cheaptalk

Hellooo and welcome to another episode (9 to be precise) of Season 2 cheaptalk! Got another customer chat for you today, but this guy also represents a couple of Edinburgh businesses, and is always a welcome and friendly face to see at cheapshot. Jamie is a DJ for ehFM - Edinburgh’s Community Radio - and is an events manager for arguably Edinburgh’s coolest club; Sneaky Pete’s. 

So brew yourselves a cof (OR listen to this episode on your walk to the box and then let me make you one!!!) and listen to us chat about everything from the history of ehFM and providing a platform through radio, to booking bands for a 100-capacity venue and life in Leith.

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

EHFM Instagram: @ehfm_live

EHFM website: www.ehfm.live

Sneaky Pete’s Instagram: @sneakypetesclub

Alby’s Instagram: @albys_leith

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hey everyone, and welcome to Season 2, Episode 8 of cheaptalk! I’ve taken an unexpectedly long break - what with reopening the box involving a lot of preparation and Adam (who edits the episodes) being swamped with uni work, I’m sure you guys can understand! 

Anyways, I’m back with a bang for today's business episode, and this one in particular has been an invaluable source of help and advice for cheapshot. A few weeks ago I spoke to one of the most genuine, reliable and kindhearted people ever; Fernando along with his wife own and run Tupiniquim (pronounced Tupiniking!), the Brazilian crepe stand at the top of Middle Meadow Walk. Also operating out of a police box, Tupiniquim has been an Edinburgh street food staple loved by all ages for many years, serving a vast variety of sweet and savoury gluten free Brazilian pancakes. 

So brew yourselves a cof (OR listen to this episode on your walk to the box and then let me make you one!!!) and listen to us chat about everything from the fascinating story behind the name Tupiniquim and how Fernando drew inspiration for his own business from working at Camden Market, to balancing work and family life and the general ups and downs of running a police box stand. 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Tupiniquim Instagram: @tupiniquim_brasilcrepes

Head to Tupiniquim’s website at www.tupiniquim.co.uk to order your pancakes in advance!

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hey everyone, and welcome to Episode 7 of Season 2 of cheaptalk! 

For today's customer episode you're listening to me chat with Rebecca; a super smart and funny gal who brightens up the space at the box with her smile. 

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from Bangladeshi coffee culture and finding financial independence in London, to her job at Holyrood and the fascinating history behind the Scottish word "wain". 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning back into Cheaptalk after a week off - I think we can all agree that at least once or twice (during this lockdown especially) our brains have gone into overdrive, stopping us from doing anything at all productive... Well that was me last week! But we're back at it now with another Edinburgh-business-who-has-helped-or-inspired-Cheapshot episode! 

Today I'm chatting with Ashley who is the owner and face of Bits Bake Shop; a cute little bakery just opposite the Commonwealth pool. Ashley is not only an AMAZING baker, she's also just really cool, honest and down-to-earth - great qualities of a business owner I'd say! 

I especially wanted to chat to Ashley because a.) she was kind enough to create *unique* Biscoff sandwich cookies for Cheapshot's 2nd birthday and b.) like me she's a one-woman show and is an inspiration to how I run a business.

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from my babka OBSESSION and how she's not actually a natural people person, to making scary changes to her business and the "homely" character of her shop.

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Go follow and support Ashley at @bitsbakeshop on Instagram, and if you're lucky enough to be in Edinburgh, order yourself some treats from www.bitsbakeshop.com! 

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Good morning, good afternoon or good evening to you, and welcome to Episode 5 of Season 2 of cheaptalk; we've made it to the halfway point!

Today I'm chatting to a loyal and friendly customer who is also cheapshot's neighbour (lucky him!), Paulie. A lot of you will have seen Paulie at the box with his dog Croûton, who holds a very special place in my heart... Anyway Paulie is also really good chat and has some cool and important things to say!!!

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from activist political art and slogan T-shirts, to lockdown creativity and our mutual love of dogs. 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Coffee Paulie was drinking during this episode: Pact Coffee 

Go and support the work of @sally_tomato_x on Instagram and help her tear misogyny apart one design at a time!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hellooooo, you've reached Episode 3 of Season 2 of cheaptalk! 

Today I'm chatting to my younger "bro" David Jay, who steals tea from cheapshot and often won't leave me alone to do my job (but we love him).

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from what it's been like studying as a first year during a pandemic and growing up French and Jewish in London, to the history of radio plays and my admiration for his fashion sense. David also takes this opportunity to promote his OWN podcast, 'David's Book of Bedtime' (also available on all major streaming platforms). 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Coffee David was drinking during this episode: @cult_espresso batch brew

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 2 of cheaptalk! This episode is the first of a few where I chat with the people behind some of the indie businesses that are local to and have been sources of inspiration for cheapshot. 

Today I'm delighted to be speaking to the lovely Mairi who owns Lighthouse bookshop in Edinburgh. Lighthouse is a queer-owned and woman-led community bookshop that prides themselves on being an "unapologetically activist, intersectional, feminist, antiracist, LGBTQ+ community space". Probably as a result of these amazing accolades, they were named Scotland's Best Independent Bookshop in 2020. I know, so cool, right?

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything book and coffee-related, from radical bookshops for non-radical people and being starstruck by our favourite authors, to how books and coffee are comforts that get us through tough times and how each of us is just a big ball of hormones with legs...

ALSO - Lighthouse has kindly teamed up with cheapshot bookclub, and this episode is perfect timing as today we also start reading our February book, which Mairi picked out for us! Follow @cheapshot_bookclub on Instagram, buy "Detransition, Baby" by Torrey Peters from lighthousebookshop.com and join in the casual conversation of the book's main themes we'll have at the end of the month.

And big shout out to Jim, Peach and the rest of the Lighthouse family!

Coffee Mairi was drinking during this episode: an El Salvador from @artisanroast 

Coffee I was drinking during this episode: an Ethiopian from @unorthodoxroasters 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to Episode 1 of Season 2(!!!) of cheaptalk! It's actually very bittersweet for me to be coming out with another season of this, because although I absolutely love creating it, it also means that we're in another lockdown where I'm at home not making coffee for you all... But this project keeps me going! The responses to the first season were so lovely, and I've got some great customers and special people lined up to talk to, so I hope you enjoy this season just as much.

My first guest is Shem, who I’m sure if you’re also a regular at the box then you will have been blessed with her chat. She is just such a character and is so beautiful inside and out, and has the most hearty and infectious laugh, like EVER.

Brew yourselves a cof (or not because Shem is off the caffeine!), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from growing up as an Iraqi in the US and her thoughts on President Biden, to the reliability of the falafel as a snack and the “doesn't give a fuck but also gives many” attitude that her Instagram radiates.

Also shout out to Sean! We miss you. 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

It's Mel here and I'm BACK and I'm SO excited about it!

Welcome to Season 2 of cheaptalk! I thought I would tease you all with a little trailer because this season is going to be slightly different to the first...

I recorded Season 1 during the first lockdown as a way to try and give the community of customers I felt like I'd just started to create a place to connect and listen to some of our usual chats without actually being at the box. With this season I want to continue sharing my amazing regular customers on here, but I'm also grateful to have some local and independent businesses on here as my guests. The people behind these businesses have either inspired or helped out me, Paddy and Cheapshot, and if this pandemic has taught us one thing it's to shop and support local and independent as much as we can.

So with that, I hope these episodes will bring some joy to your lockdown days. Speak soon, and take care. xx

This is it... The season finale of "cheaptalk"!

Although I'd wanted to start up this podcast for a while, the timing of the lockdown and the chance to chat to my guests over Zoom and record the episodes that way gave me a fun project to work on whilst I was at home and not in the box. I'm taking a short break from "cheaptalk" because I want to really develop it more and see where I want to take it. I am so so grateful for the amazing conversations I've had with everyone who has come on here, and it's made me feel proud of the cheapshot community in that in continues on regardless of the box being open. To you as a listener; thank you SO much, especially if you listened to all 10 episodes! I hope you learned and laughed as much as I did.

For the final episode I just had to get a face and voice familiar to all of you on, and this guest is the only other person who can relate to calling the box their second home...

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to Paddy and I chat about what you've ALL wanted to know; the origin story of cheapshot and all about my famous application (yes I did make an Instagram account), as well as how both of us survived the crazy Fringe and the harsh winters.

Oh and P.S. - message from the president: thank God for the coffee cup.

Big shoutouts to everyone mentioned in this episode; you have all had a massive effect on cheapshot or us as individuals and have helped the business become what it is today; Jack Francis, @centurygeneralstore, Adam from Cobalt Coffee/@williamsandjohnson, @fortitudecoffee,  Paddy's mum, Zahra Beg, Fiona Knight, Sophie Gray, Arundhati Rao, @thebuffalotruck, Kezia Dugdale, Sean and Shem. 

And as always, BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Coffee Paddy was drinking during this episode: @fortitudecoffee Sitio Miranda

Coffee I was drinking during this episode: @unorthodoxroasters Hello Mister

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hi and welcome to a special Pride episode of "cheaptalk"! My guest for this week is Heather who very kindly messaged saying how she’d love to talk to me about LGBTQ+ issues for the podcast. This episode falls on the day after the 51st anniversary of the first of the Stonewall Riots in New York, which were led by Black and Brown trans women against the police. Out of the protests the Gay Liberation Front was formed, and they are credited with the idea for the first Pride, which took place on the 28th of June, 1970 in New York.

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about the issues of bi-erasure and the London-centricity of Pride, as well as intersectionality between LGBTQ+ and Black people and POC, and how it's important for all of us to allow ourselves feel uncomfortable when having conversations such as these. 

Disclaimer: All views in this podcast episode are our own, and do not reflect the views of any other person or organisation mentioned. 

For more information on the origins of Pride I found stonewall.org.uk a great starting point. Also, the day after Heather and I recorded this, I listened to episode 70 (I know, cheaptalk has a long way to go wow) of the "Adulting" podcast which spoke a lot more about intersectionality and feminism as white women, which I recommend as I feel like it bounces off of this cheaptalk episode quite nicely. Heather also mentions Munroe Bergdorf, a black transgender woman and model, and although I haven't yet listened I know there are [at least] episodes from two other podcasts which feature interviews with her, namely "I Weigh" with Jameela Jamil and "Table Manners with Jessie Ware". 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to Episode 8 of "cheaptalk"! My guest this week is Charlie [from Cornwall], who is such a character and is always so lovely and entertaining to chat to! I feel like whenever I speak to Charlie we always have such down-to-earth conversations; he tells it like it is, but also often in the most dramatic manner possible...

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from the trials and delights of working at Sainsbury's during a pandemic, to his hatred of Starbucks' pumpkin spice lattes and racism in ancient Greece and Rome... 

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Coffee Charlie was drinking during this episode: Lidl coffee...

Coffee I was drinking during this episode: @unorthodoxroasters Mischief Maker

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

HELLO and WELCOME to Episode 6 of "cheaptalk"! We're over halfway through Season 1 (also it's June now, wtf?) - and yes that does mean that there will be a Season 2, because I'm having WAY too much fun with this. Really hope everyone's doing well and enjoying the sunshine (while socially distancing, of course).

It's a bit of a special/silly episode this week since I managed to secure the sound editor of the podcast for a chat! He also just so happens to be my boyfriend, AND he's an OG cheapshot regular, which is how we met (awww). 

To anyone who's ever wondered what me and Adam spend hours at the box chatting about, you'll probably be none the wiser after listening to this episode. I've never met anyone that I can chat so much shit with, and so he had to cut out a LOT from the 2 hours of recording that we ended up with... 

And I really mean it when I say that I couldn't have made it through the tough days at cheapshot, or lockdown so far, without him. 

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat (and laugh) about everything from how many loyalty stamps he's collected (clue: it's a LOT) and whether "talent" exists, to the stigmas surrounding classical music and accidentally coming out to hordes of tourists at the Edinburgh Whisky Experience... 

Also, to any of you who've seen Adam by the box... is he ACTUALLY as short as I always thought he was?!

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Neither of us was drinking a coffee during this episode since we recorded it at 9pm, and neither of us are European enough to drink a coffee at that time of night. 

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to Episode 5 of "cheaptalk"! Really hope you guys are enjoying these chats as much as I've been enjoying having them! 

For this week I spoke to Martha who I absolutely ADORE - she's not only one of my coolest and most inspiring customers, but also just one of the coolest and most inspiring people I think I've ever met. She is the co-founder of Sanitree (www.sanitree.org), a social enterprise aiming to eradicate the stigma surrounding menstruation and to ethically and sustainably provide worldwide access to hygienic sanitary products. Plus, her personal ambition in life is to be a "hype-woman" just like her mum, so this episode is filled with female empowerment and bigging each other up! As fate would have it, Martha has informed me that it is Menstrual Hygiene Week this week, so take a look at Sanitree's insta page @sani.tree to see what their plans for this involve!

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from period poverty and mental health, to J.K.Rowling and what Scots, Kiwis and Canadians seem to have in common...

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Coffee Martha was drinking during this episode: @roargillcoffee

Coffee I was drinking during this episode: @machinacoffee Clockwork V5 espresso blend

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to Episode 3 of "cheaptalk"! I'm so excited for you all to listen to these lovely cheapshot customers who are on their way to being "insta famous" with their food-based Instagram account - you heard it here first! Juliet and Juliette (yes, really) are besties and students at Edinburgh uni who together created and co-run @foonsta__; a super fun and interactive Instagram account where they share photos of their favourite at-home recipes, restaurant dishes and porridge creations. They also upload the occasional poll and share your submissions (if you're brave enough to be judged by the Jujs...)

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about all things food, from the importance of an aesthetically pleasing meal to what restaurants we want to try post-lockdown and which pasta shapes reign superior... (Also apologies in advance for how many times I say 'like' in this episode...)

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod 

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to Episode 2 of "cheaptalk"! Thank you all for your love for the first episode; hopefully you’ll enjoy this one just as much! If you haven’t met him at the box already (which is quite unlikely), then this is Darren - perhaps cheapshot’s most loyal customer with 5 COMPLETED LOYALTY CARDS to his name. Legend. Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from cinnamon buns to space, Shrek and what makes a good elevator... (There are a few swearies in this one, so cover the ears of your lil siblings and grandparents.) Also, here's a joke I feel Darren would appreciate; May the fourth be with you.

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork!

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to Episode 1 of "cheaptalk"! My first customer wanted to remain anonymous and so requested that I refer to her as "My Mysterious Customer". Although, if you yourself are a regular cheapshot customer, you may well recognise her voice and sarcasm...

Brew yourselves a cof (sorry I can't make one for you), sit yourselves down and listen to us chat about everything from her cheapshot story to star signs, South Africa and being an only child...

BIG THANKS again to Adam for the editing and Yarong for the artwork! 

Instagram: @cheapshotcof

Facebook: @cheapshotcoffee  

Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/