Animal Nonsense

Happy Easter

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 01:00:00 +0100

In this episode, David gives Jess' dog an Easter basket. We respond to a 'Reach Out' listener question from Andrew. David explores extinct animals that were rediscovered alive and well, and he remembers Northern entertainer George Formby in a newly written song 'The Rabbit'.

April Fool

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:00:00 +0000

The 'Animal Nonsense' April Fool's Day episode... Jess explains how her friend's dog outfoxed everyone, and reveals the most remarkable escape attempts ever made by animals from zoos around the globe. It's really fun.

Red Nose Day

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we raise awareness of 'Red Nose Day' - for 'Podcastathon'. A movement where thousands of podcasts around the globe record a special episode about one charity. Jess and David play, 'How well do they smell?', and we learn how baby elephants use their trunks. David also reveals that some reindeers do have red noses.

Mother's Day Special

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jess gives a round of a applause to some of the best/most interesting mothers in the animal kingdom. She explores orangutans, elephants, burying beetles, the octopus, polar bears, and hummingbirds. Happy Mother's day to everyone.

Mystery Animal 1

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we learn that Jess' daughter received a cuddy toy from a friend representing one particular animal. David examines the toy and is not able to identify the animal, but Jess reveals she guessed correctly on her first attempt. David asserts that no-else on earth would ever have guessed that animal or even heard of it. Might you guess right?

The Remarkable Brain of the Pigeon

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode, David explores the remarkable brain of the pigeon. After a riveting train ride to York and observing a pigeon nearby, he unearths astonishing facts about them including their history of espionage, renown as art connoisseurs and ability to identify their own reflection.

Valentines Special: Part 2

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Jess talks about the the different oxytocin 'love hormone' levels in cats and dogs. We learn that meerkats are sociable. David raises the odd method giraffes have for knowing the moment is right for romance.

Valentines Special: Part 1

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:18:46 +0000

On this Valentine special, Jess explores monogamy in the animal kingdom and also has a look at the romantic dance of the seahorse. Jess tells David about French angel fish and rather more frighteningly how black vultures deal with a philandering male.

Superbowl vs Puppybowl

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Super Bowl LX is taking place at Levi's Stadium in California and might well be the most watched TV event of the year. David talks about the 'Puppy Bowl' that is on 'Animal Planet' every year. Jess remembers a 1990s animal-related TV quiz show and we play a new game 'Attack and Defence'.

Bonus. The Return of The Muppet Show

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:00:00 +0000

David is really excited 'The Muppet Show' is returning for a brand new episode (their first new one since 1981). He explores how Jim Henson was nervous of the roaring MGM lion, how he made Kermit the Frog, his mini stint on NBC's 'Saturday Night Live', and how 'The Muppet Show' was recorded in England.

Jurassic Park: Casting The T-Rex Sounds

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Jess explores how the roar of the dinosaurs in the movie 'Jurassic Park' was made up of the sounds of real animal. Might you be able to guess what animals they were?

The Immortal Jellyfish

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Jess explores the world of the jellyfish that can in theory live forever. David delves into the rumour about snails and post boxes. We eventually remember the show email address ... animalnonsensepodcast@gmail.com + talk about a dream where Gromit was a guest on 'Animal Nonsense'.

Happy Birthday Jess

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0000

A real birthday episode for Jess. David reveals that animals are not the most orthodox of present givers + offers a hen.

Reporting On New Year and Christmas

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0000

On this episode, Jess remembers her morning making a pom pom rabbit. They report back on their recent BBC radio interview. David regales Jess with his experience of looking after her dog. David does not remember the 'Animal Nonsense' email address... he has learned it is animalnonsensepodcast@gmail.com! Do reach out to us.

The 12 Animals of Christmas Part 2

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year. In the first episode of 2026, we explore the '12 Animals of Christmas' based on the well known festive song. We learn about the animals 7 to 12...

The 12 Animals of Christmas Part 1

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas. On this podcast, we explore the '12 Animals of Christmas' based on the well known festive song. We learn about the animals 1 to 6...

The Real Mystery of the Nativity Animals

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 01:00:00 +0000

In episode 10, we answer the question... what animals were really at the nativity? David asks Jess to remember the animal-related lines of Christmas carols + we re-create on an audio adventure how the night of Jesus' birth might have been for poor Mary.
Use of BBC Sound Effects library for the purposes of non-advertised and educational reasons only.

Lights, Camera, Reindeer

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:00:00 +0000

On episode 9, we hear about the heart-warming Christmas movie 'Prancer' that Jess acted in with a real reindeer. Jess provides a behind the scenes insight into how the movie was made and how the reindeer flourished in the role.

The Relationship Between Music and the Animal Kingdom

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:00:00 +0000

On episode 8, David explains how he wrote the 'Animal Nonsense' music. Jess plays the sound round and tries to recognise the animal muse of 3 classical composers. Jess remembers working at Battersea Dogs Home and we explore if cows really enjoy jazz music.

How do you give a personal name to an Andean Bear, a Desert Locust and a Great Green Macaw

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:00:00 +0000

On episode 7, Jess and David reveal how hard it has been to name the podcast and yet naming a real animal is really easy. Jess plays David's 'Personal Name Guessing Game' and hears about an Andean Bear, a Desert Locust and a Great Green Macaw on route to the reveal.

Otter Nonsense

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:00:00 +0000

On episode 6, Jess tells David about her recent visit to the Oceanarium in Lisbon and we discuss the pros and cons of having animals in captivity. Jess explains how the sea otter has the fluffiest fur of any animal and how it eats 1/3 of it's own body weight every day. They also float together in 'rafts'.

Children In Need. The Bear Essentials

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 01:00:00 +0000

On episode 5, we remember the BBC Children In Need mascot Pudsey Bear. I also show Jess a photo of the original 'Sooty' I recently saw on the North Pier in Blackpool. We learn about the relationship between President Theodore Roosevelt and 'teddy' and the reason a Priest thought the bear would result in the end of the human race.

How the dogs rescued Hollywood

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 01:00:00 +0000

On episode 4, we reminisce about our relationship with Jess' dog, remember our first real encounters with dog, Blue Peter and learn how dogs rescued Hollywood.

Halloween. Vampire Disco Squid From Hell

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

On episode 1, in honour of Halloween, hear about the 'Vampyroteuthis Infernalis' - or as Jess dubbed it 'the Vampire Disco Squid From Hell'. Learn about how they protect themselves and bring some much needed colour to the deepest ocean.

Halloween. The Stuff of Nightmares

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

On episode 2 being released on Halloween, hear about animals that really are the 'stuff of nightmares'. We explore vulture bees, butcher birds, and the spotted ragged toothed shark. These creatures will make your blood run cold.

Halloween. Mice, spiders and bird noises.

Jess Blake and David Robinson — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

On episode 3 on Halloween, we explore our real encounters with the animals that really frighten us including mice and spiders. Also, Jess brings in a noise round of the most unsettling bird noises.