Beyond The Box Art® — Episode 37
Just Making Conversation — Episode nealry, almost 100ish! with James Skiffins & Malcolm Childs
Hiya Benchmates — Episode 37 has landed!
After heading onto the tabletop with Jamie Tranter and Paul Regan to explore the huge world of wargaming in our last episode, this time we're doing something rather different.
In fact, this episode isn't simply another edition of Beyond The Box Art®.
It's two modelling podcasts sitting down together, sharing a few stories, looking back over nearly six years of broadcasting... and making one last conversation.
We're joined by James Skiffins and Malcolm Childs, the voices behind Just Making Conversation, for a very special joint episode celebrating the show, the friendship behind it and everything that happened along the way.
And yes...
There may be a reason James and Malcolm appear to have arrived carrying their possessions tied inside red-spotted hankies on sticks.
🎙️ Feature Discussion — Just Making Conversation with James Skiffins & Malcolm Childs
For almost six years, Just Making Conversation has been one of the familiar voices of the scale modelling podcast world.
James and Malcolm built a show around something wonderfully simple: two friends talking about models, modelling, life and whatever else happened to wander into the conversation.
Which, when you think about it, is probably how some of the best evenings at model clubs begin as well.
In this special joint episode, Brownie sits down with James and Malcolm to look back at the story of JMC.
We go right back to the beginning and discover why Just Making Conversation started, what James and Malcolm originally thought the programme might become and how that changed once listeners began joining them every episode.
We talk about the moments that helped define the show, the subjects and conversations that surprised them, the guests and experiences that stayed with them and, inevitably, some of the things that probably seemed like a very good idea at the time.
There's also a look at something you can't manufacture with microphones, editing software or a clever format:
chemistry.
The friendship between James and Malcolm became a huge part of the appeal of Just Making Conversation, and we explore how that relationship shaped the programme and allowed conversations to travel naturally from serious modelling subjects to complete nonsense—sometimes remarkably quickly.
But this episode also marks an important moment.
After nearly six years of Just Making Conversation, James and Malcolm have decided that the time is right to bring the podcast to a close.
So rather than simply switching off the microphones and disappearing quietly into the distance, we wanted to give them the opportunity to look back properly.
Why now?
What will they miss?
What definitely won't they miss?
What has producing a modelling podcast taught them about the hobby and, perhaps more importantly, about the people within it?
And when James and Malcolm look back on Just Making Conversation in years to come, what do they hope its legacy will be?
It's not a funeral.
Nobody has been asked to wear black.
And we've specifically checked that both James and Malcolm are still alive.
Instead, this is exactly what it should be:
friends sitting around microphones, talking about modelling and remembering the journey.
In other words...
Just Making Conversation.
⭐ Stash Inflation Report
Of course, emotional farewells are absolutely no excuse for allowing your bank account to recover.
The Stash Inflation Report returns with another worldwide trawl through the latest releases, announcements, accessories and assorted pieces of modelling temptation.
Balders takes us through the latest aviation releases, Dan patrols the world of armour and military vehicles, Nevs heads back onto the high seas, Shane explores Gunpla, sci-fi and everything mechanical, while Matty takes care of cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Between them, they once again demonstrate that the modelling industry remains entirely committed to ensuring nobody ever reaches the bottom of their stash.
Expect new kits.
Expect aftermarket.
Expect several entirely unnecessary purchases.
And expect at least one member of the team to explain why something is an absolute bargain despite nobody actually asking.
As always, Beyond The Box Art® accepts absolutely no responsibility for parcels arriving at your home following this segment.
Although we will happily accept the credit.
🌍 Scale Model World Update - with John Tapsall
With 58 days to go when this episode drops until the start of Scale Model World at Telford, we catch up with JT for an update on what to expect.
Ultimately, this episode is about much more than the ending of a podcast.
It's about what happens when a couple of modellers decide to turn on some microphones and start talking.
Conversations become episodes.
Listeners become regulars.
Regulars become friends.
And somewhere along the way, a podcast becomes part of the modelling community it originally set out simply to talk about.
Just Making Conversation has done exactly that.
James Skiffins and Malcolm Childs created something funny, occasionally chaotic, frequently thoughtful and unmistakably theirs.
So we're genuinely delighted that, when the time came to bring that journey to an end, they chose to share the moment with us.
There are stories.
There are laughs.
There are memories.
There may even be the occasional attempt at seriousness.
But most importantly, there are four modellers sitting around talking about this wonderful hobby of ours.
Because sometimes you don't need a grand plan.
Sometimes you just need to start a conversation.
So grab a brew, take your place at the bench and join Brownie, James and Malcolm—and the rest of the Beyond The Box Art® team—as we celebrate nearly six years of Just Making Conversation.
For James and Malcolm, it's the end of one chapter.
But we'd rather not call it goodbye.
After all...
...we're sure they'll still find something to talk about!
Brownie & the Beyond The Box Art® Team Models. Modellers. Meaning.
Contact
Email: info@beyondtheboxart.com Website: www.beyondtheboxart.com
Show Sponsors
AMMO by Mig Jiménez — www.ammo.es Fischkopp Model Company — www.fischkoppcompany.de Guideline Publications — www.guidelinepublications.co.uk The Scale Modellers Supply — www.scalemodeller.com.au Inside The Armour - www.insidethearmour.com
Our commercial sponsors help us cover the running costs of Beyond The Box Art®, allowing us to encourage Benchmates who would like to support something financially to consider supporting modelling charities and good causes instead.
Useful Links
Just Making Conversation — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts Model Podcasts — www.modelpodcasts.com Models for Heroes — www.modelsforheroes.org.uk IPMS UK — www.ipmsuk.org
🎙️ Why Listen to Beyond The Box Art®?
Beyond The Box Art® is the modelling radio show on the internet, bringing together modellers from around the world through:
- In-depth interviews with industry leaders, manufacturers, event organisers and hobby personalities
- Honest discussions about kits, techniques and the ever-changing modelling world
- Coverage of clubs, shows and the people who make the hobby special
- News and updates through our partnerships with IPMS organisations
- Support for modelling charities and initiatives that use the hobby to improve lives
- A genuinely international look at our hobby
- Plenty of humour, friendship and the occasional excuse to buy just one more kit...
Whether you're building your first model, returning to the hobby after decades away or sitting beside a stash large enough to require structural engineering calculations, there's a place for you among the Benchmates.
Available completely free of charge on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.
Beyond The Box Art® The Scale Modellers Podcast.
Models. Modellers. Meaning.