Best Ben Baker And John Matthews Podcasts (2025)

1
Are We The Baddies? (ft. guests Mahershala Ali & Rupert Friend, David Cronenberg, Gerard Johnstone) 1:58:21

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1d ago1:58:21

1:58:21

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down for a pre-lunch chat about dinosaurs and sandwiches with Jurassic World Rebirth stars, Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend, [25:28 - 36:36 approx] while Mike Muncer goes deep with the legendary David Cronenberg, as the Canadian director marks the release of one of his most personal films yet, The S…

1
Bodybuilding Champion - John Youssef (Elite Podcast #36) 59:11

2d ago59:11

59:11

In this episode of The Elite Podcast, we sit down with John Yusef, a masters bodybuilding champion, strength and conditioning coach, and gym owner. John shares his journey from his intense diet and training regimen leading up to competitions, his notable wins including the UK Open and World Championships, to his approach to peak performance and car…

1
Deadpool With Joanne Sheppard 25:31

7d ago25:31

25:31

It’s Good, Except It Sucks is a movie by movie – and television series by television series – hurtle through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hosted by Tim Worthington with a series of superpowered guests. This time it’s Deadpool from 2016, and joining Tim for a chat about Negasonic Teenage Warhead trying to find the right emoji to express Wade Wilso…

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The Empire Podcast: The Movie (with guests Damson Idris, and Ivanna Sakhno) 1:48:08

9d ago1:48:08

1:48:08

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt break out the bleep machine for a particularly sweary chat with M3GAN 2.0 star, the delightful Ivanna Sakhno, [1:10:44 - 1:23:01 approx] and quietly judge the football team of Damson Idris, star of F1. [24:51 - 37:46 approx] Or F1: The Movie, to give it its full marketing moniker, which in…

1
Mona Lisa Episode IV: A New Hope (ft. guests Julianne Moore & Michael Pearce, Ralph Fiennes & Jodie Comer) 1:48:56

16d ago1:48:56

1:48:56

It's another packed episode of the Empire Podcast, the show that dares to ask the big questions: isn't the Mona Lisa just a woman sitting down? Who's the richest Northern Irish person? Can you buy stocks in Glen Powell? Join the pod team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann — as they tackle those questions, discuss the origina…

1
Going Deep With Colin Trevorrow: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 32:55

16d ago32:55

32:55

In our latest Empire Podcast interview special, Chris Hewitt sits down (in a swanky London hotel room) with Colin Trevorrow, the director of Jurassic World and Safety Not Guaranteed, to talk about Trevorrow's latest movie, the Prime Video comedy Deep Cover, which he produced and co-wrote. But that's not all — Trevorrow also talks about his choices …

1
The Shameless Plug #4 45:21

15d ago45:21

45:21

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor Nick de Semlyen sit down and do a deep dive into the contents of the latest issue of Empire — is back, folks, and this one really is fantastic. That's because this month's cover story is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which inspires Chris and Nick to talk about some of their se…

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Yes, And/Yes, Andor (with guests Jack Lowden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Nick Mohammed & Orlando Bloom) 1:44:41

23d ago1:44:41

1:44:41

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down in person with Deep Cover stars, Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed, to talk about their experiences playing improvisers who go undercover as fake cops;[1:00:00 - 1:15:52 approx] and on Zoom with Tornado and Slow Horses star, Jack Lowden. [26:15 - 39:20 approx] …

1
069 - Thunderbolts* With David Smith 52:01

24d ago52:01

52:01

It’s Good, Except It Sucks is a movie by movie – and television series by television series – hurtle through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hosted by Tim Worthington with a series of superpowered guests. This time we're taking a look at Thunderbolts from 2025, and joining Tim for a chat about Ava Starr suddenly remembering why she never lets anyone…

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Kyle MacLachlan And Mark Frost On Twin Peaks And David Lynch: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 58:00

24d ago58:00

58:00

Here's a damn fine special episode of the Empire Podcast for you to enjoy. We're in the grip of Twin Peaks fever all over again — the seminal David Lynch/Mark Frost TV show is being celebrated this Sunday (June 15th) at the BFI Southbank in London with a special 35mm print screening of the show's pilot, and if that weren't enough, every single epis…

1
Paul Fusco Interview (Part 2) 37:05

27d ago37:05

37:05

The second part of our exclusive chat with Paul Fusco, the man who gave the world ALF, voice and soul. In this part he talks about the strangest merchandise to make the shelves, celebrity fans, who ALF would be feuding with on social media right now, the influence of Monty Python and The Two Ronnies on his humour, there's an encounter with right wi…

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An Award-Losing Podcast (with guests Jai Courtney, Ian McShane, Dean DeBlois) 1:57:01

29d ago1:57:01

1:57:01

This week's episode of the freshly award-losing Empire Podcast sees the podteam lick their wounds after a demoralising defeat in the Best Podcast (Consumer) category at the BSMEs earlier in the week. How do they do this? By talking about movies, of course, as they discuss the week's news (a load of trailers, and a potential new James Cameron movie)…

1
Recognising Muay Thai as an Army Sport - Ben Nicholson (Elite Podcast #35) 51:58

30d ago51:58

51:58

In this episode of the Elite Podcast, we interview Ben Nicholson, a serving member of two Para and the Army Muay Thai head coach. Ben shares his journey of spending 12 years in the army, his efforts to get Muay Thai recognised as an army sport, and his experiences during 'Op Pitting' in Kabul. He talks about the challenges of getting a new sport ac…

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Will Henshall: Transform Distraction into Peak Focus with Functional Music 1:03:33

1M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

Do you find yourself more distracted than ever? You’re not alone. In the rapid-fire, hyper-connected, dopamine-driven modern world, harnessing true focus is a rare superpower… But understanding the subtle mechanics of human attention might just be the most valuable skill in our increasingly distracted world. Today, we're exploring the extraordinary…

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Wade Eastwood On The Stunts Of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 41:20

1M ago41:20

41:20

Whether it's Tom Cruise risking his neck underwater, or above ground while clinging to the wing of a biplane, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is filled with stunts that might just turn your hair white. That's if you don't lose it completely. That's just one of the side effects discussed in this Empire Podcast interview special, as the fil…

1
Paul Fusco Interview (Part 1) 41:29

1M ago41:29

41:29

What do you do when you finally meet God? Its a question Ben and John are about to learn the answer to as they meet the person central to their obsession this past fifty episodes - Paul Fusco, puppeteer, producer, writer, and creator of both the show and, of course, ALF himself. He gives a rare all-access interview talking about how ALF came to exi…

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Starting In The Middle (with guests Jesse Armstrong, Tim Key, Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) 1:53:44

1M ago1:53:44

1:53:44

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Alex Godfrey — get to grips with the definition of in media res, as they discuss some of their favourite films that throw you right into the action. Elsewhere, they talk about the week's movie news, pay tribute to Empire's founding editor Barry M…

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Christopher McQuarrie on The Final Reckoning, Benicio del Toro & Michael Cera on The Phoenician Scheme, Tony Gilroy on Andor s2 (spoilers), and Cannes You Dig It? 1:58:45

1M ago1:58:45

1:58:45

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt mark the release of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning by doing a non-spoiler, non-epic (less than 20 minutes!) chat with that film's director, the legendarily loquacious Christopher McQuarrie, [26:00 - 43:06 approx] and have a lovely natter with the stars of the new Wes Anderson fi…

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James Swanwick: How to Break Free from Alcohol 1:06:06

1M ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Do you ever feel like you’re losing your edge? Today we’re here with my friend James Swanwick, creator of Alcohol Free Lifestyle, a movement guiding high-achievers like you to sidestep the sauce. In this episode, we’re exploring James’s journey from rock-bottom, hungover in the hallowed halls of IHOP, where dreams go to drown in corn syrup and regr…

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X-Men With Garry Abbott 36:43

1M ago36:43

36:43

It’s Good, Except It Sucks is a movie by movie – and television series by television series – hurtle through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hosted by Tim Worthington with a series of superpowered guests. This time we’re heading into the Multiverse for a look at X-Men, released in 2000, and joining Tim for a chat about Rogue's White Streak's origin …

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The Shameless Plug #3: Jurassic World Rebirth And Other Animals 39:22

1M ago39:22

39:22

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, sit down and talk you through the latest issue of Empire — is back for its third episode, folks. This one is dedicated to issue 441 of Empire (on sale now at all good, evil, and virtual newsagents), which features Jurassic World Rebirth on the cover, and Nick ta…

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The Extraordinary Miss Flower: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 30:31

2M ago30:31

30:31

Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard's The Extraordinary Miss Flower is part-concert film, part-performance art piece inspired by the life of its subject, a woman called Geraldine Flower. When she passed away a few years ago, her daughter Zoe discovered a number of letters, written over the years by suitors of Geraldine's, which painted a picture of a wil…

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Rosamund Pike & Matthew Rhys, Final Destination Bloodlines directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, Superman and Spelling Bees 1:38:49

2M ago1:38:49

1:38:49

This week's episode of the BSME Awards-nominated Empire Podcast had better not be the episode that the BSME Awards judging panel listens to ahead of voting, or our nomination might be rescinded. Which is to say, chaos reigns as Chris Hewitt returns — eventually, after being waylaid by a McQ&A — to the hosting chair, and is joined by Helen O'Hara, J…

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Ben Azadi: How Toxins Like Glyphosate Sabotage Your Metabolism 58:38

2M ago58:38

58:38

What if being overweight isn’t the problem, but actually a symptom of deeper dysfunction? The body doesn't lose weight to get healthy; it gets healthy to lose weight. And reclaiming your metabolic freedom may just save your life. Our guest this week, Ben Azadi is a living testament to the power of focusing on lifestyle factors like real food and fi…

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Season Two Wrap-Up 38:01

2M ago38:01

38:01

NOTE: DONT LISTEN TO THIS ONE BEFORE YOU HEAR SEASON TWO! Thought you were done with Ben Baker and John Matthews for the summer? Not even close! Not only will we have lots more exciting one offs here and there but there's the now standard series lookback where we go over our favourite episodes of the second run alongside some listener-doxxing stats…

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Lily Gladstone & Kelly Marie Tran, Great Actor/Director Pairings, Tariffs and Teen Movies 1:39:12

2M ago1:39:12

1:39:12

It's another cracking episode of the (freshly award-nominated) Empire Podcast this week, folks, as Helen O'Hara slips into the hosting chair and tries to wrestle James Dyer and Alex Godfrey into shape as they talk about changeable movie titles, great actor/director pairings, Alex's favourite teen movies, the week's movie news including Donald Trump…

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066 - What If...? With Al Kennedy 33:45

2M ago33:45

33:45

It’s Good, Except It Sucks is a movie by movie – and television series by television series – hurtle through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hosted by Tim Worthington with a series of superpowered guests. This time it’s What If...?, first seen in 2024, and joining Tim for a chat about a mindbending glimpse of alternate realities with their own Deadp…

1
Varsity Drag 36:23

2M ago36:23

36:23

"After realizing that Willie and Kate have emptied Lynn's college fund to support him, a guilty ALF gets ten newspaper routes to earn money for the family." Another episode in which ALF learns a valuable lesson about....nah, of course not...although he is briefly aware of his impact on the Tanners. Ben Baker and John Matthews fully weigh up the imp…

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WAKO World Champion - Fin Heesom (Elite Podcast #34) 1:02:32

2M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

In this episode of the Elite Podcast, Lee sits down with Fin Heesom, a decorated kickboxing champion who has now set his sights on the world of boxing. Fin shares his incredible journey as a multiple WACKO World, British, and European Champion, detailing his greatest achievements and most challenging moments, including fighting and winning with a f…

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Wyatt Russell, David Harbour & Hannah John-Kamen, Paul Feig, Ryan Coogler, And It’s Episode 666 1:57:55

2M ago1:57:55

1:57:55

It had to happen: the Empire podcast has finally gone to hell — quite literally in this case, as this particular show is episode 666. Perhaps appropriately, James is in the driving seat for this one, embracing this demonically anointed episode to bring you such thematically-relevant discussions as a Mount Rushmore of movie Satans and an off-topic d…

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John Wang: Overcoming Burnout, Imposter Syndrome & Perfectionism 1:02:58

2M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Have you ever struggled with burnout or imposter syndrome? No matter how much you accomplish, does it somehow feel like it's never quite enough? Today, we’re here with my friend John Wang, an author, speaker, and global traveler on a mission to help high-achievers overcome maladaptive patterns and break free from the invisible scripts and cultural …

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065 - Agatha All Along With Una McCormack 25:43

2M ago25:43

25:43

It’s Good, Except It Sucks is a movie by movie – and television series by television series – hurtle through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hosted by Tim Worthington with a series of superpowered guests. This time it’s Agatha All Along from 2024, and joining Tim for a chat about the Coven Of Chaos very much not easing on down the road is writer Una…

1
We Are Family 39:38

2M ago39:38

39:38

"The Tanners plan a party for ALF, who is depressed that he is the only one of his species." There have been some odd episodes of ALF this season but your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews might have been officially outfoxed by this mix of dream sequences, sketches, downplayed melodrama, boffo gags, horrendous sound effects and confusing the blind.…

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The Convergence Is Here (ft. Gareth Evans, Christian Gudegast, and Gavin O'Connor), And Mount Rushmoreapalooza 1:55:20

2M ago1:55:20

1:55:20

It was foretold by the Ancient Ones: The Convergence (or Gunvergence, if you will), the day on which three absolutely slamming action movies will be released at the same time in the UK (albeit on different formats), ushering in a new era of sweaty dad bods, car chases, and many scenes where people die in a hail of bullets. And that day is today, fo…

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The Shameless Plug #2 — The June Issue 31:57

2M ago31:57

31:57

The Shameless Plug returns, folks, for a second glorious episode in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, sit down in the podbooth and tell you how (and why) the sausage is made. That sausage being the new issue of Empire, which is on sale now in all good, evil, and virtual newsagents. Our dynamic duo talk through the month's big c…

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Tequila 39:14

3M ago39:14

39:14

"ALF plays pink elephant for Kate's alcoholic friend Maura" Crack open a tinny and pour that nebuchadnezzar of floor polish as its a boozy, woozy sort of episode with a very special message - although your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews are struggling to find it in amongst the salad and dry heaving. Maybe don't listen to this one whilst eating..…

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Easter Guestapalooza (Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Mendoza, Alex Garland, Ludwig Göransson, Osgood Perkins), Movie Musicals, And The Oscars' Latest Stunt 1:59:21

3M ago1:59:21

1:59:21

This week's Empire Podcast (episode 664 if you're keeping score!) is more packed with goodness than your average Easter egg. Not only do Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Alex Godfrey get into a discussion about what exactly makes a musical a musical (along with an impromptu visit to a certain mountain), but they tackle the week's movie news, includi…

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Dan Faggella: The Radical Future of Human-AI Interaction 1:09:50

3M ago1:09:50

1:09:50

In a world where machines can outperform humans in nearly every conceivable domain, where exactly does that leave us? When artificial intelligence can fulfill our deepest drives and reward pathways more reliably than any human relationship, what happens to human connection, meaning, and purpose? Today, we’re exploring the world of artificial intell…

1
I'm Your Puppet 37:26

3M ago37:26

37:26

"ALF gets a ventriloquist dummy in the mail that takes control of him." Well that all seems perfectly straightforward! Join Ben Baker and John Matthews for a surprisingly not very meta look into a puppeteer's art, soul and hooves. Helping them out on pre-recorded tape are former guests Al Jean, Mike Reiss and Phil Fletcher who all add some interest…

1
Kevin Macdonald on One To One: John & Yoko — An Empire Podcast Interview Special 29:25

3M ago29:25

29:25

Kevin Macdonald's latest documentary, One To One: John & Yoko, is out now in cinemas around the UK, folks, and it's well worth your time for anyone with even a passing interest in John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, and their lives after The Beatles split up. But if you're a Beatlemaniac, this is manna from heaven as it not only brings you remaster…

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Ralph Fiennes & Juliette Binoche, Rami Malek & Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Landon, Movie Weddings, And Helen Returns! 1:57:56

3M ago1:57:56

1:57:56

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is jam-packed etc. etc. Bumper-sized, and so on and so forth. But it's true, perhaps this week more than ever as Chris Hewitt sits down for chats with two pairs — first, there's Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, who reunite almost 30 years after The English Patient for this week's Odyssey-sampling drama, …

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Movin Out 37:42

3M ago37:42

37:42

"Willie gets a promotion that relocates him to San Diego, however despite hating the new job and proclaiming how much he loves the house they currently live in, it takes drastic moves by ALF to make him realize what he's doing." Willie's out! And we're all bowing under its enormous pressure as his new job takes him away from the loving bosom of his…

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Will Poulter, Amber Midthunder, Beatles, Avengers, And Farewell To Val Kilmer 1:40:20

3M ago1:40:20

1:40:20

This week's Empire Podcast sees the long-awaited return of one of our favourite guests, the wonderful British actor Will Poulter, who talks to Chris Hewitt about his role in the new movie, Death Of A Unicorn, playing a prize A-hole, and impromptu tongue-twisters. [20:38 - 33:28 approx]Another returning guest joins us this week, as the delightful Am…

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TKD Olympic Medalist - Bianca Cook (Elite Podcast #33) 49:50

3M ago49:50

49:50

In this episode of The Elite Podcast, we speak with Bianca Cook, a three-time world champion and double Olympic medalist in Taekwondo. Bianca shares her journey from starting Taekwondo at age 11 to her rise through the ranks, discussing the challenges she faced, including multiple knee surgeries, and her mindset that helped her stay on top. She als…

1
Joshua Weissman: Cooking is an Act of Rebellion 1:15:02

3M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

Today, we have a special in-person episode going back in time with our friend Joshua Weissman. This episode was actually recorded many moons ago, but after one of my computers died the files sadly went missing. Now years later, I was able to retrieve most of our conversation and finally edit this show together. Since the original recording of this …

1
Hit Me with Your Best Shot 38:31

3M ago38:31

38:31

"Willie tries to teach Brian nonviolence in dealing with a school bully, but changes his ways when the bully's lowlife father comes to the Tanner residence and insults the entire family." An episode about Brian being repeatedly punched in the face? Erm..., we didnt kill him. That is to say, your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews didnt, as they're s…

1
George MacKay, Irwin Winkler, And The Avengers Doomsday Cast Announcement 1:59:44

3M ago1:59:44

1:59:44

We start on a director's chair. We pull back to reveal its back. On it is emblazoned a name. That name? George MacKay, the wonderful star of this week's thought-provoking original movie musical, Joshua Oppenheimer's The End, who pops into the podbooth to have a good old natter [from 30:49 - 48:20 approx] with... We pull back. It's another director'…

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The Shameless Plug #1 — The May 2025 Issue 34:25

3M ago34:25

34:25

Welcome to The Shameless Plug, a brand new Empire Podcast regular show, folks. As the title suggests, every month Chris Hewitt will sit down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, for a deep dive into the latest issue of Empire, bringing you the stories behind the stories and covering everything including the cover. This month's cover feature is Thun…

1
Extrasplaining - Al Jean Interview 35:43

3M ago35:43

35:43

Here on ALFsplaining, we are big fans of balance - be it following every Howard Jones track with one by Nik Kershaw or one of them seals with a beachball you used to see at the zoo in old cartoons. And so after speaking to the lovely Mike Reiss, Ben and John thought it only right and proper to talk to his former long-term writing partner Al Jean. L…

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Barry Levinson, Gints Zilbalodis, Snakes On A Podcast, And The Convergence 1:43:06

4M ago1:43:06

1:43:06

It's another bumper-sized edition of the Empire Podcast this week, folks, in which Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with the legendary director, Barry Levinson, on the eve of the release of his new gangster movie, The Alto Knights, starring Robert De Niro, Robert De Niro and Robert De Niro's dogs. [23:31 - 40:13 approx] Then, we also hear from Gints …