Welcome back and a Happy New Year. Giles welcomes 2024 by pondering the impending apocalypse. Thankfully that doesn’t last long before thoughts turn to working or wanking, or both. Is work by its very definition not to be enjoyed? To quote Esther; “it’s boring and it never stops.” It is unlikely that public sex acts would improve matters much, but it is hard not to consider once the seed has been sown. Speaking of filth, Giles hasn’t washed in six days, but with good reason. Esher on the other had has washed, but in an unconventional manner. Perhaps it is because, like Kate Moss, they just don’t give a fig…Here's to series twelve, thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a difficult few weeks Giles and Esther are back. Understandably the conversation begins with the ongoing conflict in the middle east, and its jarring contrast with the rest of life.Matters develop as the idea of emigrating emerges…well running away would be more accurate. But where to, that is the question; Cuba, New Zealand, Mumbai…?Finally, the ‘fruity’ language of Dominic Cummings…or is it Cummins? Is his lineage that of Campbell, Iannucci and Tucker? Or is he simply the result of unbearable frustration at pompous blobs…? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The subject of Russell Brand prompts Giles to ponder the merits of being a conspiracy theorist. Esther has been given the nod that comedians aren’t very good in bed, or is that just another conspiracy theory. Prime Minister Sunak is taken to task over his rolling back of the Conservative party green agenda and does Paris actually exist, at least the fetishised American version of it?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times and The Sunday Times are joining forces again for this year’s Christmas appeal, asking readers to support three charities working to address urgent issues affecting vulnerable adults, children and the places in which we live.One of the charities this year is the Refugee Councils of Britain, comprising the Refugee Council and its Scottish and Welsh counterparts. They provide assistance to 20,000 adults, families and unaccompanied children each year who have fled bloodshed and persecution in their homelands, sometimes arriving with only the clothes on their backs after perilous journeys.Nestor Masudi arrived in the UK with nothing, but now he can cook with the very best. Thanks to support from the Scottish Refugee Council Nestor has worked in Michelin-starred kitchens and is on his way to fulfilling his dream of opening his own restaurant.Giles Coren invited Nestor to join him for the afternoon in the News UK kitchens to talk about his life, the help he received from the Scottish Refugee Council and to sample some of his amazing food.To donate to The Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal visit thetimes.co.uk/christmasappeal Producer: Ben Mitchell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles and Esther thumb their way through the week's papers for another column idea; from popular baby names and common mannerisms to Shakespeare on TikTok and ageing. Giles is suffering from a Victorian disease and Esther, obviously, finds that hilarious.Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Visit thetimes.co.uk/gilescorenhasnoidea to start your free trial.Producer: Ben Mitchell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles and Esther complete their weekly trawl through the papers to find ideas for Giles’ Column in The Times. Today they find Radio 4 interviewers infuriating; talking dogs uninspiring and next doors builders unbearable. Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Visit thetimes.co.uk/gilescorenhasnoidea to start your free trial.Producer: Lucy Dichmont See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There may be shortages left right and centre, but Giles and Esther are back to overwhelm the husband and wife podcast ranks, with new ideas for his weekend column.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/gilescorenhasnoidea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles and Esther look for another column idea from this week's papers; from school trips and Euro 2020, to statement haircuts and restaraunts post lockdown. Giles recalls a traumatic (hilariousl) moment from his childhood while Esther recovers from her second jab.Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times with 50% off for 6 months. Visit thetimes.co.uk/gilescorenhasnoidea to start your free trial.Producer: Ben Mitchell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles and Esther are back around the kitchen table with another the week's best stories in the of papers; from Noah's Ark and marriage restrictions, to Big Brother and lockdown mental health. Giles is concerned the cracks are starting to show after Freedom Day was cancelled and Esther has some ideas to help.Get more of The Times and The Sunday Times for less than £1 a day. Visit thetimes.co.uk/gilescorenhasnoidea to start your free trial.Producer: Ben Mitchell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeing as though they still can't go away to their tropical retreat, Giles and Esther have returned sooner than ever before to their kitchen table to find new ideas for his weekend column.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/gilescorenhasnoidea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing our new free daily news podcast, Stories of our times. It takes you to the heart of the stories that matter, with exclusive access and reporting.Published for the start of your day, it is hosted by Manveen Rana and David Aaronovitch.In this episode, the World Health Organisation has recognised that the coronavirus crisis is generating stress and has advised people to avoid watching, reading or listening to news that causes feelings of anxiety. But for author Jon Ronson, living with anxiety at the time of a pandemic holds some advantages too. Guest: Jon RonsonHost: Manveen Rana Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That's right, series two is right around the corner, and Giles and Esther are waiting at their kitchen table for you to pull up a chair and get the kettle on. Join them each week as they work out what Giles can write in his column whilst trying to avoid cats in their coffee and martial rows.You can read Giles in The Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-corenAnd subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribeProducer: Ben Mitchell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing the new podcast from The Times columnist Giles Coren. How does a newspaper columnist come up with ideas for their weekly newspaper column? Join Giles (and his wife Esther Walker) as they work out what he's going to write about this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.