Radio 1 & 1Xtra Stories

Aluna Francis, Rebecca Taylor and Chloe Howl share their stories of alleged sexual misconduct in the music industry. Hosted by Ben Zand and Sarah Gosling. If you enjoyed this podcast then subscribe to The Next Episode on BBC Sounds. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in The Next Episode please visit bbc.co.uk/actionline. And if you work in the music industry and want to share your own stories, please get in touch. #TheNextEpisode // TheNextEpisode@bbc.co.uk // 07568608295

In this episode we hear the life-changing story of Rubayet, who became a paraplegic last summer. Disability campaigner Will Pike and fellow wheelchair user meets Rubayet to find out how he’s coping with a life-changing spinal injury.

According to NHS England, 1 in 4 adults will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. In the UK, black people are more likely than white people to be diagnosed with mental health problems and to be sectioned - in particular young, black men. Why is this the case? Reece Parkinson joins a panel of guests and a live audience to discuss the issue - from stigma, to masculinity, and access to support. Anthony Davis is a psychotherapist and clinical social worker. Derek Owusu is a writer and the editor of Safe: On Black British Men Reclaiming Space. Josiah Hyacinth is a YouTuber who has been open about his own experience with depression. Jamal Edwards, the founder of SBTV, has made a documentary exploring mental health in men.

In this episode we catch up with Gemma. She’s a busy nurse who’s had depression for a long time. In 2017 Newsbeat followed her life as part of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s mental health season, My Mind and Me. She revealed how her depression would make her so tired she’d spend days in bed and how it alienated her from those who loved her. It was also taking its toll on her relationship with her boyfriend. During that time though, she recorded her very first counselling session. Now, two years on, we find out how she’s coping. If you need help with anything you hear in this podcast you can head to the BBC Advice Pages.

It’s two years since Newsbeat followed the life of a young woman called Bex for BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s mental health season called My Mind and Me. When we met her, she’d been diagnosed with a complex list of mental health conditions including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. She recorded some of her most personal moments back then in 2017 – including how her crippling anxiety meant it could take up to an hour to leave her flat and why her cat, Zach, was her best friend. Bex wanted to reveal what it’s really like to live with serious mental health conditions and to encourage other people to open up about what they’re going through. Now, we catch up with her to find out how’s she’s doing. If you need help with anything you hear in this podcast you can head to the BBC Advice Pages.

Two years ago Newsbeat followed the life of Mat who’d had anxiety and panic attacks since he was a teenager. It was part of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s mental health season called My Mind and Me. Mat revealed that during his darkest times he experienced panic attacks almost every day and regularly imagined taking his own life. He fell into a spiral of drinking alcohol to deal with it and found it hard to stop. Now, we catch up with Mat to see how he is. If you need help with anything you hear in this podcast you can head to the BBC Advice Pages.

In 2017, Newsbeat followed the life of wedding photographer, Laura, who’d been diagnosed with anorexia. It was part of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s mental health season called My Mind and Me. Laura loved travelling with her boyfriend, Liam and she was totally open about how tough she was finding her recovery. She revealed how when she was at her lowest she wouldn’t wear nail varnish in case it made her weigh more. Her hair fell out, she lost the feeling in her feet and it got so bad she’d have to crawl up the stairs on her hands and knees. Now, two years on, we catch up with Laura to see how she’s getting on. If you need help with anything you hear in this podcast you can head to the BBC Advice Pages.

With obesity levels at an all-time high, the threat of Diabetes is on the rise - and it's a particular concern among young people. There are an estimated 31,500 people under the age of 19 living with the condition in the UK. BBC 1Xtra presenter DJ Ace shares his story of having Diabetes and we explore the impact of Type 1 and Type 2.

This episode tells the stories of retired British athletes and their journey after sport. Georgina Cassar, an ex-Gymnast, Zafar Ansari, an ex-England Cricketer, and Joe Jackson, an ex-professional Footballer.

Back in 2017 Newsbeat followed the lives of four young people – all with different conditions - as part of Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s mental health season called My Mind and Me. Now, they’re bravely catching up with us again to tell us what life is like two years on. You’ll meet Mat who was dealing with anxiety and panic attacks; Laura, who was recovering from anorexia; Gemma - a nurse who had depression; and Bex – who has a long list of mental health conditions including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. My Mind & Me arrives on BBC Sounds from Monday 6 May.

Exploring the unseen side of the UK homelessness and reasons why young people end up with nowhere to live. With lots in the news about the problem of homelessness and rough sleepers in the streets all across the country, there are many young people without accommodation who are going unseen – the UK’s Hidden Homeless.

In this episode we take a look at the devastating impact of drink and drug driving. What it’s like to find out your parents have been killed? What it’s like to have to tell someone their parents have died? What it’s like to be behind the wheel as a drunk driver?

In this episode Willow shares her journey of the times she spent running away from home as both a child and a teenager. She takes us back to the first time she ran away from school and the impact this had on her, her family and friends. With experiences of abuse and struggles with mental health we hear why she felt running away was her only option. Sky, Willow's best friend, takes us through how she supported her through this experience and how it affected her friendships, home life and schooling. Finally Willow tells us where she is at now, and takes us around her new home where she has found support in case worker Nicole…’happy days’.

In this podcast we’ll hear from three people about the challenges they’re facing while recovering from addiction. These are the stories you don’t often hear. How they made the difficult decision to stop using substances and the actual route they took to no longer feel addicted. We will hear about what it feels like to go through withdrawal symptoms, battles with mental health, and learning how to care for your body again. All of the people you’ll hear from don’t take substances any more, but that doesn’t mean the road to recovery stops there. We will also hear how each of them has a unique relationship with recovery as they move forward with their lives.

In this episode we are talking about tinnitus, which is described as a ringing sensation in your ear without any external source that one in ten people experience.

In this podcast, we’re talking about eco anxiety. We often hear stories about how humans are damaging the planet and - for some people - it can become overwhelming and impact on their mental health.

We hear a lot about couples who can't conceive in the traditional way but rarely from those who have grown up as the product of IVF and sperm/egg or embryo donation. So what's it like Growing Up IVF?

In light of allegations against musicians, Reece asks when should we cancel our heroes? What is cancelling? How do we cancel someone & is it effective?

Jaguar sits in for Reece speaking to those involved in the 'inclusive' clubbing scene. Have you ever felt unsafe in a club or been discriminated against because of your sexuality?

Michael is 25. He's a nice guy, works 9-5 Monday to Friday as a gas fitter. He plays football for his local town. He lives at home with his parents. He has a girlfriend. He drives an Astra. He's anyone's brother. He's addicted to gambling. He’s lost over £25,000 in a year and a half. The sad truth is, this isn't a rare story - with a plethora of betting apps and ads filling our screens, gambling has never been easier for young people. We'll ask if enough is being done to look after vulnerable young people. In this episode we speak to Michael and hear his story – from ‘harmless’ fun to serious addiction. We also hear from his girlfriend Nicky and his parents about how they handle this potentially life-destroying situation.

Best friends speak openly about finding and losing love. What’s it like to be single your whole life? Or to feel you’re punching above your weight? We also hear the impact of a five year relationship breaking down.

In this podcast we will be finding out why eating insects could be the future. And to help Reece is joined in the studio by Neil Whippey from insect based food company ‘Eat Grub’

In this podcast we follow the new friendship of two young women who both have Borderline Personality Disorder but see it very differently. BPD affects 2% of the population, and 75% of those are women. Although 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health problems, BPD does not generate as much attention as other mental health disorders.

Tolly T sits in for Reece. On this episode she asks ‘Are We Lonelier Than Ever?’ We’re going to hear from two young people on today’s podcast. These stories show how much loneliness can affect anyone, whatever situation they are in, and what each person has done to tackle their isolation.

In this episode we’re going to be learning about Death Cafés, places where strangers can meet to drink tea, eat cake and talk about death. There have been over 7000 Death Cafés held across the world and their aim is to encourage people to speak more openly about death and dying. We’re going to be hearing from Alex who is interested in setting up her own Death Café group.

1Xtra Stories meets Nimz, a Single, Black, Muslim woman who is on a mission to find a man. We follow her as she discussed Muslim dating apps with her best friend, talks to her Mum about how dating’s changed for Muslims in her community, and tries out an online dating site for the first time.

Personal trainer, blogger and bestselling author Alice Liveing takes a look into Orthorexia, to find out what it is, how it manifests, and how social media can have an effect.

1Xtra Talks’ Reece Parkinson teams up with Radio 1 Life Hacks’ Katie Thistleton, Dr Radha and Asian Networks’ Mobeen Azhar for a one off special to discuss the biggest issues of the year. The presenters have discussed topics such as Feminism, Body Image and Sexuality with the experts in 2018. But now they’ve come together to give their opinions on the most controversial issues affecting you in 2018. Racism, Brexit and Me Too are all on the table.

In the UK there are girls missing school lessons because they can't afford period products. Reece Parkinson hears from the young activists fighting to end period poverty.

Reece Parkinson finds out what it's like to be a deaf music fan.

Reece Parkinson explores what it's like to live with one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders around. OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, affects almost three quarters of a million people in the UK – including celebs like Niall Horan, Justin Timberlake and David Beckham.

Students are dropping out of university in growing numbers. Around 1 in 10 university students in the UK won’t finish their courses. What makes some of us decide to drop out? What alternatives could we consider? And if we make that decision, does it really make any difference to our future? We follow a fresher who is already having doubts, and also chat to 1Xtra’s own Big Zuu about how dropping out of university was the best decision he ever made.

Reece Parkinson hears from the biohackers pushing their bodies’ boundaries; from dietary hacks to underground DIY surgery.

Reece Parkinson sits down with legendary documentary maker Louis Theroux. They discuss Louis' new documentary series, 'Altered States', which features an episode about polyamory and why the programme involved scenes which required his wife’s permission. We also find out how Louis always gets the most out of his interviews and whether he keeps in touch with any of the people who feature in his programmes.

You might already know someone who is intersex, but you can’t tell someone is intersex just by looking at them. Being intersex doesn’t mean you have both sets of genitalia, the term intersex is an umbrella term used to describe people born with biological sex characteristics that don’t fit typical male or female categories. In today’s documentary, we meet Anick. He’s 23, from Leicester and he grew up knowing there was something different about him. Anick goes into frank detail about what it’s like living as intersex. He speaks about the huge impact this has had on his life, his mental health and some of the challenges he’s faced…

We investigate the rise in ‘Extreme Workouts’, across three equally terrifying disciplines: intensity, altitude and cold weather. As humans push their bodies further and further, are we going too far in the pursuit of fitness?

Let's talk about the highs and lows of living with other people, what we can do when it goes wrong and how good it can be when it goes right.

Being in debt affects our mental health and more young people than ever are seeking help

We find out more about the use of balloons amongst young people.

What happens when young footballers reach the make or break stage of their career?

1Xtra's Ace took on the challenge to live a zero waste lifestyle for one week.

Jamz meets some young clubbers who are determined to not let their disability stop them from enjoying live music.