In a tradition obsessive about discovering romance, presenters, podcasters and proud “skilled yappers” Ally and G are making a compelling case for one thing simply as highly effective: friendship.
Recognized for his or her unfiltered conversations, quick-fire humour and emotional honesty, the duo’s topical and extremely entertaining podcast ‘Depart A Message’ explores every little thing from love and heartbreak to ambition, id and the realities of rising up – all by the lens of a friendship constructed on belief, laughter and exhibiting up for each other.
With a dynamic that’s equal components chaotic and deeply thought of, Ally & G have constructed a loyal group (affectionally often known as ‘the gallies’) by saying the issues most individuals assume, however not often say out loud, proving that fact and authenticity will be simply as highly effective, formative and worthy of the highlight.
Contemporary from making historical past on I’m A Movie star… Get Me Out Of Right here! because the present’s first-ever digital reporters and Jungle Insiders, we sat down with the women (aka your new web besties) to speak first encounters, shelling out recommendation, the facility of unity, and the way finest to steadiness enterprise and friendship…
LADIES! Let me begin off by saying, you’re the modern-day definition of friendship objectives!
Ally: (laughs) ahh sure!! We love to listen to that!
G: That’s genuinely candy, and so beautiful to listen to, thanks… we attempt our greatest!
If we had been to show again the clock a number of years, to a time earlier than destiny introduced the 2 of you collectively – what did life appear to be for every of you?
G: Each of us had been mainly working filler jobs as a option to pay the payments, however aspect hustling onerous, attempting to get the place we had been now. I used to be primarily based full time on the BBC, and Al was working as a personal tutor.
Ally: Ahh, the times of the aspect hustle! That was completely our vibe again then wasn’t it?
G: (Laughing) it actually was! I used to be extra centered on the music aspect of the business, whereas Al was over within the movie world doing odd jobs on the aspect of our ‘actual’ jobs – mainly simply attempting to make a reputation for ourselves. To an outsider trying in, we each in all probability seemed fairly directionless…
Ally: …however we had been undoubtedly working onerous in direction of a dream.
What had been a number of the particular person goals and aspirations you again then?
G: Weirdly I’d say the goals and aspirations we had again then, are in all probability the identical as those we have now now. And I feel that’s one of many principal the explanation why we clicked straight away, as a result of our hopes for the longer term had been virtually an identical.
Ally: Completely. Proper earlier than we met, my greatest factor was, sure I had all of those ambitions, however I didn’t know what path to take to make them change into a actuality. I actually couldn’t see a option to get from A to Z.
G: I used to be precisely the identical! And I don’t learn about you, however I at all times felt like these finish objectives appeared very far-off, and it doesn’t matter what I did, I by no means appeared to get any nearer to reaching them – it doesn’t matter what work I did or initiatives I used to be concerned in.
Ally: The issues we used to do G…
G: Oh God, I might die if we needed to watch any of these outdated clips again!
Ally: I hope they get scrubbed from the web!
So the story goes, the 2 of you first met in your 20’s while working at a group radio station…
G: That’s true, we did! And might I simply say, kudos to everybody on the market who does group radio, as a result of it’s not simple. You must give quite a bit, with no assured return. You’re actually doing it for the love of broadcasting and entertaining.
With all that you simply had happening in your lives at the moment, was a brand new friendship one thing you had been each in search of, or craving?
Ally: Truthfully, this factor, this bond between us, got here out of nowhere! I didn’t anticipated it, I wasn’t in search of it, it was merely not on my radar. But it surely was a very, very nice and fantastic shock.
G: I don’t assume I’d ever actually thought of how particular it might be to have a friendship that might not directly cross over into work! Once you’re freelancing and doing related jobs to what we had been doing on the time we met, it’s typically onerous to make real, lasting connections with folks, since you’re all type of residing contract to contract, and shifting from undertaking to undertaking. I’ve pals who’ve superb relationships with colleagues they’ve met by work! Initially they’re clearly bonded by that shared love for what they do, after which as a result of they see one another most days, they’re in a position to develop a friendship that transcends previous quote on quote “workplace hours”. However once you’re freelance you don’t at all times have that continuity. So when Al and I discovered ourselves working collectively in the identical house, bonding and discovering that we had been precisely the identical but additionally completely completely different, it was then I realised what I’d been lacking out on, and that in truth a friendship like ours was one thing I actually wanted to make my life higher.
Wanting again, earlier than you knew what your relationship would change into, was there one thing about that preliminary encounter that felt immediately thrilling or important?
Ally: 100%! And I can’t actually clarify it, however from the second we noticed one another it was simply apparent we had been going to be finest pals.
G: We had been on this room full of individuals, and with out saying a phrase, we simply gravitated in direction of one another.
Ally: The reminiscence of the second continues to be so sturdy in my thoughts! I at all times say I can bear in mind precisely what G was sporting – a camel trench coat, brown Zara sock boots and she or he was carrying this little Moschino bag, along with her copper hair trying all cute, and I simply thought: “oh my God, she is so bloody cool!”
G: For me, it was all about what Ally spoke about. She was the one particular person within the room who was unapologetically sparky and vibrant. She was like: “yeah so I’d actually prefer to create some content material about intercourse and relationships!” And I simply thought… that’s my woman!
It’s typically mentioned that opposites entice, however such as you’ve already mentioned, many relationships are born out of shared pursuits, senses of humour and customary values. What would you say are a number of the similarities, and variations that bond you?
Each: We’re whole polar opposites!
Ally: As persona varieties… yeah we’re polar opposites! And really, fascinated about it, even the best way we see the world… oh my god, we actually are full and whole opposites aren’t we? (Laughs). However are you aware what? I feel that’s the explanation why what we do works. If we thought the identical, and had the identical viewpoint on completely every little thing, I genuinely don’t assume we might have gotten so far as we have now.
G: We come at issues from two completely different views, which I feel is nice! We at all times say to the gallies, at any time when we’re debating a topic, you’re both an Ally or a G, there’s no in-between, there’s no center floor (laughs). I’ll say although, our aligned imaginative and prescient of what we each wish to obtain, is at all times spot on! It’s very uncommon that we’ll come up in opposition to an impediment, and have two completely different concepts of tips on how to get round it. Our thought course of with regards to downside fixing could be very related.
Ally: Yeah, and we at all times need the very best for one another.
What was the second you realised your friendship may evolve right into a enterprise partnership, and the way did you navigate that shift with out shedding what made your connection particular?
G: Engaged on our radio present helped us to construct a very sturdy basis. We learnt a lot about one another by all the completely different conversations we had been having, publicly and privately. We discovered that we’d each spent years arising in opposition to the identical difficulty, which was, how do I get my foot within the door? That shared frustration and combat to hold on united us, and we quickly realised that many palms make mild work!
Ally: We felt like making content material collectively was place to start out. The plan was to do nothing all that adventurous or difficult, only a few foolish TikTok’s to get the ball rolling… G, do you keep in mind that ABBA music video we did?
G: Let’s not discuss that proper now Al (laughs). So from TikTok (whispers) to ABBA music movies, it then turned all about us within the automotive, chatting about something and every little thing! It was a easy idea, nothing too out of the extraordinary, however it simply that little bit completely different from what everybody else was doing. We began to put up episodes on our YouTube channel, as unlisted hyperlinks that we may ship out to folks to provide them a really feel for what we had been about.
Ally: The suggestions we obtained was that folks actually favored what we had been doing! It was a contented accident, that turned the beginning of every little thing taking place for us. From there we had been approached by a administration firm, and I feel that made us each go: “okay, perhaps we’re onto one thing right here if professionals within the business are reaching out to us.”
G: Yeah, I do assume there was a second the place we each checked out one another and mentioned: “are you able to let go of your solo ambitions and work on this collectively?” and we determined that we had been.
What are the positives of working together with your bestie? I might think about it makes you an entire lot braver having your journey or die by your aspect…
Ally: Oh 100% – I really feel quite a bit braver having G with me! Each of us typically say that we couldn’t think about doing something of this alone. Making content material will be fairly detrimental to your psyche, particularly once you’re by yourself since you are likely to query your self, and overthink what you’re doing as a result of there’s no one there to bounce concepts off of. Working with another person takes away numerous the strain, and makes the method an entire lot extra satisfying.
G: Yeah, it’s a lot extra enjoyable working with a associate!
Ally: We’ve discovered that positivity will be fairly contagious. So we construct one another up and encourage each other to retaining pushing ahead. It’s so good to really feel that positivity, and sharing our wins collectively is good.
G: However equally, if one thing fails, which it typically does, you may share in that disappointment with one another too. Whereas when issues don’t work out once you’re by yourself, you may really feel a bit deflated and take the hit much more personally.
Ally: Yeah, once you’re working solo it’s very easy to go to that place of considering you’re not ok, when issues go improper or don’t work out as you’d hoped. However once you’re working as a duo, or as a part of a workforce, or in our case, with you’re bestie (laughs) you are feeling a accountability to remain sturdy and step up for one another.
There’s typically numerous emphasis positioned upon romantic relationships, and we’re advised that’s what we’re imagined to attempt for in life. However friendships, for my part, are equally as necessary and sometimes longer lasting… it’s just like the Spice Ladies mentioned: ‘friendship by no means ends’ proper?
Ally: Okay, so whilst somebody who’s in relationship, I discover the main focus that entire world appears to have on romantic love being someone’s one, true calling in life, so fucking boring! You’ll be able to don’t have any associate, however a tremendous backyard of pals, and nonetheless be completely happy! It’s not an both or factor. We get so many voice notes on the pod about this, or of women saying to us: “my finest buddy has a brand new boyfriend and she or he’s forgotten about me” and I simply wish to scream, and say: “simply so you realize, husbands can go away you!” So my motto is, cherish your friendships, and you probably have one, exit of your option to nurture it, as a result of they’re onerous to search out.
G: We at all times hope that anyone listening to our podcast, or watching one in all our movies, finds some type of companionship in our content material. I feel lots of people see themselves, and their pals, in us – and we love that! Our favorite sort of suggestions is when someone says: “you sound identical to me and my pals!”
Ally: And we try to point out all sides of our friendship!
G: Yeah, we don’t draw back from exhibiting slightly little bit of battle!
Ally: Completely not! She (G) obtained a tattoo and I used to be fuming about it! I used to be not afraid to let her know that (laughs).
When friendship and enterprise overlap, how do you be sure one doesn’t come on the expense of the opposite?
Ally: One in every of our greatest blessings is the truth that our friendship has solely ever existed inside the parameters of working collectively. If we had been pals from childhood I feel issues could be completely different since you we’d have extra emotional historical past to drag from. The best way we are actually, is all we’ve eve recognized.
G: Our friendship is rooted in our enterprise, and our enterprise is rooted in our friendship.
Ally: From the start we had been very clear about the truth that we might be sharing every little thing. Our friendship is simply too particular to throw away over something. And so long as we each know and keep in mind that, then it’s all good forevermore.
G: We do joke that we perhaps have to set extra boundaries although don’t we? (Laughs).
Ally: Yeah, however I don’t assume that’s going to occur is it? We’re good as we’re babe!
And the way do you steadiness authenticity with the strain to carry out or sustain momentum on-line?
Ally: That’s a very good query. We frequently discuss how wild this business is, within the sense that you would be able to at all times see what your friends are doing. And due to that you would be able to really feel a strain to really feel such as you at all times should be engaged on creating content material, and posting, posting, posting.
G: It may be tempting at instances to observe the gang, or soar on a pattern as a result of in your thoughts you assume that in the event you do, you’ll see the identical outcomes as others. That’s not at all times the case.
Ally: And typically you see folks get the roles that you simply didn’t, and you’ll’t assist however assume: “effectively if we had been doing the identical as them then perhaps the model would have wished us as a substitute…” which isn’t headspace to be in. The great thing about there being two of us is that there’s at all times somebody round to maintain us in examine and say: “wait, do we actually truly wish to do that? Or are we simply being jealous for the sake of being jealous?”
G: Most days at the very least one in all us is awake and alert to this! So if I’m having a wobble, Al is there to be the voice of purpose, and vice versa.
Ally: I additionally considering attending to know what your viewers needs helps.
G: Yeah that helps massively! We all know the gallies, like actually know them! They’re the third seat on the desk. We’re at all times saying: “wait, would the gallies assume that is cool?” We’re at all times contemplating them, and that helps to maintain us heading in the right direction.
Ally: And we additionally work with an excellent workforce! Between us and them, we’ve developed such a transparent technique of what we wish and what we don’t, so typically when issues pop up, it doesn’t have to be a dialog, as a result of we’re all crystal clear on our imaginative and prescient for the longer term.
G: We’ve learnt tips on how to block out the noise.
Your podcast ’Depart A Message’ relaunches TODAY! What are you able to inform me in regards to the new season?
G: Truthfully, we’re so thrilled the podcast is again! We had longer off than we thought we might, which in hindsight was a very good factor, as a result of it’s enabled us to refocus and return to the gallies feeling refreshed and able to tackle their dilemmas with a brand new perspective.
Ally: Format sensible, it’s mainly extra of the identical, although we do have a number of new segments and… await it guys, we’re now accepting emails in addition to voice notes!
For anybody who feels self-conscious about their accent and due to this fact hesitant to ship a voice observe, the choice to submit a dilemma through e mail is bound to be an actual recreation changer…
G: We LOVE a regional accent! And I promise you, I’m not even joking, we had been actually simply speaking about this the opposite day as a result of our producer is from ‘up north’, they usually had been saying how cool it might be to have extra of quite a lot of accents on the pod to make it sound that bit extra fascinating to hearken to, and I totally agree! So anyone studying this who has a powerful regional accent, get in contact!
Ally: Sure, please do! We’d love to listen to from you and assist clear up any of your issues.
G: We like drama, we like dilemmas… we just like the d’s (laughs).
How has the podcast deepen your connection together with your viewers in methods social media couldn’t?
Ally: Properly, merely put ‘Depart A Message’ solely exists due to our viewers! With out them and their enter and contributions, we’d don’t have any present. The gallies set the agenda, and the dialog flows from there.
G: We at all times say, there isn’t a us with out them… and we genuinely imply that! In a approach, we’re enjoying a little bit of a dangerous recreation as a result of the place different podcasts depend on having weekly friends to kind the premise of their episodes, we depend on our listeners to offer us with content material, and in the event that they didn’t… effectively, like I mentioned, there’d be no pod, actually (laughs).
Ally: Are you able to think about if we turned as much as file an ep, solely to find no-one had despatched us something?
G: To this present day we’ve by no means needed to stage or pretend a voice observe… not that we ever would clearly (laughs). However I feel that’s good that we’ve by no means been in that place. The messages are nonetheless coming in thick and quick, and for that we’re so grateful.
Was there a specific episode or second that modified the way you considered the potential of the pod?
Ally: I do know we hold harping on in regards to the gallies, however I actually assume seeing how they reacted and engaged with episodes proper of the gate made us each assume: “perhaps we’re onto one thing right here…”
G: The suggestions we’ve had has been unbelievable! We frequently say that lots of people need an perception to a friendship that’s not their very own, and I feel that’s what we offer for folks.
Ally: We’re not saving lives right here, however I feel we’re giving folks a protected place to vent their frustrations and issues… and loopy, wild dilemmas (laughs). The gallies have positioned their belief in us, and we take that very severely. We deal with their issues with care, and we do our greatest to provide useful and trustworthy recommendation.
G: Usually our takes on conditions and pondering’s on what actions are finest to take are fully reverse… we’re not singing from the identical hymn sheet mainly, and I feel that’s useful to folks. They’ll take parts of what we are saying on board, and disrespect the components they don’t agree with (laughs).
As we glance to the remainder of the yr, what are a few of your objectives and aspirations?
Ally: The listing is lengthy, and I don’t understand how a lot time we have now, so I’ll simply say excessive on our agenda of issues to do in 2026 is to do some extra reside exhibits for the pod!
G: YES! We did some reside dates final yr, they usually had been two of the very best nights of our lives! I’m not even joking! So we’re determined to do this once more. Personally for me…
Ally: Sorry, I’m simply going to interrupt you, and end that sentence in your behalf! Personally, G must date a well-known! And imagine me, we WILL make that occur this yr (laughs).
G: She retains saying this and I’m already fatigued by it! I’ve been on one date already this yr and I simply don’t know if I can hold doing this!
Ally: I don’t care, we’re not giving up! We’re aiming for A Listing, however as we’re Z listing, I feel we might should accept somebody on the B listing… or perhaps the C listing.
G: Ahh thanks a lot (laughs).
Ally: You’re welcome babe! Anyone studying this, if you realize any single B or C listing celebs, drop us a voice observe…
‘Depart A Message’ is accessible on all podcast suppliers.
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