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Frequency Funhouse: Real Life Misadventures in Local Radio

Frequency Funhouse: Real Life Misadventures in Local Radio

por Milly Luxford

Artes escénicas Aficiones

Temporada 1

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Adam Porter

And now on the Frequency Funhouse… Please ensure your seatbacks are upright, your headphones are securely fastened, and your tea is at a safe sipping temperature, because our guest is none other than BBC National treasure Adam Porter. Yes, Adam... the man who began his career in the humble trenches of local radio, bravely battling dodgy studios, malfunctioning carts, and presenters who thought “dead air” was a genre. And somehow, through sheer talent and possibly witchcraft, went on to read the news on BBC Radio 2 alongside Zoe Ball, sounding calm, authoritative, and absolutely nothing like the rest of us before 9am. In this episode, Adam takes us on a journey from his early days of “making it up as he went along” to delivering the nation’s headlines with the confidence of a man who definitely ironed his shirt this morning. Expect tales of triumph, terror, and the occasional technical disaster that the BBC would prefer we didn’t mention. A gloriously funny, sharply polished, BBC‑announcer‑approved adventure from local lad to national legend.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Iain Meadows

Meet Iain Meadows — the broadcaster who can run a station, scoop up awards, and still crack you up before your caffeine has even kicked in. He’s part storyteller, part Dr Who super‑fan, part radio wizard, and somehow still manages to keep listeners glued to their speakers… despite the occasional career detour involving being politely shown the door. In this episode, Iain lifts the lid on the highs, lows, and downright bizarre moments of life behind the mic. Expect tales of triumph, time‑travel tangents, and the kind of radio misadventures that prove he’s both brilliant and just a tiny bit unmanageable. A fast, funny, wonderfully nerdy ride with a man who’s survived the industry, charmed the audience, and only occasionally regenerated into someone HR had to have a word with.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Mark Carter

This edition welcomes the endlessly multi‑talented Mark Carter, BBC Radio’s very own Swiss Army knife. Presenter? Check. Editor? Check. Event host? Check. Occasional tamer of rogue microphones? Absolutely. If there’s a job to be done across Sussex and Surrey, Mark has probably done it… while smiling politely and making it sound effortless. For decades he’s kept listeners entertained, informed, and occasionally wondering how one man can be in so many places at once. And just when you think his CV can’t get any more impressive, we discover he’s legally allowed to carry a sword. A real one. Because of course he is. Expect stories, surprises, and the kind of BBC‑grade professionalism that somehow survives even the most chaotic moments. A brilliantly entertaining episode with a man who truly does it all, and has the weaponry to prove it.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Our Very Own Peter Phillips

Step into the control room for an episode dedicated to the unsung hero of radio: the producer. And not just any producer — our Producer Peter, the man who has survived more bizarre briefs, last‑minute panics, and “can you just…” moments than any human reasonably should. Peter lifts the lid on the wild world of radio production, where every day brings a new challenge, a new crisis, and at least one request that makes you question whether people understand how microphones work. From the mildly ridiculous to the utterly unhinged, he’s seen it all… and he’s finally naming names (well, sort of). A hilarious deep dive into the chaos behind the calm, featuring jingles, deadlines, diva moments, and the kind of production nightmares that would make lesser mortals run for the hills.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Stuart Mcginley

Brace yourselves… seriously. This week’s guest is none other than breakfast‑show legend Stuart McGinley, a man whose voice has echoed across so many stations in the South, it’s quicker to list the ones he hasn’t worked on. From early‑morning mayhem to behind‑the‑scenes stories that will make every radio producer break into a cold sweat, Stuart brings the full McGinley experience. Expect laughs, farts, nostalgia, and at least one moment where you think, “How on earth is he still employed in this industry?” A loud, lively, and utterly unmissable episode.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Sally Austin

Buckle up, because this week we’re joined by Sally Austin — the woman who walked into Spirit FM as a Sales Executive and somehow ended up running the entire station. Was it talent? Determination? A moment of managerial confusion? We may never know. Sally spills the beans on her climb up the ladder, the characters she met along the way, and the bizarre situations only local radio can produce. From closing deals to calling the shots, she’s proof that if you stick around long enough, someone will eventually hand you the keys to the building. A funny, fast‑paced trip through the world of accidental leadership and radio‑station survival skills.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Kathryn Hearn

Cornwall’s very own radio powerhouse steps into the Funhouse as Kathryn Hearn, yes, that Kathryn from Pirate FM, shares her wild ride through the world of local broadcasting. If there was a role to fill, Kathryn probably did it. On air, off air, behind the desk, under the desk… she’s worn more hats than most stations have staff. This episode dives into the chaos, charm, and sheer determination it takes to keep a station buzzing, all told with Kathryn’s trademark humour and honesty. From newsroom madness to promotional mayhem, she’s seen it all, and somehow lived to tell the tale. A celebration of grit, graft, and good old‑fashioned Cornish radio magic.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Justin Cottrell

When Justin Cottrell discovered his beloved local radio station was closing its doors, he didn’t just mourn the loss... he built a brand‑new one. In the middle of a global pandemic. With the world upside down and the industry in chaos, Justin launched V2 Radio armed with determination, community spirit, and perhaps a touch of glorious madness. This episode dives into the rollercoaster ride of starting a station from scratch while the rest of the world was baking banana bread. From unexpected hurdles to heart‑warming wins, Justin shares the behind‑the‑scenes story of what it really takes to keep local radio alive when everything around you is shutting down. Did he know what he was getting himself into… or did he just leap and hope the transmitter would switch on? You’ll have to listen to find out.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Elliott Crossley

Step right up for a masterclass in vocal wizardry as Frequency Funhouse welcomes the astonishingly versatile Elliott Crossley: a performer whose vocal range is so wild, you’ll swear there are at least ten people in the room. From iconic impressions to characters you didn’t even know you needed in your life, Elliott brings the full arsenal. This episode dives into the craft, the chaos, and the sheer joy of being a voice chameleon. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live inside the mind of a man who can shapeshift with sound alone, this is your backstage pass. Prepare your ears. They’re in for a treat.

The Frequency Funhouse - Featuring Steve Oates

Step inside the wonderfully chaotic world of local radio as Steve Oates — the fearless ringmaster behind IOW Radio, Wessex FM, and Spirit FM — pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to launch a station from scratch. From bizarre studio mishaps to the larger‑than‑life characters who wandered through the doors, Steve shares stories that are equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and downright unbelievable. And yes… this is the very same man who, for reasons still unclear, chose to employ every single one of us at some point in our careers. A true pioneer or a glutton for punishment? You decide.

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