We Can Be Weirdos

The rituals of the royals are quite magical, but how eccentric are our royals, past and present?Royal historian, author and broadcaster Prof Kate Williams is here to tell us just how kooky are favourite royals are. From the power of John Dee, an occultist and adviser to Elizabeth I, who used a mythical mirror to speak to ghosts to Charles II who apparently touched nearly 100,000 people believing he could cure disease. And we can’t forget Prince Philip’s obsession with UFOs.Kate is the host of Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things, hosted alongside fellow royal enthusiast and acclaimed writer, Robert Hartman. She studied at Somerville College, Oxford, and is now the Director of Life Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. She’s the author of many historical biographies including England’s Mistress, Becoming Queen and Young Elizabeth.

"Now that's what I call a soft rock: 2!"Dan looks back at some of the strangest and silliest unexplainable experiences a.k.a. 'soft rocks' from guests past, including Josh Widdicombe, Dan Snow and Lucy Cooke. We'd love to hear about your unexplainable experiences! Join the We Can Be Weirdos Discord Server, where over 1,500 weirdos are sharing their experiences, thoughts and theories. You can find the link in Dan's Instagram bio, or the We Can be Weirdos instagram bio. See you there!

"I must have seen ten ghosts... but I don't think they're ghosts'Anthony Delaney is an actor, writer, historian, and podcaster originally from County Kilkenny, Ireland. He trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and obtained a PhD in 18th century social and cultural history from the University of Exeter. He co-hosts the hit podcast After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & The Paranormal, alongside Maddy Pelling. His first book, Queer Georgians: A Hidden History, will be published in 2025.

"Psychotherapists have experiences that we keep quiet about... because we sound bloody mad!"Live from the Underbelly Theatre, London! Psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry takes on the batshit list... and reveals some unexpected woo-woo of her own. Also featuring music by Emma-Lee Moss (F.K.A. Emmy The Great), and Bexy Cameron, author of Cult Following. Philippa Perry trained as a psychotherapist and worked in the mental health field for many years before writing her graphic novel, 'Couch Fiction' which lays bare the process of psychotherapy. This was followed by 'How to Stay Sane', 'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)' and her latest book 'The Book You Want Everyone* You Love To Read *(and Maybe a Few You Don’t)'. She hosts 'Grayson’s Art Club' with her husband Grayson Perry, and has presented many documentaries including 'The Truth about Children Who Lie' , 'Being Bipolar'  and 'How To Be A Surrealist with Philippa Perry'.***LIVE SHOW SEPTEMBER GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT***This episode is just a taster of a whole night of eclectic weirdness! To see it all for yourself, We Can Be Weirdos is LIVE again on Monday 16th September 2024, at the Underbelly Boulevard, London. This time featuring 'godfather of the batshit list', author and parapsychology researcher Rupert Sheldrake. Head here for more info and to buy your tickets: https://underbellyboulevard.com/tickets/we-can-be-weirdos-live/

Finally, a crow special! Dan chats with Dr Sarah Jelbert, a comparative psychologist at the University of Bristol, who is interested in the evolution of cognitive abilities in animals. She's mad about crows (because they're mysterious, super intelligent and majestic). Did you know they have their own woodland workshops? Stick your beak into this episode to find out more. Also, a heads up, this will be the last Rough Corner for a few weeks while Dan and Spooky Al head on holiday (not together). The main episodes will continue as (para)normal.

"The Now: More of it is coming!"What is consciousness? Are you the same you as 5 seconds ago? Can an AI mind replicate your own? Is the universe a simulation? Big questions, yes. But fear not, Lieven Scheire is here!Lieven Scheire is a Belgian comedian, physicist and science communicator on stage and on TV, in both Dutch and English. Lieven is the face and founder of ’Nerdland’, a popular brand in which he, alongside a group of geeky friends, brings science and technology closer to the broader public. He's also a prolific author, and has a new book called 'AI', a beginner's guide to the magic, possibilities and limitations of the Artificial Intelligence revolution.

"The Stephen Fry of Belgium", Lieven Scheire, joins Dan to talk about the weirdness of the insect world, why chickens have a vendetta against mice and how evolution is evolving. Lieven Scheire is a Belgian comedian, physicist and science communicator on stage and on TV, in both Dutch and English. Lieven is the face and founder of ’Nerdland’, a popular brand in which he, alongside a group of geeky friends, brings science and technology closer to the broader public. He's also a prolific author, and has a new book called 'AI', a beginner's guide to the magic, possibilities and limitations of the Artificial Intelligence revolution. This is part one of the chat with Lieven, part two will be available later this week!

Dan and Al catch up on a shedload of mind-boggling correspondence. Plus, Dan explores some wild family history and Dan Snow's History Hit producer, Jana Des Forges, dials in from a wardrobe to talk pet cremation and tomb stone hoarding. And! Dan's new book, Impossible Things, is available now! It's the perfect book for young curious minds who love to ask WEIRD and WONDERFUL questions. It's available from all good book shops, and online. Check it out on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/04XKIkuf

"Always err on the side of neutralising the curse in a body of water"Stevie Martin is an actor, writer, comedian and podcaster, and also part of comedy group Massive Dad. Stevie is a regular face on TV, and found a cult online following after a series of viral sketches with Lola-Rose Maxwell. She is a writer published everywhere from Vice to the Guardian, and her first book, Nobody Panic, was published in 2021 and adapted into a hit podcast. Stevie's new stand-up show, Clout, will run July 29th - August 5th at the Monkey Barrel, for the Edinburgh Fringe. And! Dan's new book, Impossible Things, is available now! It's the perfect book for young curious minds who love to ask WEIRD and WONDERFUL questions. It's available from all good book shops, and online. Check it out on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/04XKIkuf

What's it like to grow up with Uri Geller? For Jonathan Margolis, and his children David, Ruth and Ellie, they had a friendship like no other with the controversial spoon-bending performer. Dan meets the family and gets to the bottom of their experiences with Uri, and whether they think he's a a talented magician or something altogether more mysterious – perhaps even an authentic paranormalist. In other news, Dan's new book, Impossible Things, is available now! It's the perfect book for young curious minds who love to ask WEIRD and WONDERFUL questions. It's available from all good book shops, and online. Check it out on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/04XKIkuf