We sat down with some of the UK's most talented comedians and chatted about their loves, hates and why human rights matter to them. 

Recorded backstage at the 2014 Balham and Edinburgh Comedy Festivals Richard Herring, Reginal D Hunter, Shappi Khorsandi, Tim Vine, Rob Newman, Mary Bourke, Kevin Day, Zoe Lyons, Tony Law, Mark Steel, Phil Jupitus, Lucy Porter, Marcus Brigstock, Jeremy Hardy, Tiffany Stevenson, Felicity Ward, Sarah Kendall and John Moloney shared with us their funniest experiences as comedians and why they do what they do.

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Amnesty's Comedy Conversations

We chat to Jeremy Hardy at the Balham Comedy Festival about Tuesdays being the new Fridays, closet right-wing comedians and supporting free speech when you like to tell people to 'shut up!'. www.balhamcomedyfestival.com

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">Donate</a>

Jeremy Hardy talks to Amnesty @ Balham Comedy Festival 2013

Our Secret Comedy Podcast is back at this year's Edinburgh Festival and better than ever. As a tiny bite sized taster of what you are in for have a listen to some of the best bits from 2012 along with interviews and stand up from some of this year's guests including: Julian Clary, Al Murray, Lee Mack, Jenny Eclair, Ed Byrne, Jo Caulfield, Alan Davies and more.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 Preview - Julian Clary, Al Murray, Lee Mack, Jenny Eclair + more

Ed Byrne hosts the first of our Secret Comedy Podcasts recorded live at this year's Edinburgh Festival with Jenny Éclair telling us how she got fired from Loose Women, Ben Van de Velde starts a joke chain letter to Putin and Marcus Brigstocke tells us a secret about how he told Elton John not to play the piano in his own house. Plus we've got stand up from the amazing Aisling Bea, a memory palace from the master of one-liners Gary Delaney and David O'Doherty with an inspiring (and factually accurate) song about a man having a wank on a bike. Yep a bike.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #01 - Ed Byrne, Aisling Bea, Jenny Éclair + more

In episode five Josh Widdicombe makes a mess, Mark Thomas reveals to Christian O'Connell which political party he'd least like to make a donation to and Jason Byrne tells us about being upstaged by Chris Hoy. Plus we've got stand up from Muffragette Mary Bourke on the best time of day to log on to MumsNet and Benny Boot on when you are at your most vulnerable to monster attacks. Entertaining and educational. The very definition of Edutainment!&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #05 - Mary Bourke, Jason Byrne, Mark Thomas + more

THIS IS SPECIAL! One of the best US comics around Michael Che poses a big decision for a goat. Dan Nightingale asks what is the only thing better than cheese? Sean Hughes thinks back to a time before the Internet and former strip club manager Brett Goldstein talks about giving up porn. Plus, with sketch comedy from the brilliant Shirley and Shirley, listening to this podcast is the best way to slack off half an hour.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #07 - Michael Che, Sean Hughes, Shirley and Shirley + more

Our host and big fan of free content Alan Davies chats to Tim Vine about being middle children and they test their knowledge of Monopoly while Keith Farnan talks about the death penalty and gay rights. Plus we've got stand up from Chris Martin on playing practical jokes on animals, Jess Fosteke on one of the finest of our nation's B&amp;Bs and Mike Wozniak tells us some science based cat facts.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #09 - Alan Davies, Jess Fostekew, Tim Vine + more

In the second of our two special shows hosted by Julian Clary, &#13;
the great Alexei Sayle reminisces about making the oft-overlooked Carry on Coloumbus. Reginald D. Hunter lays bare the importance of an honest sex education and Julian shares his tips for making love to a woman. Plus we have hilarious sketch comedy from Jigsaw and Brian Kennedy plays us out with his classic 'Christopher Street'.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #11 - Julian Clary, Alexei Sayle, Reginald D. Hunter + more

We hope that you enjoy our comedy podcasts and we have given you a good laugh. If you can, please consider chipping in a few quid to support to support our work and make sure that we can keep on producing sounds to make you chuckle. To make a donation via PayPal please go to <a href="www.amnesty.org.uk/chipin">www.amnesty.org.uk/chipin</a>

Special message to Soundcloud listeners from Michael Che

Janeane Garafolo tells our host Mark Dolan about seeing the light and Tig Notaro reveals what kept her laughing through cancer. Plus we've got sketch comedy from Foil, Arms and Hogg on the joys of Ryan Air and stand up from Matt Okine on how to make good toast and Shaun Keaveny on being addicted to Breaking Bad, a show about addiction.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #12 - Tig Notaro, Janeane Garafolo, Shaun Keaveny + more

Veteran broadcaster Johnny Walker chats to our host Mark Dolan about free speech, Tumi Morake talks about the state of freedom of expression in South Africa and Barry from Watford talks about taking things into his own hands. Plus stand up from Ronnie Chieng on some of the lesser known things China has invented and Richard Gadd, who has had a tough two weeks.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #13 - Ronnie Chieng, Tumi Morake, Johnny Walker + more

In the last of our Secret Comedy Podcasts recorded live at this year's Edinburgh Festival we have extra bits that we just couldn't squeeze into the other shows, including stand up from Tanyalee Davis, Paul Foot and David Morgan. Plus we chat to Lee Mack about his first ride and Tim Fitzhigham tells Mark Dolan about sailing across the English Channel in a bathtub.&#13;
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There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2013 #15 - Tanyalee Davis, Lee Mack, Paul Foot + more

A quick preview of Radio 1's Make Some Noise! documentary, asking whether the protest song is dead, and featuring our Amnesty Youth Award songwriting winners. Find out more at www.amnesty.org.uk/youthawards

BBC Radio 1's Make Some Noise: 3 min version

Recorded during Amnesty's run of Secret Comedy Podcast shows at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival, Julian Clary sings a very important message.

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Julian Clary - It's Cool To Be Gay

Listen to poet, actor, cartoonist and of course comedian, Phill Jupitus, chat to us about overcoming rejection early on in his career, his altar ego Porky the Poet and the power of comedy to change absolutely nothing at all whatsoever. 

Phill Jupitus ‘Society has become less tolerant’

We sat down with Rob Newman at the Balham Comedy Festival in London to chat with the deep thinking comedian. He told us about his one hour show 'New Theory of Evolution' and his trepidation at returning to the Edinburgh festival after a seven year break.  

Rob Newman 'I'm available for shenanigans'

We went backstage at the Balham Comedy Festival 2014 to catch up with the pioneer of the podcast. Fresh from performing his new show 'Lord of the dance settee', he reminisces on his most memorable podcast moments, including some unexpected answers from Stephen Fry. He also defends fellow comedian Frankie Boyle and his own material on the holocaust and there's even time for some chat about demonic monks and mechanical dogs!

Richard Herring 'A humiliating and upsetting experience'

We went backstage at the Balham Comedy Festival to chat with comedian and star of 'Not Going Out' Tim Vine. We find out about his new show, musically entitled 'Timtiminee, Timtiminee, Tim Tim to you'. We also hear his thoughts on England's disappointing exit from the World Cup and how he and fellow comedian Terry Alderton have perfected the art of a very long goodbye.

Tim Vine 'I'm daydreaming again Tim'

Backstage at the Balham Comedy Festival in London Mark Steel tells us about the easiest standing ovation he ever got, soulless football stadiums and how FIFA don’t give a flying Pukka for the game. He also chats to us about his bid to uncover idiosyncrasies of every place he tours.

Mark Steel ‘Folkestone is different to Margate’

We went backstage at the Balham Comedy Festival to have a chuckle with the hilarious Reginald D Hunter. He reveals how he started out as an actor and only got into comedy because of a dare and discusses his latest BBC documentary. We also discuss Britain's pride in it's sarcasm and comic traditions and his hilarious extended family.

Reginald D Hunter 'The Enterprise has been diverted'

Delve into the hilarious and rambling mind of Canadian stand up Tony Law as he reveals his surprising talent for performing World War II aircraft impressions and chats about training dogs to play pool. Plus interpretive dance, costume design and being upstaged by a couple of five-year-olds. The young have no respect these days. 

Tony Law ‘I’m bringing back the unitard with tassles’

Listen to renowned comedian, satirist and ski jumper, Marcus Brigstocke tell us how he’d love to do more reality TV despite the injuries, perils of performing while on crutches and the ups and (sometimes very fast) downs of life as a comedian. It’s a slippery slope (No!. ed)

Marcus Brigstocke ‘It’s all about me’

We went backstage at the Balham Comedy Festival in London to chat to the extremely funny stand up and novelist Mary Bourke. She reveals her thoughts on the rape jokes, the power of a dress and heels and dispels a few myths on heckling. She also explains how you never want to upset an audience in Glasgow.

Mary Bourke ‘Why should male be the gold standard?’

We caught up with Shappi as she stepped off the stage after performing her show 'Because I'm Shappi...' at the Edinburgh festival. She fills us in on the unusual occourences during that night's show; weird noises, ghosts and an unwelcome hug to name a few. We also found time to chat about her theory on why men are more successful than women in the world of comedy and she reveals the joke she wishes she'd never told.

Shappi Khorsandi 'Come back everyone I've figured it out'

We invited ourselves round to Lucy Porter’s palatial temporary home in Edinburgh where she's been performing her latest show 'Me Time' to talk about her new play, her love of shocking comedy and what it's like to perform to a room full of babies. 

Lucy Porter ‘Don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks’

We had a chat with Tiffany Stevenson in the Loft Bar at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh, fresh from performing her show 'Optimist'. Tiff reveals the first time she recognised sexism at age 14, she talks about the importance of 'punching up' when you're telling jokes, and finally - the secret waterslide confession she wishes she'd kept to herself! 

Tiffany Stevenson 'I just accidentally head-butted someone in the front row'

We caught up with Sarah Kendall in Brooks Bar at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She was performing her latest show, 'Touchdown'. We find out why you shouldn't shake up your set even after 35 shows, she reveals how she practices the rudest thing you can do on twitter! And why she doesn't mess around with her stage 'uniform'.

Sarah Kendall 'It's the happiest I've been all festival'

We caught up with Felicity Ward in Abbatoir Bar at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where she was performing her latest stand-up show 'The Iceberg'. She talks us through one of the worst gigs she ever played, how terrifying her first 12 minutes of stand-up comedy were, and getting her comeuppance on a radio show.

Felicity Ward 'This is the worst thing I've ever done'

Joss Stone and Dave Stewart perform in this exclusive preview of a track due to be released in April, in support of Amnesty International’s campaign for a bulletproof Arms Trade Treaty.



The song was written by war photojournalist Paul Conroy following his first-hand experience in 2011 of the devastating effects of the arms trade in Libya.

Find out more about Amnesty’s campaign at www.amnesty.org.uk/arms

The full track will be released in April 2012.

Take Good Care (preview) - Joss Stone and Dave Stewart

Live twice a week from the Underbelly at this year's Edinburgh Festival Susan Calman presents Amnesty's Secret Comedy Podcast featuring chat, sketches and songs. 

In this first episode hear from Reginald D Hunter, Shappi Khorsandi, Tim Key, John Bishop, Jason Manford, Adam Hills, Jason Byrne, plus even more funny stuff from the Amnesty comedy archive.

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">Donate</a>

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Secret Comedy Podcast 2012 Preview - Tim Key, John Bishop, Jason Manford + more

In episode three our host Susan Calman brings some of the world's best comedians to a tiny stage in Edinburgh for your listening pleasure. There's QI's Alan Davies, Sarah Pascoe and Michael Mittemeir having a chat. As well as performances from the hilarious David O'Doherty, the rib tickling Jo Caulfield, the smiley Rob Becket and a phenomenal wrap up rap from Abandoman!

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2012 #03 - Alan Davies, Sarah Pascoe, David O'Doherty + more

In episode four Susan Calman chats it up with Mark Thomas about his new show and gets Tiffany Stevenson and Mark Little to confess their secrets. Phil Nichols tells us about how Fernando Torres improved his love life, Helen Arney sings about making love, ahh... and Loretta Maine performs a little ditty about little things. We really couldn't squeeze anymore in.

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2012 #04 - Mark Thomas, Phil Nichols, Helen Arney + more

In our latest jam packed we have stand up from Benny Boot, Dana Alexander and Chris Henry. Mitch Benn sings about gay marriarge. Richard Bacon tells us about the time George W Bush tried to kill him, Suggs lets us in on some back stage Olympics gossip. Jo Caulfield chats about things she's learnt at the Edinburgh Festival and So you think you are funny? competition winner, Aisling Bea, tells us about crying by some bins. And to end it all we have a poem from the amazing Shane Koyczan. 

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2012 #07 - Richard Bacon, Dana Alexander, Mitch Benn + more

Here's the inevitable end of festival best of pack from The Amnesty International Secret Comedy Podcast.  This show features, loads of jokes, some amazing secrets, hilarious songs and insightful chat from all the biggest names at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.  We've got Alan Davies, Sara Pascoe, Rhys Darby, Shappi Khorsandi, The Boy With Tape On His Face, Hannibal Buress, Phil Nichol, Paul Foot, Rob Beckett, Josie Long, Mitch Benn, David O'Doherty, Lorretta Maine, Danielle Ward, Frisky and Mannish and Susan Calman!  Listen, laugh, enjoy and see what you can do to help Amnesty International.

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">Donate</a>

Secret Comedy Podcast 2012 Best of - Hannibal Buress, Sara Pascoe, Lorretta Maine + more

Amnesty's Secret Comedy Podcast returns with Breakfast show DJ Christian O'Connell at the helm. 

Kicking us off is legendary comic Bob Mills on the challenges of height-weight ratios, Kerry Godliman on starring alongside Ricky Gervais in his brand new comedy, dishy Joel Dommett on waking up to find a Boris bike in his bedroom, Canadian one-line merchant Stewart Francis on controversial Christmas plans, and Scots comic Matt Winning on life as Robert Mugabe's secretary. What's not to love? 

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as a free podcast and we hope we made you laugh. If you can, please consider <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">chipping in a few quid</a> to support our work. Thank you! <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3H8GNJJJ9ZJY">Donate</a>

Secret Santa Comedy Podcast 2012 #01 - Bob Mills, Kerry Godliman, Stewart Francis + more

Amnesty International stands up for justice, fairness, freedom and truth worldwide.

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