The Following Through Podcast

Ep11 S1 – Social Media Uses – Part 2: Grief and Addiction

Grief and screen addiction are two areas covered in this second part of Alex and Siobhan’s discussion about social media, as they delve a little deeper into this fascinating subject. 
Warning: This episode features open discussions about death and giving CPR to a parent that some may find distressing. Although perhaps not as distressing who was actually there and administering it. 
Siobhan tells how social media has helped her deal with grief, while reluctant-sharer Alex remembers how much nonsense he has in fact shared on his blog over the years as a coping mechanism for the harsh realities of comedy. 
The discussion also covers managing screen time and gaming. Alex recalls some worrying changes to his bowel movements caused by gaming, and how Siobhan tries to manage her son’s time on games. 
Both also have a related challenge set. Will they follow through with it this time?
Finally, Sh*t or Miss is brought to you courtesy of some Kiwi ingenuity amid a morning bathroom battle with a housemate.

Ep12 S1 – Learning to Ride a Bike in Adulthood

They say you never forget how to ride a bike, but what if you get to adulthood having never learned? Siobhan is one such adult, who never learned to ride a bike as a child and had to do so when she was in her 20s.
Before they get to the cycling discussion, there are about 18 minutes of preamble chat where they discuss comedy gong shows, actual Shakespeare, and listener numbers.
Later on, Alex tells a tale about a horrible holiday in Madeira that involved a 30km mountain bike trek that he thought would be easy when he signed up. How wrong he was. The terrible trip away was capped off with Alex getting a norovirus the day before he flew home. This then leads nicely into a Sh*t or Miss story on a plane. Although perhaps “nicely” doesn’t describe it very well.
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Ep13 S1 – Dating in your 30s and 40s – Guest: Aideen McQueen

Dating is the theme for this season finale, and the experience doesn’t get any better in your 30s and 40s. Alex and Siobhan are joined by Irish rising comedy star, Aideen McQueen. They discuss awkward dating stories, the issues with apps, sober dates, and the more philosophical aspects of this necessary evil of modern life.
Plus Siobhan sets Alex a speed-dating challenge. Will he accept? (I mean, probably).
In Sh*t or Miss, Siobhan tells a submitted story that involves a rugby night out and a bed. That surely won't get messy. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Going Travelling – Ep1 S2

The podcast about poo and perseverance returns. Comedians Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd discuss travelling in this first episode of season number two.
Siobhan is back from her holiday in Hong Kong and has stories to share, with a particularly disappointing flight that involved navigating the awkwardness of plane toilets. In fact, the subject of toilets comes up a few times – unsurprisingly.
They also talk about other trips they’ve been on and countries they’ve visited, including Siobhan’s Inter-Railing trips throughout Europe, and Alex backpacking around most of New Zealand – eventually, after three separate visits.
Plus in Sh*t or Miss, when a spa date goes horribly wrong thanks to low blood pressure. To learn more about the condition visit here: Low blood pressure (hypotension) - NHS
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

The University Episode – Ep2 S2

University is the theme of this episode, with Alex and Siobhan travelling back in time to reminisce about their student days. 
Although anyone expecting a constructive discussion about academia will be sorely disappointed, as Alex and Siobhan talk at length about undergraduate bowel movements. They also cover their experiences of campus life, moving away from home for the first time, stupid diets, and too much drinking. They do talk a bit about their courses. 
In Sh*t or Miss, we hear about what happens after a meal at a restaurant goes wrong and your housemate is in the shower when you desperately need to get in there. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Learning Languages – Ep3 S2

Learning languages is the topic for this episode, and it certainly gets harder with age. 
Alex and Siobhan discuss their experiences of learning languages at school and later as an adult. They cover learning Spanish, German, and French, as well as how Duolingo can give you a false sense of security with your language abilities. 
Warning: This episode will feature very bad pronunciations of words and phrases in different languages. 
Siobhan also speaks about her challenges with learning British Sign Language to qualify as an interpreter, and Alex recounts learning shorthand as a trainee reporter. 
Plus in Sh*t or Miss, we hear about what happens when a French exchange experience with a family turns increasingly hostile and there is a locked door in the moment of need. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 
 

Being Homeless – Guest: David Ferguson – Ep4 S2

Homelessness affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK and many millions worldwide. And this is the subject of this episode. Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd speak with comedian David Ferguson from the Believe podcast. He tells the story of how he ended up homeless for more than seven months and shares his experiences. David also explains how, thanks to the support he received, he's turned his life around and gotten things back on track. 
If you'd like to donate to one of the charities that really helped David in north-east London, visit: www.forestnightshelter.org.uk
This episode also features two of the most different anecdotes involving Kate Moss you are ever likely to hear in quick succession. 
Plus in Sh*t or Miss, there is a driving story with long delays and a twist. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe. 

Becoming a British Sign Language Interpreter – Guest: Hayley Brown – Ep5 S2

The route to becoming a professional British Sign Language interpreter is a long one with many challenges on the way. It can take more than a decade to get enough experience to turn pro, making it an ideal topic for an episode of Following Through.
Alex Love and Siobhan Dodd welcome Hayley Brown to the show. Hayley is a podcaster (her series is called Inadequate Mother) and creates video content that incorporates BSL. She tells her story and unconventional pathway into BSL, being a single mother at the time with no experience of sign language. Hayley and Siobhan (also a pro-BSL interpeter) share their experiences of the effort required to reach a professional standard of BSL.
There will also be an accompanying video episode, signed by pro BSL interpreters, Paula Cox and Peter Abraham. Peter shares his story in Sh*t or Miss, involving an emergency in a bookshop. 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe.
 

Edinburgh Fringe – Guest: Catie Wilkins – Ep6 S2

Edinburgh Fringe is the ultimate challenge for any comedian, where agony and ecstasy are intertwined (and not just because of drugs).
Once you’ve escaped the clutches of Edinburgh Fringe, why would you go back? Well, that is exactly what the guest in this episode is doing this year – and Alex did last year.
Alex and Siobhan speak with comedian Catie Wilkins, who is returning with a show to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time in 12 years.
Catie is co-creator of the successful podcast series, Drunk Women Solving Crime, and is also an award-winning children’s author.
The discussion covers tales of Edinburgh past, the highs and lows, as well as the challenges of juggling parenting and doing a fringe show.
And in Sh*t or Miss, Catie puts her solving crime skills to good use in a tale about the destroyed go-kart of a child in Thailand that goes from bad to worse – in the best possible way.
Catie’s show is called We’ll See and is at Stand 2 every day from 1-10 August at 4.45pm. Tickets and more info are here: https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2430/catie-wilkins-well-see
Alex is less sensible and is doing a longer run. How To Win A Pub Quiz 2025 runs from 1-25 August (not 11th) at 11.45am. Tickets and more info are here: https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2427/alex-love-how-to-win-a-pub-quiz-2025
Music is by Rich Shillitoe.

Surviving August: Edinburgh Fringe and School Holidays – Ep7 S2

Alex and Siobhan are back after taking August off for very different reasons. Alex was performing every day at Edinburgh Fringe, while Siobhan had to cope with the school holidays and two young children. Expect very strong language from the start.
 
Edinburgh Fringe was a tough one this year, with Oasis looming over the festival. Before the fringe began, Alex was concerned about his low ticket sales. But how did the run actually go? And does he have anything new to be smug about?
 
Meanwhile, Siobhan talks about the family holiday she went on to Greece. She also discusses the challenges of keeping her kids occupied for six whole weeks and marital disputes around tidying the house.
 
In Sh*t or Miss, we hear about what happened when a fast food meal from a service station caused a potentially disastrous dash through a village during the festive season when everything was closed. 
 
Music is by Rich Shillitoe.