In episode 311 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked back in with journalist Christian Hewgill.
We first checked in with Christian in December 2022, in JCIP #160!
At that point in time, he had recently left the BBC where he worked on BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat programme as a reporter and presenter for five years, and was working freelance.
In 2025, he is still working freelance but in 2023, his old work colleague, Radio 1 presenter, DJ and superstar Greg James messaged him to ask him to form a super-team of presenters and co-host a new Formula One podcast, ‘The Fast and The Curious’.
Alongside Greg and sports journalist Betty Glover, they began carving out a unique space in the F1 podcast space, being able to cater to F1 aficionados and new, casual fans, young and old alike.
Since then, the podcast has exploded in popularity, with the three of them hosting live shows at F1 races at Monaco and Silverstone, securing interviews with the top stars in Formula One, including drivers like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell and Team Principals like McClaren’s Zak Brown and now worldwide star and former Team Principal for Haas, Gunther Steiner.
As well as this new adventure, Christian co-hosts another F1 podcast, ‘F1 Explains’, which is aimed at helping people learn more about the sport – and is an official Formula 1 podcast.
In Part 2 of his journey, we discuss this massive change in Christian’s journalism career. We talk about how he’s adapted to the increased level of fame he now has, some of his favourite episodes, his relationship with Betty and Greg, his growth as a presenter and the reality of running a podcast, even one as big as FAC.
For Christian’s continued mental health journey, it hasn’t been as plain sailing in the last three years.
First of all, in 2023, his relationship with his then partner of 10 years ended, which naturally caused a lot of mental health difficulties in adapting to life without that person in his life.
Then, also in 2023, Christian’s mum was diagnosed with dementia, which took hold very quickly, and his dad had to take on a new role from purely loving husband to full-time carer for her too.
In addition, Christian’s dad also had a heart attack, which naturally caused Christian a lot of stress and upheaval.
Thankfully, Christian is now in a new relationship, and engaged! However, his mum’s dementia has remained difficult to deal with on a weekly basis.
We discuss the grief he has experienced for the loss of the person his mum was, the relationship breakup, his dad’s heart attack and his relationship with his dad now, following his mum’s dementia diagnosis.
As always, #itsokaytovent
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You can listen to Part 1 of Christian’s journey here.
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