British Culture: Albion Never Dies

Don't be shy, send me a message!It's good to go back to basics from time to time. So, this week, I asked Chat GPT, “Hi, I have a podcast on British Culture. Could you suggest ten topics please?”, and this is what it replied:"Certainly! Here are ten topics related to British culture that you could consider for your podcast:Traditional British Foods British Monarchy British Literature British MusicBritish SportsBritish TV and FilmBritish ComedyBritish Festivals and TraditionsBritish Accent and DialectsBritish HistoryThese topics should provide a good starting point for exploring various aspects of British culture in your podcast."So, these are the topics on which I give my thoughts and reflections. Last time I did this, I asked my friends of social media, this time, I thought I'd try Chat GPT, as it is essentially a prediction machine, giving what it thinks is the most likely answer based on it's current database (which is a few years old).  Let me know which of these you'd like more podcasts on!Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!This second part of my exploration of the British Overseas Territory in the Mediterranean looks at what do to over a long weekend, and what culture you might be able to Google, glean, and observe. I am joined by my good friend Caine, who found all this out using the best method possible, by going there and doing the research. Although this is a 'Part 2', it can be enjoyed by itself, with 'Part 1' returned to later. This was fun to chat about, so I really hope you enjoy it.Please also check out Caine's channel: https://www.youtube.com/videosbycaineMessage me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one more will soon have a little gift on the way!Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!What do you know about a place called 'Gibraltar'? Hopefully, after this briefing, a lot more than you knew before! In this episode, I am joined by my good friend Caine, who has ten years of experience teaching about British culture in China. For the benefit of those of us in the West, he runs the Youtube channel "Videos By Caine" with a special focus on traditional Chinese culture. Caine previously guided us on our deep dives into tea, British men's wardrobes, tattoo culture, and Christmas. Check out his recommended rabbit hole: "The Pitcairn Islands". Well worth a Google, as we discuss! Please also check out Caine's channel: https://www.youtube.com/videosbycaine Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616    Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!For 82 years, the Mediterranean island of Cyprus was a British colony. Here, I really focus on that era. Although I did two previous episodes on Cyprus, they are not ‘sequential’ and can be listened to in any order – reverse order can work as well as the release order.I draw on three key books:The Turks in Cyprus: A Province of the Ottoman Empire – by Ahmet C GazioğluCyprus Under British Rule – by CWJ Orr (Army Captain)The Death of Friendship: A Cyprus Memoir – by Türkan Aziz (MBE)I hope you enjoy this episode, drawing on my 7 years on the island, and my personal collection of rare books on the island. Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616      Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!We've seen Sean Connery's 007 fly in You Only Live Twice, Daniel Craig's James Bond pilot a plane in SPECTRE, as well as Moore and Brosnan over the last 60+ years. So, I asked pilot and James Bond content creator Christopher Morales for his views on flying in the Bond franchise. Who was the most realistic pilot? Listen to find out!You can follow Chris on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thatonebondguy/ Watch his videos on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@ThatOneBondGuyMessage me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616  Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!By listener request, I am covering the UK's influence on the Indiana Jones franchise, and I am joined by an Indy super-fan; Mr. Matt Wacker! I have been following this outstanding cosplayer's social media accounts for several years, and was truly delighted to have this opportunity to have him on the podcast. Of course, the original - and the latest - Dr. Jones films were filmed in Great Britain, and Sean Connery played the Scottish father, but here my guest really reveals the depth of British influence. Not something I would ever have considered, so thank you so much to Matt, and to listener David Berger for suggesting this topic!If you are on Instagram, please check out Matt Wacker's account:https://www.instagram.com/wackmatters/Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!David Zaritsky (The Bond Experience) and I talk about the 007 franchise, and why so many official events are exclusive to the UK, especially London. So, why not have a few more US-based events for this British character?We also discuss the differences between US 007 fans and UK 007 fans. In some ways, this reflects both the national character, and the cultural reach of the Bond franchise. We also talk about the future of the series, and what we can do to fill the time between films. You can find David at:https://www.youtube.com/thebondexperienceOn Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/thebondexperience/...and his podcast!https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-bond-experience/id1504091728Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!I've been taking a break from the news lately, but, even I could not escape the media furor surrounding Philip Schofield's sex life revelations. It is simply dominating all British media outlets. If you're not based in the UK, as so perhaps not familiar with this long-time TV presenter, his Wikipedia page is being rapidly updated by an army of authors right here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Schofield Pete Brooker (From Tailors With Love) rang me to give his views on this swiftly unfolding drama, and give an outline to what's going on. You can find him at: https://www.instagram.com/fromtailorswithlove/Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!The rollercoaster of life in the UK continues! The fuel bill saga takes a few twists and turns, my boiler had sparks coming from it, and I’ve been told the flat I’m renting is now up for sale, so I’ll be having people coming to view (goodness knows what that will ultimately mean).Meanwhile, I enjoy the Spring Bank Holiday weekend and ponder how Brits spend their free time. Work/life balance is a popular topic, and I’ve been impressed at how active civic life is here, with plenty of volunteer-run community activities going on. Great to see people working together.I also talk about life as a Bond fan. There have been quite a few discussions I’ve been privy to, talking about how expensive it can be, and how few ‘new 007 things’ there are at the moment. I’m finding plenty to enjoy, so I just share a little here. If you’d like me to share more on this, just message me and say!Finally, this is very much an audience-driven podcast. Anything from topics, to music requests, to sound quality comments, to fun little gems of information, can come from listeners. The Alphabet of Britishness *will* return, along with any other topics you request.Coming up will certainly be aspects of the British Empire, and British territories. This is something long, long requested, so I’m working hard to try and do this are some justice. It is challenging due to the breadth of the topic, so I’m starting with what is most familiar to me.Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616  Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!Why cover one topic, when I can cover three!?I talk about the energy crisis, always on trend for fans of 1974's The Man With the Golden Gun, and how I'm being charged £700 for one month's worth of electricity. Even taking into account accumulation payments, that's more than a family of four or five in a five-bedroom house. Something is clearly wrong. Happily, my local member of Parliament is taking an interest. The second topic is a perennial favourite of mine; local newspapers. I take a look at stories in the 'Fleet and Yateley News & Mail' and 'The Reading Chronicle'. My favoruites being a journalist who doesn't like cheese being sent to a cheese festival and her writing the report, a man who stole meat from M&S (I suppose rather than go to budget-friendly Aldi), and a woman who stole £81.75 worth of paint from a shop.The final subject is Haworth 1940s weekend, a historical reenactment event with the audience (mostly) in period wear. I hope to do a Youtube video on this very shortly, so do keep an eye out on my channel there, same name as this podcast. There was plenty to see, including a Winston Churchill lookalike (not soundalike), and a Spitfire flyover that thrilled. Lots going on here in the UK, and more real deep dives coming up soon. That includes a (triumphant) return of my very first guest, and man behind many deep dives... Caine! He gives us an insight into a Crown Colony which was featured in a very memorable James Bond sequence. In fact, his insight so good, it cannot be contained in just one episode, so a double-bill is one the way. If you have topics for the last remaining letters in 'The Alphabet of Britishness' then do message me, as I slowly prepare episodes for U, V, W, X, Y, and Z.  Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show