Episodes

  • A Lasting Legacy and the Need for Dialogue

    A Lasting Legacy and the Need for Dialogue
    Jul 20 2022
    Throughout this series, we’ve heard from people from across Birmingham who have shared their thoughts, feelings and concerns around the Commonwealth. In our final episode, we will be looking to the future and asking what legacy we’d like to see the Games leave on the city.Poet and presenter Sue Brown and researcher and educator Judith Bruce-Golding, tell us about their hopes for more open and honest conversations around what it means to be a Commonwealth citizen in the aftermath of the Games.And governance consultant Karl George MBE discusses his hopes for the future of, not just the area of Perry Barr where he grew up, but for the wider city too.Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Nathan Clarke and Anisah VastaProduced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • How Common is the Wealth in the Commonwealth?

    How Common is the Wealth in the Commonwealth?
    Jul 13 2022
    Thousands of Commonwealth citizens arrived in the UK with hopes for a better life and greater prosperity - this was the Common-wealth, a land in which the riches were to be shared commonly amongst all citizens. But for many, these promises did not materialise. Even today, opportunities are limited as a result of race and class. In this episode we’ll be asking - how common is the wealth in the commonwealth? And what does this mean for the coming of the Games?You’ll hear from social justice campaigner Desmond Jadoo, local Jazz artist and history graduate Soweto Kinch, lecturer in biomedical sciences at Birmingham City University Tara Hurst and refugee and migrant legal representative Salman Mirza.Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Nathan Clarke and Anisah VastaProduced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Going Against the Cultural Grain

    Going Against the Cultural Grain
    Jul 6 2022
    In this episode we’ll be hearing from gold medal winning former Team England netball captain and Commonwealth Games board member Ama Agbeze about how she succeeded in the world of sport, despite her family’s concerns for her chosen career path. She also discusses her hopes for what the 2022 Commonwealth Games will bring to the city and why we should all be excited. We also talk to ex BBC Africa journalist and Migrant Voice ambassador Selbin Kabote and Stop Asian Hate activist and former British Soldier V.Ng - they discuss identity, education and the realities of being an immigrant in the UK.Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Anisah Vasta, Aida Fofana and Nathan Clarke.Produced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Settling In The Second City

    Settling In The Second City
    Jun 29 2022
    Settling in a new country is a daunting task - new migrants must quickly adjust to a new culture, new language, new people and a new way of life. In this episode, Shenaz Petkar and Tameka Beckford share their experiences of settling in the second city. We also speak with Dr Yemisi Akinbobola, senior lecturer in media and culture at Birmingham City University. She discusses the British Empire’s impact on the development of Commonwealth countries. She also touches on the devastating impact centuries of colonialism has had on women’s rights in Africa.Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Nathan Clarke, Anisah Vasta and Aida Fofana.Produced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • The Transformative Power of The Arts

    The Transformative Power of The Arts
    Jun 22 2022
    In this episode we will be taking a deep dive into how the Commonwealth has influenced art and culture, and how art has the power to initiate conversation and positive change.We will be speaking to the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s baton designer and Midlands based artist Laura Nyahuye, about the work behind the Baton project and how her Zimbabwean heritage influenced the design.We’ll also be talking to Louise Lansdown, who was born and raised in South African. Louise is now Head of Strings at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and discusses the need for change, better representation and diversity in music curriculums.You’ll also hear from Maryam Wahid, a British Pakistani photographer and artist, who tells us all about how her trip to Pakistan helped her to create an exhibition showcasing her family’s history and how it helped her to better understand her own identity. Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Anisah Vasta, Aida Fofana and Matt MillardProduced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • The Incredible Women Paving The Way for South Asian Women in Sport

    The Incredible Women Paving The Way for South Asian Women in Sport
    Jun 15 2022
    In this episode of the Commonwealth Stories podcast, we’ll be speaking to the inspirational women who have paved the way in making sport accessible to all.You’ll hear from Bangladeshi cycling coordinator Meena Bibi. We’ll also be speaking with cricket coach and umpire Salma-Bi, who was the first British Muslim woman to play county cricket and was also one of the sports first ever South Asian female umpires. Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Anisah Vasta.Produced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • How Has The Commonwealth Shaped Birmingham?

    How Has The Commonwealth Shaped Birmingham?
    Jun 8 2022
    In this episode we’ll be beginning to take a look at how the Commonwealth has shaped the Birmingham we know today - A city known for its vibrant cultures and diverse communities. You’ll hear from Senior Lecturer and course leader for Black Studies at Birmingham City University Tony Talburt.We’ll also be speaking to Geoff Thompson, a five time karate world champion and Deputy Chair of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.You’ll also hear from Balti restaurant owner Zaf Hussain - hear all about how Zaf’s family brought the taste of Pakistan and India to Birmingham.Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Nathan Clarke and Anisah Vasta.Produced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • The Land of Milk and Honey

    The Land of Milk and Honey
    Jun 8 2022
    In this episode you’ll hear from legendary photographer, artist and activist Dr Pogus Caesar and history teacher and Black Heritage Walks organiser Marcia Dunkley; they reflect on their upbringings as children of the Commonwealth from the Caribbean.We also speak with PHD international student and award winning campaigner from Punjab, Jaspreet Signg.Our guests tell their personal stories, discuss the importance of reflection and share their thoughts on the Commonwealth games coming to Birmingham this July.Commonwealth Stories is a Laudable production by Birmingham Live.This episode was written and hosted by Nathan Clarke.Produced, edited and narrated by Matt Millard.Title music by KIOKO.Read more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and sign up to our free newsletter here - www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/commonwealth-games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins