55 episodes
The Boring Talks BBC
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- Society & Culture
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4.9, 74 Ratings
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Behind every boring subject is another layer of boringness you could have never imagined.
Presenter: James Ward
Updated: Weekly
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#54 - Jigsaws
It started with a 'Regency Wedding Scene' puzzle purchased for £2 in a charity shop. Now Anya Driscoll is a jigsaw junkie. In this edition of The Boring Talks she discussions her obsession, and pieces together the history of jigsaws, the art of jigsaws and whether or not they could save your life (spoiler – they can't really).
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting... maybe. -
#53 - Car Boots
From Anglo-American differences, to escaping kidnappers and celebrating the classic car boot sale. In this Boring Talk, Auto Express journalist Hugo Griffiths climbs inside the 'space of temporariness' that is the car boot.
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe. -
#52 - Breakfast Cereals
Family holidays for the artist Louise Ashcroft meant one thing - variety pack cereals. Would it be Cornflakes? Or Frosties? Coco Pops or Ricicles? Through this multi-grain multiple choice Louise realised she could be anyone..... kind of.
Join her for a creative, personal journey through her favourite corn syrup-infused inflated grain.
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe. -
#51 - Oboe Reeds
Gouging, scraping and chopping. The reporter Chloe Veltman shows us the painstaking art of making an oboe reed, and how it can be the difference between sounding like a singing nightingale, or a belligerent duck.
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe. -
#50 - Windows
Where does the word 'Window' derive from? And what does it have to do with a Norwegian architectural historian and a bohemian Austrian poet? On a lyrical journey from death to inspiration, Anne Ulrikke Andersen takes a look through the windows in the life of Christian Norberg-Schulz.
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe. -
#49 - Coal Holes
They are either 12, 14 or 16 inches wide, they live just outside our doors, and they come in a variety of striking designs. So why has no one heard of coal holes?
Local historian Amir Dotan explores the streets of London to find the small metal discs you may not have noticed before, but may well have stepped over thousands of times.
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.
Customer Reviews
5 stars BUT..
I enjoy this pod very much for some reason. I find it to be very soothing and informative..
all except for the episodes about breakfast cereals and the one on lesbian relationships or something like that? Polyamory? I don’t remember
But I know I found them both to be extremely annoying and irritating. But above all, completely unnecessary, in my opinion. It does not resemble the rest of the episodes I’ve listened to thus far.
I like the style of this pod and hope they do not go down the subliminal PC road
I LOVE this show, give it a try!
Always interesting : )
Far more interesting that you would expect based on the name...
I thought this would be more of a boring ASMR type thing meant to help you sleep but instead it is truly quite captivating. You will want to hear each bit and detail. It is calming but once you start listening closely you will want to hear it to the end.
Well done. 👍🏻
