Best Helen Wilkinson Podcasts (2025)

1
Pope Francis, Paddy Higson, David Sassoon 27:49

3h ago27:49

27:49

Matthew Bannister on Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope who was noted for his humility and modest lifestyle. Paddy Higson, the TV and film producer once described as “the mother of the Scottish film industry”. Jed Mercurio and Clare Grogan pay tribute. And David Sassoon, the fashion designer who dressed royalty and film stars. Dame Zandra …

1
The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman 46:15

2d ago46:15

46:15

Jeff talks to Jane Friedman about the new edition of her book, The Business of Being a Writer. She has been writing about the publishing industry for years (and Jeff has been reading her work for years as well), and this book is a guide for writers who don't just want to write, they want to try to make a living. It's a tremendous resource for early…

1
The Books of Marie-Helene Bertino...with Marie-Helene Bertino 1:24:07

4d ago1:24:07

1:24:07

Jeff is joined by one of his favorite writers, Marie-Helene Bertino, and the talk about all five of her books in order, including her new short story collection, Exit Zero. Marie-Helene Bertino's Beautyland was named a best book of 2024 by Times, Esquire, Lit Hub and many others. Jeff included it on his list of the most recommendable books of the c…

1
Episode 283: Hemp 28:50

4d ago28:50

28:50

This episode is all about a lesser-known fiber: hemp! It’s super environmentally friendly, breathable, antibacterial, and has great body and texture. We talk a bit about hemp’s long history, how it goes from plant to fabric, and what to sew with it. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs

1
Anne Scargill, Ronnie Appleton, Cecil Wright, Mario Vargas Llosa 27:52

8d ago27:52

27:52

Matthew Bannister on Anne Scargill, who founded the Women Against Pit Closures group when her husband Arthur was leading the Miners Strike of the 1980s. The actor Maxine Peake pays tribute. Ronnie Appleton who was Chief Crown Prosecutor for Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles. Cecil Wright, the Jamaican born cricketer who made his ma…

1
753: An Homage to the Refrigerator 50:08

7d ago50:08

50:08

This week, we’re shining a light on the absolutely magical, life-changing, the world-changing thing that you already have in your kitchen. The refrigerator. Maybe nothing in your home has changed the world more. Historian Jonathan Rees author of Refrigeration Nation: A History of Ice, Appliances, and Enterprise in America talks about its origins an…

1
Trying to Make English Spelling EZ: Gabe Henry & ENOUGH IS ENUF 40:24

9d ago40:24

40:24

Jeff talks to Gabe Henry about his new book, Enough is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Easier to Spell. For centuries, a series of thinkers, writers, politicians, and bankers have been advocating to make English easier to spell. It hasn't really worked. But the effort is fascinating. Enough is Enuf is available now wherever books are sold…

1
Episode 282: We Sew Skorts 42:25

12d ago42:25

42:25

This episode is like a mini sewing challenge! We each sewed a skort and we discuss it for the first time on the pod. We chat about the patterns and fabrics we chose for our skorts, our experiences sewing them up, and how we wear them! Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs

1
Jon Hickey & BIG CHIEF 48:06

15d ago48:06

48:06

Jeff talks to Jon Hickey about his debut novel, Big Chief. Jon Hickey earned his MFA at Cornell University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. He has received scholarships from the Bread Loaf Writers Conference and the Sewanee Writers Conference, and he is an enrolled member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians…

1
Lord Kalms, Melissa Llewallyn-Davies, Rex Cowan, Wilma Finla 27:57

15d ago27:57

27:57

Matthew Bannister on Lord Kalms, who turned his family’s camera shop into the multi-million-pound Dixons electronics chain. Melissa Llewellyn-Davies, the anthropologist who made an acclaimed TV series about Kenya’s Masai tribe before turning her camera on the UK. Rex Cowan, the lawyer who changed career to become one of the world’s most successful …

1
824: The Splendid Tour- Celebrating 30 Years: Live from Los Angeles 50:15

13d ago50:15

50:15

We're back on the road to celebrate our 30th Anniversary! This week, we’re headed to Los Angeles, in partnership with LAist, to talk about the world-influencing food scene in LA and the community that brings it together. First, we dig into how LA dining influenced the country and the world with KCRW's very own Evan Kleiman, Host of Good Food, and G…

1
Katie Kitamura & AUDITION 34:44

18d ago34:44

34:44

Jeff talks to the great Katie Kitamura about her new novel, Audition (it is very, very good). Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your…

1
Episode 281: Historical Costuming with Christine Millar 56:23

19d ago56:23

56:23

We interview Christine Millar, aka Sewstine! She talks to us about her stunning historical costumes, from drafting the patterns to designing and machine embroidering the sumptuous fabrics. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs

1
802: Chasing Flavor with Carla Hall and Roots, Heart, Soul with Todd Richards 49:51

22d ago49:51

49:51

This week, it’s the food journeys of two chefs. First, TV Star and author Carla Hall joins us to talk about her latest show, Chasing Flavor. She brings us stories about her filming and travels and the connection between people and their food. She sticks around to answer some of your cooking questions. Carla Hall hosts the MAX series, Chasing Flavor…

1
Val Kilmer, Jane Reed, Sir Torquil Norman, Dr Marika Sherwood 27:51

22d ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on The Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors. Jane Reed, the media executive who made Woman’s Own magazine a powerful voice for its readers at a time of changing roles for women in society. Sir Torquil Norman, who used the proceeds from the sale of his successful toy business…

1
21 Books I've Got My Eye on This Month (April 2025) 38:27

24d ago38:27

38:27

Jeff talks about 21 books coming out this month that caught his eye. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Discussed in this episode: I Have a Capital Suggestion for a New Pronoun by John McWhorter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
The Power of His Resurrection - Helen Roseveare 40:24

25d ago40:24

40:24

Missionary to Africa, Helen shares about how we can know the Power of God's resurrection in our life. Being a missionary, you are faced with times you need to depend on the power of God to fight your battles.

1
The Power of His Resurrection - Helen Roseveare 39:58

25d ago39:58

39:58

Missionary to Africa, Helen shares about how we can know the Power of God's resurrection in our life. Being a missionary, you are faced with times you need to depend on the power of God to fight your battles.

1
Episode 280: Ease 30:51

26d ago30:51

30:51

Ease is the extra length and width that pattern designers add so that you can move in your clothes. In this episode, we talk about how ease works and how to figure out the amount of ease that YOU like. It’s a game-changer for making clothes that fit! We also answer a listener question about grading between sizes vs. pattern adjustments. Show Notes…

1
801: Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking with Von Diaz and My Life in Recipes, Food, Family and Memories with Joan Nathan 50:22

30d ago50:22

50:22

We are looking at food stories from different cultures this week. First, documentarian and journalist Von Diaz joins us to talk about her latest book, Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking. She writes about island cuisine from all over the world and talks about her academic field research, the connections she feels when she is on an island, and …

1
Oleg Gordievsky, Renee Goddard, Professor Richard Fortey, Sofia Gubaidulina 27:53

29d ago27:53

27:53

Matthew Bannister on Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB agent who defected to Britain and became a valued source of secret intelligence during the 1970s and 80s. Renee Goddard, the actress and TV commissioner who fled Nazi persecution only to be interned in Britain. Professor Richard Fortey, the palaeontologist who used his expertise in trilobites to tell st…

1
Writing the Big One with Emma Pattee, Author of TILT 47:01

1M ago47:01

47:01

Jeff talks to Emma Pattee about her debut novel, Tilt. They talk earthquakes, IKEA, the consequences of writing place precisely, and much more. This book is a winner, folks. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy…

1
Episode 279: Reacting to Fashion Trends, Spring 2025 37:08

1M ago37:08

37:08

In this episode, we’re reacting to rising fashion trends for spring 2025! Whether we love ‘em or hate ‘em, we’re gonna tell you how you can incorporate them into your me-mades. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs

1
823: West African Cuisine with Eric Adjepong and Ozoz Sokoh 50:11

1M ago50:11

50:11

This week, we’re all about the diverse and delicious foods of Ghana and Nigeria. First, Food Network Star Eric Adjepong joins us from his childhood home to talk about the connection to food when eating with his hands, the community that happens around the Ghanain table, and his take on traditional dishes like his recipe for Roasted Banana Grits wit…

1
Making Phosphorus Interesting: WHITE LIGHT and How to Make a Microhistory 49:56

1M ago49:56

49:56

Jeff is joined by Jack Lohmann, author of the new book White Light: The Elemental Role of Phosphorus-in Our Cells, in Our Food, and in Our World. Plus, his editor at Pantheon, Todd Portnowitz joins the conversation to talk about positioning, crafting, and otherwise publishing non-fiction like this. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts…

1
Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC, Dame Julie Kenny, Tuppy Owens, Dick McTaggart 27:52

1M ago27:52

27:52

Matthew Bannister on: Group Captain John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC , the last surviving pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain during the second world war. Dame Julie Kenny, the successful businesswoman from Rotherham who led the regeneration of one of Britain’s largest stately homes. Tuppy Owens, who campaigned for greater openness about sex…

1
The Reading Life of Stephen Graham Jones 56:58

1M ago56:58

56:58

Jeff talks to Stephen Graham Jones about his reading life. Stephen Graham Jones is the NYT bestselling author of thirty-five or so novels and collections, and there are some novellas and comic books in there as well. Most recent are Earthdivers and I Was a Teenage Slasher. His new book, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, is out now. Subscribe to First Edit…

1
Episode 278: Happily Dressed with Brandon Hayden 45:39

1M ago45:39

45:39

We interview Brandon Hayden, a pattern designer, sewing teacher, and content creator who makes menswear with bold fabrics and cool details. He wants to empower sewists to build their skills and express themselves! Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs

1
How Hollywood Shaped Joan Didion with Alissa Wilkinson 40:48

1M ago40:48

40:48

Alissa Wilkinson joins Jeff to talk about her new book, We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate …

1
800: Start Here with Sohla El-Waylly 50:02

1M ago50:02

50:02

This week, we spend the hour with cooking columnist and internet sensation, Sohla El-Waylly. We talk about her connection to food and how she got her start as a pastry chef, writer, and recipe developer. She talks about her work in restaurants and her passion for teaching people how to cook. And she answers your cooking questions, from the best way…

1
Athol Fugard, Janet Pharaoh, Alison Halford, Johnny Green 27:51

1M ago27:51

27:51

Kirsty Lang on: Athol Fugard, the playwright whose art became synonymous with exposing the inequities of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Janet Pharaoh, the dancer from Yorkshire who became the artistic director at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Alison Halford who rose through the ranks to become the first female Assistant Chief Constable. Johnny …

1
Episode 277: Sewing Machine Chat 48:26

2M ago48:26

48:26

We’re back with the first episode of the spring 2025 season! We chat about our sewing machines - the ones we learned on, the ones we have today, and the ones we want in the future. Plus: we catch up about what we did on our winter break, name our fave sewing machine features and pet peeves, and share what our machines are named! Show Notes…

1
822: The King Arthur Baking Company's Big Book of Bread with Jessica Battilana and Martin Philip 50:10

2M ago50:10

50:10

This week, we dedicate the entire episode to answering your bread baking questions with two brilliant bakers and teachers, King Arthur’s very own Jessica Battilana, Staff Editor, and Martin Philip, King Arthur’s Baking Ambassador. While King Arthur has taught millions of people to bake through their school, website, and classic cookbooks. They only…

1
Bill Dare, Clint Hill, Valérie André, Gene Hackman 27:51

2M ago27:51

27:51

Matthew Bannister on Bill Dare, the writer and producer behind some of Radio 4’s best loved comedies, including “The Now Show” and “Dead Ringers”. Jan Ravens pays tribute. Clint Hill, the American Secret Service agent who threw himself across President John F. Kennedy’s body after he was shot in Dallas. Valérie André, the first woman General in the…

1
A Gift from the Internet, Murder Ballads, and Liking Your Writing with Amal El-Mohtar 54:11

2M ago54:11

54:11

Jeff talks to Amal El-Mohtar about This is How You Lose the Time War getting one of greatest bookish gifts ever bestowed by the internet before talking about her new book, The River Has Roots. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. This content contains affiliate …

1
Developing Transparency - Larry Coy 59:50

2M ago59:50

59:50

The enemy loves for us to live in secrecy. Do you have hidden areas of your life that are filling your life with shame and guilt? Being transparent is a gift of God to be living in the light with God and others.

1
Developing Transparency - Larry Coy 59:48

2M ago59:48

59:48

The enemy loves for us to live in secrecy. Do you have hidden areas of your life that are filling your life with shame and guilt? Being transparent is a gift of God to be living in the light with God and others.

1
10 Notecards with Scaachi Koul 34:03

2M ago34:03

34:03

Scaachi Koul joins Jeff to talk about her new book, Sucker Punch with a new little format for First Edition called "10 Notecards With..." Jeff has picked out 10 things from the new book — words, ideas, stories, etc. — written them on notecards, and then has Saachi pick them at random (at least at the start order). Turned out to be a lot of fun, so …

1
Roberta Flack, Dr D G Hessayon, Keith Dewhurst, Rose Hanks 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

John Wilson on: Musician Roberta Flack, best known for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly. Dr David Hessayon, the author of a series of gardening books known as The Expert guides. His one word advice to keen gardeners was 'mulch'. Keith Dewhurst whose work for television and stage included the National’s unconventional adapta…

1
799: The Dish with Andrew Friedman and Flavorama with Arielle Johnson 50:07

2M ago50:07

50:07

This week, we're all about the world of restaurants and flavor. First, we talked with Andrew Friedman about his career, writing about American food culture, chefs, and the restaurant scene. He talks to us about his latest project, spending time behind the swinging doors of a restaurant and how all the kitchen roles—from the butcher to the delivery …

1
How to Talk About New Books for 500 Episodes 59:00

2M ago59:00

59:00

Liberty Hardy joins Jeff to talk about hosting 500 episodes of All The Books! and a host of other reading-related topics. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Discussed in this episode: All The Books! Liberty Hardy on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. …

1
821: The Splendid Tour- Celebrating 30 Years: Live from Indianapolis 49:44

2M ago49:44

49:44

We're taking the show on the road this year to celebrate our 30th Anniversary! This week, we bring you to our first stop, Indianapolis, in partnership with WFYI. We dig into the local food scene with restaurateur Martha Hoover, founder of Cafe Patachou and the Patachou Foundation. We talk to her about her start as a prosecutor turned restaurateur a…

1
Book Collecting, Bibliomemoir, and JANE AUSTEN’S BOOKSHELF with Rebecca Romney 44:07

2M ago44:07

44:07

Rebecca Romney joins Jeff to talk about her new book, Jane Austen's Bookshelf. They talk about personal book collecting, rediscovering literary history for yourself, a few of the writers Austen admired, and more. Jane Austen's Bookshelf is out now. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the …

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