No Funny Business

Gilded Balloon
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Arts
  • Updated Semimonthly

Ever wanted to listen to a podcast discussing mother/daughter dynamics, a family business, women (in business and, you know, in general) and, oh yeah, all the ups and downs behind running Gilded Balloon - Scotland's leading producer of live comedy and entertainment? Well, look no further because have we got a treat for you…

  1. 1d ago

    Amanda Knox (yes that one) plus HR: The Musical

    Amanda Knox got world famous for being wrongly convicted for killing her roommate in Italy. This is not your average life experience and she’s dealing with it - how else? -by doing a one woman show - Cartwheel. Some people are outraged, some are fascinated. Listen to our frank, surprising, moving and, yes, amusing conversation with Amanda ahead of her run at Gilded Balloon. Plus, another Fringe first-timer from foreign parts is the woman behind HR:The Musical, Amy Mansfield. The show throws proper shade at all the ridiculous things that happen in the workplace and does it through music – including Latin plainchant dealing with passive aggressive emails and a Kraftwerk-type number consisting entirely of real LinkedIn posts. Plus, listen to discover – amongst other things: How many tickets we should have sold by now? Why your postcode could mean savings? What did Rich Hall give Karen as a 'thank you' present (it wasn’t Lindt but did involve balls)? Exactly. Why would you miss it? Find out information and tickets for Cartwheel here - https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:7075/ Find out information and tickets for HR: The Musical here - https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:7088/ Gilded Balloon 2026 programme – and book tickets here – https://gildedballoon.co.uk/ We would love to hear from you. Email us on hiya@gildedballoon.co.uk Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @nofunnybusinesspod or https://www.instagram.com/nofunnybusinesspod/ Music composed by Lily Koren. No Funny Business is produced for Gilded Balloon by Podcart. https://www.podcart.co.uk/

    Amanda Knox (yes that one) plus HR: The Musical

  2. Jul 10

    Karen and Katy’s guide to ‘flyering’ and other Fringe essentials

    It is July … yes it is … and we’re hurtling towards Edinburgh Fringe 2026. This means the Gilded Balloon team have to address the fact they have 230 shows to put on while not actually having an office. It also means that lots of people are starting to think about buying tickets – but where to start? Karen and Katy are here to help with their first round-up of suggestions for shows they think you’ll love as well as some insider tips for anyone – audience or artist - new to all things Fringe (including the secret to successful ‘flyering’). Plus, listen to discover – amongst other things: Who Karen is dreaming of interviewing.Which brilliant new comics Katy has been pursuing with “notes”.How it’s possible to be funny about hanging yourself (bit much?).Why a trapeze artist peed in a pint glass hanging from a truss (that’s a bit of stage equipment not a medical appliance). Exactly. Why would you miss it? Find out more about all the shows Karen and Katy talk about and the rest of the Gilded Balloon 2026 Fringe programme – and book tickets – here https://gildedballoon.co.uk/ We would love to hear from you. Email us on hiya@gildedballoon.co.uk Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @nofunnybusinesspod or https://www.instagram.com/nofunnybusinesspod/ Music composed by Lily Koren. No Funny Business is produced for Gilded Balloon by Podcart.

  3. Jun 26

    Maria Mcerlane is here (and we're in Norway!)

    Maria Mcerlane is with us! She and Graham Norton are bringing their hit podcast, Wanging On, to Gilded Balloon this Fringe. But before she was Graham Norton’s de facto wife, Maria was raging round the streets of Edinburgh with our very own Karen Koren and – you won’t be surprised – there are some stories to tell.  Listen to discover – amongst other things: who had raw sex with fluffy girlieswho had a pee through the floor of a moving lorrywho had to ban doggy style because it was too boringwho is Graham Norton’s second mother.Exactly. Why would you miss it?Find out more about our Gilded Balloon 2026 programme – and book tickets – here – https://gildedballoon.co.uk/We would love to hear from you. Email us on hiya@gildedballoon.co.ukFind Wanging On here - https://open.spotify.com/show/0AGmASLU5XyIbaHSsB6qKf?si=34122d487e4d4a60 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @nofunnybusinesspod or https://www.instagram.com/nofunnybusinesspod/  Music composed by Lily Koren. No Funny Business is produced for Gilded Balloon by Podcart - https://www.podcart.co.uk/.

    Maria Mcerlane is here (and we're in Norway!)

  4. Jun 12

    We're back - and with a new name!

    We’re back! Have you missed us? We took a break. Katy had a baby. Karen had a bit of a rest. But we have returned with a new name, new sig tune, new guests and new energy to tell you all about being women, in business, in comedy, in Scotland.  Gilded Balloon is gearing up for another Edinburgh Fringe and we’re hard at work trying to make sure all the things Karen and Katy started planning last November actually happen. Join us this time to discover – amongst other things: which VERY famous podcast is going to kick off our 2026 Fringe season (tickets are going fast!),  how Karen ended up seeing 26 stand-ups in two days,  why Tim Minchin is even more of superstar than we thought he was,   why (and how) a man on a bike went crowd-surfing in 2002. Exactly. Why would you miss it? Find out more about Gilded Balloon 2026 programme – and book tickets – here – https://gildedballoon.co.uk/ We would love to hear from you. Email us on hiya@gildedballoon.co.uk Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @nofunnybusinesspod or ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nofunnybusinesspod/⁠ Music composed by Lily Koren. No Funny Business is produced for Gilded Balloon by Podcart - ⁠https://www.podcart.co.uk/⁠.

  5. 05/08/2025

    Series 6 - Episode 7 - Revealing our 40th Anniversary Programme

    In this episode, Karen and Katy finally reveal what they've been keeping under wraps, the Gilded Balloon's 40th Anniversary Fringe programme! Tune in as they lift the curtain on the incredible shows who'll be gracing Gilded stages this Summer, including Rosie O'Donnell and Smack the Pony. Book tickets for the full programme here. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠. Hosted by Karen and Katy Koren, the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind the renowned Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Boss Wummin' offers a unique insight into the world of running a women-led live comedy business. Join Katy as she takes on the responsibility of leading the business, gaining priceless life and business lessons along the way from Karen. Plus, they sit down with inspiring figures from the arts and comedy industry, who share their best tips on juggling business, creativity, and family.

  6. 05/05/2025

    Series 6 - Episode 6 - A full-on couple of months

    In this episode, Karen and Katy catch up on a very busy couple of months - from the Glasgow International Comedy Festival to their Aussie adventures, road-tripping on the Big Comedy Roadshow and gearing up for the Fringe. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠. Hosted by Karen and Katy Koren, the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind the renowned Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Boss Wummin' offers a unique insight into the world of running a women-led live comedy business. Join Katy as she takes on the responsibility of leading the business, gaining priceless life and business lessons along the way from Karen. Plus, they sit down with inspiring figures from the arts and comedy industry, who share their best tips on juggling business, creativity, and family.

  7. 02/12/2025

    Series 6 - Episode 5 - Politics and Punchlines with Mhairi Black

    In this episode, Karen and Katy sit down for a chat with former MP-turned-comedy sensation Mhairi Black. They delve into her childhood, how she got into politics, and why she ultimately stepped away from it all. Plus, they talk all about Mhairi's exciting journey into comedy, from selling out every single show at her first Fringe run to her upcoming live tour, hitting stages across Scotland this Spring. Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠. Click here to find out more about Mhairi Black's Tour. Hosted by Karen and Katy Koren, the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind the renowned Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Boss Wummin' offers a unique insight into the world of running a women-led live comedy business. Join Katy as she takes on the responsibility of leading the business, gaining priceless life and business lessons along the way from Karen. Plus, they sit down with inspiring figures from the arts and comedy industry, who share their best tips on juggling business, creativity, and family.

  8. 01/24/2025

    Series 6 - Episode 4 - Hello 2025!

    New year, new plans! In this episode, Katy and Karen discuss Hogmanay, share their 2025 resolutions and dive into the exciting process of planning this year’s festival programme. Plus - they're heading to Australia!  Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠. Click here for Jack Docherty's Australian Tour Hosted by Karen and Katy Koren, the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind the renowned Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Boss Wummin' offers a unique insight into the world of running a women-led live comedy business. Join Katy as she takes on the responsibility of leading the business, gaining priceless life and business lessons along the way from Karen. Plus, they sit down with inspiring figures from the arts and comedy industry, who share their best tips on juggling business, creativity, and family.

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About

Ever wanted to listen to a podcast discussing mother/daughter dynamics, a family business, women (in business and, you know, in general) and, oh yeah, all the ups and downs behind running Gilded Balloon - Scotland's leading producer of live comedy and entertainment? Well, look no further because have we got a treat for you…

Information

  • Creator
    Gilded Balloon
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Gilded Balloon
  • Show Website
    No Funny Business