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The Phil Swallow Podcast

The Phil Swallow Podcast

By Phil Swallow

This is my diary-style show where I talk about my filmmaking, the research and behind the scenes work that goes into it, other content creation work I am involved with and those things that life throws my way. Feel free to get in touch and I'd always value a review on your chosen podcast platform, many thanks!
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Currently playing episode

#1 - This is where my journey starts . . .

The Phil Swallow PodcastApr 13, 2019

00:00
07:24
#169 Forward, March!

#169 Forward, March!

YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@philswallow

(Originally broadcast live on my YouTube Channel)


In this episode:

  • Live Broadcast - get involved!
  • Benjamin Beeson talk - full house 😀
  • Video Live - Sanderstead Revisited W&T
  • February Stats: 8,600 views, 840 hours watch time, 56 new subscribers
  • Meeting with YouTube 
  • Video Planned - Titsey Area
  • Family Wedding - drinking & dancing 
  • Car tyres £££
  • Did I mention the fine? “Healthy School Streets”
  • FOI update - trip to TNA planned
  • New talk to be worked on 
  • Bourne Society Council
  • Caterham Valley


Mar 19, 202447:23
#168 Is It Spring Yet?

#168 Is It Spring Yet?

YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@philswallow

(Originally broadcast live on my YouTube Channel)


In this episode:

  • Live Broadcast - get involved!
  • Benjamin Beeson talk this week
  • Video Live - Horse Racing in Croydon
  • Video Live - Botley Hill Loop (more to come from this area)
  • Sue in “not a performance” - Kimberly Akimbo
  • New Crystal Palace manager and a win!


Feb 27, 202450:48
#167 Up & Running

#167 Up & Running

YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@philswallow

(Originally broadcast live on my YouTube Channel)


In this episode:

ERROR - I stay 2023 when of course I mean 2024!

  • Live Broadcast format - get involved!
  • Marden PARK not Lodge
  • January Analytics
  • Prepping for Benjamin Beeson talk
  • Bomb Mapping - East Surrey 
  • East Surrey Museum talk to be arranged
  • Video Live - Haliloo & Slines Oak area
  • Filming soon in Woodside area
  • Country walk for Feb mapped & ready
  • Hamsey Green walk with CNHSS: https://cnhss.co.uk/our-event-programme-for-2023-4/ 


Feb 06, 202445:28
#166 Happy New Year!

#166 Happy New Year!

YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@philswallow

(Originally broadcast live on my YouTube Channel)


In this episode:

  • Live Broadcast format - get involved!
  • Bourne Society Talk - went well, great subject
  • Booked a talk for 2025
  • Social media video on Sanderstead Court
  • Filmed/released South Croydon video
  • Walk update - Haliloo & Slines Oak area
  • Marguerite video going well


  • Research idea pooling experiences
  • Deeper research on some strong stories that I am excited about
  • Crystal Palace won a game


Jan 17, 202440:47
#165 Year End Review 2023 (Audio from Live YouTube Broadcast)

#165 Year End Review 2023 (Audio from Live YouTube Broadcast)

YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@philswallow


In this episode:

  • Target achieved - thank you!
  • Now to continue and improve
  • Some stats from the last 365 days:
    • 71,106 views (up 30%)
    • 4,839 watch hours (up 33%)
    • 391 new subscribers (up 54%)
      • Top 5 full videos:
        • LA to San Francisco - 10,460
        • Croydon Airport - 7,938
        • Croydon How It Is 2023 - November - 2,254*
        • Kenley Aerodrome - 2,227
        • Warlingham Then & Now Part 1 - 1,712

    *Pleasing as it has only been live since November 18th

  • The secret is to find what works and keep doing it, but what works best?
  • I have more planned for Croydon area
  • I want to find stories that can link local history to significant stories from wider history 
  • The art is in the telling and this is a developing process
  • Weather is a factor this time of year, have thought about VoiceOver videos but keep deciding against them - any thoughts?
  • Some WW2 related stories in the pipeline
  • I will continue with one country-related walk per month
  • The research is enjoyable but can grow arms & legs
  • A guest presenter will join me in 2024 for a Biggin Hill follow-up


  • Six face-to-face or public talks in 2023, four already planned for 2024
  • Occasional client work comes in, that is always top priority 


Dec 30, 202317:51
#164 - Huge Channel Milestone Looming

#164 - Huge Channel Milestone Looming

YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@philswallow


In this episode:

  • The title - can you help by sharing?
  • Croydon: How It Is 2023 filmed, edited & live
  • Woldingham Walk & Talk live
  • Filmed a local lady with a great life story
  • Red Deer to Purley -Then & Now live
  • Recce walk led to uncovering a story with huge historical interest
  • Christmas preparations 
  • A Christmas Carol with Christopher Eccleston
  • New toaster
  • Bread machine
  • Another Talk booked for 2024
  • Weather inconsistency 
Dec 05, 202316:53
#163 Then & Now

#163 Then & Now

In this episode:

  • Warlingham Then & Now Part 2 live & doing well
    • Why I like doing these
    • Future plans for them
  • Client job - Can’t See For Looking
  • Woldingham Walk & Talk in edit
  • Conversation with aviation archaeologist 
  • Interview due soon
  • Croydon annual revisit to be filmed
  • Weather inconsistency
Nov 16, 202313:54
#153 I’m Going To Be On The Radio!

#153 I’m Going To Be On The Radio!

In this episode:

  • Invitation to appear on the Griff Griffiths Drivetime Show on 365 radio on 21/08/23
  • Mystery of 150 Limpsfield Road mostly solved
  • Mystery of 139 Addington Road started and probably solved
  • Story of Ashburton Fields in Addiscombe
  • Tokyo editing advancing
  • Transcriber - brilliant and only $39
  • Plan to film at Caterham-on-the-Hill this week (weather permitting)
  • Passed milestone of 800 subscribers
  • Threads - seems ok
  • Off to pick my Top 10 tracks for the show


Oct 30, 202318:26
#154 Caterham-on-the-Hill

#154 Caterham-on-the-Hill

In this episode:

  • RAF Addington mystery solved
  • Joined the library 
  • Filmed at Caterham-on-the-Hill
  • Kenley Pen Nets success
  • New MacBook Pro
  • Micro research projects


Oct 30, 202314:59
#158 Tales from a Failed Shoot

#158 Tales from a Failed Shoot

In this episode:

  • Planning vs reality
  • Microphone failure
  • Learnings - sound/route/feedback
  • HG Loop W&T live
  • Tokyo re-edit live
  • Family History Show
  • Family visit - special
  • Stats - weird
  • Brand - choice to like or dislike but make it clear
Oct 30, 202322:35
#162 My Radio Show Debut

#162 My Radio Show Debut

Radio Show Recording Link

In this episode:

  • Griff Griffiths King of the Road Drive Time show on 365 Radio
    • Brilliant fun
    • Recording link attached
    • Distinction between this and normal video
  • Hythe:
    • Three trips instead of one
    • Great trip
    • Good hotel/location
    • Photography 
    • Railway
    • Family
    • Weather
  • Met up with a subscriber/fellow history lover
  • Prepping next few videos, severely hampered by the weather


Oct 30, 202318:02
#161 Summer to Autumn in 24 hours

#161 Summer to Autumn in 24 hours

In this episode:

  • Frost last night
  • Ryder Cup victory for Team Europe
  • Woodside Talk given by John Hickman
  • Bourne Society talk - mine!
  • Played golf - scored well - Byron family connection
  • Updated website with talk information
  • Meeting about Caterham Spring Pumping Station
  • McMillan Tea & Cake raising over £400
  • GoPro debut - new video shows it
  • Also new mic position, much happier with sound quality
  • Met up with a subscriber at Addington Fire Station
  • New iPhone
  • Pygmalion at the Old Vic
  • Prepping next few videos, one ready to go, others need more work
Oct 15, 202323:05
#160 Walks & Talks

#160 Walks & Talks

In this episode:

  • Open House reflections
  • Giving talks (HG & Parkinson’s Group)
  • Technical support for talks
  • Stepping in - Bourne Society
  • Haven’t tried new GoPro yet
  • HG to Farleigh Walk live (mic placement learning)
  • Great engagement- thank you 
  • Apple software update season
  • Delay on new iPhone 🙄
  • Illegal Eagles
  • Magazine article to do
Sep 29, 202318:23
#159 Open House Festival

#159 Open House Festival

In this episode:

  • St Mary’s Church, Addington
  • Croydon Minster & Belltower
  • Kenley Aerodrome (video live)
  • Croydon Archives Tour
  • West Wickham Library - Art Deco
  • Crystal Palace Subway
  • Croydon Almshouses - Hospital of the Holy Trinity
  • Addington Village Walking Tour
  • Numbers - YouTube overtaken Instagram
  • Talks and technical support
Sep 17, 202324:53
#157 So Much To Tell

#157 So Much To Tell

In this episode:

  • Room moves and inevitable purchases
  • Another hard drive failure
  • HG Loop W&T editing 
  • Tokyo re-editing
  • Football season started
  • Pilates continues
  • Big book purchase: The Royal Airforce Builds for War: A History of Design and Construction in the RAF 1935-1945
  • Lime Meadow photos
  • Richard Gardner visit
  • Merlin Engine video live & feedback
  • Kenley Flypast
  • Biggin Hill History Walk Part 2
  • Sue Filming
Aug 26, 202320:11
#156 Titsey Place to Tokyo

#156 Titsey Place to Tokyo

In this episode:

  • Excuse the cold
  • An unplanned plan to get back to Wednesdays?
  • Titsey Place visit with the Bourne Society
  • Places that for some reason I never visited
  • Tokyo video live - at last
  • Eastbourne & Sovereign Harbour
  • Highgate - Gatehouse Theatre, must visit during the day
  • Internal moves


Aug 09, 202321:02
#155 RAF Biggin Hill

#155 RAF Biggin Hill

In this episode:


Jul 29, 202325:03
#152 The Joy of Researching

#152 The Joy of Researching

In this episode: * Sue appeared in a TV ad for Revitive: https://youtu.be/dEV6hh39b98 * Copyright claim * Radio show guest? * Gave my talk to Senior Moments in Caterham * Inquiry about another talk at a Rotary Club * Had an amazing connected success * Happy to return to video work * Weather changing

Jul 08, 202310:45
#151 Victorian Pumping Stations

#151 Victorian Pumping Stations

In this episode:

  • Gave my talk on Croydon Water History
  • On the day that Thames Water hit the headlines
  • Great visit to Crossness Pumping Station
  • Victorians knew how to do things
  • Participated in user input session for Epidemic Sound
  • Tokyo ticking along
  • Talk number 3 of 2023 is continuing


Jun 29, 202317:59
#150 Milestone Edition

#150 Milestone Edition

<ul>
<li>150th episode!</li>
<li>Birthday/Milestone present - new mic, Shure SM7B</li>
<li>Lots of things have happened in that time. </li>
<ul>
<li>Finishing work</li>
<li>Headshots</li>
<li>Covid</li>
<li>Switch to video (generally and on here)</li>
<li>Adding in speaking engagements</li>
<li>Having fun</li>
</ul>
<li>YouTube Partner</li>
<li>First talk almost ready to go</li>
<li>Second one being worked on</li>
<li>Tokyo video being worked on</li>
<li>Must do some gardening . . .</li>
</ul>
Jun 24, 202313:09
#149 Where is everyone?

#149 Where is everyone?

  • It has all gone very quiet!
  • Part 3: Tokyo
  • Met up with an old work buddy
  • Enjoying the free travel
  • Presentations
  • Hot weather
  • Watching the shenanigans in the US


Jun 14, 202308:43
#148 Japan, Part 2

#148 Japan, Part 2

  • No emojis - they don’t always behave
  • Part 2: Nagasaki, Miyazaki & Kochi
  • Jet lag gone
  • Another birthday celebration
  • Editing
  • Hard drive replaced
  • 5 x speaking engagements this year, most still to do
  • Golf
  • Car
  • Hot weather incoming


Jun 07, 202318:02
#147 What a Trip! 🇯🇵🛳️

#147 What a Trip! 🇯🇵🛳️

  • It started with BA cancelling the flight
  • Cunard made sure we got there
  • Brilliant ship, company, staff, service
  • My birthday is one to remember
  • First stop Kagoshima
  • Second stop Busan
  • More to follow in future episodes
  • Video creation held up by hard drive failure 😣


Jun 01, 202323:56
#146 Fixing Failures 🔧😬

#146 Fixing Failures 🔧😬

  • Recognising when the output is not technically good enough
  • Too many compromises
  • Both Bluebell Walk & London Walk now taken down
  • Experiment with native 360° video parked ftb
  • Croydon Typhoid Outbreak video live - it’s been a long time coming
  • London trip
  • Packing
  • Sue away
  • No shows for two weeks, lots to tell after that


May 11, 202313:06
#145 Bluebell Walk in 360° 🔵🔔🚶🏻‍♂️

#145 Bluebell Walk in 360° 🔵🔔🚶🏻‍♂️

  • Croydon Typhoid Outbreak Film - complex edit ongoing
  • Bluebell Walk on Monday (MayDay) - 360° video now live
  • Croydon Research Room
  • Sue preparing for her filming trip
  • Us preparing for our Japan trip - hence the room!
  • Reviews online
  • Oyster 60+ Photocard
  • Tonight - A Country House at War - Marden Park


May 03, 202317:18
#143 Crunching the Numbers 💻📈

#143 Crunching the Numbers 💻📈

  • Subscriber number profile - very strange
  • #30in30 done - high level results (all Shorts)
    • 6,336 views
    • 19,928 shown in Shorts feed
    • 271 Likes
    • 32 Shares
    • 10 subscribers
    • Most views - Henry VIII in Addington (895)
    • 3,737 views via Shorts feed
    • 975 via YouTube search
    • 10 different countries
    • 5,221 Not subscribed
    • 1,115 Subscribed
  • Bluewater Shopping Trip
  • Weather still a factor
  • Prepping for Hols - eSim/Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Long form filming asap
  • CPFC march on


Apr 19, 202315:48
#142 Easter Break-ish 🐣💻

#142 Easter Break-ish 🐣💻

  • Brilliant Headshot Session
  • Sue shot me
  • Great to use skills, techniques, software
  • Counting down to the end of the Shorts exercise
  • Thinking about my next 360° video
  • Weather misbehaving - research rather than shooting
  • Holiday prep - worth it though
  • Meal out with Sue at one of my faves
  • CPFC


Apr 12, 202312:41
#141 Analysing My Shorts 🧐🩳

#141 Analysing My Shorts 🧐🩳

  • First grass cut of the year ✅
  • A quieter week by comparison 
  • Crystal Palace recorded their first win of 2023
  • Still doing daily shorts
    • View profile is interesting
    • It pushes the short based on algorithm 
    • Subject matter means many swipe it away (it tells you this)
    • Some views have subscribed 
    • Some have disliked - CPFC example
  • Proper 360° video
  • Headshot prep & full gear test


Apr 05, 202313:43
#144 Filming Day! 📹🎤

#144 Filming Day! 📹🎤

  • Sanderstead LHG Meeting
  • Filming complete - Croydon Typhoid Outbreak
  • London Metropolitan Archive visit
  • Theatre trip surprise - Operation Mincemeat 
  • More detail on holiday
  • Visas


Apr 01, 202311:13
#140 Trialling a Video Version 🎤📹

#140 Trialling a Video Version 🎤📹

  • Welcome viewers and listeners!
  • YouTube suggests various things to help creators
  • They have been pushing shorts 🩳 
  • Now they are pushing podcasts
  • So a GoPro and an LED light and here I am!
  • It might take a bit of adjustment but it will give me some more options to share visuals
  • The audio versions will continue, same locations: Apple, Spotify and others
  • So it’s a dual release
  • 30in30 update
    • Editing discipline
    • Research speed
    • Music selection
    • Sharpness of workflow
    • All of which will help when creating longer form videos
  • Theatre Shoot 2
  • Actor Shoot add-on
  • Weather will be a factor in timing next main shoot - sooner rather than later!
  • Always plenty of research to do
  • And learning


Mar 29, 202313:57
#139 Multiple Successes! 🍾😁

#139 Multiple Successes! 🍾😁

<ul>
<li>Covid for the first time </li>
<li>Sue’s success</li>
<li>Theatre Shoot 1</li>
<li>City of London changes</li>
<li>Headshot inquiry</li>
<li>700+ Subs</li>
<li>Pond 5 sales</li>
<li>Video research</li>
<li>Shorts</li>
<li>Mum</li>
<li>Crystal Palace</li>
</ul>
Mar 22, 202322:43
#138 Photography Focus 📷🎭

#138 Photography Focus 📷🎭

<ul>
<li>Mum home from hospital</li>
<li>Filming 150 Limpsfield Road</li>
<li>Shorts - not progressed yet</li>
<li>Detailed planning for Typhoid film</li>
<li>Shoot week - main “focus” - prep gear etc</li>
<li>Holiday prep</li>
<li>Crystal Palace 👎🏻</li>
</ul>
Mar 14, 202319:07
#137 Now that was a busy week 🏥🦷

#137 Now that was a busy week 🏥🦷

  • It started calmly albeit Mum wasn’t well
  • Friends came over on Tuesday morning
  • By Tuesday afternoon the ambulance arrived
  • Mum in hospital Tuesday evening
  • Dentist on Thursday
  • Whyteleafe video had a great week
  • Short Warlingham Green Then & Now video released
  • Bumped on Facebook and it took off!
  • Holiday planning in earnest
  • Whilst juggling visits, film planning and the usual stuff
  • Booked a photography job!
Mar 08, 202318:02
#136 Sounds from a Croydon Garden 🦜✈️

#136 Sounds from a Croydon Garden 🦜✈️

This is a "special" episode, a bit different from the norm.

In February 2023 I recorded sounds from my garden in Croydon, UK and decided this would be a good platform to share it. The birdsong is quite beautiful but there are plenty of other sounds in the mix including many that are man-made. 

If you can find some quiet time and some decent headphones you will be able to experience a typical suburban UK garden when spring is slowly starting to reveal itself.

I hope you enjoy it!

Mar 04, 202329:01
#135 Changing Things 📤📚

#135 Changing Things 📤📚

  • Bringing a connection to the podcast
  • Covering activities relative to my film output
  • Evolution rather than revolution
  • Links on here not working?
  • Projector
  • Peak District videos done
  • Benjamin Beeson
  • Whyteleafe Walk & Talk
  • Lighter filming option this week
  • Then back to “heavier” work
Feb 27, 202320:42
#134 I was Guest Speaker! 🗣️📽️

#134 I was Guest Speaker! 🗣️📽️

Feb 01, 202320:51
#133 2022 In Review 🎉🥳

#133 2022 In Review 🎉🥳

  • YouTube subscriptions up by 251 on the year
  • Overall a positive year for film-making
  • Some stills photography e.g. Wimbledon Tennis
  • Research skills improving + benefits of networking
  • Gear: DJI Pocket 2 & Insta 360 X3
  • Rate of film release better but still room for improvement
  • Royal Events
  • Trip to Duxford, Holiday in Peak District
  • Heatwave & snow
  • Some paid filming work
  • Trade Show
  • Poor Dottie
  • Car challenges
  • Internet Challenges
  • Happy New Year, 2023!
Dec 31, 202216:45
#132 Hometown Filming 🏙️🎬

#132 Hometown Filming 🏙️🎬

<ul>
<li>RIP Dottie</li>
<li>Croydon Market Town</li>
<li>Croydon Old Town</li>
<li>Smart plugs</li>
<li>Sky install this week</li>
<li>Virgin Media Installation</li>
<li>Shell Recharge update</li>
<li>Volvo heater</li>
<li>World Cup</li>
<li>Postcards</li>
<li>Saving sessions</li>
<li>British Newspaper Archive + tip</li>
</ul>
Nov 23, 202224:56
#131 Hello Again, Hello 👋🏻🎤
Nov 04, 202223:50
#130 Education 📚📝

#130 Education 📚📝

Oct 05, 202217:01
#129 Being Part of History 👑💂‍♀️

#129 Being Part of History 👑💂‍♀️

  • A Queen the world will always remember
  • An experience like no other
  • Pageantry, professionalism, duty, honour, all on show and done incredibly well
  • Four main experiences/events to this episode:
    • The Proclamation - video live: https://youtu.be/PkIv6flzvIw
    • The Procession (video in edit)
    • The Queue - video live: https://youtu.be/CjgaVadjRQ4
    • The State Funeral - watched on TV
  • Mourning period throughout
  • Now starting to get back to normal
  • Farthing Downs Walk & Talk Special - video live: https://youtu.be/9gcbbXzyoJs
Sep 20, 202222:32
#128 Quick Update 🎤

#128 Quick Update 🎤

<ul>
<li>Sad news that Queen Elizabeth II passed away</li>
<li>Filming update</li>
<li>Peak District trip - fantastic</li>
<li>Weather now changeable</li>
</ul>
Sep 09, 202206:48
#127 A Huge Boost! 📈
Aug 17, 202224:55
#126 Theatre Work Again 🎭🎥

#126 Theatre Work Again 🎭🎥

<ul>
<li>Weather pattern locked in</li>
<li>Interesting chat with neighbours</li>
<li>Football season started</li>
<li>Another theatre filming job</li>
<li>TikTok ticking over</li>
</ul>
Aug 07, 202218:50
#125 I’ve got a good excuse!🫢

#125 I’ve got a good excuse!🫢

<ul>
<li>Blue - theatre filming, loved it!</li>
<li>Record breaking temperatures</li>
<li>TikTok update - 5,000 views in first two weeks</li>
</ul>
Jul 25, 202217:60
#124 Feelin’ Hot, Hot, Hot! ☀️🥵

#124 Feelin’ Hot, Hot, Hot! ☀️🥵

<ul>
<li>It always happens</li>
<li>Red warning next week - poss 40°C</li>
<li>We are getting better at managing it</li>
<li>2nd aircon unit purchased</li>
<li>Sports photography?</li>
<li>TikTok experiment</li>
<li>Golf</li>
</ul>
Jul 15, 202217:42
#123 Wimbledon, Twice 🎾🎾

#123 Wimbledon, Twice 🎾🎾

Jul 08, 202215:17
#122 At Last!! 📹🛫

#122 At Last!! 📹🛫

  • Historic Croydon Airport video now live 😁
  • View steady, good Twitter engagement
  • Car could be fudged but not fixed, will need to go back
  • Shell Recharge
  • I have been asked to do a talk in January 2023
  • Planning next shoots
  • Uncovering old stories
  • Meeting about Decoy Airfields and a series for the future
  • Need to write a magazine article so must fly!
Jun 29, 202213:02
#121 Duxford Air Show ✈️🎤

#121 Duxford Air Show ✈️🎤

<ul>
<li>Scorching hot day to travel to Duxford 34°C</li>
<li>Journey time at its best = 1.25 hours. Us on Friday 3.0 hours</li>
<li>And the car’s Google system had a GPS breakdown that couldn’t be fixed!</li>
<li>Cooler on Saturday for the show, down to 12°C at one point</li>
<li>So much to see there, incredible actually, we will need to return just to see it all</li>
<li>The video is on its way to YouTube now</li>
<li>I enjoyed the challenge but it was far from easy</li>
<li>Great seeing the structure of the older hangars (Belfast Truss)</li>
<li>Saw a demo of the Concorde (yes, Concorde) now being tilted down</li>
<li>Stopped for McDonalds 😂</li>
<li>Slept brilliantly and came home in 1.25 hours</li>
<li>Car in garage for reset, please let it be good news</li>
</ul>
Jun 22, 202225:50
#120 Creative Collaboration 🖥🤝

#120 Creative Collaboration 🖥🤝

  • Great Golf Day, oh so close!
  • Summer weather has its usual UK pattern
  • Croydon Airport - new addition/collaboration
  • Garden tidying
  • New gadget - Kestrel 2000
  • 33C/91F expected tomorrow
  • Pack clothes & gear
Jun 16, 202211:14