White Wine Question Time

Our guest on this episode of White Wine Question time is the 'Queen of Burlesque' Dita Von Teese She's a performer at the very top of her game who’s elevated striptease and burlesque into high art – from martini glasses to Swarovski carousels, she’s transformed a vintage niche into sell out tours around the world, and has her own residency in Vegas.  But her story began far from the spotlight. Born Heather Renée Sweet, she was a shy, self-conscious child who cleaned toilets at her ballet school in exchange for lessons, and dreamed of escaping into the Technicolour world of 1940s Hollywood. Alongside her stage career, she’s written books, launched perfumes, created lingerie lines, and is even producing her own French gin. She’s appeared in films and music videos for artists from Green Day to Taylor Swift, and continues her Las Vegas residency with over 100 performances a year.  At 53, she shows no signs of slowing down. Next up is Noctornelle, her most ambitious production yet, inspired by 19th-century stage magicians, which will tour the UK in 2026. She's an incredible artist and this was a Dita at her very honest best. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each week, in addition to a brand new episode, we delve into our back catalogue to serve up a vintage episode from our cellar. All this month we're choosing from our excellent selection of authors - a mini literature festival if you will. Today it's Donna Ashworth - a Scottish poet who shot to stardom during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been credited with revitalising a national interest in poetry. So as the weather takes a turn for the worse why not snuggle in and treat yourself to 45 minutes of something inspiring. I hope you enjoy this episode - and we'll see you back here for a brand new interview next time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lewis Goodall has fast become one of the biggest and most trusted voices in British journalism. As one third of the News Agents podcast (with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel) he brings his sharp political insight, compelling personal story, and adds a willingness to explore new media formats. Born in Birmingham, he rose from a working-class background his father a welder at the Rover factory to studying history and politics at St John’s College, Oxford, as the first in his family to attend university. Starting his career behind the scenes at Granada Studios writing questions for University Challenge and later at the think-tank Institute for Public Policy Research Goodall soon moved into journalism. He became a producer and reporter for BBC Newsnight, before joining Sky News as a political correspondent. His reporting on Brexit, the Labour Party and domestic policy earned him recognition and helped establish his reputation. At a time of such division - the world needs communicators like Lewis - so it was a pleasure to sit down and find out what drives him. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our mini literature festival continues with an author who helped shape the the early part of the millennium - her New York Observer column 'Sex & the City' would spark a TV show that endures to this day - 30 years on from the first published anthology of her work. Candace Bushnell has gone on to write many more books, many continuing the tales of Carrie Bradshaw. In 2023 Candace joined White Wine Question Time for a chat - and as we look back at some of the best authors to have appeared on the podcast it felt right to include this episode. If EVER there was a time to pour yourself a glass - it has to be to this. Enjoy xx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Were you one of the six million people who watched the Women's Rugby World Cup Final on TV? An absolutely phenomenal performance from the England Roses saw them victorious, and in that moment their lives changed forever. We're incredibly lucky to have the Captain of the England Roses, Zoe Aldcroft on the podcast reflecting on the huge team effort, the personal sacrifices and the whirlwind of the past few weeks. You do not have to love rugby to love what these women have achieved - this is a story as universal as any - even with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. Enjoy the episode - and don't forget to hit subscribe so you can get new episodes directly in your podcast app every Thursday morning. It's completely free but it really helps us. Cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.