Beyond the Broom Cupboard

About Beyond the Broom Cupboard

Beyond the Broom Cupboard - a serious look at the fun world of children's television. Just because its TV aimed at kids it does not mean that this isn’t something made with just as much passion or thought as TV for adults, in many cases it's much more considered and creative. It's made with love, care and craft by people who absolutely bring their best work to the table. I have two kids and loved TV myself when I was growing up, as an adult I have had the pleasure of working with some of the people who have bought these worlds to life, and that’s why I started this podcast - to ask about their experiences and their processes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Corin long

Category

kids & family · leisure · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 May 2024

Latest episode

22 May 2025

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 May 2025

   Greg Childs - The Childrens Media Foundation, Record breakers and Swap Shop

   Greg Childs, Director of the Children's Media Foundation, explores the challenges facing UK children's media due to fragmented attention across platforms and the need for prominence of public service content, in this interview.

2. 

   29 Apr 2025

   Gemma Hunt -CBBC, Swashbuckle, keeping the faith and how much screen time is health?

   A familiar face from children's television, known for her extensive work on CBBC and her role as Gem on the hugely popular show, Swashbuckle. Gemma shares her journey from childhood dreams of being a performer and communicator to fulfilling a God-given calling in the media world. We delve into her early experiences, the challenges she faced, her successful TV career, and her transition into authorship. Natural Enthusiasm: Discover how Gemma's naturally smiley and enthusiastic personality shines through her work. While acknowledging moments for deeper thought, she aims to bring "life and light and joy" to those she interacts with. Finding Her Calling: Gemma shares how childhood experiences making home videos and recording radio shows pointed towards a career in performance and communication. A powerful word of prophecy at a church camp solidified her feeling that she was called to be "salt and light" in the media. Church as a Training Ground: Learn how Gemma's involvement in her church youth group provided her first stage, microphone experience, and a "very forgiving audience" for honing her skills through dramas, public speaking, and even a memorable Spice Girls performance. Her experience helping run a church toddler group also taught her valuable skills for working with children. Communicating with the Individual: Gemma reveals her philosophy of speaking directly to one person in the audience, often picturing a specific child like her godson Reuben. She emphasizes avoiding patronising language and treating children as "small human beings". This personal connection led to touching feedback from viewers who felt seen and heard, including those who saw representation on screen. Championing Diversity: Coming from less diverse environments, Gemma found the diverse team at CBBC welcoming and felt a profound sense of belonging seeing people who looked like her. She discusses the importance of diverse representation in children's TV and feels proud to have trailblazed alongside others, empowering younger performers of colour. Overcoming Personal Challenges: In a moment of powerful honesty, Gemma shares the struggles she faced with low self-esteem and severe adult acne while working on live television. She talks about the difficult decision to step back from TV to prioritise her health and confidence, stressing the importance of authenticity as a presenter. Swashbuckle Success Story: Hear about Gemma's return to television with the highly successful Swashbuckle. She describes the show's high energy, the joy of working with the cast and crew (including Friday dress-up days!), and the thought process behind the physical games designed to align with Key Stage criteria and tested with children. Gemma also discusses making the show inclusive for children with different abilities and some memorable on-set dramas. Parenting in the Digital Age: How Much Screen Time is Healthy? Gemma shares her family's thoughtful approach to screen time with their daughter. They differentiate between educational content and games, setting limits on the latter. TVs are kept in family spaces only, without personal devices in bedrooms, to facilitate co-viewing and monitoring, particularly regarding concerns about YouTube algorithms. The conversation also touches on encouraging other activities like board games and crafts. Transition to Authorship: Gemma discusses her new career as an author, writing children's books that feature mixed-race families, drawing on her own family and faith. Gemma's journey highlights the passion and dedication behind quality children's programming and the evolving ways in which she continues to communicate and inspire audiences, now through literature. Find out more about Gemma and her work on her website: gemmahunt.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   7 Jan 2025

   Bluey: The Sound of Bluey, from Twenty Thousand Hertz

   Since its debut in 2018, Bluey has become one of the most popular and beloved TV shows of all time. In this episode, Bluey’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6441309/) walks us through how the show began, the unique challenges of season one, and the lengths he goes to give the show its organic sound. Plus, Dallas reveals the secret timing of the Bluey theme song. MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE Speedy the Spider - The Limbo Twist Stationary Sign - Paint by Numbers Trabant 33 - Bird Songs Ruiqi Zhao - Getaway John Utah - Obvious Trent Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen - Ventus Moss Harman - Buffoon Josef Falkensköld - Crayons Alexandra Woodward - Family Life Josef Bel Habib - Next To Our House Alexandra Woodward - First Wives Club Anna Dager - Visions Ruiqi Zhao - No More Sadness Sign up for Twenty Thousand Hertz+ (https://glow.fm/20k/) to get our entire catalog ad-free. Follow Dallas on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dallastaylor.wav), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@dallastaylor.wav) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallastaylor/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   4 Dec 2024

   Ben Whitehead - Becoming Wallace in Wallance and Gromit

   Actor and comedian Ben Whitehead shares his journey voicing Wallace in the new Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Foul, and the challenges of stepping into the iconic role after Peter Sallis's passing.

5. 

   26 Nov 2024

   Maddie Moate: Staying Curious.

   Renowned presenter Maddie Moate shares her approach to making science accessible to everyone, simplifying complex concepts and sparking curiosity in children and adults alike.

6. 

   19 Nov 2024

   Keith Wickham - Thomas the Tank Engine, Angelina Ballerina, Octonauts and more

   Keith Wickham has voiced many many different characters from the Fat controller and Edward on Thomas the Tank Engine to Shellington on Octonauts. Hear about how voice acting wasn't the career he expected but its been one he has loved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   12 Nov 2024

   Sarah Ann Kennedy - Miss Rabbit in Peppa Pig, Nanny Plum in Ben and Holly

   Sarah Ann Kennedy is a hugely talented animation writer, producer, voice actor and animator She played Miss Rabbit who does many many jobs As well as Nanny Plum in Ben and Holly's little Kingdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   30 Oct 2024

   Margot Wilson - Hart Beat, Tony Hart, Artifax and More

   Margot Wilson presented Hart Beat between 1984 and 1992 teaching a nation of kids to make amazing things from cardboard Hart beat was an evolution of the BBC's children's art programmes that started with Vision On, continued through Take Hart and evolved into Hart Beat Hart Beat - Pipes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIQJGOn4Fr8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIQJGOn4Fr8) Artifax - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5fsjcEIEIo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5fsjcEIEIo) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   22 Oct 2024

   Andrew James Spooner: Muppets, Furchester Hotel, Sesame Street, Worzel Gummidge

   Join me as I chat to Andrew James Spooner: Professional Muppet. Andrew trained with Hensons and created the character of Elmo's Uncle Fergus, https://andrewjamesspooner.com/ (https://andrewjamesspooner.com/) Watch Jim Henson run lines with Frank Oz https://www.instagram.com/muppethistory/reel/C_PgpShOHB2/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/muppethistory/reel/C_PgpShOHB2/?hl=en) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    15 Oct 2024

    Dave Peacock - Voice director: Hilda, Octonauts, Peter Rabbit and more

    The best voice director in the business according to man people. Find out how Dave got started, how his job works and what the future holds for the industry https://www.peacocksound.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    7 Oct 2024

    Marc Silk - Grand Master Glitch, Scooby Doo, Star Wars and more

    Marc Silk is a voice actor who has created some fantastic characters like Grand Master Glitch in Go Jettser and Aks Moe In Star Wars the Phantom Menace. He has also voices some very well established faces like Shaggy, Scooby Doo and Jonny Bravo. Marc's website https://www.marcsilk.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

12. 

    23 Sept 2024

    Banks & Wag - Blue Peter, Go-Jetters, Zingzillas and More

    https://www.banksandwag.com/ Banks & Wags work: Zingzillas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfoKDlCoBo0 Go-Jetters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REBUEe3mtXo Blue Peter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyzvf_afs8M Top 3 theme tunes - Corin Thundecats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcGNqrAtsgg Wombles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kib7ZDsTgz0 Stingray - extended https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfYPN5Hf0wg Wag Thundercats Pole position https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQXqHNHPLHI The Trap Door https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9dbAQJIu1o Monkey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-SUoHmpRdM Banks - Retro Pigeon Street https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XdgHiF4uiI Galloping Galaxies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WspM4jwq7lc Spiderman and his amazing friends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgN0g4vqYMg Banks - Modern Duck Tales - New Version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKSU82afy1w Sophia the first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XDG75LPXqE Ben 10 original theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iIUGEOreiw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

13. 

    8 Aug 2024

    Rob Rackstraw - Bob the Builder, Octonauts, Biker Penguins, Cosgrove Hall and more

    Hugely experienced voice actor Rob Rackstraw chats about his career voicing some amazing characters as well as something surprising for a conference of Farmers. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1050409/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1050409/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

14. 

    27 Jun 2024

    Ted Dewan - The world of Bing, Mark Rylance and Little Dramas everyday

    Ted Dewan created the wonderful world of Bing. He grew up in the USA and moved to London to become an illustrator, a detour into becoming an author led him to write the Bing books which Acamar Films turned into a hugely successful series Find out more about Bing here - https://uk.bingbunny.com/ And more about Ted here https://www.teddewan.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

15. 

    16 Jun 2024

    Paul Panting - Octonauts, Chuggington and a career in voice acting

    Paul Panting was one of the people who possibly sparked the idea for this podcast. Find out how that happened as we as his career in voice acting and how he created the voices for iconic characters. Find Paul Here: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/paul-panting-7343163a Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

16. 

    16 May 2024

    Kate Harbour

    Kate Harbour is a hugely experienced voice actor. She has given voices to characters from Bob the Builder, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, Octonauts and many more. She spoke to me about the techniques involved in bringing these voices to life and how she began in the industry, Follow Kate here: https://www.instagram.com/kateharbourofficial/ (https://www.instagram.com/kateharbourofficial/) and https://twitter.com/kateharbour?lang=en-GB (https://twitter.com/kateharbour?lang=en-GB) Here is a taster of some of her work Bob the Builder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FuuHIj3d7c (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FuuHIj3d7c) She played Wendy, Dizzy and Pilchard the Cat. Shaun the Sheep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZnrCxWAth4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZnrCxWAth4) She played Timmy’s mum Also both movies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ZRKMaNIy0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ZRKMaNIy0) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxRUSAIYieA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxRUSAIYieA) The Octonauts as the Vegemals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxh_jDFJhto (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxh_jDFJhto) Follow Beyond the Broomcupboard on Twitter: @BeyondtheBroomC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

17. 

    2 May 2024

    Sophie Aldred

    As my first guest I was absolutely thrilled to be able to talk to Sophie Aldred.Sophie is probably best known to many as Ace, companion to Sylvester McCoy's Dr Who between 1987 and 1989 But Childrens television has been the absolute backbone of her career and as you will hear, she was determined to make it that way from a very early age. She has worked on live action programmes such as Corners, Melvin and Maureen and Words & pictures as well as adding her voice to a huge amount of animated charecters such as Dennis the Menace and Tree Fu Tom. Here are some examples of the shows that we talked about - Corners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enNMFqxplYg Melvin and Maureens's Music-a-grams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KcMZnmOFoc Words and Pictures https://youtu.be/EAZIoWgrceE?si=NVjuGMgcMbp4WWO8 The Magic Kay (Biff, Chip and Kipper) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX50bGFXFok&list=PLLhOnau-tupTZwAukTMtUh2cBmURqQB8E Dennis the Menace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH_zfZipQg4 Tree Fu Tom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz41AzrWnug Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

91,951,930

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

3.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

38

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

30

Contact Beyond the Broom Cupboard

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.