Spiralling with Zara Gladman

Irish comedian and actor Michael Fry (@bigdirtyfry) is conflicted: on the one hand, the internet has allowed him to carve out a successful comedy career (from TV roles in Derry Girls and No Worries If Not to his own series on BBC Sounds). But on the other hand, his phone addiction is turning his brain to mush. From watching TikToks on a giant unwieldy iPad to preemptively blocking trolls, Michael and Zara (@zanyzaz) discuss strategies for resisting the relentless pull of the internet. Plus, irrational childhood fears, musical comedy as a safe space and a guy who keeps eels in his basement. Listen to 'Lunchtime with Michael Fry' on BBC Sounds; the new series drops on 5 September 2026: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m002085j Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/spiralling to help new listeners discover the show.

Fresh from the set of Frankie Boyle-penned crime drama Meantime (starring James McAvoy), TV producer Laura Ferguson joins Zara with a spiral that has bugged her for years: why do people still play a certain moonwalking pop star? Michael Jackson made some undeniable bangers. But can we ever separate the art from the artist? Plus: what a producer actually does, surviving Scottish filming conditions and the art of girl math. Meantime is scheduled to premiere on Sky in 2027 See Zara at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for one night only on Wednesday 12 August 2026: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/zara-gladman-is-aileen-cameron-s-gap-year-fundraiser 'Think Twice: Michael Jackson' is a podcast that takes a deep dive on the Michael Jackson story, including the allegations: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/introducing-think-twice-michael-jackson/id1692238236?i=1000616710436 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/spiralling to help new listeners discover the show.

Filmmaker Martin Clark takes time out from polishing off his feature film “Public House” (set in Glasgow pub, Heraghty's) to share a spiral that's followed him for years: what if it feels like you're always playing catch-up? What if you're ten years behind your creative peers? We discuss growing up in “the arsehole of Scotland”, his creative process, being a late bloomer in the world of film, and the complicated business of calling yourself an artist. Plus: the delicate balance between self-belief and self-delusion, why Glasgow’s music scene has been such an inspiration - and a very rude dinner party guest. Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/spiralling to help new listeners discover us.

Ahead of her return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, comedian, author and self-described “Scotland’s most anxious woman” Eleanor Morton joins the first episode of Spiralling to tackle a big question: how do we keep making art when the world seems increasingly anti-art? We discuss childhood anxiety, AI (a lot!), comedy funding, universal basic income, the Scottish comedy scene and the Fringe. Plus, a mystery caller joins us live on air to share an unusual gripe about his colleague. Catch Eleanor at the Fringe this August with her new show, 'The Mermaid': https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/eleanor-morton-the-mermaid Zara will be doing one night only at the Fringe on 12 August, tickets here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/zara-gladman-is-aileen-cameron-s-gap-year-fundraiser

Spiralling is a new podcast coming this summer. Every week, comedian Zara Gladman sits down with a guest to discuss a problem, insecurity or festering little brain worm they can’t get out of their head. From social media addiction to mortality, dating, pervert glasses and everything in between, there's a lot to unpack. Together, we'll brainstorm solutions and hopefully... stop spiralling! Featuring special guests from the worlds of comedy, film, TV, music and beyond.