Back in 2019, Youtuber HBomberGuy committed to a completing Donkey Kong 64 to 101% (finding every collectable) while live streaming the whole thing, in what turned out to be one of the biggest charity streams ever seen, raising over $340,000 for the charity Mermaids. In this episode, gaming journalist and prolific podcaster Laura Kate Dale breaks down the story of a couple of days where not just a lot of money was raised, but where, over one weekend, a space was created for tens of thousands...

Gaming presenter Frankie Ward (@frankieward) meets some of the biggest names in pro gaming, discussing their careers and and hears the extremes some have gone to in the hunt for gaming greatness. Featuring conversations with Fnatic Founder Sam Matthews, Fernando 'Fer' Alvarenga (MIBR), Raymond 'KaSing' Tsang (EXCEL Esports) and fellow CSGO pro Peter 'Dupreeh' Rasmussen. Original Pilot Material is a podcast from BBC The Social, giving a platform to the next generation of podcast and audio...

Newcastle-based gaming journalist Ben Potter (from TripleJump Podcast) takes over our feed to tell two very different stories of turning a passion for playing games… into actually making the next hit titles. He meets Patrick Fenn (Gearbox) and Chris Bulch (Shame, Intercontinental) to hear about their journeys. Original Pilot Material is a podcast from BBC The Social, giving a platform to the next generation of podcast and audio talent, telling stories and investigating the issues that...

When gaming journalist and computer science student Elle Osili-Wood decided on a career change, she had to shout down a surprising amount of dated ideas that gaming makes you less intelligent, it’s dangerously addictive or even that they threatened to make you more violent. In this episode she seeks to dispel those myths, with science and hearing from some start-up projects from around the world proving the positive power of gaming. With thanks to guests Adam Gazzaley, Matt Omernick (Akili...

BBC The Social's gaming correspondent Jordan Middler investigates why one of gaming's most hotly-discussed and controversial issues isn't considered in the same way as gambling in the UK as he meets other gamers, shares some FIFA experiences of his own and speaks to a lawyer, to get a hold on what's going on. If you are affected by any issues in this episode, please see more information in the BBC Action Line on Addiction:...

Fadumo and Lipa present 'I Think She’s Offside', a podcast all about under-represented conversations in sport. In this takeover episode they are joined by sports presenter and model Anita Jones to discuss the women they can’t wait to see smash it at the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and get into everything from podium finishes to periods, and the Paralympics. 00:06 - Who's who? 01:26 - What does the Olympics mean to us? 03:28 - Marion Jones, the rise and fall 04:50 - 50/50 Representation...

Mason and Connor from the South Coast of England present a series called Balls: The Podcast, celebrating and discussing (mostly) UK football through an LGBTQ+ lens. In this takeover episode they explore their own experiences at all levels of the game, take us to a recent lower league FA cup game and catch up with some people and organisations who have and continue to push for an equal football watching experience for all, at a time when sadly the newspaper headlines still ring with stories of...

Sylvie was diagnosed with arthritis as a child, but always had a desire to pursue sport. A lifelong football fan, she always felt like her condition was holding her back. Sylvie talks to Summer Artman, a member of the England netball team, who also has arthritis, about the different ways in which she deals with her condition but still remains at the top of her game. Feeling inspired and invigorated, Sylvie eventually decides to book a tennis lesson for herself. This episode was presented by...

Libby is an extreme sports fanatic. Growing up in the skateboarding scene, she was used to seeing all kinds of gnarly injuries, but none of these could’ve prepared her for the day she saw her twin sister knocked unconscious with blood pouring from her head during a skate competition. Both Libby and her sister Pip recount the details of that day in a Kirkcaldy skate park that changed both of their lives forever. This episode was presented by Libby and Pip Penman. Produced by Paul Carlin,...

Dave loves taking part in physical challenges to raise money for charity. One night in the pub with his mate Joe, they both decided his next big stunt would be running ten marathons in ten days. Having done little to no training, Dave set off across Ireland to complete the giant 260 mile run across ten days, with his friend Chris running alongside him and Joe capturing the whole thing. The resulting film - Dave Goes West - is a story of pain, glory, bleeding nipples and an unforgettable...

Vanessa Kanbi is a filmmaker and podcaster. She first became a parent at the age of 20 and had her second kid when she was 24. Prior to this, she had absolutely zero experience of babies... which got her thinking... what are those essential bits of advice she wishes she'd had before she became a young parent? In this episode of Original Pilot Material, Vanessa is joined by her mates Lily and John to go through some of the crucial stuff you need to know if you're about to become a parent or...

Olivia and Danyelle live in Leeds and host their own podcast, Up the M1, in which they discuss everything from politics to pop music. In this takeover episode of Original Pilot Material, they find out more about a condition that affects thousands of people in the UK, predominantly those from African or Caribbean backgrounds: sickle cell disease. They chat to friends Anne and Onique about living with sickle cell and how it affects every aspect of their lives. It's a subject we don't hear a lot...

When should you start to worry about your porn usage? Mandy Rose Jones is a blogger and founder of The Empowered Woman Project. In this episode of Original Pilot Material, she chats to podcaster Paul Shields about an issue that eventually took grip on his whole life: pornography addiction. Paul talks candidly about his experience, the effect it had on his mental health and how it eventually led to the end of a relationship. However, there was light at the end of the tunnel for Paul who now...

In this episode of Original Pilot Material, Jordan Middler hosts the trickiest, funniest and most devious gaming quiz on earth; it's Game For A Fight! In a three-way battle for supremacy, Marley Thirteen, Lauren Aitken and Hamish Black answer a series of head-scratching questions on topics from across the gaming spectrum. They'll have to rely on their quick wit and hardcore gaming knowledge to get the better of their opponents and impress Jordan. The gloves are off... FIGHT! This episode was...

Photographer Ema Crompton has given up on fast fashion because she’s concerned about its impact on the environment. Her friend Danni, on the other hand, loves the ease of getting affordable, on-trend clothing delivered to her door. Ema takes Danni shopping for sustainable alternatives to find out whether she can break her fast fashion habits, without sacrificing her style. This episode was written and hosted by Ema Crompton. Editing and music by Thomas Griffin. Podcast Hosts are Amelia...

This week, we hand over our feed to Glasgow comedy improv group Chunks. With it being spooky season, Chunks decided to stage a séance in an attempt to talk to a bunch of ghosts. In this hilarious, super-dramatised, 100% improvised episode, our hosts reconnect with legendary star of Scottish hip hop, MC Fizzy (never heard of him), summon the spirit of Elizabeth I (it's not really her, honestly) and, worst of all, an extremely angry farmyard animal. Join Donny, Chris, Paul, Sandy, Gabe and...

Every weekend Birmingham podcasters Bally & Mike get together and take a sideways look at everyday life for their hilarious pod Saturday Night Side Eye. In this takeover episode for us, the boys, who pull zero punches at the best of times, tackle the always awkward topic of being brutally honest with a friend. From BO to size-shaming, they bring their unique insights, stories and comedic chat to @BBCSounds and they even manage to save some savage home truths for each other to end the...

Back in June, Katie Williams quit her waitressing job of three years for one important reason: to save her mental health. In this episode, Katie examines the many challenges facing young people working in this demanding industry. From her own experience of waking up exhausted and suffering an anxiety attack that eventually led to her making her big decision, Katie lifts the lid on this pressure-cooker industry. She chats to chef Martin, who talks openly about his depression and his...

After a record-breaking summer in terms of support for the international game, the UK's Women's Super League kicked off the 19/20 season with the first ever Manchester Derby in the WSL. It was also the first time fans were segregated in the league's history, so in this episode, podcasters Tamsin and Helen, who run the excellent 'Two Girls Talk Balls Podcast', ask if segregation in the support will help the women's game. With the help of some of some of England's international players, they...

Our regular Original Pilot Material Podcast host Amelia Bayler, a stand up comic by trade, takes over and takes us back to her first six months of deciding to lose the booze. Amelia found herself having to completely reevaluate her life and personality, describing the period as "puberty happening all over again". She takes us through the nights out, the fashion / identity crisis, the energy drink obsession and how the decision affected her work, brought together with some "bangers" of her own...

The first time we chatted to Mairead about maybe making an Original Pilot Material episode together she told us, at length about her love of complaining, then proceeded to crack us up with her current 'open cases', and that got us all thinking about complaining. It's so easy now, it's almost second nature thanks to social media, is it a super customer-empowering new dawn or are we all just becoming even more entitled and easily offended? Mairead takes us through her world of complaints as she...

The Three Pound Thirty podcast (@threepoundthirty), hosted by friends Asha, Sana and Reem from London, is a conversational podcast where they explore all manner of issues affecting their lives, they discuss a lot about representation and inclusion, never afraid to call anyone out. In this takeover episode for Original Pilot Material the girls give us their experiences of 'inclusivity' and talk about what happens as a Muslim woman when you start seeing people like you being represented, but it...

Proinsias O'Coinn from South Armagh grew up in a very Catholic community, that surrounded every part of his life and it was only in his early twenties, that he realised he didn't really have any friends outside of that. In this episode of Original Pilot Material, our regular hosts Ross and Amelia introduce this week's new podcasting talent Proinsias, as he tells us his story, and explores his own sheltered up-bringing by tracking down an old friend "from the other side". This episode was...

Amelia and Ross take the first step in their new weekly series, created by BBC The Social, unearthing and showcasing the best new podcasting talent from all over the UK.