The Romesh Ranganathan Show

What makes Stacey Dooley such a good documentary maker?

In this episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by broadcaster and documentary maker Stacey Dooley to reflect on her journey through documentary-making, how she approaches telling them and the stories and experiences that have stayed with her.

They also get into some very important Selling Sunset and Below Deck gossip, before Stacey explains exactly why she hates Southampton.Plus, there's some questionable role play, a game of Misquoted and a brief detour into boxing, Little Mix and Jamie Oliver.

A Ranga Bee Production.

Chapters

00:00 Intro05:56 A gift for Stacey08:21 Why Stacey loves boxing12:39 Stacey hobbies14:36 Questionable role play17:06 What makes Stacey a good documentary maker25:37 Selling Sunset and Below Deck gossip28:16 Louis Theroux and the manosphere29:55 Stacey's new documentaries38:38 Are there really goodies and baddies?44:35 A question from Shanthi45:43 Why Stacey hates Southampton50:47 Lessons from inspiring women55:16 Who Stacey would love to interview1:07:27 Outro
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Can Shanthi do a better celebrity impression than Romesh?

In this Thursday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh and Shanthi are back with listener questions, family stories and a celebrity impressions challenge that quickly gets out of hand.

From Shanthi’s early morning routines to what it's like being a grandma, the pair discuss family relationships throughout including a family trip to Devil's Dyke that Romesh missed out on.

Elsewhere, the team suggest a Celebrity Impressions Challenge where Romesh is put through his paces as he attempts impressions of David Attenborough, Simon Cowell, and Gordon Ramsay and Shanthi is challenged to Nigella Lawson (you don't want to miss it).

And, as usual, we take on your questions, discussing what happens when children start pulling away as they get older, and how to approach telling a traditional family about a relationship that crosses caste boundaries, with some of the best advice in the business.

Plus, Shanthi shares a deeply personal story about her parents and the choices they made for love.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:58 Morning routines & garden chat

05:02 Shanthi’s advice to Rom

07:30 Shanthi as a grandma

08:50 TikTok Shop & Bank mishaps

14:15 When Lenny Henry had Shanthi’s back

15:20 Celebrity Impressions Challenge

25:52 Shanthi holds Romesh to his word

28:14 Shanthi's favourite podcast moment

29:46 Shanthi's trip to Devil's Dyke

35:10 Listener questions: parenting & caste

54:45 Shanthi shares her parents story

57:27 Outro
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What did Eddie Murphy say to Lenny Henry?

In this Monday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by the legendary comedian, actor, and writer, Sir Lenny Henry.

The pair look back at Lenny’s incredible career, from his early stand-up and TV shows, to his latest projects. They discuss racism, realities of working in the entertainment industry, and the pressure that comes with a long career.

Lenny talks about his return to stand-up with his new tour, Lenny Henry: Still at Large, and his new BBC show,The Split Up (available on BBC iPlayer now).

Plus, they deep dive into the world of being a stand-up comedian, inspirations, and how it's changed over the years.

Elsewhere, Romesh and Lenny get into self-care, manscaping, and some questionable fashion choices, and Lenny opens up about death, grief, and some of the lessons he’s learned throughout his life. Plus, Shanthi has a bone to pick with Romesh...

A fascinating conversation about comedy, careers, ageing, loss, and what it takes to keep going.

Buy tickets to Lenny's tour 'Still at Large' with dates until November 4, 2026.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

If therapy is something you've been thinking about, visit Counselling Directory and find a therapist that's right for you: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=romesh_sponsorship

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:46 When Lenny and Romesh met

05:20 A gift for Lenny

08:34 Lenny’s career

13:53 On True Identity

17:30 On chef and career mentality

18:54 The challenges of the industry

20:44 Lenny reads Romesh

22:45 Self-care and manscaping

25:20 Fashion faux pas

29:29 The upcoming tour and being on stage

40:06 A question from Shanthi on impressions

43:54 The Split Up

29:38 Misquoted

57:11 On death and grief

58:45 Some advice from Lenny

59:59 Outro
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Who does Shanthi want next on the podcast?

In this special, one-year anniversary episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh and Shanthi celebrate a whole year of the podcast with a little help from the team and a surprise message from none other than our first guest, Michael Sheen.

The pair look back at some of their favourite moments from the show, reflect on how far the podcast has come, and discuss what they’d like to do next, including a potential trip to Los Angeles and a team yacht holiday.

They also tackle a listener dilemma about dogs at parties, pet boundaries, parent and child tattoos, and discuss Romesh’s ambition to get on Below Deck.

Plus, Shanthi has some very sweet words about Romesh and the team behind the podcast.

It’s a special anniversary episode celebrating one year of The Romesh Ranganathan Show.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

07:32 Celebrating one year of the show

10:28 A message from Michael Sheen

11:15 Rom’s takeaways from the podcast

15:08 A holiday question for the team

17:43 Romesh wants to get on Below Deck

23:20 A question about dog boundaries

32:21 Convincing your mum to get a tattoo

39:22 Who do we want next on the pod?

42:11 Shanthi’s thoughts on Romesh

45:25 Outro
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How did Stephen Graham become one of Britain's best actors?

In this Monday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh is joined by legendary actor, producer, and writer, Stephen Graham, to talk about his incredible, award-winning career, spanning over two decades.

Stephen reflects on his career, from This Is England and Boiling Point, to his latest work on Adolescence and Nocturne. He discusses method acting, the challenges of filming in one-shot, and what it takes to disappear into a character.

They also get into a discussion on their shared love of music and hip-hop, breakdancing, street fashion, and the culture around it. Plus, he talks about his new book, Letters To Our Sons, which he was prompted to write after Adolescence. He reflects on being a dad and the importance of communication.

Plus, Romesh and Stephen discuss Liverpool FC, fragrances, and the unexpected ways their lives have crossed paths.

It's an episode you don't want to miss.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

If therapy is something you've been thinking about, visit Counselling Directory and find a therapist that's right for you: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=romesh_sponsorship

Go to https://surfshark.com/romesh or use code ROMESH at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:27 A gift for Stephen

08:39 Music & hip-hop

11:48 Rom’s Ice Cube interview

14:22 On breakdancing & culture

17:15 The street fashion

18:52 Adolescence

26:11 Boiling Point & the one-shot take

31:40 Method acting & This Is England 90

36:50 Stephen’s new book

38:28 On being a dad

46:26 A question from Shanthi

48:03 Being working class & changing the story

53:31 Nocturne

55:28 Imposter Syndrome, fame and being yourself

58:57 Misquoted

01:08:40 Liverpool FC

01:11:08 What fragrance is Romesh wearing?

01:13:10 An exclusive

01:14:38 Outro
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