This video is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/UNSEEN and get on your way to being your best self. "He had started a fight with Ali, but I was gonna finish it" On June 18th 2002, in a small Kansas town, 19-year-old lifeguard Ali Kemp was found strangled to death in the pump room of the local pool. Police …

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about publishing books with my guest Deborah Balmuth. Deborah retired from Storey Publishing on September 30 after 31 years with the company. She began as an editor, become editorial director in 2003, and publisher in 2013. She especially enjoyed expanding Storey's library of …

Friends of the podcast Clarisse Loughrey (The Independent's chief filmcritic) and Mike Muncer (of Evolution Of Horror podcast fame) stop by to talk about three things: Joker: Folie à Deux, The Wild Robot and, um, Smile 2. As you probably worked out from the title of the episode here. Plus, Naomi Scott (the star of Smile 2) also pops up towards the …

Friend of the podcast - and star of the new Sky / Now serial killer darker-than-dark comedy drama Sweetpea - Ella Purnell returns to talk to Ali about playing Rhiannon, a character who often goes overlooked... until she starts taking things into her own hands. Murder-wise. A veteran of Fallout, and Yellowjackets before that (not forgetting Arcane),…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about making and teaching art with my guest Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. Based outside of Boston, Julie is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a long…

When was the last time you went to your local cinema and watched a big, broad, people pleasing comedy? A Bridesmaids, a 22 Jump Street, A Step Brothers, a... Superbad? Stand-up comic and newfound friend of that there Ali Plumb, Rhys James, stops by the BBC Radio 1 studios to help answer that question as the pair look back on a movie that really del…

"We are watching you"-- October 2012: a video goes viral on Youtube in which a girl uses flash cards to tell her story — it is the last time she is seen by the world and millions of people since then will forever know her name: Amanda Todd. It will take a mother’s courage and determination to dive into the dark web to finally unveil her daughter's …

Sophie Turner stops by to talk about her new ITV jewel-thief TV show Joan this week as Ali, bless him, battles a little cough. Poor wee lad. But despite this appalling illness, he struggles on, giving you a fun conversation with the one-time star of Game Of Thrones and the recent run of X-Men movies, ending up talking about the perils of the '80s, …

The always delightful Aimee Lou Wood returns to Radio 1's Screen Time to talk to Ali about her new BBC comedy Daddy Issues, a show where she stars alongside the legendary David Morrissey as a young mum forced to move in with the one person she never thought she would: her dad. Her dad who just so happens to not really have a clue about, well, anyth…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about documentary filmmaking with my guest Jenifer McShane. Jenifer McShane is an independent filmmaker committed to using film to bridge understanding in situations where structural or cultural divisions typically keep people apart. Jenifer's current film The Quilters, a docu…

This video is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/UNSEEN and get on your way to being your best self.-- "I hope you don’t sleep at night. I hope you have dreams of us coming after you."-- It's 1978, and Ron Jenkins, a detective with the Huntington police department, suddenly straightens up on his couch at home, unab…

Yes, it's September - and not October, to be clear - but somehow it's a good time to talk about the state of horror (trust us), what with Speak No Evil out and James McAvoy stopping by to talk about his pleasingly nasty, socially awkward horror hitting cinemas. So! As well as Mister McAvoy, we also have a "state of the nation" when it comes to the …

The not so good news: summer is starting the wrap up. You know, with the wind and the rain and the going back to school of it all... but! If you're a film fan, there are many reasons to be cheerful, with the next few months promising some VERY BIG and VERY EXCITING films, including some massive blockbuster sequels in the form of Paddington 3, Gladi…

"There’s something wrong, there’s something really wrong here" --On March 19th, 2018, 91 year old Mary Bartel is getting ready for her aerobics class, when she hears a loud knock at the door. On the other side, in an innocent looking disguise, is one of the most prolific serial killers in all of Texas history. As Mary unknowingly greets him, she mu…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about the art of quilting with my guest Andrea Tsang Jackson. Andrea is a textile artist, quilt designer, author, and educator based in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. After working in various design fields and settings ranging from architecture to museums, the quilting medium ca…

Friends of the show and fellow film superfans Clarisse Loughrey (of The Independent fame) and Ian Sandwell (of Digital Spy fame) join forces with our Ali once again to tackle some of the biggest - and smallest, to be honest - releases that have come our way over the past few weeks or so. Expect their thoughts on Kneecap, Trap, Alien Romulus, The Mi…

With well over a billion dollars under its belt, it's safe to say that Deadpool And Wolverine has been a big ol' success. It's reinvigorated the Marvel Cinematic Universe, made a lot of people laugh, made a lot of people scream (with delight), made a lot of people rush to the internet to work out all the Easter eggs and references and hat-tips. Wit…

“Do you think this is a game?”-- On July 25th, 2016 Aundreah Maes has just finished her shift at the mall in Salem Oregon, when a man armed with a handgun forces his way into her car and tells her to start driving. This man, a cop-in-training named Edwin Lara, is wanted for the disappearance of a young woman, Kaylee Sawyer, in Bend Oregon and is no…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about the art of wrapping gifts with my guest Megumi Inouye. Megumi is a gift-wrapping and packaging artist. Known for her sustainable wrap-ping designs and creative innovations, she encourages repurposing, utilizing everyday things around us, and using organic and recyclable …

With xenomorphs back in cinemas, Ali and friend of the show Ian Nathan - who just so happens to have written the book / documentary on the subject,no big deal - sit down to discuss just why we love the original two Alien films so much. Plus, as a bonus, director of Alien Romulus (and fellow die hard Alien fan) Fede Álvarez stops by at the end with …

As you'll have seen from the very last trailer - and let's be honest, from watching the movie itself - the wonderful Dafne Keen returns as Laura / X-23 in Deadpool And Wolverine, and was more than happy to chat to Ali (in spoilerific detail) about her time on set for this very special interview podcast, talking about working with the legendary Hugh…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking with two more of the winners of the Golden Scissors Awards. These new awards recognize excellence in the crafts industry and are given out annually at h+h americas. Nominations were open to everyone and the winners were determined by an independent panel of judges made up of c…

There's one big film in cinemas right now - okay, two, Twisters is still holding strong, let's give it some respect - but for a lot of us blockbuster botherers, it's all about Deadpool And Wolverine these days, so here we have Ali (and Clarisse and Ian)'s thoughts on Marvel's box office record-breaking return to form. Oh, and with some guy called R…

“Take me instead”-- On November 14th, 1974, Barbara Mabee Abel returns home with her 6-year-old son, Dale, but upon entering, something feels terribly wrong; moments later, an intruder emerges from hiding after waiting for the young family to arrive. Willing to do anything to save her son and herself, Barbara begs the man to kidnap her – what she d…

Deadpool And Wolverine - undeniably the film of the summer - is finally, at long, long last, in cinemas. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have been doing all the press opportunities they can lay their claws / katanas on to drum up interest - and it's safe to say there are more than a few people out there keen to see their motion picture. The trouble …

“He was chopping it up. That was sketchy.”--On November 16th, 2012, 13 year-old Megan Zanella witnesses her mother being attacked by her foster sister, Sabrina Zunich. Tragically, the police arrive too late to save Megan’s mother, Lisa Knoefel, and Sabrina is apprehended at the scene. However, in the subsequent investigation and trial, Megan and th…

The week before Deadpool And Wolverine hits cinemas, Ali sits down with friend of the show Aoife Wilson - the excellent and much-admired gaming journalist, as well as die-hard X-Men fan - to finally dig into the other big mutant release, X-Men '97. Critically acclaimed and a reminder that these characters have enormous potential on the big screen, …

“Come quickly because I’m afraid.”-- On September 20th, 2013 9 yo Andrew Hockensmith frantically calls 911 from the back room of his parents' pawnshop, where an armed gunman has just stormed in. In spite of the danger, the boy only cares about saving his baby sister and urges the dispatcher to hurry and send help. Just 6 minutes later, police enter…

What a collection of films we have for you this week: a critically-adored chiller in the form of Nic Cage's Longlegs (from the mind of Osgood Perkins), the fourth in the Despicable Me series (but the sixth in the franchise) and the return of Axel Foley, only this time... he's on Netflix. Hopping back onto the mic to help Ali tackle all these - and …

“One day, I kissed my 6 year old son goodbye, and never saw him again”--John Walsh never wanted to be a man hunter. In 1981, he was forced to look for his missing son only to find him dead. When 47 year old Ed Smart appeared on national TV pleading for the return of his 14 year old daughter, John took the weight of the investigation through America…

It's July. How is it July? And yet... it is. So now seems like a good time to bring back friend of the podcast - and professional TV critic, as heard on BBC Radio Five Live and elsewhere - Scott Bryan to check in on his favourite TV shows of the year so far. Somehow his list doesn't feature Shogun, which is definitely controversial (and he knows it…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building an audience with my guest Amber Kemp-Gersel of Damask Love. Amber was the keynote speaker at h+h americas 2024 in Chicago and this is a recording of her presentation. It was inspiring, smart, and funny and I think you’re going to love it. Amber Kemp-Gerstel is a…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking with two of the winners of the Golden Scissors Awards. These new awards recognize excellence in the crafts industry and are given out annually at h+h americas. Nominations were open to everyone and the winners were determined by an independent panel of judges made up of craft …

You know how it goes - the inevitable sequel to the successful original, eh? Little over a month since their last appearance, friend of the show (and The Independent's chief film critic) Clarisse Loughrey joins forces once again with Digital Spy's Movies Editor Ian Sandwell to review the biggest releases of the past few weeks with good ol' Ali, inc…

“Am I scaring you little girl?”--8-year-old Jennifer is scared of the dark, and on the one night her mother asks her to sleep in her own room, she wakes up in the arms of a police officer carrying her out of the house in the middle of the night. The man wants her to believe that she is safe, but she realizes he doesn't have a badge as he drives off…

Now that he’s seen it, Ali can talk about Inside Out 2 - he’s good like that, waiting to see the film before he gives his thoughts on it - as well as this week’s big release, The Bikeriders (you know, with Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and a lot of classic motorbikes). And then there’s the cherry on top, some bonus House Of The Dragon chat …

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about folk embroidery with my guest Krista West. Krista delights in bringing ancient beauty to the modern world with embroidery designs inspired by traditional Mediterranean folk textiles. Introduced to traditional folk embroidery in Greece, she fell in love with the vibrant c…

Comedian, presenter, writer and arts 'n' crafts connoisseur Bec Hill joins Ali this week for a special Ali Plumb's Film Club episode of Radio 1's Screen Time, where the geeky, animation-loving pair chat about the original Pixar classic Inside Out (2015) in advance of its sequel hitting cinemas this weekend. They do their level best not to cry as th…

“I think he’s trying to lure me somewhere”-- On October 19th, 2018, a strange man is seen lurking around a college campus, hiding his identity under a Deadpool costume. The same day, 21 year old Lauren McCluskey calls the police to report threatening text messages harassing her and inviting her to a supposed funeral. The young student is doing ever…

June is here, and with it - we are told - the summer. Summer means blockbuster movies, and so Radio 1's Screen Time is here, ready to remind you of what's coming out and when. With The Euros and The Olympics both fighting for your attention this year, there may not be quite as many big movies as you were expecting, but there's still a fair bunch of…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a craft tool company with my guest Kelly Brooks. Kelly and her husband, Scott Gardiner, are the team behind knitbrooks, where they create unique wooden crochet hooks. Kelly started knitbrooks in 2013 while she was working as a reporter/photographer at a small co…

A very special spoiler special for you this week - one that relies on you having watched the new Fallout series, what with it being... all about the new Fallout series. What makes it extra special is the reappearance of one of its stars on this here podcast, Ella Purnell herself, who plays Lucy in the show and is casually utterly excellent. She sto…

"Did you hurt him?" --February 2013: Dr Phil is sitting with one of his guests backstage, Mark Redwine, who appeared on the show with his oldest son Corey ,and ex-wife Elaine Hall, in an effort to find his the youngest boy Dylan, who has been missing for the past three months. Mark was the last person to see Dylan, and yet, on Dr Phil’s set, he has…

Veteran of The Queen's Gambit, Last Night In Soho, The Menu, The Northman and, well, this here podcast, Anya Taylor Joy returns to talk to Ali about her experiences on set in the desert with director George Miller as they worked on Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Plus! Mad (in a nice way) Mad Max fan - okay, expert - Ian Nathan stops by to talk about the …

“Are the little kids asleep?”-- March 11th 2017 – 14 year old Arden Summers drives her younger siblings back to her mother’s home, following her dad’s secret orders. Hours later, an employee of a nearby Walgreens calls 911 after seeing a tied up woman run out of a car: the woman is Alisa Mathewson – Arden’s mom. Before the police can arrive, the ca…

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast we're talking about growing a sewing pattern business with my guest Heather Lou. Heather has been passionately making her own clothes since 2010, and discovered she loved sewing so much she left a career in interior design to start Closet Core Patterns. Over the years, the company has grown …

Friend of the show (and The Independent's chief film critic) Clarisse Loughrey joins forces with Digital Spy's Movies Editor Ian Sandwell to review the biggest releases of the past few weeks with good ol' Ali, including The Fall Guy, Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes, The Idea Of You, Back In Black and much, much more. Spoilers are avoided, so if y…

We’re so pleased to bring you this special episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast. This is a recording of the State of the Industry panel discussion which took place live on stage on May 1 at h+h americas 2024 in Chicago. With about 800 people in the audience, our panelists dove into the biggest issues and ideas the crafts industry is wrest…

By now, you'd think Ali would have shut up about going on holiday to Japan... and yet, that's somehow not the case - but with good reason! Joining him to talk about the critically adored drama series Shōgun is his new best pal Chris Broad - creator of the Abroad In Japan YouTube channel and a man who knows a thing or two about the land of the risin…

“She hung on for me, her girls, and for justice” --August 2nd, 2015, Gahanna police receive a frantic 911 call from a Speedway gas station, that a woman is set on fire. As she is rushed to the ER, her boyfriend tells a bizarre story that she caught on fire while lighting a cigarette. No one expects her to survive, with a 110% mortality rate, but 7 …