The Following Through Podcast

Ep1 S1 - New Year's Resolutions

In this first episode of the anti-lifestyle lifestyle podcast, comedians Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd discuss New Year's Resolutions past and present, as well as a lot of talk about Lego and poo. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep2 S1 - Doing Stand-Up Comedy

In this Number Two Special of Following Through, comedians Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd explain how and why they got into stand-up comedy and what keeps them going after a bad gig.
They talk about their first-ever gigs – why was Siobhan dressed as a bear? And what was the new act scene like in 2005 pre-Facebook? – along with their favourite comedy gigs and the best toilets on the circuit. Find out what it is like doing a show at Edinburgh Fringe when your bowels are chronically imploding. 
Going back earlier, Alex recounts the surprise manifestation of Bruce Forsyth on stage at school that set him on the long path to stand-up. 
They also finally set each other a challenge – Alex is not best pleased with his. And Siobhan makes another attempt to get into Alex’s flat. Although her house party poo story may have scuppered her chances. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe.
 

Ep3 S1 – Driving Lessons

In episode three, Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd discuss something that they both really struggled with and hated: learning to drive. 
They discuss their instructors – many, in Siobhan's case – and all their quirks. Did they both see it through? And how many attempts did it take to pass their tests?
Later, they discuss the car crashes they've been in – but just how does this transition to a chat about the difficulties of uploading pictures of yourself to the internet in the very early 2000s?
Alex also recounts his nightmare of a car journey to do a gig in Newcastle.  After suffering horrendous delays on the motorway, a paying audience was sitting in the venue waiting to see his show. But did he ever make it to the stage? More importantly, did he have time for a pre-gig poo? 
Plus, this episode marks the telling of the first poo story submitted by a reader. Was it a sh*t? Or was it a miss? There's only one way to find out. In the words of Alex's driving instructor: "Gas, gas, gas..."
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep4 S1 – Going on a Diet

The latest in this anti-lifestyle lifestyle series sees comedians Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd discuss the need to go on a diet for health reasons.
Alex had never been on a diet before he was diagnosed with high blood pressure in January 2024. Despite living pretty healthily, family history provided an incentive to do something about it. To avoid going on permanent meds, he reluctantly had to make some lifestyle changes, alter his diet, and lose weight. What did he do? And did it work?
They talk about their favourite snacks and biscuits. Just how many packets of Mini Cheddars could you eat while driving home from the supermarket? 
Siobhan talks about how her diet had to change during pregnancy due to developing gestational diabetes, but continues to rebel against healthy eating. 
Siobhan tries again to get an invite to Alex's flat. Another challenge is set. And just how many times can Siobhan say “boom” and “b*llocks” in one episode? 
Plus there is a listener’s tale about what happened after they had the Rumbles of Doom on a date while walking through the gardens of a stately home. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep5 S1 – Making a Sitcom – Guest: Hatty Ashdown

Many comedians aspire to write sitcoms, but very few ever achieve it. Hatty Ashdown is one comedian who has succeeded in getting her work from page to screen and is the first guest in this series.
Alex and Siobhan talk with Hatty about the making of her 2014 sitcom, Give Out Girls, based on her experience of working in the world of promo. They cover the long drawn out writing process, frustrations with development, the timelines, and how different ways of writing result in greater variations in the way material forms.
The conversation also covers Hatty’s experience as a stand-up comedian and other forays into TV.
Hatty comes in at 12 mins. Before that, Alex and Siobhan have a catch-up. Alex is starting an evening course, but what is it? And Siobhan is still recovering from a big night out with the mum lads.
Plus there is a sh*tting story provided by Hatty. This one happened on a date during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep6 S1 – Moving to Paris – Guest: Luke Thompson

Paris has become home for the guest of this latest episode. Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd welcome Luke Thompson, a successful podcaster, comedian, and TEFL teacher. 
He hosts Luke's English Podcast, which has many thousands of regular listeners worldwide. In 2012, Luke moved from London to Paris to live with his girlfriend. 
More than 12 years later, Luke talks about his time living in France, the cultural differences, and what it is like to perform comedy in English to a non-English audience. 
Plus there are two sh*tting stories. One is from Luke and features a rogue nappy. The second is from a listener about when a bike ride goes badly wrong. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep7 S1 – Crohn's Disease and Running – Guest: Kelly Ford

Crohn’s disease or colitis affects an estimated one in 100 people. One of the consequences of the inflammatory bowel condition is the need to make multiple visits to the toilet to go for a poo, often with minimal warning.
In this episode, Alex and Siobhan chat with comedian Kelly Ford, who has Crohn’s disease. They hear all about Kelly’s experiences of managing the condition and her overwhelming determination to not let it hold her back. Kelly is also a keen runner, which can be challenging with Crohn’s.
*** Warning: This episode features by far the most poo stories and descriptions go into some detail. Consider yourself duly warned. ***
Also, Siobhan tells Alex about her trip to a fancy restaurant with even fancier toilets. Plus, Alex shares one of his poo stories, which involves yet another dog walk gone wrong. Has he learned nothing?
To learn more about Crohn’s and its symptoms, click this link or copy and paste it into your browser: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/crohns-disease
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep8 S1 – Becoming a Doctor After Quitting Comedy – Guest: Dr Nadia Kamil

Dr Nadia Kamil is the guest in this episode. In her 30s, Nadia decided to leave her successful comedy career behind to enrol in medical school and become a doctor with no scientific background. She speaks with Alex and Siobhan about the challenges of adjusting to a totally new culture and industry that was very different to anything she was used to.
Nadia and Siobhan have known each other since they met as students aged 18, when Siobhan used to go around campus disguised as her twin sister.
And if becoming a medical doctor wasn’t enough of a challenge to follow through with, Nadia also moved to Australia recently and has just started working shifts again after maternity leave. Expect discussions about the crisp packets being the wrong colours. Also, who is the best fictional doctor? 
Plus, can you guess the surprise cameo?
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep9 S1 – Ross Kemp: The Musical – Guest: Rich Shillitoe

Ross Kemp: The Musical? Yes, it is a real thing that exists - at least partially. In this episode, Alex tells Siobhan how he developed this ridiculous project with his old musician mate from school, Rich Shillitoe, who is the guest of this episode.Alex had the idea for the musical in 2018 during the Edinburgh Fringe. But it wasn’t until lockdown that Rich got in touch with Alex to see if he wanted to develop it further. We learn about the storyline and the songs that were written, with some played in this episode. In 2024, the project did technically become part of a  sold-out run at Edinburgh Fringe and was played at a packed London theatre. How does this all connect with Justin Hawkins becoming aware of the project? All will be revealed.Alex and Siobhan also talk with Rich about his experience as a professional musician and what got him started. The three also agree to collaborate on a future Christmas number one. Plus you'll never think about a Pringles tube the same way ever again. Music is by Rich Shillitoe.

Ep10 S1 – Social Media Uses – Part 1

Social media is an integral aspect of daily life these days, but how do you manage your use of it properly? Be warned, this episode features some very strong language.
Siobhan describes herself as a social media addict, whereas Alex tries to keep a healthy distance. But doing comedy increasingly requires a social media presence for admin and promo (hello there). How do you strike the right balance for mental health? And when did it stop being fun?
They also discuss their history of social media, all the way back to MySpace (shout out to Tom from MySpace), then Facebook, and that former bird site that Alex used to really like before the dark times. 
There is also the first Sh*t or Miss from the bedroom and the subsequent fallout. But was it literal?  
Music is by Rich Shillitoe.