Bristol Unpacked
News & Politics
About
Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs brings you fascinating and challenging conversations from characters of all stripes on big topics facing the city and beyond. Brought to you by the Bristol Cable, a new kind of newspaper for Bristol 100% community owned by 2,200 members. Join them for just £1 a month and own your media. thebristolcable.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Yassin Mohamud: Bristol's first Somali lord mayor
Yassin Mohamud, a Green councillor for Lawrence Hill, is set to become Bristol's first Somali Lord Mayor. He discusses his background in community work, the importance of his identity, and his plans to unite people and challenge anti-immig…
- Lewis Wedlock: towards a positive masculinity
Lewis Wedlock joins Bristol Unpacked to discuss his work educating young people on positive masculinity, contrasting it with online 'hypermasculine' influencers and the 'manosphere'. He explores the appeal of these ideologies and offers a…
- Kerri Matthews: what happens when parents go to prison?
Kerri Matthews from the charity EveryFamily joins Bristol Unpacked to discuss the impact of parental imprisonment on families and children. The conversation covers the support services provided to affected families and identifies potential…
- Heather Williams: trauma, community and healing in south Bristol
This episode features Heather Williams discussing the nature of trauma, its impact on individuals and communities, and the process of healing. Drawing from personal and professional experience as CEO of Knowle West Park, she explores how g…
- Edson Burton: what is culture and who does it belong to?
Edson Burton and Neil discuss the multifaceted nature of culture and identity, drawing on Burton's personal experiences navigating different social spheres. They explore how individual and national identities evolve amidst societal changes…
- Joe Joyce: rugby, resilience and returning to the West Country
Bristol Unpacked features former Bristol Bears lock Joe Joyce discussing his return to West Country rugby, the challenges of aging in elite sports, and changes in the rugby world. Joyce shares insights on his career, social media reception…
- Ani Townsend: art, inequality and the case for universal basic income
Green politician Ani Townsend discusses universal basic income (UBI) and its potential to address inequality, especially in the creative sector, as Bristol vies to be the UK City of Culture 2029. UBI involves the state providing a survival…
- Clare Moody: policing, power and a political cancellation
Bristol Unpacked features an interview with Clare Moody, the Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner. Moody addresses her political cancellation by the Labour party, the potential scrapping of PCC roles, the state of national policin…
- Bristol Temple Quarter: can regeneration be inclusive?
Bristol Unpacked discusses the inclusive regeneration of the Bristol Temple Quarter, the city's largest redevelopment project in a generation. The episode features Lyn Garner, chair of the Temple Quarter partnership, addressing the project…
- DIY wealth redistribution, with Bristol Redistro’s Frances Howe
Frances Howe, co-founder of Bristol Redistro, joins Bristol Unpacked to explain their unique approach to wealth redistribution. The collective encourages voluntary contributions from those with surplus wealth, which are then distributed by…
- Unpacked – Darren Jones: from Lawrence Weston to Starmer’s right-hand man
Bristol North West MP Darren Jones shares his political journey from Lawrence Weston to becoming Keir Starmer's chief secretary. He also addresses Labour's current challenges, including plummeting public support and strategies for improvin…
- WECA Mayor Helen Godwin - redefining regional leadership and sorting out the buses
Helen Godwin, the newly elected Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), joins Bristol Unpacked to discuss her transition into the role. She shares insights on her accomplishments, challenges, and plans for improving regiona…
- Lee Haskins: The world champ boxer who never left Lockleaze
Lee Haskins, a former world champion boxer from Bristol, discusses his legacy and family life with Neil. Now running his gym, Round One Boxing, he trains fighters, including his children who are entering the sport.
- Mythbusting Islam & Islamophobia, with Rizwan Ahmed
This episode of Bristol Unpacked features Rizwan Ahmed discussing misconceptions about Islam and Islamophobia, addressing questions about the faith and Sharia Law, and highlighting his work in strengthening inter-faith ties.
- £20m for Hartcliffe: Kirsty Tait on climate change, class & community
Kirsty Tait, Climate Action Manager at Heart of BS13, joins Neil Maggs to discuss climate justice and the £20 million funding Hartcliffe received. They explore how the money should be used to benefit the community and ensure fair climate p…
- From Eastville to LA (via Wigan): Bristol Northern Soul Club
Levanna McLean and Eve Arslett discuss the resurgence of Northern Soul dancing, which began during lockdown and gained significant attention on social media, leading to the establishment of the Bristol Northern Soul club night. The club, i…
- Kalpna Woolf: From migrant kid in London to High Sheriff of Bristol
Neil chats with High Sheriff Kalpna Woolf about her life experiences as a first-generation migrant in London and her current role as an ambassador for community cohesion. Woolf founded 91 Ways to connect Bristol's language communities thro…
- A year of Green power in Bristol with council leader Tony Dyer
Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer reflects on his first year in charge, discussing the Green Party's dynamics, financial issues, and the impact of new political figures like the WECA mayor. Local topics including the East Bristol Livea…
- What is a citizens' assembly and how do they work?
This episode of Bristol Unpacked discusses citizens' assemblies, exploring how they function as a tool for public deliberation on complex issues and potentially rekindle faith in democracy. Host Neil is joined by David Jubb, co-founder of…
- Cider, jet skis and the WECA mayoral election: BBC journalist Pete Simson
Bristol Unpacked features BBC Politics West editor Pete Simson discussing the upcoming WECA Mayoral election. The episode covers candidates, voter engagement, and local political dynamics.
- Legendary Bristol photographer Colin Moody
Neil speaks with photographer Colin Moody about his new book documenting Bristol's nightlife over the past five years, exploring the decline of UK clubs and the current state of rave culture.
- From the archive: Carla Denyer becomes Green party co-leader (2021)
This archive episode features an October 2021 interview with Carla Denyer following her election as Green party co-leader. The discussion covers her background, political strategies, and the Green party's potential to broaden its societal…
- From the archive: Jayde Adams, the slap, Bristolian accent, grief and coming home
This episode features comedian Jayde Adams discussing her career transition from Asda to an Amazon Prime Special, her experiences with grief, the limits of comedy, and her return to Bristol, as highlighted in a BBC documentary.
- Barrister Lucy Reed on opening up the secretive family courts
Barrister Lucy Reed discusses the significance of new rules allowing journalists to report from family courts in England and Wales. The episode explores the challenges facing the system, including child custody and care proceedings.
- Dr Patrick Hart: Just Stop Oil petrol station sabotage court case - From the archives
Dr Patrick Hart discusses his arrest and conviction for sabotaging petrol pumps as part of a Just Stop Oil protest. He faces legal and professional consequences, including a GMC hearing, for his climate activism.
- Ex-Lord Mayor Paul Goggin talks homelessness and mental health
This episode features an interview with former Lord Mayor of Bristol, Paul Goggin, who discusses the city's homelessness crisis, his personal experiences with sleeping rough and mental health challenges, and the political landscape.
- Amanda Sharman on leading the charge for boat dwellers' rights
This episode features Neil Maggs in conversation with Amanda Sharman, chair of the Bristol Boaters’ Community Association. They discuss the lives of boat dwellers in Bristol's maritime harbour and their concerns regarding the council's man…
- Samira Musse on community power and giving children confidence
Samira Musse joins Bristol Unpacked to discuss community power, how authorities can better work with communities, and the importance of safe spaces and trusted adults for young people.
- Barry Parsons on Green Party power in Bristol – and whether they can do anything about the housing crisis
Bristol Unpacked features Easton councillor Barry Parsons discussing the Green Party's leadership and their approach to Bristol's housing crisis, a year after the Barton House evacuation.
- Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Emma Edwards // Green Party
Emma Edwards, leader of Bristol Green Party, discusses the party's approach to transparent and collaborative politics, plans for public transport, and the challenges of moving from opposition to governing.
- Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Mark Weston // Conservative
Neil Maggs interviews Mark Weston, a Conservative councillor and local party leader for a decade. They discuss the party's national polling, the council's approach to motorists, and cultural differences within Bristol.
- Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Jos Clark // Liberal Democrats
Jos Clark, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Bristol, discusses local elections, the mayoral system, libraries, and bus services with Neil Maggs. She predicts a Labour loss after eight years.
- Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Tom Renhard // Labour
Labour candidate Tom Renhard discusses his record as Bristol's housing chief and Labour's platform for the upcoming local elections, including plans for new housing, rent controls, and public transport.
- Salma Najjar on experiencing the Gaza war as a Palestinian in the UK
Salma Najjar, a lawyer with childhood memories of Gaza, discusses the harrowing experience of living under occupation and during wartime, alongside happier memories and her pro-Palestinian activism in the UK. The episode also touches on th…
- Ruth Pitter on the role of the charity sector, pioneering Black theatre and her recent MBE
This episode features Neil in conversation with Ruth Pitter, an MBE recipient recognized for her extensive work in Bristol's charity sector and her pioneering role in Black theatre. They discuss the evolving landscape of the voluntary sect…
- BBC journalist Lucy Proctor on mad cows, Covid and conspiracy theories
BBC journalist Lucy Proctor joins the Bristol Unpacked podcast to discuss the BSE scandal, the rise of conspiracy theories, and declining trust in public institutions. They also examine the impact of misinformation surrounding the Covid-19…
- Watershed CEO Clare Reddington on cinema, class and council cuts
In this episode of Bristol Unpacked, Neil speaks with Watershed CEO Clare Reddington about the effects of Bristol City Council's budget cuts on arts venues like Watershed. They discuss the importance of arts funding amidst public service c…
- ACORN's Wesley Bear on the Barton House evacuation and housing activism in the city
Wesley Bear from the community union ACORN speaks with Neil Maggs about the recent evacuation of Barton House tower block and the union's activism concerning tenants' rights and council handling of the emergency.
- Filmmaker Aodh Breathnach on surviving being stabbed – and documenting the aftermath
Filmmaker Aodh Breathnach shares his experience of surviving a stabbing, the subsequent PTSD, and his documentary 'Scars: Surviving a Stabbing,' which explores restorative justice and the aftermath of trauma.
- Babbasa CEO Poku Osei on working from the inside to change the system
Poku Osei, CEO of Babbasa, shares his experience building a social enterprise in Bristol to help young people access opportunities. The episode explores the effectiveness of changing systems from the inside versus advocating for large-scal…
- Kill the Bill riots ex-prisoner, Jasmine York
Jasmine York, an activist and ex-prisoner, shares her perspective on the 2021 'Kill the Bill' riots, her subsequent imprisonment for arson, and discusses the idea of abolishing prisons.
- Inside the city’s Labour party machine with local fixer Kelvin Blake
Kelvin Blake, a long-time key figure in Bristol's Labour party, discusses the behind-the-scenes operations of the party's campaigns and its future direction as the Green party emerges as a challenger.
- Councillor Christine Townsend, on taking on the Merchant Venturers over educational inequality
Christine Townsend, a Green Party councillor and activist, details her long-standing efforts to address educational inequality, specifically targeting the discriminatory selection practices of Merchant Venturer schools in Bristol. The epis…
- Leftwing rabble rouser and co-founder of Bristol Transformed Isaac Kneebone-Hopkins
This episode features Isaac Kneebone-Hopkins, co-founder of Bristol Transformed and activist with Momentum, discussing Bristol's left-wing radicalism. It covers the movement's ties to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party, criticisms it has faced,…
- Bristol Cathedral's city chaplain Phil Nott, a reverend on a mission for social justice
Neil interviews Phil Nott, the new city chaplain at Bristol Cathedral, about his mission for social justice. They explore how an established institution can engage in social justice work and address issues like LGBTQ+ rights and historical…
- Headteacher of Redcliffe Nursery School Sam Williams
Sam Williams, Headteacher of Redcliffe Nursery, joins the podcast to discuss the ongoing funding and stability crisis in the UK's early years sector. They also explore forward-thinking approaches to child development and the necessary step…
- Labour’s Nicola Beech on who’s getting the best deal out of the city: developers or the public?
Bristol Unpacked features Labour's Nicola Beech discussing her roles in city planning and resilience. The episode explores the complexities of leading a city and the perceived advantage developers may have over the council.
- Bristol City FC meets community and politics with James Edwards
James Edwards joins Neil on Bristol Unpacked to explore how the Robins Foundation fosters community opportunities related to Bristol City FC. They discuss football's broader role in community and political life, especially in light of rece…
- The city’s new Green Party leader, Emma Edwards, on being the biggest political force in these parts
Bristol Unpacked features an interview with the city's new Green Party leader, Emma Edwards. They discuss the Green Party's current standing as the largest group on the city council and the challenges they face leading through a significan…
- The armed robber turned TikTok addiction mentor, Paul Simmons
Paul Simmons, who was once featured on the Bristol Evening Post for armed robbery, has transformed his life after serving 22 years in prison. He now runs a popular TikTok account, @pauladdictmentor, sharing his journey of recovery and help…