The Romesh Ranganathan Show

Can you have a successful comedy career and a balanced family life? Comedian and writer Sara Pascoe joins Romesh Ranganathan to talk about touring, parenting and why stand-up comedy can make balancing family life surprisingly difficult. They get into Sara's early beginnings in comedy, wanting to be an actor and how the stand-up landscape has changed over the years. Expect stories of people pleasing in the entertainment industry, Sara's writing process (after winning the Dame Jilly Cooper Award) and her new travel series Zero Stars with Roisin Conaty, where the pair travel to some of the worst-rated holiday destinations in Europe including a chaotic cruise and a trip to Albania. Plus: roast potato cooking tips, Sara’s “Dragon’s Den” business idea, a question from Shanthi and as always a round of Misquoted. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:00 Selling out tours 00:00 Dealing with criticism 04:58 A gift for Sara 06:10 Roast potatoes and cooking tips 09:40 Sara’s comedy beginnings 12:04 The changing nature of the comedy game 13:33 Balancing family life 20:10 A question from Shanthi about being a mum 23:09 Rom and Sara on the role of parenting 26:11 The importance of reading 29:10 Comedy chat 35:38 Sara’s Dragon’s Den Idea 36:57 Sara on winning Dame Jilly Cooper Award 40:50 Sara’s writing advice 43:06 Zero Stars the new travel show 53:35 Rom’s Albanian tattoo story 55:45 Misquoted 01:05:37 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Shanthi read minds? In this episode, Romesh and mum Shanthi talk about literally everything. From receiving negative comments, how to handle nightmares, Romesh's vaping problem and the chances that life is all just a simulation. They also answer listener questions, giving their best advice for your dilemmas. As always, it’s chaotic, honest and slightly unhinged. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:55 Shanthi gets upset about the comments 04:45 Shanthi recieves a gift 05:54 A listener has a dreamy question for Romesh 07:15 Shanthi’s nightmare recovery 08:01 Romesh, vaping and nicorette dreams 12:29 A question on flatulence 21:16 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did James McAvoy become one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood? Actor and director James McAvoy joins Romesh Ranganathan for a very special episode talking about acting, accents and the difference from Hollywood to home. James talks about accidentally getting into acting, why his philosophy is always “story first” and how he approaches building characters. Plus his skill at mastering accents, training as a pastry chef, bad reviews and being a part of the X‑Men family. We also discuss James' new film and his directorial debut, California Schemin'. And as always, a question from Shanthi. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform. 00:00 Intro 00:20 James joke and the stereotype of podcasts 04:15 James and Rom discuss Jordan Peterson 07:32 A gift for James 09:07 A moment for some Monster Munch 10:22 Early beginnings and getting into acting 18:20 Training as a pastry chef & Bake Off 20:12 Accents, agents and acting 29:28 Crying and vomiting on request 31:20 James and his agent Ruth 32:56 Romesh’s dad’s brutal honesty 34:24 The X-Men Films 38:18 James and Romesh on bad reviews 45:30 Future work and legacy 48:01 A question from Shanthi 49:72 California Scheming 01:03:19 Misquoted 01:10:28 On getting older 01:13:22 Meantime and Frankie Boyle 01:14:24 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does Shanthi really think about gentle parenting, ice baths and calorie counting? In this episode, Romesh and mum, Shanthi take on a brand new segment: Shanthi’s Hot Takes. Nothing is safe from her opinions on WhatsApp and supermarkets to gentle parenting, air fryers and the modern obsession with ice baths. From stories from the team, to listener questions and some very solid Ranganathan advice, be sure not to miss it. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media. 00:00 Intro 01:59 Shanthi on hats 03:25 Ben’s story 05:43 Shanthi’s Hot Takes 14:20 Questions from you 15:00 Shanthi’s advice on blending food and culture 18:15 How to deal with parents expectations 25:07 What do Romesh & Shanthi love about eachother? 27:37 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From sitcom Dad to Breaking Bad, how did Bryan transform into Walter White? Bryan Cranston joins Romesh Ranganathan for a wide-ranging conversation about acting, creativity and the career pivots that changed his life. Bryan talks about bringing Arthur Miller’s All My Sons to London, the acting lessons he’s learned over decades on stage and screen and why observing people is the key to building unforgettable characters. He also reflects on precarious nature of the industry, landing the role of Hal in Malcolm in the Middle, nearly losing the part and why the show still means so much to him, especially with a new season on the way. And of course, they dive into the legacy of Breaking Bad from auditioning for Walter White to working with creator Vince Gilligan, the genius behind the show. Bryan shares how the character evolved, the pressure of its success, and whether we can expect a Walter White return. Expect as always, gift giving, some perfectly timed jabs from Bryan, a question from Shanthi, and a thoughtful conversation about creativity, hobbies, fame, and why actors and audiences should approach AI with caution. An insightful, funny and surprisingly personal conversation with one of television’s most respected actors in history. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media. 00:00 Intro 02:11 Bryan’s gift giving 05:30 Observing people and their traits 08:06 Coming to London for All My Sons 11:44 An actors responsibility and theatre 17:33 On Malcom in The Middle and the new season 23:09 Almost losing Malcom In The Middle 25:42 How Bryan found Hal 30:54 Success and pivoting in his career 34:44 Working with Vince Gilligan and his character development 39:14 Having faith in your career 40:45 The brilliance of Breaking Bad 45:48 Auditioning for Walter White 47:40 When did Bryan realise the importance of the show 50:38 The Pizza scene 52:10 Will Walter White be back? 54:29 Shanthi’s question to Bryan, hobbies and growing 58:37 Bryan’s opinion on AI 01:01:59 A game of Misquoted 01:05:48 Dealing with fame 01:10:10 Bryan’s marriage, advice and life balance 01:14:36 An exclusive 01:17:30 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices