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Elis James and John Robins

Latest episodes

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Jun 13, 2025 • 58min

#445 - Colin, Carras and A Big Frozen Bag of Mince

You can tell John’s been on holiday because he starts the show by giving a promotion to someone who doesn’t even work on the show. The mood is high.And he’s come back a new man. He’s Colin now. An even more chill and organised version of Johnny JR. He’s the opposite of pura vida - i.e. not the same as his travel companions, who included someone who lost their bank card before they set off and a second bank card before they returned. No surprises for who that could be.So expect a bumper John Wins Again Costa Rica Edition feat. bums.Plus there’s a grovelling apology from Elis after he dug out a valued friend, reminding us of the important phrase “putting percentages on curries isn’t very fun”.Have you been on a shoe string stag? Well send it to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp it over on 07974 293 022.
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Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 4min

#444 - Tim Key, He Needs A Cup Run and Bit Early For A Pint So I Have An Easter Egg

William Wordsworth, Carol Ann Duffy… Tim Key. Just a few of the great poets this fair nation has produced. But there are two more names to add to the pantheon, two new kids on the block: Elis James and John Robins. Our heroes have picked up their pens (opened their laptops), unfurled their manuscripts (opened Word), and trawled their creative depths to write some verses that Shakespeare himself would be proud of. Why is poetry the order of the day you might be asking? Because the aforementioned Tim Key has unlocked the door to the house and made himself at home, that’s why! Plus he’s only gone and made a film which crucially John wasn’t invited to the screening of. Elsewhere, there is newsworthy Cymru Connection to captivate people, but are they being entertained for all the wrong reasons? Also Dave’s life has fallen apart because Hannah’s gone to Ibiza. Tim’s also in Saturday’s Bureau de Change of the Mind if you want some bonus Key. That of course is only on the delectable BBC Sounds.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 6, 2025 • 57min

#443 - Mockproof Robins, Medium Cod +1 and Good Black Eps

After a week when John offered apology texts to Elis, Dave and the production team for being in a bad mood, he’s back to his Billy best. There’s a bright ray of sunshine in his heart and nethers which clears the studio air. No black eps today and Elis can leave the studio without an impending sense of worry.But there are challenges afoot for our hero, as he contends with holidaying with one whose administrative approach sits in bleak contrast to his own.Luckily he’s superchillathon, and amidst such admin fears there’s a decision to build a harvesting coop for the nation’s Good Eggs. Plus Elis’s mocking of a reaction to some quality snap bags sees the Welshman hoisted by a double sealed petard.Check out this week’s Bureau bonus on Saturday, only on BBC Sounds, where rumour has it there’s a very special guest joining the chaps.Want to get in touch with everything from bons oeufs to packaging retention, well send it to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp it over on 07974 293 022.
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Jun 3, 2025 • 50min

#442 - Tara Me Sue, More Pear Puddings and Dark Days in Denbigh

Wagon wheels, mushy pea hummus and baked bean daal. Move over Rick Stein, there’s new gastronomic broadcasters in town. Yes, food is the order of the day as the delectable George Egg rides into the studio to serve up a delicious Made Up Game for Elis and John. And the theme doesn’t stop there, for before you can say ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ there's a longing for Great British puds and the question “why do chippies give you so many chips?”. In non-edible happenings will Elis continue to fail at connecting until death? That and much more in 50 minutes of digestible content. To get in touch it’s elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk via electronic mail, or 07974 293 022 on the WhatsApp.
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May 30, 2025 • 45min

#441 - Full Fibre Content, Ladies Lashathon and Taking a Mini Retirement

It’s the TFI Late Review on the show as a night-time recording has Elis at his energetic peak. He's ready to throw a chair at a wall and also discuss the latest avant-garde Spanish melodrama. It’s a different vibe altogether, the boys don’t even know what day it is. But in such a circular audio environment, what even are days?We speak to the chattiest man in Wales - a pillar of the world accent community no less - and there is a real fear that Elis could be stealing John’s exercise thunder. Not what you want on a day where John’s creaking limbs might as well be made of wood. It’s also a show chock-full of 90s references with targeted history for the benefit of the under-35s.Remember, the Bureau de Change of the Mind is exclusively available on BBC Sounds on Saturday morning. And for those who don’t revel in top class audio drama, this week it’ll be led by emails.Get your Shames - we’d love some of those - as well as any other stuff in to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk, and 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp.
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May 27, 2025 • 1h 3min

#440 - Beefcake Alert, The Lust King and Producer Dave’s Handsome Surprise

Every week on this show you think that the last vestige of John’s weird past is revealed. You think there cannot be any more layers peeled back. And then bam(!), another one, as yet another aspect of intense Robins c.1994-2004 hits you smack in the face. This is one such episode.But don’t worry it’s not all too harrowing, for there’s a huge and extremely handsome surprise for Producer Dave, and a couple of absolutely top tier Mad Dads. Plus, Elis just simply needs to connect, as the words ‘Derby’ and ‘County’ are floated regarding his Cymru form. Got anything silly / irreverent / engaging to send to the presenters of the most popular On Demand radio show on BBC Sounds amongst the under-35s? Well elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk and 07974 293 022 on WhatsApp are the respective destinations.
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May 23, 2025 • 55min

#439 - Inverting The Pilaumid, Winning 18 Apples and The Mayor of Thornbury

Join the laughter as the hosts recount Elis's memorable encounters, including a chance meeting with Hugh Grant and a wild stag do packed with cricket and curry. John shares his sleepy nights and tales of trauma, while local community antics spotlight the quirks of politics in Thornbury. They dive into humorous skiving stories that blend everyday life with absurd job situations. With hilarious anecdotes from a food festival and witty reflections on fitness, the camaraderie between the speakers is sure to entertain!
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May 20, 2025 • 1h 11min

#438 - The Human Clock, Threads Be Cloves and Thanks For Jumping on That Call

It’s official. Elis and John are the most listened to on demand radio programme amongst the Under 35s on BBC Sounds. This is huge. Finally the boys are appealing to a demographic that extends upwards to those could well be married with two children.Bringing 5 Live’s average age down from 57 to 55 was the aim. But they’ve overshot so far that it’s likely now pushing down to the cyber bullied generation.And to indicate just how willing the boys are to tailor their content to the next gen, here’s a selection of the topics covered today… The standard of sewing on buttons and bedding these days. A man whose only hit was over 30 years ago. Social clubs in the 70s. Ordering a CD writer. Discussion of London’s Burning - broadcast 1986-2002.Plus there’s countless wins, Elis hasn’t heard of a Welsh school and there’s some timely Chiles content.Get anything you might have for the show over to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 07974 293 022.
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May 16, 2025 • 54min

#437 - The Great Geordification, Cloud Storage Afterlife and Narrative! Narrative! Narrative!

He’s only gone and done it again. The serial winner himself, John Robins, the narrative bender, has won yet again. Despite not even really liking football, John just can’t help being John, and he's done something on the football pitch worthy of an end-of-tournament emotional BBC sports montage that makes Elis cry. If anything feels significant, this does.John’s footballing escapades are recounted with the help of friends of the show Annie McGrath and Rick Edwards, but there is debate about whether the word ‘bundled’ should be bandied around as much as it is.Elsewhere it’s textbook Elis and John as Elis gets excited about a man from Sunderland saying the word ‘school’, and John wonders what happens to our memories when we die. Classic stuff.Lastly, after a peach of a mad dad story, there’s 100% consensus for the sentence: ‘you have to read the instructions on a chainsaw’.Do you want to contribute to the great cannon of Elis and John? You can, just email elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp the show on 07974 293 022.
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May 13, 2025 • 1h 11min

#436 - I Attract The Mums, 200,000 Items and John Robins Ltd.

This show isn’t often one for big announcements. But today we park the trivialities. There’s not a mention of word games or credit scores in sight. For another obsession is about to take over the life of Johnny JR. It’s big. And it could complete his transformation from movement cynic to the Haile Gebrselassie of rural Bucks*.And Producer Dave is simply rubbing his hands together at the prospect of 11 months of ready baked content.Oh we’re busy bees today, because there’s also time to dip into CVs of the past where Elis simply isn’t willing to accept John’s stock management claims.There’s also some fantastic emails that shine a light on the British economy's productivity problem. AND can under pressure Elis reverse his relegation form in the Cymru Connection?If you’ve got anything to contribute to our chocolate box of nonsense then get it to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 07974 293 022.*(Well depending on whether Dave’s contact pulls it out of the bag. Otherwise we’re back to square one).

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