Life After Jazz Hands is a podcast that celebrates the many paths our lives can take, and the diverse stories and characters who are - or have been - drawn to the performing arts.
My name is Matthew Russell-Jones and 20 years ago I graduated from musical theatre college. Back then, I had ideas about how my life and career would look, what constituted success, and what I wanted from the decades ahead.
But I’ve since realised that our lives can take many unexpected twists and turns. And this got me thinking: what were my classmates & others I met along the way professinally? So now, I’m sitting down with them individually to hear about their stories and to understand where they are now, 20 years or so on.
From performers and directors to doctors and barbers, Life After Jazz Hands charts the diverse careers of a single graduating class across two decades. Along the way, it also explores the moments and experiences that shape us: loss, parenthood, relationships, ill health, and opportunities in the most surprising places. Join us as we navigate the highs, the lows, and the unexpected encores in the lives of those who once shared a stage.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Special: Season Two Recap Part Two with Rachael Archer
In this Special Episode and Final of Season Two we sit down with one of our previous guests Rachael Archer to recap and discuss the most stand out moments of the Second Half of Season Two of Life After Jazz Hands.
In this episode we listen back to & discuss clips the episodes of Tanya Nicole Edwards, Kage Douglas, Tommy Franzen, Anna Jane Casey, Lucinda Lawrence, Carl Mullaney, Lizzie Gee, Stuart King, Simon Lee Hardwick, Rachael Archer, Claire Cable, Steph Parry, Zoe Rainey, Tasha Sheridan and Davinder Hayre.
If you have been or are currently affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, here are some resources you might find useful:
Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)
Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677 (tel:+44-808-801-0677)
Men's Body Image Helpage - https://www.bluelighttogether.org/content-detail/combating-body-image-issues-for-men (https://www.bluelighttogether.org/content-detail/combating-body-image-issues-for-men)
The Miscarriage Association - https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/ (https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/)
National Fertility Network - https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ (https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/)
Arthritus Foundation - https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis (https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis)
Anthony Walker Foundation - Racism & Hate Crime Charity - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/ (https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/)
Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)
Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
9 Sept 2025
Special: Season Two Recap Part One with Rachael Archer
In this Special Episode we sit down with one of our previous guests Rachael Archer to recap and discuss the most stand out moments of the First Half of Season Two of Life After Jazz Hands.
In this episode we listen back to clips from Jon Robyns, Amy Thornton, Marcus Scimia, Hollie Taylor, Wayne Perry, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Adam James Phillips, Damian Winter Higgins, Stephen Uppal, Chris Gardener, Tara Wilkinson, Mark Chalk Isles, Jasmine Kerr and Liyann Marie.
If you have been or are currently affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, here are some resources you might find useful:
Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)
Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677 (tel:+44-808-801-0677)
Men's Body Image Helpage - https://www.bluelighttogether.org/content-detail/combating-body-image-issues-for-men (https://www.bluelighttogether.org/content-detail/combating-body-image-issues-for-men)
The Miscarriage Association - https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/ (https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/)
National Fertility Network - https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ (https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/)
Arthritus Foundation - https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis (https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis)
Anthony Walker Foundation - Racism & Hate Crime Charity - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/ (https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/)
Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)
Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Aug 2025
Davinder Singh: From Birmingham to Bikram to California
Davider Singh founded 'Duwara Consciousness Foundation' with his wife which is a non-profit organisation in California routed in Sikh Values.
Please click to learn more and donate - https://www.duwara.org/ (https://www.duwara.org/)
Davinder originally hails from Birmingham. He attended the Arts Educational Schools London on a Scholarship, Graduating in 2004 with a degree in Musical Theatre.
After working in the entertainment industry Dav transitioned into ethical baby clothing with his shop 'Cuddle Me Green', after the birth of his first father.
He then relocated to the midlands to work for the NHS while his children grew. During this time he discovered 'Bikram Yoga' and eventually opened his own studio in Warwick.
In a leap of faith and longing for a warmer climate Dav relocated to California where he ran two other 'Bikram Yoga' studios.
Longing to help others after reconnecting with his Sikh Faith he eventually founded 'Duwara Consciousness Foundation'. The foundation has a food truck providing free meals to the homeless, fully funded by public donations, and the largest shower trailer program in the region, serving over 15,000 people, including those affected by Hurricane Helene in South Carolina in 2024. As an independent non-profit, DCF now stewards 120 acres in San Diego, where we are building homes, a regenerative farm, and businesses to empower high-functioning homeless individuals with sustainable opportunities.
If this wasn't enough. Dav is also CEO of 3HO international, run DCF, have a cpa/accountancy firm and have a stake in multiple AI based startup companies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on Life After Jazz Hands
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Rachael Archer
Simon Lee Hardwick
Stuart Burke
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
854
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
25 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
25
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
77
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