Newscast – The Best Bits of Newscast’s Podcast-a-Thon (Part Two)

BBC News | December 21, 2025

Overview:

This episode of Newscast looks back at the "best bits" from the ambitious 25-hour podcast-a-thon challenge, undertaken by host Adam Fleming to raise money for Children in Need. The show mixes behind-the-scenes camaraderie, expert news analysis, light-hearted anecdotes, and reflections on the challenge itself. Listeners hear uplifting stories from the Newscast team, guests, and supporters, culminating in heartfelt moments and light-hearted banter in the studio.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. The 25-hour Podcast-a-Thon Challenge

• Challenge Origins ([01:08]): Adam Fleming recounts how Pudsey Bear, the BBC Children in Need mascot, delivered the podcast-a-thon challenge via a yellow envelope.
• Pudsey’s Silent Encouragement ([02:55]): Pudsey Bear communicates only through gestures, adding some early episode humour.
• Preparation and Survival Tactics ([04:30–05:54]): Adam admits little specific prep, noting that five years of podcasting is his main training. Chris Mason jokes about core essentials like comfort breaks, prompting Adam to discuss hydration logistics.

“I've not really done any preparation other than present Newscast every day for five years!” – Adam Fleming ([04:42])

2. Voice Care and Studio Stamina

• Voice Coach Advice ([06:12–08:57]): Sally Lawrence, a professional voice coach, shares tips for maintaining vocal health: sipping water regularly, avoiding dairy and caffeine, and engaging the diaphragm with breathing exercises.
• Chocolate vs. Broadcast Reality ([07:17–07:32]): Adam and Chris discuss how veteran broadcasters avoid chocolate and dairy to keep their voices clear during broadcasts.
• Physical Preparation for Long Sessions: Standing up regularly and breathing properly are recommended to avoid fatigue and maintain energy.

“Are you sitting down? You will need to stand up every so often and make sure that your diaphragm’s connected…” – Voice Coach Sally Lawrence ([08:09])

3. Early Banter and Traditions

• Keeping Spirits Up ([10:57–11:34]): Alex Forsyth and Adam commiserate over water intake, snacks, and stamina; fruit and nuts are highlighted as ideal podcast-a-thon fuel.
• Running Jokes on Bodily Functions: The unique challenge of maintaining energy (and hydration) becomes a repeated thread, with references to astronauts' toilet routines drawing laughs.

4. Late-Night Culinary Conversations

• The Price and Tradition of Mince ([12:56–14:45]): Adam Fleming and Paddy O’Connell discuss the rising costs of beef as a political and kitchen staple, swap "mince" recipes and Scottish culinary advice, including the merits of draining fat from cheaper mince.
• Chicken in a Brick and British Homewares ([15:31–15:58]): Paddy describes the 1970s “chicken in a brick” fad popularised by Habitat, contrasting it with modern eating habits and health advice.
• Light Moments from The Andrew Marr Show ([16:23–17:07]): Adam shares an anecdote from his first appearance on the show involving the late design icon Terence Conran and the societal impact of the duvet.

5. Reflecting on Home and Heritage

• Lisa Doucette in Canada ([18:49–22:32]): BBC’s Lisa Doucette calls in from Canada and shares personal stories of her family’s Acadian heritage, the chilly east coast winters, and her love for time spent in her seaside community. She reflects on the importance of on-the-ground journalism versus remote, even in the digital age.

“For all the dazzling changes in our technology, I still believe in old-fashioned, in the heat and the dust, face-to-face journalism…” – Lisa Doucette ([22:32])

• Lisa’s Heartfelt Support ([23:16–24:05]): She praises Adam’s charity work and underscores the importance of the Children in Need mission.

“It shows that you have a big smile, but you have an even bigger heart. And it underlines that all of us can do something to help children in need.” – Lisa Doucette ([23:16])

6. Big News Moments: Economic and Political Analysis

• Breaking News on Tax Policy ([24:50–27:14]): Henry Mance recaps late-night news about the government’s u-turn on increasing income tax—originally an "all-but-confirmed" budget measure, now scrapped after concerns about political backlash.

“The government has essentially let it be speculated and not dampened down the idea that they're going to increase the basic rate… What we learned via the Financial Times late last night… the government is not going to do it after all…” – Henry Mance ([25:05])

• Cricket Metaphors for Politics ([26:35–27:54]): Adam and Henry riff on whether the leak was "pitch rolling" (managing expectations) or reflected a real policy change, with Henry musing that such a strategy would be “completely mad.”
• Clarifying Economic Nuances ([28:53–30:58]): Chris Mason joins in to explain that the government may freeze income tax thresholds instead—which could also mean higher taxes for some without changing the rates—while making sense of the confusing cycle of budget leaks.

7. Children in Need, Listener Impact, and Celebratory Finale

• Returning to the Charity Challenge ([31:35–32:12]): The studio prepares for the arrival of Pudsey Bear as the podcast winds down. Adam and co-hosts reflect on the emotional and community impact of the challenge.

• Why 25 Hours? ([32:51–33:12]): The logic for a 25-hour podcast-a-thon (as opposed to 24) is explained: all challenges mark Children in Need’s 25th year by being themed around the number 25.

• Highlighting Children in Need Projects ([34:35–35:31]): Adam spotlights one funded project, "Living Paintings," which makes books tactile for blind and visually impaired children, using touchable art, braille, and celebrity-read audio.

“…a library service for blind and visually impaired children, where not only do you get books in Braille, but the books have these living paintings… That Children in Need fund in it.” – Adam Fleming ([34:35])

8. Listener Voice Notes: Why Newscast Matters

• Sprinkling Throughout the Day ([36:41–37:50]): Listeners share how Newscast fits into their daily routines—from tea breaks to bedtime—highlighting moments of levity (like Adam joking with Lisa about her age) that "live rent-free in my head."
• From Brexitcast to Newscast ([37:50–39:00]): Another listener credits the podcast with helping process the stress of Brexit and enjoys the team’s unique mix of behind-the-scenes detail and lighter diversions.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “You have a big smile, but you have an even bigger heart.” – Lisa Doucette ([23:16])
• “Don’t throw everything out in your journalistic doom loop all the time. Well done for having a podcastathon just to shine a bit of light on why people do things at all in the country.” – Adam Fleming ([34:12])
• “This is peak Newscast, isn't it? We're into your 25th hour of continuous live broadcasting and we're talking about fiscal drag.” – Chris Mason ([30:53])
• “The bear is waving and smiling and looking her Tao to sit down. And the editor is now guiding Pudsey to look at Adam full in the face whilst clapping.” – Studio narration ([31:59])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:08 | Introduction to the 25-hour podcast-a-thon and Pudsey’s challenge | | 06:12 | Voice coach Sally Lawrence gives voice/stamina advice | | 10:57 | Alex Forsyth and Adam discuss podcast-a-thon snacks and stamina | | 12:56 | Chat about cost of living, mince, and culinary traditions | | 18:49 | Lisa Doucette shares stories from Canada, family heritage | | 24:50 | Henry Mance on government’s budget u-turn | | 28:53 | Chris Mason explains tax thresholds and fiscal drag | | 34:35 | Highlight: ‘Living Paintings’ Children in Need project | | 36:41 | Listener voice notes on Newscast’s impact |

Tone and Style

The episode is a lively, intimate, and sometimes irreverent journey through news, nostalgia, and charity challenge. The hosts and guests maintain a conversational, empathetic style, with Adam’s self-deprecating humour, Chris’s wry commentary, and Lisa Doucette’s warmth and international perspective anchoring the atmosphere. Listener messages (and Pudsey Bear’s nonverbal appearances) bring a human touch to the marathon broadcast.

Conclusion

This “best bits” roundup captures the camaraderie, tenacity, and warmth that define Newscast—showing how a marathon of hard news, behind-the-scenes insights, and charitable spirit can both inform and unite a diverse audience. The 25-hour challenge becomes a celebration of teamwork, public service journalism, and political observation—seasoned with jokes, recipes, and the untold stories that bring the news home.