James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.Brian Mackenwells is passionate about pencils. In this Boring Talk he shares his passion for good pencils.He talks us t

#55 -Farts

Apr 28th, 2021 15m 25s

The colorectal surgeon and comedian Jenan Younis wants to get to the bottom of a taboo subject, that everyone has struggled with at some stage. Farts.James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actual

Jigsaws

Jul 6th, 2020 25m

It started with 'regency wedding scene' puzzle purchased for £2 in a charity shop.Now Anya Driscoll is a jigsaw junkie. In this edition of The Boring Talks, she discussions her obsession, and pieces together the history of jigsaws, the art of j

#53 - Car Boots

Jun 1st, 2020 18m 26s

From Anglo-American differences, to escaping kidnappers and celebrating the classic car boot sale. In this Boring Talk, Auto Express journalist Hugo Griffiths climbs inside the 'space of temporariness' that is the car boot.James Ward introduces

#52 - Breakfast Cereals

May 4th, 2020 22m 27s

Family holidays for the artist Louise Ashcroft meant one thing - variety pack cereals. Would it be Cornflakes? Or Frosties? Coco Pops or Ricicles? Through this multi-grain multiple choice Louise realised she could be anyone..... kind of.Join h

#51 - Oboe Reeds

Apr 20th, 2020 18m 2s

Gouging, scraping and chopping. The reporter Chloe Veltman shows us the painstaking art of making an oboe reed, and how it can be the difference between sounding like a singing nightingale, or a belligerent duck.James Ward introduces another cu

#50 - Windows

Apr 6th, 2020 20m 29s

Where does the word 'Window' derive from? And what does it have to do with a Norwegian architectural historian and a bohemian Austrian poet? On a lyrical journey from death to inspiration, Anne Ulrikke Andersen takes a look through the windows

#49 - Coal Holes

Mar 30th, 2020 22m 9s

They are either 12, 14 or 16 inches wide, they live just outside our doors, and they come in a variety of striking designs. So why has no one heard of coal holes?Local historian Amir Dotan explores the streets of London to find the small metal

Data Centres

Mar 23rd, 2020 30m

What do we all use, but never visit? The sound artist Matt Parker takes us inside the bizarre world of remote Data Centres, where our wireless world is powered by rows and rows of computers running all day, everyday. But what is the true cost o

#47 - Crinoline Ladies

Mar 16th, 2020 16m 35s

It began as an image of Victorian femininity, became a 1920s style icon, and perhaps ended as a 1970s toilet roll cover. Dr Kathryn Ferry looks at the curious history of the Crinoline Lady, exploring the growth of suburbia, Gone With The Wind a

# 46 - Teletext

Mar 9th, 2020 17m 26s

James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.From Bamboozle, to being switched off, and now being salvaged for the digital age. James O'Malley looks at the life, dea

#45 - Box Certificates

Mar 2nd, 2020 19m 27s

One day while breaking down a box in a corridor, Joyce Smith noticed a box certificate. Quickly followed by a second one. Now Joyce had 2 of them, and 2 of anything is the start of a collection.James Ward introduces another curious talk about a

# 44 - Swearing: a personal cross-cultural comparative study of Hindi and English

Feb 24th, 2020 14m 5s

If you hit your thumb with a hammer, what swear word would you immediately scream? Charvy Narain asked her friends and family this question, which lead to a personal journey from the 'buffalo's eye' to New York City cops and the her surprising

The Sounds Of Computer Games Loading

Feb 17th, 2020 15m

James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.The clunk and click of the datasette machine. The white noise of the tape loading. The strange and compelling soundtrack

#42 - The Lexicon Of Breakups

Feb 10th, 2020 15m 53s

James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.In 2011, comedian Rosie Wilby was dumped by email. (Though she did feel better about it after correcting her ex’s spelli

#40 - Thank You (again)

Feb 27th, 2019 1m 57s

James Ward says thank you for listening to series two and chooses the best numbers from each of the talks.Presenter: James WardProducer: Luke Doran

#39 - Doormats

Feb 25th, 2019 13m 20s

Can a doormat actually increase the value of your property by £30k?Alex Baxevanis explains all in his study of the doormats from his block of flats.Presenter: James WardContributor: Alex Baxevanis Producer: Luke Doran

#38 - Markham Moor Roof

Feb 18th, 2019 15m 6s

Just off the Markham Exit on the A1 motorway lies an architectural wonder. Ed Carter shares his love for an unusual roadside roof, with help from a whistle or two.Presenter: James WardContributor: Ed CarterProducer: Luke Doran

#37 - Watergate Tape 'Silence'

Feb 11th, 2019 25m 8s

The neuroscientist Sophie Scott takes a close listen to the long 'silent' gap on the Watergate Tapes.Buzz. Click. Buzz. Click. Buzz.Presenter: James WardContributor: Sophie ScottProducer: Luke Doran

#36 - Shanghai Architecture

1 Feb 4th, 2019 18m 58s

From the 'eye of Sauron' building, to a deserted London town. The designer Hannah Cameron takes a walk back through the buildings that shaped her time living in China's biggest city.Presenter: James WardContributor: Hannah CameronProducer: Lu

#35 - How Tall Are Celebrities?

Jan 28th, 2019 17m 21s

Who is taller, Robbie Williams, David Duchovny or the chef James Martin? And what does being ‘solid tall’ actually mean?The writer Greg Stekelman (same height as Emilio Estevez) explores the world of online celebrity measurements.Presenter: Ja

#34 - Sounds of Grassroots Football

Jan 21st, 2019 39m 40s

The squelch of the white line marking machine, the crack of the ball against the crossbar, the shrill cry of the full time whistle.Sound researcher Paul Whitty captures the sounds of grassroots football.Presenter: James WardContributor: Paul

#33 - Change

Jan 14th, 2019 16m 56s

Are you sick of getting too many coins in your change at the supermarket? Can British coins be better? Fear not people, Adam Townsend has the fix.Presenter: James WardContributor: Adam TownsendProducer: Luke Doran

#32 - Roads That Don't Exist

Jan 7th, 2019 22m 45s

A Brixton block of flats, an oddly-angled building in Piccadilly and a park that 'smells like bins'. Road enthusiast Chris Marshall explores how London has been quietly shaped by roads that don't actually exist.Presenter: James WardContributor