..all plugging their new product..

So I guess that's the new format for the podcast.

I like it - mixes things up a bit, and as long as you keep the guests nice and interesting, it'll work really well.

And if eventually it means you can make a bit of cash out of doing the podcast, then so much the better! You deserve it!

Not heard this new podcast yet, but I love the 'grass, and I trust it'll be a good 'un!

The sound quality is much better this week, gents. Mr Ellen even sounds like he's in the same building as the rest of you. I'm amazed.

I can't help but concur with some of the comments here. I enjoy the odd pod guest as much as the next listener. What's more I don't begrudge them having something to plug, though when it's overly frequent my response is alarmingly similar to Mark Ellen's on hearing the word 'free': brain defaults to ignore mode 'cos it's being sold something less subtly than it'd like. To be honest, I'm feeling like this could get a little out of hand and too much into glove with the guest's management and promotions people.

No qualms about you making a living like us all. Perhaps you've set yourselves too great a task in podding weekly? Equivalent radio programmes (not that any bear comparison to the magnificent wordpod) have researchers, bookers and y'know producers who might be capable of doing a bit of forward planning even.

I also agree with Archie Valparaiso higher up this page that journos are more readily interesting talkers than artists. The latter take a lot more to coax and present in their most interesting light - Mark Lawson's interviews would be a starting point. Not something the pod is really built for though the magazine superbly is, which is one of the reasons we're all here on wordmagazine.co.ukâ„¢ in the first place.

The Advertisers /Media pack link at the bottom of this site's pages, with its description of an agglomerated typical word reader and their attractiveness to potential advertisers, is actually quite flattering. However, when I reach the level of £50 a month man (let alone David's inflation busting increase to £80) I'll let you know! By the way Hepworth's column about Word's origins, objectives and viability in the recent birthday issue was refreshingly candid and commendable. I felt treated like a grown up, which is another reason I come to Word.

Outlets like Jonathon Ross's Radio 2 show have already cornered the market in ‘here's a band playing a stripped down version of a song off their new release followed by a competition that obliges you to study their video or website or something to raise your brand awareness of them if you want to enter'. Sorry to moan like a Radio 4 listener when a new controller heinously suggests juggling the schedule but I suspect I'm not alone here in feeling slightly proprietorial about the podcast - can't help it, it's that good! Certainly throw some new things into the mix - but gently does it.

I thought Supergrass came over well. It must be quite difficult to compete with Heppo and Mark Ellen in full flow, but they entered into the spirit of things. It also reminded me what a good band the were/are. Weirdly, Amazon seem to be out of stock of the new album.

...and we're trying a few different things with it.
We get people in when they're available and willing and so far it's worked out fine.
Generally speaking there's no plan to change the format.
Matter of fact there's no plan.
Next week we're going to have a "heated debate" about ticket touting.
Week after that will feature Jude Rogers and may be be conducted entirely in Welsh.
Week after that could be devoted entirely to Mark Ellen's memories of working in KFC.
The week after that maybe "Weekend Breaks in Chernobyl with Fraser Lewry".
The week after that...sniiipp!!!!

More to the point, when are we gonna get the story about Mark being on a mad one with Julian Cope circa 1981/2 ???
I`ve been waiting patiently for a long time.

Best pod so far has been The Brits one (despite lack of Heppo) if only because it is audible how much the butcher boy despises Rob`s easy humour and comedy. Not since Danny Baker`s `casts with the simmering between Baylen and homophobe Kuo......

I always relisten to the 'cast as I initially listen to it at about 6.30 am on the M25 when things aren't always functioning - I missed the bit about Paul DuNoyer's wife working in a Boootle lard factory - nearly tail ended someone!

He probably hasn't got anything due out, but if you can prise Robyn Hitchcock out of his kitchen and into the spare room, please do. Or Giles Smith, or Ian McNabb - that might take a bit of editing down, mind.

And all this time I had an image in my head of you guys sitting in a conference room in some anonymous Regus-type serviced office , huddled around a mike.

That actually looks like quite a nice space.