From Countdown's Dictionary Corner it’s Susie Dent!
Susie is here with her Five Brilliant Things and they are as fascinating and vocabulary-expanding as you might hope; but it’s not all words, Susie also tells us about her special relationship with a rock. Is it Dwayne Johnson? You’ll have to listen to the show to find out!
Alongside these revelations Russell and Susie luxuriate in some of the far corners of words and meanings; if you’re even remotely interested in finding out some new language-based tidbits then you won’t be disappointed in here.
And with Christmas fast approaching, here’s some gift ideas for friends and relatives of any age: Susie’s brand new books!
For the younger members of the family Susie’s book ‘The Roots We Share’: Susie has searched far and wide to unearth words and phrases - old, new, and long-forgotten - that celebrate harmony, unity, and the universal languages that connect people across the world. That book can be found HERE.
And for older readers, Susie’s just released ‘Words for Life’. From wabbit to dust bunnies, and from the strange history of arse to the best ways to describe moonlight, Words for Life offers a full year’s supply of verbal vitamins guaranteed to brighten and boost every day. Here you will learn of the Mother-in-Law’s Dream as well as the Yuleshard, and discover expressions that can fix (or at least nail) the problems of modern life, whether dealing with unrequited love or unsatisfactory politicians, eating a whole packet of biscuits or forgetting someone’s name. Grab yours from HERE.
And Russell has just released a whole load of extra dates for his brand new tour show ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. There are shows across the whole UK in 2026: You can book tickets at https://www.russell-howard.co.uk
We also recorded a second show with Susie for our Patreon listeners; there’s a clip at the end of the episode and for fans of the podcast so please have a listen. If you’ve already had a listen and you’re here to find out more…click the link here for ad-free shows, early access and a special extra show just for you every week - have a look!
patreon.com/RussellHoward
Please enjoy the multitudinous gratifications contained within this audio chronicle of lexicography.
I fly!
Producer: Dan Atkinson
Line Producer: Daisy Knight
Exec Producer: James Taylor
Composer: Fat Lady Music
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:03:56
--------
1:03:56
Tom Gilbey
Wine Wine Wine! Tom Gilbey is one of the UK’s top wine experts and he also talks about it like a normal person! This podcast takes us through the things that makes a wine buff happy (some of them are, and I don’t want to spoil things, wine-related).
Russell does a live wine-tasting of some rock and roll wine.
Tom takes us through his marathon that he ran while drinking wine every mile (!), the beauty of a good pen and there are some really good tips for buying wine in a supermarket.
Tom has a book and it’s just come out now! It’s called THIRSTY and it’s about wine (of course)!
It’s full of the same no-nonsense advice and tips that you got in this podcast: how to read the label, how to choose in a restaurant and how to talk about it without sounding like a twat.
It’s available now from this link or pop into a lovely independent bookshop.
Might I suggest it could make an excellent Christmas present for that relative you don’t know very well but enjoys a glass of wine?
Also you should follow Tom on Instagram where he’s @tomgilbeywine.
And Russell has just released a whole load of extra dates brand new show ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. You can book tickets at https://www.russell-howard.co.uk
We also recorded a second show with Tom for our Patreon listeners; there’s a clip at the end of the episode and for fans of the podcast it’s genuinely an excellent extra to get involved with.
Honestly if you like the show it’s a super-good deal giving you ad-free shows, early access and a special extra show just for you every week - have a look!
patreon.com/RussellHoward
Thank you so much for joining us in this giant snifter of podcastery. Hope you’ve enjoyed the nose, legs and body on this beast. x
Producer: Dan Atkinson
Line Producer: Daisy Knight
Exec Producer: James Taylor
Composer: Fat Lady Music
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:04:18
--------
1:04:18
Kerry Godliman
She’s the star of Whitstable Pearl, AfterLife and Taskmaster. She’s a phenomenal stand-up comedian and she’s Kerry Godliman, here to tell Russell about the things that make life worth living and it’s a nostalgic romp through Portobello Market, living off-grid in India and how to parent without being a beg.
Loads of fun, really great funny episode; this is a big ‘recommended’ sticker.
Kerry is touring her latest show right now! It’s called Bandwidth and you can find out when she’s near you and buy tickets by going to https://kerrygodliman.com. She’s a superb live comic and it will be an excellent night out.
Let’s not forget Russell! Russell is also touring in 2026 with his brand new show ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. You can book tickets at https://www.russell-howard.co.uk
We also recorded a second show with Kerry for our Patreon listeners; there’s a clip at the end of the episode and for fans of the podcast it’s genuinely an excellent extra to get involved with.
Honestly if you like the show it’s a super-good deal giving you ad-free shows, early access and a special extra show just for you every week - have a look!
patreon.com/RussellHoward
And that’s the end of all that. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it although I doubt that very much because I’m on a cocktail of highly illegal and incredibly strong drugs.
Producer: Dan Atkinson
Line Producer: Daisy Knight
Exec Producer: James Taylor
Composer: Fat Lady Music
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:06:03
--------
1:06:03
October's Moments of the Month
It's all the best bits from October's shows! A tasting plate of the shows we've already broadcast this month and if you've been too busy to listen to the whole shows this is a way to get a morsel and who knows... maybe head back and listen to the whole thing if you like the sound of it.
Featuring Dom Joly, Sally Lindsay, Nick Mohammed, Horatio Gould and Pete Firman.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:19:44
--------
1:19:44
Pete Firman
You know Pete Firman. He’s charming. He’s northern and he pops up on your Instagram or TikTok with fantastic magic tricks, illusions and comedy. Pete is one of Britain’s most accomplished comedy magicians and he’s here with his Five Brilliant Things which take him from Chip Sauces, through Old Theatres and the whole thing wraps up with a love-letter to the very particular British art of CONKERS!
Lots of fun and he’s got (as Russell will shortly point out) a lovely voice.
Pete Firman is also on tour! His latest tour show is called ‘Tricks and Giggles’ and it’s coming to a beautiful old theatre near you very soon. It’s a brilliant night out full of the best illusions delivered with Pete’s trademark comedy… to book tickets go to https://www.petefirman.co.uk/live/
You can also follow Pete on Instagram or TikTok where he’s @PeteFirman.
Let’s not forget Russell! Russell is also touring in 2026 with his brand new show ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. You can book tickets at https://www.russell-howard.co.uk
And Pete stayed with us in the studio for a special extra show where he answered your questions about the inner workings of the magic world. It was a fascinating and revealing chat and it’s available as part of our Patreon offering. Honestly if you like the show it’s a super-good deal giving you ad-free shows, early access and a special extra show just for you every week - have a look!
patreon.com/RussellHoward
Thank you for all your attention, it was more than enough. Hope to see you here deep in the blurbs next week. X
Producer: Dan Atkinson
Line Producer: Daisy Knight
Exec Producer: James Taylor
Composer: Fat Lady Music
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Join our Patreon for two shows a week, ad-free listening, early access and much more...
Follow this link and get involved! - patreon.com/RussellHoward
Each week Russell sits down with fantastic guests to chat about their Brilliant Things; the items, places and people that make life worth living.
New Zealand