Fwends

It's SIMPLY MARVELLOUS! For absolutely no reason whatsoever (and certainly not by request), we're revisiting the original format of the podcast for a fun treat! On today's episode, Rhys, Kyran and Georgia vaguely discuss the Marvel movie, Black Widow. And we do mean vaguely. By no means do you need to have watched the film, and by no means will you learn anything about it from the podcast. Enjoy!For MANY MANY more episodes of Simply Marvellous, subscribe to Fwends with Benefits for the full back catalogue (and a bunch more fun stuff),Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comWAX QUIZZICAL LIVE: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:591/PROMO CODE: ialsolisten (for 50% off!)CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy Republic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To close out this particular run of interviews (don't panic we have literally already recorded a whole next season) it's comedy deity James Acaster! The gang discuss everything from winning over cats, to hotdog meat in pizza, and of course we close the mystery on if Nish Kumar is his forever Fwend. It's a good one. it's Fwends!CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Fwends, it's Eryn Jean bloody Norvill! Woah! This ones's a doozy. We talk about everything from the psychology of acting, to losing friends and gaining friends under very intense personal circumstances, and we finally find out who took Amala's lunch. It's Fwends!CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Fwends LIVE! Recorded at a sold out Comedy Republic (ever heard of it?) during Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Fwends chat with comedy/literary/music sensation David O'Doherty. Is this typically sprawling conversation, the gang cover starting a detective agency, comedy competitions in the late 1990s and who the ultimate forever Fwends is. It's Fwends!CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Fwends, we are joined by a literal national treasure and Australian television icon, the one and only Rove McManus!From the high-stakes drama of going missing during a childhood sleepover to the legendary mentorship of Bert Newton, Rove has a lifetime of stories. We also dive into what it’s actually like starting iconic TV shows with your best mates and surviving decades in the biz.Catch Rove on Tour: https://comedy.com.au/tour/rove-mcmanus/CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Fwends, it's an ABC foreign correspondent who also happens to be a ol' pal of Kyran, Riley Stuart!From reporting from war zones, to people being kicked off expensive holidays, Riley has seen a LOT. And there may even be a special surprise on his fwends list. it's FWENDS!CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Russia's/Several other countries' Olga Koch! One of the world's best comedians and, as we find out in the episode, also a real bloody brainiac. Join the gang as we learn that we are definitely in para-social relationships, Kyran is very good at segues, and Rhys is trying to interview someone. A joy! Fwends!The Parasocial Deep-DiveThe core of the episode revolves around Olga’s academic and personal obsession with how we form bonds with people we don't actually know.Defining the "Fwendship": Olga explains that the term "parasocial relationship" was coined in the 1950s regarding talk show hosts, but has been "turbo-charged" by social media and podcasts.The Intimacy of Audio: She notes that podcasting creates the most intense version of this bond because the host is "directly in your ear" for long periods, leading listeners to feel they are part of a "perceived inner circle".The Emotional Reality: Olga argues that even if a relationship is "imaginary" or one-sided, the emotional response (the dopamine hit from a message or the grief when a character dies) is biologically valid and real.SEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Tickets are almost gone. 📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm 🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542/38:2033/FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMFwends: @fwendspodHelen Bauer: @helenbauerGeorgia Mooney: @georgiamooneyKyran Nicholson: @kyrannicholsonRhys Nicholson: @rhysnicholsonComedy Republic: @comedyrepublicmelbWatch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WF0IKNQQVv4Produced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Crisis Queen!We are joined by the wonderful Helen Bauer (Trusty Hogs, Helen's Log). We sat Helen down to discuss the high-stakes world of international friendship, why she is a "smash in emergency" friend, and how she once propositioned our host in a school cafeteria.You can also now watch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WF0IKNQQVv4Inside the EpisodeThe Crisis Captain: Why Helen prefers her friends when they are having a breakdown rather than when they are thriving.The Ultimate Care Package: Helen’s step-by-step guide to nursing a friend back to health, involving lavender eucalyptus mist and oversized pajamas.Little Women Fever: The group debates who is the Jo, the Meg, and the Beth of the friendship group.The "Naked as Frankenstein" IncidentSEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Tickets are almost gone. 📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm 🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542/38:2033/FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMFwends: @fwendspodHelen Bauer: @helenbauerGeorgia Mooney: @georgiamooneyKyran Nicholson: @kyrannicholsonRhys Nicholson: @rhysnicholsonComedy Republic: @comedyrepublicmelbWatch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WF0IKNQQVv4Produced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're Back!To kick off the brand new season, we are joined by the incomparable Nish Kumar (Pod Save the UK, Taskmaster, The Bugle). We sat Nish down on the set of Off Menu (we changed the logo on the telly, don't tell Ed and James) to discuss the high-stakes world of international friendship. You can also now watch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1_dgQHE-g-sInside the Episode-The Ravioli Incident: Why a 3-year-old Nish thought white people were eating hot tea bags.-The Great Euston Rescue: The heartwarming story of James Acaster liberating Nish from a panic attack at a train station.-The "X-Men" Theory: Why your friendship group needs a Wolverine, a Food Captain, and someone to sink a boat with.-The ADHD "Superpower": Is it a gift? Or is it like Superman shitting himself every fourth time he flies? (Nish and Rhys have thoughts).SEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Tickets are almost gone.📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542/38:2033/FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMNish Kumar: @mrnishkumarGeorgia Mooney: @georgiamooneyKyran Nicholson: @kyrannicholsonRhys Nicholson: @rhysnicholsonComedy Republic: @comedyrepublicmelbWatch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1_dgQHE-g-sProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ANNOUNCING THE VERY FIRST FWENDS LIVE SHOW!!!As part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on Saturday 11 April, 3:00pm Rhys, Georgia and Kyran will take to the Comedy Republic stage for a live interview with a very special guest. They will also be tap dancing. For reasons only truly long time listeners will recall.As a Fwend With Benefits you get access to tickets for 24 hours before anyone else, by clicking here: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542 For everyone else it will go on sale midday Melbourne time, Thursday 15th January, 2026.You should come!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the third instalment of our Best of 2025 compilations! And it's a thoughtful one. We revisit some of the highlights from our interviews over the past year, continuing with the third Fwend Question we ask our guests: "Who is a Former Fwend?"00:00 - Fwends say hi!15:44 - Lazy Susan23:56 - Sarah Blasko34:57 - Ben Shewry45:59 - Gillian Cosgriff1:03:59 - Marc Fennell1:15:40 - Zachary Ruane1:26:50 - Zoë Coombs Marr1:39:24 - Benjamin Law1:55:00 - Fwends say bye!FWENDS WITH BENEFITS IS HERE! You can now support us coming into your ears each week. Not like that. Grow up. Details below.- - -CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simple Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show).Apple - Subscribe above!Not Apple - https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWOf course you've already subscribed or followed the show, now we'd love you to leave a rating and a review. In whatever podcast app you're in right now, just throw down the 5 stars. Will make our day, and help to get the podcast into more people's ears (which will ultimately mean even bigger name guests for you!)INSTAGRAMFwends PodGeorgia MooneyRhys NicholsonKyran NicholsonYOUTUBESoon (how soon we don't know) you will be able to watch clips of the show on YouTube, click through and hit subscribe now to get them the second they appear: Fwends Pod YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the first instalment of our Best of 2025 compilations! And it's a biggie! We revisit some of the highlights from our interviews over the past year, starting with the first Fwend Question we ask our guests: "Who was your First Fwend?"00:00 - Fwends say hi!13:56 - Erik Jensen22:53 - Clare Bowditch32:23 - Benjamin Law45:23 - Geraldine Hickey54:52 - Ben Lee105:57 - Sarah Blasko115:19 - Ben Shewry127:10 - Michael Hing136:25 - Lazy Susan155:14 - Fwends say bye!FWENDS WITH BENEFITS IS HERE! You can now support us coming into your ears each week. Not like that. Grow up. Details below.- - -CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simple Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show).Apple - Subscribe above!Not Apple - https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWOf course you've already subscribed or followed the show, now we'd love you to leave a rating and a review. In whatever podcast app you're in right now, just throw down the 5 stars. Will make our day, and help to get the podcast into more people's ears (which will ultimately mean even bigger name guests for you!)INSTAGRAMFwends PodGeorgia MooneyRhys NicholsonKyran NicholsonYOUTUBESoon (how soon we don't know) you will be able to watch clips of the show on YouTube, click through and hit subscribe now to get them the second they appear: Fwends Pod YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgia has done her show, Rhys is tired, and Kyran has no idea how to use a hair dryer. Between the waxing talk and the blow drying technique, this is a very hair-based mail bag. It's FWENDS!FWENDS WITH BENEFITS IS HERE! You can now support us coming into your ears each week. Not like that. Grow up. Details below.- - -CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - fwendspod@gmail.comMail - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simple Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show).Apple - Subscribe above!Not Apple - https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWOf course you've already subscribed or followed the show, now we'd love you to leave a rating and a review. In whatever podcast app you're in right now, just throw down the 5 stars. Will make our day, and help to get the podcast into more people's ears (which will ultimately mean even bigger name guests for you!)INSTAGRAMFwends PodGeorgia MooneyRhys NicholsonKyran NicholsonYOUTUBESoon (how soon we don't know) you will be able to watch clips of the show on YouTube, click through and hit subscribe now to get them the second they appear: Fwends Pod YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.