Nobody Cares What You Think proves Derby’s podcast scene deserves more attention

If there is one thing the podcast boom has taught us over the last decade, it is that people do, in fact, care what other people think. Whether it is an in-depth interview with a Hollywood actor, a true crime investigation, a comedy show or two friends putting the world to rights, podcasts have become one of the biggest forms of entertainment on the planet.

And tucked away inside one of the rehearsal rooms at Dubrek Studios in Derby is a podcast with perhaps the most ironic name imaginable.

Nobody Cares What You Think is hosted by Jamie and Rich, two middle-aged mates whose Instagram bio perfectly sums up what they are all about:

“Two cynical mates. Music, gigs, culture and middle-aged nonsense. Nobody asked for our opinions, we’re giving them anyway.”

It is self-aware, unapologetic and genuinely funny.

Jamie describes himself as an ex-musician and music producer, although he would probably be the first to call himself a failed one. These days he works in the corporate world. Rich is a former teacher who has become a familiar face around Dubrek Studios, helping to keep one of Derby’s most important creative spaces ticking over.

Together they have created something that feels refreshingly unpolished in the best possible way.

The cynicism is constant, but it is never mean spirited. It is the kind of humour that comes from years of friendship, taking the mick out of each other and refusing to take anything too seriously.

Perhaps the funniest part of the whole concept is that Rich openly admits in the very first episode that he does not even like podcasts and does not really see the point of them. Apparently Jamie had to strong-arm him into doing it.

Thankfully, he did.

Because despite claiming podcasts are pointless, Rich turns out to be rather good at making one.

Another creative project born at Dubrek Studios

One of the things that struck me most is where it is all recorded.

There are no expensive purpose-built studios or flashy podcast sets. Instead, Nobody Cares What You Think is recorded inside one of the rehearsal rooms at Dubrek Studios, another reminder that creativity does not need a huge budget, just people willing to make something.

Dubrek has spent decades nurturing Derby’s music scene, giving bands somewhere to rehearse, record and perform. Seeing podcasts now emerge from the same building feels like a natural evolution. It is another example of the creative energy constantly coming out of what has quietly become one of Derby’s cultural hubs.

The conversations themselves can head absolutely anywhere.

One week they are debating professional wrestling.

The next they are arguing over whether audiobooks actually count as reading.

They can jump from Radiohead to The Beatles, wander into artificial intelligence, question why every piece of modern culture has to belong to something bigger than itself, discuss the view from a hotel window in Scunthorpe, or disappear down some completely unexpected rabbit hole.

There is no obvious format.

No strict agenda.

No attempt to manufacture viral moments.

It is simply two mates chatting.

And that is exactly why it works.

My first ever podcast

Back on 8 June, Rich invited me to become the podcast’s first guest.

Walking into Dubrek’s rehearsal room, everything was set up around a small table tucked into the corner. After grabbing a coffee, chatting about random nonsense and waiting while Rich made sure the audio levels were right, we sat down and talked for around an hour.

It was my first time ever appearing on a podcast.

I genuinely loved it.

The funny thing is, I honestly cannot remember half of what we talked about.

Bits of music.

Culture.

Life.

Probably some nonsense.

A few opinions I may or may not regret hearing back.

But that is exactly what makes podcasts feel different.

After a few minutes you completely forget the microphones are there. You stop performing. You stop thinking about saying the right thing. You simply have a conversation.

That, I think, is what listeners enjoy.

It feels less like consuming content and more like eavesdropping on a conversation between people who have forgotten anyone else is listening.

There is no studio audience.

No scripted answers.

No polished television presenter.

Just conversation.

Why podcasts have become such a huge part of modern culture

I have never been someone who listens to podcasts constantly, but I completely understand why they have become such a huge part of modern culture.

Some of the biggest podcasts in the world, including The Joe Rogan Experience, The Daily, Crime Junkie, Diary of a CEO, and comedy shows from Ed Gamble and James Acaster, have audiences that rival traditional television and radio.

Personally, I have always enjoyed Steve-O’s Wild Ride! and Chris Raab’s podcast, and I regularly lose hours watching clips from shows like Bad Friends with Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino.

Even if you never listen to a full episode, chances are you have watched podcast clips online.

Whether it is Quentin Tarantino telling a story that has never been printed before, Bam Margera reminiscing about the early Jackass days, or comedians making each other laugh until they cannot breathe, there is something strangely hypnotic about people simply talking.

Long-form conversation has become entertainment in its own right.

Being on the other side of the microphones only reinforced that for me.

More work than people realise

What many listeners probably do not see is how much work happens after the conversation ends.

Jamie and Rich both have full-time jobs, so the podcast is fitted around everything else life throws at them.

Rich tackles the first edit before sending it over to Jamie for feedback. It is then edited again, discussed again and refined until both of them are happy with the final version.

They even offered to send me my episode before it was released to make sure I was comfortable with everything that had been included.

That level of care says a lot.

Podcasting might sound like two people sitting in a room talking for an hour, but producing something people actually enjoy listening to takes considerably more effort than most people probably imagine.

One of my favourite parts is their regular feature, I Will Die On This Hill.

Every guest has to share one opinion they will stubbornly defend no matter what anyone else thinks.

Rich’s? Audiobooks are not reading.

Whether you agree with him or not, it makes for brilliant conversation.

I had to come up with my own hill to die on too, although I suppose listeners can decide whether I sounded insightful or like a complete idiot.

Probably somewhere in between.

A podcast Derby should be proud of

Nobody Cares What You Think is not trying to become the next Joe Rogan.

It is not chasing headlines.

It is not desperately searching for viral clips.

It is simply two mates making each other laugh, talking about music, culture, life and whatever else pops into their heads that week.

Sometimes that is exactly what people want.

It is another reminder that Derby’s creative scene stretches far beyond bands and gigs. The city is full of people quietly making interesting things simply because they enjoy doing it, and that deserves celebrating.

I was genuinely honoured to be invited along, grateful to Jamie and Rich for involving both me and Trendng, and fascinated to see what actually goes into making a podcast.

If they ever ask me back, I would not hesitate.

And if you have not listened yet, give it a go.

You might discover that, despite the title, you actually do care what they think. You can listen to Nobody Cares What You Think now on Spotify.

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