2022 Creators
Hamza Salmi
Who Was Michael X? The untold story of the UK’s most influential Black Power leader.
Hamza learnt of Michael X whilst working on a documentary about the better-known American activist Malcolm X. He discovered a troubled visionary with a chequered past. Michael X led the charge for equal rights for the Black community that still resonates today. But he was also a pimp and convicted criminal who was eventually executed after fleeing the UK.
Hamza Salmi, Audio Lab Creator says: “By understanding Michael X, we can learn first-hand what it was like to be Black in the UK at the time – directly impacted by colonial thinking and power structures. Telling this story in audio is perfect because I have the time and space to talk directly to the listener and together we can try to understand who he really was.”
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Who Was Michael X?
The intriguing story of the once famous Black British activist you鈥檝e never heard of
Hanna Adan
Growing up in Southeast London, Hanna learnt as much as she could about her heritage and culture from family, books, and visits to Somalia. But she soon found herself wondering why Britain’s celebrated museums had more historically significant artefacts than Somalia’s museums had. Why are they here? How did they get here? More importantly, should they be returned? The Museum of Bad Vibes goes in search of the answers whilst giving voice to the restless spirits inhabiting those very objects.
Hanna Adan, Audio Lab Creator says: “I really love museums and without them I wouldn’t know as much as I do about places I’ve never been to. But I also feel they’re not very neutral places and the vibe can seem off. Objects have their own stories, whether spiritual or due to all the hands they have passed through. With an ever-growing discussion on repatriating museum objects to their countries of origins as well as ‘retain and explain’ why they’re here to stay, I think it’s time we heard what the artefacts have to say.”
The Museum of Bad Vibes
Treasured artefacts inside Britain鈥檚 celebrated museums speak for the first time.
Adam Zmith
Adam is passionate about Queer history and culture. He was a co-producer The Log Books podcast which explores untold queer stories through the handwritten notes of volunteers at Switchboard, an LGBT+ helpline since 1974. His first book Deep Sniff, published in 2021, is an exploration of identity, sex, and freedom through a history of the drug 'poppers'.
The Film We Can’t See explores the hidden queer connections between filmmakers across a century of cinema. It is based on imagined audio left by a pioneering film director from Russia, a bisexual Hollywood actress, and a German sexologist fleeing the Nazis.
Adam Zmith, Audio Lab creator says: “I'm obsessed with my queer ancestors, like Magnus Hirschfeld who researched sexuality and gender over 100 years ago. He made discoveries about our bodies that we might think of as hyper modern, but he was campaigning for queer rights before my grandparents were born. Discovering my ancestry as a queer person through these historical figures and their amazing work is a big part of my life and work now. With this podcast I want to give people the same mind-opening moments I've had in exploring our histories.”
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The Film We Can't See
Adam Zmith listens to some lost sound recordings from 1930.
Tommy Dixon
Tommy knew podcasting was for him after discovering Have You Heard George’s Podcast? and Sneakernomics on 大象传媒 Sounds. It was during the build-up to the Euros football final in 2021 when some England players missed penalties in a crucial game – going from heroes to villains in seconds. Tommy began to wonder what it meant to be ‘British’ and why some are expected to prove their ‘Britishness’?
Colouring In Britain explores this idea, charting the stories people of colour who helped shaped what the UK looks like today
Tommy Dixon, Audio Lab creators says: “When I was at school, I didn’t get taught a lot of Black history, so I wanted to champion the people I look up to and highlight their huge contributions to the UK. My podcast includes drama because I want listeners to be transported back to those defining moments, such as1962 when Malorie Blackman was born and the National Front was very active.”
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Colouring in Britain
Uncovering the incredible lives and stories of Britons of colour, past and present.
Talia Randall
Talia Randall grew up listening to experimental radio shows such as Chris Morris’ Jam, that bring together seemingly disparate elements to tell a particular story. Talia has carried this influence with her throughout her career in the creative arts through her writing; teaching and performing.
Blossom Trees & Burnt-Out Cars celebrates stories of wildlife through window boxes and community gardens whilst exploring why some lack access to green spaces and the fascinating work they’re doing to change that.
Talia Randall, Audio Lab Creator says: “I love how personal and intimate audio can be. I like that you can really listen to someone in a way that you can’t always visually. And when we think about nature, we don’t normally think about urban nature or council estates. So, it’s a nice way for a listener to be immersed in and challenge some of the ideas about what nature is and what it sounds like.”
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Blossom Trees Burnt Out Cars
Talia Randall meets the radical ramblers and activist gardeners who are opening up nature
Jade Scott
One of Jade’s earliest audio memories is of an encyclopaedia that played music by national instruments of countries from around the world. It was the start of her passion for research, finding fascinating people and stories.
Jade was drawn to podcasting and as she approached the 2020’s. Reflecting on her life experiences, The Reset was born: a journey through life’s messy middle, activating change and contemplating themes of emotional wellbeing and possibility. Part audio diary, part manifesto, The Reset is a podcast about learning how to live.
Jade Scott, Audio Lab creators says: "I didn’t feel there was anything else I could make. This is a personal journey I’ve been on for a few years, accelerated by hitting 30. I’ve always been on this search for knowledge, particularly from a global perspective. This podcast is about placing Black and Brown women in the conversation about wellness and exploring those themes. Life is for living but the living isn’t easy."
The Reset
A journey through life鈥檚 messy middle, contemplating themes of emotional wellbeing