Christmas is just around the corner - and what better way to see it in than with a special episode  made just for our listeners. My Friend has never listened to a podcast would be nothing without our listeners, so we are letting you take the reigns. 

In this episode we talk a little about ourselves, and respond to listener-submitted questions. Thank you so much for listening, we appreciate you.

What do a D.C. Hairdresser, an Alabama bakery and high profile judge have in common?... The story of two women tied together with an allegation of sexual assault. After a sexual assault case in the District of Columbia, one woman’s public warning ricochets all the way to Birmingham, Alabama, where another woman gives voice to a devastating allegation.

Tune in this week as Ollie uncages a story of a woman's difficult decision to come forward with a story of sexual assault, with Canary: The Washington Post Investigates. Hosted by  the brilliant investigative reporter Amy Brittain and produced by Reena Flores and Bishop Sand, the podcast will draw you in from the start and hold you for the duration with it's honest, raw and emotive approach.

“Canary: The Washington Post Investigates” is about the intertwining stories of these two women, separated by decades and united by a shared refusal to stay silent. 

What do Batman, 25 million dollars and Chicago have in common?... The wrongful incarceration of a 13 year old. Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez was arrested for murder when he was 13. He spent 16 years behind bars until a judge ruled that he’d been wrongfully convicted. He was freed and awarded $25 million in compensation for his lost years. Then, T.J. became a self-appointed leader of a street gang.

Tune in this week as Ollie takes James to Chicago to explore the story of T.J. Jimenez, with Motive - Season 1. Brought to us by  WBEZ Chicago, Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

It's a cruel sociological experiment. Lock up a 13-year-old boy for a murder that he swore he didn't commit. Release him as a 30-year-old man. Then, give him $25 million and see what happens. With his money, Jimenez could have done anything. Instead, he built a gang, unleashed chaos, shot a guy on video and posted it to YouTube, and ended up back in jail. And the big question is … why?

What do UFO's, bad haircuts and Nike have in common?... A mass suicide near San Diego involving 39 people, sedatives, vodka and plastic bags. Religious cults around the world are no new thing, however, this particular one believed shedding their earthly bodies in order to meet a UFO they believed was trailing the Hale-Bop comet - a UFO that would transport them to the kingdom of heaven.

Tune in this week as Ollie releases the latch on cults, with Heaven's Gate. Hosted by the excellent Glynn Washington and brought to us by the always awesome Stitcher and Pineapple Street Media , Heaven's Gate is interesting, captivating, extremely well researched and presented.  Hear how brilliant story telling blended with original recordings , letters and interviews can create a must listen podcast.

What do online dating, a sex club and skydiving have in common?... Sex, lies, control, secrets and a failed murder attempt.

Tune in this week as Ollie highlights to James a story of a husband’s plot to murder his wife by sabotaging her parachute - as told by the team of detectives who refused to give up on the case, with No Strings Attached.

In a new true crime podcast from ITV News, No Strings Attached explores the inside story of Emile Cilliers' plot to kill his wife Vicky so he could claim her life insurance, clear his debts, and begin a new life with his secret lover - as told by those involved in the case.

What do  Brazil, The Collingwood AFL team and  embezzlement have in common?... A sex abuse survivor and her personal investigation which uncovers a traumatic history laced with sexual abuse and a father with a dark secret.

Tune in this week as Ollie challenges James to listen to a harrowing podcast about the cycle of abuse from someone who has lived through–and almost perpetuated–that vicious circle, with Silent Waves. Originally produced in collaboration with Georgina Savage, the podcast has now been remastered by the audio team behind Casefile for Casefile Presents and is created and hosted by the brilliant  Raquel O’Brien.

Silent Waves is a fascinating and painful listen. It’s direct, honest, and deeply emotional. After 18 months of raw, brutally honest and open conversations with her family about the cataclysmic circumstances of their story, Obrien has created a story that will linger with you well past its runtime, whether it’s because it’s helped educate you on situations like these, or because it’s finally given you a voice. 

What do Magic Johnson, Oprah Winfrey and a lifetime pair of courtside tickets for all Clippers games have in common?... A five-part story about basketball in Los Angeles, a ruthless real estate empire, the worst owner in sports, and the scandal that rocked the NBA. 

Tune in this week as Ollie and James examine what happened when an audio recording of a racist rant by Clippers owner Donald Sterling was leaked in 2014 and how it changed the NBA forever. "The Sterling Affairs" is a five-part series from 30 for 30 Podcasts and The Undefeated, produced in collaboration with ESPN and Western Sound. The series is reported and hosted by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Sterling had been a problem for decades -- in basketball, real estate and more. Why did it take 30 years to finally hold him accountable? Involving the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Magic Johnson, P Diddy, Barbra Walters, Steve Ballmer, Jerry Buss, Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers, The LA Clippers, The LA Lakers, NBA, Trayvon Martin, Adam Silver and many more.

What do AI Marketing,  blockbuster and workplace culture have in common?...  A subscription-based streaming service that has changed life as we know it, Netflix. How did Netflix get to where it is today and can it can maintain its streaming supremacy?

Tune in this week as Ollie highlights how netflix became the against we know it to be, with, Land Of The Giants - The Netflix Effect.
Hosted be the awesome Peter Kafka, of Recode game and Rani Molla and brought to us by Vox Media Podcast Network and Epic Magazine. 

 Hear from Netflix’s founders and top executives as well as its competitors, critics and more - covering everything from its unusual internal culture to its battle with Blockbuster, its disruption of Hollywood and the upcoming streaming wars.

In follow up to our review of America, If You're Listening, we get to speak to the talented, Australia Podcast Award winner, Matt Bevan. Hear all about who he is, how he got into journalism and broadcasting and how he decided to create  the extremely popular America, If You're Listening (formally Russia, If You're Listening).

Tune in this week as we discuss all things, America, If You're Listening Covid-19, ABC, Donald Trump, Russia, US Election, Joe Biden, Nuclear Bombs, Trump Administration, Hurricanes, Brexit, Boris Johnson, book deals, Slow Burn, Michael Lewis, The Dollop and much more. 

What do  Black Lives Matter Protests, Golf courses and Hurricane Maria have in common?... Well a name that has been on everyone's lips for the past 4 years, Donald Trump. In the lead up to November 03rd 2020 all eyes around the world are fixated on this mans every movements, but how much do we really know about Trump's greatest achievements, disappointments and disasters and how they all fit together?

Tune in this week as Ollie introduces James to  a podcast about how Donald Trump changed the United States and the world, with America If Your Listening. Brought to us ABC and presented by the Australian Podcast award winner, New Castle local, Matt Bevan.  Four years ago, Donald Trump promised to make America Strong, Wealthy, Safe, Proud and Great Again. In November, Americans will have their chance to elect him again. Has he lived up to his promise?

Covering everything from Fake News, NRA, FIMA, Nuke,  Saudi Embassy, Armed Asassins,  this podcast is a must add to your list in the lead up to what some are calling the election of the century.