Cigawi Podcast with Eric Fennell Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:09:43 +0200 https://cigawi.buzzsprout.com/ en-us © 2026 Cigawi Podcast with Eric Fennell no Support this Podcast a80774a8-e594-53fc-91fc-6e93db3ea274 Eric Fennell episodic true Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) cigawi, fennell, opera, hockey, germany, usa, rogan, society, berlin, podcast, spotify, peterson Eric Fennell https://storage.buzzsprout.com/xtbxa5ipxoucy9gaovyk6yxoh5pl?.jpg Cigawi Podcast with Eric Fennell https://cigawi.buzzsprout.com/ Nicole Piccolomini Nicole Piccolomini Episode 24!  Today I sat down with Long Island born and 20 year resident of Berlin Nicole Piccolomini.  She's had a wonderful career in opera which has taken her to the farthest corners of the globe.  She shared her origin story as well as her tips on self-confidence, perseverance, and longevity.  Hope you can check it out!

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]]> Episode 24!  Today I sat down with Long Island born and 20 year resident of Berlin Nicole Piccolomini.  She's had a wonderful career in opera which has taken her to the farthest corners of the globe.  She shared her origin story as well as her tips on self-confidence, perseverance, and longevity.  Hope you can check it out!

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-18508427 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0100 10350 1 24 full false Charles Castronovo Charles Castronovo Episode 23!  He's back!  My first guest and good friend Charlie Castronovo and I meet up to chat about singing, music, and lifestyle.  Hope you enjoy our chat!  

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]]> Episode 23!  He's back!  My first guest and good friend Charlie Castronovo and I meet up to chat about singing, music, and lifestyle.  Hope you enjoy our chat!  

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-18132484 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +0100 8069 1 23 full true Chuck Hudson Chuck Hudson Episode 22!  Hey everybody!  Hope you enjoy this podcast with my friend and opera director Chuck Hudson.  Chuck has almost 50 years of experience in the theater.  He's a true master of his craft.  I hope you enjoy this chat!  Be kind everyone!  To find Chuck online visit his website: https://www.chdirector.com/

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]]> Episode 22!  Hey everybody!  Hope you enjoy this podcast with my friend and opera director Chuck Hudson.  Chuck has almost 50 years of experience in the theater.  He's a true master of his craft.  I hope you enjoy this chat!  Be kind everyone!  To find Chuck online visit his website: https://www.chdirector.com/

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-17948204 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0200 7003 1 22 full false Gregory Kunde Gregory Kunde Episode 21!  What a pleasure to sit down with a living legend!  Gregory Kunde is an international tenor whose career has spanned almost 50 years.  He's been an inspiration to me as well as a teacher and mentor.  I hope you all enjoy this chat and make sure to find and attend one of Greg's future performances.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Kunde


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]]> Episode 21!  What a pleasure to sit down with a living legend!  Gregory Kunde is an international tenor whose career has spanned almost 50 years.  He's been an inspiration to me as well as a teacher and mentor.  I hope you all enjoy this chat and make sure to find and attend one of Greg's future performances.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Kunde


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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-17192486 Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200 9989 1 21 full true George Fennell George Fennell Episode 20!  Hey friends, Happy New Year!  I hope everyone survived the holidays.  In the episode of the Cigawi Podcast I had the unique opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives with my dad, George Fennell.  He is a retired public school music educator and still active as a teacher, performer, and conductor.  I hope you all enjoy this unique podcast.  Take care everyone!

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]]> Episode 20!  Hey friends, Happy New Year!  I hope everyone survived the holidays.  In the episode of the Cigawi Podcast I had the unique opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives with my dad, George Fennell.  He is a retired public school music educator and still active as a teacher, performer, and conductor.  I hope you all enjoy this unique podcast.  Take care everyone!

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-16500453 Sat, 25 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0100 8383 1 20 full false Amy Harris Amy Harris Episode 19!  Amy Harris is a soprano and also the general manager of the Berlin Academy of American Music (BAAM).  I really enjoyed our conversation and her unique perspective!  Be sure to check out her website www.amyharrissoprano.com and BAAM's website www.baamorch.de.  Be kind everybody!

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]]> Episode 19!  Amy Harris is a soprano and also the general manager of the Berlin Academy of American Music (BAAM).  I really enjoyed our conversation and her unique perspective!  Be sure to check out her website www.amyharrissoprano.com and BAAM's website www.baamorch.de.  Be kind everybody!

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-15984260 Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:00:00 +0200 8201 1 19 full false Jonny Whitlam Jonny Whitlam Episode 18!  This was a fun one.  Jonny Whitlam is a Berlin tour guide and very active on social media as well.  Make sure to check out his Instagram/TikTok @whitlamsberlintours and his website: www.whitlam-berlin-tours.com.  He also co-hosts a podcast with Pip Roper called History Flakes-The Berlin History Podcast.  I talk a lot of shit especially about history and it was refreshing to have Jonny fact check me :-D.  I should follow up a little about the Spanish Inquisition.  It officially ended 1834, but the Vatican still has an office/tribunal called "Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith" intended to root out heresies especially among the Catholic clergy.  Be kind everyone!  And enjoy!

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]]> Episode 18!  This was a fun one.  Jonny Whitlam is a Berlin tour guide and very active on social media as well.  Make sure to check out his Instagram/TikTok @whitlamsberlintours and his website: www.whitlam-berlin-tours.com.  He also co-hosts a podcast with Pip Roper called History Flakes-The Berlin History Podcast.  I talk a lot of shit especially about history and it was refreshing to have Jonny fact check me :-D.  I should follow up a little about the Spanish Inquisition.  It officially ended 1834, but the Vatican still has an office/tribunal called "Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith" intended to root out heresies especially among the Catholic clergy.  Be kind everyone!  And enjoy!

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-15500724 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0200 9556 1 18 full true Geoff Loff Geoff Loff Episode 17!  Today I sat down with conductor and pianist Geoff Loff.    We shared some funny stories, some laughs, and a few beers.  He was a super fun guest!  Make sure to follow his career at the Komische Oper Berlin, his Instagram, and his website: http://www.geoffloff.com Take care everybody and hope you enjoy!

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]]> Episode 17!  Today I sat down with conductor and pianist Geoff Loff.    We shared some funny stories, some laughs, and a few beers.  He was a super fun guest!  Make sure to follow his career at the Komische Oper Berlin, his Instagram, and his website: http://www.geoffloff.com Take care everybody and hope you enjoy!

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-15265584 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0200 12998 1 17 full true Mane Galoyan Mane Galoyan Episode 16!  Hi friends!  I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the great young professionals in the opera world: soprano, Mane Galoyan.  In this podcast she shares her origin story as well as advice for young singers.  Be sure to check out the schedule page on her website and enjoy our chat!  Be kind everyone!  https://www.manegaloyan.com/

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]]> Episode 16!  Hi friends!  I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the great young professionals in the opera world: soprano, Mane Galoyan.  In this podcast she shares her origin story as well as advice for young singers.  Be sure to check out the schedule page on her website and enjoy our chat!  Be kind everyone!  https://www.manegaloyan.com/

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-14899310 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0200 7002 1 16 full false Brian Deedrick Brian Deedrick Episode 15!  Today I sat down with opera director Brian Deedrick.  Brian has been one of the champions of opera and theater in the world and a dear friend of mine.  He's had an amazing international career: https://www.operabase.com/artists/brian-deedrick-2329/en.  Hope you enjoy our chat!  Remember to download and subscribe!

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]]> Episode 15!  Today I sat down with opera director Brian Deedrick.  Brian has been one of the champions of opera and theater in the world and a dear friend of mine.  He's had an amazing international career: https://www.operabase.com/artists/brian-deedrick-2329/en.  Hope you enjoy our chat!  Remember to download and subscribe!

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-14186905 Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0100 6942 1 15 full false Perry Eff Perry Eff Episode 14!  I sit down with Scottish born, but Berlin based, comedian Perry Eff.  Perry and partner Shawn Jay  host a comedy show every week at the Pala restaurant called Berlin Rooftop comedy.  He also travels the world doing stand-up.  Here's the website for Backlash and Rooftop Comedy: https://www.shawnjay.com/backlashcomedy  I hope you enjoy our chat!  Please download, subscribe, and enjoy...and if you like it please donate.  Peace out, Eric

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]]> Episode 14!  I sit down with Scottish born, but Berlin based, comedian Perry Eff.  Perry and partner Shawn Jay  host a comedy show every week at the Pala restaurant called Berlin Rooftop comedy.  He also travels the world doing stand-up.  Here's the website for Backlash and Rooftop Comedy: https://www.shawnjay.com/backlashcomedy  I hope you enjoy our chat!  Please download, subscribe, and enjoy...and if you like it please donate.  Peace out, Eric

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-13493897 Wed, 30 Aug 2023 01:00:00 +0200 8732 1 14 full true Allan R. Scott Allan R. Scott Episode 13!  Hi everyone!  Here's my conversation with Maestro Allan R. Scott.  I've  always been so impressed with Allan's musical instincts and insight.  Not only is he a wonderful musician, he's a great ambassador for music.  I'm so honoured that he could make time for my podcast in his busy schedule.  You can find his expanded biography and performance schedule on his website: www.allanrscott.com.  We'll be collaborating on 2 upcoming projects: Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni with the Helena Symphony and A Night of Italian Tenor Arias with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra.  Hope you all Enjoy!

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]]> Episode 13!  Hi everyone!  Here's my conversation with Maestro Allan R. Scott.  I've  always been so impressed with Allan's musical instincts and insight.  Not only is he a wonderful musician, he's a great ambassador for music.  I'm so honoured that he could make time for my podcast in his busy schedule.  You can find his expanded biography and performance schedule on his website: www.allanrscott.com.  We'll be collaborating on 2 upcoming projects: Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni with the Helena Symphony and A Night of Italian Tenor Arias with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra.  Hope you all Enjoy!

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]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-13393173 Sat, 12 Aug 2023 17:00:00 +0200 9409 1 13 full false Shaun Choo Shaun Choo Episode 12!  Hi guys, I had a pretty tough and busy winter and spring, but I'm back and with the fantastic young pianist Shaun Choo.  As usual, we talk about whatever comes up, but I'd like to highlight in the notes here a music festival in Berlin 10-15 July that Shaun single handedly organised called Fiestravaganza.  All concerts are free and will feature young talent on the piano from around the world.  Check out the festival and Shaun on Instagram, and Shaun's website for his other performing dates: www.musicshaun.com.  The first minute of the podcast features Shaun playing Chopin Prelude Op.28: No. 4 and the podcast finishes with Shaun's own composition "Fiestravaganza."   Check him out on Spotify!  Take care everybody and remember to be kind!

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]]> Episode 12!  Hi guys, I had a pretty tough and busy winter and spring, but I'm back and with the fantastic young pianist Shaun Choo.  As usual, we talk about whatever comes up, but I'd like to highlight in the notes here a music festival in Berlin 10-15 July that Shaun single handedly organised called Fiestravaganza.  All concerts are free and will feature young talent on the piano from around the world.  Check out the festival and Shaun on Instagram, and Shaun's website for his other performing dates: www.musicshaun.com.  The first minute of the podcast features Shaun playing Chopin Prelude Op.28: No. 4 and the podcast finishes with Shaun's own composition "Fiestravaganza."   Check him out on Spotify!  Take care everybody and remember to be kind!

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-13095928 Fri, 23 Jun 2023 21:00:00 +0200 5253 1 12 full false Garrett Keast Garrett Keast Episode 11!  I'm back after a pause for some gigs and a bout with corona.  Garrett Keast is the founder and conductor of the Berlin Academy of American Music.  Their album, Transatlantic, has received 5 star reviews from BBC Music.  Dec. 3, 2022 his orchestra gives a concert at the Konzertsaal Siemans Villa in Berlin featuring music by Caroline Shaw, Jonathan Dawe, Ursula Mamlock, and Igor Stravinsky.  Hope you enjoy our chat!  Be kind everyone!

Support the show

]]> Episode 11!  I'm back after a pause for some gigs and a bout with corona.  Garrett Keast is the founder and conductor of the Berlin Academy of American Music.  Their album, Transatlantic, has received 5 star reviews from BBC Music.  Dec. 3, 2022 his orchestra gives a concert at the Konzertsaal Siemans Villa in Berlin featuring music by Caroline Shaw, Jonathan Dawe, Ursula Mamlock, and Igor Stravinsky.  Hope you enjoy our chat!  Be kind everyone!

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-11753231 Wed, 23 Nov 2022 22:00:00 +0100 8147 1 11 full true Andrew Nolen 2 Andrew Nolen 2 Episode 10!  One of the coolest guys I know Andrew Nolen comes over for a chat.  We touch on a variety of topics ranging from modern opera to Top Gun 2.  Hope you all enjoy!  Be kind to one another!  Love, Eric

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]]> Episode 10!  One of the coolest guys I know Andrew Nolen comes over for a chat.  We touch on a variety of topics ranging from modern opera to Top Gun 2.  Hope you all enjoy!  Be kind to one another!  Love, Eric

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10707384 Mon, 30 May 2022 22:00:00 +0200 7913 1 10 full true Kat Koan Kat Koan Episode 9!  Berlin based musician Kat Koan joins me back in my home studio.  Kat just released a new album in LP format available on her website: www.katkoan.com.  Check out her video on Youtube: Lost Souls.  She also has great content on her Instagram including videos made with her husband Patrick Tichy who was also a guest on my podcast.  The play-in music is Kat's single "Silly Me" and stay tuned at the end of the podcast to hear 2 singles from her recent album "Stay" and "Lost Souls" followed by her most played track on Spotify "Lustfire" arranged by Quatrovalvole.

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]]> Episode 9!  Berlin based musician Kat Koan joins me back in my home studio.  Kat just released a new album in LP format available on her website: www.katkoan.com.  Check out her video on Youtube: Lost Souls.  She also has great content on her Instagram including videos made with her husband Patrick Tichy who was also a guest on my podcast.  The play-in music is Kat's single "Silly Me" and stay tuned at the end of the podcast to hear 2 singles from her recent album "Stay" and "Lost Souls" followed by her most played track on Spotify "Lustfire" arranged by Quatrovalvole.

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10616034 Sat, 14 May 2022 16:00:00 +0200 11484 1 9 full true Matija Meic´ Matija Meic´ Episode 8!  This is my first podcast recorded outside my home studio.  I sit down with my friend and colleague and Croatian baritone Matija Meic´.  We're singing in Rigoletto together in Munich's Gätnerplatztheater.  He's a next generation baritone who will be making his debut singing Rigoletto this month.  Enjoy and be kind everyone!

Matija' webpage: Operabase

Support the show

]]> Episode 8!  This is my first podcast recorded outside my home studio.  I sit down with my friend and colleague and Croatian baritone Matija Meic´.  We're singing in Rigoletto together in Munich's Gätnerplatztheater.  He's a next generation baritone who will be making his debut singing Rigoletto this month.  Enjoy and be kind everyone!

Matija' webpage: Operabase

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10461416 Tue, 19 Apr 2022 01:00:00 +0200 8226 1 8 full true Patrick Tichy Patrick Tichy Episode 7!  Patrick Tichy is an internationally acclaimed cinematographer and one of my best hockey buddies here in Berlin.  Check out his website at Patricktichy.com and his Instagram at tichypatrick.  Stay well everybody and be kind!

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]]> Episode 7!  Patrick Tichy is an internationally acclaimed cinematographer and one of my best hockey buddies here in Berlin.  Check out his website at Patricktichy.com and his Instagram at tichypatrick.  Stay well everybody and be kind!

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10314023 Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0100 8737 7 full true Garrett Keast Garrett Keast Episode 6!  Garrett Keast is hopefully the first of many conductors I get on the podcast.  He's the founder and music director of the Berlin Academy of American Music.  He  just released an album called Transatlantic which also features soprano Chen Reiss and flutist Stathis Karapanos.  Check out Garrett's website: here.

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Support the show

]]> Episode 6!  Garrett Keast is hopefully the first of many conductors I get on the podcast.  He's the founder and music director of the Berlin Academy of American Music.  He  just released an album called Transatlantic which also features soprano Chen Reiss and flutist Stathis Karapanos.  Check out Garrett's website: here.

Check out Buzzsprout: click here

Check out Instacart: click here

To support this podcast click here

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10056491 Fri, 11 Feb 2022 17:00:00 +0100 6405 1 6 full false Jamaal Williams Jamaal Williams Episode 5!  Jamaal Williams is an ex-marine living in Berlin.  We chat up a bunch of subjects including his origin story, the military, current events, hockey, and the UFC. 

Enjoy everyone, and be kind!

Check out Buzzsprout: click here

Check out Instacart: click here

To support the podcast: click here

Support the show

]]> Episode 5!  Jamaal Williams is an ex-marine living in Berlin.  We chat up a bunch of subjects including his origin story, the military, current events, hockey, and the UFC. 

Enjoy everyone, and be kind!

Check out Buzzsprout: click here

Check out Instacart: click here

To support the podcast: click here

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10027547 Mon, 07 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0100 10072 1 5 full true Andrew Nolen Andrew Nolen Episode 4!  Andrew Nolen is a bass baritone, but as you'll hear from our podcast he's so much more.  Our chat ran 3 hours...maybe it was the grappa!  Hope you enjoy!

www.andrewnolen.com

Support the show

]]> Episode 4!  Andrew Nolen is a bass baritone, but as you'll hear from our podcast he's so much more.  Our chat ran 3 hours...maybe it was the grappa!  Hope you enjoy!

www.andrewnolen.com

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10008260 Thu, 03 Feb 2022 23:00:00 +0100 10300 1 4 full false Clay Hilley Clay Hilley Episode 3!  I sit down with opera tenor Clay Hilley!  He's fresh off a run of singing Siegfried in Siegfried and Götterdämmerung at Deutsche Oper Berlin.  He talks about his origin story and we share some tales from the stage.  When he came into my studio the first thing he did was sit down at my piano and start playing and singing so be sure to check out the bonus content for this episode.   Clay's website: www.clayhilleytenor.com

I choked on the name of a director that really helped me when I sang my first Don Jose.  It was Josh Major.  Shout out to Josh!  

Be kind everyone and take care!  -Eric


Support the show

]]> Episode 3!  I sit down with opera tenor Clay Hilley!  He's fresh off a run of singing Siegfried in Siegfried and Götterdämmerung at Deutsche Oper Berlin.  He talks about his origin story and we share some tales from the stage.  When he came into my studio the first thing he did was sit down at my piano and start playing and singing so be sure to check out the bonus content for this episode.   Clay's website: www.clayhilleytenor.com

I choked on the name of a director that really helped me when I sang my first Don Jose.  It was Josh Major.  Shout out to Josh!  

Be kind everyone and take care!  -Eric


Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-10000487 Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:00:00 +0100 6232 1 3 full true Sarah Reichert Sarah Reichert Episode 2!  Sarah Reichert is an independent business consultant.  We had a great chat about the ins and outs of her business, the effects covid had on it, and a few other current event topics.  Make sure you check out her website: https://www.sarahreichert.com/ Her Instagram: sarahreichert.coaching and her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sarahreichert.coaching.  You can also find her on LinkedIn.  Enjoy!

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]]> Episode 2!  Sarah Reichert is an independent business consultant.  We had a great chat about the ins and outs of her business, the effects covid had on it, and a few other current event topics.  Make sure you check out her website: https://www.sarahreichert.com/ Her Instagram: sarahreichert.coaching and her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sarahreichert.coaching.  You can also find her on LinkedIn.  Enjoy!

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-9973894 Sat, 29 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +0100 6798 1 2 full true Charles Castronovo Charles Castronovo Episode 1!  I sit down with opera tenor Charles Castronovo.  We chatted about his early days and his start in opera and lots of other topics.  This guy has put in the hard work and carved out a brilliant career and he's just getting started.  Hope you can check it out!

www.charlescastronovo.com

Support the show

]]> Episode 1!  I sit down with opera tenor Charles Castronovo.  We chatted about his early days and his start in opera and lots of other topics.  This guy has put in the hard work and carved out a brilliant career and he's just getting started.  Hope you can check it out!

www.charlescastronovo.com

Support the show

]]> Eric Fennell Buzzsprout-9971626 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 23:00:00 +0100 7156 1 1 full true