We Can Be Weirdos

• #90 Cursed Monkey Business: Ventriloquist Nina Conti and the Puppet Funeral Home

  "What's the criteria for being 'real'?"Nina Conti is an internationally acclaimed ventriloquist, comedian and actress. Among many credits, she starred in Her Master's Voice, where she takes the bereaved puppets of her mentor Ken Campbell on a pilgrimage to the resting place for puppets of dead ventriloquists.Nina Conti's new show 'Whose Face Is It Anyway?' will be at the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End for five nights, from 29th April - 3rd May 2025, before touring the UK in the autumn. Tickets for all dates at ninaontour.com. Her directorial debut film 'Sunlight' is set for release later this year.

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• #89: Apocalypse How: Tom Phillips and the Impending Doom of the 112th Pope

  Tom Phillips is a British author, journalist, and humorist known for his witty and insightful takes on history and human folly. A former editorial director at Full Fact, the UK’s independent fact-checking charity, Phillips has written books such as Humans: A Brief History of How We Fcked It All Up* and Truth: A Brief History of Total Bullsht*. His works blend humor with historical analysis, exploring humanity’s mistakes and misconceptions in an engaging and accessible way.

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• #88: The Bolan Glitch: Marc Burrows and the Shuffling Cemetery

  Marc Burrows is a British writer, musician, and comedian. He is best known for his work as a journalist and author, particularly for The Magic of Terry Pratchett (2020), an award-winning biography of the beloved fantasy author. Burrows has also written for publications like The Guardian and New Statesman. In addition to his writing, he has been involved in music and comedy, performing stand-up and playing bass in bands. His work often blends humor, pop culture, and deep-dive research.More Marc stuff: https://www.marcburrows.co.uk/

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• #87: The Secret Painter: Joe Tucker and the Nature of Intangible Heritage

  " But I kind of loved the power of that, the power of weirdness""The Secret Painter" is a memoir by Joe Tucker that delves into the concealed artistic life of his uncle, Eric Tucker. Eric, a laborer from Warrington, Cheshire, led a double life, secretly creating over 500 paintings and approximately 1,000 sketches depicting mid-20th-century working-class northern life. His works, often compared to those of LS Lowry, capture scenes of pubs, theaters, and street life with authenticity and depth.Despite his sociable nature, Eric was reserved about his art, seldom sharing his creations publicly. His family discovered his extensive collection only after his death in 2018, leading to posthumous exhibitions that garnered significant public and media attention. Joe Tucker's memoir offers a touching and thoughtful exploration of his uncle's life, reflecting on themes of class, ambition, loneliness, and community. The book provides insight into Eric's personal history, his dedication to art, and the broader disconnect between working-class culture and the art establishment."The Secret Painter" serves as a poignant tribute to Eric Tucker's unwavering artistic commitment, bringing his life's work into the public eye and celebrating the extraordinary found in unexpected places.

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• #86: The Surfing Philosopher: Peter Singer and the Mercy Release Fallacy

  Peter Singer, born on July 6, 1946, in Melbourne, Australia, is a prominent moral philosopher renowned for his work in applied ethics and animal rights. Educated at the University of Melbourne and the University of Oxford, he has taught at institutions worldwide, including Princeton University, where he serves as the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics. Singer's seminal 1975 book, "Animal Liberation," is often credited with initiating the modern animal rights movement. He has authored over 50 books, addressing topics such as global poverty, bioethics, and effective altruism. In 2023, he published "Animal Liberation Now," updating his original work to reflect contemporary issues. Singer is also the founder of the non-profit organisation The Life You Can Save, which advocates for effective philanthropy to combat global poverty. For more information about Peter Singer and his work, you can visit his official website: petersinger.info

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