Best The Bristol Cable Podcasts (2025)

1
PJDS - E014: Taj Ali and the hope in the heart of Luton 1:05:06

7d ago1:05:06

1:05:06

"Tommy Robinson's worst nightmare" is how Taj Ali described his experience at Uni. He came to town for PJDS live to talk about the past, present, and future of trade unionism and activism in the UK. Drawing from his time as an industrial correspondent and his upcoming book on British South Asian resistance, Taj connects the dots between working-cla…

1
Kalpna Woolf: From migrant kid in London to High Sheriff of Bristol 57:42

10h ago57:42

57:42

This week we’ve got the next instalment of Bristol Unpacked for you. Neil managed to get a chat in with our new High Sheriff, Kalpna Woolf. Its one of those mysterious, archaic titles that somehow has stood the test of time, but as Kalpna details, is a world away from its original purpose of enforcing the monarch’s will and collecting taxes… Kalpna…

1
E014: Taj Ali and the hope in the heart of Luton 1:05:06

7d ago1:05:06

1:05:06

"Tommy Robinson's worst nightmare" is how Taj Ali described his experience at Uni. He came to town for PJDS live to talk about the past, present, and future of trade unionism and activism in the UK. Drawing from his time as an industrial correspondent and his upcoming book on British South Asian resistance, Taj connects the dots between working-cla…

1
Unpacked - A year of Green power in Bristol with council leader Tony Dyer 58:56

14d ago58:56

58:56

One year into his leadership of Bristol City Council, Green party councillor for Southville Tony Dyer sits down with Neil to talk about it. They touch on the Green Party's internal dynamics, financial hurdles, and the significant political changes occurring within the city, such as the appointment of the new West of England mayor, Labour's Helen Go…

1
A year of Green power in Bristol with council leader Tony Dyer 58:56

14d ago58:56

58:56

One year into his leadership of Bristol City Council, Green party councillor for Southville Tony Dyer sits down with Neil to talk about it. Is he a Noel type? or a Liam? or a Bonehead? (apparently these are references to a band called Oasis). They touch on the Green Party's internal dynamics, financial hurdles, and the significant political changes…

1
PJDS: MAGA? MWEGA? WECA? Undercover in Reform UK with Sian Norris 1:03:34

20d ago1:03:34

1:03:34

The queue for the women's toilet was tiny at the Reform UK rally according to Sian Norris, our guest this week. She's a journalist who has used undercover reporting to lift the lid on on the rise of right-wing populism and misogyny, particularly in relation to reproductive rights. She's a Senior Reporter at openDemocracy and has written several boo…

1
E013: MAGA? MWEGA? WECA? Undercover in Reform UK with Sian Norris 1:03:34

20d ago1:03:34

1:03:34

The queue for the women's toilet was tiny at the Reform UK rally according to Sian Norris, our guest this week. She's a journalist who has used undercover reporting to lift the lid on on the rise of right-wing populism and misogyny, particularly in relation to reproductive rights. She's a Senior Reporter at openDemocracy and has written several boo…

1
Unpacked: What is a citizens' assembly and how do they work? 59:12

28d ago59:12

59:12

With faith in democracy – and in particular in traditional political parties – at a low ebb, in the UK and elsewhere, this week Unpacked wrestles with whether citizens’ assemblies offer a chance to rekindle the public’s affection. Neil is joined by David Jubb, co-founder and co-director of Citizens In Power, which as its name suggests aims to enabl…

1
What is a citizens' assembly and how do they work? 59:12

28d ago59:12

59:12

With faith in democracy – and in particular in traditional political parties – at a low ebb, in the UK and elsewhere, this week Unpacked wrestles with whether citizens’ assemblies offer a chance to rekindle the public’s affection. Neil is joined by David Jubb, co-founder and co-director of Citizens In Power, which as its name suggests aims to enabl…

1
PJDS - The Great Baldini & the Cribbs Causeway Tesla takedown 48:49

1M ago48:49

48:49

We sent Isaac to Cribbs Causeway to meet the organisers of a local iteration of the international protest movement dubbed Tesla Takedown. The movement has been calling for Tesla owners to sell up and boycott the company in response to owner Elon Musk's involvement in Donald Trump's extremist government. This week, Tesla announced record losses with…

1
SPECIAL The Great Baldini & the Cribbs Causeway Tesla takedown 48:49

1M ago48:49

48:49

We sent Isaac to Cribbs Causeway to meet the organisers of a local iteration of the international protest movement dubbed Tesla Takedown. The movement has been calling for Tesla owners to sell up and boycott the company in response to owner Elon Musk's involvement in Donald Trump's extremist government. This week, Tesla announced record losses with…

1
Unpacked - Cider, Jet skis and the WECA Mayoral Election: BBC journalist Pete Simson 1:05:32

1M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

In this instalment of Bristol Unpacked, Neil is joined by BBC Politics West editor Pete Simson to unpack the upcoming West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Mayoral election. Simson, a veteran political journalist, offers his expertise and breaks down key aspects of the election, discussing the major candidates, voter engagement strategies, and …

1
Cider, jet skis and the WECA mayoral election: BBC journalist Pete Simson 1:05:32

1M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

In this instalment of Bristol Unpacked, Neil is joined by BBC Politics West editor Pete Simson to unpack the upcoming West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Mayoral election. Simson, a veteran political journalist, offers his expertise and breaks down key aspects of the election, discussing the major candidates, voter engagement strategies, and …

1
PJDS SPECIAL Peaceful resistance in the face of Genocide with Iyad Burnat 38:21

2M ago38:21

38:21

Content warning: descriptions of violence and war "The belief in one's rights is more important than anything else. If I am confident about my rights, nothing will make me despair...When you resist an Israeli soldier by peaceful means, their weapons become irrelevant." - Iyad Burnat Iyad Burnat is a Palestinian activist involved in non-violent resi…

1
SPECIAL Peaceful resistance in the face of Genocide with Iyad Burnat 38:21

2M ago38:21

38:21

Content warning: descriptions of violence and war "The belief in one's rights is more important than anything else. If I am confident about my rights, nothing will make me despair...When you resist an Israeli soldier by peaceful means, their weapons become irrelevant." - Iyad Burnat Iyad Burnat is a Palestinian activist involved in non-violent resi…

1
Unpacked: Legendary Bristol photographer Colin Moody 1:00:38

2M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

This week, we’re diving into Bristol’s vibrant nightlife. Neil talks with legendary Bristol photographer Colin Moody who has has been wide awake, capturing the city after dark in his latest project. Colin is no stranger to documenting Bristol’s characters; his previous photography books have brought the streets of Montpelier and Gloucester Road to …

1
Legendary Bristol photographer Colin Moody 1:00:38

2M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

This week, we’re diving into Bristol’s vibrant nightlife. Neil talks with legendary Bristol photographer Colin Moody who has has been wide awake, capturing the city after dark in his latest project. Colin is no stranger to documenting Bristol’s characters; his previous photography books have brought the streets of Montpelier and Gloucester Road to …

1
The Debrief - The Doctors fighting for Barton House residents 23:28

2M ago23:28

23:28

Priyanka sits down to talk with Dr. Amelia Cussans from health justice campaign group Medact. The group recently released a report in collaboration with ACORN the union describing the evacuation of Barton House in 2023 as a mass traumatising event. Amelia and Priyanka discuss this report, its implications and some of the moving testimonies from res…

1
Pause for the cause - The Debrief - The Doctors fighting for Barton House residents 24:04

2M ago24:04

24:04

We're bringing you one more non-PJDS episode from The Bristol Cable's feed this week before resuming our regular schedule. Sit tight. It's The Debrief; where cable journalists take listeners behind the headlines of their latest investigations. Priyanka sits down to talk with Dr. Amelia Cussans from health justice campaign group Medact. The group re…

1
From the archive: Carla Denyer becomes Green party co-leader (2021) 50:53

2M ago50:53

50:53

This week we’re bringing you another episode from the Bristol Unpacked Archives; its Green party MP Carla Denyer who was interviewed by Neil in October 2021, just after her election as co-chair of The Green party and 3 years before her election to parliament as the MP for Bristol Central in 2024. How has she measured up against early commitments ex…

1
Unpacked - from the archive: Carla Denyer becomes Green party co-leader (2021) 50:53

2M ago50:53

50:53

This week we’re bringing you another episode from the Bristol Unpacked Archives; its Green party MP Carla Denyer who was interviewed by Neil in October 2021, just after her election as co-chair of The Green party and 3 years before her election to parliament as the MP for Bristol Central in 2024. How has she measured up against early commitments ex…

1
The Debrief - The Filton 18: The more you oppress people, the more they will rise 20:01

3M ago20:01

20:01

Adam Quarshie, the latest addition to The Bristol Cable's core reporter team, takes the lead in conversation with Sean Morrison about his latest investigation into the trial of the so called Filton 18; a group of activists who broke into an arms factory in Bristol last year (2024). Sean's article: Filton 18: ‘The more you oppress people, the more t…

1
Pause for the cause - 'The Debrief: The more you oppress people, the more they will rise' 20:33

3M ago20:33

20:33

As our season break continues, we bring to you an episode of The Debrief from The Bristol Cable's main feed. Adam Quarshie, the latest addition to The Bristol Cable's core reporter team, takes the lead in conversation with Sean Morrison about his latest investigation into the trial of the so called Filton 18; a group of activists who broke into an …

1
From the archive: Jayde Adams, the slap, Bristolian accent, grief and coming home 54:38

3M ago54:38

54:38

From the archive April 2022 "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 lin…

1
Unpacked from the archive: Jayde Adams, the slap, Bristolian accent, grief and coming home 54:38

3M ago54:38

54:38

From the archive April 2022 "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 lin…

1
PJDS: Pause for the cause - season break and updates 1:42

3M ago1:42

1:42

Producer George is having a week off and the team is busy planning the next batch of guests and an exciting development for the series... Mystery buttonBy The Bristol Cable

1
Pause for the cause - season break and updates 1:42

3M ago1:42

1:42

Producer George is having a week off and the team is busy planning the next batch of guests and an exciting development for the series... Mystery buttonBy The Bristol Cable

1
Bristol Unpacked: Barrister Lucy Reed on opening up the secretive family courts 1:07:38

3M ago1:07:38

1:07:38

Lucy Reed is a barrister in the family courts, where separating couples hammer out child custody arrangements and where, in one of the most severe decisions the state can take, orders are made to take children into care, separating them from their families. On 27 January, journalists were for the first time allowed, with some restrictions, to repor…

1
Barrister Lucy Reed on opening up the secretive family courts 1:07:38

3M ago1:07:38

1:07:38

Lucy Reed is a barrister in the family courts, where separating couples hammer out child custody arrangements and where, in one of the most severe decisions the state can take, orders are made to take children into care, separating them from their families. On 27 January, journalists were for the first time allowed, with some restrictions, to repor…

1
PJDS E012: Door to door divestment: the mum and dad building a boycott for Palestine 54:36

4M ago54:36

54:36

As pro-Palestine marches began ‘shrinking’ last year, St Paul’s residents Matt and Sasha drew on their experiences community organising with the ACORN union to try a different way of influencing public opinion. Inspired by their neighbourhood’s history of mobilising against South African apartheid, they hit the streets to knock on doors and chat to…

1
E012: Door to door divestment: the mum and dad building a boycott for Palestine 54:36

4M ago54:36

54:36

As pro-Palestine marches began ‘shrinking’ last year, St Paul’s residents Matt and Sasha drew on their experiences community organising with the ACORN union to try a different way of influencing public opinion. Inspired by their neighbourhood’s history of mobilising against South African apartheid, they hit the streets to knock on doors and chat to…

1
Dr Patrick Hart: Just Stop Oil petrol station sabotage court case - From the archives 50:45

4M ago50:45

50:45

From the archives - an update Today we bring you an episode from the archives with Dr Patrick Hart. Patrick took action in August 2022 to demand an end to new licences and consents for oil and gas projects in the UK, something which has subsequently become government policy. He disabled petrol pumps at an Esso garage on the M25 on the 24th August 2…

1
Dr Patrick Hart: Just Stop Oil petrol station sabotage court case - From the archives 50:45

4M ago50:45

50:45

From the archives - an update Today we bring you an episode from the archives with Dr Patrick Hart. Patrick took action in August 2022 to demand an end to new licences and consents for oil and gas projects in the UK, something which has subsequently become government policy. He disabled petrol pumps at an Esso garage on the M25 on the 24th August 2…

1
PJDS E011 - How to embed the left in the blockchain, with Joshua Dávila 52:59

4M ago52:59

52:59

Crypto is everywhere just now, after reinstalled President Trump’s recent pronouncements on the subject – including launching his own meme coin, which has soared in value. That’s great, because it gives PJDS a rare aura of being bang on the news agenda, as we sit down with Joshua Dávila, author of Blockchain Radicals, How Capitalism Ruined Crypto A…

1
E011: How to embed the left in the blockchain, with Joshua Dávila 52:59

4M ago52:59

52:59

Crypto is everywhere just now, after reinstalled President Trump’s recent pronouncements on the subject – including launching his own meme coin, which has soared in value. That’s great, because it gives PJDS a rare aura of being bang on the news agenda, as we sit down with Joshua Dávila, author of Blockchain Radicals, How Capitalism Ruined Crypto A…

1
Bristol Unpacked: Ex-Lord Mayor Paul Goggin talks homelessness and mental health 1:07:44

4M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

It’s the coldest time of the year, and Bristol’s homelessness crisis is as bleak as ever. How does it feel to be out on the streets? This week, Neil puts the question to Paul Goggin, ex-Lord Mayor of Bristol, who went through a period of sleeping rough after a relationship breakdown. Goggin has also been open about his mental health struggles – doe…

1
Ex-Lord Mayor Paul Goggin talks homelessness and mental health 1:07:44

4M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

It’s the coldest time of the year, and Bristol’s homelessness crisis is as bleak as ever. How does it feel to be out on the streets? This week, Neil puts the question to Paul Goggin, ex-Lord Mayor of Bristol, who went through a period of sleeping rough after a relationship breakdown. Goggin has also been open about his mental health struggles – doe…

1
PJDS E010: Striking teacher Nik & the ethical gravy train of trade unionism 57:45

4M ago57:45

57:45

Gen Z listeners, do you actually know what a strike is? If not, we’ve got just the episode for you. PJDS this week features Bristol teacher Nik, National Education Union rep and co-host of the Requires Improvement podcast, who joins Isaac with his feet still freezing cold from standing on a picket line in January. So how does one go about organisin…

1
E010: Striking teacher Nik & the ethical gravy train of trade unionism 57:45

4M ago57:45

57:45

Gen Z listeners, do you actually know what a strike is? If not, we’ve got just the episode for you. PJDS this week features Bristol teacher Nik, National Education Union rep and co-host of the Requires Improvement podcast, who joins Isaac with his feet still freezing cold from standing on a picket line in January. So how does one go about organisin…

1
PJDS E009: Jake Hanrahan is not just a gritty Louis Theroux 1:05:35

5M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

“I’m definitely not an activist,” says Jake Hanrahan at the start of this week’s episode, pushing back hard on People Just Do Something’s tagline of being about people who might identify as one. Either way, Jake, who founded grassroots conflict media organisation Popular Front, is a fascinating character. What led him in his twenties to decide to b…

1
E009: Jake Hanrahan is not just a gritty Louis Theroux 1:05:35

5M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

“I’m definitely not an activist,” says Jake Hanrahan at the start of this week’s episode, pushing back hard on People Just Do Something’s tagline of being about people who might identify as one. Either way, Jake, who founded grassroots conflict media organisation Popular Front, is a fascinating character. What led him in his twenties to decide to b…

1
Amanda Sharman on leading the charge for boat dwellers' rights 56:16

6M ago56:16

56:16

Bristol is famous for being a maritime city, and its harbour – a vast area of water and historic docklands regenerated from dereliction since the 1990s – draws tourists from all over the world. But who are the people living on the many vessels moored there? What has led them to choose a boat-dwelling life? And why are they protesting against how th…

1
Bristol Unpacked - Amanda Sharman on leading the charge for boat dwellers' rights 56:16

6M ago56:16

56:16

Bristol is famous for being a maritime city, and its harbour – a vast area of water and historic docklands regenerated from dereliction since the 1990s – draws tourists from all over the world. But who are the people living on the many vessels moored there? What has led them to choose a boat-dwelling life? And why are they protesting against how th…

1
PJDS E008: How to smash the patriarchy for good with Meg & Bryony from SLEEC 1:03:13

6M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

Content warning: This episode tackles issues to do with sexual violence. Burned out and disillusioned by their experience of working in mainstream charities for women who have survived sexual violence, Megan and Bryony took some time out before deciding they could do better. So they set up SLEEC (Survivors Leading Essential Education & Change), a r…

1
E008: How to smash the patriarchy for good with Meg & Bryony from SLEEC 1:03:13

6M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

Content warning: This episode tackles issues to do with sexual violence. Burned out and disillusioned by their experience of working in mainstream charities for women who have survived sexual violence, Megan and Bryony took some time out before deciding they could do better. So they set up SLEEC (Survivors Leading Essential Education & Change), a r…

1
Samira Musse on community power and giving children confidence 1:10:37

6M ago1:10:37

1:10:37

When authorities make plans that affect people’s lives, what do they get wrong – and how can they do better at working with communities? What are the lessons here for the council in Bristol, as it continues to face blowback over traffic restrictions in east Bristol? And why is it more important than ever for young people to have access to safe spac…

1
Bristol Unpacked: Samira Musse on community power and giving children confidence 1:10:37

6M ago1:10:37

1:10:37

When authorities make plans that affect people’s lives, what do they get wrong – and how can they do better at working with communities? What are the lessons here for the council in Bristol, as it continues to face blowback over traffic restrictions in east Bristol? And why is it more important than ever for young people to have access to safe spac…

1
PJDS E007: Led by Donkeys and the guerrilla story wars 1:06:34

6M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

In 2018, four friends in a Stoke Newington pub, frustrated by post-Brexit chaos, had an idea. Weeks later, they were plastering a giant tweet on a billboard. The stunt went viral, and Led By Donkeys was born. Known for bold, satirical interventions, they’ve taken on hypocrisy with billboards, projections, pranks, and daring campaigns. Join Priyanka…

1
E007: Led by Donkeys and the guerrilla story wars 1:06:34

6M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

In 2018, four friends in a Stoke Newington pub, frustrated by post-Brexit chaos, had an idea. Weeks later, they were plastering a giant tweet on a billboard. The stunt went viral, and Led By Donkeys was born. Known for bold, satirical interventions, they’ve taken on hypocrisy with billboards, projections, pranks, and daring campaigns. Join Priyanka…

1
Barry Parsons on Green Party power in Bristol – and whether they can do anything about the housing crisis 55:08

7M ago55:08

55:08

A year on from the Barton House tower block evacuation, and six months after the Green Party became the largest party on Bristol City Council, what has changed as Bristol continues to grapple with a brutal housing crisis? How are the Greens finding being the party of leadership rather than opposition? And if they seized power at a national level, w…

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