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TRUMP'S War? (Part 2) Black Spy Podcast number 237, Season 24, Episode 0006 This week's Black Spy Podcast examines the growing malaise within the United States government during the Trump era and explores the complex web of political, ideological, and financial pressures shaping American decision-making. The programme analyses how competing interests — from domestic political survival to international alliances — have placed Donald Trump at the centre of a series of contentious power struggles. A key focus of the discussion is the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel, including the influence of both Jewish Zionist political movements and the powerful network of Christian Zionists in the United States who interpret Middle Eastern politics through an "End of Days" theological lens. The episode explores how these overlapping ideological and political agendas can influence policy priorities in Washington. The podcast also considers the broader ecosystem of influence surrounding Trump, including wealthy donors, lobbying organisations, and political patrons such as Marion Anderson, alongside the role of business figures and intermediaries operating close to the administration. Particular attention is given to the way personal networks — including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and long-time associate Steve Witkoff — intersect with diplomacy, business interests, and geopolitical strategy. From controversies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein to questions of oil politics and campaign funding, the programme asks whether these pressures help explain the confrontational posture that has defined much of Trump's political trajectory. As usual please don't be afraid to contact the Black Spy Podcast and put any questions you might have to any of the team regarding this, or any other of our episodes. Moreover, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: "Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent" Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651 If you are interested in the Male Menopause or fear you or a loved one is for unknown reasons please consider reading Dr Rachel's & Carlton's book on the how the Menopause effects men - search Amazon Books for: The Male Menopause - The Hidden Crisis (ASIN: B0G5M78PSZ)
The Katherine Massey Book Club @ The C.O.W.S. hosts the 4th study session on Dr. Colin Anthony Beckles' PanAfrican Sites of Resistance: Black Bookstores and The Struggle To Re-Present Black Identity. This 1995 dissertation is the first time in the illustrious 14 year history of The Katherine Massey Book Club that we will read a non-book. Dr. Beckles conducted an extraordinary amount of research and produced several reports documenting the import of black bookstores and the intense Racism targeting them globally. Having just completed Char Adams' Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore, Gus concluded that text willfully excluded Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Neely Fuller Jr. to stress anti-sexual behavior and to practice black misandry. Reading Dr. Beckles' - who is briefly mentioned in Adams' work, dissertation is the corrective to Black-Owned. Last week, we learned intense details about how System of White Supremacy is enforced in all areas of people activity in the United Kingdom. Racist Jokes & songs, denial of employment & just wages, direct violence, and Racist labels for black students like: "educationally subnormal (ESN)." Dr. Beckles highlights the "Windrush Generation," black people born in the Caribbean "colonies," who were welcomed to clean up Britain on the cheap after the Nazis left Europe in ruins. We also learned about one of Gus' all-time favorites, Suspected Race Soldier Enoch Powell and the "Rivers of Blood" speech - which was widely featured during the 2011 London Riots. Black British bookstores formed in direct response to the System of White Supremacy. They also borrowed heavily from Victims of Racism in the US. #BlackPowerDesk #ConnorMcGregor INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 720.716.7300 CODE 564943#
Brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. Globally, Black people are among the most affected by the climate crisis, despite contributing very little to it. For a long time, the crisis was portrayed as yet another injustice for Black people to care about, on top of the day-to-day oppression they face. In Black Climates: Notes on Race, Our Environment, and Visions for Equitable Futures (Chatto & Windus, 2025), Selina Nwulu reframes the crisis to encompass our disconnection from each other and the world around us. She argues that the root of climate change lies in historical colonial violence and ongoing exploitation, making it inherently racist. Nwulu, former Young People's Laureate for London, uses her poetic and skilful voice to directly address Black British readers who have been previously ignored in mainstream environmental conversations. She includes interviews with a wide range of creatives and campaigners to explore a variety of subjects, including air pollution, prison ecology, disability justice, migration, food, nature, community care, and radical imagination. This is an essential and empowering read for anyone who wants to fully understand the connections between Blackness and the climate crisis, providing the tools to envisage more equitable futures. Selina Nwulu is a well-known poet and her work has featured in Vogue, i-D and ES Magazine amongst others, and she has been commissioned by many different cultural institutions such as Southbank, Somerset House and Wellcome Trust. Selina was a Young Poet Laureate for London 2015-6, a prestigious award that recognizes talent and potential in the capital. Her debut chapbook, The Secrets I Let Slip, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2015 and is a Poetry Book Society recommendation. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize and was a 2021 Arts Award Finalist for Environmental Writing. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-american-studies
Brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. Globally, Black people are among the most affected by the climate crisis, despite contributing very little to it. For a long time, the crisis was portrayed as yet another injustice for Black people to care about, on top of the day-to-day oppression they face. In Black Climates: Notes on Race, Our Environment, and Visions for Equitable Futures (Chatto & Windus, 2025), Selina Nwulu reframes the crisis to encompass our disconnection from each other and the world around us. She argues that the root of climate change lies in historical colonial violence and ongoing exploitation, making it inherently racist. Nwulu, former Young People's Laureate for London, uses her poetic and skilful voice to directly address Black British readers who have been previously ignored in mainstream environmental conversations. She includes interviews with a wide range of creatives and campaigners to explore a variety of subjects, including air pollution, prison ecology, disability justice, migration, food, nature, community care, and radical imagination. This is an essential and empowering read for anyone who wants to fully understand the connections between Blackness and the climate crisis, providing the tools to envisage more equitable futures. Selina Nwulu is a well-known poet and her work has featured in Vogue, i-D and ES Magazine amongst others, and she has been commissioned by many different cultural institutions such as Southbank, Somerset House and Wellcome Trust. Selina was a Young Poet Laureate for London 2015-6, a prestigious award that recognizes talent and potential in the capital. Her debut chapbook, The Secrets I Let Slip, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2015 and is a Poetry Book Society recommendation. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize and was a 2021 Arts Award Finalist for Environmental Writing. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. Globally, Black people are among the most affected by the climate crisis, despite contributing very little to it. For a long time, the crisis was portrayed as yet another injustice for Black people to care about, on top of the day-to-day oppression they face. In Black Climates: Notes on Race, Our Environment, and Visions for Equitable Futures (Chatto & Windus, 2025), Selina Nwulu reframes the crisis to encompass our disconnection from each other and the world around us. She argues that the root of climate change lies in historical colonial violence and ongoing exploitation, making it inherently racist. Nwulu, former Young People's Laureate for London, uses her poetic and skilful voice to directly address Black British readers who have been previously ignored in mainstream environmental conversations. She includes interviews with a wide range of creatives and campaigners to explore a variety of subjects, including air pollution, prison ecology, disability justice, migration, food, nature, community care, and radical imagination. This is an essential and empowering read for anyone who wants to fully understand the connections between Blackness and the climate crisis, providing the tools to envisage more equitable futures. Selina Nwulu is a well-known poet and her work has featured in Vogue, i-D and ES Magazine amongst others, and she has been commissioned by many different cultural institutions such as Southbank, Somerset House and Wellcome Trust. Selina was a Young Poet Laureate for London 2015-6, a prestigious award that recognizes talent and potential in the capital. Her debut chapbook, The Secrets I Let Slip, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2015 and is a Poetry Book Society recommendation. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize and was a 2021 Arts Award Finalist for Environmental Writing. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/latin-american-studies
Brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. Globally, Black people are among the most affected by the climate crisis, despite contributing very little to it. For a long time, the crisis was portrayed as yet another injustice for Black people to care about, on top of the day-to-day oppression they face. In Black Climates: Notes on Race, Our Environment, and Visions for Equitable Futures (Chatto & Windus, 2025), Selina Nwulu reframes the crisis to encompass our disconnection from each other and the world around us. She argues that the root of climate change lies in historical colonial violence and ongoing exploitation, making it inherently racist. Nwulu, former Young People's Laureate for London, uses her poetic and skilful voice to directly address Black British readers who have been previously ignored in mainstream environmental conversations. She includes interviews with a wide range of creatives and campaigners to explore a variety of subjects, including air pollution, prison ecology, disability justice, migration, food, nature, community care, and radical imagination. This is an essential and empowering read for anyone who wants to fully understand the connections between Blackness and the climate crisis, providing the tools to envisage more equitable futures. Selina Nwulu is a well-known poet and her work has featured in Vogue, i-D and ES Magazine amongst others, and she has been commissioned by many different cultural institutions such as Southbank, Somerset House and Wellcome Trust. Selina was a Young Poet Laureate for London 2015-6, a prestigious award that recognizes talent and potential in the capital. Her debut chapbook, The Secrets I Let Slip, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2015 and is a Poetry Book Society recommendation. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize and was a 2021 Arts Award Finalist for Environmental Writing. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/caribbean-studies
Brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. Globally, Black people are among the most affected by the climate crisis, despite contributing very little to it. For a long time, the crisis was portrayed as yet another injustice for Black people to care about, on top of the day-to-day oppression they face. In Black Climates: Notes on Race, Our Environment, and Visions for Equitable Futures (Chatto & Windus, 2025), Selina Nwulu reframes the crisis to encompass our disconnection from each other and the world around us. She argues that the root of climate change lies in historical colonial violence and ongoing exploitation, making it inherently racist. Nwulu, former Young People's Laureate for London, uses her poetic and skilful voice to directly address Black British readers who have been previously ignored in mainstream environmental conversations. She includes interviews with a wide range of creatives and campaigners to explore a variety of subjects, including air pollution, prison ecology, disability justice, migration, food, nature, community care, and radical imagination. This is an essential and empowering read for anyone who wants to fully understand the connections between Blackness and the climate crisis, providing the tools to envisage more equitable futures. Selina Nwulu is a well-known poet and her work has featured in Vogue, i-D and ES Magazine amongst others, and she has been commissioned by many different cultural institutions such as Southbank, Somerset House and Wellcome Trust. Selina was a Young Poet Laureate for London 2015-6, a prestigious award that recognizes talent and potential in the capital. Her debut chapbook, The Secrets I Let Slip, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2015 and is a Poetry Book Society recommendation. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize and was a 2021 Arts Award Finalist for Environmental Writing. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-studies
Brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. Globally, Black people are among the most affected by the climate crisis, despite contributing very little to it. For a long time, the crisis was portrayed as yet another injustice for Black people to care about, on top of the day-to-day oppression they face. In Black Climates: Notes on Race, Our Environment, and Visions for Equitable Futures (Chatto & Windus, 2025), Selina Nwulu reframes the crisis to encompass our disconnection from each other and the world around us. She argues that the root of climate change lies in historical colonial violence and ongoing exploitation, making it inherently racist. Nwulu, former Young People's Laureate for London, uses her poetic and skilful voice to directly address Black British readers who have been previously ignored in mainstream environmental conversations. She includes interviews with a wide range of creatives and campaigners to explore a variety of subjects, including air pollution, prison ecology, disability justice, migration, food, nature, community care, and radical imagination. This is an essential and empowering read for anyone who wants to fully understand the connections between Blackness and the climate crisis, providing the tools to envisage more equitable futures. Selina Nwulu is a well-known poet and her work has featured in Vogue, i-D and ES Magazine amongst others, and she has been commissioned by many different cultural institutions such as Southbank, Somerset House and Wellcome Trust. Selina was a Young Poet Laureate for London 2015-6, a prestigious award that recognizes talent and potential in the capital. Her debut chapbook, The Secrets I Let Slip, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2015 and is a Poetry Book Society recommendation. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Brunel International African Poetry Prize and was a 2021 Arts Award Finalist for Environmental Writing. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies
TRUMP'S War? (Part 1) Black Spy Podcast number 236, Season 24, Episode 0005 This week's Black Spy Podcast examines the growing malaise within the United States government during the Trump era and explores the complex web of political, ideological, and financial pressures shaping American decision-making. The programme analyses how competing interests — from domestic political survival to international alliances — have placed Donald Trump at the centre of a series of contentious power struggles. A key focus of the discussion is the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel, including the influence of both Jewish Zionist political movements and the powerful network of Christian Zionists in the United States who interpret Middle Eastern politics through an "End of Days" theological lens. The episode explores how these overlapping ideological and political agendas can influence policy priorities in Washington. The podcast also considers the broader ecosystem of influence surrounding Trump, including wealthy donors, lobbying organisations, and political patrons such as Marion Anderson, alongside the role of business figures and intermediaries operating close to the administration. Particular attention is given to the way personal networks — including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and long-time associate Steve Witkoff — intersect with diplomacy, business interests, and geopolitical strategy. From controversies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein to questions of oil politics and campaign funding, the programme asks whether these pressures help explain the confrontational posture that has defined much of Trump's political trajectory. As usual please don't be afraid to contact the Black Spy Podcast and put any questions you might have to any of the team regarding this, or any other of our episodes. Moreover, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: "Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent" Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651 If you are interested in the Male Menopause or fear you or a loved one is suffering for unknown reasons please consider reading Dr Rachel's & Carlton's book on the how the Menopause effects men - search Amazon Books for: The Male Menopause - The Hidden Crisis (ASIN: B0G5M78PSZ)
Joris Lechene joined us to understand the life and afterlife of the great John La Rose, one of the leading lights of Black British cultural life from the 1960s to the 1980s. And a few years ago, he was in the news again as London's Black Boy Lane was renamed in his honour. But the fallout was something to behold. This is a gripping episode – the very essence of Trapped History. You can find it as Black Boy Lane: Joris Lechene on the Legacy of John La Rose.And Joris' nomination for the Hall of Fame is equally fascinating. Because he doesn't nominate a person. He nominates a whole uprising, when the former slaves of Guadeloupe fought to the death against the French. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
The latest episode of Make it Plain opens with Kehinde reassuring his children that World War 3 won't start over Iran. All the bombings and the news has people scared (and yes it is terrible what the US and Israel are doing) but he explains why China and Russia won't be going to war over Iran. Then an interview with Moses McKenzie we discuss topics such as masculinity, feminism, and Black British literary identity. We explore how authors navigate the predominantly white publishing industry and audience expectations. The discussion includes Moses's writing approach, the influence of locations like Cornwall, Bristol, and London, as well as themes of class, migration, politics, Rastafari, Islam, and race. We also talk about Moses's creative process, his upcoming third novel, and his work in film and screenwriting, along with reflections on non-fiction and future projects. Buy a Moses McKenzie book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B094RKFXMD Support Make it Plain: https://make-it-plain.org/support-us/ Join Harambee OBU: https://www.blackunity.org.uk/ Find out about the Convention for Afrikan People: https://make-it-plain.org/convention-of-afrikan-people/ Artwork by Assata Andrews Written by Kehinde Andrews Produced by Kadiri Andrews
Can we fix Britain? (Part 2) Black Spy Podcast number 235, Season 24, Episode 0004 Last week I asked the Can Britain accept its place in the world or will it die under its post colonial pretentions? This week and next week, with my two colleagues, Dr Rachel Taylor from the perspective of the human mind and Fergus Esack from her professional media and spin expertise - we ask can Britain be fixed or is Britain on an inevitable road to real decline turbo charged by an inability to live within its means! Hence, as with last week, the Black Spy Podcast examines one of the most provocative questions in modern British public life: whether the United Kingdom is experiencing terminal decline or simply undergoing a turbulent period of transition. Drawing on his experiences and perspectives from security, economics, geopolitics, and social cohesion, Carlton explores the indicators often cited as evidence of UK national decline — slowing economic growth, pressures on public services, widening inequality, political fragmentation, militaristic solutions often as a side kick of the USA in an effort to retain/regain global influence especially post Brexit. The episode also considers demographic change, actual defence capabilities, energy security, and the resilience of Britain's institutions, asking whether these trends point to structural weakness or cyclical challenge. Rather than accepting headlines at face value, the programme interrogates what "decline" really means. Is national strength measured primarily through economic output and military reach, or through softer power such as diplomatic networks, intelligence capability, legal stability, cultural reach, and financial services dominance? The episode assesses Britain's continuing advantages, including its strategic alliances, intelligence partnerships, global language influence, leading universities, and role as a financial and technological hub. Through balanced analysis and insider-informed commentary, the podcast challenges simplistic narratives of collapse while acknowledging genuine vulnerabilities that could shape Britain's future trajectory. Ultimately, the episode asks whether Britain is fading as a world power, reinventing itself for a new era, or misunderstood in the way its strengths and weaknesses are judged. This ia a timely and thought-provoking exploration, as this instalment invites listeners to reconsider Britain's place in the world — and what the answer means for its future security, prosperity, and above all, its identity. As usual please don't be afraid to contact the Black Spy Podcast and put any questions you might have to any of the team regarding this, or any other of our episodes. Moreover, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: "Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent" Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651 If you are interested in the Male Menopause or fear you or a loved one is suffering for unknown reasons please consider reading Dr Rachel's & Carlton's book on the how the Menopause effects men - search Amazon Books for: The Male Menopause - The Hidden Crisis (ASIN: B0G5M78PSZ)
Can we fix Britain? (Part 1) Black Spy Podcast number 234, Season 24, Episode 0003 Last week I asked the Can Britain accept its place in the world or will it die under its post colonial pretentions? This week and next week, with my two colleagues, Dr Rachel Taylor from the perspective of the human mind and Fergus Esack from her professional media and spin expertise - we ask can Britain be fixed or is Britain on an inevitable road to real decline turbo charged by an inability to live within its means! Hence, as with last week, the Black Spy Podcast examines one of the most provocative questions in modern British public life: whether the United Kingdom is experiencing terminal decline or simply undergoing a turbulent period of transition. Drawing on his experiences and perspectives from security, economics, geopolitics, and social cohesion, Carlton explores the indicators often cited as evidence of UK national decline — slowing economic growth, pressures on public services, widening inequality, political fragmentation, militaristic solutions often as a side kick of the USA in an effort to retain/regain global influence especially post Brexit. The episode also considers demographic change, actual defence capabilities, energy security, and the resilience of Britain's institutions, asking whether these trends point to structural weakness or cyclical challenge. Rather than accepting headlines at face value, the programme interrogates what "decline" really means. Is national strength measured primarily through economic output and military reach, or through softer power such as diplomatic networks, intelligence capability, legal stability, cultural reach, and financial services dominance? The episode assesses Britain's continuing advantages, including its strategic alliances, intelligence partnerships, global language influence, leading universities, and role as a financial and technological hub. Through balanced analysis and insider-informed commentary, the podcast challenges simplistic narratives of collapse while acknowledging genuine vulnerabilities that could shape Britain's future trajectory. Ultimately, the episode asks whether Britain is fading as a world power, reinventing itself for a new era, or misunderstood in the way its strengths and weaknesses are judged. This ia a timely and thought-provoking exploration, as this instalment invites listeners to reconsider Britain's place in the world — and what the answer means for its future security, prosperity, and above all, its identity. As usual please don't be afraid to contact the Black Spy Podcast and put any questions you might have to any of the team regarding this, or any other of our episodes. Moreover, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: "Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent" Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651 If you are interested in the Male Menopause or fear you or a loved one is suffering for unknown reasons please consider reading Dr Rachel's & Carlton's book on the how the Menopause effects men - search Amazon Books for: The Male Menopause - The Hidden Crisis (ASIN: B0G5M78PSZ)
Is Britain dying? Black Spy Podcast number 233, Season 24, Episode 0002 Can Britain accept its place in the world or will it die under its post colonial pretentions? In this episode, the Black Spy Podcast examines one of the most provocative questions in modern British public life: whether the United Kingdom is experiencing terminal decline or simply undergoing a turbulent period of transition. Drawing on his experiences and perspectives from security, economics, geopolitics, and social cohesion, Carlton explores the indicators often cited as evidence of UK national decline — slowing economic growth, pressures on public services, widening inequality, political fragmentation, militaristic solutions often as a side kick of the USA in an effort to retain/regain global influence especially post Brexit. The episode also considers demographic change, actual defence capabilities, energy security, and the resilience of Britain's institutions, asking whether these trends point to structural weakness or cyclical challenge. Rather than accepting headlines at face value, the programme interrogates what "decline" really means. Is national strength measured primarily through economic output and military reach, or through softer power such as diplomatic networks, intelligence capability, legal stability, cultural reach, and financial services dominance? The episode assesses Britain's continuing advantages, including its strategic alliances, intelligence partnerships, global language influence, leading universities, and role as a financial and technological hub. Through balanced analysis and insider-informed commentary, the podcast challenges simplistic narratives of collapse while acknowledging genuine vulnerabilities that could shape Britain's future trajectory. Ultimately, the episode asks whether Britain is fading as a world power, reinventing itself for a new era, or misunderstood in the way its strengths and weaknesses are judged. This ia a timely and thought-provoking exploration, as this instalment invites listeners to reconsider Britain's place in the world — and what the answer means for its future security, prosperity, and above all, its identity. As usual please don't be afraid to contact the Black Spy Podcast and put any questions you might have to any of the team regarding this, or any other of our episodes. Moreover, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: "Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent" Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651 If you are interested in the Male Menopause or fear you or a loved one is suffering for unknown reasons please consider reading Dr Rachel's & Carlton's book on the how the Menopause effects men - search Amazon Books for: The Male Menopause - The Hidden Crisis (ASIN: B0G5M78PSZ)
Mo Gilligan started out working in retail (think Jo Malone and Levi's) but quit in 2018 when his online comedy videos went viral. The leap paid off - sell-out tours across the UK, a late-night entertainment show on Channel 4 and his own breakout format The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan, which earned him the first of three BAFTA wins. Netflix specials, world tours, primetime TV and a podcast soon followed. Now in 2026, Gilligan is launching the biggest year of his career to date with a global tour, a major new partnership with Netflix and a feature documentary which will offer a glimpse behind the scenes of the 37-year-old at the top of his game. In this episode, Mo opens up about being a dad to his six-month-old daughter and two-year-old son, the pressure of representing the Black British community in stand-up and the debt that shadowed him for years. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction 03:51 Retail Experience and Its Influence 06:11 Audience Interaction and Respect 09:13 School Struggles and Dyslexia 18:14 Family, Fatherhood and Financial Lessons 25:19 The Standup Struggle 26:37 Credit Card Chaos 31:12 The Viral Breakthrough 33:35 Touring Triumphs and Tribulations 36:04 Code Switching and Representation 39:43 Handling Success and Praise 45:51 Family and Future Plans
The Unspoken Truth About Chinese Cars Black Spy Podcast number 232, Season 24, Episode 0001 Why are Chinese Electric based vehicles taking over the world? Todays Black Spy Podcast aims to answer this question from various angles in addition to the obvious elements of style, build quality and value for money etc. In this critical thinking episode, Carlton King undertakes a full deep dive into what on the surface can appear to be simple individual customer centric economic and astethic choses to reveal the very essence of the new geo-political multi-polar move to a new world order that is exercising the USA in particular and the West in general. So listen, and perhaps see the world from a different lense, via the Black Spy And as usual, please don't be afraid to contact the Black Spy Podcast and put any questions you might have to any of the team regarding this, or any other of our episodes. Moreover, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: "Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent" Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651 To read: Male Menopause the hidden crisis By Dr. Rachel Taylor & Carlton King Search Amazon for: ISBN-13 : 979-8276993768
In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in the Caribbean to find an Edenic scene that has since been mythologized. Today on A Public Affair, host Ali Muldrow is in conversation with Tao Leigh Goffe who charts this mythology in her new book, Dark Laboratory: On Columbus, the Caribbean, and the Origins of the Climate Crisis. She writes about the legacy of slavery, indentured labor, and the forced toil of Chinese and enslaved Black people who mined the Caribbean islands for the benefit of European powers at the expense of the islands' sacred ecologies. Goffe bridges climate justice and racial justice in order to meet the demands of the present, from the pandemic and the Global Black Lives Matter movement to celebrity environmentalists buying private islands and the everyday complicity of owning an iPhone. She interrogates the colonial imagination that leads people to fantasize about island spaces as secretive, private, or grounds for experimentation. And she wants to turn away from notions of property and ownership, making the main characters in her book the Caribbean islands themselves, marijuana buds, mongooses, rocks, and more. They also talk about who experiences the burden of climate change versus who is presented as environmental saviors, having reverence for land, plants, and animals, and the legacy of Toni Morrison's Playing in the Dark. Goffe's next project picks up with the theme of maternity and breastfeeding in the context of resource extraction and racialization. Tao Leigh Goffe is a London-born, Black British award-winning writer, theorist, and interdisciplinary artist who grew up between the UK and New York. Her research explores Black diasporic intellectual histories, political, and ecological life. She studied English literature at Princeton University before pursuing a PhD at Yale University. She lives and works in Manhattan where she is currently an Associate Professor at Hunter College, CUNY. Dr. Goffe has held academic positions and fellowships at Leiden University in the Netherlands and Princeton University in New Jersey. She is the author of Dark Laboratory: On Columbus, the Caribbean, and the Origins of the Climate Crisis. Featured image of the cover of Dark Laboratory, available from Vintage. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post The Music of Caribbean Witness appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.
IRAN & What they need to know about Trump (Part ) The Black Spy Podcast 230, Season 23, Episode 0010 This week, as last week, Carlton King contends that the US President Trump my well seek to attack Iran in the very near future albeit the reasons for any such attack might be more complicated than one thinks! In highlighting these complications Carlton look back in time, assess president Trumps mental capacity, suggests he maybe suffering form the Andropause, male menopause, assess previous US regime change operations and plays clips from informed US politicians and military personnel. Throughout Carlton assesses many theatres of war and intelligence regime change operations in which the US has been involved. So once again this is a must listen episode that provides listening pleasure whilst simultaneously educating and entertaining, in order to provide listeners with a real understanding to today's world. Please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
IRAN & What they need to know about Trump (Part 1) The Black Spy Podcast 230, Season 23, Episode 0009 This week Carlton King contends that the US President Trump my well seek to attack Iran in the very near future albeit the reasons for any such attack might be more complicated than one thinks! In highlighting these complications Carlton look back in time, assess president Trumps mental capacity, suggests he maybe suffering form the Andropause, male menopause, assess previous US regime change operations and plays clips from informed US politicians and military personnel. Throughout Carlton assesses many theatres of war and inytelligence regime change operations in which the US has been involved. So once again this is a must listen episode that provides listening pleasure whilst simultaneously educating and entertaining, in order to provide listeners with a real understanding to today's world. Please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
US Takeover of Greenland Has Already Begun! The Black Spy Podcast 229, Season 23, Episode 0008 This week Carlton King contends that the US regime change operation, and hence takeover of Greenland, is already underway! In order to prove this Carlton looks back at US regime operations of the past and asks listeners no to simply believe him but to do their own research utilising Carlton initial arguments, Carlton explains why he believes this self orchestrated this critical thinking is so important and consequently asks listeners to really consider this self education as a form of liberation. So once again this is a must listen episode that provides listening pleasure whilst simultaneously educating and entertaining, in order to provide listeners with a real understanding to today's world. Please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
The Fake of Democracy The Black Spy Podcast 228, Season 23, Episode 0007 This week Carlton King asks - is Democracy a con? In this critical thinking episode of the Black Spy Podcast Carlton poses the seldom asked question how could the USA be the leader of the free world from 1945 onward when African American 1/5 of the US population were effectively denied the right to vote, have substantial schooling, suffered extreme discrimination in housing - employment - policing - judicial sentencing - banking & finance (loans not being available to blacks) and indeed any type of social, cultural and national interaction. Moreover, the final nail in the US's democratic credentials is that from the end of the US civil war in 1865 all the way through to the early 1980's, the lynching of African American men and indeed women was not unusual. So I ask, how could the USA be seen as the leader of the Free World - possibly it was because the West: Central & South America the European colonies in Africa and Asia and Settler states in these areas and Oceana treated their African and black and brown subjugated peoples in exactly the same manner. So often, in the modern era, democracy is compared and contrasted as such: At its core, democracy means rule by the people — people participate in choosing leaders and shaping public life through free, fair, and inclusive elections and meaningful civil liberties. It also presumes equal rights and protections for all citizens. Historical contradictions: Today's democracies — including the United States — have often fallen short of this ideal. In U.S. history, Black Americans and other minorities were legally excluded from voting and full citizenship well into the 20th century; segregation restricted basic civil rights long after the U.S. became a global power claiming to champion "freedom." These contradictions reflect democratic backsliding — where institutions and practices don't live up to democratic principles, often due to inequality, exclusion, or political manipulation. Venezuela and democracy: Venezuela's recent elections (e.g., July 2024) have been widely criticized for lacking transparency, fairness, and real competition, with opposition candidates disqualified and results disputed. Many governments, including the U.S. and EU, refused to recognize the outcome. Meanwhile U.S. policy — refusing to recognize Nicolás Maduro's presidency and pushing sanctions or pressure — illustrates how geopolitical interests and claims about "democracy" intersect with power politics. Comparisons with Russia and China: Russia and China hold elections or consultative processes, but these often lack competitiveness, independent media, and checks on power that typify liberal democracy. Critics argue these systems do not meet international standards of democratic legitimacy, even if leaders are formally chosen. Conclusion: Democracy is a normative ideal, not a fixed reality. All political systems, including those that call themselves democratic, have gaps between theory and practice. Assessments of democracy must look beyond elections — at fairness, rights, freedom of expression, rule of law, and equal participation — not merely at who occupies office. So let us see how the Black Spy assess this question. Once again this is a must listen episode that educates whilst entertaining, to provide listeners with a real understanding to today's world. Please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
2025's Shocking Disclosures (Part 1) The Black Spy Podcast 225, Season 23, Episode 0005 This week's Black Spy Podcast sees host Carlton King and regular thrupple contributor Fergus Esack evaluate 2025 and the stories that have occurred during the year. 2025 will be remembered as a year of pressure, polarisation and profound questioning, and the Black Spy Podcast offers a measured yet unflinching evaluation of a world in flux. Across its episodes, the podcast reflects on how debates around gender continued to evolve, often framed by cultural anxiety, political opportunism and generational divides. These conversations were rarely simple, and Black Spy captured that complexity rather than reducing it to slogans. Politically, 2025 exposed deep fractures. From domestic power struggles to shifting alliances, the podcast assesses how trust in institutions was repeatedly tested. The European Union features as a central theme, navigating economic uncertainty, internal disagreements and its changing role on the global stage. War remains a grim constant. Black Spy surveys the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the continuing violence surrounding Israel, not to rehearse daily headlines, but to consider the wider human, political and moral consequences of prolonged conflict. These wars shaped diplomacy, energy policy and public opinion far beyond their borders. The year was also marked by a series of shocking incidents that jolted public consciousness—events that forced uncomfortable questions about security, social cohesion and leadership. In reviewing 2025, the Black Spy Podcast does not offer easy answers, but instead provides context, reflection and a clear-eyed assessment of a year that left few untouched. So, please get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Christmas Must Buy Books The Black Spy Podcast 224, Season 23, Episode 0004 This week's Black Spy Podcast sees host Carlton King step away from headlines and hard geopolitics to offer listeners something more seasonal – a carefully curated list of books he believes make powerful, thought-provoking Christmas stocking fillers, each chosen for its ability to inform, challenge and inspire. At the heart of the episode is Carlton's own memoir, Black Ops – The Incredible True Story of a (Black) British Secret Agent, which he frames not as self-promotion, but as an essential corrective to the narrow way British intelligence history is usually told. From there, the discussion broadens into history, politics, race, psychology and power. Titles such as Der Unvergessene Krieg and Winston Churchill's Young Winston are explored as windows into how wars are remembered, mythologised and used to shape national identity. Carlton places particular emphasis on works that reclaim obscured histories, including Great Men of Colour by Joel Rogers, UNESCO's monumental History of Africa, They Came Before the Mayflower by Dr Ivan Van Sertima, and Black Athena by Martin Bernal. Together, these books challenge Eurocentric narratives and ask listeners to rethink who is written into – and out of – world history. The episode also highlights contemporary relevance through Male Menopause – The Hidden Crisis by Dr Rachel Taylor and Carlton King, linking mental health, masculinity and social silence, while Rupert Alison's The Branch offers insight into the often-misunderstood machinery of British intelligence. To close, Carlton turns to dystopian classics – George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World – arguing they are no longer warnings about the future, but commentaries on the present. He rounds off by recommending the enduring moral clarity found in the works of Charles Dickens. It's an episode that treats books not as escapism, but as tools for awakening – perfect gifts for curious minds. So, please get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Robin Walker Exposes What UK History Books Leave Out About Black PeopleWhat if everything you knew about Black British history only scratched the surface? In this episode of the In My Opinion Podcast, we sit down with one of the leading Black scholars in the UK - Robin Walker, also known as The Black History Man. We explore the most powerful untold stories in Black history, from the Benin Walls in Nigeria to the untold legacy of Black musicians, artists, and political leaders in Britain.I had a chance to ask Mr. Walker why Black history is often reduced to slavery and pain, and he flipped the script, highlighting our cultural wins, historic contributions, and how Black Britons have risen to power from Windrush to Westminster.This episode is packed with facts, opinions, and eye-opening discussions that challenge everything we've been taught. If you're tired of hearing only the negative sides of Black history, this episode is for you. Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share the podcast for more edutainment.
The Myth of Anxiety with Neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Taylor (Part 2) The Black Spy Podcast 223, Season 23, Episode 0002 Episode 2 – The Anxiety Myth Part II: Power, Identity & the Business of Fear In this episode, the investigation deepens. Carlton King and Dr. Rachel Taylor explore how power structures—from governments to global tech platforms—exploit anxiety to shape behaviour, control populations and drive profit. If fear is currency, who are the brokers? Why do modern societies appear more anxious despite unprecedented comfort and safety? Is the rise in anxiety actually a symptom of social fragmentation, digital overstimulation and identity disruption rather than individual pathology? And what role does race, class and lived experience play in how anxiety is labelled, treated or ignored? Carlton draws on decades in state security to examine how fear is manufactured, manipulated and monetised. Dr. Taylor challenges the neurological oversimplifications used to justify a multi-billion-pound mental-health economy. Together, they ask whether anxiety is being systematically weaponised against the public. If anxiety is an evolutionary alarm system, what happens when it is hijacked? More importantly—can we reclaim it? This episode confronts one unsettling truth: perhaps anxiety isn't a personal failure, but a rational response to an irrational world. So, please get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Audible Autism - Interesting Questions and Interesting Facts
And so we have come to part 2 which also dear listeners will double as the our last episode of the season.As mentioned at the end of the last episode Odai goes into the various specifics, events and interactions upon his first trip to Ghana and the particulars of being in a country where the day to day existence of being autistic is very different in Ghana to in Britain for similar and different reasons.All this with the full awareness of the fact that he is coming at this as both an outsider, but as a Black British man coming back "home" (with all that entails) to his country.We hope you'll find this interesting. Merry Christmas & Happy new year
The Myth of Anxiety with Neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Taylor (Part 1) The Black Spy Podcast 222, Season 23, Episode 0002 Episode 1 – The Anxiety Myth: What If Everything We Think We Know Is Wrong? Is anxiety really a mental health crisis—or have we misunderstood the entire phenomenon? In this week's Black Spy Podcast, Carlton King and Neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Taylor dismantle the assumptions, narratives and commercial interests shaping our modern understanding of anxiety. Why are anxiety diagnoses skyrocketing in the West while resilience appears to be collapsing? Has society medicalised normal human emotion to the point where stress, fear and discomfort are now rebranded as pathology? Dr. Taylor brings cutting-edge neuroscience to the table, challenging listeners to rethink the brain's threat systems, the role of trauma, and the possibility that anxiety may not be a "disorder" at all but a misinterpreted survival mechanism. Carlton interrogates the political, economic and cultural drivers behind the anxiety industry: who benefits from defining millions as "unwell"? Is the modern world genuinely more dangerous, or have we simply lost the tools to cope? And crucially—if anxiety is not what we've been told—what does that mean for treatment, medication and human agency? This episode asks one radical question: What if anxiety isn't the enemy—but the message? So, please get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
The Myth of Anxiety with Neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Taylor (Part 1) The Black Spy Podcast 222, Season 23, Episode 0002 Episode 1 – The Anxiety Myth: What If Everything We Think We Know Is Wrong? Is anxiety really a mental health crisis—or have we misunderstood the entire phenomenon? In this week's Black Spy Podcast, Carlton King and Neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Taylor dismantle the assumptions, narratives and commercial interests shaping our modern understanding of anxiety. Why are anxiety diagnoses skyrocketing in the West while resilience appears to be collapsing? Has society medicalised normal human emotion to the point where stress, fear and discomfort are now rebranded as pathology? Dr. Taylor brings cutting-edge neuroscience to the table, challenging listeners to rethink the brain's threat systems, the role of trauma, and the possibility that anxiety may not be a "disorder" at all but a misinterpreted survival mechanism. Carlton interrogates the political, economic and cultural drivers behind the anxiety industry: who benefits from defining millions as "unwell"? Is the modern world genuinely more dangerous, or have we simply lost the tools to cope? And crucially—if anxiety is not what we've been told—what does that mean for treatment, medication and human agency? This episode asks one radical question: What if anxiety isn't the enemy—but the message? So, please get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Ex Senior MI6 & Scotland Yard Special Branch Officer Identifies The Most Realistic Cop and Spy Movie and TV Shows The Black Spy Podcast 221 Season 23, Episode 0001 The Most Realistic Police & Spy Films – Carlton King Calls It Out In this electrifying episode of The Black Spy Podcast, former Senior Scotland Yard Special Branch and MI6 Officer Carlton King, reveals which police and spy movies and TV dramas actually come closest to the real world of national security. After 30 years of political policing, counter-terrorism, international secret intelligence operations and elite government close-protection missions around the globe, Carlton points to those productions that show the truth behind the mythology. This week, Carlton lifts the lid on which movies/series provide top class entertainment whilst keeping it real. Using his lived experience undercover, protection and intelligence operations the UK, to Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Americas, North and South, Carlton highlights the best such programmes from around the world. From 60's & 70's classics to slick contemporary offerings, Carlton explains why some make the grade whist other are down right over the top fantasies. Most importantly Carlton explains how shows such as The Wire can keep it real whilst being explosive, yet others although understated, can reach those same heights. This episode doesn't just provide you with a list of shows and movies, much more importantly, it provides listens with tips as to why Carlton professionally rates the types of movies and films he recommends and where other go woefully wrong. Its real spies. Real policing. Real insight. Only on The Black Spy Podcast. So, please get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers. Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers. Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies
Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers. Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies
Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers. Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers.
Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers. Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers. Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a week where:Singer D4vd identified as suspect in death of 15-year-old girl found dead in vehicle he owned.Fugees rapper Pras sentenced to 14 years in prison over 1MDB Scandal.Trump Meets Mamdani.Former Reform in Wales leader Nathan Gill jailed for pro-Russian bribery.Israel has killed 339 Palestinians in nearly 500 ceasefire violations since last month's truce took effect.In the 1st of two Politics segments: (8:54) A surface-area look into the asylum reforms that took place last week. (Article By Iain Watson)In the 2nd Politics segment: (22:11) Commentary on said asylum reform and how heartless UK politics is getting at this point. (Article By Kevin Ovenden)In the 1st of two Life segment: (34:02) It's official. Fuck Pharrell. I've not been a fan for years but his recent tone deaf comments last week was the final straw for me and hopefully a lot of others. (Article By Louis Pisano) In the 2nd Life segment: (45:03) Is Black British Identity in crisis? It seems that we hang everything on whatever our prevailing youth culture is and never evolving past that. What are the pitfalls of never "growing up"? (Article By Tianna, The Writer) Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?"Rate & ReviewE-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter & IG: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://the5thelement.co.ukPhotography: https://www.crt.photographyIntro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop MusicOther Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence
What was (Prince) Andrew's Crime? (Part 2) The Black Spy Podcast 220, Season 22, Episode 0010 This week host Carlton King's thrupple of journalist and celebrity marketing agent, Firgas Esack, Neuroscientist, Dr. Rachel Taylor and of course, The Black Spy, himself Carlton King, continue their discussion into the geo-politics of the fall of Prince Andrew of the British Royal Family. The thrupple discuss Prince Andrews "crime" and the juxposition of treatment based on class. The thrupple also discuss: Andrew's quest for more money. King Charles' reaction, The British public's reaction The different treatment handed out to the police, as a none protected 'working-class' state organisation, as opposed to the protected middle and upper-class organisations such as the BBC and the Royal family. BBC Fake (jazzed up) News The Epstein affair in general - Who's intelligence asset was he? Who wanted his wealth, his connections. Foreign intelligence agency activity National Unity in the UK Gender, class and wealth. All of these points are discussed in detail from the above mentioned medical, national security and journalistic mass media directed perspectives. So, please listen to get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
What was (Prince) Andrew's Crime? (Part 1) The Black Spy Podcast 219, Season 22, Episode 0009 This week and next week, host Carlton King, brings his thrupple of journalist and celebrity marketing agent, Firgas Esack, Neuroscientist, Dr. Rachel Taylor and of course, The Black Spy, Carlton King, himself as they discuss the geo-politics of the fall of Prince Andrew of the British Royal Family. The thrupple discuss Prince Andrews crime. His quest for money. King Charles' reaction, Public reaction Epstein. Foreign intelligence agency activity National Unity in the UK Gender, class and wealth. All of these points are discussed in detail from the above mentioned medical, national security and journalistic mass media directed perspectives. So, please get informed and don't miss these discussions by subscribing to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Venezuela - Trump's end of Empire War (Part 2) The Black Spy Podcast 218, Season 22, Episode 0008 This week and next week host Carlton King asks if President Trump is planning an invasion of Venezuela, in whatever format, to effect 'regime change' there. Carlton goes through the options for this coming aggressive action. The likelihood of it taking place. The spoils of such a war, The US and Venezuelan military options seemingly in place, The limitations of those options. The assistance that Venezuela might expect from major world powers and why, The feelings likely to be stirred in Latin America that could make any coming war very costly for the US. Carlton also examines the geo-politics surrounding the potential conflict. The lack of judicial procedure in Trump's actions to date, murdering Venezuelan sailors on the high seas under the pretext of combatting drug trafficking without any evidence to confiem this. And president Trump's willingness to authorize the killing of such civilians with no more consideration than swatting a fly. Once again these are must listen episodes that educates whilst entertaining, to provide listeners with a real understanding to today's world. So, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Richie Brave sits down with 1Xtra Future Figure Leanne Pero. Leanne Pero is an award-winning social entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor, and founder of Black Women Rising and The Leanne Pero Foundation. She talks her journey to advocacy and removing stigmas about cancer within the Black British community. Richie is also joined by Adrian Stone, founder of the genealogy service 'Own History', which specialises in tracing the Caribbean heritage of UK-based individuals. Together, they explore the importance of discovering more about your family tree and lineage. Produced by Unedited for BBC Radio 1Xtra.
Venezuela - Trump's end of Empire War (Part 1) The Black Spy Podcast 217, Season 22, Episode 0007 In this, and next week's episode of the Black Spy Podcast, host, Carlton King, asks if President Trump is planning an invasion of Venezuela - in whatever format - to effect 'regime change'. Carlton goes through the options for this coming aggressive action including: The likelihood of the attack taking place. The spoils of such an attack, The US and Venezuelan military options seemingly in place, The limitations of those options. The assistance that Venezuela might expect from major world powers and why, The feelings likely to be stirred in Latin America that could make any coming war very costly for the US. Carlton also examines the geo-politics surrounding the potential conflict. The lack of judicial procedure in Trump's actions to date, The murder by US forces of Venezuelan sailors on the high seas under the pretext of combatting drug trafficking, albeit no evidence is even being sought buy the US Navy to substantiate this assertion. And president Trump's willingness to authorize the killing of such civilians showing no more consideration than swatting a fly on a sunny afternoon. Once again these are must listen episodes that educates whilst entertaining, to provide listeners with a real understanding of today's world. So, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Black History Month Special (Part 2) AI - The Truth Exposed! The Black Spy Podcast 216, Season 22, Episode 0007 This week, host Carlton King continues his headfirst dive into the meaning of Black History Month — asking seemingly none provocative questions of Chat GPT such as Why do you and other LLM continue to use terms such as the Middle East” and why does this matter? Carlton argues that while race is a biological nonsense, it remains a powerful political reality shaping lives, identity, and history itself. To illustrate this, Carlton explores the true financial and political objectives and consequences of the British Empire, including how Britain came to rule world finances. Carlton also uncovers how AI is finally challenging a racist, euro-centric manipulation of history with true and evidenced fact, yet strangely Carlton notes that these answers are not provided questionaries in the first instance and he wants to establish why?. Carlton examines who decides who's “Black” and who's “White,” and how these definitions have been weaponised throughout history to dumb down Africa and it's diaspora's real historical legacy. Once again we hope you enjoy this week's episode and learn from it. So, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you never miss another fascinating episode.
Send us a textPennies To Pounds presents Where We Learned It, a powerful roundtable conversation exploring how money, culture and legacy shape the Black British experience.Hosted by Kia Commodore, this discussion brings together Emmanuel Asuquo, Angel Arutura, Rotimi Merriman-Johnson and Elaine Babey for an honest conversation about money, identity and community.Together, they unpack where we really learned about money growing up, the unspoken financial rules that shaped us, and how a new generation is redefining Black British wealth.
Richie discusses the world of publishing amid the Black British Book Festival.Produced by Unedited for BBC Radio 1Xtra.
Awesome author, Alexandra Wilson, discusses her thrilling new release, THE WITNESS. A young man is arrested for murder based on overwhelming eye witness testimony. One of the attorneys on his defense team believes he's innocent. The secrets she uncovers will set him free if she can prove them, but will the cost be too high a price to pay? “An authentic, tense legal thriller...”—Harriet Tyce, Sunday Times Bestselling Author Listen in as we chat about how you can still be an outcast in your own groups, whether justice is achievable, and how she creates those amazing Perry Mason moments! https://www.mariesutro.com/twisted-passages-podcast ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alexandra Wilson is a junior barrister. She grew up in Essex and is the eldest of four children. Her mother is White British, her father is Black British and her paternal grandparents were born in Jamaica and came to England as part of the Windrush generation. Alexandra studied at the University of Oxford and went on to study for a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and her Master of Laws at BPP University in London. Alongside her paid family and criminal law work, Alexandra helps to facilitate access to justice by providing legal representation for disenfranchised minorities and others on a pro-bono basis.
Black History Month Special (Part 1) Two famous 18th century families you never knew were black! The Black Spy Podcast 215, Season 22, Episode 0006 This week, host Carlton King dives headfirst into the meaning of Black History Month — asking the provocative question: What is “Black History,” and why does it matter? Carlton argues that while race is a biological nonsense, it remains a powerful political reality shaping lives, identity, and history itself. To illustrate this, he exposes the hidden stories of two famous families who, through deliberate “whitening,” have had their true African heritage obscured from public view. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of how power, politics, and perception continue to shape the narrative of Black identity.
ABUSED? STALKED? - Demand Women get Tech Protection! (Part 2) The Black Spy Podcast 214, Season 22, Episode 0005 In this week's episode of The Black Spy Podcast, Carlton King and Firgas Esack continue last week's deep dive into one of society's most urgent and under-addressed crises — the protection of women, girls, and others from domestic violence and stalking. The discussions examine both the failures of current protective systems and the promise of new technologies, such as GPS-based electronic monitoring devices, to transform safety and accountability. Carlton and Firgas focus particularly on the innovative Talitrix LLC wrist-worn electronic monitoring systems already in use in the United States. These systems differ significantly from traditional ankle tags by offering real-time GPS tracking, two-way communication, biometric verification, and advanced geofencing capabilities. This means that for the first time, courts, police, and victims themselves could be instantly alerted if a perpetrator breaches a restraining or non-molestation order — potentially preventing violence before it happens. Victims could be warned in real time when a perpetrator approaches a prohibited zone, allowing them to take immediate protective action and giving authorities the ability to intervene rather than merely react to tragedy. The podcast also scrutinizes why, despite these advances, such life-saving technologies are not yet widely deployed in the UK. The hosts question whether bureaucratic inertia, cost concerns, or lack of political will have delayed the adoption of electronic monitoring in domestic violence contexts — even as statistics show domestic abuse accounts for nearly one-fifth of all violent crime in the UK. Firgas Esack, herself a survivor, brings a personal and poignant perspective to the discussion, highlighting how delayed interventions and weak enforcement leave victims vulnerable, while perpetrators often exploit the system's gaps. In the second part, Carlton broadens the debate to consider the moral, legal, and privacy dimensions of widespread monitoring. Can technology be implemented ethically without becoming intrusive or misused by authorities? Could a coordinated rollout of systems like Talitrix save countless lives by making restraining orders truly enforceable for the first time? Through expert interviews, survivor testimonies, and international comparisons, The Black Spy Podcast challenges listeners to rethink how modern society uses technology — not just for convenience or commerce, but for justice and protection. These episodes argue powerfully that the tools already exist to make domestic abuse prevention proactive rather than reactive — but only if the UK government has the courage to act. Hope you enjoy this week's episode and please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another fascinating episode. If you wish to discuss using Talitrix's/Sentrx's electronic monitoring systems in the UK to keep you and others safe, please contact Sarah at: Sarah@sentrx.co.uk To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: “Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent” Click the link below: https://amzn.eu/d/fmzzq9h
The gifted London DJ and curator goes big on bass futurism. "To pull a thread." This old English adage means to follow a small detail that might unravel into something larger and more significant. It's also the inspiration behind London artist mi-el's NTS Radio show, and a neat way of understanding her approach as a DJ. Take mi-el's rich archive of mixes. From NTS to The Trilogy Tapes, they show her to be a deeply personal selector and curator, pushing past functionality into something more expressive, narrative and often political. A show about Refugee Week? Afrofuturist world-making? Interlocking systems of domination? All material is putty in her hands. Now based in Berlin, mi-el is simply a wicked club DJ. In just a few years she's played Panorama Bar, De School and FOLD, as well as festivals including Waking Life, Terraforma and Field Maneuvers. Alongside peers and predecessors like Josey Rebelle, she represents a new generation of Black British artists reinventing the wheel, and as we mark the beginning of UK Black History Month, no other candidate felt more fitting. RA.1007 shows why. The 55-minute session is a deft balancing act of depth and playfulness, humour and heaviness, rooted in club intensity and the futurism of the UK hardcore continuum. It's firm confirmation that, in mi-el's hands, the art of the DJ mix is alive and well. @miellllllll Find the tracklist and interview at ra.co/podcast/1026
Margaret Anderson (1959 - present), known as The Ranking Miss P, was a DJ “spinner” in the 1980s, and the first black female DJ on BBC Radio 1. She brought reggae, soul, funk, and Black British culture into the UK mainstream. Miss P didn’t just play music, she helped redefine what it means to be a strong and memorable voice on air. For Further Reading: Women of British Reggae: Pirate Radio, Female Energy 28th October 2022 | Listen on NTS How women like DJ Camilla and Ranking Miss P pioneered UK pirate radio This month, we’re talking about Women of the Wheel – icons who turned motion into momentum and spun their legacies on spokes, skates and potter’s wheels. These women harnessed the power of the axle, pushing their crafts and professions forward through their works and lives. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should. Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures. Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, Vanessa Handy, Melia Agudelo, and Joia Putnoi. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Follow Wonder Media Network: Website Instagram Twitter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Explaining History, we explore how the 1970s became a turning point for Black Britain. Drawing on Eddie Chambers' Roots and Culture, we examine how a new generation of Black British people embraced the politics of Pan-Africanism and Rastafari, forging cultural and political identities rooted in pride, resistance, and global solidarity.At the heart of this story is the transformative moment of Alex Haley's Roots. Broadcast on British television and widely read, Roots offered Black British communities a powerful connection to ancestry, struggle, and survival. For many, it was the first time that the history of slavery and its legacies had been portrayed on such a scale.We'll consider how Rastafari and Pan-African ideas influenced music, art, and activism in 1970s Britain, and how Haley's Roots reshaped the cultural landscape for a generation determined to define itself beyond the limits of racism and exclusion.Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each weekIf you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways:If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership hereOrYou can support the podcast via Patreon hereOr you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.