The Vera Magazine Podcast: Recent Episodes
Virgin Atlantic
The Vera Magazine Podcast is the audio companion to Vera magazine from Virgin Atlantic. Each episode sees host Jonny Ensall and guest critics try to make sense of the latest global trends, get under the skin of a destination on the Virgin Atlantic network with an on-the-ground correspondent, and tackle the big new releases in the worlds of film and TV.
Episode 25: Saucy cocktails return, Orlando for culture kids, Yunnanese food in the spotlight
The hot drink of summer '24? Hear all about it as Jonny and Jess pick through trending bits and bobs in this month's Red Hot (spoiler alert: it's genuinely tasty). Then, we find out about the museums and attractions that are perfect for miniature culture vultures as we take a kid-friendly culture tour of Orlando, and we hear from the woman who got Shanghai cooked on the rainforest-influenced cuisine of Yunnan. Finally, film critic Ellen E Jones delivers the verdict on the latest Ghostbusters outing, among much else, in What's On.
Episode 24: Minimalist cocktails, open-air swimming in London, Satanic movies galore
The big star in cinemas this summer isn't some hyper-preened A-lister; it's the smokin' hot Lord of the Underworld himself, Satan. Jess Prupas explains what the devil's going on in this month's Red Hot. Then, it's armbands at the ready as we hear about the best open-air swimming spots in London, and we hear from a man on a wildlife-saving mission in Delhi. Finally, film critic Al Horner enthuses about giant sand worms, among much else, in What's On.
Episode 23: Cinema's sex revolution, arty Bangalore, caffeinated booze
Coffee cocktails are making a comeback – and this time they're going beyond the espresso martini. Get the lowdown with Jonny and Jess in this month's Red Hot. Then, we head to Bangalore to find out how the city has become India's epicentre of art, and to the Cotswolds in the UK to hear the feelgood story of a pub that was saved by its locals. Finally, film and TV critic Ellen E Jones gives us her verdict on wrestling biopic The Iron Claw, among others.
Episode 22: Miami's great outdoors, pizza cocktails, Mumbai cafés in peril
Quattro formaggio in liquid form, anyone? Jonny and Jess pick over the alarming trend for pizza-themed drinks in this month's Red Hot, among much else. After that, we head to Miami to hear why it's the perfect destination for lovers of all things outdoorsy and to Mumbai as a third-generation baker tells us why the city's traditional Irani cafés are under threat. Finally, film and TV critic Al Horner joins us for a big-screen special in What's On.
Episode 21: Fine-dining in Tampa, foraging in Cape Town, a cheese sandwich cocktail
Ever dreamed of seeing your favourite sandwich reimagined as a drink? Jonny and Jess take a bite (or is that a sip?) out of this curious new trend in this month's Red Hot. Then, it's off to Tampa to hear how the Florida city has got food critics drooling into their notebooks, and to Cape Town for the lowdown on urban foraging. Finally, film and TV critic Ellen E Jones delivers the verdict on Martin Scorsese's latest, among others.
Episode 20: The ultimate ball pit, Turks and Caicos wildlife, niche pasta
'How does the shape of food affect how it tastes?' Jonny and Jess ponder this – and other pressing questions – in this month's Red Hot. Then, Location Scout takes us on the nature trail in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we hear from an inequality-tackling techno DJ in NYC, and get the verdict on Christopher Nolan's latest – and much more – with film and TV critic Al Horner.
Episode 19: Blissed-out Negril, mezcal negronis, a town-sized circus
Cocktail purists, look away now – New York bartenders have torn up the rule book on a boozy classic and you can hear all about it in this month's Red Hot. Then, it's off to Negril to find out why western Jamaica is all about wellness, to the Mojave desert for the lowdown on Circus Town, and we assess the timeless appeal of Sylvester Stallone's torso in this month's What's On with film and TV critic Ellen E Jones.
Episode 18: A Dubai dining shake-up, the celeb bee-keeping buzz, Tom Cruise goes bang
Which A-listers are swapping tuxedos and ball gowns for sting-proof suits? Jonny and Jess reveal all as they delve into the bee-keeping trend sweeping Hollywood in this month's Red Hot. After that, we're Dubai-bound to hear how the city's dining scene is finally embracing homegrown talent, then off to northern England to find out what 'field recording' is all about. Finally, film and TV critic Al Horner gives us his verdict on the new Mission: Impossible movie, among much else.
Episode 17: A-list toilet cleaner, Amazonian São Paolo, a Korean cinema smash
Could your home use a little Hollywood sparkle? Jonny and Jess reveal which celebrities are hawking cleaning products in this month's Red Hot. Then, we head to São Paulo for Location Scout and to San Antonio as a Tex-Mex chef spills the beans on making the perfect chilli con carne. Finally, film and TV critic Ellen E Jones shares her thoughts on the latest releases for screens small and big.
Episode 15: London for fashionistas, Vegas on a plate and A-list water
Wouldn't be seen drinking plain old tap? Jonny and Jess explain how you can hydrate like a Hollywood star – among much else – in this month's Red Hot. Then, we hear what London's style set are up to as Fashion Week comes to the British capital, drop into some classic Vegas dining spots, and reassess the cinematic oeuvre of Guy Ritchie with film and TV critic Ellen E Jones.
Episode 16: Artisanal Seattle, hip-hop at 50 and wobbly cocktails
Can't decide between dessert and a post-dinner drink? Fret not, because – as Jonny and Jess explain in this month's Red Hot – the latest drinking trend means you can have both in one. After that, we get crafty in Seattle for this month's Location Scout, before hearing from legendary Bronx-based b-boy Alien Ness as hip-hop turns 50. Finally, film and TV critic Al Horner tells us why the latest Pixar film Elemental is the studio's best in years.
Episode 14: Sky-high Shanghai, absinthe cocktails and emotional Marvel magic
Looking to try a new tipple this summer? Jonny and Jess have got the lowdown on the spirit taking London by storm in this month's Red Hot. After that, we head to Shanghai to hear about the Chinese city's best up-high activities, then on to Key Largo to hear from a couple running cruises on a floating film set. Finally, it all gets a bit meta in What's On, as film critic Al Horner casts an eye over the latest releases.
Episode 13: Socially conscious soccer, the Bahamas for beach bums and the return of the martini
Jonny and Jess pick over super-luxe steak and remixed cocktails, amongst much more, in this month's Red Hot. Then, as the nation marks 50 years of independence, we head to the Bahamas for Location Scout, and then to Seattle to hear from a soccer team with a community-first focus. Finally, film critic Al Horner tells us why Hugh Grant is his new favourite baddie.
Episode12: Celebrating San Fran's LGBT icons, Manchester for music lovers and anyone for mead?
Is honey-based tipple mead having a moment? Jonny and Jess discuss this and more in Red Hot. Then, this month's Location Scout takes us on a music-lover's tour of Manchester, before we hear from the man behind the world's first ever LGBT walk of fame in San Francisco. Finally, film critic Al Horner delivers his verdict on Keanu Reeves' latest turn as terse hitman John Wick, among other film and TV highlights.
Episode 11: A royally good time in London, A-list book clubs and keeping LA quirky
Jonny and Jess take a look at the celebrities trying to influence our literary tastes in this month's Red Hot. Then, it's off to London for a Location Scout itinerary fit for a king (or a minor royal, at the very least), to LA to find out about the tour company fighting to preserve the city's soul, and film critic Simran Hans tells us why Paul Mescal is Hollywood's hottest property.
Episode 10: Celeb champers, sustainable Maldives and cosmic Bowie goodness
What on earth is a clarified cocktail? Hear all about it and much more besides in this month's Red Hot. After that, it's a local's guide to green holidaying in the Maldives, we celebrate a landmark anniversary with an Indian naturalist, and film critic Al Horner tackles the thorny issue of cancel culture in this month's film and TV review.
Episode 9: Street art show in London, rom-coms reinvented and hard kombucha
This month, street art heads indoors for a huge new exhibition at London's Saatchi Gallery. Find out about that and much more in Red Hot. Then, we hear why Barbados is a thrill-seeker's paradise, why the only way is retro in Palm Springs and film critic Simran Hans reveals why rom-coms are well and truly back, just in time for Valentine's Day.
Episode 8: Glitzy Vegas pastries, NYC's new hotspot and keeping it local in Mumbai
Got a sweet tooth? Then don't miss this month's Red Hot, which includes the lowdown on a new Vegas bakery that makes regular puddings look like health food. Then, we hear from a New Yorker about the unlikely resurgence of midtown Manhattan, a Mumbai chef about her mission to transform the city's fine dining scene, and film critic Al Horner dives into horror romp Barbarian and more.
Episode 7: Getting cosy in London, going vegan in Texas and a giant Christmas maze
Are those bells we hear jingling? Could be, or it could be the plethora of holiday-shaped treats in this month's Red Hot. Keeping it Christmassy, this month's episode also sees us take a cockle-warming stroll through central London for this month's Location Scout, hear from a Texan cattle rancher who's trying to turn the world vegan, and get the verdict on the latest film and TV releases with critic Simran Hans.
Episode 6: Swashbuckling sportiness in Tampa, immersive art and highbrow horror
Like art shows but wish they were a bit more multi-sensory? Have we got the exhibition for you in this month's Red Hot. Then it's off to Tampa to find out why the city is such a hit with sports fans, we hear from a New York restaurateur about the city's accessibility-first dining revolution, and film critic Al Horner gives us his verdict on Brad Pitt's new hitman flick.
Episode 5: Terrifying escape rooms, Johannesburg's arty side and getting tingly over Elvis
Jonny and Jess unpack the world’s most elaborate bloody mary – among much else – in this month’s Red Hot. Then, it’s off to Johannesburg to hear about trailblazing new developments in South Africa’s arts and culture scene, to London to learn about the humble beginnings and the progressive present of the city’s Pearly Kings and Queens, before finishing up in Memphis (in our minds, at least) as film critic Simran Hans picks apart Baz Lurhmann’s new Elvis Presley biopic.
Episode 4: Jamaican chic, fighter jets on film and a pig that paints
Ever fancied being chased through central London by a T-rex? Join Jess and guest host Chris Mandle as they reveal how you can do this and more in their run-down of this month’s hottest global happenings. Elsewhere, we hear about how Kingston, Jamaica has recently added some chic new hangouts to its list of reasons to visit, talk to the creative partner of Picasso, a porcine painter making waves in the art world, and bask in bravado as film critic Al Horner explains why Top Gun Maverick is one of this year’s must-see movies.
Episode 3: New-wave whisky in Edinburgh, posh side dishes and mind-mangling movies
How much would you pay for a plate of mac and cheese? This is one of many questions on Jonny and Jess’s agenda as they filter through the most intriguing bits and pieces to land in their inboxes this month. We also enjoy an intoxicating chat with our Edinburgh-based correspondent about the city’s new wave of whisky bars, hear the story behind the African American Roller Skate Museum from its founder, and film critic Simran Hans gets all multidimensional to tackle Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Episode 2: London jelly, rewilding Delhi and geeking out in Seattle
This month, the humble jelly gets the sense-assaulting foodie pop-up treatment in London – join host Jonny Ensall and Vera magazine deputy editor Jessica Prupas as they pick through this and other eyebrow-arching global trends and events. We also get the lowdown on geeky goings-on in Seattle from our on-the-ground correspondent, hear about a project to ‘rewild’ neglected areas of Delhi, and film critic Al Horner unpicks Robert Pattinson’s ultra-moody take on the Dark Knight in the new Batman film. the African American Roller Skate Museum from its founder, and film critic Simran Hans gets all multidimensional to tackle Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Episode 1: Orlando rollercoasters, sustainable cocktails and getting deep about pizza
Welcome to the very first episode of the Vera Magazine Podcast! Hosted by Vera's editorial director Jonny Ensall, the podcast is the aural incarnation of Vera magazine from Virgin Atlantic.
As such, you can expect a survey of the most exciting, inspiring and occasionally baffling things happening around the globe; a deep dive into a location around the Virgin Atlantic network – this month we're chatting to a rollercoaster nut in Orlando – and our critics' pick of the latest and greatest in the worlds of film and TV.
On this globe-trotting debut episode, we also explore the philosophical side of pizza with Peter Reinhardt – a man whose dedication to dough knows no bounds.
So, now that we’ve got to know each other, it’s time to kick back (remembering to hit subscribe on the way down, of course) and soak it all up – your ticket to the planet’s coolest experiences is right here.Bringing you Virgin Atlantic’s Vera magazine in podcast form, the Vera editorial team covers the month in film, TV, music, culture and travel, with help from some special guests. Hear about red hot trends emerging around the world, get insider knowledge from experts in Virgin Atlantic destinations, and listen in on exclusive interviews with celebrities and other fascinating characters. Plus, recommendations for the best films, TV shows and albums to experience right now.