Latest news with #Hamish
DW
2 days ago
- Business
- DW
Find out how thoughtful planning drives podcast success
Chris Marsh has spent over 15 years producing radio shows and podcasts for Australia's leading comedy duo. He explains how trust, craft and chemistry and keeping it real build lasting podcast success. For those of us outside Australia, the comedy duo of Hamish and Andy might not ring huge bells. But it certainly does for the 27 million people who live on the southern continent. The two comedians got started back in 2001, and rose to host the biggest drive-time radio show of all time in Australia and ventured into TV. Eight years ago, they jumped over to podcasting full time and are still topping the national charts. Chris Marsh has spent more than 15 years helping shape Hamish and Andy's shows. And while his duties there certainly keep him on his toes, he's also busy in his role as Senior Lead of Future State Sound Design at the Australian digital audio platform LiSTNR, where he's exploring what the future of podcasting might sound like (and yes, that's a real job title). Chris, now 44, didn't set out to shape Aussie audio. He studied film and television, picked up some community radio experience and before long, found himself producing major radio shows. He gained a reputation for technical skill, but also for creating an environment where creativity could thrive. With Hamish and Andy, Chris has helped build something rare: a show that has stayed consistently funny, smart and extremely popular for years and years. The secret, he says, is moving with the times but staying true to the show's mission. PodCircle: You've worked with Hamish and Andy for over 15 years. What has made their partnership work so well and last so long? Chris Marsh: Their chemistry is rare and undeniable. From the beginning, they understood each other's strengths. Hamish is incredibly quick and naturally funny – it's not overselling it to say he's a comedic genius. Andy recognized that and leaned into being the foil or the straight man, though he's also very funny. That dynamic was never about ego; it was about what made the show better. They also hit early on what they called the DNA of the show – "The People's Show". That's informed every content decision they ever made. It's been about inclusion, mutual respect and making the audience part of the experience. Beyond that, they simply like each other. They still find each other funny, which helps a lot when you're producing hundreds of episodes over many years. There's a lot of talk in podcasting about 'authenticity'. For you, what does that mean in practical terms? It means you're not putting on a character. Hamish and Andy are being themselves – OK, maybe a slightly heightened version – but it's real. And we aim for real reactions on air. For example, we set up our email system so that listener messages go to either Hamish or Andy, not both. Exactly 50-50. So when one of the guys talks on the show about an email he's gotten from a listener, the reactions of the other one are genuine. The other is hearing it live for the first time. The reaction is genuine and that, I think, is authenticity. They're finding out at the same time as the rest of the listeners are finding out about it. You're taking people on that journey in the studio, and that is what we think helps lead to that authenticity. But it's a mistake to think authenticity means a lack of preparation. We plan meticulously. We review story arcs and talk about where an idea could go. The authenticity is in how we arrive at those moments, not a lack of craft. Chris with Hamish (center) and Andy (right) during one of their tours Image: Chris Marsh Do you think listeners can tell when something isn't authentic? Absolutely. Listeners can hear when a moment is being faked or forced. They can sense when a host doesn't actually care about a topic. In podcasting, you're often in someone's ears for 30 to 60 minutes, so the intimacy makes it even easier to detect. That's why we put so much effort into making sure the show reflects who we are and what we genuinely care about. How do you balance authenticity with production quality? It's a dance. We have high production standards – we care about pacing, sound quality, music, structure. But that can't come at the expense of spontaneity. So we do things like record long, then edit selectively. We create space in the recording sessions for conversations to flow naturally and take the ideas wherever they feel most exciting. The best plans are the ones you abandon to follow the idea down a rabbit hole. But you need to have the plan in the first place. We keep the energy loose while keeping the bones strong. How do you keep a show fresh after so many years? It's a constant evolution. We always ask ourselves: what felt fun last year? What feels tired now? We'll retire segments that have run their course and give ourselves permission to try things and fail. Some of our most loved bits were accidents. We also bring new people into the team occasionally, which brings fresh energy and ideas. But most of all, the boys are self-aware. They don't coast. They want to push the boundaries of what they can do within the show's format. That's pretty rare. It sounds like their chemistry with each other is a key ingredient. For new podcasters, how can they develop chemistry if it's not there from the beginning? Chemistry can be built, but it takes trust. I suggest spending time together off-mic. Do test episodes and listen back, getting honest with each other about what works. And don't try to be the funniest person in the room – try to make the other person shine. Not everyone has to be the punchline. Some of the best partnerships work because one person knows how to set the other one up. It's about understanding roles and playing to your strengths. What happens when it doesn't work? Well, sometimes it just doesn't click, and that's okay. Chemistry isn't guaranteed. But more often, the issue is not lack of chemistry, it's ego. When people compete for airtime or want the spotlight too much, the show suffers. The best teams are generous and listen more than they talk. Chemistry between hosts can be built, but it takes trust and time Image: Pond5 Images/IMAGO In this era of so many, many podcasts, there's real pressure to stand out – to be louder, more dramatic, more outrageous? What's your take on that? That might work for a minute. You can get clicks or maybe a viral moment. But then what? Can you sustain that energy week after week? Usually not. And audiences are smart. They know when you're performing something or someone that isn't you. That's not to say you shouldn't push yourself creatively, but start from who you are, not who you think the market wants. Hamish and Andy have a very strong relationship with their audience. How did you maintain that through the transition from radio to podcasting? We knew the shift would change the feedback loop. Live radio has instant energy. I mean, you throw something out and get a call back in minutes. Podcasting is just by its nature slower. You don't have that live buzz and absolute requirement to do something immediately. What we did was double down on listener engagement. We brought listeners into the show through emails, call-ins and in-person events. We hold live tapings. We answer emails on the show. We even built episodes around listener challenges or memories. And the guys spend a lot of time greeting and talking to our audience members one on one at live events. It's paid off—our audience feels involved because they are involved. What's your process for reviewing and improving the show year over year? Making sure it doesn't get stale? We take stock every year – what landed, what didn't? We read audience feedback and have planning meetings and ask: Is this still fun? Does this still reflect who we are? And when it doesn't, we change it. That mindset – that the show is a living thing – is essential to longevity. The interview was edited for length and clarity.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Father's Day Gift Guide 2025: The Best Luxury Hotel Gifts
These salmon flies are hand-tied in Scotland and sold by the Fife Arms. Luxury hotels are used to catering for - and enchanting - a clientele who are used to having the best of everything. Their superb curation of experiences also extends to their boutiques. Here are some of the best gifts to treat the father in your life. This Edinburgh hotel has opened a shop that shares its Victorian aesthetic. Edinburgh's most experiential hotel - The Witchery- has linked up with the city's most famous leather goods specialist MacKenzie. Inspired by the hotel's exuberant Victoriana, the Gladstone Overnight Travel Bag (£1595) combines leather and brass fittings with the finest Scottish, fully waterproofed canvas. Designed for weekend breaks, the large main compartment has a pocket suitable for a small laptop or a wash bag. The base is reinforced, and solid brass feet keep it off the ground, ensuring your bag is fit to take you on a lifetime of adventures. Bamford London has produced a new watch for the Hotel du-Cap-Eden-Roc on France's Cote d'Azur. Just in time for Father's Day, Hotel du-Cap-Eden-Roc has launched the Bamford Riviera Watch – a limited-edition collaboration between the iconic hotel in Antibes and the luxury watch company Bamford London. This sleek timepiece comes in three Mediterranean-inspired hues: Sea Blue, Sky Blue, or White. With its stainless-steel casing, self-winding movement, waterproof design, and the iconic Eden-Roc lifebuoy detailing the second hand. The Claridge's Cocktail Gift Set will help your father get a taste for Fumoir, Claridge's famous bar. Revisit - or anticipate - a trip to Fumoir, Claridge's justly venerated cocktail bar with this Claridge's Cocktail Gift Set (£175.00). A deeply delicious dive into the hotel's Jazz Age (see also the hotel's Bright Young Things Sleepover package). The set comes with two ready-mixed bottles of Fumoir's Old Fashioned and Negroni. The gift also contains a copy of Claridge's The Cocktail Book, plus olives and mixed nuts, wrapped up in a gift box with ribbons and a fully authentic sense of indulgence. Taurus is the new blended whisky from the Torridon hotel in Scotland. One of Scotland's best-kept hotel secrets, the family-run Torridon hotel in Wester Ross has just launched the limited edition Taurus Whisky (£125). Blending a two-grain whisky with a single malt, with hints of aged apple, stone fruits and vanilla, Taurus Whisky is a labour of love born from The Torridon's owner, Dan Bristow and his best friend Hamish, who hails from a distinguished distilling family. Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland Since it opened a century ago, Scotland's most famous hotel has been known as the Glorious Playground. With the opening of the Gleneagles Sporting Club, there's even more reason to love Gleneagles. Produced in Scotland with 100% Lambswool Shetland Cloth and inspired by the surrounding Ochil Hills, the Tweed Flat Cap (£130) comes in three sizes and is tailor-made for strolls across the countryside. The Newt has a new collaboration with the cult Niwaki producer of garden implements. In a particularly apt cross-pollination, Somerset's acclaimed Newt hotel and gardens in Somerset has joined forces with the cult Niwaki garden tool company. A blend of horticultural expertise with Japanese craftsmanship, the range includes the Niwake Samue jacket in Newt green and the Hori Hori tool (£38), a gardening tool for digging, weeding, and planting bulbs, engraved with The Newt's logo and accompanied by a custom canvas sheath. The Fife Arms in Braemar has showcased Scottish crafts since opening in 2018. Yes, Scotland is strongly featured on this list, but its craft traditions are currently in a very sweet spot that utilises both heritage skills and innovation. The Fife Arms has been instrumental in championing these. Based on the River Dee, TwinPeakes is dedicated to the art of fly fishing and has created a collection of bespoke salmon flies most suited to Highland fishing spots. The Fife Arms Salmon Fishing Tin (£145) has nine flies that are each individually hand-tied in Scotland using a palette of the Fife Arms colours. For different conditions in the season, the flies are presented in an engraved aluminium fly tin made by renowned fly tin maker Richard Wheatley Ltd and lined with sustainable British wool. These cricket socks epitomise Estelle Manor's playful approach to its boutique's offering There's nothing wrong with socks as a Father's Day gift, especially if they come from Estelle Manor, the ultra-hip Oxfordshire members' club and hotel. These nicely retro Estelle Manor cricket socks (£20) will multitask for other sports too and have plum detailing. The Hoxton has collaborated with Barc London to produce matching sweaters for dogs and their humans. For all the dog dads out there, the Hoxton Hotel group has collaborated with Barc London to produce a collection of matching knits. With two patterns - Out of Office and Holiday Club - using the colour palette of the global Hoxton group, each jumper helps support local dog shelters with a 10 per cent donation from the profits. Made from 100 per cent cotton, human ($60) and canine versions ($40) come in XS to XL versions.
The Guardian
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Victoria, UK's oldest polar bear, put down after health problems
The UK's oldest polar bear, and the first in the country to give birth to a cub in 25 years, has been put down because of age-related health problems. Victoria was 28 and had been kept in Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands since 2015. Vets at the park took the decision to euthanise her on Tuesday morning after an assessment about her quality of life and wellbeing. Since December she had been receiving geriatric care after showing signs of arthritis. Victoria initially responded well to medication, but was put to sleep after a deterioration in her health. In the wild polar bears rarely live beyond the age of 18, but can live for longer in captivity. Debby, believed to be world's oldest polar bear, died in 2008 aged 41 or 42, after living almost all of her life in Assiniboine Park zoo in Winnipeg, Canada. Victoria was born at Rostock zoo in Germany in December 1996 and first gave birth in 2008 at Aalborg zoo in Denmark to a female named Malik. In 2015 she was move moved to the Highlands park, run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). Two years later she gave birth to Hamish, who according to the RZSS, was the first polar cub born in the UK since 1990. In 2021 she gave birth to another cub called Brodie. David Field, the chief executive of RZSS, said: 'Victoria was an excellent mother and seeing her bring up two big, healthy boys has been a joy for our charity's dedicated teams and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have flocked to see the family and learn more about the threats these amazing animals face in the wild.' Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The charity said Victoria had left an 'incredible legacy' through her cubs, who continued to play an essential role in the European breeding programme. It said the initiative aimed to promote a genetically diverse population of polar bears in captivity.
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Health
- Press and Journal
Highland Wildlife Park announces UK's oldest polar bear has died
The UK's oldest polar bear Victoria has died at age 28, the Highland Wildlife Park has announced. The much-loved resident of the Kincraig park had been experiencing age-related health problems for several months. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) confirmed she was receiving geriatric care back in December. As her quality of life and wellbeing continued to decline, the charity's vets advised Victoria should be put to sleep. The Highland Wildlife Park, where she has lived for the past decade, said she leaves behind an incredible legacy through her cubs. David Field, chief executive of RZSS, said: 'Victoria was an excellent mother and seeing her bring up two big, healthy boys has been a joy for our charity's dedicated teams and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have flocked to see the family.' Victoria was born at Rostock Zoo in Germany in December 1996. At 28-years-old, she was an old lady, as few polar bears live past 18 in the wild. RZSS said her age is a testament to the care she received from her keepers and the vet team. Victoria gave birth to her first cub, a girl named Malik, at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008. During her time at the Highland Wildlife Park, she became a mum to two boys, including the first polar bear to be born in the UK for 25 years. Hamish was born in 2017 and Brodie followed in 2021. RZSS said her cubs play an 'essential role' in the breeding programme, which ensures a healthy and diverse population. Three-year-old Brodie still lives at the Highland park alongside older male polar bears, Walker and Arktos. Meanwhile, Hamish was moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in 2020 following a recommendation from the European Endangered Species Programme.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UK's oldest polar bear euthanised as health fails
The UK's oldest polar bear has been euthanised due to her deteriorating health, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has said. Victoria, who was 28, was the mother of Hamish, who in January 2018 was the first polar bear cub to be born in the UK in 25 years. Her keepers at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park said she had been receiving geriatric care, and the decision to end her life on Tuesday was taken on the advice of vets. Victoria had shared an enclosure at the park, near Aviemore, with her second cub Brodie, aged three. The Highland Wildlife Park also has two adult male bears, 16-year-old Walker and Arktos, who is 17 and is the father of Hamish and Brodie. Hamish was moved in 2020 to Doncaster's Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort, where he is one of six polar bears. How do you take care of an elderly polar bear? Park's aged polar bear receiving geriatric care Polar bears can live into their early 30s, but survive an average of 15 to 18 years in the wild. Victoria's keepers said 28 was the equivalent of her being in her 90s in human years. RZSS said in December that keepers had noticed Victoria was struggling to keep up with Brodie. Her specialist care included medication to give her relief from joint pain. Victoria's diet included cod liver oil, lard, salmon oil and oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon. The food was given in an attempt to achieve the benefits she would have enjoyed from eating seals in the wild. The RZSS said: "We are sad to share the loss of Victoria, the UK's oldest polar bear, who was experiencing age-related health problems and had been receiving geriatric care. "Taking into account her quality of life and wellbeing, our wildlife conservation charity's vets advised that Victoria should be put to sleep." It added: "She leaves an incredible legacy through her cubs who play an essential role in the European breeding programme, which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population of these bears living in human care." Victoria was born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany and had previously given birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008. While at Aalborg she gave birth to a female cub called Malik. She arrived at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015. During Victoria's later care, RZSS drew on the experiences of other zoos and studies of polar bear skeletal remains to help understand wear and tear on the animals' bodies. Healthcare provided to domestic cats and dogs also helped guide the care of Victoria. The park has had an elderly polar bear before. Mercedes died at the park in April 2011 at the age of 30. RZSS
