Margaret Mizen

A pleasure to catch up with Jimmy Carr. A man who loves doing stand up as much as fans across the world enjoy his craft.As funny as he is wise, he's generous too and for a comic of worldwide acclaim, this is a rare qaulity. 

Sanjjev Kohli is Scottish comedic actor. A man with a fierce intelligence and Take on Life. One of the stars of the peerless sitcom, Still Game, getting Sanjeev's Take on Life is a fitting way to close out Season 2. Thank you for listening and supporting. Listen out for the compilation episode and until then, enjoy the wisdom of Mr Kohli - who is emminently followable btw on @govindajeggy

Alan Jackson is a weight management expert with over 25 years experience of advising patients on how to combat obesity. Frustrated by the opaque language often involved and some dubious methods and false dawns offered by an array of 'experts', Alan has written a book called Weight Wisdom and he shares his insights here.

Bob Mills is a stand up comic with a large hand in helping me get onto the comedy circuit. A larger than life character, he has done stand up forever, written and produced movies, a TV sit-com, as well as his own ground breaking TV Show - "In Bed With Me Dinner" and I was delighted that he sat down with me to share his wisdom with the world.

This week I am delighted to be joined by Graeme Le Saux, ex-professional football (soccer) player who played for his country (England) and won the premier league with Blackburn, amongst other top line clubs. Graeme is unlike many sports stars I have encounered. Modest and unassuming, yet quietly assured when discussing his illustrious career. He has the same fierce spirit that all professional sportspeople have at their disposal but also he has a keen intelligence and wisdom, making him a perfect guest on my fledgling podcast. Graeme can be found on X and IG @graemelesaux14

It was a pleasure to be joined by an ordinary mum called Margaret Mizen whose life changed forever when her beloved son Jimmy was murdered, a day after his 16th birthday. Margaret and her husband Barry, were not the first or the last couple to lose a child to violent crime but how they reacted to their loss was unique and makes a compelling story of humanity and love. The book on Jimmy and his family is a beautiful read simply titled, Jimmy - A legacy for Peace.

I would never claim to be a podcast officionado - but I cut my pod teeth chatting with my son, Sam - and it was lovely to catch up with him on something far more official and dare-I-say-it but more proessional sounding.

It is easy to be envious of Mel Giedroyc's career. A comedian, actress and a TV presenter who is never off the telly and with good reason, because audiences love her and rightly so. With her long term partner in comedy, Sue Perkins, they presented the original Great British Bake Off to crown their everlasting careers but perhaps the most irrefutable proof of Mel's success is that she is not on Twitter. Mel G has been there, done it all and is a perfect guest to get her Take on life.

I am delighted to kick off Season 2 of Takes on Life with my old mate and mucker, Omid Djalili - stand up comedian and hugely successful actor.Only Omid can throw into a podcast, "...i was doing a scene with Heath Ledger..." without it sounding name droppy. He's a guy who has just had a phenomenol career and I pleased to say that fame and success has not changed him at all. You can find him @omid9

In this round up, as well as a new reading of a Take (one of my favourites from Vol. 2), I look back on the guests from season 1, I flag up what to expect from Season 2 and also there is a FREE gift to my listeners for bearing with me on what has been a very steep learning curve. More cliff than curve tbh but I am pleased I stuck with it. More to come.See you for Season 2 I hope.