Cally Beaton
Published: Tuesday 7th March 2023
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week that comedian is Cally Beaton, who's celebrating a significant milestone for her podcast, a year on. Let's let Cally explain:
"In April 2022 Namaste Motherf**kers - the only podcast where the worlds of work, comedy and wellbeing collide - was launched with a view to answering the big questions, like what's it like to be a national treasure? Can you help yourself with self-help? Is it possible to get rich quick without being a dick? And how many close family members have to die before you get a dog?
"Since then, with the help of celebrity guests and experts, we've uncovered not your normal life lessons, but some big ones nonetheless. Last week we celebrated our 100th episode with a compilation of our favourite namaste motherf**king life-changing moments to date."
That list included guests like "Richard Osman, Philippa Perry, the Reverend Richard Coles, Rosie Jones, Ed Byrne and Seann Walsh," says Beaton. "Our most listened-to episode to date has been the brilliant Deborah Meaden who, like many of our guests, ended up sharing some stories that had never been told before."
Off the Beaton track? Something like that. Cally Beaton, your Random 8 await:
Who is - or was - your most interesting relative?
In the 1920s, my maternal grandmother had a choice of either being a model for Max Factor or one of the first women to go to Oxford University; her father made her choose the latter, saying it was 'the lesser of two evils'.
What's the strangest thing in your wardrobe?
I'm really bad at throwing things out in case I ever want to wear them again and I think it's probably a PVC monochrome Mary Quant style minidress/cap/boots that I bought for a '60s party about 20 years ago. I need to hang on to it because obviously I'll be getting loads of wear out of it in the future.
Is there a book or film that changed your life?
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving - a perfect novel that I've read over and over - and When Harry Met Sally because I fell in love with my kids' dad to it.
The best non-comedy room you've ever been in?
Stand-by for a massive name-drop, sorry, but back in my MTV days I ended up for a brief moment in a small hotel bar at the Royalton Hotel in New York after an awards show - just Goldie, Madonna, and me.
Who's the most interesting person you've ever met?
Stephen Colbert, back when he was doing the Colbert Report for Comedy Central. Not only is he one of the most talented comedy performers in the world, he's also into Dungeons & Dragons, as is my autistic son, so the conversation flowed.
What's your favourite phrase or expression?
"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission" is a pretty good life mantra - a quote from Admiral Grace Hopper. Look her up! There's not much she didn't do during her lifetime. A truly inspirational woman.
Which place you've visited was the biggest anti-climax?
The Eiffel Tower where I'd promised to take my daughter for her 13th birthday a decade ago. I'd split up with the love of my life the week before and couldn't stop crying; it was freezing and we had to queue for two hours and then it was too foggy to see anything (I've since been back and it was beautiful.)
What's the greatest invention, ever?
Ear plugs! I'm a light sleeper and most men snore. Without earplugs I'd be single forever.
Namaste Motherf**kers is available to download. callybeaton.com/podcast
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