Bristol Unpacked

Depending on who you ask, Ketamine conjures up different images and associations. For Dr Ben Sessa, a leading authority and practitioner of psychedelic assisted therapy, it is a powerful aid to helping people suffering from trauma and addiction. Sessa is the co-founder of Awakn, a company leading the burgeoning movement to use powerful drugs for healing with a clinic in Bristol and internationally. Tune in with Neil to explore the science, philosophy and context of this exciting field with a raver, campaigner and medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Boris Johnson to Marvin Rees will Martin Booth the editor of Bristol 24/7 become one of a long line of journalists who enter political office? Booth is in the running as an independent in the by-election for Hotwells and Harbourside ward. As editor of a local publication, what are Martin’s motivations and inspirations? Can anyone be really independent, including Bristol 24/7’s owners and shareholders? The area is the site of a major battle over the future of Bristol - the transformation of Cumberland Basin into Western Harbour. But what’s the big idea? Who wins and who will lose? Listen in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arriving to the UK in 1998 as a refugee from Somalia, Fuad Mahamed soon left behind a career as an engineer to work on his passion: Supporting people who, like himself, had newly arrived to the UK often fleeing war and oppression. Founded in 2008 in St Pauls, Ashley Community Housing (ACH) is a leading organisation on the integration and support of refugees and asylum seekers with offices in Bristol and the West Midlands. But with immigration often at the centre of a fraught political context, how has Fuad navigated this personally and professionally? Join Neil and Fuad for an in depth conversation with one of Bristol’s newly appointed International Ambassadors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just Stop Oil protestors have been disrupting business as usual since April 2022. A Daily Mail columnist called them “a deranged criminal eco-terrorist cult”. But who are the people behind the headlines? Neil sits down with Dr Patrick Hart, a local GP who has been putting his career and liberty on the line through direct action protests, including the smashing and spray painting of a petrol station. Dr Hart believes we have run out of time for purely legal ways of pulling the world back from what the UN has called “the brink of climate catastrophe”. But are these tactics effective? Are protestors losing public sympathy? Does that matter? Listen in for a conversation far and away from the soundbites of Good Morning Britain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kerry McCarthy, the Labour MP for Bristol East, is the city’s longest serving representative in Westminster. Sometimes described as a ‘Brownite’ having been an ally of the former PM the last time Labour were in power, Kerry is now Shadow Minister for Climate Change. But is the party going far enough to confront the climate crisis? Can the Starmer’s ‘sensible centre ground’ coexist with the Left on key issues of immigration and taxation? How does a vegan, punk music lover get along with Tories in the House of Commons? Listen in with Neil and Kerry to hear from the person representing 70,000+ in Bristol East on the biggest issues of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From striking fear into the hearts of opponents with fearsome fast bowls to a gruesome career ending injury forcing retirement at 29, David ‘Syd’ Lawrence is a cricketing icon in Bristol and beyond. But it wasn’t all plain sailing in a sport known for its elitism for a self-described ‘tear-away kid’ of Black Caribbean heritage. Listen in with Neil and Syd as they discuss the trials and tribulations of making it in the game, a move into nightclubs and now his first year as the first Black president of a County Cricket Club at Gloucestershire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reach PLC is one of the largest commercial publishers in the UK, which owns household brands like the Mirror and the Daily Star as well as the majority of local titles including Bristol Live, and pulls in millions in revenue. But 1,000 journalists employed by Reach PLC started striking yesterday (Wednesday) after rejecting a 3% pay rise.As reported by the Cable earlier this week, junior staff at Bristol Live are paid under £20,000 while senior staff are on just £25,000. These low salaries are forcing some journalists to resort to using food banks to feed their families, and all the while the chief exec of Reach PLC Jim Mullen took home £4m last year – 104 times more the median salary of a Reach PLC employee.Listen in to this week's episode of Bristol Unpacked with Neil and local NUJ member Paul Breeden on what's at stake for the Bristol Live strikers, and whether the economically and reputationally battered news industry can ever improve its service to the public. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When does bad behaviour get so serious that a young person should be permanently excluded from the mainstream school system? No More Exclusions, a campaign Lana co-founded, says never. For Lana, doing so is the result of a failed and often racist system. As an educator with decades of experience in Bristol and the region, Lana has a powerful vision that refuses to give up on any child. But what about the other 29 pupils who just want to get on? Neil and Lana chat through the politics and practicalities of a renewed education system, including why teachers have had enough and might be joining many other workers on strike this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women’s football was banned by the Football Association in 1921. Lasting for 50 years, the grandees of the football establishment deemed the sport “quite unsuitable for females”. Now, teams such as Aimee Palmer’s Bristol City are seeing an explosion in interest and fans. With England’s Lionesses eyeing up victory at the ongoing Euros, Neil and Aimee chat about her difficult journey as a professional player and what needs to happen to dismantle barriers for everyone who wants to play the beautiful game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suddenly everyone is talking about trade unions in the struggle over who will bear the brunt of the cost of living crisis. We speak to someone at the forefront of organising a local dispute between workers and employers, part of a wave of workplace unrest taking place across the country.Josh Connor is a local organiser for trade union Unison, and is supporting care workers to take strike action at St Monica’s Trust, the Merchant Venturer-connected care homes in Bristol, in a dispute of jobs, pay and conditions.Neil and Josh discuss the background and detail of the strikes and what it means for the current rocky political moment locally and nationally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Morris says he has an “almost indecent passion” for Bristol Old Vic, the oldest theatre in continuous operation in the English speaking world. But how has the Kings Street institution evolved? Has it changed enough to justify huge amounts of public money and reach all communities with top quality art? Amid some fawning by Neil about Tom’s brother, Chris Morris, they chat about the simmering culture war over arts and the future of Bristol’s theatrical centrepiece. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Opposition councillors say they have been shut out of scrutinising and making decisions, but Paul Hassan says the mayoral system has provided a focal point of leadership for the city as a whole to come together and solve common problems. Hassan came to Bristol in 1987 and doesn't remember the committee years fondly - and neither does he think May's vote will help address the deeper issues that Bristol is currently facing. Listen to the fourth of our mini-series on Bristol's referendum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Bowden-Jones was at the heart of Bristol’s Labour Party for years, but is now at odds with the city’s Labour administration in a big way. Having resigned amid a dispute with the mayor, Bowden-Jones is now campaigning to scrap the role altogether on the basis that it is anti-democratic. Some say this is a personal vendetta against Marvin Rees, but Bowden-Jones says for the city to move forward the mayor must be scrapped. Listen to the third of our mini-series on Bristol’s referendum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The city’s Labour administration says this referendum is an expensive distraction from the big issues the city faces. But have they brought it upon themselves? Opponents say the referendum is due to failure to engage with opposition councillors and a tendency to handpick who is involved in city governance, including too much influence of business. Ellie King, Labour’s cabinet member for Public Health and Communities says that the current mayoral model has delivered for the city in a way that the alternative committee system never could through clear leadership of the city as a whole. Listen in with Neil to find out from a leading voice in the pro-mayoral camp, in the first of four episodes in this referendum mini-series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lib Dem councillor who ‘prides himself on being a thorn in the mayor’s side’ led the vote on securing the referendum on whether to scrap the mayor. Representing Hotwells and Harbourside, Alex Hartley has compared the mayoral system to a post-Soviet oligarchy. Is this ridiculous exaggeration by a party set to gain the most from an insider’s political dispute, or a fair comment on a lack of true democracy in Bristol’s City Hall? Listen in with Neil who unpacks the issue with our first guest in a mini-series on the referendum set for 5th of May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the slap reverberates around the world we talk all things comedy with Jayde Adams - who went from working in Asda Bedminster to her own Amazon Prime Special. She just starred in a new BBC documentary following her move back to Bristol. Going deep about how the death of her sister made her so driven, are there red lines in comedy, and what it is like coming home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Railway Maritime and Transport trade union are no strangers to controversy, from winning massive pay rises for their members through sustained strike action, to an unapologetically socialist stance and recent accusations of being ‘Putin apologists’. But what role does an “industrially and politically militant union” play today? Neil speaks with RMT regional organiser and Bristolian Brendan Kelly on recent strife on the railways, ferry ports and a take on the war in Ukraine that has stirred up longstanding debates about foreign policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The city's longstanding and self-proclaimed satirical scandal sheet has a reputation for not holding back on attacking local politicians, along with the great and the good for alleged wrongdoing. But what is the story behind the anonymously produced publication? Once nominated for a Paul Foot award, is their approach of journalism mixed with what many see as relentless trolling relevant in a changing media environment?Neil Maggs and a long-standing contributor to The Bristolian hash it out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nura Aabe as a mother and campaigner in the city's special needs crisis, and being Black and a Conservative.A mother of a son with autism, Nura Aabe has been a central figure in the struggle to secure better special educational needs support in the city - in schools, the council and the Somali community. As a former local candidate for the Conservatives, Neil and Nura also discuss politics and why she has chosen a party historically not representative of migrant communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Norris is Labour's elected Metro-Mayor for WECA, aka the West of England region. Norris is the second in the role, following the Conservative's Tim Bowles and brings experience as a minister in Blair's government. So what are his politics and policies now? And, with some simmering beef with other local leaders, how does he plan to manage the various challenges and conflicts with the aim of getting a better deal for the region? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gasheads have a new CEO. Tom Gorringe joined the club as commercialdirector in 2017 and says he is determined to drive the club forward andbring everyone along with him as CEO.But the club has some challenges on its hands, on and off the pitch.Including questions over a new stadium, Wael al-Qadi’s ownership and howthe Rovers can embrace the modern game while keeping true to traditions.Listen in to Tom’s chat with Neil Maggs about the future for the cluband its loyal community of fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bristol has found itself at the centre of national and even international conversations about policing, protest, and criminal justice. At the top of the police chain of command is the Chief Constable for Avon and Somerset (ASP). The force covers approximately 1.7 million people across Bristol, Bath, and North East Somerset, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. And now there is a new sheriff in town. After a selection process led by Mark Shelford, the elected Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, Sarah Crew was appointed Chief Constable in November 2021. So who is Crew and how will she handle this powerful and influential role, and deal with the diversity of policing issues in the region? In an interview on Bristol Unpacked, the Cable’s podcast, Crew chatted with Neil Maggs about challenges, priorities, and controversies for the force - from protests to sexual violence and the war on drugs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Cheney is the local lad and councilor for Hillfields that is the controller of the purse strings at Bristol City Council. After 12 years of central government-imposed austerity, that purse is much smaller than it needs to be. Now as the council is planning for the new year's budget they need to fill a £23 million sized hole in the finances. With the threat of cuts and sales of council assets, Neil and Craig discuss the challenges of local government finance and what that means for Bristolians, whether so-called 'town hall fat cats' should take a cut and if the council is getting the best deal from Bristol's status as an increasingly attractive and wealthy city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was it like acting with Christopher Walken when his next biggest role was playing a genital wart 20 years ago? Southmead-born Ian Aitchison runs cult record store Longwell Records. He and Neil talk about his cameo in The Outlaws made by his mate Stephen Merchant, growing up with a bank robber, his years as a drug worker, and the dangers of actors trying a Bristol accent! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did he learn, regret and achieve during his time as mayor? Why does he hate tall buildings so much? And what is his big vision for the land at Bristol Zoo? Tune into the conversation with Neil and George to find out all this and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of the tragic death in Lawrence Hill, Neil chats to Darren Alexander who runs Aspiration Creation Elevation (ACE), a music mentoring organisation for youth in Bristol’s disadvantaged communities. Darren and Neil, who both knew the young man, discuss what’s behind youth violence, tackling root and systemic causes and whether, as Avon and Somerset Police have said recently, drill music is a concern. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carla Denyer, an elected councillor in the city, has just won the leadership of the Greens alongside Adrian Ramsay. With Labour shifting to the right, and concern about the climate crisis starting to become mainstream, Denyer thinks this is the moment for Greens, in the UK and beyond. But can they get out of their pigeon-hole and reach a wide range of society? Will internal divisions rock the party like they have others? And what does this all mean for Bristol? Join Neil for an in depth interview on Carla's background, politics and plans.An audio excerpt of a council meeting is used courtesy of Bristol City Council. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Sims is a well-known actor from Bristol. Having made it through the ranks of a notoriously elitist industry with a working-class background, Joe has a lot to say on and off-screen. Neil and Joe talk about his acting career, growing up in the city, and that video he made for Marvin Rees's re-election campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a long stint working in Bristol's nightlife, in March Carly Heath was appointed by the council as Bristol's first ever Night-time Economy Advisor. Carly is charged with supporting a battered industry recover from the pandemic and for improving the vibrancy and safety of Bristol's nightlife for all. Neil and Carly cover the raging debate on sexual entertainment venues, drugs testing and a new set of 'Bristol Rules' to make the dancefloor safe and fun for everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elected in May 2021, Mark Shelford is the first party political Policeand Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Shelford isresponsible for helping to set the overall policing strategy for Bristoland the wider region, covering 16 parliamentary constituencies. Neil andMark discuss the Police and Crime Bill, the riot and protests in Bristol, and how policing can be just and effective in an area as diverse andAvon and Somerset. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karin Smyth became Labour MP for Bristol South in 2015 after a career working in the NHS. Since she has had to navigate the political turmoil of Brexit, snap elections, and infighting over the Labour leadership. She talks to Neil Maggs about her working-class background, why she thinks the mayoral system is undemocratic and why the influence of the Merchant Venturers should be limited. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kerry Bailes is a longstanding campaigner for Hartcliffe and a leading voice among parents seeking a solution for the Special Educational Needs and Disability provision crisis in the city. Elected as a Labour councillor in May 2021, Kerry is taking the fight inside the council and to represent Hartcliffe and south Bristol working class communities and make change happen for parents and special educational needs children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Society of Merchant Venturers often gets talked about inconspiratorial tones. Forced into the limelight by the toppling ofColston, the Merchants have come under greater scrutiny for past andpresent practices. According to the Society, they are opening up more tothe public, confronting their history and diversifying their membership.They say that far from controlling the city they are just successfulprofessionals who donate time, skills and money to worthy causes. Butalong with relatively low profile members, they also count some of thecity's biggest corporate big-whigs, controversial bosses, ConservativeParty donors and a leading climate change denier. Why does the Societystill exist and what are the roles it plays in the city today? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is introducing a new law claiming to defend freedom ofspeech, amid an alleged crisis on British university campuses of 'cancelculture' and de-platforming. But is it really the case that freedom ofexpression is being unduly restricted in our society? Or is it anexaggerated distraction from bigger issues? Harry Walker of BristolUni's Free Speech Society has been at the centre of the debate. Neilsits down with Harry to thrash it out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Brian was a anarchist activist in Bristol and south Wales in the 90s and early 2000s. Unknown to him and fellow activists, deep undercover in in their groups were police officers.For years, the officers immersed themselves with the activists, got stuck into direct actions and even had long term relationships and parented children under false pretences. The shocking revelations continue to come to light in a official inquiry that is on track to be longest ever in British history. Neil talks to Chris about his experiences as an activist and current work researching the activities of the officers, some of which he knew as friends and allies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Holbrook is an award winning filmmaker from Hartcliffe, south Bristol. His diverse films range from horror to comedy, and are often rooted in the experience of council estates and working class communities. Paul and Neil discuss ‘classism’ in the film industry, whether the importance of class is being underplayed in a national debate dominated by the media and cultural elites. They dive deep into the furore caused by a recent report by Parliament’s Education Select Committee, that implied that a focus on addressing racism toward students was leaving white working class children behind.Paul's most recent film Hungry Joe (Content Warning) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj2NmOZ8i-s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Bristol Unpacked, presenter Neil Maggs interviews Ivan Jackson on coming out during the AIDs crisis, how Peter Tatchell fought for equality legislation and was hated for it, how to tackle countries where being LGBTQ+ is still punishable by death, the additions of trans and queer to LGBTQ, and transphobia and Twitter. Plus being left off the Bristol Live’s Pink List! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with season 4 of Bristol Unpacked. We kick-off with a conversation with leading local sports coach Rayan Wilson. Rayan has been involved in training amateur and elite athletes in Bristol and beyond, and chats with Neil about the ongoing controversy over taking the knee and how clubs can do better at nurturing diverse and inner-city talent for the beautiful game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A pub landlord, a socialist, a porn producer, an anti-lockdown advocate, and a tree lover: The five candidates from smaller parties or independents running for City Hall.Interviews with the smaller party or independent candidates in the running for Bristol mayor:Sean Donnelly, independent (01:53), Tom Baldwin, Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (20:50), John Langley (35:11), Robert Clarke, Reform UK (53:52) and Oska Shaw, independent (01:04:10) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marvin Rees is standing for the third time as a candidate for Bristol mayor. Having lost in 2012, Rees came back to comfortably win in 2016. Now after 5 years in office, Rees has a record to promote and to defend, attracting a lot of support and criticism from diverse quarters. In this in-depth interview, Neil and Marvin get into the personal, political and policy of the current mayor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caroline Gooch is hoping for a dramatic improvement on the party's 2016 result of 8,000 votes to clinch the mayoralty, and then work to scrap it by referendum in three years. Neil and Caroline talk about her professional background in the pharmaceutical industry, being the only women in the running and what the Lib Dems are offering voters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Greens are positioning themselves as the rightful heirs of Bristol’s green and progressive credentials. But having come fourth place in 2016, they have a hill to climb. Neil and Sandy chat about who will ‘get things done’ for the city and whether the Greens can cut through to the electorate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its hard to say that the Conservatives have a strong electoral record in the city, but the businessman and former councillor Alastair Watson thinks he has a shot at unseating Marvin Rees on May 6th. Neil and Alastair chat about the recent protests and policing and what he say’s he’ll do as mayor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Shawn Sobers has been one of the key people behind groundbreaking documentary and community media exploring race and community in Bristol for some time. Now an Associate Professor at UWE’s Film and Journalism Department, Shawn is also on Bristol’s History Commission. Set up by the mayor in the wake of the toppling of Colston, the commission has attracted some flack for its membership and seemingly opaque goings on. Neil and Shawn dig into the context around the Meghan and Oprah interview and how the commission is coming along. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s often rumbles of ‘intergenerational divides’, whether it's over Brexit, if younger or older people ‘have it easier' and so on. At the same time, in a rapidly ageing population, older people are often neglected or sidelined unfairly and unnecessarily according to Ian Quaife of Bristol Older People’s Forum. Neil and Ian dig into the issues and explore how and why this is the case, and what can be done about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big appointments, fan dissent and the trials and tribulations of covering Bristol City FC with Bristol Live’s dedicated club reporter, Gregor Macgregor. Neil and Gregor chat about nurturing talent, why City struggle sometimes and what’s next for the south Bristol team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has stepped up their so-called ‘war on woke’ in the ongoing contest for Britain’s historical memory. With Bristol finding itself at the centre of the debate, Neil chats with the director of the city’s most celebrated event, St Pauls Carnival, on whether patriotism can ever be inclusive to include pride in diverse communities, or is it just a right-wing obsession to whitewash the UK’s past? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A self-declared thorn in the side of the mayor’s administration, Clive Stevens has just stood down as a Green Party councillor in the city, due to stress brought about by the pressures of the job. Well regarded across party lines, Clive is a stickler for detail and a campaigner for greater transparency from a mayoral administration that he says is secretive about key policies and projects, which in turn undermines democracy and better outcomes for the city. Neil asks him if his approach is just blocking things getting done, and for his vision of how local government can be better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a long-standing Labour councillor for Easton, Afzal Shah has been navigating the changing face of the neighbourhood and its diverse communities, including the recent dispute about the future of St Marks Road. But his recent appointment as the council cabinet member for Climate, Ecology and Sustainable Growth means an even bigger challenge: The struggle to get Bristol to its self-imposed deadline of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. With nine years to go, Neil and Afzal - old school mates from decades ago - discuss the successes and criticisms of the administration’s work so far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ade Williams is a bit of a celebrity pharmacist. Both around his pharmacy in Bedminster, South Bristol and speaking up in the media for a community-minded approach to healthcare. Neil and Ade talk about the practicalities and emotions of the vaccination effort, and the background and reasons for high levels of scepticism or ‘vaccine hesitancy’ across communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.