Mark And Pete

What will 2026 really bring? In this episode of Mark & Pete, we take a boldly unscientific but spiritually alert look at the year ahead, guided by Mark’s satirical poem The Top Prediction Picks for Twenty Twenty-Six. Expect humour, cultural commentary, and a Christian lens on a world that seems to be making it up as it goes along.We cover predictions about a stagnant economy, increasingly surreal British politics, AI replacing human candidates, cyber-espionage, and the strange return of superstition and modern witchcraft. From Keir Starmer’s ever-shifting image to the possibility of Scotland humiliating England on the world stage, no national anxiety is left untouched. We also explore Donald Trump’s media-saturated dominance, the rise of algorithmic power, and what happens when social media becomes the measure of human worth.As ever, Mark brings the poetry and Pete brings the theology, grounding the satire in Scripture and reminding us why Christians should be calm when everyone else is hysterical. Drawin

Welcome to the New Year episode of Mark and Pete, where optimism is treated with caution and realism is offered with grace. The Survivor’s Guide to 2026 is a thoughtful, funny, and quietly Christian exploration of how to step into the year ahead without losing your soul, your sanity, or what remains of your dignity.This episode blends poetry, reflection, and cultural commentary in the distinctive Mark and Pete style. Mark brings two original poems: The Survivor’s Guide to 2026, a wry field manual for enduring the year ahead, and New Year – Same Old Feeling, an honest meditation on why January so often feels emotionally familiar despite the calendar reset.

Christmas, as it turns out, is a strange mixture of warmth and mild insanity, and this special episode leans cheerfully into both. Mark and Pete wander through the season’s rituals, irritations, costs, comforts, and contradictions, pausing often enough to laugh at them, and just long enough to take something seriously when it matters. There are poems, naturally, because rules appear wherever joy is under pressure. There are elves too, watching quietly, costing loudly, reminding us that modern magic rarely comes without a receipt.Along the way, attention drifts to neighbours who decorate with evangelical enthusiasm, festive music that promises feeling without substance, and the peculiar cultural agreement that Christmas must be enjoyed correctly, on schedule, and with visible enthusiasm. It’s all very merry, in the way that British merriment often is, slightly strained at the edges.

In this episode of Mark and Pete, we take a clear-eyed look at three stories that reveal how badly modern Britain and the wider West now struggle with value, authority, and fear.We begin with the theft of more than 600 artefacts from a Bristol museum. Individually, the items are of little monetary worth, but collectively they represent something far more important: history, memory, and inheritance. We ask what motivates a crime like this, what the thieves can possibly do with such objects, and what it says about a culture that no longer understands the difference between price and worth.Next, we turn to Australia’s decision to ban children from using social media. The policy lasted about five minutes before children worked around it. We explore why governments repeatedly try to legislate formation, why this always fails, and why parenting, presence, and moral training cannot be outsourced to the state or to technology.Finally, we look at the latest flu outbreak and the familiar NHS response: emergency languag

This week’s Mark and Pete episode dives into the brilliantly baffling state of modern Britain and beyond. We begin with the latest UK budget, where rising beer duty and new hospitality taxes threaten the future of hundreds of pubs across the nation. Why is the beating heart of British community life being priced out? Mark and Pete explore the humour, frustration, and cultural loss behind the numbers — from village locals to city taverns.Then we cross the Atlantic to a bizarre headline from Virginia: a raccoon found raiding a liquor store and discovered passed out, completely drunk. Is it a one-off curiosity — or a worrying sign civilisation has now influenced wildlife in the worst possible ways?Finally, the West End triumph of the new Paddington musical prompts one question: if a polite bear can sing and dance, what would a Rachel Reeves or Nigel Farage musical look like? 

In this Mark and Pete Budget Special, our intrepid duo dive into the chaos, comedy, and quiet despair of Britain’s latest economic rumblings. First up: the OBR leak that spilled early forecasts across Westminster like a carelessly opened hymnbook, revealing sluggish growth, stubborn borrowing, and a government hoping nobody notices the fine print. Then it’s on to the endlessly controversial mansion tax, where homeowners panic, politicians posture, and Mark calmly explains why half the country is suddenly checking their Zoopla valuation with sweaty palms.Pete brings the theological lens, Mark brings the economic logic, and together they explore the growing maze of ISAs, the rise of salary sacrifice, and the lingering chill of the threshold freeze — Britain’s favourite stealth tax. Along the way, expect dry humour, a touch of pulpit wisdom, and a brutally honest look at how ordinary people will fare as the nation stumbles forward.Finally, the pair unveil their fateful fiscal forecast: a wry yet hopeful predicti

In this episode of Mark and Pete, your favourite businessman-and-preacher double act dive into a trio of “super” stories shaping the week’s headlines. First up, a pristine copy of Superman #1 turns up in a dusty attic and becomes the most valuable comic ever sold, reminding us how forgotten things can suddenly reveal extraordinary worth. Then we plunge — metaphorically, thankfully — into Britain’s sewers, where super fatbergs made from flushed wet wipes are causing ten-ton blockages and costing millions to clear. Mark and Pete explore how small habits create big national problems, and why stewardship still matters. Finally, the lads head north of the border to celebrate Scotland’s shock World Cup qualification, a last-minute victory so wild it practically registered on the Richter scale.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-and-pete--1245374/support.Supporters get updates on new projects and hot takes on the latest news plus Mark and Pete Extra  in depth commentary episodes

In this episode of Mark & Pete, the boys tackle three stories that prove the world has not yet learned to behave itself. First up: Donald Trump threatens to sue the BBC for billions after an edited clip of his January 6th speech sparks outrage and accusations of media misconduct. We explore what’s actually happened, the legal reality behind defamation claims, and why this case matters far beyond the headlines — touching on truth, trust, and the strange modern dance between politicians and broadcasters. Then we head to The Barking Dog, where a pub quiz team has been caught cheating with smartwatches and phones, raising the eternal British question: is nothing sacred, not even general knowledge and the picture round? Mark and Pete unpack how technology, temptation, and a desire to win three pints of lager collide in one very British scandal. Finally, we go global with banana-related trade drama, as U.S. tariffs shift again, affecting countries like Guatemala and Ecuador.Become a supporter of this podcast: h

In this thoughtful and gently sardonic episode of Mark and Pete, we take a reflective walk through three very British stories of courage, dignity, and the quietly absurd. First, we consider Remembrance: the solemn honour we give to those who laid down their lives, and the rather patchier support we offer to the veterans and service personnel who are still alive and carrying scars we cannot see. With Scripture in hand, we look at what true honour means — not only silence at the Cenotaph, but practical compassion in daily life. Next, we turn to the North Sea, where oil workers have been told to lose weight to meet helicopter seat restrictions. This raises questions about workplace dignity, corporate priorities, and whether human beings should be measured in service of the ledger. It’s serious — but we do enjoy a wry chuckle along the way. Finally, we celebrate the opening of the National Centre for Illustration by Sir Quentin Blake — a tribute to the imaginative, joyful, slightly wobbly line that has shaped chi

Mark and Pete, the Reverend and the Retailer tackle three stories that expose the strange priorities of our modern world — from comedy to catastrophe and cosmetic chaos. First, they salute the late Prunella Scales, Britain’s beloved queen of sitcom wit, whose turn as Sybil Fawlty made her both feared and adored. Her death marks the passing of an age when women could be beautiful, brainy, and blisteringly funny all at once. Mark and Pete reflect on humour, holiness, and the grace of growing old with dignity. Next, they descend into the corporate turbulence of Boeing, now facing a five-billion-dollar penalty for missed deadlines and broken promises. What happens when engineering pride outruns integrity? Finally, they bare their teeth at Britain’s booming black-market whitening trade, where peroxide-heavy gels are burning gums and blinding sense. The British Dental Association is appalled — and so are Mark and Pete. From laughter to litigation, the duo uncover the spiritual truth behind society’s obsession with

Britain serves up a triple shot of absurdity.First, the beloved Mr Men and Little Miss characters join forces with the estate of Agatha Christie to launch a new children’s mystery series — turning Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple into cartoon detectives. Is it clever cultural cross-pollination, or simply literary heresy in pastel colours? Then, King Charles III travels to the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV, marking the first public prayer between an English monarch and a pontiff in half a millennium. Is it genuine reconciliation or royal diplomacy with incense? Finally, a London woman is fined £150 for pouring her coffee down a street drain — proving once again that Britain can turn caffeine into a crime scene faster than you can say “flat white.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-and-pete--1245374/support.Supporters get updates on new projects and hot takes on the latest news plus Mark and Pete Extra  in depth commentary episodes and Mark and Pete vs AI  comedy episodes. Al

 In this week’s unholy trinity of headlines: first, King Charles III heads to Rome for a historic meeting with Pope Leo XIV, the first time in half a millennium a British monarch will pray publicly with a Pope. Yet the headlines aren’t about prayer, but about Prince Andrew’s latest fall from grace as he withdraws from public life amid renewed scrutiny. Next, the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors delivers a moment of comic relief when beloved actress Celia Imrie CBE breaks wind during filming and instantly confesses, reminding Britain that honesty and humour still beat pretence and pomposity. Finally, the lads dive into the world of artificial intelligence, as U.S. regulators probe tech giants over chatbots chatting with children, just as OpenAI announces adult-only erotica modes for verified users. What could possibly go wrong? With Mark’s poems, Pete’s biblical insights, and the trademark blend of faith, satire, and straight talk, Mark and Pete explore how pride, pressure, and perversion all stem from one source, the

In this unmissable episode of Mark and Pete, the preacher and the poet tackle three of the week’s most talked-about headlines: A Spitting Image sketch turns our beloved bear into a cocaine-snorting podcast host The Liberal Democrats watch their membership plummet under Ed Davey’s quietly chaotic leadership Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl smashes sales records — and her lyrics sound suspiciously like modern worship songsAlong the way, we ask:Why does parody sting when it hits close to virtue?Can a political party without backbone survive the culture war?Is Taylor Swift the high priestess of pop... or just a really good marketer?With: Scripture, Satirical poetry, Cultural commentary, And one eyebrow permanently raised. From the BIble to Ophelia, marmalade to glitter, it’s all on the table.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-and-pete--1245374/support.Supporters get updates on new projects and hot takes on the latest news plus Mark and Pete Extra  in depth commentary episod

In this episode of Mark and Pete, we ask:– Is the new Archbishop of Canterbury a nurse for a terminal church?– Has Labour MP Mark Sewards replaced himself with a chatbot?– And would risk dying for $500,000 if MrBeast asked nicely? Join preacher Pete and businessman Mark as they dissect the absurdity of modern Britain with a wit as sharp as a bishop’s mitre and a Yorkshireman's patience for nonsense. Bible, business, belief, and a little beastly risk. It’s Mark and Pete — where faith meets the front pages.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-and-pete--1245374/support.Supporters get updates on new projects and hot takes on the latest news plus Mark and Pete Extra  in depth commentary episodes and Mark and Pete vs AI  comedy episodes. All right here in this podcast feed.  Thank you for your support, welcome to the community.

In this episode, Mark and Pete tackle three big stories: Donald Trump’s surprisingly diplomatic UK visit, the passing of Robert Redford and his prophetic words about the movie industry, and the sad halt of Wedgwood ceramics production. Expect wit, wisdom, and a biblical lens on diplomacy, legacy, and luxury.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-and-pete--1245374/support.Supporters get updates on new projects and hot takes on the latest news plus Mark and Pete Extra  in depth commentary episodes and Mark and Pete vs AI  comedy episodes. All right here in this podcast feed.  Thank you for your support, welcome to the community.

Lord Mandelson’s foolish links with Jeffrey Epstein resurface, raising hard questions about political judgement and leadership in Labour. Meanwhile, a very different story unfolds in the Alps, where a group of elderly nuns have returned to their beloved convent — a tale of faith, joy, and a homecoming far more dignified than Westminster scandals. Finally, Mitchum deodorant, famed for its “one job,” has reportedly caused itchy armpits and left customers less than fresh. What does it all mean? From politics that stinks to holiness that shines, Mark and Pete mix humour, poetry, and biblical wisdom to make sense of a strange world.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mark-and-pete--1245374/support.Supporters get updates on new projects and hot takes on the latest news plus Mark and Pete Extra  in depth commentary episodes and Mark and Pete vs AI  comedy episodes. All right here in this podcast feed.  Thank you for your support, welcome to the community.

In this episode of Mark and Pete, we tackle three heavyweight stories shaking politics, business, and sport. First, Angela Rayner’s resignation sparks chaos inside the Labour Party and raises serious questions about Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. Is Labour heading for unity or a full-blown civil war? Next, we turn to Elon Musk, who could become the world’s first trillionaire thanks to Tesla’s audacious targets and his relentless drive. What does this say about incentives, ambition, and the staggering concentration of wealth in our age? Finally, we reflect on the passing of Joe Bugner, the legendary British-Australian heavyweight boxer who fought Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and became a symbol of grit, endurance, and immigrant success. From Westminster’s power struggles to Silicon Valley’s mega-money, and from the bruising world of boxing to questions of legacy, this episode blends wit, insight, and biblical reflection. Politics, money, and sport collide — but what really matters when the final bell rings? T

First up, we look at the absurdities of modern leadership with goofy governance. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has declared he won’t attend Donald Trump’s state banquet — a bold refusal of an invitation he never received. Mark and Pete explore what this reveals about the theatre of British politics and the problem of symbolic posturing in governance. Next, we turn to the tennis court. Daniil Medvedev lost his cool when a photographer strayed onto the court, showing how easily anger boils over in sport. But when is anger righteous, and when is it destructive? Pete reflects on biblical teaching about temper, from Jesus cleansing the Temple to Paul’s warning not to let the sun go down on our wrath. Finally, posture comes under scrutiny. Scientist and BBC presenter Dr Xand van Tulleken has urged people to improve their posture for health’s sake. Pete has tried this himself and shares why posture matters — not just physically, but spiritually, as Scripture calls us to stand firm in faith.Become a supporter

In this lively episode of Mark and Pete, the duo tackle three curious tales from the worlds of culture, politics, and everyday life. First up: the passing of Ronnie Rondell Jnr, the Hollywood stuntman who made others famous while remaining largely unknown. From being set alight on the cover of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here to crashing through scenes in Batman and Robin and The Mighty Ducks, his life sparks reflection on the unsung heroes who risk everything but rarely get the applause. Next, the Tesco Meal Deal — a staple of students and low-income workers alike — has crept up in price once again. That 25p rise may sound small, but it’s a big bite out of already-stretched budgets. Mark and Pete chew over what this means for ordinary folk, and whether it’s time to rediscover thriftier ways of feeding body and soul. Finally, we turn to the world of politics and pixels: Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Volodymyr Zelensky appeared in a viral “Oval Office” photo looking like schoolboys in trouble — until the p

In this episode of the Mark and Pete Podcast, we rise to the occasion with three very different but equally fascinating stories. First, Mark and Pete chew over the Hovis–Kingsmill merger, asking whether two of Britain’s biggest bread brands combining is good news for the consumer or just a corporate loaf too far. Expect plenty of puns, poetry, and a reminder from Scripture about trusting God for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Next, we pause to remember Biddy Baxter, the legendary Blue Peter editor who shaped generations of children’s television. With her passing at the age of 92, we revisit her legacy of imagination, badges, and of course the immortal catchphrase: “Here’s one I made earlier.” Pete links her work to Proverbs 22:6 — training up a child in the way they should go — while Mark offers one of his trademark poetic tributes. Finally, we celebrate sporting greatness as Armand Duplantis breaks the world pole vault record for the 13th time — his third this year. With humour, insight, and Philippians 3:1