Episodes

  • Wuthering Heights, ice hockey and Quebec's eclectic music scene
    Feb 27 2026

    After a brief hiatus Theo and Rob reunite to catch up over another crossword, and discuss a characteristically wide array of topics ranging from the challenges of reading Wuthering Heights on holiday to a viral avant garde Canadian band.


    Play along:

    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17412


    Watch Angine de Poitrine on KEXP:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ssi-9wS1so


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com


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    54 mins
  • Climate change, Bad Bunny and the Winter Olympics
    Feb 13 2026

    Theo and Rob are back on their respective sides of the Atlantic and get their teeth into some meaty - and admittedly somewhat depressing - conversation topics, either side of a pleasingly distracting crossword. They also hail Bad Bunny's continent-salving appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show, and the Canadian women's hockey team.


    Play along:

    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17399


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com


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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • On channelling creativity via the pomodoro technique
    Feb 5 2026

    Together again, this time in London, Theo and Rob discuss their creative projects, which they've been working on using the popular 'pomodoro', or tomato timer method. They also tackle another crossword while keeping one eye on the Australian Open tennis, and (finally) go through their list of 'pod fod'.


    Play along:

    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17390


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com

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    44 mins
  • Carney tackles Trump, and what about Oedipus Becks?
    Jan 30 2026

    Reunited in Herne Bay, England, and having already caught up on personal matters, Theo and Rob tackle some of the pressing issues of the day, from the Canadian PM's speech at the Davos summit to the intrafamilial war that has broken out among the Beckhams. They also attempt to tackle a crossword at speed so they can collect their takeaway in time.


    Play along:

    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17385


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com


    Follow Jacky (Rob's sister) and her wine resistance:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAkGdKb8bVI


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    48 mins
  • Finally! An answer to life, the universe, and everything
    Jan 23 2026

    A day after Theo finishes being 42 (ie, his 43rd birthday), he and Rob - with a little help from Douglas Adams - muse over the biggest question of them all. So, listen on to discover the true meaning of life and - more importantly - whether or not they can conquer the latest crossword.


    Play along:

    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17381


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • What a faulty lightswitch can tell us about ourselves
    Jan 15 2026

    Theo and Rob reunite from opposite sides of the pond to discuss topics including the propensity of humans to ignore broken things, the etymology of cobwebs and the comedy of Sacha Baron Cohen. They also tackle a crossword with a particularly nasty surprise up its sleeve...


    Play along:

    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17375


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com


    Listen to Enthusiasts:

    https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

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    1 hr
  • New year, new resolution, new crossword
    Jan 9 2026

    Rob and Theo check in following 'festivus', discussing how they spent the season and looking ahead to some plans for 2026, not least finally finding an answer to the meaning of life (watch this space on that one). They also return to their usual Guardian quick crossword stomping ground in a bid to kick off the year with a win.


    Play along:

    https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17369


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com


    Listen to Enthusiasts:

    https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

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    58 mins
  • With a special Christmas crossword, It's a Wonderful Life indeed
    Dec 25 2025

    Welcome to the third annual Christmas special. Theo and Rob have a special treat lined up for listeners, namely a dedicated festive crossword which, with 50 clues, will test their timekeeping to the limit. They also discuss a much-loved film, reminisce over Christmases past, and Rob discusses a not-so-happy memory from his time as a backpacker (see link below). Wherever you are in the world, we wish you a very merry Two Across-mas!


    Play along:

    https://www.sightsavers.org/christmas-crossword/


    Contact us:

    twoacrosspod@gmail.com


    Read Rob's article:

    https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2002/sep/01/bangkok.thailand.observerescapesection


    And a special thank you to Rob for his festive musical contributions. Listen to his solo project, Enthusiasts, here:

    https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p10AAj4tXDtkxfAop3lj2

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    1 hr and 13 mins