The Season of Fear

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!

This week, we walk through the fog of fear, meet courage on the street corners of London, and follow the rivers that carry us home.

First up, Kevin sits down with historian and author Robert Peckham to ask what it really means to live with fear. From the “dizziness of freedom” to the way algorithms mirror our anxieties, Robert explores how fear shapes everything from politics to art—and why it might be the key to understanding hope itself.

On the Parish Noticeboard, we pick up a copy of The Big Issue and uncover the story behind one of Britain’s most remarkable social enterprises—where every magazine sold is a step toward dignity and independence. In doing so, we meet André Rostant, a vendor whose voice reminds us that courage isn’t found in headlines, but in the quiet persistence of those rebuilding their lives one sale at a time.

Then, we cross the ocean from the Thames to the Bulkley River, where our new Canadian Correspondent Taninli Wright introduces us to the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Her retelling of an ancestral story, How the Daylight and Lakes Had Come, reminds us that light and belonging are always worth reclaiming.

Finally, as the fire crackles and the tea steeps, comedian and philosopher Alex Farrow joins us with his musings on fear, humour, and the rituals that help us laugh in the dark.

So settle down as the nights draw in, courage flickers in the lamplight, and the stories of The Big Smoke come alive.

Don’t forget to follow the show, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend. Until next time—keep the kettle warm and the lights low. We’ll see you soon in The Big Smoke.

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Links

✨ Become a Patron and unlock your Backstage Pass – Support the show and access exclusive perks, behind-the-scenes updates, and early live show tickets.

📝 Take our quick listener survey – Share your thoughts for a chance to win a prize!

📚 Learn more about Robert Peckham – Explore his work and book ‘Fear: An Alternative History of the World.’

📰 Discover The Big Issue – Find out how the magazine is changing lives across the UK.

📖 Read André Rostant’s book – The Muffin Man – A moving collection of reflections from a Big Issue vendor.

🎭 Visit Stand-Up Philosophy – The show where comedians and philosophers meet on stage.

😂 Follow Alex Farrow – Explore his latest shows, writing, and tour dates.

🍁 Maple Leaf or Make Believe – The Real Headline – Read the true Canadian story behind this week’s Pub Quiz!

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Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(01:36) Pub Quiz: Maple Leaf or Make Believe

(02:35) Robert Peckham Interview

(45:04) Parish Notices: The Big Issue

(52:38) Canadian Correspondent Taninli Wright

(1:01:46) Standup Philosopher Alex Farrow

(1:09:35) Maple Leaf or Make Believe answers

(1:10:41) Outro

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Credits

Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett

Produced & Edited by Alex Graham

Assistant Produced by Adam Wright

Original music by Giles Terera

Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins