times.
• The Daily Telegraph proclaims the KellyBronze turkeys to be “The Sought-after turkey” for Christmas.
• Forbes - Turkey 'breeder-in-chief'

Paul loves his Turkeys, and has decades of experience making Christmas extra special.

After studying Poultry Science at University in the 1980s, Paul came up with the idea of branching out into breeding the original bronze turkey that originated in Mexico, to differentiate Kelly Turkeys from the crowd. The following year, Derek (Paul's Dad) travelled the country buying up the last remaining flocks of pure bronze turkeys.

Named for its unusual colour, the feathers of bronze turkeys are a shimmering green-bronze, often appearing metallic in sunlight. They are slower grown than white turkeys, and have a distinctive gamey flavour and moist meat with a firm texture. Each bird is grown to full maturity, wild in woodlands through three seasons until dry plucked and hung and prepared. The big break for Kelly Turkeys came in 1989 via Delia Smith. Delia visited the family farm and the KellyBronze turkey became the bird of choice in her new book, ‘Delia’s Christmas.’ Suddenly butchers were being asked by their customers for KellyBronze turkeys and were phoning in their droves — the Kellys had successfully re-established the market for bronze turkeys. The rest is history.

Paul counts Jamie Oliver as a person who works for him, and a host of famous celebrity friends who love the meat his farm produces.

In between a busy working life, Paul found time to claim two Guinness World records for both plucking (2008) and carving a turkey (2009) a record that still stands.

The KellyBronze was the first ever turkey to receive 3 gold stars in the Great Taste Awards, dive in and find out more.

Be warned this short interview will make you feel peckish.

How to order your Turkey for this Christmas or Thanksgiving!

Online: www.kellybronze.co.uk

Insta: kellybronze

Watch Paul's carving masterclass on ITV's 'This Morning' last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eShMUda1eyE

Paul's 2025 Forbes interview:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2025/11/16/the-rolls-royce-of-turkey-is-coming-to-america/?utm_source=ForbesMainIG&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ForbesMainIG

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 9th series.

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

Refreshing Pod - Lockerbie Remembered

21st December 1988, 19:03:00.

38 minutes after take-off, Pan Am Flight 103, on route from London to New York, explodes at 31,000 feet over Lockerbie, Scotland.

259 people on board the flight (243 passengers and 16 crew members) plus 11 people on the ground die as a result of the explosion.

There were victims from 21 different countries.

The Lockerbie Bombing was the biggest terrorist attack against the United States before September 11th 2001. The bomb blast broke the plane into thousands of pieces

that landed in an area covering roughly 850 square miles. To this day, it’s the biggest crime scene in the UK, and the 2nd biggest to take place in Europe.

Questions around the plane bombing, and justice for the 270 people who died as a result of the attack, have continued for the near-four decades since it occurred.

Johnny speaks to Michelle Ciulla Lipkin & Kara Weitz who both lost family members that night.

Michelle & Kara speak in depth sharing memories, love, grief, the vpaf 103 legacy award, the 6 main goals of the organisation. Plus the actions taken (and still needed) to seek the truth about the tragedy and how they keep the memory of all the victims in connection with Pan Am 103 alive.

The interview is filled with love, laughter and above all memories of those lost in the sky, and how the people of Lockerbie showed love and support whilst dealing with their own tragedy, that devastated a small town, and community.

Find out more about the the group of family members and friends of those whose lives ended when a terrorist bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. Copy and paste the link below.

Online: www.victimsofpanamflight103.org

The organisation are committed to seeking the truth about this tragedy and keeping the memory of our loved ones alive.

Watch all episodes of 'The Bombing Of Pan Am 103' on BBC iPlayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029db1/episodes/player

Lorraine Kelly (now a UK household name, but at the time of Lockerbie, Lorraine was a junior reporter for TV-am). Lorraine covered the disaster from the very beginning, and only recently made a return trip to the town. To watch her 2023 documentary 'Return To Lockerbie' meeting residents, and families connected both sides of the Atlantic. You can watch it via ITVX.

https://www.itv.com/watch/return-to-lockerbie-with-lorraine-kelly/10a4931/10a4931a0001

For information on the 2026 trail of Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, click below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2e1rk90v8o

Masud has denied priming the explosive device which brought down Pan Am 103. The trial is set to get under way next April.

Refreshing Podcast season 8, episode 11 in made in memory of all 270 victims lost on the night of December 21st 1988, and continuous strength shown.

We'd like to thank everyone involved in making this podcast possible, both in the USA, and Lockerbie.

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 - 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.