March 2022: We’ve interrupted our eighth series to create a series of apologies inspired by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Soldiers, non-combatants, wives and mothers all contribute from the conflict zone in Ukraine along with Belarus, Russia, Poland and beyond. As emotive a set of apologies as we will ever have and we have dozens. Superb writing accompanied by atmospheric audio from Brian Wallace and our best ever videos from new Visual Director Svitlana Selivanova who works from her home in Ukraine. This is our best series yet.
The Hardest Word was again nominated in the Best Interview category at the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards for our special interview version with serial prankster and convicted perjuror Nelly Yoa. Well done us.
MAY 2021: SEASON FIVE IS HERE
Our best season ever features apologies from murderers, fantasists, animal lovers, straying lovers, soccer managers, heartbroken nurses and more. Stay tuned.
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Jan 20, 2021: PRESIDENT TRUMP APOLOGIZES ON THE HARDEST WORD
HARD TO BELIEVE? LISTEN FOR YOURSELF.
TRANSCRIPT:
Since the major display of patriotism on the Capitol a lot of people have been saying to me: “Mr President, are you going to apologize?” That’s not nice. Apologize for what? For winning too much? For having my historical landslide victory stolen by Sleepy Joe? For wanting to make America great again?
Apologies are for losers. Apologies are for low-energy people. Socialists. I’m the opposite of that.
But my lawyers and my conscience have advised me to say a few words. Beautiful words to throw barrels of beautiful oil on our troubled waters.
Folks - you know I’ve never done this before - apologize. Never had to. Still don’t. Just doing it to show you that I can do it. Because a Donald Trump apology would be the most tremendous, big beautiful apology you ever heard.
In real estate, in television, in universities, in casinos, in airlines, in vodka, in steaks – the Trump name stands for classy. It stands for phenomenal. I mean have you eaten my steak? Chefs think it’s the finest meat in all the world.
But suddenly some people say that ‘Trump’ stands for impeachments and domestic terrorism. What do they know? These people are not intelligent. I’m intelligent. Super smart, believe me – went to Wharton, graduated, made billions, dared to tell the truth about Barrack Obama, became President…
But sometimes people let you down: Mike, Rudy, Brett, Steve, Hope, Twitter, Kellyanne, HR, Eric – so many phonies. And to be honest some people are saying that some of the patriots who fought to Stop The Steal at the Capitol Building might have been a little…over enthusiastic. They were definitely very high energy. But maybe too much high energy. That’s just what I heard… sometimes you got to know when to hold back on the high energy.
Anyhow, I’d like to state for the record that these people should apologize if any offence was taken. Or criminal offences committed.
You know it’s funny – here I am on The Hardest Word podcast offering this beautiful heartfelt apology when I’m still waiting on my apologies from Fox News, from Mitch McConnell, from Rocket Man. I really thought I’d found a friend there – we were going to get matching haircuts but he was just like the rest of them - overrated. Only thing more overrated was Covid.
So really it is you – the American people and the would-be Americans of other countries that should be apologizing to me. I could have had a nice life – playing golf, doing business, winning at TV, grabbing pussies but I sacrificed all that to create the greatest economy that the world has ever seen. Some say it was the best society too.
Now big tech won’t even let me send a tweet.
Maybe I should start a podcast…
BREAKING: The Hardest Word recieved a bronze in the Best Interview category of the Australian Podcast Awards. Kudos to us.
We are seeking a producer / researcher / booker.
As you know, in each episode of THW we hear an apology. Some apologies are heartwarming, some are heartbreaking, some are bizarre. All are sincere. They come from everywhere (New York, Gaza, Jamaica, China, Italy, Rwanda etc) and all walks of life. There's nothing quite like THW though it shares a vibe with Humans of New York.
Up to now host and creator Brett de Hoedt has sourced apologies himself but now we want more apologies of higher quality, more often.
THW seeks an experienced producer to help secure new, intriguing apologies from people just as varied as our guests so far. Some will be famous, others notorious and others simply everyday people.
Some will be sympathetic, others not but all must be willing to make a sincere apology and / or discuss their story with Brett. (We occasionally throw in some interview style episodes.)
This is a job for a talk radio producer / journalist / researcher / booker type person who understands THW, can identify and secure the participation of fascinating apologizers.
Experience in media, documentaries, news, highly regarded. This is unlikely to suit a newbie but maybe you are exceptional. No technical skills required - just news sense and persuasiveness.
You can be based anywhere though your English skills will have to be excellent. (Brett’s in Melbourne, audio director in California.)
THW is 100% independent and has no revenue but we pay our audio director and of course will pay our new producer.
This is a very part-time role. We think this might suit someone who can keep this production role in mind as they go about their job / scan the news / go about their business. Apologies might be found in today's headlines or from an old story. You might actively seek out places where you might find people likely to apologize.
We are particularly interested in seeking out apologies from high profile people as a way to broaden our audience. Think politicians, celebs, CEOs, creatives, criminals, public figures.
I intend to pay for a number of hours research time each week and then pay a bonus for any apologies that you can secure for the show after receiving approval fromn the team. Apologies can be finished recordings or in writing for us to record with a voice artist.
If you aren't interested in the job on an ongoing basis but have an idea to secure an apology or two - that's good too. Get in touch.
https://www.thehardestwordpodcast.com/
Step 1: Listen to the show. If you genuinely like it and feel you can deliver me remarkable apologies get in touch vbia brett@hootville.com
There may be more than one role if I receive multiple applications from the right people.
October 27 2019
Host and creator of The Hardest Word podcast Brett de Hoedt was interviewed on Australian radio by ABC RN’s Patricia Karvelas. Listen for an insight into why Brett started the podcast, what he’s learnt from listening to dozens apologies and hear a few previews of apologies from season two.
Season two of 2019’s best new podcast has launched. Coming at you weekly from October 21, most season two episodes will feature a solitary apology and run a compact five minutes. Some doozeys await you. Breath will be taken and hearts will be broken.
On the agenda - troublesome monkeys, old cars, unfavoured kids, absent dads, violent elections, and much more.
That’s why The Hardest Word has been called one of 2019’s best new podcasts and recommended by Bello and PocketCasts.
Season two will feature some longer special episodes looking at apologies more broadly. We’ll also follow up with some of the apologizers from season one including Patrick from Rwanda. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to get the episodes as they drop.
Votes have been tallied and we’ve compiled your five favourite apologies from series one of the best new podcast of 2019 The Hardest Word. All killer, no filler, as voted by you - enjoy. Thanks to all those who voted. Launches Friday October 4.
July 2019: Season 2 is well into pre-production and we want your apologies. Also - if you have a group of people who might like to write an apology - kids, students, a writers’ group, prisoners, seniors, those dealing with terminal illness, certain professions, LGBTI, a faith group - let us know. Remember - you can be anonymous and if you don’t want to record your apology just send us a written apology and we’ll find a voice.
July 2019: It’s still a little bit secret but we have great news. The Hardest Word podcast has been picked up by a new London radio station. Episodes will be played nightly to a potential audience, the size of which makes us very excited indeed. July is proving to be a very good month indeed.
June 2019: The Hardest Word is gaining a media profile. Just a week after his ABC Melbourne interview, our creator and host Brett de Hoedt was interviewed about the best new podcast of 2019 on ABC RN. Have a listen. On the agenda - why apologies are so hit right now.
June 2019: Is The Hardest Word one of 2019’s best new podcasts? We think so. More to the point Bello Collective does too. The collection of podcasting aficionados has named The Hardest Word as of June 2019’s best podcasts. We’re chuffed by the recognition. Thanks Bello. Do we get a trophy? More to the point how big is it?
Season 2
Season two is officially open for business. We’re taking your apologies about all things but we’d particularly love to receive apologies relating to fathers, romance, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Brexit.
We’re Social
Have you heard about social media. It’s all the rage, especially since we joined it. Like us us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Series 1 is complete. 10 episodes are now on iTunes and spreading their way to other channels as we speak. Our themes include: Things, Kids, Parents, Amore, Animals, Places, Thyself and Genocide. We hope you love them. Each episode has heartbreakers and jaw droppers.
RSS: https://thehardestword.libsyn.com/rss
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-hardest-word/id1461430018
We’re pretty chuffed with this logo which is the work of Lithuanian designer Marius Cernusevicius.
All we need are some episodes but that’s up to us.
As we get ready to launch the show we are searching the globe for people who wish to contribute their apologies. Remember - no apologies = no show.
Apologising makes you feel better and who knows - it may even get you back in the good books with someone special.
Is that the sound of keys being struck? Methinks so. A week or so from our February 1 2019 launch and we already have a swag of apologies from Pakistan, England, Poland, Nigeria, Canada, Australia, the Philippines and more.
Thankyou. I’m astounded. Keep ‘em coming.
I’ve created a page Tips for a Great Apology which contains exactly that.
It covers both content and technical issues.
We’ve just had our first tears within an apology. It comes at the end of an apology to a mother from a woman reflecting on a mistake she made decades ago. It was a silly, teenagers’ mistake; one that had serious consequences that she better appreciates now.
It’ll create a shower of tears across the glove when it’s heard. I had tears just listening.