37. 'The Ball Trembler' - The Dad Who Became a Buddhist (ft. Dan Thomas)

What do you want?If the answer is "40 minutes of BAFTA-winning TV producer and comedian Dan Thomas struggling to come up with the most basic information about his dad" then, my god, have we got a treat for you.Yes, we welcome Dan to Dadpod HQ this week to see if he can muster up a few of his dad's father figures which, given Dan's distant relationship with his dad, proves somewhat challenging and chaotic. That father I speak of is David Thomas: a petrochemical-engineer-turned-Buddhist-author who once drank 22 pints in an afternoon at the Eisteddfod. In the episode, Dan tells us about how his parents divorced before he was able to form memories, David's time working in Indonesia, the only two moments he's seen David angry (a rugby match in Swansea and seeing 'George of the Jungle' in the cinema), and the time David brought Dan some custard slices shortly after the US invasion of Grenada, much to Dan's chagrin. We also discuss David's love for sherry, John Denver, Woody Allen films (before the allegations), and any film with Gene Hackman looking gruff.Also in this episode: Dan and Joe tell tales of doing the 'Hot Ones' challenge and Max lets everyone down with his lacklustre mathematical abilities.'The Idiot Brain' by Dr Dean Burnett: https://www.deanburnett.com/books/the-idiot-brainWatch BAFTA Winning show ' The Golden Cobra' on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0021r5c/the-golden-cobra'Chilli of the Valley' hot sauce company: https://www.chilliotv.co.uk/Why is it called 'Swiss Valley?' - We couldn't find a definitive answer, but people say it's simply because it resembles Switzerland. See for yourself:https://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/explore/walking-in-carmarthenshire/swiss-valley-reservoir/Got a dad story for us?Email: [email protected] else: https://linktr.ee/dadtouchpodLogo Design: Alice Evans (@Alicewithapen)Music by: Gino Dada