PODCAST · society
Apes on Tape
by Freddo + Benji
A series of conversations between friends, discussing the human experience through thought-provoking discussions, life lessons learned and new ways of thinking.
Episodes
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Let's Address the Elephant in the Womb
Benji has daddy issues...
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We Got Away With It
Fred talks about a serious adaptive mountain biking accident that left him very grateful to be coming away unharmed, while Benji recounts the rather alarming moment he nearly lost his fingers to a handsaw at work. We also celebrate the long-awaited payoff of a stand-up joke Fred has been wanting…
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Finding Peace After Cancer and Chaos | Connaires Story
In this episode of Apes on Tape, Benji takes a back seat while Fred sits down with his good friend Connaire for one of the most honest conversations they’ve ever had. Con opens up about one of the most challenging periods of his life, navigating a lengthy legal battle while also being diagnosed...
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The Truth behind the Smiles in Portugal
Probably one of the most open and meaningful conversations we've ever had on the podcast. Recorded face to face in Portugal, what started as an amazing trip slowly turned into feelings of guilt, insecurity and pressure to enjoy every moment. We talk about feeling like a burden, regressing into…
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Hive got 99 problems but a Bee aint one
Benji’s living off-grid in Portugal and somehow ended up with thousands of bees swarming around his new home. We get into that, and a few other things along the way.
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Sunshine in a Storm
A new dog called Roger, and a new magic chapter. Portugal storms, flooded fields, and some honest chat about optimism, relationships, and staying positive when life doesn’t go to plan.
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Chasing Big Dreams without Losing Yourself
Fred sits down with his good friend Mickey for a long overdue catch up and a candid reflection on one of the biggest years of Mickey’s life. From travelling the world and working on ambitious creative projects to living what many would call the dream, Mickey opens up about the real lessons behind...
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Benji vs The Firetruck
Fuel leaks, ferry drama, wildfires and hernia ops, Benji is the luckiest unlucky man on this disaster of a road trip. His story is pure carnage from start to finish.
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Fred Pops the Question
Fred shares the full story of how a relationship retreat turned into one of the biggest moments of his life- proposing to Cris! Between deep chats, emotional breakthroughs, and a perfectly-timed romantic moment, it’s a story of nerves, laughter, and love. Benji also fills us in on his homestead...
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🍆 Willy Pics and Magic Tricks ✨
Benji opens up about the emotional journey behind his move to Portugal - the challenges, the pride, and the quiet satisfaction of building the life he always dreamed of. Fred wheels out of his comfort zone with his first ever proper magic gig, sharing the nerves, surprises, and moments of...
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Holding Space & Making Space
Fred and Benji catch up on the beautiful chaos of life’s latest chapters. Benji shares the joy and hustle of working on his place in Portugal and pulling off a heartfelt birthday surprise for Roz. Fred reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of moving house — the clarity that comes with...
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Moving House, Minimalism & The God Question
In this episode of Apes on Tape, Fred and Benji dive into some big life changes and deep conversations. Fred talks about moving into a new place, the challenges of downsizing, and how minimalism takes on a whole new dimension when you have a disability. Meanwhile, Benji reflects on his gratitude...
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Ayahuasca Visions & Meeting the Parents
It's NYE 2025 and Benji takes us on a wild ride through his Ayahuasca ceremony, sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It’s a hilarious and captivating story that sparks plenty of laughs and some surprising parallels to past psychedelic experiences. Before that, Fred opens up…
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Benji shaves his head
Embracing hair loss, buying shipping containers and the secret to being festive this Christmas. patreon.com/FreddoTheWheelchairGuy Free Christmas Cards : https://buymeacoffee.com/freddosmith/e/50076 Try Waking Up for free with a 30-day guest pass: https://dynamic.wakingup.com/guestpass/SC20FE1A9
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Expectations vs Reality
Fred and Benji dive into the highs and lows of life, from Benji’s recent quiet wedding to Fred’s ongoing struggle with phone addiction. They discuss how unmet expectations—whether on psychedelics or in daily routines—can spark deep dissatisfaction. With honesty and humor, they explore the impact…
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Summer Highs, Autumn Blues
After a summer filled with fun and his recent engagement to his fiancée, Benji is finding it hard to adjust to having a long distance relationship, experiencing the post-summer blues and grappling with feelings of purpose and meaning. Freddo provides a supportive space and shares his own...
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Benji gets Engaged
In this heartwarming episode, we celebrate Benji's recent engagement. The first half of the conversation is all about the love story of Benji and Roz —how he knew she was the one, the details of his proposal, and the unforgettable moment they got engaged. It’s a beautiful and uplifting discussion...
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Lets Get Closer - Matt Barker
Hello, dear listeners! I'm thrilled to introduce you to my friend Matt Barker. On a recent trip to Southampton for my nephew's wedding, I had the pleasure of staying with Matt and his wonderful wife Becky for four days. During my stay, Matt and I recorded an informal chat, where we reminisced…
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The Man Redefining Wheelchairs - Erik Kondo
Meet Erik Kondo, a paraplegic inventor who’s turning the wheelchair industry on its head. From wheelchair skateboarding to DIY innovations, Erik shares affordable, open-source solutions on his website for everyone to use. In this episode, Erik reveals why custom-fitted wheelchairs often fall…
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How I got paralysed - Mark Holland
Mark Holland didn’t realise that this would be the last time he’d ever ride his beloved bike. Mark was on a mountain bike holiday with his friends in Morzine when tragedy struck The accident was bad and diagnosis was dire. It’s tough being told you’ll never walk again. Find out more about the...
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Lets Get Closer
A thoughtful gift prompts deep discussion about childhood insecurities and overcoming them. From the flow state things that make you forget about time, to the pro’s and cons of being self employed vs having a job, we cover a lot of ground. Finally, we talk about a heavy topic: assisted suicide.…
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The funny thing about paralysis - Brian Kinney
A candid conversation about all the weird and wonderful things that being a paraplegic entails. We hope that hearing us laugh about it can help newly injured folk come to terms with their situation.
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Tough Love
A conversation on honesty, relationships and distance. Benji talks about the joys of his recent holiday with his mum and girlfriend and the challenges of long distance relationships. Freddo talks of having the opposite experience when enveloped in a love bubble with his girlfriend. We explore the...
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Mind Over Miles - Christian Hosking
Pedaling dreams from Argentina to Alaska. I was fortunate to recently meet Christian Hosking, who accomplished something truly extraordinary by cycling not only through the rugged terrains of Patagonia and the demanding Alaskan wilderness but also enduring a continuous mental trial. Over 18…
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The Man That Saved My Life - Pete Davies
Pete was there on the day of my Spinal Cord Injury, playing a pivotal role in the rescue mission after I snowboarded off a cliff. Now, in his second podcast visit, we catch up on life post-accident. It's a down-to-earth conversation, full of real talk and reflections on where life has taken us...
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Looking back on 2023: The Love Chronicles
In this special in person episode, Benji shares how he met Roz, and Freddo shares how he met Cris, a pair of equally sweet stories of romance and love ❤️ We share how special the serendipitous journeys running in parallel have multiplied the joy for both of us. We share the biggest lessons…
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🎄Christmas Special Episode🎄
“Yule Can’t Handle The Truth” Welcome, dear listeners, to another heartfelt episode of apes on tape, where raw conversations intertwine with laughter, exploring the profound tapestry of friendship, mental health, and the quirks that make us human. In this week's authentic exchange, Benji…
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From Coincidence to Connection
In today's conversation, Freddo chat’s with Tom Powell, a dedicated listener of the podcast, who recently reached out with a question about mushroom ceremonies. Little did we know, our connection would lead us to a story too incredible not to share. Tom just happened to be there on the day when...
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Benji crashes his car (again)
Benji recounts another vehicle mishap, leading to a heartwarming tale of community support involving a helpful neighbour with a tractor. The conversation takes an intriguing turn when Benji wonders if AI could replicate the profound wisdom of philosopher Alan Watts. Could an AI, armed with Watts'...
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From Mushrooms to Memories
The Story of My Dad That Died While Freddo initially shares lighthearted tales of joy and inspiration stemming from a mushroom ceremony, Benji throws a curveball with probing questions about Freddo's relationship with his parents. This unexpected twist leads to a poignant and deeply personal…
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From Paralysis to Parenthood
Whether you're facing challenges of your own or seeking inspiration, this podcast promises to leave you with a renewed sense of hope and possibility. Freddo chats with Brian Kinney, the face behind the Paralyzed Living YouTube channel. Brian shares his remarkable journey from the moment he faced…
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Stand by your Van pt2
This episode is sure to leave you both entertained and inspired, with a reminder that life's disasters can sometimes lead to the most memorable and heartwarming moments. Benji takes us on another wild journey with one of his famous "vanecdotes." It's a story that proves life can throw you the...
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From Struggle to Strength
Freddo talks about his latest YouTube video, where he answers the question “What advice would you have given yourself when you first got injured?” This prompts Benji to ask a series of leading questions that bring us to the heavy topic of the suicidal thoughts and depression that Freddo faced…
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Summer Lovin'
We continue our glorious gratitude journey with serendipitous synchronicity as we are both in the honeymoon period of new romance and love, prompting questions on how we will remember these days through the lens of nostalgia one day, and how our future selves will thank us for being so present…
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Death by Distraction
Join Freddo and Benji in another thought-provoking and hilarious episode as they delve into the complex realms of mortality, wellbeing, and life's unexpected twists. We explore the reasons behind the traditional fear of death and ponder the contrasting emotions surrounding the loss of young…
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Honest & OpenAI
In this shockingly honest episode, Freddo and Benji talk about the intricacies of new romance and Freddo's recent experience of being asked to go on another podcast to talk about sexual intimacy after a spinal cord injury, which inspires some unexpected revelations, including the importance of…
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A Decade of Bromance
In this episode Freddo talks with Mickey Fitz, a close friend whose journey has taken him from the slopes of Morzine to the vibrant world of Formula E, and beyond, creating stunning films that captivate audiences worldwide. In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, we share deeply…
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E-bike Blunders & AI Wonders
In this podcast, Freddo and Benji discuss the fascinating advances of Artificial Intelligence, and the potentially disconcerting future that lies before us as a species. While Freddo mourns the loss of his job, Benji highlights the value of talk therapy for maintaining one's mental health. Benji...
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Empowered Paras
Welcome to a captivating new episode of the podcast, where I am joined by the inspiring Brittney Neunzig from the Empowered Para YouTube channel. In this engaging conversation, we explore a range of thought-provoking topics, each of which is sure to leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. We…
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Buried Alive
- A tale of avalanche survival with Alastair Band - Freddo talks with his friend Bandy, who survived being caught in an avalanche and breaking his back. Despite the trauma and physical limitations, he now has a fresh new outlook on life that he shares with us, along with valuable lessons learned....
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Baby Steps and Big Dreams
Join us for a stimulating and lighthearted conversation about life and love, as we delve into a variety of topics that touch upon the human experience. We explore the transformative power of gratitude, reflect on the unexpected growth of our podcast, and take a trip down the rabbit hole of lucid...
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Behind the Smile
In this episode of the Podcast, Fred invites his friend Simeon to take a deep dive into life and the milestone of turning 40. With a mix of light-hearted banter and more serious discussions, they explore the topics of loneliness, depression, self-comparison, and the meaning of success. From funny...
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Rise and Shine
Join us in this beautiful conversation as we delve into the importance of self-care and self-love through the lens of one man's daily morning routine. From mindfulness and exercise, to cold showers and journaling, Benji shares the benefits and rewards of incorporating these practices into daily...
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Stand By Your Van - (with Video!)
Well ladies and gentleman, Benji is back, for one night only, live and in person, regaling us with hilarious stories of van troubles, encounters with police, seizures, and a rather stoic attitude in the face of adversity, despite outright comical events unfolding. His journey to Morzine was not...
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Funemployed
This was a fun episode, Freddo gets a job for the first time since his injury, Benji is grateful for his friends all around the world, we discuss Derren Brown's latest show and the levels of manipulation, the ending of Ozark and why sometimes crime does pay, the magic of healing spinal cords and...
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Will the real Freddo please stand up
This is our 40th episode and it starts off with a lot of laughter, Benji recalls tales from his recent holiday where he claims to have surfed the best wave of his life, and gushes over spectacular sunsets and magnificent mullets. Freddo tells a crushing story of trying stand up comedy and failing...
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The Art of Talking Shit
Freddo shares an embarrassing anecdote concerning explosive diarrhea and a friendly stranger at the swimming pool, and Benji fires back an equally funny poo anecdote in this off the cuff episode we recorded rather spontaneously. Benji goes to a wedding looking dapper, but returns with a nasty...
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Would I trade in my disability for my identity?
In the first solo episode of the podcast, Freddo ponders his identity as the wheelchair guy after another thought provoking dream and realises there are a lot of benefits to having a disability, being part of a community and getting special treatment. After all the things he "hated" about being…
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Friends with Disability Benefits
Welcome friends to our 37th episode of the podcast, we discuss dating with a spinal cord injury, Freddo's recent UK trip and unexpected romance. Benji feels gratitude for our friend Matts life, after an unfortunate diving accident left him with a SCI. Benji recounts the events of the day…
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The War on the West
We start the podcast in the usual light hearted jovial way, both grateful for holidays and the ability to travel, before delving into something slightly more serious. Freddo read a book that prompted a new way of thinking that was outside of his usual echo chamber and prompted a lot of research...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Apes on Tape have?
Apes on Tape currently has 85 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Apes on Tape about?
A series of conversations between friends, discussing the human experience through thought-provoking discussions, life lessons learned and new ways of thinking.
How often does Apes on Tape release new episodes?
Apes on Tape has 85 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Apes on Tape?
You can listen to Apes on Tape on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Apes on Tape?
Apes on Tape is created and hosted by Freddo + Benji.
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