Out Of Office

Scam Emails, Scorched Earth and The Assignment

Jun 18, 20263 minSummary

In this episode of Bad Chat, Alice Levine holds the fort solo to celebrate the hilariously vindictive and bizarre contributions sent in by listeners. The discussion kicks off with a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the uniquely disturbing television shows of the nineties that still haunt the audience today. The conversation shifts toward the darker side of listener submissions, ranging from creative revenge fantasies—like lawn-based sabotage—to the unfortunate rise of accidental "butt dials" from across the globe. Alice also humorously confesses to her susceptibility to scam emails and issues a lighthearted plea for listeners to stop sharing them. Looking ahead, she sets a new challenge for the community: an invitation to dig out and share old childhood artifacts, such as school diaries, creative writing, or early career aspirations. Inspired by producer Ben’s youthful attempts to join MI5, Alice is on the hunt for the best "narc files" from the audience. The episode concludes with a call for listeners to participate in a special survey, encouraging them to submit their most embarrassing stories and undignified anecdotes to become a central part of the show.

Gas, Girders and is Kev Dead?

Jun 11, 202644 minSummary

In this episode of Bad Chat, hosts Greg James and Alice Levine dive into a series of hilariously cringeworthy listener stories and personal anecdotes. The conversation kicks off with a lighthearted discussion about the social faux pas of chatting up strangers, with Alice reflecting on an awkward encounter at a traffic light and her own past history of handing out business cards to people she found attractive on public transport. The hosts also tackle the bizarre story of a listener named Sophie who, along with her neighbors, became convinced a quiet neighbor named Kev had either died or become a murderer, leading to an unwarranted welfare check. This segues into a broader, comedic debate about the merits—or lack thereof—of jury service, with the hosts questioning the effectiveness of the current system and comparing it to a high-stakes social experiment. Finally, the show highlights several listener-submitted tales of hilariously misheard conversations, including a particularly uncomfortable misunderstanding involving a teacher’s lanyard and a misunderstood compliment. The episode encapsulates the podcast's signature style: quick, disposable, and irreverent conversation centered on the awkward and humorous realities of everyday life.

My Girl, My Guy and Podcasting Badly

Jun 4, 202639 minSummary

In this episode, hosts Greg James and Alice Levine dive into a variety of lighthearted topics while continuing to refine the identity of their new show. The conversation kicks off with plans for their upcoming live festival appearance, where they promise fans an unconventional experience filled with games and, perhaps, the potential for chaotic fun. The hosts then pivot to a humorous analysis of current internet personalities, critiquing recent viral clips about productivity and life optimization. They express a shared disdain for the "algorithm-first" mentality, preferring a more balanced, unoptimized approach to daily living. This leads to a playful discussion about their own quirks and past experiences, including embarrassing childhood nicknames and the joys of inefficient outdoor swimming. The episode also highlights the growing community behind the podcast. Through calls with listeners, Greg and Alice explore bizarre personal fantasies—ranging from heroic polyglot dreams to petty vengeance plots—and share insights into their listeners' eccentric habits. The hosts maintain an engaging, improvisational tone, celebrating the "bad chat" they encounter and reinforcing the sense of connection within their expanding, self-proclaimed "ultra" listener base.

Egging, Gatekeeping Hazelnuts and a Surprise Guest

May 28, 202636 minSummary

In this episode, hosts Greg James and Alice Levine dive into an eclectic mix of listener-contributed stories and personal musings. The conversation kicks off with a humorous apology regarding the previous episode’s discussions on bodily functions, which apparently caused a stir among the audience. The hosts then transition into a lively debate about the realities of summer, contrasting British approaches to heat and outdoor socialising with the more practiced habits of their European neighbours. The duo welcomes a surprise guest, Dr. Alison Greg, a retired academic whose name serendipitously matches the show’s title. She joins them for a lighthearted interview where they compare notes on professional backgrounds and personal quirks, including unconventional sleeping habits. Later, the conversation shifts toward "arrestable offences"—a recurring theme where listeners share behaviors they believe deserve a citizen's arrest, such as clapping off-beat or specifying a baby's age in weeks. The episode also touches on vivid fantasies, including the bizarre idea of "egging" one’s own house during a difficult divorce and the secret desire to launch an unexpected singing career. Through their trademark conversational style, the hosts explore the absurdities of daily life.

Citizen's Arrests, Mr. Tizz and Sucking Dummies

May 21, 202634 minSummary

In this episode of Bad Chat, hosts Greg James and Alice Levine dive into a variety of listener-submitted topics and quirky debates. The hosts explore the concept of the citizens arrest, questioning the logistics and legal complexities of taking matters into one's own hands, while also sharing their own personal lists of petty offenses that they believe warrant such action. The conversation takes a comedic turn as they discuss the unexpected realities of parenting, including humorous and controversial anecdotes about how people handle toddlers and hygiene. From the confusion surrounding professional wax appointments to the bizarre world of children's entertainers and the unexpected fears they can instill in kids, the hosts keep the dialogue lively and lighthearted. The episode also features an entertaining segment with a caller from Amsterdam, whose unique career trajectory from guarding the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London to becoming a professional nude art model leaves the hosts amused and fascinated. Through playful banter and deep-dives into everyday absurdities, Greg and Alice continue to build a community of listeners, inviting them to share their own stories and "nerdy" observations.

Pants Flaps, BeanCore and Head Girl Energy

May 14, 202642 minSummary

In this episode of Bad Chat, Greg James and Alice Levine navigate a typically chaotic range of topics, starting with the viral fallout of Alice’s claim that horse legs are essentially fingers. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the internet discourse surrounding this, Alice’s newfound status as the pound shop version of Hannah Fry, and her decision to lean into the joke. The conversation shifts to important health advocacy, as the duo reminds listeners to perform regular self-checks for lumps and changes in the chest and underarm areas. This leads into a humorous and relatable listener voicemail about a hospital mishap involving a mammogram. The hosts also dive into the etiquette of using public urinals and the puzzling design of men’s trousers, debating the mechanics of various methods for using them. Rounding out the episode, Greg shares his experience attending Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday celebration, sharing anecdotes about the legendary broadcaster’s humility. The hosts then touch on their "BeanCore" aesthetic, their school-day leadership titles, and even conduct a quick interview with a listener to get a sense of their audience, highlighting the duo's signature blend of genuine health awareness, trivial debate, and self-deprecating humor.

Clog Sizes, Horse Fingers and HospitalTok

May 7, 202631 minSummary

In the debut episode of Bad Chat, hosts Greg James and Alice Levine establish their new show as a space for unfiltered, off-the-cuff conversation. Throughout the episode, the duo explores the premise of their podcast, framing it as a weird little club designed to uncover the everyday obsessions, grievances, and social awkwardnesses of their listeners. The hosts dive into a wide range of topics, including medical anxieties, the strange evolutionary fact that a horse's leg is essentially a giant finger, and the unspoken rules of hospital etiquette. They introduce their audience to the first-ever caller, Rosalie, whose life story leads to a deep dive into her childhood obsession with horses and a hilarious revelation about Alice’s short-lived acting career in a GCSE drama production of Warhorse. The conversation shifts from personal anecdotes to moral dilemmas, including a listener’s confession about purposefully buying up bakery goods to annoy strangers in line. Through their dynamic banter, Greg and Alice set the tone for a show that celebrates human quirks and provides a judgment-free—though frequently mock-heavy—outlet for the intrusive thoughts and echoers that listeners just cannot shake.

Alice and Greg have entered the Bad Chat

May 4, 20261 minSummary

In this debut episode of Bad Chat, hosts Greg James and Alice Levine navigate the unconventional challenge of defining their new podcast while intentionally avoiding the tropes typical of modern audio production. Rather than leaning on scripted introductions or promotional clichés, the duo experiments with an improvisational approach that highlights their unique rapport. The conversation takes a comedic turn as they brainstorm outlandish marketing strategies, including playfully aggressive tactics that they quickly realize might be taking things a bit too far. Beyond the meta-commentary on the medium of podcasting itself, the hosts delve into various tangents, ranging from humorous impressions of exasperated school tutors to reflections on the expectations placed upon new shows. The episode serves as an unfiltered introduction to their brand of banter, establishing the program as a space for listeners who prefer spontaneity over polished formats. By the end of the discussion, Alice and Greg solidify the show’s identity as a casual, low-pressure environment, inviting listeners to join them on their own terms rather than through standard industry fanfare. It is an honest, off-the-cuff start that sets the stage for a series built on unpredictable chemistry.