Series of interviews in which broadcasters follow their personal passions by talking to the people whose stories interest them most
In recent years there's been a renaissance of interest in psychedelics in the West, on a scale not seen since the first wave of medical research in the 1950s and 60s. Drugs like DMT, ketamine and psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms), are now being researched as medications to take alongside therapy for the treatment of various mental health problems. Across this series of interviews, Rose Cartwright explores so-called ‘psychedelic assisted psychotherapy'. What is it? And can it help tackle our mental health crisis? Her guest today is Dr Sara Tai, professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester, who is currently leading research into psychedelic therapy. How might psychedelic therapy help people to become unstuck? How do the potential rewards weigh up against the risks? And what is the likelihood of these psychedelic treatments becoming legalised for medical use within the UK? Producer: Becky Ripley
In recent years there's been a renaissance of interest in psychedelics in the West, on a scale not seen since the first wave of medical research in the 1950s and 60s. Drugs like DMT, ketamine and psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms), are now being researched as medications to take alongside therapy for the treatment of various mental health problems. Across this series of interviews, Rose Cartwright explores so-called ‘psychedelic assisted psychotherapy'. What is it? Can it help tackle our mental health crisis? And what are the risks?Her guest today is Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, one of the world's leading psychedelics researchers, former founder of the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, and now Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at the University of California. How to these drugs work on the brain? What are the current medical trials indicating? And how are the laws around the medical use of these drugs changing? Producer: Becky Ripley
In recent years there's been a renaissance of interest in psychedelics in the West, on a scale not seen since the first wave of medical research in the 1950s and 60s. Drugs like DMT, ketamine and psilocybin (that's the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms), are now being researched as medications to take alongside therapy for the treatment of various mental health problems. Across this series of interviews, Rose Cartwright explores so-called ‘psychedelic assisted psychotherapy'. What is it? Can it help tackle our mental health crisis? And what are the risks?Her first guest is clinical psychologist Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner from the Psychedelic Research Group at Imperial College, which is working on medical trials with psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of depression and complex trauma. What is complex trauma and how might psychedelic drugs help to make sense of it? What can we learn from indigenous healers when trialling these drugs within a western clinical framework? And how could psychedelic-assisted therapy play out within the NHS if these drugs become legalised for medical use? Producer: Becky Ripley
Since becoming a parent to a now-toddler, Samira Shackle has been bombarded with advice on social media - sometimes useful, sometimes not-so. She meets Helen Oliver, mother to two teenagers and school counsellor, to discuss navigating this online world and the affect it has on mothers, in particular.Samira Shackle is a journalist and the author of Karachi Vice: Life and Death in a Contested City.Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio, Bristol.
Since becoming a parent to a now-toddler, Samira Shackle has been bombarded with advice on social media - sometimes useful, sometimes not-so. She meets Lucy Jones, mother-of-three, to discuss navigating this online world and the affect it has on mothers, in particular.Samira Shackle is a journalist and the author of Karachi Vice: Life and Death in a Contested City; Lucy Jones is the author of Matrescence: On The Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood.Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio, Bristol.
Nathan Filer wants to know how to talk to his children about pornography, and in a frank discussion, consults Justin Hancock, a sex and relationships educator.Produced in Bristol by Sally Heaven
Nathan Filer wants to know how to talk to his children about pornography, and in a frank discussion, consults Erika Lust, director and producer of ethical and feminist porn. Produced in Bristol by Sally Heaven
Nathan Filer wants to know how to talk to his children about pornography, and in a frank discussion, consults Sara Pascoe, who has written about porn in her book 'Sex Power Money'. Produced in Bristol by Sally Heaven
'The Real Housewives...' is a reality TV series that follows groups of successful glamorous women as they go about their daily lives. The series began in Orange County in 2006 but quickly spread to other cities in the USA and even further afield, and radio and TV presenter Nikki Bedi absolutely loves them. She is drawn in by the drama of these women as they navigate work and relationships, friendships and family, For this second programme Nikki speaks fellow super-fan Leila Latif about what 'The Real Housewives...' series tells us about ourselves, the portrayal of women on TV, and our notions of race, class, aspiration, and wealth. Presenter: Nikki Bedi Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Toby Field.
'The Real Housewives...' is a reality TV series that follows groups of successful glamorous women as they go about their daily lives. The series began in Orange County in 2006 but quickly spread to other cities in the USA and even further afield, and radio and TV presenter Nikki Bedi absolutely loves them. She is drawn in by the drama of these women as they navigate work and relationships, friendships and family, For this first programme Nikki speaks to Lauren Zalaznick, a former TV executive who helped devise and develop many of the early series. Lauren and Nikki discuss how the women are chosen, what factors shape what we want to see on our screens, just how 'real' these Real Housewives are, and why some of the criticism aimed at the series is anti-woman. Presenter: Nikki Bedi Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Toby Field
Benji Webbe's memories of Reggae began with his parents' record collection and the 'blues' parties his brother held when their Dad was away, when the furniture in the front room was replaced with huge wardrobe speakers and curried goat would be cooking in the kitchen. After several attempts to forge a career in Reggae, Benji started writing rock songs with a friend in what became the band Dub War, and the blend of heavy metal riffs with Benji's roots in Reggae and dance hall started opening doors. It's an ethos that's continued with the band Skindred and Benji maintains it's about spreading those same positive messages of peace, love and unity. Aleighcia and Benji talk about the culture of Reggae in South Wales, and how coachloads of people used to come to Cardiff and Newport to listen to the music and see live bands. They talk about Benji's relationship with the genre and how it has come full-circle again with the band Skindred, and why when they go further afield some people are surprised to find out there is any Reggae music (and black people) in Wales. Presenter: Aleighcia Scott Produced by Toby Field for BBC Audio Bristol
In the 1960s George Price moved to London from Jamaica. George took his knowledge of Jamaican music and started importing records into the UK, becoming the only place to sell vinyl from famed record label Studio One. George sold these records to sound-systems and DJs and in doing so helped establish and grow Reggae music across the UK. He opened his shop Peckings Records in Shepherd's Bush in 1974 and its run today by his sons, Duke and Chris Price. Reggae artist and Radio Wales presenter Aleighcia Scott speaks to George's son Chris about his father and how on Sundays legends like Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Prince Buster would pop round to the house. George started selling records out of a suitcase but people used to come to the house so often that his wife Gertrude insisted that he open a shop. They speak about the roots of Reggae music and why Aleighcia still sticks to those sounds when she performs with her live band. They discuss the enormous popularity of Reggae in countries like Japan, France and Brazil and why you can hear tracks by Rick Astley and Celine Dion dropped into dance hall sets in Jamaica. Presenter: Aleighcia Scott Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Toby Field.
Jamie Dornan - star of Fifty Shades and The Fall - played conflict photographer Paul Conroy in A Private War. Paul has travelled back from the frontline in Ukraine to talk to Jamie about the role, what he did to prepare, and whether he can still manage a decent scouse accent. Future interviewees in the series include Greg Wise (Mountbatten in The Crown) plus Rosamund Pike who has played both Marie Curie and Marie Colvin. Paul Conroy was working with Marie Colvin when she was killed in Syria. The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde
Presenter Angellica Bell talks to therapist Alice Bearn about starting new chapters in life. From cycling, to running to finding a new job - what are the barriers to making change? Producer: Melanie Pearson A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4
Presenter Angellica Bell approaches life with a mindset of ‘it's never too late to start something new'. Shaped by personal experiences of bereavement, this mantra has guided her when starting new hobbies and seeking to experience life in a more enhancing, fulfilling way. In this episode, Angellica talks to chef Nadiya Hussain. Nadiya won The Great British Bake Off competition in 2015 and from that life changing moment, she vowed to never to put boundaries on herself again. Angellica and Nadiya explore her journey to GBBO and how that experience completely changed the trajectory of her life and career. Producer: Candace Wilson A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4
Are we as obsessed as ever with not wanting to look old? And does the beauty industry respond to or fuel that desire? BBC business correspondent Dharshini David and cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting discuss people's motivation for wanting beauty treatments and procedures, the way advertising has changed over the years, and the ethics of the industry.
Are we as obsessed as ever with not looking old? It's six years since US beauty magazine Allure banned the term "anti-ageing" in its publications, and some big cosmetic brands have tried to portray a more positive attitude towards getting older. But with huge demand for so-called "tweakments" like Botox injections, does the "anti-ageing" narrative still dominate? BBC business correspondent Dharshini David and Times fashion director Anna Murphy discuss the culture of the beauty industry and what is driving people's desire to change the way they look.
Presenter of The Great Pottery Throwdown Keith Brymer-Jones finds that watching people create pottery often moves him to tears. In this episode he talks to psychotherapist Susie Orbach about why we cry and how it can be a form of communication. Produced by Caitlin Hobbs for BBC Audio
Keith Brymer-Jones from the Great Pottery Throwdown has become known for being moved to tears by a pot someone has crafted. In this episode of One to One, he talks to ex-serviceman Craig Mealing who is recovering from PTSD, about dealing with emotions and learning to cry. Produced by Caitlin Hobbs for BBC Audio
Football writer Suzy Wrack talks to urban geographer and professor at Boston University, Loretta Lees, about how growing up on council estates shaped their lives, and led them to studying the impact of space and design. Produced for BBC Audio by Caitlin Hobbs.
Football writer Suzy Wrack meets with Joanne Marsden to share their stories of growing up on council estates. Suzy grew up in on an estate in north east London, while Joanne was born on Park Hill estate in Sheffield; the council block inspired by the French architect Le Corbusier, who designed high-rises with community in mind. They discuss his idea of 'streets in the sky' - landings wide enough for milk floats to drive past high in the air and rows of shops within the estate. Together, they talk about how their experiences shaped their lives and interests in architecture and community - and how the design of spaces and buildings impacts us. Produced by Caitlin Hobbs for BBC Audio in Bristol.
Ellie Gibson has spent her life playing and writing about video games. It is a passion that she enjoys sharing with her son but as a parent she's become interested in the impact games play on the mind and behaviour. It's an emerging area of science and one that's frequently skewed by fevered debates about whether games are "good" or "bad". Ellie's theory is that exploring online worlds and connecting with one another through games is far more constructive than endlessly scrolling through social media, and it's a theory she explores with Professor Andrew Przybylski at the Oxford Internet Institute in the hope that he'll agree. Producer: Toby Field for BBC Audio in Bristol
Keza MacDonald left home at sixteen to work in video games journalism, and when she first met Ellie Gibson on a trip her glasses were held together by sticky tape. Ellie was already established in the industry and became a mentor to Keza. They talk about what it was like being one of only a handful of women working in video games journalism at the time which meant being taken to strip clubs and having to laugh off inappropriate behaviour by male colleagues. Comparing their experiences to today they describe how streaming platforms have created a more open and inclusive gaming culture from women of today, but it is still far more perfect. Produced by Toby Field for BBC Audio in Bristol.
Imagine this: you've spent months, years even, working on a show. Now it's press night. Sat in a silent row, or peppered around the theatre, are the people whose life's work is to criticise yours - the critics. So what's it like when your lovingly crafted new play opens and you see them out there, ready to tell the world what they think of it? Top theatre director Simon Godwin, who's worked at the National Theatre, the Bristol Old Vic and is now at Washington DC's Shakespeare Theatre Company, bares his soul about how it really feels when the lights go down and the little notebooks come out. Presenter: Luke Jones Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton
As a journalist who investigates human rights abuses and conflict in countries that can be tricky to operate in, Ramita Navai is good at compartmentalising the trauma she's seen and feels mentally resilient. But when her own father died three years ago, she was - and still is - overwhelmed by the grief. She talks to bestselling author and friend, Richard Osman about his experience of grieving for his estranged father compared with her own. Produced by Caitlin Hobbs for BBC Audio.
Ramita Navai is a foreign affairs journalist who investigates human rights abuses and conflict around the world. She has reported from war zones and hostile territories in over forty countries, and although good at compartmentalising the trauma she's witnessed, nothing could prepare her for the grief she felt when her own father died three years ago. In this episode, she speaks to Mary-Frances O'Connor, an associate professor at the University of Arizona, who runs the grief, loss and social stress (Glass) lab, which explores the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Together, they talk about the impact of grief on the mind and body, and how to navigate through it. Produced by Caitlin Hobbs for BBC Audio
What's it really like wielding the little notebook of doom or glory? Sarah Crompton, theatre critic for What's On Stage and dance critic for The Observer, tells all to broadcaster Luke Jones, who once dipped his toe into that world himself. They talk warm white wine, the imagined audience, vomiting and the most unforgiveable critical gaffe of all. Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton
BBC Radio 1Xtra's Reece Parkinson meets Dr Lucy Chambers from Diabetes UK to discuss type 1 diabetes, swap stories about travel, and talk about the future for diabetes treatment. Producer: Melanie Pearson
BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ and long distance runner Reece Parkinson meets Welsh athlete Melanie Stephenson-Gray to talk about type 1 diabetes and how it impacts their lives and love of sport. Producer: Melanie Pearson
In 2014 the biologist and presenter Gillian Burke joined a community choir in Falmouth in a bid to strengthen her voice. Singing is Gillian's passion and it's her way of switching off from work and the pressures of life. In this third programme Gillian speaks to the conductor of The Kingdom Choir, Karen Gibson. Karen grew up singing in church and Gospel groups, before graduating to the role of choir conductor on a BBC radio programme called The Gospel Train. She was asked to perform on the 35th anniversary of 'Songs of Praise', and The Kingdom Choir was born. In 2018 they stepped onto the global stage when they were invited to perform at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Gillian asks Karen about her route into Gospel music. They discuss Gospel as a vehicle for hope, and whether there's any tension between performing faith-based music on a commercial stage. And what, if anything, the environmental movement might learn from Gospel music's part in the American Civil Rights Movement. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Toby Field.
In 2014 the biologist and presenter Gillian Burke joined a community choir in Falmouth in a bid to strengthen her voice. Singing is Gillian's passion and it's her way of switching off from work and the pressures of life. In this second programme Gillian delves deeper into the mechanics of gospel music and asks Musical Director Richard Penrose exactly what makes a Gospel song. They discuss Richard's own route into Gospel music which began when he was a teenager in his home town of Porthleven. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Toby Field
In 2014 the biologist and presenter Gillian Burke joined a community choir in Falmouth in a bid to strengthen her voice. Singing is Gillian's passion and it's her way of switching off from work and the pressures of life. Ley Adewole is the Director of the Falmouth Community Gospel Choir. Ley began singing in a Pentecostal church in Coventry; she joined various singing groups, got spotted and went on to do session work. She relocated to Falmouth and set-up a gospel music workshop to fill-in the winter months. The choir was born, welcoming in people of all faiths, and even those who can and can't sing. Gillian quizzes Ley on singing with conviction and how the science of singing melds with the emotions of the music. They talk about the gospel music scene in Cornwall and how the Cornish accent influences how the choir sounds. They speak about an early choir performance when Ley was standing on fishing crates in her heels so she could be seen by the choir, and how the music transformed a sceptical audience into one full of men crying into their beer. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Toby Field
Emma Garland lives in London but was born in Wales. Welsh stand up queen Kiri Pritchard-McLean has returned to her roots in Anglesey and she explores hiraeth in her latest tour ... hiraeth being Welsh for a sense of longing for your home. So what is this draw both of them clearly feel, and can you be Welsh if you don't speak Welsh? Emma Garland was born in the valleys of South Wales and writes about culture for numerous magazines. Kiri Pritchard-McLean's latest show is called Home Truths. The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde
Emma and Mike have done a kind of cultural house swap - Emma left South Wales when she was 18 and is now London-based. Mike left England over two decades ago and has learnt to speak Welsh. So which of them is more Welsh? Emma Garland was born in Ynysybwl. She writes for Dazed, Vice and Rolling Stone magazine. Mike Parker lives in Powys and is the author of Neighbours from Hell and the forthcoming All the Wide Border, which is about the frontier between England and Wales. The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde
Before her life as a financial journalist began, Felicity Hannah could more often be found wearing a top hat, leading tourists round the ghostly streets beneath Edinburgh. She loves sudden startles and that sense of creeping enjoyable fear in person, in books and on screen, but she wants to know why. Why are some humans wired to get a thrill out of fear? Why not all of us? Felicity talks to fear expert Dr Margee Kerr, sociologist and author of Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear, about what happens in our bodies when we're frightened, and how, surprisingly, this can help us build relationships and personal resilience. She asks: what's the difference between the feelings we experience in a haunted house and genuine terror? Why do children love being chased? Is fear really contagious? Produced in Bristol for BBC Audio by Sarah Goodman.
Spooky tour guide turned financial journalist Felicity Hannah wants to know why being scared can feel so good. Why do we frighten ourselves for fun? Why do we love scary stories and terrifying TV? She asks Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, The Graveyard Book, Neverwhere and The Sandman – a storyteller who knows all about the power of fear to fascinate and delight us. Felicity and Neil talk about what scares them the most, when fear loses its thrill, and, of course, ‘horror for four year olds'. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sarah Goodman.
Faranak Amidi, World Service radio presenter and women's affairs reporter, talks to anthropologist Dr Martha Newson, who has studied rave, about about why humans have always partied, how it can bond us, and whether rave can change society for the better. Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton
Faranak Amidi, World Service radio presenter and women's affairs reporter, talks to DJ Eris Drew about how rave culture triggered massive changes in each of their lives. For Faranak, it meant rebelling against the strict culture of her home country of Iran, and finding a new life elsewhere. And for Eris, it meant even more profound questions about identity. But what is it about the "motherbeat", as Eris calls it, that makes it so powerful? Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton
Vee Kativhu has a kind of fame incomprehensible to most people aged over 40. She makes videos in which she struggles with essay deadlines, gives study tips and celebrates getting the keys to her first flat. Tens of thousands of people watch each vlog she posts, so with so much of her life public, how does she maintain her privacy? Producer Sally Heaven
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has the kind of fame which brings with it high profile television shows and recognition in the street. Her mum, Janet Ellis was in millions of living rooms every week but the only perk Sophie can remember was jumping the queue at Madame Tussauds. Mother and daughter talk about fame, and how the whole experience has changed over the decades. Producer Sally Heaven
A move from China to the UK aged 9 meant a new language for journalist and broadcast editor at The Spectator, Cindy Yu. How did that change her upbringing and view of the world? She meets Asifa Majid, professor of language, communication and cultural cognition at the University of York. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Journalist and broadcast editor at The Spectator, Cindy Yu, moved from China to the UK aged 9. That meant switching languages. So how did that change her childhood and her view of the world? Cindy meets Leslie, who moved from the US to Mexico at a similar age. Leslie says it was traumatic at the time but now she feels the experience was a positive one, and she is proudly bilingual. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard