South West Londoner

Britain has had its worst year on record for anti-Muslim hate. Mosques have been targeted, and one sound sits at the centre of the argument. Rashmi Varma investigates what the science of sound and fear reveals about the Muslim call to prayer — and asks whether the way we hear it can change.

Brits like to stand firm in preserving the character of the national language – and that means a strong opposition to Americanisms.   In this episode, Abena Oppon speaks to social media personality Chikamso, and academics Professor Lynne Murphy and Christian Ilbury, to find out why people worry about Americanisms, and what is really going on.   Link to tweet referenced in pod: https://x.com/jjammi...

As the Conservative Party continues to struggle to recover from their disastrous result at the 2024 General Election, there are two institutions quietly changing that suggest the decline may be terminal. Millbank Tower, a former Conservative HQ is now a Reform office and Newcastle Conservative Society is now a Reform society. Is this the end of the Tories? Bartholomew Roberts investigates.

You may have seen the #carnivorediet going viral on social media, or major restaurant chains reducing their vegan options.  In this episode, Imogen Mingos speaks to the Vegan Society and plant-based MasterChef finalist Sophie Sugrue to find out why this might be and if veganism is here to stay.

In the final episode of ‘London on Screen’, we will be taking a look at the independent film scene. The past two episodes have delved into both the nostalgic and gritty films that represent London, but in this episode we are looking at the lesser-known and up-and-coming filmmakers within the London film industry. We also speak to a student filmmaker and the founder and director of the Soho London...

In this episode of London on Screen, we explore how the ‘real London’ is shown in film, and what that term really means to us. From Guy Ritchie films to Paddington in Peru, the capital is shown in all different lights, but which one feels most authentic?  Featuring interviews with freelance film critic Bella Madge and producer of ‘Elephant Families’ Elena Escalante. Intro/outro courtesy of RAO Sog...

In this first of three episodes exploring London via the silver screen, we talk about the most iconic films set in London and why we think they’ve made such a cultural impact. --------------------------- Intro/Outro courtesy of RAO Sogno Sospeso Interview sound effect courtesy of Pixabay Hosted by Evie James, Heidi Munn, and Yumna Iqbal

On this episode of Underground Exposure, hostsJacob, Macie, and Keiley take a deep dive into London’s art scene, where talent meets barriers of money, space and access. Emerging artists speak honestly about debt, family, survival and what it really takes to keep creating. From studios to institutions, we ask who gets to make art in this city, and who gets left out. --------------------------------...

Welcome to the Underground Exposure podcast, where we discover how easy, or difficult, it is to make it in London’s music, sport and art scene. Sport plays a vital role in shaping communities, and in a citylike London, opportunities are everywhere, but so are the challenges. In this episode, we take a closer look at what it really takes to build a sporting career in such a fast-paced environment,...

Welcome to the Underground Exposure podcast, where we discover how easy, or difficult, it is to make it in London’s music, sport, and art scene. Music brings people together; it’s a way to form communities and London is full of this. In this episode, we dive into the ideas of social media, along with the financial challenges in London as well as the never-ending opportunities due to being such a c...

When you watch or listen to the news, you're likely to hear just one accent: received pronunciation, an accent so synonymous with major broadcasters that it's been dubbed "BBC English". In this episode, Oliver Whitmore speaks to Investigative and Human Rights Journalist Megan Ioannides, who has reported on accent bias in broadcasting.

When you picture the Winter Olympics, London isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Despite a lack of snow and slopes, Britain helped shape the Games’ earliest moments. From forgotten rinks to untold pioneers, this is the hidden story that changed winter sport forever. Presented and produced by Callum Milne.

Have you ever wondered who voices the announcements on the London Underground? What is it about female voices that makes them more suited to tell you to “mind the gap”? Underground Voices explores the women behind the announcements on the Tube, and why their industry is under threat from AI. Presented and produced by Emily Stevens.

Playwright and contemporary of William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, claimed the Bard was “not for an age, but for all time.” Four centuries later, our age looks very different to his – so does that still hold? This podcast investigates Shakespeare’s place in modern classrooms – from a new Royal Shakespeare curriculum to lessons at a top-ranking London primary school.  Presented and produced by Emily D...

As the anniversary of Rachel Reeves voicing her backing for a third runway at Heathrow came and went, it was clear that the longstanding project is still mired in controversy both local and national. Londoners journalist Rich Brann spoke to some of the major voices demanding that the government to think again, both of them having campaigned for decades against the runway's building.

In this podcast, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington investigates longevity medicine – the booming scientific field and cultural phenomenon which aims to increase human lifespan and health span well beyond what we consider the natural age to die. We hear from Dale, a 44-year-old gaming developer from Australia, who has been involved in the longevity community for almost two decades. He discusses his philosoph...

Blue Monday was labelled the most depressing day of the year more than 20 years ago, before being exposed as part of a marketing stunt. But who decided on this day? How reliable is the research? Why does the idea persist? And what can we truly learn from the concept of Blue Monday? Londoners journalist Alexandra Herlaut Reinhardt speaks to a marketing expert, explores the mental health angle, and...

In November, the Clapham Grand - a nightlife venue and Grade II-listed building located beside Clapham Junction station - turned 125-years-old. In this podcast, we’ll be diving into its history and learning about how it has stood the test of time when London’s nightlife scene is on its knees.

Irish speaking is undergoing a popularity boom, not only in Ireland but in London too. To find out more, the Londoners met up with participants of Croí na Gaelige, an Irish-speaking collective who organise meet-ups to maintain their speaking ability. Presented and produced by Charlotte Wilson. Music: ‘Irish jig’–Musictown (sourced from Pixabay) ‘Fire of the Holy Ghost–Irish Punk Rock Metal with Ba...

16 June marked the celebration of Bloomsday, the anniversary of modernist novel Ulysses by Irish author James Joyce. The day often includes re-enactments of Joyce’s 1922 text, Edwardian dress-up and pub crawls both in Ireland and across the world. Drawing on discussions from Irish actor Frank Grimes and University College London Joyce specialist Scarlett Baron, this podcast episode reminisces on t...

Welcome to Kitt’s Corner, where we talk with inspiring entrepreneurs. Today’s guest is Dianne Yarlett, owner of Nova Fortuny — Teddington’s boutique with a Los Angeles twist. Audio: Dianne Yarlett, Paul Williams, “It’s You" Produced and presented by Kitt Garrett.

‘London’s life drawing revival’ explores how life drawing has adapted to a contemporary context, why it's become so popular now, and what impact Covid had in its transformation. We talk to figures behind some of London’s most exciting classes, including models and artists at London Drawing, to find out more. Presented and produced by Emily Buckley Bunn.

Welcome to the Climate Connection podcast, where we dive deep into the effects of climate change on London. In this episode we discuss the effects of climate change on animals and wildlife in London.  Special thanks to Royal Parks, London Wildlife Trust and Conor Walsh for participating in this episode.  Audio credits: Pixabay and Purple Planet (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Episode image credit...

Welcome to the Climate Connection podcast, where we dive deep into the effects of climate change on London. This first episode is called ‘Weathering Change’ and focuses on the impact climate change will have on the weather system, and what this will mean for those living in London. We have some fantastic guests on this episode, including the Met Office’s Amy Doherty and the Chair of the London Cli...

In the final episode of the Headlock History podcast, Thomas wraps up the findings from previous interviews and aims to tackle the two key questions of the podcast: why was British wrestling removed from TV in 1988, and was the independent wrestling boom in the 2010s a revival of the sport in Britain. Full versions of the whole podcast series are available on the BritWresCentral YouTube account: h...