Tom Rasmussen (they/them) is a Lancaster born, London based writer and singer. When out of drag, they are contributing editor at Dazed Beauty, LOVE Magazine and Refinery29, and a regular contributor to the Independent and i-D. Their work has also been featured in Vice, Broadly, Tank and the Gay Times. In 2018 they were named an LGBT trailblazer by The Dots and one of the voices of now for i-D. Tom also forms half of the radical queer punk band ACM. Their first book, Diary of a Drag Queen, was lo...
Jul 13, 2021•49 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Ashley ‘Dotty’ Charles is a broadcaster and writer from south London. After joining the BBC in 2014 she became the first solo female to host the BBC Radio 1Xtra Breakfast Show in 2016, leading the breakfast show to its highest-ever audience and interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Will Smith. She has presented TV programmes including BBC One’s music show, ’Sounds Like Friday Night’, and BBC Three’s ’Story of Grime’ documentary series. Dotty is currently the Lead Cultural Curator at Apple ...
Jul 06, 2021•56 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Otegha Uwagba is the author of the Sunday Times Bestselling Little Black Book: A Toolkit for Working Women published in 2017 and Whites: On Race and Other Falsehoods in 2020. She is also a speaker, brand consultant and founder of Women Who, a London-based multi-media platform aimed at creative women that operated from 2016 - 2020. She also hosts the culture and ideas podcast In Good Company . Her forthcoming book We Need To Talk About Money - part memoir, part cultural commentary - is published ...
Jun 29, 2021•51 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Cathy Reay (she/her) is a writer, editor and disability consultant. She covers disability rights and representation, with a particular interest in the beauty and film industries. She is also a single mother of two and speaks about her life and her experiences on her instagram @ThatSingleMum. There is so much in this conversation. We hear about Cathy's childhood, her advice for her teenage self, we discuss her experience of motherhood, both online and offline. We also talk about what a better fut...
Jun 22, 2021•57 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Paris Lees (she/her) is a writer, presenter and the first openly trans person to be a contributing editor for Vogue. Last month, she released her debut book ‘What It Feels Like For A Girl’, an unmissable coming of age memoir, following the story of Byron Lees, growing up on a council estate in a dead-end town in the East Midlands. It’s written in an evocative vernacular style with an utterly immersive depiction of early 2000s culture. The book is not always an easy read as Paris’ adolescence was...
Jun 15, 2021•44 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Michael James Wong (he/him) is the founder of Just Breathe and a leading voice in the global movement for modern mindfulness. He is an author, speaker, community leader and meditation teacher who is dedicated to expanding the conversation around the mind and mental health. Michael is internationally recognised for his work in the wellness community as both as an advocate and entrepreneur. He writes books about hope and is the voice behind the Just Breathe meditation app. In his inspiring and bea...
Jun 08, 2021•41 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Candice Brathwaite is an author, journalist, TV presenter, and the founder of Make Motherhood Diverse – an online initiative that aims to ensure more people see themselves reflected online. Candice’s new book, Sista Sister , is a compilation of essays about all the things she wishes she'd been told when she was a young Black girl growing up in London. From family and money to Black hair and fashion, as well as relationships between people of different races and colourism. Sista Sister is the fol...
Jun 01, 2021•53 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Charlie Craggs (she/her) is an award-winning author, activist and speaker, hailed by Vogue as “the voice of a community”. Charlie is the founder of Nail Transphobia , a conversation-focused national campaign that tackles transphobia through education, empowerment and nail art. She is the author of To My Trans Sisters , an inspirational collection of letters written by successful trans women, sharing the lessons they learnt on their journeys to womanhood, celebrating their achievements and empowe...
Apr 27, 2021•40 min•Season 7Ep. 9
CW: brief mention of suicide. Poorna Bell (she/her) is an award-winning journalist, digital editorial expert, three-time author, mental health ambassador and badass power-lifter. This month sees the release of her fantastic new book: “Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women's Strength”. Part memoir, part manifesto, this book starts a conversation about women’s strength and fitness, tapping into the reservoir of mental strength we each have, in a way that has absolutely nothing to do wit...
Apr 20, 2021•48 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Andria Zafirakou (she/her) is "the best teacher in the world". Andria is art and textiles teacher at Alperton Community School in Brent, one of the world’s most ethnically diverse places. She has worked her entire teaching career of 15 years at Alperton Community School and is now Associate Deputy Headteacher leading on staff professional development. In 2018, she won $1million when she was crowned “the best teacher in the world” by the Varkey Foundation. Using the prize money awarded by the Glo...
Apr 13, 2021•41 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Megan Jayne Crabbe (she/her), also known as her social media handle ‘BodyPosipanda’ is an eating disorder recovery advocate, unapologetic feminist, and body positivity campaigner. Her number one bestselling debut book Body Positive Power has taught tens of thousands of people how to stop dieting and make peace with their bodies for good. Megan's book: Body Positive Power Find Megan on Instagram: @ BodyPosipanda Find me: @venetialamanna Find the show: @ATSTpodcast Recommendations from this episod...
Apr 06, 2021•47 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Uju Asika is a multiple award-nominated blogger, digital consultant and the author of the book 'Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World'. This book is for everyone who wants to instil a sense of open-minded inclusivity in their kids, and those who want to discuss difference instead of shying away from tough questions. In it, Uju draws on often shocking personal stories of prejudice along with opinions of experts, influencers and fellow parents to give prescriptive advic...
Mar 30, 2021•35 min•Season 7Ep. 5
Pandora Sykes is a writer, journalist and broadcaster. She co-created and co-hosted The High Low which is one of the most loved podcasts out there, and she’s also the host of Doing It Right and The Missing. Last year, she released her debut essay collection, " How Do We Know We Are Doing It Right?" where Pandora interrogates the stories we’ve been sold and the ones we tell ourselves, exploring themes including wellness, faster than fast fashion, millennial burnout and the rise of cancel culture....
Mar 23, 2021•43 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Gelong Thubten (he/him) is a Buddhist monk, meditation teacher and author. He became a monk 26 years ago at Samye Ling Tibetan Monastery in Scotland, and has spent over six years in intensive meditation retreats, the longest of which was 4 years long. He is now regarded as one of the UK’s most influential meditation teachers, with pioneering work teaching in universities, schools, companies such as Google, hospitals, prisons and rehab centres. He has lectured at Oxford University and for the Uni...
Mar 16, 2021•49 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Luvvie Ajayi Jones (she/her) is an award-winning author, speaker and ‘professional troublemaker’. Luvvie thrives at the intersection of comedy, media and justice. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller “I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual” and she is the co- founder of the global movement #SharetheMicNow. Her TED Talk ‘Get comfortable with being uncomfortable’ has had over 5 million views. Her new book “The Fear-Fighter Manual, Lessons from a Professional Troublemaker” is a hilario...
Mar 09, 2021•41 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Rina Sawayama (she/her) is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and one of the most exciting artists to break through from last year. Born in Japan and raised in London, Rina’s music confronts the issues of identity and conflict with a wild blend of nineties and early noughties influences - everything from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani, to Evanescence and Limp Bizkit. Rina’s been singing since she was little, but took her first official steps into the mu...
Mar 02, 2021•47 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Lydia Morrow is a self-taught sustainable and ethical fashion designer, specialising in underwear for all sizes and genders. She studied Painting and Printmaking at Glasgow School of Art, Lydia began making underwear as she couldn’t find bras that were stylish in her size. She refers to it as “outside of the male gaze” and began showcasing it via her instagram account. In this episode we talk about: her joint hyper-mobility disability, size and gender inclusivity in fashion, her issues with call...
May 19, 2020•49 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Kenny Ethan Jones is an activist and model. He is perhaps best known for his lead role in Pink Parcel's I'M ON campaign, in which he made history by being the first trans man to front a period campaign. Kenny’s work focuses on menstruation, body politics, mental health and intimacy. Find Kenny: https://www.instagram.com/kennyethanjones/ Kenny’s #internalperiods post: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5IgdY1lz-Z/ Kenny’s sex Q&A video: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xL_r_FNM4/ The Gender Recognitio...
May 05, 2020•49 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Xiye Bastida is an 18-year-old climate justice activist, originally from Mexico and now living in New York City where she is a senior in High School. Xiye has been a leading voice for indigenous and immigrant visibility in climate activism. Xiye is a member of the indigenous Mexican Otomi-Toltec nation and she has witnessed the impacts of climate change first hand, when her hometown in Mexico experienced prolonged drought followed by widespread flooding. She is one of the major organisers for yo...
Apr 21, 2020•26 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Pattie Gonia is a heel-stomping, trail-blazing social media sensation who brings drag, advocacy and activism into the outdoors. She burst onto Instagram back in October 2018 thanks to Wyn Wiley, a photographer, educator, creative director and passionate hiker from Nebraska. In this episode we discuss: coming out, homophobia, toxic masculinity, drag, artistic expression, queer and environmental activism, food as love and so much more. Find Pattie: https://www.instagram.com/pattiegonia/ Find Wyn: ...
Apr 07, 2020•47 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Kimberley Wilson is a Chartered Psychologist and visiting lecturer working in private practice in central London. Her work looks at the role food and lifestyle plays in our mental health, including disordered eating, the gut-brain axis and our emotional relationship with food. Her debut book: “How to Build a Healthy Brain: Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Depression and Future-Proof Your Brain” is available now. Find Kimberley: https://www.kimberleywilson.co/ Buy her book: https://amzn.to/39zJM8M Find...
Mar 31, 2020•48 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Florence Kollie Raja is the founder and director of Ethical Era and the creator of the 2030 Positive Planet Agenda: “mapping sustainability” concept and “sustainability metrics standardisation proposal”. Florence came to the sustainability sector via her public sector work where she worked with the UK Parliament, European Parliament and Local Government for a decade, this granted her a deep knowledge of the political landscape (national and international) and extensive experience working with po...
Mar 10, 2020•59 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Daze Aghaji is the 19-year-old Regenerative Culture Coordinator for Extinction Rebellion Youth UK National team, a 2019 European Election candidate and a History and Politics student. Honourable mentions: Mooncup: https://www.mooncup.co.uk/ Clairo: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3l0CmX0FuQjFxr8SK7Vqag Extinction Rebellion: https://rebellion.earth/ Extinction Rebellion 2020 Strategy: https://bit.ly/2SmcEfl Olio Food Waste App: https://olioex.com/ Rubies In The Rubble: https://rubiesintherubble.c...
Feb 18, 2020•46 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Swatee Deepak is the Director of With And For Girls and a global expert and champion of girls rights. She has advised UN agencies, Governments, Private Foundations and High Net Worth Individuals on girls rights and gender equity strategies. She has been instrumental in increasing resources to girls most in-need around the world. With And For Girls is a group of organisations that share the common belief that girls are vital agents of change. They regard grassroots girl-led and girl-centred organ...
May 14, 2019•53 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Michael Miller is the co-founder of London Meditation Centre. After learning Vedic meditation under the world renowned Thom Knoles, he saw positive changes in his own life. Thom suggested he became a teacher, which lead to leaving his corporate job to study for 2 years and undertake several extended trips to India. In 2007, Michael completed a three-month residential training programme and began a full-time teaching career. In early 2008, he founded the London Meditation Centre and New York Medi...
Apr 09, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Dr Anita Mitra is an NHS doctor working in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, with experience in both clinical medicine and research. Anita goes by the name of ‘The Gynae Geek’ on social media, and it’s also the title of her first book. An accessible, informative guide to 'down there healthcare'. In this episode, we discuss Anita’s story with amenorrhea, the difference between a vagina and vulva, why we should stop using soap to clean our nether regions and ethical period products. Find Anita On Inst...
Mar 26, 2019•50 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Adrienne Herbert is a Leeds born, Hertfordshire based runner, fitness blogger, TEDx Speaker, ADIDAS global ambassador and a mum. She is a bundle of positivity and with a brilliant attitude to health and wellness. Find Adrienne: https://www.instagram.com/adrienne_ldn/ Find me: https://www.instagram.com/venetiafalconer/ A big thank you to The Hoxton Hotel for giving us a lovely room in which to record the episode. Talking Tastebuds theme tune written and and produced by: williamhaxworth.com Hosted...
Oct 30, 2018•47 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Jack Monroe is a campaigner, food writer and activist. Her latest book Cooking on a Bootstrap makes budget food fun and delicious and she has just won The Observer Food Monthly Personality of the Year Award. In this episode, we discuss cooking on a budget, privilege, veganism and mental health. Jack is fiercely intelligent and funny. She is an absolute trailblazer in the food space and it's a true honour to have her on the show. Find Jack: https://cookingonabootstrap.com/ Find her new book: http...
Oct 23, 2018•50 min•Season 3Ep. 8
