All the world’s a stage, but with all the world’s stages, whether theatre or soundstage, shut for most of the past two years, there was a lot of talent out there without an outlet. And we get it. Everyone has to make a living, as do their famous mates. So suddenly podcasting, which previously sat somewhere beneath even, shudder, radio in this person’s hierarchy of self-promotional needs, is the only way to reach his audience. On the plus side, there’s the endless string of friends, associates and big-name stars also stuck in their homes to ring up and invite on to talk about something, anything. (“Note to self: find an area of interest and focus.”) And if his contacts book runs dry, he can always rope in his mum. “Haw, haw, do you remember that time?” he asks the comedian who once had a role in one of his more regrettable projects, and who clearly doesn’t.

It was a day that felt like any other. The listener tuned in, as they had done countless times before, for more run-of-the-mill amateur sleuth schlock. But what they heard that day shocked them to the core. No, not the advertiser’s delicious home-cooked recipe plan, sandwiched between the retelling of a grisly murder in forensic detail and another abrupt plot twist. Or the jaunty jingle for a new series from the same stable, featuring the comedian from that thing. It was the tenacious presenter getting tangled in his own evidence board. This defective detective tries to retrace his steps, only to get ensnared further. Fingers crossed his case unravels before it’s time to pick up the kids from coding club. Otherwise there really will be a murder for someone to solve.

“Salutations, listeners,” says the broadcaster. He’s best known for his rumbustious and giddy banter, but these days has developed something of an ASMR-like purr. What began with his earnest journey into mental health issues and spirituality has become sidetracked. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback on last week’s show when we were tackling surveillance capitalism and how big tech is keeping tabs on you. I hope you’ve liked and subscribed, by the way. This week, we’ll be talking to a comedian about how this free-market machine is spiralling out of control and what we can all do to dismantle the paradigmatic prison we all find ourselves penned within. Are we just indentured techno-serfs tilling the digital landscape? It’s certainly something that keeps me up all night. Speaking of which, have you ever considered what you really want from a mattress?”

A podcast about taking a leap of faith and then plummeting to the ground. And then picking yourself back up off the ground, dusting yourself down and steeling yourself to leap again. Figuratively, of course, unless this week’s guest is a self-taught base jumper. Silicon Valley has turned failure into a cult. Tech bros are now more interested in the misfires than the relative successes. Ventures are no longer judged on capital burnt, but on lessons gleaned as you crawl from the wreckage (others might not be so fortunate). All of which makes this series about failure even more successful. Here, the presenter invites a celebrity on to talk through something that didn’t pan out, but then you learn from your mistakes, don’t you? Or potentially make them again, only more spectacularly. And really it’s just an excuse to humblebrag your way through the career you fell into (that leap of faith again). “I thought that was my life over, but here I am,” the comedian says following the last podcast he was on.

“You’re listening to the podcast where two men talk. My guest today is that comedian who appears on everything. But before we get into it, a word from our sponsors.” Cue the extensive list of energy drinks, supplements and protein shakes you’ll need to get you through the next three hours of serious conversation. It’s all about freedom of speech here. There is no censorship, fact checking or, God forbid, editing – so strap yourself in. “Now, I’m no expert,” clarifies the comedian who appears on everything, before dropping a hot take that backs up this caveat. Whether the subject is food, football or fathering, he’s always first on the guest list. Obviously, he eats, supports a team and has children, which would qualify him to voice an opinion. It’s just that, what with all his media appearances – he’s also written a children’s book, obviously – it’s surprising he has the time for anything else.