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Elis James and John Robins

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Jul 18, 2025 • 43min

#455 - Badly Well, Warm Panic and A Defence of Yodelling

It's a very smell heavy show today but the aromas aren't good as listeners inform Elis and John of a quite literal VW barrel of eggs and a queasy French exchange tale. Meanwhile Maisie Adam is very very hungover after England’s dramatic quarter final win, and Dave gets sacked twice in the first 10 minutes after his lads trip to Mallorca. Of course he sang Wonderwall to some 75 year old couples whilst there. What would you expect?Plus the wallet debate continues as a huge curveball is thrown into the mix, potentially changing John’s worldview: What if it’s just a bin?To get in touch it’s 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp or elisandjohn@bbc.co.ukRemember to head to the Bureau on Saturday morning. Dropping only into those BBC Sounds feeds of yours.
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Jul 15, 2025 • 52min

#454 - Swiss Arrogance, All Cars are the Same and One of the UK’s SUVs

Elis needs a new car. But how can John advise him on his next whip when shackled by the understandable constraints of undue product prominence? Well John has been on a special course, the Balance BBc (Hons) at a local uni, in order to undertake this difficult task and be What Car?* for the impartial content generation. Can he navigate such tricky waters / roads without risking complaints from rival manufacturers?But none of that matters in practice because all cars are the same. Every single car. There’s not a single difference between any of them.Beyond such automotive decision making it’s a busy show. Producer Dave is still off ruining quaint European squares on his lads trip and the boys are joined by two of Elis’s radio heroes for a reflection on radio of the past. There’s also some belting Mad Dads and can Elis complete his first ever Connecting four in a row?elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk on email and 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp*Or Autocar or Auto Express or Classic & Sports Car.
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Jul 11, 2025 • 51min

#453 - Decking or Necking, Dad of the Year and Too Handsome to Focus

Elis is back from Euros Trip No. 1 and he’s Dad of the Year. A far more prestigious award than the 2008 accolade of the same name won by Peter Andre and sponsored by “Daddies Sauce”. Yes, his daughter not only experienced an unforgettable time watching the Welsh women, but she also saw her two favourite artists in eight days. Could Elis now become the best dad of the 21st century?John meanwhile has had a sweat overload and Producer Dave is off sunning himself in Mallorca. Amidst such a backdrop it’s asked whether the wallet is in fact dead, and there’s a chat with Maisie Adam to warm the cockles. And we get out the tally chart to see if John is victorious this week.For all of your voicenotes it’s 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp and longer thoughts to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk via email.
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Jul 8, 2025 • 58min

#452 - Here Lies The Volkswagen Barrel of Eggs

After many moons of service the mobile terrarium / paint dump / dodgem, the VW Barrel of Eggs, is no more. And today’s show is in tribute to that trusty steed.Currently lying in state, when it makes its final journey on the back of a low loader to the scrapheap make sure to line the streets of South London and doff your cap.Yes this is the only podcast to pay tribute to two different cars coincidentally manufactured under the auspices of the VW Group. Pushing boundaries and all that.But how will John handle the news?Despite so much time dedicated to such fun there is enough left over for some secondary fun on a bleak day. Can Elis hit a *true* return to Connecting form? Plus, there’s a thrillingly competitive Made Up Game.A book of condolence has been opened up via elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk on email and 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp for all your automotive tributes.
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Jul 4, 2025 • 1h 19min

#451 - OG Guffer, Rodders (A) and The Man Is Your Husband

John’s annoyed because Elis and Dave have used all their material before the mics came on. Chin wagging like old ladies at the salon. But as is often the case we are saved by delving into the depths of insignificance.Some people think that the mines of inconsequentiality had run dry on this show. That the pick axes couldn’t uncover anything more minor than previously. But there's the richest of seams for John to sink his teeth into as Lawrence throws more fuel onto the one touch fire.And it’s a big old busy show for John’s also got some very significant news that’s written in the stars and Video Producer Izzy explains the concept of situationships to men in their forties.For all of your voicenotes relating to efficiency it’s 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp or elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk via email.
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Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 12min

#450 - Backing Framed Content, Backing the Compliance Form and Backing the Riff

The time has come to pick a side: are you pro-riff or anti-riff? Do you think that caution kills the riff? Would you wilfully step into the riff matrix and do your damnedest to see it through to the bitter end? In short, do you back the riff? This is what Producer Dave must decide.But he’s not the only one facing tough questions this week. Elis is confronted by his young son about a timing mishap that leaves him quoting Harold Wilson at his daughter in his pants. And John is left questioning why people act so strangely whilst waiting for the tube.There’s also an excellent outing of the Cymru Connection, a tense dice-based game, and the boys riff the first ever 100% watched TV program.If you back the riff let us know at elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp the show on 07974 293 022.
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Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 6min

#449 - Rodmas Day, Magnificent Lions and Every. Journey. Counts.

It’s a strange old time for Elis James. On the one hand he’s being called a thirst trap on the carra (the Instagram carousel, for those not in the know); people can’t seem to get enough of his floppy hair, his jawline, and his interesting t-shirts. On the other hand, he’s getting hammered for slagging off Belgium, and having some harsh words directed at him by one of TV’s greatest quiz hosts. What the sigma can he do!?But no worries, it’s Rodmas Day! He’s off to see Olivia Rodrigo, one of the most famous singers on the planet, whom John’s never heard of - he's more of an Avril Lavigne guy.John’s been busy chalking up his wins and losses, and working out whether the massive box of carb chews he bought was a good or bad purchase.There’s a lovely chat with biker Adrian Chiles, more taxi-related stag antics, and John finds common ground with an emailer’s assertion that every journey counts.If you want to praise or berate Elis, or share your words of wisdom with John, it’s elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk, or 07974 293 022 on the WhatsApp.And make sure you catch the finale of DI Robbyns in tomorrow’s Bureau de Change of the Mind, only on BBC Sounds of course.
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Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 2min

#448 - Doob Monsters, Access To Washers and I Don’t Know Hague

There’s something drifting in on the air today. A funk. Criminality. Yes it seems to be bifta o’clock as John spots a doob roller on the tube. That, and it being the relaxfest which is Glastonbury, combine to see the hazy funk of ‘da ‘erb’ and its ensuing uncoolness discussed at length. Because simply put this is not how Britain will build back better.Elsewhere, Elis comes in today on a high. A cycling high. And that high isn’t from anything which Lance Armstrong might have partaken in. It’s just the high of exercise, good vibes and raising money for charity. A figure that was primarily boosted by John. Humble, giving John. Why? Because that’s just who he is.There’s also a Made Up Game which appeals to Producer Dave’s topical content nose, a classic Mad Dad and the expectation of Elis knowing William Hague’s wife.If you want to get in touch then elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk is the means, as is 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp.
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Jun 20, 2025 • 56min

#447 - Davie vs Horse, Bin Gear and The Gulag of Truth

There’s some good upstanding British gear flying around today. Bin chat. Which bins? What goes in what? What blooming colours have you got? Show us your bins on elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 07974 293 022.In less disposable content, there’s a right to reply from one of Colin’s holiday companions and he may have to be sent to prison for telling the truth.Plus there’s an absolute anxiety dream as John is forced to sit through playing the voice of DI Robbyns to someone from Cork.There’s bonus post bag content over on the Bureau de Change of the Mind on Saturday morning. ONLY on BBC Sounds.
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Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 17min

#446 - Bowie Crocs, Knee Length Utility Socks and Courteeners of Comedy

Elis James has become the story, and not for the right reasons. No matter how much he talks about ‘Zoe on the train’, there’s no doubt that our Cymru Connecting prodigy has lost his way. He’s in the Bobby Gould years. Today we attempt to correct his woeful form with some expert help.Colin makes a welcome return to proceedings as John shares more information about his holiday. Plus, there’s a belting taxi-based stag Shame, and everyone tries to work out who Alan Howard is.And remember, the price of success is always paid in full and in advance.If you want to get in touch then elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk is the means, as is 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp.

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