Fortunately... with Fi and Jane

Fi and Jane are both at home, but that doesn't stop them or their guest. This week it's the author and journalist Jonathan Freedland. The ladies manage to link up via videoconferencing and despite a few technical glitches they came together on Wednesday 25th March 2020. They compare their approaches to adjusting to life in a pandemic, there are missives from overseas and a dip into Jane's diary from this week in 1979. It's not long before a notification lights up and Jonathan Freedland joins the chat. The author and journalist gives his insight on the times, including the philosophy of home schooling (or the lack of) and takes Fi and Jane into the world of his new thriller... written by Jonathan's combat-pant wearing alter ego Sam Bourne

Fi and Jane are back with Fortunately and taking the necessary health precautions. Their guest this week is the writer Helen Lewis. Fi and Jane met up at a safe social distance Monday 16th March to debrief on last week's episode, daydream about a certain MI6 agent with a landline and find out just what's getting Fi's goat about our new global situation. They were then joined by writer and Radio 4 host Helen Lewis, whose new book explores feminist figures through history and how they deserve to be revisited as the Difficult Women they were. You can also expect forays into marital matters, Spanish pop stars and water contaminations in the Worcester area during the 90s.

5Live Breakfast Host Rachel Burden joins Fi, Jane and an audience of Fortunately fans for special live show at the Lowry Theatre in Salford. Fi and Jane battle trains, delays and automobiles in an attempt to get to the Lowry on time, tune in to find out if they make it! Waiting for them on stage is star of 5 Live and BBC Breakfast Rachel Burden, who shares tales of grooming, mouldy pesto jars and comparing offspring with Nicky Campbell. Before the interval Fi and Jane exchange burning questions such as 'when did you realise you're short?' and 'are there any men in the audience?'

Fi and Jane catch up with broadcaster and scientist Adam Rutherford, presenter of Radio 4's Inside Science and the Curious Case of Rutherford and Fry. He finds the ladies on the 4th floor of BBC NBH, fresh from reminiscing about Kevin Keegan. Adam tells them about his very special cricket team what its like to share a studio with Woman's Hour. Big issues out of the way they then delve into the light matter of genetics...Adam's new book explores the relationship between science and ideas of race and genealogy. He reveals some interest truths for Fi and Jane about their own ancestry and also about dating in Iceland. Before Adam drops in: Jane continues her computer course, courtesy of generous listeners and Fi reveals what it's like to get your eyelashes permed.

This week on Fortunately, Fi and Jane are joined by the comedian Phil Wang. Phil and Fi share their love of Portugal and the three of them then dive into the best way to store girders, what its like to be on a panel show, the importance of optimism, the merits of Las Vegas and much more. There's a test of Jane's incredible time guessing psychic abilities. Before Phil turns up it's gifts galore as Fi brings some goodies back from her holiday and Jane has got her a little something for her upcoming birthday. There's also a loving tribute to a recently deceased icon of computing, leading to a big confession on Jane's part.