BBC Ulster has launched two brand new podcasts on BBC Sounds: Dad Boys and When I Was 25.
Dad Boys is a parenting podcast from stand-up comedians/fathers Shane Todd and Dave Elliott, aiming to tackle some of the more difficult aspects of parenthood in an entertaining way that expectant, new and experienced parents can all relate to.
Each week Shane, a first-time father, and Dave, a battle-hardened veteran with two young daughters, discuss and debate various aspects of parenthood with a celebrity guest, including pregnancy with Danny Wallace, birth with Alan Davies, and sleep with Arron Crascall. Both Shane and Dave are hoping each guest will give them some sagely advice to make parenting easier.
It does sound a little like the successful podcast Lockdown Parenting Hell hosted by Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett, but a different angle is that each discussion will then be dissected/corrected by the show’s resident child expert Alex Kremer, ensuring any ill-given advice or hacks will be quickly corrected. Alex will also answer questions on the weekly topics that Shane and Dave need help with.
The second podcast centres around what advice your current self would give your 20-something self. That’s the key question Vinny Hurrell asks his guests in this new series of podcasts.
When I Was 25 sees Vinny chat with some well-known voices from around the UK and Ireland. They delve into their mid-20s, exploring their highlights and challenges. But what would they tell themselves now if they could? Would it be words of warning, comfort, or perhaps encouragement?
Featured guests in this series will be Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke; Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes; singer and reality TV star Kerry Katona; businesswoman and TV presenter Heather Mills; pop and opera singer Claire Richards; and Mark Feehily from Westlife. We see the vulnerable human side of our guests, with issues ranging from drug addiction and coming out, to dealing with a horrific incident that had life-changing implications.
Paul McClean, BBC Northern Ireland Executive Editor Arts, Music and Events, says: “We’re very excited about giving audiences something fresh and new with our forthcoming BBC Sounds podcasts. As more and more of us like to hear our content on the go it’s important that we bring these shows direct to the listeners. The shows are a great mix of comedy and real life, and all share a sense of purpose, giving the audience something to think about and to use in their own lives.”
Both podcasts will be available on BBC Sounds from Monday 24 May.
