
Now You're Asking with Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn
Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn want to solve your problems. Or try, at the very least. Join Marian and Tara as they dig into their own life experience to find advice for all of us. Marian Keyes is a multi award-winning writer, with a total of over 30 million of her books sold to date in 33 languages. Her close friend Tara Flynn is an actress, comedian, and writer. Together, these two friends have been through a lot, and now want to use their own life experience to help solve your biggest - and smallest - problems. From dilemmas about life, love and grief, to the perils of laundry or knowing what to say at a boring dinner, we'll find out what Marian and Tara would recommend...which might not solve the problem exactly, but will make us all feel a bit better. Got a problem you want Marian and Tara to solve? Email marianandtara@bbc.co.uk. Now You're Asking with Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn is produced by Steve Doherty. It is a Giddy Goat Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Latest episodes

Feb 20, 2024 • 9min
No Limits: Ep 10. Guilty Pleasures
Now that Abba are cool again (what do you mean? They were always cool!) we dedicate a whole episode edition of No Limits to deride the idea of a 'guilty pleasure'. Are you guilty of 'contempt prior to investigation'? We really hope not but Marian and Tara might give you a thing or two to think about, if you are.Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production

Feb 13, 2024 • 9min
No Limits: Ep 9. Threesome
A female asker's husband has walked in, saw his wife hugging her female best friend, put two and two together ... made five and now all he wants is a threesome. What do Marian and Tara think of the whole business?Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production

Feb 6, 2024 • 8min
No Limits: Ep 8. Gym Etiquette
Marian and Tara find that Alpha males get everywhere - especially on your nerves. Is someone hogging the gym equipment you want to use? Hey bro! Get off that machine.Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production

Jan 30, 2024 • 9min
No Limits: Ep 7. Critical Mother
Throughout his life, the asker's mother has found time to criticise - and that all adds up. What can he do to heal those wounds? Marian and Tara bring their words of wisdom.Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian and Tara take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production

Jan 23, 2024 • 8min
No Limits: Ep 6. Lingerie
Tara hates frilly lingerie and is not afraid to let her feelings be known in this edition of our spin-off podcast, No Limits.
If they're scratchy and uncomfortable who exactly are they really for and why should women be expected to wear them as a 'special treat'?Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian and Tara take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production

Jan 16, 2024 • 5min
No Limits: Ep 5. Farting at pilates
An otherwise enjoyable pilates class is interrupted by an unmistakable smell. All eyes turn on our asker - the only man in the room. Except it wasn't him. He doesn't want to point the finger but neither does he want to take the blame.Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian and Tara take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production

Jan 16, 2024 • 29min
The Celebrity Selfie Problem
What do you do when a celebrity says no to your polite request for a selfie ... and what are para-social relationships, anyway? You've left your old job and none of your old colleagues have kept in touch ... what should you do? You've spotted a plant you like the look of ... is it really so bad to lean over and take a cutting? In the final episode of this series, Marian and Tara cast an eye over their email inbox and issue a few thoughts and opinions.Marian Keyes is a multi award-winning writer, with a total of over 30 million of her books sold to date in 33 languages. Her close friend Tara Flynn is an actress, comedian and writer. Together, these two friends have been through a lot, and now want to use their considerable life experience to help solve your biggest - and smallest - of things that keep us awake at night.Previous series were welcomed by listeners and critics: "Both are warm and kind enough to not only be funny but also offer genuinely thoughtful, if left-field, advice." (Miranda Sawyer, The Observer) "Keyes and Flynn are my new favourite double-act." (Jane Anderson - Radio Times) "I found their compassion endlessly soothing." (Rachel Cunliffe - The New Statesman)Recorded in Dublin with emails received from listeners around the world.Got a problem you want Marian and Tara to solve? Email: marianandtara@bbc.co.uk.Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Jan 9, 2024 • 7min
No Limits: Ep 4. Should I strip the bed?
You've stayed overnight at a friend's house, the question is whether or not to strip the bed when it's time to say goodbye.Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian and Tara take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production

Jan 9, 2024 • 29min
The Middle Fingers Problem
Marian Keyes, multi award-winning writer, and Tara Flynn, actress and comedian, discuss topics such as dealing with rejection from family for being true to oneself, setting boundaries with a needy friend, the discomfort of wearing bras, and advocating for body freedom and self-acceptance.

Jan 2, 2024 • 6min
No Limits: Ep 3. Rekindled Romance
You're back with your ex after a firework-filled love affair with another man. The problem is, even though he's lovely, the sex is terrible.Each week for this series of 10 mini-podcasts, Marian and Tara take one email from a listener to spotlight with, perhaps, a little less diplomacy that they might muster in the full versions of their popular problem-busting podcast, Now You're Asking. It's a hard and fast snapshot of their take on an issue or problem.It's Now You're Asking with a little salt in the caramel - all the more tasty for being bite-sized!Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat Production