On this week's 5 Random Questions, I chat with Ana Xavier, founder of The Podcast Space. Answers include stereotypes and why they need busting, candy from the past and present, making people smile by just being there, and more.

Answering the questions this week: Ana Xavier

Ana Xavier empowers podcasters to discover their full potential with strategic content that drives business growth, builds trust with ideal audiences online, and creates endless opportunities. As the founder of The Podcast Space, she has coached impact-driven women, minorities, and multilingual businesses to 2x listener engagement, secure sponsorships, and position themselves as industry leaders. Her practical approach and deep expertise, honed over 10+ years in podcasting, radio, and digital marketing across Portugal, London, and the U.S., make her a sought-after coach and consultant. In 2023, Ana’s commitment to advancing diverse voices earned her the American Marketing Association Maverick Award (DFW Chapter). A frequent speaker and collaborator with global organizations, Ana delivers actionable insights to help podcasters turn their shows into powerful tools for influence and success.

Ana's Website

@thepodcastspace on Instagram

Ana on YouTube

Further reading for this episode

• The Podcast Space Podcast
• Language Alchemy Podcast
• Blackpool Rock – The Candy Bar
• Our Online range of Lion Chocolates | Nestlé Family ME
• Unleashing Joy: The Iconic Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich! - YouTube
• Mathematics Standards | Common Core State Standards Initiative
• Virgin Movie Experiences, Tech Trip Ups, and More with Colin Gray - 5 Random Questions
• Global Day of Unplugging
• LONDON FIELDS (2025) All You MUST Know Before You Go (w/ Reviews)

Thanks to the wonderful Question Starter members on Patreon for supporting the show! As a member, you receive producer credits for the show, bonus content, early ad-free access, and more.

Current members

Gareth Davies

Products I Use for 5 Random Questions

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

My equipment:

• RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic
• Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio
• Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile

Recommended

On this week's 5 Random Questions, I chat with Ned Donovan - actor, singer, writer, producer, and a bunch of different hyphens around the entertainment industry. Answers include what he really misses about childhood, why failure is success, his favourite day of the year, and more.

Answering the questions this week: Ned Donovan

I'm an actor, singer, writer, producer, bunch of different hyphens around the entertainment industry. I am a series regular on (and co-creator/executive producer on) the Dungeons & Dragons tv show Encounter Party. I am the host of Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You, a tip-of-the-day podcast in 2 minutes or less Monday-Friday. And I'm the director of Audio Fiction for the New Jersey Web Festival, the first "film" festival experience for fiction podcasts and actual play media. Now in its 5th year, I've worked with festivals all over the world to launch the Audio Fiction World Cup, the first international collective of festival experiences with jury-adjudicated competitions in audio fiction. I live in the Bronx, NY and generally my personality is Gotham FC, my dog Buggsy Mogues, tabletop roleplaying games, and generally trying to be artistic and creative whenever possible.

Ned's Website

Ned's Facebook page

@neddonovan on Instagram

@neddonovan on X

Ned on YouTube

Further reading for this episode

• Kissin' Cousins (1964) - IMDb
• The Boy and the Airplane | Book by Mark Pett
• Schooner Fare
• Weekend in New England - song and lyrics by Barry Manilow | Spotify
• Gerry & The Pacemakers | Spotify
• Gotham FC
• Edward Peck Curtis - Wikipedia
• Jay Larson's Wrong Number Prank | CONAN on TBS - YouTube
• Danny Brown (@xdannyxbrownx) • Instagram photos and videos
• Teacher to Taster, Inside Out Intestines, and More with Jenn Trepeck - 5 Random Questions
• Muggsy Bogues - Wikipedia
• Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You
• Encounter Party

Products I Use for 5 Random Questions

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

My equipment:

• RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic
• Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio
• Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile

Recommended resources:

On this week's 5 Random Questions, I chat with Colin Gray, founder of The Podcast Host, and Alitu. Answers include his approach to online movie critics, cartoon memories, tech trip-ups, and more.

Answering the questions this week: Colin Gray

Colin is a podcaster, speaker, PhD and founder of ThePodcastHost.com and Alitu. ThePodcastHost.com is a huge audio, video and written resource on how to create a successful show. Alitu.com is a podcast maker tool, designed to help you create your podcast in the easiest way possible, and with full creative control, including call recording, audio cleanup, audio editing, building your episode and hosting your show.

Colin's Website

Colin on YouTube

Further reading for this episode

• Akihabara - Tokyo Travel
• Mark Beaumont (@mrmarkbeaumont) • Instagram
• Battle of the Planets (TV Series 1978–1980) - IMDb
• Dungeons & Dragons (TV Series 1983–1985) - IMDb
• Back in Time - A Back to the Future Documentary (2015) - IMDb
• Eddie And The Cruisers - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Compilation by John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band | Spotify
• This is What it Sounds Like! Let's Discuss KPop Demon Hunters - Chatsunami Podcast
• KPop Demon Hunters (2025) - IMDb
• Thundercats Movie trailer (fan made) - YouTube
• Eurotrash 1993-1997 (now on prime) : r/BritishTV
• Eurotrash (TV Series 1993–2016) - IMDb
• Chernobyl (TV Mini Series 2019) - IMDb
• Letterboxd • Social film discovery.
• The Ferry Inn, Scrabster — Coast & Country Pubs
• Scrabster Harbour - Scrabster Harbour is one of the top fishing landing ports in Britain.
• Isle of Skye & Scotland's Island Hopping Adventure 14 Day Tour - Award Winning Small Group Tours

Products I Use for 5 Random Questions

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

My equipment:

• RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic
• Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio
• Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile

Recommended resources:

• Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution,...

On this week's 5 Random Questions, I chat with Jenn Trepeck, host of the award-winning Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, about hacks for morning routines, wanting to become a teacher to oust a JK teacher, inside out intestines, and more.

Answering the questions this week: Jenn Trepeck

Jenn Trepeck has been described as a "force of nature" in the wellness space, with recognition in: Podcast Magazine’s 40 under 40, International Women’s Podcast Awards, Ear Worthy’s Independent Podcast Awards, and Women Who Podcast Magazine. She is an Optimal Health Coach, Podcaster, and Business Coach. Jenn’s work grew out of Jenn's own weight management saga and learned the nutrition education we’re all supposed to know, but no one ever taught us, which allowed her to say she kicked her food issues. After over a decade of working with clients, Jenn started the Salad With a Side of Fries podcast to pay it forward and help even more people help themselves. Based on science, yet lighthearted, Jenn uncomplicates wellness and supports people in living their happiest, healthiest lives.

Jenn's Website

Jenn's Facebook group

Jenn's Facebook page

@jenntrepeck on Instagram

@jenntrepeck on X

Jenn on YouTube

Further reading for this episode

• Joan of Arc | Biography, Painting, Death, Accomplishments, & Facts | Britannica
• Aliens Ambassador, Fun with Fawlty, and More with Bob LeDrew - 5 Random Questions
• I Will - The Beatles
• Jagged Edge - Let's Get Married (Official Video)
• Food for Life, Toilet Tricks, and More with Colin True - 5 Random Questions
• Easy Tahini Recipe

Products I Use for 5 Random Questions

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

My equipment:

• RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic
• Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio
• Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile

Recommended resources:

• Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization
• Kit email marketing
• Boomcaster remote recording and live streaming
• Hindenburg Pro recording and editing

On this week's 5 Random Questions, Max Kurton talks about weird hamster dreams, the parent/child smartness conundrum, teachable tech moments, and more.

Answering the questions this week: Max Kurton

Max Kurton is an award-winning journalist and content creator with a passion for storytelling in all its weird and wonderful forms. Over the years, he’s worn many hats — food writer, Green Party of Canada media campaign manager, UK radio news host, interviewer of sports and music personalities… and, more bizarrely, a pro wrestler, street sweeper, late-night burger flipper, and potential future candlestick maker. Max lives and breathes content. He’s led and advised content marketing campaigns for global heavyweights like Sony, Microsoft, LEGO, IBM, the UK Parliament, and many more. A podcasting veteran since 2008, Max has hosted and produced shows for brands and personal projects alike. He founded the GT5 Network and launched shows including Got Till Five, Are We There Yet?, and his latest creation, The Surface Knowledge Podcast.

Max's Website

@hocmaxkurton on X

Further reading for this episode

• Peeved About Pet Peeves, Time Travel Tips, and More with Dan LeFebvre - 5 Random Questions
• Invisible People - Changing The Story Of Homelessness with Mark Horvath
• Online Safety Act: explainer - GOV.UK
• Amanda Todd Legacy Society Official Site
• A Surface Knowledge of Dream Science - Surface Knowledge
• Napoli On The Road

Products I Use for 5 Random Questions

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

My equipment:

• RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic
• Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio
• Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile

Recommended resources:

• Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization
• Kit email marketing
• Boomcaster remote recording and live streaming
• Hindenburg Pro recording and editing
• Auphonic AI assistant for audio post production
• Fourthwall merch stores for...