The Boring Talks

Who is taller, Robbie Williams, David Duchovny or the chef James Martin? And what does being ‘solid tall’ actually mean? The writer Greg Stekelman (same height as Emilio Estevez) explores the world of online celebrity measurements. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Greg Stekelman Producer: Luke Doran

The squelch of the white line marking machine, the crack of the ball against the crossbar, the shrill cry of the full time whistle. Sound researcher Paul Whitty captures the sounds of grassroots football. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Paul Whitty Producer: Luke Doran

Are you sick of getting too many coins in your change at the supermarket? Can British coins be better? Fear not people, Adam Townsend has the fix. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Adam Townsend Producer: Luke Doran

A Brixton block of flats, an oddly-angled building in Piccadilly and a park that 'smells like bins'. Road enthusiast Chris Marshall explores how London has been quietly shaped by roads that don't actually exist. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Chris Marshall Producer: Clara Nissen

James Ward says 'Happy New Year', and that's about it really.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas, or maybe a magical trip through a Winter Wonderland? Well forget it. Rhodri Marsden explores the disappointing realities of the festive period. Ho ho ho. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Rhodri Marsden Producer: Luke Doran

Science has historically studied penises more often than vaginas, but why? Florence Schechter and Emma Parkin attempt to redress the balance by examining some curious genitalia from the female of the species, including those of the two-legged, four-legged, and even eight-legged variety. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Florence Schechter Contributor: Emma Parkin Producer: Luke Doran

Tracy King, with the help of the Asterix comic books, proves that puns definitely are not 'the lowest form of wit'. Warning: this podcast may contain some Latin jokes. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Tracy King Producer: Luke Doran

A windmill. Two hunched countrymen. Lots of drab sky. 17th Century Dutch landscape paintings can be very dull, but is there something more exciting going on? Maybe. The writer Andrew Male takes a closer look at these works of art, and discovers a pastoral snapshot, which might be the world's first 'humblebrag'. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Andrew Male Producer: Luke Doran

How many days of our lives do we spend 'on hold'? What does 'business in the front, party out back' actually refer to? Has God been replaced by salad? The artist Louise Ashcroft explores the uncertain future of the Call Centre to find some answers. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Louise Ashcroft Producer: Luke Doran

James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe. Did Bentham leave his body to University College London? Does he still attend council meetings there? Has anyone played football with his head? Subhadra Das debunks some myths Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Subhadra Das Producer: Jack Soper

From lollipop sticks, to batteries and used car headlight bulbs, the collectaholic Anne Griffiths has always made art from the 'accumulations of the bricolage of everyday life'. But how did Anne get 84 mounted cornflakes accepted in to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition? We take a trip to her studio to find out. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Anne Griffiths Producer: Luke Doran

Charvy Narain is fed up with people mispronouncing her name, especially when trying to book a taxi down the phone. Could the NATO phonetic alphabet help clarify things? Or will it just add to the confusion? And what does this have to do with Bradley Walsh? Presenter: Juliett Alfa Mike Echo Sierra Contributor: Charlie Hotel Alfa Romeo Victor Yankee Producer: Lima Uniform Kilo Echo

Declarations of love, offers of sex, messages of hope and even film reviews. The graffiti we leave behind in toilets is strange, personal and anonymous. But is there a difference between what is written in male and female bathrooms? Scott Kelly ventures forth to find out. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Scott Kelly Contributor: Clara Nissen Producer: Luke Doran

James Ward says thank you for listening to series one and chooses the best word from each of the twenty talks. Presenter: James Ward Producer: Luke Doran

Infamy! Infamy! The writer and broadcaster Samira Ahmed explains just why the Carry On films are actually better than Shakespeare. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Samira Ahmed Producer: Luke Doran

Good maths, a strong bladder and the ability to hold eight '99s' in one hand. Ali Coote remembers the important lessons she learned as an Ice Cream Van driver. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Ali Coote Producer: Luke Doran

What's 119mm long & 55 mm wide, and contains a world of linguistic pleasure? Keith Kahn-Harris explores the wonders of the Kinder Surprise warning label. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Keith Kahn-Harris Producer: Luke Doran

Tall rusting skeletal relics of our industrial past. Why would anyone care about London's Gasometers? Sarah O'Carroll explains. Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Sarah O'Carroll Producer: Luke Doran

'Do you recall the fogged beef, mate?'. The writer Nicholas Tufnell proves that poetic inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places, including a toilet roll. But what is 'fogged beef'? Presenter: James Ward Contributor: Nicholas Tufnell Producer: Luke Doran