The Bristol Cable
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Subscribe to this feed for all your favourite Podcasts from The Bristol Cable published weekly. - People Just Do Something - Bristol Unpacked - The Debrief - Area In Focus
Episodes
- Unpacked – Yassin Mohamud: Bristol's first Somali lord mayor
Yassin Mohamud, a Green councillor for Lawrence Hill, is Bristol’s first Somali Lord Mayor. He discusses his background in community work, his plans to use his platform to bring people together, and how he aims to challenge anti-immigrant…
- Lewis Wedlock: towards a positive masculinity
Lewis Wedlock, a masculinities educator, joins The Bristol Cable to discuss his work in schools, the appeal of the "manosphere" exemplified by figures like Andrew Tate, and what a positive vision of masculinity might entail. The episode ex…
- Unpacked – Kerri Matthews: what happens when parents go to prison?
Kerri Matthews, director at Bristol
- Unpacked – Heather Williams: trauma, community and healing in south Bristol
Heather Williams, CEO of Knowle West Park, joins Neil to discuss the impact of generational trauma on individuals and communities in South Bristol. Drawing on her personal journey and professional experience, she explores themes of harm, h…
- Unpacked – Edson Burton: what is culture and who does it belong to?
Dr Edson Burton, writer and historian, joins Neil to discuss the definition of culture and its ownership, drawing on his personal experiences of navigating different social and academic worlds. They explore how individual and national iden…
- Unpacked – Joe Joyce: rugby, resilience and returning to the West Country
Joe Joyce, known as the ‘King of Southmead’, talks about facing social media abuse following his return to West Country rugby for rivals Gloucester. The episode explores his transition as a 32-year-old elite athlete, his future plans, and…
- Unpacked – Ani Townsend: art, inequality and the case for universal basic income
Green politician Ani Townsend discusses universal basic income (UBI), its application to the creative sector in Bristol, and its potential to address class inequality. The episode also touches on 'eco-populism' and its relevance to left-wi…
- Unpacked – Clare Moody: policing, power and a political cancellation
Clare Moody, Avon & Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner, discusses the potential cancellation of her role by the Labour government, the current state of policing nationally and locally, and the steps needed to rebuild community trust.
- Unpacked – Bristol Temple Quarter: can regeneration be inclusive?
The Bristol Cable discusses the Temple Quarter regeneration project, Bristol's largest in a generation, with Lyn Garner, chair of the partnership. They examine its potential effects on housing, jobs, education, and transport, and explore h…
- We’ve Got Your Boy - Episode 4 - Ain’t No One’s Friend
This episode discusses serious youth violence, its root causes, and media representation. It examines how newspapers frame incidents and the negative effects of sensationalizing stories, emphasizing the importance of language and the need…
- We’ve Got Your Boy - Episode 3 - Doli Capax (Capable of ‘Evil’)
Episode 3 of 'We've Got Your Boy' examines the abolition of the legal term 'doli incapax' after the 1993 murder of James Bulger by two 10-year-olds. This change lowered the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales to 10, making…
- We've Got Your Boy - Episode 2 - Can't Meet His Needs
This episode reviews serious youth violence in Bristol, examining the pathways of 10 young people involved in violent incidents. It highlights issues like poverty, school exclusion, and special educational needs impacting minoritised commu…
- We've Got Your Boy - Episode 1 - Hurt people, hurt people
Episode 1 of 'We've Got Your Boy' examines Bristol's institutional response to a series of fatal teenage stabbings in early 2024. It questions the effectiveness of crisis responses and suggests addressing the root causes of serious youth v…
- We've Got Your Boy - Series Trailer
This trailer introduces We've Got Your Boy, an investigative podcast series from The Bristol Cable exploring school exclusions, child imprisonment, and the sources of youth violence in England and Wales. The series examines systemic issues…
- DIY wealth redistribution, with Bristol Redistro’s Frances Howe
Bristol Cable Unpacked features Frances Howe, co-founder of Bristol Redistro, discussing their unique approach to wealth redistribution. The collective encourages voluntary contributions, which are then distributed by a local panel to gras…
- Unpacked – Darren Jones: from Lawrence Weston to Starmer’s right-hand man
Bristol North West MP Darren Jones discusses his rapid political rise from Lawrence Weston to Keir Starmer's chief secretary. He shares how his early experiences shaped his politics and addresses Labour's current challenges, his role in im…
- Unpacked - 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), shares insights from her first few months in office. The episode explores her approach to regional leadership, efforts to improve relationships with lo…
- Lee Haskins: The world champ boxer who never left Lockleaze
Neil spoke with former world champion boxer Lee Haskins about his legacy and his family gym, Round One Boxing, where his children are also training. Haskins shares his outlook on life, health, family, Bristol, and boxing.
- PJDS E018: Mike Jay & the radical history of nitrous oxide
This episode discusses the radical history of nitrous oxide, its early experiments, and its influence on revolutionary thinking in medicine, chemistry, and the arts, as explored by cultural historian Mike Jay.
- Unpacked - Mythbusting Islam & Islamophobia, with Rizwan Ahmed
Rizwan Ahmed joins Neil to debunk common misconceptions about Islam and discuss his mission to strengthen inter-faith community ties through education. The episode also touches on grooming gangs and far-right narratives surrounding the rel…
- PJDS E017: Comrades aren't cringe with Professor Jodi Dean
In PJDS E017, Professor Jodi Dean joins The Bristol Cable to discuss Communism, the importance of building solidarity, and framing revolutionary ideas for today. The conversation explores contemporary relevance and challenges associated wi…
- Unpacked - £20m for Hartcliffe: Kirsty Tait on climate change, class & community
Councillor Kirsty Tate joins Neil Maggs to discuss Hartcliffe
- PJDS E016: Ethan Shone and the Defence Against The Dark Arts
In PJDS E016, journalist Ethan Shone explores secretive political lobbying, dubbed 'The Dark Arts,' examining connections between Bristol MP Darren Jones and an organization linked to MI6 operatives. The episode questions Labour's directio…
- Unpacked - From Eastville to LA (via Wigan): Bristol Northern Soul Club
The Bristol Cable unpacks the Northern Soul revival in Bristol, focusing on Levanna McLean and Eve Arslett. Their viral lockdown dances led to national attention and the creation of the Bristol Northern Soul club night, now held at Eastvil…
- PJDS E015: Annie McGann and why you should get out more
Annie McGann, known as The People's Lobbyist, joined the PJDS live event to discuss her passion for nightlife and her work with the Save Bristol Nightlife campaign. She shared insights into her journey, influences like David Bowie and Soun…
- Unpacked - Kalpna Woolf: From migrant kid in London to High Sheriff of Bristol
High Sheriff of Bristol, Kalpna Woolf, shares her experiences growing up as a first-generation migrant in London and her path to her current role. She discusses founding 91 Ways, an organization that uses food to connect diverse language c…
- PJDS - E014: Taj Ali and the hope in the heart of Luton
Taj Ali shares his experiences with trade unionism and activism in the UK, exploring the connections between working-class history and racial identity. He offers strategies for community organizing to combat divisive narratives and highlig…
- Unpacked - A year of Green power in Bristol with council leader Tony Dyer
Bristol's Green Party leader Tony Dyer reflects on his first year at the council, covering party politics, finances, local issues like the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme, and the potential impact of right-wing populism.
- PJDS: MAGA? MWEGA? WECA? Undercover in Reform UK with Sian Norris
Journalist Sian Norris shares her experiences going undercover to investigate Reform UK, exploring the rise of right-wing populism and misogyny, and the moral dilemmas involved. The episode touches on UFO conspiracies and the personal expe…
- Unpacked: What is a citizens' assembly and how do they work?
This episode of The Bristol Cable's 'Unpacked' series discusses citizens' assemblies as a democratic tool. Host Neil is joined by David Jubb to explore how these assemblies allow representative groups to deliberate on complex issues in a n…
- PJDS - The Great Baldini & the Cribbs Causeway Tesla takedown
The Bristol Cable reports on the Tesla Takedown protest movement, which calls for a boycott of Tesla due to owner Elon Musk's political actions. The episode questions whether recent record losses and sales drops for Tesla can be attributed…
- Unpacked - Cider, Jet skis and the WECA Mayoral Election: BBC journalist Pete Simson
Neil talks with BBC Politics West editor Pete Simson about the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Mayoral election. They discuss candidates, voter engagement, local political dynamics, and the potential impact of recent controversie…
- PJDS *SPECIAL* Peaceful resistance in the face of Genocide with Iyad Burnat
Palestinian activist Iyad Burnat shares his experiences with non-violent resistance against the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, including community organizing and the impact of the Israeli barrier. He emphasizes the importance of beli…
- Unpacked: Legendary Bristol photographer Colin Moody
Host Neil speaks with photographer Colin Moody about his five-year project capturing Bristol's nightlife, exploring the decline of UK clubs and the current state of the rave scene. The conversation touches on potential causes for closures…
- The Debrief - The Doctors fighting for Barton House residents
Priyanka speaks with Dr. Amelia Cussans about Medact's report on the 2023 Barton House evacuation. The report, co-authored with ACORN the union, describes the event as a 'mass traumatising event' and includes testimonies from residents.
- Unpacked - from the archive: Carla Denyer becomes Green party co-leader (2021)
This podcast revisits a 2021 interview with Carla Denyer following her election as Green party co-leader. It compares her earlier stated commitments with her subsequent performance as an MP, inviting listeners to review her voting record.
- The Debrief - The Filton 18: The more you oppress people, the more they will rise
Reporter Adam Quarshie joins Sean Morrison to discuss the investigation into the trial of the Filton 18, activists who occupied an arms factory in Bristol. The episode also touches on a petition regarding counter-terrorism powers used agai…
- Unpacked from the archive: Jayde Adams, the slap, Bristolian accent, grief and coming home
Jayde Adams talks about her comedy career, her Amazon Prime Special, and a BBC documentary about her return to Bristol. She reflects on how her sister's death fueled her drive and discusses boundaries in comedy.
- PJDS: Pause for the cause - season break and updates
The podcast is taking a season break. Producer George is off this week as the team plans new guests and an upcoming series development.
- Bristol Unpacked: Barrister Lucy Reed on opening up the secretive family courts
Barrister Lucy Reed explains the workings of family courts, focusing on child custody and care orders. The episode covers the recent, limited allowance for journalists to report from these courts and discusses the pressures leading to chil…
- PJDS E012: Door to door divestment: the mum and dad building a boycott for Palestine
Bristol residents Matt and Sasha share their experience building a boycott of Israeli produce by organizing door-to-door outreach and engaging with shopkeepers, drawing inspiration from historical anti-apartheid activism.
- Dr Patrick Hart: Just Stop Oil petrol station sabotage court case - From the archives
Dr Patrick Hart details his experience with the legal system following his participation in a Just Stop Oil protest where he disabled petrol pumps. He faced charges of criminal damage, a civil injunction, and a disciplinary hearing with th…
- PJDS E011 - How to embed the left in the blockchain, with Joshua Dávila
Joshua Dávila, author of Blockchain Radicals, How Capitalism Ruined Crypto And How We Can Fix It, joins the podcast to discuss whether digital tools like crypto can be used for positive purposes and the role of capitalism in its developmen…
- Bristol Unpacked: Ex-Lord Mayor Paul Goggin talks homelessness and mental health
Former Bristol Lord Mayor Paul Goggin shares his experiences with homelessness and mental health struggles. He also discusses the UK's approach to these issues and the political landscape in Hartcliffe and Withywood.
- PJDS E010: Striking teacher Nik & the ethical gravy train of trade unionism
This episode of People Just Do Something features Bristol teacher Nik, a National Education Union rep, discussing the organization of workers, the purpose of industrial action, and key ingredients for successful strikes.
- PJDS E009: Jake Hanrahan is not just a gritty Louis Theroux
Jake Hanrahan, founder of Popular Front, discusses his journey into war reporting in his twenties and his views on the state of modern journalism, while clarifying his stance on being labeled an activist.
- Bristol Unpacked - Amanda Sharman on leading the charge for boat dwellers' rights
Amanda Sharman discusses the boat dwellers' experience in Bristol's harbour and their protests concerning the council's management of the harbourside.
- PJDS E008: How to smash the patriarchy for good with Meg & Bryony from SLEEC
Megan and Bryony from SLEEC, a support organization for survivors of sexual violence, discuss their mission to dismantle the patriarchy and challenge the system. The episode also touches on the difficulties men face in expressing their emo…
- Bristol Unpacked: Samira Musse on community power and giving children confidence
Samira Musse discusses how authorities can better work with communities, using Bristol's traffic restrictions as an example. The episode also highlights the importance of safe spaces and trusted adults for young people.
- PJDS E007: Led by Donkeys and the guerrilla story wars
Led By Donkeys began in 2018 when friends, frustrated by Brexit, launched a viral billboard stunt. The group uses satire through billboards, projections, and pranks to challenge hypocrisy. Co-founder Ben discusses their journey on The Bris…