American Idiots Abroad artwork

American Idiots Abroad

41 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratings

AJ Marks and Megan Sola-Guinto are two American musicians living in England who host a biweekly podcast with a variety of local and international guests to discuss the cultural and linguistic differences between the U.S. and the U.K. From explaining slang to debunking various misconceptions, Americans and Britons alike can tune in to hear fresh perspectives on what the other countries are like. Email your questions, corrections and stereotypes to [email protected] and follow AJ and Megan on social media @ajmarksofficial @iamsolamusic

Places & Travel Society & Culture Music american boston california england english europe ajmarks america british greyareas
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Episodes

Literally... (with Bronnie & Chris Mitchell, Part 2)

June 17, 2021 06:00 - 56 minutes - 64.8 MB

Wooo, part 2 has arrived, folks! It's our season finale, and it's round 2 of this 2-part finale, and we are joined once again by Bronnie and Chris Mitchell! We're seeing double, and if you want a bit more deja vu, check out Part 1 as a refresher or dive right in to decide for yourself who is more literal when it comes to the English language: the US or the UK?  You can follow Bronnie at @bronniemusic, Chris at @chrismdrums_, AJ at @ajmarksofficial, and Megan at @iamsolamusic on all platfo...

Literally... (with Bronnie & Chris Mitchell, Part 1)

May 18, 2021 09:09 - 33 minutes - 38.5 MB

It's our season finale, y'all! Joining us to debate, diss, and dissect the English language in this first round of our 2-part finale are Bronnie and Chris Mitchell of the band, Bronnie! This episode is inspired by/in retaliation to Michael McIntyre's "Simplifying English for The Americans" comedy bit. Tune in to this first part to decide for yourself who is more literal when it comes to the English language: the US or the UK? You can follow Bronnie at @bronniemusic, Chris at @chrismdrums_,...

British Phrases II (with Liverpool Arts Bar)

April 20, 2021 06:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MB

Megan and AJ talk British phrases with Tom and Ben of Liverpool Arts Bar in this hilarious episode. Our advice: try not to call yourself a nonce or a spanner. You can follow Liverpool Arts Bar at @liverpoolartsbar, at www.liverpoolartsbar.com or by listening to the Arts Bar Podcast. AJ can be found at @ajmarksofficial and Megan at @iamsolamusic on all platforms. Feel free to send over your questions/comments/appropriate words for "dunce" to [email protected], or DM us on our instagram, @ame...

TV & Movies (with Rachelle Diedericks)

March 31, 2021 06:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MB

We're finally discussing TV and Movies with the amazing Rachelle Diedericks! Wild Child, Naked Attraction and NCIS just scratch the surface. You can follow Rachelle at @snackingwithrachelle, AJ at @ajmarksofficial and Megan at @iamsolamusic on all platforms. Feel free to send over your questions/comments/favourite films to [email protected], or DM us on our instagram, @american_idiots_abroad. You can also support us by checking out our new series, Main Pod Girl, or by checking out our new...

American vs. British Music (with Aamir Yaqub)

March 02, 2021 07:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MB

To discuss the musical differences between the US and the UK, Megan and AJ sit down with a Grammy Award-winning producer known for his work with Rihanna and Sia, Aamir Yaqub! In this episode they discuss grime, the UK's love for groups, and will.i.am! You can follow Aamir at @aamirmusic, AJ at @ajmarksofficial and Megan at @iamsolamusic on all platforms. Feel free to send over your questions/comments/reactions to "Cher Lloyd" by Cher Lloyd to [email protected], or DM us on our instagram, @a...

New Meaning, Who Dis? (with Adam Unze)

February 09, 2021 07:00 - 27 minutes - 18.5 MB

Megan and AJ have yet another guest that straddles the Atlantic ocean, actor and podcaster Adam Unze, of Spark Parade! Today we cover all the classic words that have a different meaning in the US than in the UK, including fanny, casualty and rubber! You can follow Adam at @sparkparade, AJ at @ajmarksofficial and Megan at @iamsolamusic on all platforms. Feel free to send over your questions/comments/bumming stories to [email protected], or DM us on our instagram, @american_idiots_abroad. Y...

Sweets & Desserts (with Jeff Thurm & Tom Alex Helm)

November 30, 2020 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MB

The Idiots are back at it again, this time with two content creators for Buzzfeed UK, Jeff Thurm and Tom Alex Helm. This is the only podcast where you can learn all about Megan's disdain for AJ's taste in candy, Tom's love for digestives, and Jeff's war on sprinkles. You can follow Tom at @tomalexhelm, Jeff at @_jeffthurm_, Megan at @iamsolamusic and AJ at @ajmarksofficial on all platforms. The song played in this episode is "Highs & Lows" by Sola. Feel free to shoot your questions/comments/...

Black Country Disco, Part 2 (with Tom Aspaul)

November 16, 2020 07:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MB

In this two part episode, we're putting the Disco in Black Country Disco, with our musical guide: Tom Aspaul, a songwriter whose credits include Kylie Minogue, MNEK, AlunaGeorge and more. What's the difference between British pop and Britpop? Who sings with their British accent? How do American approach songwriting differently? Only one way to find out (aside from Google), listen to the episode! You can follow Tom at @tom_aspaul, Megan at @iamsolamusic, and DON'T follow AJ at @ajmarksofficia...

Black Country Disco, Part 1 (with Tom Aspaul)

November 02, 2020 07:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

In this two part episode, we're putting the Black Country in Black Country Disco, with our tour guide: songwriter Tom Aspaul from Wolverhampton. Tom walks us through the geographical inspiration for his new album, Megan is jed with laughter, and AJ cor believe this is ayn made up. You can follow Tom at @tom_aspaul, Megan at @iamsolamusic, and AJ at @ajmarksofficial on all social media platforms. The songs played in this episode are "Traces" and "W.M." by Tom Aspaul. Send us your questions/c...

BONUS: Grievances (with Freddie Long)

October 28, 2020 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.85 MB

We're back with Freddie Long to air out our British grievances and discuss MORE British slang (there is still so much)! You can follow Freddie at @freddielongmusic, Megan at @iamsolamusic, and AJ at @ajmarksofficial on all social media platforms. The song played in this episode is "The Nowhere Times" by Freddie Long. Send us your questions/comments/grievances to [email protected], or DM us on our instagram, @American_Idiots_Abroad. Also, take our survey! https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/...

Brit Slang 101 (with Freddie Long)

October 19, 2020 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MB

The AIA crew are joined by faux slang expert Freddie Long to chat about British slang from a southern perspective. Megan shares a minging tale, AJ discovers the meaning of his nickname, and Freddie shells out bare jokes. You can follow Freddie at @freddielongmusic, Megan at @iamsolamusic and AJ at @ajmarksofficial on all platforms. The songs played in this episode are "Fade" and "These Darker Days" by Freddie Long. Feel free to shoot your questions/comments/bear jokes to [email protected], ...

The AIA Sportscast (with Matt Bankhurst)

October 05, 2020 06:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MB

AJ and Megan team up with Matt Bankhurst for the first ever AIA Sportscast. Don't worry, it's a normal episode, but it's just about sports. Specifically, cricket, rugby, baseball, American football, and s****r. You can follow Matt's band at @primylvinyl and the hosts @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial on all platforms. The songs played in this episode are "Lady Bay" and "A.M." by Primyl Vinyl. Feel free to shoot your questions/comments/internet knowledge about rugby to [email protected].

Your Freshers At Home Bar Quiz (with AmyElle)

September 21, 2020 06:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MB

Happy freshers! But since y'all can't go out this year due to the pandemic, Megan and AJ are bringing the party straight to you! It's a pub quiz, a drinking game, it's American Idiots Abroad! Your DJ and bartender for the night will be none other than AmyElle. You can find her socials using the handle @amyelleDJ, AJ by searching for @ajmarksofficial, and Megan by clicking @iamsolamusic. The songs played in this episode are "Down With Me" by AmyElle and Amy's remix of "Yup" by Fallon. We encou...

BONUS: Scottish Rhyming Slang (with Craig Glenday)

September 18, 2020 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.24 MB

We're back with Guinness World Records Editor-in-chief Craig Glenday to discuss Scottish rhyming slang and dialect. You can follow Craig at @craigglenday, Guinness World Records at @GWR, and @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial on all social media platforms. Send us your questions/comments/Lorraine Kelly fanfic to [email protected], or DM us on our instagram, @American_Idiots_Abroad.

Intro to Scotland (with Craig Glenday)

September 07, 2020 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB

Holy haggis! It's a new episode of American Idiots Abroad, hosted by aforementioned American idiots Megan and AJ. But there's a Scottish twist! Editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records Craig Glenday is here to make the podcast less sucky with his Scottish wisdom and that! On this episode, we talk about dinosaur vomit, giggle at the word bahoochie, and reveal the Guinness World Record AJ set as a child. You can follow Craig at @craigglenday and Guinness World Records at @GWR, but don't forge...

Bap, Barm, Bun (with Izzy Engler)

August 24, 2020 05:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MB

Everyone spray "cheese!" It's another episode about food, with special guest Izzy Engler. Americans can learn all about the grape of the UK while Britons need some education on corndogs and PopTarts. You can follow Izzy at @izzy_millie and your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial. The song played in this episode is "Sugar Honey Spice" by Wilhelmina, co-written by Megan. Make sure to send your questions/comments/bap pix to [email protected]. You can hear more examples of us discussi...

American Slang, Part 2 (with Nigel Sand)

August 10, 2020 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

Once again, we tackle the art of American slang with our friend and fellow idiot abroad Nigel Sand! In this episode, AJ discovers that his quesadillas are "hard" and "cold", Megan advocates for "legitly", the origin of "dude" is unearthed, and more! You can follow Nigel at @sensei_sand and retweet your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial. The song played in this episode is "Self-Destructing" by Sola. Make sure to send your questions/comments/onlylambs accounts to [email protected]. ...

Life Is A Motorway (with Casa)

July 27, 2020 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

Megan and AJ finally sit down with videographers James Amos and Freddy Williams of Casa to debate the word pavement, the right side of the road vs. the correct side, what your car says about you, and more. Listen to AJ get worked up over the price of British vehicles and Megan audibly shiver upon the mere mention of a roundabout. You can follow Casa at @casaliverpool and your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial. The songs played in this episode are "Runthorn" and "Find It" by TUCAN. ...

Tomato Tomato (with MildaMay)

July 13, 2020 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MB

In the most tangent-filled episode yet, a pro-clockwise Megan and her rotting bread of a co-host (also known as AJ) discuss alternates. Joined by fan favorite guest MildaMay, we learn what squirty cream is, Mathilda's least favorite song, and why a northern biff is different from a southern biff. You can follow MildaMay at @mildamaymusic and your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial. The unreleased songs played in this episode are "Save Some Room For Me" and "Down" by MildaMay. Send y...

Phrasing (with DADDY)

June 29, 2020 07:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MB

We're back with Season 2! In this episode, Megan and AJ pick apart the differences in American and British phrasing, sentence structure and grammar, with a little help from quarantined guests Wes "Not Like The Other Brits" Russell and Jack "And Here's the Thing" McGaughey of the jazz fusion band DADDY. You can follow DADDY at @we_are_daddy to watch all of their hilarious content and get your hands on that sweet DADDY merch. Also too, follow your hosts under the handles @iamsolamusic and @ajm...

The British Household (with Mo Pleasure)

October 02, 2019 07:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MB

In the Season 1 finale of American Idiots Abroad, Megan and AJ invite legendary bassist Mo Pleasure to help them describe the differences in a British household. Mo has worked with everyone from Janet and Michael Jackson to Earth, Wind & Fire to Bette Midler to Christina Aguilera (to Sola) and many, many mo! Find out what's literally blowing up his speakers, why AJ's clothes are always wet, and all the first world problems Megan deals with. The song featured in this episode is "I Can't Kiss ...

Cockney Rhyming & Short Slang (with Korean Billy)

September 04, 2019 06:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MB

AJ Marks and Yo Girl Megan are pleased to welcome YouTuber, absolute legend and self-confessed naughty boy Korean Billy to the Idiots Abroad family! With accents for days, Billy describes his transition from learning American English to British English and joins AJ in guessing some cockney rhyming slang! Go check out Korean Billy's videos on YouTube and Facebook by searching "Korean Billy", and you can follow your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial across all social media platforms....

Misconceptions of America (with Lauren Amour)

August 21, 2019 06:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MB

In this episode, Megan and AJ interview Lauren Amour, fresh off the the plane from her trip to America, about her misconceptions of the US. Tune in for a discussion about everything from prolific songwriter Dr. Who to Chili's to vegan corn dogs. Find out how much Megan paid for a vodka cranberry, who the members of the illuminati are, and if AJ owns a gun (he doesn't). The songs featured in this episode are "Black Ice" and "077" by San Junipero. You can find your hosts at @iamsolamusic and...

Misconceptions of Britain (with Meaghan Martin & Lydia Parker)

August 07, 2019 06:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MB

This week, Megan and AJ are joined by two fellow American Idiots Abroad, former Disney Channel star Meaghan Martin and theatre director Lydia Parker, to discuss their initial misconceptions of the UK before they moved to London. Featuring the most mid-Atlantic accents you've ever heard on a podcast, find out about the Steve Buschemi test, what Meaghan thinks of Camp Rock, and why Lydia hopes her husband, her sister, and Matthew Perry don't listen to this podcast. To hear Meaghan's British a...

Fashion Dilemmas (with Jess Ellis)

July 24, 2019 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MB

Fashion icon, Hollyoaks actress and podcast host Jess Ellis joins Megan and AJ to discuss how the hairstyles, makeup and clothes of Americans and Britons sets them apart. Listen to find out what a ket wig is, why Jess likes being on "Worst Dressed" lists and what three colours AJ always wears. You can listen to more of our guest on her podcast, Dilemmas with Jess Ellis, wherever you listen to podcasts. Meg and AJ will be awaiting your DMs at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial, and be sure t...

BONUS: Get This! with Bronnie

July 17, 2019 06:00 - 15 minutes - 10.3 MB

Bronnie is back for more laughs as we run through a few fun facts! The songs featured in this episode are "I'm the Worst" by AJ Marks and "Stay" by Bronnie.

High School Sucks! (with Bronnie)

July 10, 2019 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MB

In our most educational episode yet, we discuss... education. With the help of pop/punk singer Bronnie, we breakdown the school system of the US and the UK (surprisingly one of the first questions Americans are asked overseas). We have college; they have university. We have the common app; they have UCAS. We have schoolbus; they do not have schoolbus. The songs featured in this episode are the newly released "Closure" by Sola, and Bronnie's lastest single "Lost and Found". You can find your...

Word to Your Country (with The Post Romantics)

June 26, 2019 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MB

Let the debates begin as Megan and AJ cover things that the US and UK both have different words for. Together, with Cameron and Connor Cockbain of The Post Romantics and special guest, Liv the mathematics expert, they explore which words are better suited for the thing that they're describing. Starjumps vs. Jumping Jacks, Queue vs. Line, Hair Tie vs. Bobble vs. Bauble vs. Christmas Ornament. If that last one makes no sense to you, ya better click that play button! Shout the fk out to Tanya, ...

Holidayz & Birthdayz (with MildaMay)

June 12, 2019 07:00 - 28 minutes - 19.2 MB

Megan and AJ are excited to have self-described avid listener MildaMay (personally known as Mathilda Riley) as the guest for this special birthday episode of the podcast. In honor of Megan's special day, we discuss the quintessential British birthday and other country-exclusive holidays. Our American listeners will find out why the innocent-sounding Bonfire Night is actually so morbid, and y'all British peeps will get clued in on the origins of Black Friday. Shout out to Jess Ellis for havi...

More Food!! (with Cameron Warren)

May 29, 2019 08:53 - 23 minutes - 16 MB

In this episode of American Idiots Abroad, Megan and AJ discuss various restaurants and food with songwriter and producer Cameron Warren and test out how well he knows the American equivilents. The difference between English mustard and American mustard is shocking! Crab rangoon is a thing! Chippies serve Chinese food apparently! Also catch a snippit of Megan's upcoming debut single "Closure". You can find your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial, our guest at @its_st_louis, and emai...

Money, Money, Money (with Madeleine Wood)

May 15, 2019 07:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MB

Our tenth episode! Double digits baby!! This episode features the wonderful Madeleine Wood AKA Mad Wood AKA Mick Wood. What is Venmo? What are pence? Is Tekashi 6ix9ine secretly an Australian woman? Tune in to hear us answer all these questions and provide unprompted comparisons between British currency and American currency. The songs featured in this episode are "Follow" and "Love at First Sight". You can find your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial, our guest at @madeleinewood_of...

American Slang (with Alex Dunaway & Nolan Garrett)

May 01, 2019 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MB

Sup y’all! This episode features two additional Americans abroad, singer-songwriters Alex Dunaway from Temecula, CA and Nolan Garrett from Tacoma, WA. Listen in to hear Megan and AJ talk about hella American slang and their guests' lit songs "Strange Things" and "No Secrets", out now on all music platforms! Find them at @alexdunawaymusic and @nolangarrett and follow up with your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial. Email us your hot takes and fuego topic suggestions by emailing AIAho...

British Phrases (with Tom Anderson)

April 17, 2019 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MB

Wagwan, listeners! In this episode, Meg and AJ have a laugh with Tom Anderson of Venus Demilo (@vnsdmlo on the socials). Listen to us smash this episode as we give you lot a taste of British phrases. Will Meg's enlarged basket ever receive an actual GoFundMe page? What does it mean to get Marked? Who is Bob?? Find out by tuning in and hear an EXCLUSIVE clip of Venus Demilo's song "All I Want". Be sure to follow Meg and AJ (@iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial across all social platforms), and...

British Slang (with Leora)

April 04, 2019 07:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MB

American Idiots Abroad teams up with singer-songwriter Leora of Worcestershire to decode British slang. Get our cheeky takes on "bloody", "peckish", and several other Brit words by clicking that play button!! The outro for this episode is "Sweet Distraction" by Leora. You can find your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial, our guest at @_leoramusic, and email your own hot takes to [email protected]!

Songs We Can't Sing To (with Sister Sister)

March 20, 2019 08:30 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MB

On this episode of American Idiots Abroad, we feature Max Baynham and Alex Campbell of Sister Sister (the band, not the TV show). And Megan and AJ FINALLY get to discuss their true passion... music! Specifically how it differs from the US and UK. Will Max and Alex be able to name a single Hillary Duff song? How is Rita Ora the same as Nicole Scherzinger? Will AJ finally have a clue what he's talking about? Listen to find out, and after the show, be sure to follow Sister Sister on Instagram a...

BONUS: St. Patrick's Day Episode

March 17, 2019 07:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MB

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!! Celebrate by listening to even more of our conversation with guests Patrick Blaney and Dara Tohill of A Burial At Sea! Also be sure to check out "I'm the Worst" by AJ Marks, available now on all music platforms!!

All About Alcohol (with A Burial At Sea)

March 06, 2019 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MB

American Idiots Abroad hosts Megan and AJ have a chat about alcohol and club culture with A Burial At Sea band members Patrick Blaney and Dara Tohill, both of whom are from Northern Ireland. The outro for this episode is their song "Lest We Remember", available on all streaming platforms. You can find your hosts at @iamsolamusic and @ajmarksofficial, our guests at @aburialatseaband, and email your questions/corrections/drunken stories to [email protected]

How to Eat Like a Brit (with One of Them Podcasts)

February 20, 2019 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MB

In collaboration with the hosts of One of Them Podcasts, listen to guests Louis Jayy, John Naylor and Paddy Morrison discuss everything from Carribean black pudding to the perfect crisp buttie (shout out to Emeli Sarnie). Find One of Them Podcasts on YouTube and follow them  at @oneofthempodcasts. You can find Megan and AJ on all platforms (@iamsolamusic & @ajmarksofficial) and mail us your questions/corrections/Canadian bacon at [email protected]

Weather (with PIXEY & Kate Davies)

February 06, 2019 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

On this episode of American Idiots Abroad, Megan and AJ talk about the weather (typical) with bedroom pop solo artist PIXEY (Lizzie Hillesdon) and Liverpool photographer Kate Davies. The rare sight of snow starts up this very seasonal conversation, and we discuss everything from when it's cracking flags to when it's pissing it down. The outro for this episode is Young by PIXEY, available on all streaming platforms. Follow Lizzie @pixeyofficial on Instagram and Facebook and Kate's project Ar...

Accents (with TUCAN)

January 23, 2019 11:05 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MB

Megan and AJ discuss accents with special guests Gili Goldberg and Danny Bathurst of TUCAN. What do you get when a Californian, a Bostonian, a Brummy, and Londoner walk into the studio? Listen to find out! The outro for this episode is Flight by Tucan - Live from Abbey Road Studios. Follow @tucan_music, @giligoldbergmusic, and @_dannybathurst on Instagram and email us your questions/corrections at [email protected]. And don’t forget to keep up to date with Megan (@iamsolamusic) and AJ (@ajm...

Same Ol Word, Whole Different Meaning

January 02, 2019 04:53 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB

In the debut episode of American Idiots Abroad, (**airhorn noise**) we're talking about words that both Americans and Britons use, but in totally different ways. We tackle pants, decent, quite, "you alright?", pissed, sick, ill, pudding, cheers, diary, sorted, fancy and shirt! The outro for this episode is the brand new song "Self-Destructing" by Sola. Follow AJ and Megan on Instagram at @ajmarksofficial and @iamsolamusic and email us your questions/corrections/words for drunk at AIAhosts@gm...

Twitter Mentions

@lydiabparker 1 Episode