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Artwork for The Big Smoke Variety Show

The Big Smoke Variety Show

Kevin Bennett
London
Board Games
London, United Kingdom
River Thames
Wasps
The Big Smoke Variety Show
Anthropomorphism
Charlie Chaplin
Death
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Age Of Alchemy
Juggling
Gold Trading
Rapid Response Collecting
Royal Institute Of Philosophy
Philosophy
Borders
London Pubs
Fear
Social Media Algorithms

The Big Smoke Variety Show is a one-of-a-kind podcast hosted by theatre director and Canadian living in London, Kevin Bennett, blending the playfulness of classic TV variety shows with the depth of a cultural salon. Each episode features fascinating interviews — with guests like the former Ravenmaster of the Tower of London Christopher Skaife, Olivier Award-winning actor Giles Terera, clothier and... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes57Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Big Smoke Variety Show

Latest Episodes

Hello friends! Whether you’ve been along for the ride these past two years or have just stumbled across our show now, welcome and thanks for tuning in.

This is just a quick note to let you know that The Big Smoke Variety Show is taking a little hiat... more

YouTube

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!

Back in 1861, the phrase “silly season” was coined to describe that sleepy stretch of summer when there wasn’t much real news to report, and newspapers filled their pages with wonderfully oddball stories instea... more

YouTube

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!

Back in 1861, the phrase “silly season” was coined to describe that sleepy stretch of summer when there wasn’t much real news to report, and newspapers filled their pages with wonderfully oddball stories instea... more

YouTube

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!

This week, we take another peek behind one of your favourite recurring segments and venture down to the foreshore with Sean Clark the Mudlark's Latest Find.

Kevin is joined by Sean Clark, Sam Caetoven and Ange... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Salazar Strange
Sorcerer Extreme, guest on the episode
The Strange Brothers (as featured performers)
Episode: Silly Season: A Double Bill of The Strange Brothers
Sam Caetoven
Mudlark, fossil hunter turned Mudlark
Mudlarks community
Episode: Beneath the Muddy Waters with London’s Mudlarking Community
Angela Bridge
Mudlark, participant in the discussion and finder of objects
Mudlarks community
Episode: Beneath the Muddy Waters with London’s Mudlarking Community
Archie McAlpine
Archie McAlpine, neuroaesthetics researcher and practitioner, Archie's Neuro Nuggets
Archie's Neuro Nuggets / neuroesthetics practitioner
Episode: Behind the Nugget: Neuroaesthetics with Archie McAlpine
Rachel Cole Wilkin
Creator of London Loo Tours, London's walking tour of public toilets
London Loo Tours
Episode: Loo Tour at The Princess Louise & The Strange Brothers: Hey Presto!
Sean Gandini
Co-founder of Gandini Juggling
Gandini Juggling
Episode: More Balls Than Hands: The Art of Juggling with Sean Gandini
Scott Brooksbank
Actor, writer and storyteller
Episode: Tommy Flowers’ Blue Plaque & Stories You Haven’t Heard: Savitri and Satyavan
Seirian Sumner
Professor of Behavioral Ecology, University College London; author of Endless Forms
University College London
Episode: Why We Should Love Wasps with Seirian Sumner
Rachel Cole-Wilkin
Creator of London Loo Tours, London's walking tour of public toilets
London Loo Tours
Episode: The Strange Brothers’ Saw Trick & Underground Loos

Host

Kevin Bennett
Host of The Big Smoke Variety Show

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 60 ratings
  • Great podcast

    Really refreshing energy about this podcast and love the variety covered! The Strange Brothers are wonderful - laugh-out-loud!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigG4
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Enriching AND Entertaining!

    No other podcast consistently dives into interesting and little known topics I didn’t even know you could be an expert in! There’s always something for everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jamstaman
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Very fun

    Love the podcast and love the variety of topics covered

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mo khalbous
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Love this show!

    Very funny and interesting topics with an amazing host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    E. C..
    Canada8 months ago
  • Best podcast ever!

    This is a engaging, funny and interesting podcast that i definitely recommend listening to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kosty47
    Canada9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show's energy and variety.
Many enjoy the mix of history, culture, and humor, with positive remarks about guests.
The program is seen as engaging, warm, and a public-serving cultural platform.
Audiences value accessible, entertaining yet informative discussions.

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Rosebud with Gyles BrandrethGyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media
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How To Fail With Elizabeth DayElizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment
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Modern WisdomChris Williamson

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Behind the Nugget: Neuroaesthetics with Archie McAlpine
Q: What are the practical steps after the initial neurofeedback assessment?
The host and Archie discuss a treatment pathway where after an assessment, a personalized training plan focuses on dysregulated brain areas, using a cap to measure signals and rewarding desired brain states with audio cues to create a learning loop.
Behind the Nugget: Neuroaesthetics with Archie McAlpine
Q: What exactly is neuroesthetics, in simple terms?
Archie explains that neuroesthetics is about how the brain responds to aesthetics—environments, art, music, and multi-sensory design—and how these experiences influence health, emotion, and behavior.
Behind the Nugget: Neuroaesthetics with Archie McAlpine
Q: Can you tell us your journey into neuroaesthetics and how you became interested in it?
Archie describes growing up in a creative, artistic family, studying science and music, and discovering neuroaesthetics through a master's program at Goldsmiths, which bridged art and science and offered a platform to explore how aesthetic experiences affect wellbeing.
More Balls Than Hands: The Art of Juggling with Sean Gandini
Q: What is juggling?
Juggling can be seen as two definitions: it is literally more balls than hands, but it's also about choreographing throwing and catching, which expands into a broader storytelling and theatrical practice.
The Season of Fear
Q: How does fear relate to power and freedom across history?
Fear both guards boundaries and motivates growth; the balance between managing fear and pursuing aspirational goals shapes political systems, revolutions, and liberal values.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Big Smoke Variety Show

What is The Big Smoke Variety Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show blends lively, theatrical energy with deep-dives into culture, history, science, and design. Episodes pivot from intimate author interviews and museum perspectives to game-like explorations of the past, technology, and human stories, often pairing scholarly context with playful segments and live performance. Listeners can expect a rich mix of rigor and whimsy, with guests ranging from historians and curators to scientists and writers, plus recurring segments on neuroaesthetics, archaeology, and folklore. Noteworthy strengths include high-quality storytelling, accessible explanations of complex ideas, and a penchant for timely, conversation-worthy topics that connect culture to everyday life and public memory. This format is likely ... more

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How many listeners does The Big Smoke Variety Show get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Big Smoke Variety Show have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Big Smoke Variety Show has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Big Smoke Variety Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Big Smoke Variety Show:

1. Dan Snow's History Hit

How many episodes of The Big Smoke Variety Show are there?

The Big Smoke Variety Show launched 2 years ago and published 57 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Big Smoke Variety Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Big Smoke Variety Show?

Recent guests on The Big Smoke Variety Show include:

1. Salazar Strange
2. Sam Caetoven
3. Angela Bridge
4. Archie McAlpine
5. Rachel Cole Wilkin
6. Sean Gandini
7. Scott Brooksbank
8. Seirian Sumner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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