Tash has been reading some intriguing studies about the psychology of lab rats — and has discovered something about themself in the process. So let’s talk about it! Join us while we gnaw on the topics of cages (real and imagined), being queer, and the power of nature. -Adam + Tash Discussed in this episode: The Well Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-Smith Aunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | website The Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The assistant producer is Mia Campbell M...
May 13, 2026•27 min•Season 5Ep. 5
We make no secret that we’re obsessed with queer history and heritage. So in this episode Tash met Shoun Obana who’s created a zine called Inherent Vice, “for heritage professionals and enthusiasts alike”. We’ve also got a poem by Tash, Dear Section 28. -Adam + Tash Discussed in this episode: Zine: Inherent Vice Radio poem: Dear Section 28, originally created for Short Cuts, series 33 , a Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 Aunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | website The Log Books is hosted and...
May 06, 2026•26 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Sometimes you read a book and feel ‘this is a bit of me!’ That’s how we both felt reading An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail, so we wanted to talk about it. It’s a book about friendship, across generations, and the power of queer solidarity. So it also led us to two recent photography exhibitions too. -Adam + Tash Discussed in this episode: Book: An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail by Hélène Giannecchini Exhibition: We Others: Donna Gottschalk and Hélène Giannecchini @ The Photographers’ Gallery until June...
Apr 29, 2026•28 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside… Tash went for a swim (Adam went to the cafe), but we BOTH went to the Margate Queer Library and Archive, which is run by Sé Malaïka Nomyo. We also met Jen Scott, aka SHELLY GROTTO, who also told us about her work on Margate and Thanet’s queer history. Discussed in this episode: Space: Margate Queer Library and Archive Video: New Rumours on YouTube -Adam + Tash Aunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | website The Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and...
Apr 22, 2026•34 min•Season 5Ep. 2
We’re relaunching your favourite podcast! We’re Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, and EVERY WEEK we get together to talk about history, politics, art and LGBTQ+ life. From us ageing millennials nattering on, to interviews with exciting people doing amazing things, The Log Books contain… the stories of our lives. Let us know what you think of the new format, and what you think we should feature. -Adam + Tash Aunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | website The Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker an...
Apr 15, 2026•31 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Tash and Adam listen to Abi McIntosh, our youngest interviewee!, who first listed her sexuality on MySpace... Abi also reflects on her experience of connecting with older queer Black people, and how this has changed how she sees herself. You can listen to Abi on the podcast Black And Gay, Back In The Day on Apple and Spotify . Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voic...
Apr 08, 2026•33 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Adam and Tash hear from Faizan, who co-founded Imaan, a network for queer Muslims. Faizan recalls what it felt like to be growing up as a British Pakistani queer person in London in the 80s, and the electricity of a first (good) kiss. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: Serena James Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David Pye Musi...
Apr 01, 2026•30 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Adam and Tash listen to Steph Fuller recall what it was like for trans women to go out on the town in the 90s. Steph reflects on growing up queer and trans, and what it meant to have places to go — in one of our most affecting and intimate interviews yet. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: Serena James Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Eng...
Mar 26, 2026•34 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Tash and Adam hear from Monty Moncrieff, who took calls for Switchboard for years and now runs London Friend . Monty remembers what it was like to take difficult calls from LGBTQ+ people, and also to be listened to himself, when he gave his first interview in season 3 of The Log Books podcast. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: Serena James A...
Mar 19, 2026•29 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Adam and Tash hear from Clare Truscott, a riotous femme punk who tirelessly serves her community and always has an abundance of stories to tell. Clare reflects on being a part of the podcast and being a lesbian in the 80s and 90s, and how more recently she’s been campaigning to end homophobia in care homes for older people. You can find out more about Clare’s work on Not Going In The Care Closet here . Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpli...
Mar 12, 2026•34 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Tash and Adam listen to Catherine Lee, who qualified as a teacher in the late 80s at a time when it was impossible for lesbians like her to be open at work. Catherine reflects candidly on the impact of sharing her story on the original Log Books podcast, and how her life has transformed from shame to pride. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: ...
Mar 05, 2026•33 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Tash and Adam hear from Richard Desmond, aka Switchboard’s once resident leather queen. Richard reflects on a life in the LGBTQ+ community, as a leatherman, a volunteer, a friend and lover. We love you, Richard. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: Serena James Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David Pye Music: Tom Fosket-Barnes Or...
Feb 26, 2026•30 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Tash and Adam listen to Graham McKerrow, who was editor of the newspaper Capital Gay in the 80s. Graham reflects on his gay adolescence in the 70s, and how he and his partner transformed a South London house into a communal queer home. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: Serena James Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David Pye Mus...
Feb 19, 2026•44 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Adam and Tash hear from Andy Piccos, whose memories of Switchboard stretch back to 1977. Andy remembers the queer family he met through volunteering and living the gay life, and what it was like to come out to his biological, Greek Cypriot family. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: Serena James Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: D...
Feb 12, 2026•34 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Tash and Adam catch-up with Femi Otitoju, one of the original contributors of The Log Books podcast, and one of Switchboard’s most valuable volunteers. Femi reflects on what it meant to have her memories recorded, and how she and others made sure that Switchboard served Black people and women. You can also listen to Femi speaking on the podcast Black And Gay, Back In The Day on Apple and Spotify . Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline th...
Feb 05, 2026•33 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Our book is published TODAY! In this special episode, Tash and Adam read an exclusive excerpt from The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened, published by Faber & Faber. This is a huge milestone for The Log Books project, which started when Tash found the log books over ten years ago. If you listened to our first three seasons, we thank you for sticking with us. If you’re a newcomer: welcome to your queer history! Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log B...
Jan 29, 2026•35 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Tash and Adam hear from Anson Mackay, who left a tiny, remote town in Scotland to embrace a gay identity, and then later another queer identity altogether. Anson reflects with trusting candour on their experiences through the 80s and 90s, and how people feel compelled to explore their gender even before the right words have arrived. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith Th...
Jan 22, 2026•42 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Adam and Tash are joined in this episode by Diana James, who discovered herself as a dyke in the 80s and joined Switchboard as its first trans volunteer. Diana discusses what she learnt as she handled phone calls from distressed queer people, and how the older and younger generations need to support each other. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log boo...
Jan 15, 2026•31 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Tash and Adam hear from Ruth Turner, who qualified as a teacher in the 1980s at the height of a destructive public debate over gay and lesbian rights. Ruth recalls the chilling effect of Section 28, the law that forbade her from supporting queer students, and helps Tash to reckon with their own experience in school. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the lo...
Jan 08, 2026•31 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Adam and Tash’s first guest is John Lindsay, one of the founders of Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ helpline. John takes us back to the first night in the phoneroom in 1974, when a ragtag gang of queers listened out for that first phone call. Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened . Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith The voice of the log books: Serena James Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: Dav...
Jan 01, 2026•29 min•Season 4Ep. 1
The UK’s best LGBTQ+ history podcast is BACK. After three groundbreaking seasons from 2019-22, featuring the unique archives at Switchboard, winning a string of awards, we’re returning with a new season. We are Adam Zmith and Tash Walker, hosts and producers, and your guides into queer memories and countless, essential stories. The all-new season of The Log Books will feature intimate interviews we’ve done as research for our book, which will be published by Faber on January 29th 2026. We though...
Dec 18, 2025•47 sec
The Quilt: Living memories of queer Britain & Northern Ireland An audio exhibition open to anyone, anywhere, at any time of day, produced and hosted by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith. Born from a collaboration between the producers of the award-winning podcast The Log Books and the UK’s first and only LGBTQ+ museum Queer Britain, challenges who and what makes queer history. The series takes the listener on a journey across the UK, collecting queer memories, from queer people. The Quilt weaves to...
Nov 12, 2024•5 min•Season 3Ep. 14
We'd love to introduce you to this new podcast we've been working Queer Roots and Routes! Queer Roots and Routes is made by a collective. We are queer. We are migrants or descended from migrants. And we want to tell our stories. Stories of where we’ve come from and how we move in the world today. We don’t have a boss or a Beyoncé. So each episode of this six-part first series of Queer Roots and Routes has a different host and a different set of voices from our group. Our promise to you is that o...
Apr 04, 2023•48 sec•Season 3Ep. 13
We'd love to introduce you to this new podcast Black and Gay, Back in the Day which brings to life a photo archive of Black LGBTQIA+ life in Britain, from the 1970s through to the early 2000s. Each episode is an intergenerational journey focusing on a key photograph from the archive - joining stories of the past, with those of today. Marc Thompson is the gentle, inquisitive and warm guide to the archive, helping a rotation of younger Black LGBTQIA+ co-hosts navigate these often untold stories. E...
Oct 02, 2022•3 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In this bonus episode made for Nothing Concrete, the podcast of London's Barbican, Tash and Adam riffle through many more items from LGBTQ+ history. The Bishopsgate Institute doesn't just look after the amazing Switchboard log books — they also hold gay badges, protest placards, intimate photo albums and historical trackie tops. Forty of these items are being displayed in the free exhibition Out and About! at the Barbican in London from February 28th to March 21st. To mark the occasion, Adam and...
Feb 23, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 11
This is it! After three seasons covering 1974 to 2003, Tash and Adam reach the final page in the log books in Switchboard’s archive. In this closing episode of The Log Books, Adam and Tash reflect on all the stories they’ve heard across the three years making this podcast. They also bring to light one type of log book entry that has not yet been covered in the podcast, and listen to young people who are living our queer futures. Thank YOU, our amazing listeners, for joining us on this moving, em...
Jan 10, 2022•56 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Rubber? Feet? Piss? Flogging? Role play? What’s your kink? In this episode Tash and Adam listen to dozens of dirty stories from the LGBTQI+ community in the 90s. From the publicly funded multi-gender kink night at the London Lesbian and Gay Centre to people wearing nappies and S&M dykes — this episode is raw, sexy, hilarious... and you’ll never be the same again. We also speak to Alex (the DJ Kiwi) from Crossbreed and Matt Skully about running kinky events and club nights today. Content warn...
Jan 03, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In the 90s more and more lesbians called Switchboard to ask where they could get hold of sperm. All sorts of LGBTQI+ people in the period sought to make families outside of conventional methods and constraints. In this episode, Tash and Adam hear stories from the people who pioneered queer family-making. We also catch-up with some folks who have their own experiences and opinions on what queer family means to them today. Content warning: homophobia Transcript here. The Log Books — stories from B...
Dec 27, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 8
There is still so much work to be done in making sure LGBTQI+ people with disabilities have what they need, but the 90s saw a definite shift in the right direction. Legal change, growing awareness, and a place at the front of the Pride march. In this episode, Tash and Adam hear from queer disability rights campaigners and, of course, Switchboard volunteers about handling calls about intersecting identities. They also catch up with Erin Ekins about the experience of being queer and neurodivergent...
Dec 20, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Understanding and awareness of various gender identities grew from 1992 to 2003, and more and more trans people called Switchboard for support. This episode offers a fascinating insight into how the LGBTQI+ community evolved over the period, and how trans people grew stronger in asserting their identities. Essential listening for anyone interested in the recent history of gender and queer identity. Tash and Adam also hear from Steph Fuller, the general manager of Switchboard, about the nature of...
Dec 13, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 6
