<![CDATA[The ManCave Catch Up]]>John & Rob talking absolute nonsense about life as two middle-aged dads.

Kids. Wives. Sport. Work. Weird news. Things that annoy us. Things we probably shouldn't have an opinion on… but do anyway.

No script. No experts. No pretending we've got it all figured out.

Just a couple of mates having a catch up with a beer of the week.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 25 Oct 2026 19:01:06 GMTSun, 09 Aug 2026 19:09:42 GMT60John and Rob<p>John &amp; Rob talking absolute nonsense about life as two middle-aged dads.</p><p>Kids. Wives. Sport. Work. Weird news. Things that annoy us. Things we probably shouldn't have an opinion on… but do anyway.</p><p>No script. No experts. No pretending we've got it all figured out.</p><p>Just a couple of mates having a catch up with a beer of the week.</p>episodicJohn and Robralph_50@msn.comyes<![CDATA[Episode 7 - Geckos, City Scandal, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and Split Up At The Station ]]>The Mancave Catch Up – Episode 7

A gecko in the Mancave, a celebrity beer tasting, a Man City scandal, parent-group rage and a train station disaster… this episode has a bit of everything.

John and Rob are back with another completely unfiltered catch-up, jumping from everyday family chaos to football, money, pets, running, travel and the things that drive you absolutely mad.

John kicks things off with the latest house updates, an EV charger saga that's become a genuine inconvenience, and a long-awaited lager tasting. But is a celebrity-backed beer actually any good, or is the famous face on the bottle doing all the heavy lifting?

From there, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns into Clarkson's Farm, The Grand Tour and Francis Bourgeois, before we get into the main event…

🦎 THE GECKO SAGA

How does a child successfully convince their parents to buy a gecko using a PowerPoint presentation? Meet Astrid, the newest addition to the family — and hear how the pet was sold, paid for, fed and somehow became everyone else's responsibility.

We also get into:

⚽ Why parents asking "Is training still on?" in a winter football group chat is enough to send anyone over the edge

🌦️ The ridiculous October weather and why it makes organising family life even harder

🏙️ Man City's 115 charges, the Premier League reaction and what happens if football fans finally decide they've had enough

📦 Delivery drivers who actually care vs. the ones who dump your parcel somewhere random and call it "delivered"

🏃 The reality of training for a half marathon when your motivation has disappeared

❤️ Why running for charity can sometimes be the thing that keeps you going

✈️ A dream trip to Copenhagen and why we're already seriously considering moving there

🚆 A disastrous train platform separation that turns into one of the episode's biggest stories

There's plenty of strong opinions, plenty of laughs and, as usual, far too many side quests.

If you enjoy podcasts that feel less like a polished studio production and more like sitting down with two mates while they try to solve the world's problems — and completely lose track of what they were talking about, you're in the right place.

The Mancave Catch Up — real conversations, plenty of laughs and absolutely no chance of staying on topic.

🎧 Listen to The Mancave Catch Up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

One thing I'd change from your original

I'd ditch the "Featured speaker: John" section at the bottom. For a two-person podcast, it makes the YouTube description feel like it's been automatically generated rather than written specifically for your show.

I'd also keep "Gecko's" prominent because that's probably one of the most unusual/clickable parts of this episode. The combination of gecko + Man City + train disaster + beer gives you a really good curiosity hook.

And honestly, "a child successfully campaigned for a gecko using a PowerPoint presentation" is probably your strongest line in the whole description 😂. That's exactly the sort of weird story that makes someone think "hang on… what?" and click.

]]>4fc61971-e0ff-4756-9d3c-d2dbd528ee8fMon, 19 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>The Mancave Catch Up – Episode 7</p><p>A gecko in the Mancave, a celebrity beer tasting, a Man City scandal, parent-group rage and a train station disaster… this episode has a bit of everything.</p><p>John and Rob are back with another completely unfiltered catch-up, jumping from everyday family chaos to football, money, pets, running, travel and the things that drive you absolutely mad.</p><p>John kicks things off with the latest house updates, an EV charger saga that's become a genuine inconvenience, and a long-awaited lager tasting. But is a celebrity-backed beer actually any good, or is the famous face on the bottle doing all the heavy lifting?</p><p>From there, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns into Clarkson's Farm, The Grand Tour and Francis Bourgeois, before we get into the main event…</p><p>🦎 THE GECKO SAGA</p><p>How does a child successfully convince their parents to buy a gecko using a PowerPoint presentation? Meet Astrid, the newest addition to the family — and hear how the pet was sold, paid for, fed and somehow became everyone else's responsibility.</p><p>We also get into:</p><p>⚽ Why parents asking "Is training still on?" in a winter football group chat is enough to send anyone over the edge</p><p>🌦️ The ridiculous October weather and why it makes organising family life even harder</p><p>🏙️ Man City's 115 charges, the Premier League reaction and what happens if football fans finally decide they've had enough</p><p>📦 Delivery drivers who actually care vs. the ones who dump your parcel somewhere random and call it "delivered"</p><p>🏃 The reality of training for a half marathon when your motivation has disappeared</p><p>❤️ Why running for charity can sometimes be the thing that keeps you going</p><p>✈️ A dream trip to Copenhagen and why we're already seriously considering moving there</p><p>🚆 A disastrous train platform separation that turns into one of the episode's biggest stories</p><p>There's plenty of strong opinions, plenty of laughs and, as usual, far too many side quests.</p><p>If you enjoy podcasts that feel less like a polished studio production and more like sitting down with two mates while they try to solve the world's problems — and completely lose track of what they were talking about, you're in the right place.</p><p>The Mancave Catch Up — real conversations, plenty of laughs and absolutely no chance of staying on topic.</p><p>🎧 Listen to The Mancave Catch Up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.</p><p>One thing I'd change from your original</p><p>I'd ditch the "Featured speaker: John" section at the bottom. For a two-person podcast, it makes the YouTube description feel like it's been automatically generated rather than written specifically for your show.</p><p>I'd also keep "Gecko's" prominent because that's probably one of the most unusual/clickable parts of this episode. The combination of gecko + Man City + train disaster + beer gives you a really good curiosity hook.</p><p>And honestly, "a child successfully campaigned for a gecko using a PowerPoint presentation" is probably your strongest line in the whole description 😂. That's exactly the sort of weird story that makes someone think "hang on… what?" and click.</p>yes00:54:2417Episode 7 - Geckos, City Scandal, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and Split Up At The Station full<![CDATA[Episode 6 - New Cars, Theme parks, Bill increases & London Transport]]>Train chaos, Peppa Pig World and a mystery shopper at the bar. John and Rob catch up on family trips, queues and why everything costs so much.

From Legoland to a stressful journey home with the kids, plus Luke Combs, EVs and the cost of living, it’s a loose, funny catch-up between mates.

In this episode:

John’s family break: Chichester, London, Peppa Pig World, Legoland and the museums
The train disruption home: cancelled services, confusing advice and a very long route
The real cost of family days out: tickets, parking, fast passes, food and souvenirs
Rob at Luke Combs, and the alleged mystery shopper with £20 at the bar
New cars, EVs, range, charging and the price of a home charger
Subscriptions, Sky deals, loyalty schemes and the cost of living
Clarkson’s farm shop queues, scam online ads, London transport and renovation plans

]]>6e29870d-8f6b-4e0b-a239-3739fff731dfFri, 16 Oct 2026 18:30:00 GMT<p>Train chaos, Peppa Pig World and a mystery shopper at the bar. John and Rob catch up on family trips, queues and why everything costs so much.<br /><br />From Legoland to a stressful journey home with the kids, plus Luke Combs, EVs and the cost of living, it’s a loose, funny catch-up between mates.<br /><br />In this episode:<br /><br />John’s family break: Chichester, London, Peppa Pig World, Legoland and the museums<br />The train disruption home: cancelled services, confusing advice and a very long route<br />The real cost of family days out: tickets, parking, fast passes, food and souvenirs<br />Rob at Luke Combs, and the alleged mystery shopper with £20 at the bar<br />New cars, EVs, range, charging and the price of a home charger<br />Subscriptions, Sky deals, loyalty schemes and the cost of living<br />Clarkson’s farm shop queues, scam online ads, London transport and renovation plans</p>yes00:52:4716Episode 6 - New Cars, Theme parks, Bill increases & London Transportfull<![CDATA[ Episode 5 - Parking Fiasco, GTA 6 Release, Home DIY & A Arm infection]]>Rob’s arm infection kicks things off, then John and Rob bounce between family chaos, cars, gaming and fitness.

In this episode:

🎸 My Chemical Romance at Wembley (and the Liverpool gig nobody mentioned)
🥩 Beer, steak and shopping local
🎡 London with the kids: museums, the London Eye and a tiny postal railway
👨‍👩‍👦 Explaining a vasectomy to a teenager. Yes, really.
⚡ Tesla vs Audi Q6, running costs and charger chaos
🅿️ Car-park etiquette and the parent-and-child space debate
🎮 GTA 6, half-marathon plans and sore muscles
🧱 A loft Lego space and a man cave rework
🎙️ Starting a YouTube channel and hoping someone watches

Two friends, plenty of tangents. Like, subscribe, and tell us which car you’d pick.

]]>4a995a82-ed56-4d6b-8a03-65fbd5ab2863Thu, 15 Oct 2026 19:57:45 GMT<p>Rob’s arm infection kicks things off, then John and Rob bounce between family chaos, cars, gaming and fitness.<br /><br />In this episode:<br /><br />🎸 My Chemical Romance at Wembley (and the Liverpool gig nobody mentioned)<br />🥩 Beer, steak and shopping local<br />🎡 London with the kids: museums, the London Eye and a tiny postal railway<br />👨‍👩‍👦 Explaining a vasectomy to a teenager. Yes, really.<br />⚡ Tesla vs Audi Q6, running costs and charger chaos<br />🅿️ Car-park etiquette and the parent-and-child space debate<br />🎮 GTA 6, half-marathon plans and sore muscles<br />🧱 A loft Lego space and a man cave rework<br />🎙️ Starting a YouTube channel and hoping someone watches<br /><br />Two friends, plenty of tangents. Like, subscribe, and tell us which car you’d pick.</p>yes00:51:3515 Episode 5 - Parking Fiasco, GTA 6 Release, Home DIY & A Arm infectionfull<![CDATA[Episode 4 - Foo Fighters at Anfield, Darts Night Nerves and is a Home Draft Beer System Worth It?]]>This week We are back with an unfiltered catch-up, and it’s a proper mixed bag. There’s Foo Fighters chaos at Anfield, stadium prices that will make your eyes water, and a fair bit of nerves ahead of darts night. Then it’s on to parenting, the never-ending battle to keep the garden looking half decent, and the big question: is a perfect draft beer system at home really worth the money?

Expect dad-life banter, random tangents, and honest chat about the everyday stuff that drives you mad.

In this episode:

Food Fighters chaos at Anfield
Eye-watering stadium prices
Darts-night nerves
Parenting and dad-life moments
The ongoing garden battle
Is a home draft beer system worth it?

👍 If you enjoyed it, like and subscribe, and tell us in the comments: what’s the most you’ve ever paid for a stadium pint?

P.S Apologies for the sound on this one. It wasn't our finest sounding episode.

]]>8c3d0c30-cf41-472c-a2b7-b2b04d2fc855Sun, 11 Oct 2026 21:11:46 GMT<p>This week We are back with an unfiltered catch-up, and it’s a proper mixed bag. There’s Foo Fighters chaos at Anfield, stadium prices that will make your eyes water, and a fair bit of nerves ahead of darts night. Then it’s on to parenting, the never-ending battle to keep the garden looking half decent, and the big question: is a perfect draft beer system at home really worth the money?<br /><br />Expect dad-life banter, random tangents, and honest chat about the everyday stuff that drives you mad.<br /><br />In this episode:<br /><br />Food Fighters chaos at Anfield<br />Eye-watering stadium prices<br />Darts-night nerves<br />Parenting and dad-life moments<br />The ongoing garden battle<br />Is a home draft beer system worth it?<br /><br />👍 If you enjoyed it, like and subscribe, and tell us in the comments: what’s the most you’ve ever paid for a stadium pint?<br /><br />P.S Apologies for the sound on this one. It wasn't our finest sounding episode.</p>yes00:59:5814Episode 4 - Foo Fighters at Anfield, Darts Night Nerves and is a Home Draft Beer System Worth It?full<![CDATA[Episode 3 - Noisy Neighbours, Winning the Lottery, Covid and Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse]]>This week the lads are back with an unfiltered catch-up, and it gets properly silly. There’s the nightmare of noisy neighbours, what they’d actually do if they won the lottery, and a look back at Covid. Then comes the big one: who’s surviving a zombie apocalypse, and who’s the first to go?

Expect dad-life banter, random tangents, and honest chat about the everyday stuff that drives you mad.

In this episode:

Noisy neighbours
Winning the lottery
Covid memories
Surviving a zombie apocalypse

👍 If you enjoyed it, like and subscribe, and tell us in the comments: would you survive a zombie apocalypse?

]]>c81596ac-0e41-4a38-a6b8-02eda27cba68Sun, 11 Oct 2026 20:57:22 GMT<p>This week the lads are back with an unfiltered catch-up, and it gets properly silly. There’s the nightmare of noisy neighbours, what they’d actually do if they won the lottery, and a look back at Covid. Then comes the big one: who’s surviving a zombie apocalypse, and who’s the first to go?<br /><br />Expect dad-life banter, random tangents, and honest chat about the everyday stuff that drives you mad.<br /><br />In this episode:<br /><br />Noisy neighbours<br />Winning the lottery<br />Covid memories<br />Surviving a zombie apocalypse<br /><br />👍 If you enjoyed it, like and subscribe, and tell us in the comments: would you survive a zombie apocalypse?</p>yes00:57:4513Episode 3 - Noisy Neighbours, Winning the Lottery, Covid and Surviving a Zombie Apocalypsefull<![CDATA[Episode 2 - Family Days, Pub Food & Why Is Everything So Expensive]]>Beer, darts, family life, and the rising cost of everyday things — this episode has it all. We chat about our favourite beers, darts, music, and the chaos of juggling work and kids.We also share a relatable rant about expensive meals, supermarket prices, and bills that keep climbing. It’s an honest, funny catch-up about the things that make life enjoyable — and the things that make it feel more expensive every week.

]]>91315397-2fb4-43f3-8a12-8d2de97a913aSun, 11 Oct 2026 20:52:18 GMT<p>Beer, darts, family life, and the rising cost of everyday things — this episode has it all. We chat about our favourite beers, darts, music, and the chaos of juggling work and kids.We also share a relatable rant about expensive meals, supermarket prices, and bills that keep climbing. It’s an honest, funny catch-up about the things that make life enjoyable — and the things that make it feel more expensive every week.</p>yes00:33:3712Episode 2 - Family Days, Pub Food & Why Is Everything So Expensivefull<![CDATA[Episode 1 - Finding Our Feet, Holidays, Money, Work and the everyday things that drive you mad]]>Two dads, no filter. Family life, parenting, relationships, money, work, and all the little things that drive you up the wall: this is the catch-up you’d have over a pint, minus the pub prices.

In this episode: Spanish holidays and the great tapas debate, travel anxiety, a trip to Wales, car-park rage, why kids cost a fortune, lawnmower and jet-washer disasters, eye-watering dentist bills, the pressure of children’s fashion, and plenty of real-life banter along the way.

]]>89ace4fa-d894-4ee5-8f19-8558a8d379ffSun, 11 Oct 2026 20:43:34 GMT<p>Two dads, no filter. Family life, parenting, relationships, money, work, and all the little things that drive you up the wall: this is the catch-up you’d have over a pint, minus the pub prices.<br /><br />In this episode: Spanish holidays and the great tapas debate, travel anxiety, a trip to Wales, car-park rage, why kids cost a fortune, lawnmower and jet-washer disasters, eye-watering dentist bills, the pressure of children’s fashion, and plenty of real-life banter along the way.</p>yes00:43:3811Episode 1 - Finding Our Feet, Holidays, Money, Work and the everyday things that drive you madfull