British Culture: Albion Never Dies

Thomas Felix Creighton
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What is 'British-ness'? This podcast explores all aspects of British culture from the perspective of an Englishman previously based in China and Turkey. Perhaps you know Thomas Felix Creighton already from Instagram's @FlemingNeverDies centered on Ian Fleming's classic creation, James Bond, 007. Here, we can see a wider background of where our British hero sits. You can also check out the video channel: www.youtube.com/britishculture  

  1. 2d ago

    The Controversies of SPECTRE: 2015's James Bond Adventure [Episode 219]

    Don't be shy, send me a message! Thomas Felix Creighton discusses some of the common controversies surrounding the 2015 James Bond movie ‘SPECTRE’ – assuming that you will be moderately familiar with this 007 film; after all, why else would you listen to a podcast about a movie more than a decade old!? Common talking points in academia, professional media, and fan communities are investigated here, including but not limited to: Should Bond’s foster family be important for the franchise?Was it worth retconning all the Daniel Craig films to be connected?Is this Craig’s best performance, as the “suave sophisticated secret agent”?Is Ian Fleming’s literary 007 actually a ‘blunt instrument’, or is this overdone?Did SPECTRE give us Craig’s worst performance in a chat show?Does this film ‘lack the magic’ of the other 007 films?  This podcast draws on the below books for discussion: “Ian Fleming: The Complete Man” (2024) by Nicholas Shakespeare“Ian Fleming” (2013) by Andrew Lycett“When the Snow Melts: The Autobiography of Cubby Broccoli” (1999) by Albert R. Broccoli with Donald Zec“When Harry Met Cubby: The Story of the James Bond Producers” (2009) by Robert Sellers“The Battle for Bond” (2008) by Robert Sellers and Len Deighton“Some Kind of Hero: The Remarkable Story of the James Bond Films” (2015) by Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhury“Bond On Bond: Reflections On 50 Years Of James Bond Movies” (Second Edition, 2015) by Sir Roger Moore“From Blofeld to Moneypenny: Gender in James Bond” (2020) by Steven Gerrard  Reference is also made to the video games ‘Bloodstone’ and ‘Goldeneye: Reloaded’ - both are voiced by Daniel Craig and both can be considered part of his 007’s story arc. Regarding podcasts, ‘James Bond and Friends’ has an episode on the SPECTRE script leaks, which is highly recommended by Thomas… as is the Youtube channel ‘Drawing with Waffles’ for art!   Academic works reference (open access) from the International Journal of James Bond Studies: "The Oldest Bond Girl Ever": Discourses of Female Ageing and the Older Woman of the Bond Franchise by Claire Hines https://jamesbondstudies.ac.uk/articles/10.24877/jbs.132   "Play it Again, James: Seriality in the Craig Bond Films" by Anette Pankratz and Svenja Böhm https://jamesbondstudies.ac.uk/articles/10.24877/jbs.53   A thoroughly English movie franchise’: Spectre, the James Bond films, and Genre by James Chapman https://jamesbondstudies.ac.uk/articles/10.24877/jbs.5 Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

  2. Oct 27

    Do Britain's Elites HATE British Culture? [Episode 218]

    Don't be shy, send me a message! Thomas Felix Creighton investigates the claim, recently made in Spiked magazine but also present elsewhere, that those in positions of power and influence in the UK "hate" Britain's traditional culture... from countryside pubs to famous authors such as JRR Tolkien and Shakespeare. Is there any truth to these assertions? You can read the article this episode addresses here: https://www.spiked-online.com/2026/10/10/why-do-our-elites-hate-britain-so-much/ Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

  3. Oct 12

    Nathan Rocke: A Spy Ever After - Interview with author Rowan Gibson [Episode 217]

    Don't be shy, send me a message! Thomas Felix Creighton interviews Rowan Gibson, author of ‘Nathan Rocke: A Spy Ever After’. TROUBLE IS PART OF HIS JOB DESCRIPTION When a British agent is killed in Slovakia, Nathan Rocke is sent to finish what he started. A Russian nuclear threat has surfaced. Operation Stribog’s Victory. Named after the Slavic god of sudden storms. But intelligence is sketchy. The clock is ticking. And the GRU has a traitor inside MI6, making Rocke a target before he even arrives. Cut off from headquarters and forced off the radar, Rocke must piece together the truth about the operation before it’s too late — while his enemies close in. From the glittering waters of Bermuda to the watchful streets of Bratislava and beyond, Rocke follows a trail of betrayal, sabotage and vengeance into the heart of a conspiracy designed to bring NATO to its knees. Available on Amazon Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

    Nathan Rocke: A Spy Ever After - Interview with author Rowan Gibson [Episode 217]

  4. Sep 28

    In Praise of Moonraker - with Jonathan Sothcott, CEO Shogun Films

    Don't be shy, send me a message! Is Moonraker (1979) the most under-appreciated 007 film among James Bond aficionados?  Thomas Felix Creighton discusses this question with his special guest, who as CEO of Shogun Films has recently produced a British spy film of his own; Knightfall (2026) even has Roger Moore’s son Geoffrey, along with Sir Roger Moore's successor in the role of Simon Templar (aka 'The Saint'), Ian Ogilvy.  Thomas and Jonathan Sothcott cover such questions as:  Should Bond reflect the real world of espionage?How does James Bond influence his fans' behaviour?Does it matter if the 007 films are 'accurate' to the original book series?All this and a good discussion of menswear... after all, Jonathan Sothcott is the author of 'The Jermyn Street Shirt'!  Check out Shogun Films: https://www.shogunfilms.com/ This podcast's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/britishculture  Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

  5. Sep 17

    I never left: Watch this space (and why to do so)

    Don't be shy, send me a message! This podcast has been a little quiet of late - but things won't stay that way. In this episode, Thomas explains what happened, what's happening, and what will happen. Apart from all that, there are also a few 'regular' episodes 'in the can' including two great interviews with published authors. More episodes are being worked on, so keep an eye out for new episodes, in the near future.  *some apps may have a previous version of this episode where Thomas mis-spoke a date, all apps that can be corrected post-release have been. Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

  6. Jul 3

    REISSUE: The Fourth of July - The British Perspective

    Don't be shy, send me a message! Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the British perspective on 4th July – American Independence Day. This episode is perfect to listen to as you drive to a family barbeque on the day, giving you fun facts, and a unique perspective you can share! Why is there a triumphal arch close to where this episode was recorded in England, celebrating the American victory? Was 1776 the start of a new identity? What inspired the US constitution? Would slavery have ended sooner for the USA if the colonies had stayed with Britain?All these questions are answered, with the following books and films recommended (listen in order of mention in the episode): Books: Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens, by David MitchellA Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain by Marc MorrisCromwell, by Antonia FraiserOrigins of the American Revolution (2nd ed.) by John Chester Miller Movies:  1973’s Robin Hood (Disney)1968’s The Lion in Winter (with Timothy Dalton as Phillip II of France)2010’s Robin Hood (the Russell Crowe one)1970’s Cromwell  Released on the first of July, to give you time to listen in advance of the celebratory day, when many will be busy with family, or in case you have a really long drive to get to that barbeque!    Message me anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.com Check out my https://www.youtube.com/britishculture Check out my Red Bubble shop (...and thank you to the listener in Germany who ordered an 'A is for Albion' mug recently!) Subscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616 Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

    REISSUE: The Fourth of July - The British Perspective

  7. May 4

    The Britishess of 007 First Light [Episode 214]

    Don't be shy, send me a message! The new James Bond video game releases at the end of this month, but how 'British' will this latest iteration of 007 really be? This is a no spoilers look at everything we've seen so far, as I ask first 'What is Britishness?' (as always), ponder the relevance of medium (games in particular), before picking out a few things I noticed in the various playthroughs I've watched of the game itself. Nothing to spoil surprises, just little things to look out for. My recommended rabbit hole is a Sid Meier  interview for Kotaku gaming magazine. I referenced one from 2010, but there is also this one from a little later: https://kotaku.com/the-father-of-civilization-584568276 I recorded this whilst a little under the weather, so not too much editing, apologies for any repetitions or errors. Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

    The Britishess of 007 First Light [Episode 214]

  8. Apr 20

    Between Two Worlds - A Slice of UK and China Life [Episode 213]

    Don't be shy, send me a message! Thomas Felix Creighton talks about the issues that really matter, getting a (slightly) nicer coffee and a gluten-free muffin in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. He compares this to doing much the same in Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK. He also compares a range of more important stories, from therapy dogs and robots to a very familiar fake doctor at a hospital.  The most important story in the world: https://www.ftbchambers.co.uk/news/news-view/planning-permission-granted-on-appeal-for-mcdonalds-restaurant-and-drive-through-in-bingley The robot traffic policeman: https://english.news.cn/20260313/56c326b7fd7b4976b877775b48ca43dd/c.html The marathon robot: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/19/robots-beat-human-records-at-beijing-half-marathon/Therapy dog: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly674jzzgloCan’t have West Yorkshire without endless Bronte stories: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l92mrmmp2oWei Wei. 2007. "Piaopiao" in the City: The Emergence and Change of Homosexual Identities in Local Chengdu[J]. Chinese Journal of Sociology(in Chinese Version), 27(1): 67-97. Recommended Rabbit Hole: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/history-magazine/article/beau-brummell-nineteenth-century-fashion  Info On The GoInfo On The Go is a family-friendly podcast for curious minds of all ages,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show https://www.albionneverdies.com/

    Between Two Worlds - A Slice of UK and China Life [Episode 213]
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About

What is 'British-ness'? This podcast explores all aspects of British culture from the perspective of an Englishman previously based in China and Turkey. Perhaps you know Thomas Felix Creighton already from Instagram's @FlemingNeverDies centered on Ian Fleming's classic creation, James Bond, 007. Here, we can see a wider background of where our British hero sits. You can also check out the video channel: www.youtube.com/britishculture  

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Felix Creighton
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    220
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 British Culture: Albion Never Dies
  • Show Website
    British Culture: Albion Never Dies

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