Good Evening Swansea

Episode 41: "It's Swansea Half Marathon"... with David Martin-Jewell

On Sunday 7 June 2026, thousands of runners of all abilities will defend upon our great city for the Swansea Half Marathon. The 13.1‑mile challenge - along Swansea's scenic coastal roads - was first run in 2014... and this year our Jack will amongst those lacing up the trainers and treading the tarmac!! The run is organised by Front Runner Events, and this podcast episode sees Jack and Ant joined by the CEO David Martin-Jewell to talk about it. Together they discuss how the event came about (and the reasons there was resistance to it), the year-round planning and how, one year, the delivery of the iconic medals was so close to the start time that panic set in that runners might be unrewarded! And, with Jack's own training reaching its peak, and with race day approaching, David shares his nutritional and training tips for the big day. The event has raised millions for charity and Jack has chosen "Going The Extra Mile For Cancer" (The Swansea Bay Health Charity). To find out more about the charity: https://swanseabayhealthcharity.com/appeals/going-the-extra-mile-for-cancer/ [https://swanseabayhealthcharity.com/appeals/going-the-extra-mile-for-cancer/] And, should you have a spare pound or two and would like to sponsor Jack, here's how: https://swanseabayhealthcharity.enthuse.com/pf/jack-o-connell [https://swanseabayhealthcharity.enthuse.com/pf/jack-o-connell]

Episode 40 - Welshie's back... and still rocking all over the world!

After amazing feedback from episode 11, we've brought back global tour manager Paul ("Welshie") Chapman to update us on his ventures in the music world. The former Bishop Vaughan School pupil has just completed a world tour with Welsh heavy metal band Bullet For My Valentine - including several stadium crazy dates in South America - and is planning for a busy 2026 out on the road, and working with, Avitar, Five Finger Death Punch, Live and BFMV. We suggest you dig out episode episode 11 (Morriston to Megadeth) if you want to know how a boy from Swansea has risen through the ranks to have one of the biggest contact books in rock music - but in this episode you'll get a deeper insight into the work of tour manager on the day of a gig... riding pillion through Bogota to sort the band's visas, striking the meet-and-greet balance between fan interaction and artist preparation, and never being able to relax until back on the tour bus. Oh, and he also explains precisely why show tickets cost what they do! Since our first podcast with "Welshie" we've been lucky enough to have shared several social occasions and found our way into that contact book (hopefully in the "friends" section) - we hope this podcast allows a wider audience to see what a a top guy he is... and what can be achieved when you follow your dream!

Episode 39: Fiona Hughes... Away from the castle!

Earlier this year Swansea's Fiona Hughes became a national celebrity after appearing on BBC's The Traitors. The hit show's first Secret Traitor was at the centre of a viewer's guessing game and, once revealed, she quickly put the proverbial cat among the pigeons... which led to her explosive departure from the series. Since then, the former Swansea Council worker has retired and there's been few newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television shows or social media that haven't wanted to talk Traitors with her. So, given just short of 30 minutes in Fiona's busy schedule, Jack and Ant fancied mixing it up a bit. Instead of the Traitors questions that had been aired elsewhere, they instead delved into Fiona's upbringing in the city, her love of the Swans and where she'd like her celebrity status to take her. There's a little bit of Traitors, but we hope you enjoy hearing a little bit about Fiona herself.

Episode 38: Summer Treharne... Here comes Summer!

2026 promises to be a busy year for Summer Treharne... the Swansea teenager who "never wanted to do anything else but sing!". Immediately on the horizon for the singer / songwriter is Croeso Fest - a weekend St David's celebration across the city from 28 February to 1 March. Then, on 7 March, Cardiff's Immersed Festival has her booked to perform. Not that such high-profile gigs are anything new for the 19-year-old music student - as she's been performing since she was a toddler, including with Swansea's Stage Coach drama group. And, with her guitar and own material,  she's already headlined The Bunkhouse and entertained at the city's Arena's coffee shop sessions. Sitting down with Jack and Ant, she discussed the musical influences that have shaped her, the inspirations behind her lyrics, moments of self-doubt and how her course at the University of South Wales has further developed her talents. With an online EP released, Summer can often be seen at live music venues across Swansea - keep an eye out for her... but in the meantime, sit back and enjoy the story so far!

Episode 37 - Dylan Evans... Head chef at Morgans!

After a longer than planned Christmas break, Jack and Ant return - and are joined by Dylan Evans, the head chef at Swansea's prestigious Morgans Hotel. Dylan, was a picky eater as a youngster, but he told the boys what led him to train for the hospitality sector and how his career path has taken him around South Wales, into Europe and back to Adelaide Street. Also a big Swans fan, Dylan gave an insight into the planning of the city's legendary Beaujolais Day celebrations, the pressure of wedding days and how he'd love to prepare and serve up some kangaroo. It's not all highs - the podcast includes redundancy and Covid hitting Dylan personally and the hospitality sector at large - but here's about 45 minutes with a guy who's now loving life, both at work and at home with his family. There's a few issues with Ant's mic - sometimes making him sound like he's swimming under water. Hopefully these don't detract from your enjoyment!