Audio Stories by The Spill

If you live in the UK in 2022 - or most parts of the world for that matter - you’re more than likely to be aware of the mass inflation happening, which is worsening day by day. The cost of living has gone up exponentially, and 10 million UK adults are struggling to make ends meet, according to HR News, far more than they were just six months ago. Author: Phoebe Jenkins Category: LIFE Listen to the...

The deep thud of the bass and the repetitive magic of the synth so often employed in textbook Charli XCX songs provide that dopamine kick my brain so crucially needs. Author: Eleanor Noyce Category: ARTS Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Arts-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/arts

Music is such an emotive experience. Few forms of art can move us quite so powerfully; it has the ability to inspire, to connect to others, and, arguably, the most important of all, it can influence us emotionally and physically. Author: Emma Flint Category: LIFE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Arts-related stories, head to https://www.thespillm...

The Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial has been incredibly triggering for many folks - especially those of us with personality disorder (PD) diagnoses. Not only do Heard and Depp both have Personality Disorders, but their mental state has become intrinsic to the spectacle - interestingly, all of it unfolding during Mental Health Awareness Month. Author: Dayna Latham Category: CULTURE Listen to the...

In David Allain’s Revelations, a cinematic short film about family, grief, and acceptance, a young man, Drew, attends the funeral of his estranged mother and remembers a few moments that defined their relationship. Despite years of pain, Drew decides to see if his family’s differences can be reconciled before time runs out. Author: Jennifer Hakim Category: CULTURE Listen to the full story, or read...

Like so many other disabled people, I found my community on Twitter. And I'm terrified to lose it. Author: Rachel Charlton-Dailey Category: LIFE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Life-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/life

The Korean culture wave has been taking the world by storm for a while now, and Pakistan is no exception. With the ever increasing global fanbase for K-pop, Grammy-nominated superstars BTS, the K-beauty phenomenon and Oscar-winning Korean cinema, South Korea has seen a significant increase in touristic interest - with a cultural and economic impact that can’t be denied. Author: Arsh Khan Category:...

Yes, it’s Earth Day. And while this should be a day of celebration for us earthians, this is also a time to face some hard truths. The 2022 IPCC report is clear: the planet is set to reach the 1.5ºC level within the next two decades, and only the most drastic cuts in carbon emissions will help prevent an environmental disaster. Author: Jennifer Hakim Category: ENVIRONMENT Listen to the full story,...

It’s Ramadan, a month filled with a healing, nurturing, and spiritual experience for millions of Muslims globally. I’ve been fasting for Ramadan as far as I can remember - I think I was around twelve - and my journey has never really been smooth. The month makes me extra aware of my own thoughts and behaviour. Author: Chourouk Gorrab Category: SELF Listen to the full story, or read it online - als...

A few days ago, French president Emmanuel Macron recognised, during an interview on French radio France Inter, that he “failed to restrain” the rise of far-right movements in the country. His admission, expressed without any form of regret, highlights France’s ambivalent position when it comes to the far right. Author: Cara Doumbe Kingue Category: POLITICS Listen to the full story, or read it onli...

Conditioned to 'add', I now choose to subtract clutter from my life and to-do list, and it has preserved my mental health. Author: Edikan Umoh Category: LIFE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/life

I want to go back to celebrating my father on Father’s Day, so I talked to the folks who found ways to keep this day special even after losing a loved one. Author: Jennifer Hakim Category: LIFE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/life

Facing yet another devastating diagnosis, I am now forced to make long term decisions I wish I didn’t have to make so soon. Author: Hannah Turner Category: SELF Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/self

The Western media’s openly racist reporting of the Russian-Ukraine war tells us everything we need to know about why it does so little for refugees who are not “blonde-haired and blue eyed”. Author: Anmol Irfan Category: CULTURE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/culture

At the time of writing this piece, I realise that it’s been 2 years since I last travelled for an extended period of time, and most specifically solo. I started travelling on my own only a few years ago after reading on blogs and hearing from friends just how amazing of a personal journey it was. Author: Chourouk Gorrab Category: SELF Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in...

Some books for everyone that we have been devouring, and what we look forward to reading Author: The Spill Category: CULTURE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/culture

Is the speedy evolution of our vocabulary fully benefiting us, or will it discourage some of us from speaking up? Author: Chourouk Gorrab Category: SELF Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/self

Now in my thirties, I have finally realised that the only person I should try to impress is me Author: Jennifer Hakim Category: SELF Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/self

Because your sweetheart may enjoy this a lot more than a box of chocolates Author: Jennifer Hakim Category: LIFE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/life

It took me years to break away from heteronormative norms and truly appreciate nature’s gift. Author: Shems Rocha Category: SELF Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Self-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/self  

January is here, and with it comes its lot of resolutions. You may have started one of yours already now that Veganuary is here: switching to a plant-based diet. This one is not an easy path, but one of the quickest ways to reduce your contribution to greenhouse-gas emissions. Author: Chourouk Gorrab Category: LIFE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For mor...

And just like that, it was 2022. As we reflect on what we’ve achieved in the past year, we think of the idea of perfection and how difficult of a standard it is to maintain. If there is one thing we can say to sum up 2021, it’s that we have tried our best. Author: Jennifer Hakim & Chourouk Gorrab Category: CULTURE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For...

If you’re one of the lucky few still celebrating Christmas with family at this point, you may be looking into the tunes that will play in the background while you munch on all the delicious goodies.  Author: Jennifer Hakim Category: ARTS Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Arts-related stories, head to https://www.thespillmag.com/arts

We’re finally nearing the end of the year, and looking forward to 2022 being full of (good) surprises. And as we wait for it, we’re preparing ourselves for another round of exciting events around the globe, in arts, culture, and more. Author: Shems Rocha Category: CULTURE Listen to the full story, or read it online - also available in Easy Read . For more Culture-related stories, head to https://w...

It’s that time of the year when you may be looking for charities to donate to, or browsing Christmas gifts that give back to communities. You may be looking for great non-profits to get involved yourself, for the festive season or the new year. Whatever your reason, there are thousands of charities that need support all year long. The selection below directly helps marginalised communities through...