A Chat with Jessica and Callum from new HPN show ‘What Would You Do If?’
So, youâre one of the newest shows on the HPN. Can you tell me a little bit about What Would You Do If? and how it came about?
Callum: Jess was brainstorming ideas for a show she did on FRQ.fm and came up with the idea about three years ago. After a bit of planning, we decided to go for it! And now, WWYDI is the podcast you didnât know you needed.
Jessica: You sound so clichéd!
C: In each episode, we look at a different scenario like ‘WWYDI youâre attacked by a bear’ or ‘WWYDI you were stood up on a date.’ We answer the question with how we would react, but then Jess answers how you should handle the situation.
J: So, I guess heâs right. Itâs a podcast you need⊠in case you come across a wild bear.
What about your own backgrounds? How has this fed into the show?
C: Iâm the producer of Fully Charged with Graham & Nathan on SPIN 1038. Right now, weâre focusing on creative ways to make the listeners experience more fun. Iâd like to think my job experience plays into this and Iâm good at coming up with new podcast ideas.
J: Ah, it definitely does. One of the big reasons I wanted to do a podcast was to work on my presenting skills, so I think any radio training and experience both of us have had is a benefit. We’ve heard people do things in podcasts that you wouldn’t get away with in radio.
C: Like saying âhello to our listenersâ instead of just calling them âlistener.â
J: Thatâs such a pet peeve for me. When Iâm listening to your podcast, itâs just me listening. Donât say âhey listeners.â Itâs just me.
C: Actually, weâve not mentioned this so far either â weâve been in a relationship for nearly three years now so you get an insight into our lives in the podcast.
J: I feel like thatâs a way to get people not to listen! Everyone has such boring lives right now. Work, listen to podcasts, sleep and repeat.
What can new listeners expect? What sorts of guests or episodes have you got planned?
J: Weâve got a few episodes planned, like the bear attack one that we mentioned. I researched that episode topic last year and a couple of weeks ago, I watched Michael McIntyreâs The Wheel and there was a question about bears. I was freaking out, screaming at the tv because I knew the answer from the podcast. I could have won ÂŁ42,000!
C: Maybe we can get Michael McIntyre on the podcast? Otherwise, we donât have a lot of guests planned right now. Although, I want to do WWYDI You Won The Lotto with a real-life lotto winner. I keep buying tickets with the hope I can interview myself.
Okay, youâve got my attention. So, why should I go and listen right now? Convince me!
C: We have fun in every episode and we try to make it fun for the listener as well. Like when we play quizzes and games with each other where you can play along with while listening. Plus, I promise you that after listening to an episode, youâll have learned something new. And if you havenât, my new âMoney Back Guaranteeâ means Iâll give âŹ1 out of my own money to you as compensation for your time.
J: Really?
C: No, but a really good thing is that our episodes are only around 20 minutes long so theyâre perfect for your lockdown Power Walk. And if you come across a bear on your walk, youâll know what to do if it tries to attack you!
J: Weâre all about the bears today. There are episodes completely unrelated to bears as well!
What sort of bonus content can members expect if they sign up to support the show?
J: Weâre working on an exclusive video series called âWhat Would You Do If You Couldnât Cook?â where Callum is going to try and teach me how to make food. Iâm never the one trusted with cooking in the house, probably because I told Callum the story of how I made lemon chicken.
C: You shouldnât tell people this story!
J: When I was about 18, I loved lemon chicken from the Chinese. One time, I tried to make it myself for everyone’s dinner. Except I never thought of looking up a recipe. I just boiled chicken breasts and poured lemon juice on them. It was absolutely disgusting.
C: So if something happens, like Jess burning down the kitchen, weâll also be posting some bonus episodes of the podcast and some fun material to go with episodes!
Anything else you desperately need to tell potential new listeners?
J: WWYDI is an easy listen where you can have a laugh and learn something new. And itâs probably the only time youâll hang out with a couple you donât know without feeling like the worldâs biggest third wheel.
C: If thereâs a scenario you donât know how to handle and you want us to find out, then you can tell us all about it at whatwouldyoudoifpodcast@gmail.com. Weâre always open to hearing what you think!