Best SHON B Podcasts (2024)

1
DJ Fat Tony on why music is better than any drug and the moment of empathy that changed his life 40:47

44m ago40:47

40:47

DJ Fat Tony is one of the most iconic figures of London’s nightlife scene. Tony’s extraordinary four-decade career at the heart of music and clubbing has seen him spinning tracks for everyone from Madonna to Prince, but his rise to stardom was paired with a drug addiction that almost killed him. Tony’s 2022 Sunday Times bestselling memoir ‘I Don’t …

1
Irvine Welsh on toxic masculinity, addiction and softening with age 39:43

8d ago39:43

39:43

There are few writers more renowned for pushing the boundaries of modern fiction than Scottish literary icon and author of the 90s cult classic Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh. Irvine grew up as a working class boy in Edinburgh surrounded by drugs, crime, poverty and unemployment. It was this harsh environment and the people he grew up around that beca…

1
Clara Amfo on speaking her truth, overcoming shame and her favourite B word after Beyonce 45:44

16d ago45:44

45:44

Sometimes to move forward, you have to look back and in today’s episode Annie is joined by her dear friend Clara Amfo who opens up for the first time publicly about the life-altering event in her childhood that changed her forever. Broadcaster, pop culture aficionado and British ‘it girl’ Clara Amfo is an unstoppable force when it comes to British …

1
Amy Liptrot on The Outrun, her journey to sobriety and the healing power of nature 39:31

23d ago39:31

39:31

Bestselling author of ‘The Outrun,’ Amy Liptrot is proof that change is not only possible but life-saving. When Amy found herself in rehab for alcoholism aged 30, she left London behind and returned to her family’s farm on Orkney, a remote Island off the coast of Scotland. Overcoming addiction on an isolated island, Amy found solace in the wild lan…

1
METAPHYSICAL MYSTERIES WITH AUTHOR BROWNELL LANDRUM 21:28

23d ago21:28

21:28

Author Brownell Landrum discusses reincarnation stories, metaphysical mysteries and the reasons why bad things happen. Note: The Curious Professor does not currently work as a mental health clinician. My current profession is a Professor of Psychology and Human Services. The Curious Professor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates P…

1
AJ Tracey on London’s streets and how music saved him from a culture of fear 42:24

24d ago42:24

42:24

AJ Tracey is one of the most influential artists in the UK music scene today but his life could have taken a very different direction had he not made some serious changes. AJ is known for his groundbreaking contributions to grime, drill and UK garage. Last year he celebrated 1 billion streams in the UK and was honoured with the Brits Billion Award.…

1
Michelle De Swarte on the currency of beauty, money and the void from ageing 42:34

1M ago42:34

42:34

Model turned comedian Michelle de Swarte’s life story has more twists and turns than most novels. A born and bred South Londoner, Michelle was scouted aged 19 and moved to New York to begin her modelling career working for the likes of Dolce and Gabbana and Versace. After two decades on the runway Michelle started doing stand up comedy and eventual…

1
YOU CLASSY BEACH WITH AUTHOR JENN SHON 19:02

1M ago19:02

19:02

Writer Jenn Shon discusses the importance of beaches in our lives and how her love of the beach has inspired her creative work.By Karen M. Bryson (Dr. B.)

1
Bella Mackie on anxiety and OCD, marriage and hating wellness 56:31

1M ago56:31

56:31

Our first guest of the series is the phenomenally popular author Bella Mackie. Bella’s debut novel ‘How To Kill Your Family’ was a #1 Sunday Times Bestseller and lined the top 10 book charts for a staggering 47 weeks. It has just been announced that Netflix will adapt the book with Anya Taylor-Joy starring as Grace Bernard. Bella is back with a bra…

1
Changes Focus: Bodies - CMAT, Marian Keyes, Afua Hirsch, Dr Jen Gunter 20:55

2M ago20:55

20:55

In this final Changes Focus of the series we are focusing on Bodies, one of the topics from our popular mini series earlier this year which seemed to resonate with so many of you. With that in mind we’ve pulled out some of the highlights. You’ll hear from the brilliant musician (and fellow Dubliner) CMAT, who gives her refreshing perspective on bod…

1
THE SENSIBLE CENTER WITH PODCASTERS KEVIN O’NEILL AND ROBERT CARUSO 34:16

2M ago34:16

34:16

Podcasters Kevin O’Neill and Robert Caruso discuss the current political landscape in the United States.By Karen M. Bryson (Dr. B.)

1
Changes Focus: Trans Lives - Chelsea Manning, Kae Tempest, Travis Alabanza, Shon Faye 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

This weeks episode of Changes Focus is a celebration of Trans lives. On this podcast we try to build empathy and connectedness through sharing people’s personal stories and the only way we can understand what it’s like to be a Trans person is by actually listening to those people who are living it every day. In this episode we’ve got Chelsea Mannin…

1
Changes Focus: Dealing with Grief - Cariad Lloyd, Grace Dent, Yebba, Jack Rooke 24:14

2M ago24:14

24:14

In this episode of Changes Focus we’re zooming in on a big change that we will probably all experience at some point - grief. Grief shapes us in different ways and hearing other people’s experiences of how they have coped with their loss can help in moving through our own. In this tender and insightful episode, Annie revisits conversations with Car…

1
Changes Focus: Changemakers - Rose Ayling-Ellis, Baroness Kidron, Nigel Bromage, Lady Unchained 25:27

2M ago25:27

25:27

Welcome to a new series of Changes Focus where we focus on a specific area of change and hear multiple perspectives from some of our incredible guests. In this episode the focus is on Changemakers - people who are working hard to drive meaningful, positive change in the world. In this powerful episode, Annie revisits her conversation with poet and …

1
ACTIVISM, ART, AND A LOVE OF ANIMALS LOVE WITH DR. SUNAURA TAYLOR 23:57

3M ago23:57

23:57

Dr. Sunaura Taylor discusses the intersection of disability studies, environmental justice, animal studies, and art practice. The Curious Professor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.…

1
Matt Haig on finally returning to Ibiza, hope and new perspectives 36:21

3M ago36:21

36:21

Aged 24 in Ibiza, Matt Haig’s life changed forever when he had a breakdown. Now 49 he has returned to the island, facing his past head on, returning with a whole new perspective, more optimism, and now, a new book called ‘The Life Impossible’. Matt has sold over 9 million copies of his books worldwide, and they have been translated into 58 language…

1
Annie’s personal revelations on her birthday week 36:51

3M ago36:51

36:51

Hello folks, for this episode I took myself into the rave shed and reflected on the big changes that have taken place in my life over the last year. It’s my birthday week, as I’m a Cancer I am trying to extend it into a whole month. I love any excuse for a party so there will be one of those happening for sure, but I also love, more and more, an op…

1
Decca Aitkenhead on the life changing power of love 59:16

3M ago59:16

59:16

This conversation is astonishing. Prepare to be completely engrossed and moved beyond belief by the phenomenal Decca Aitkenhead. The Chief Interviewer at the Sunday Times, Decca talks so beautifully with a warmth and lightness that contrasts with what she has lived through. The love story between her and her late husband Tony is like nothing else y…

1
Ruby Wax on not passing on ‘the baton of madness’ and the constant of change 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

From inside Ruby Wax’s bedroom, Annie gets up close and personal about Ruby’s life changes - from her troubled childhood and creating a comic persona as a result, feeling like a freak when she became a mother to those famous interviews on ‘When Ruby Wax Met,’ which changed how she was perceived. Ruby’s latest book and touring one-woman play, ‘I’m N…

1
Jack Rooke on growing with grief, using real life for art and being braver 45:40

4M ago45:40

45:40

Jack Rooke is the recent BAFTA winning comic genius behind the incredible multi award winning sitcom Big Boys. Jack won his BAFTA for Best Comedy Writer after using his own life experience of losing his Dad, when Jack was 15, to write and narrate Big Boys. The show follows Jack leaving his mum to go to University where he navigates making new frien…

1
Aderonke Apata on leaving Nigeria to be a free gay woman 35:19

4M ago35:19

35:19

Imagine being forced to leave your country for being gay or face death. This Refugee Week, we welcome Aderonke Apata, a Nigerian refugee who had to leave Nigeria under threat of persecution for being in love with a woman. When she reached the UK, she embarked on a 13-year battle through the UK immigration system including periods of homelessness, d…

1
Vernon Kay on navigating show business, late puberty and keeping family grounded 42:04

4M ago42:04

42:04

Vernon Kay is one of the most recognised people on British TV and radio known for his infectious smile and warm Bolton accent. He first made his mark on Channel 4’s T4 in the early 2000s and has since hosted popular shows like All Star Family Fortunes and Comic Relief. In 2020 he appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! He has been presenti…

1
Miranda July on rethinking everything - marriage, sex and hormones 38:51

4M ago38:51

38:51

Miranda July’s staggering new novel ‘All Fours’ might just completely change the way you think about your life. Miranda is not one for sticking to the rules. An LA based artist, writer and award-winning filmmaker, she has been creating unapologetic, boundary pushing work since her involvement in the Riot Grrrl feminist movement of the 1990s, where …

1
JOURNEY TO AUTHORSHIP WITH HOWARD GERSHKOWITZ 17:30

5M ago17:30

17:30

Author Howard Gershkowitz discusses his unique writing and publishing journey from financial advising to fiction author. The Curious Professor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.…

1
Ahmed Alnaouq on the war in Palestine, family and the power of stories 46:34

5M ago46:34

46:34

On 22nd October 2023, Ahmed Alnaouq woke up to the unthinkable news that 21 members of his family had been killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Ahmed Alnaouq is a Palestinian journalist from Gaza and the co-founder of We Are Not Numbers - a non profit organisation that specialises in sharing Palestinian stories. In this episode, Ahmed shares his…

1
Sara Pascoe on self worth, detachment and reflecting on separated parents 41:59

5M ago41:59

41:59

Sara Pascoe has a magic ability to take life’s absurdities and turn them into comedy gold, but how does she approach change? Sara’s quick, intelligent wit has seen her competing on many of the UK’s most popular comedy panel shows such as QI and Taskmaster and she also hosts ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’. Not only is she one of the country’s foremo…

1
George the Poet on being a Black radical, music and the war on Blackness 48:59

5M ago48:59

48:59

George Mpanga, aka George the Poet, is a voice for change but, is it enough to just be a successful Black man in the war on Blackness? From his humble beginnings in North London with Ugandan parents, to graduating from Cambridge University as well as visiting Uganda, George knows a thing or two about the big changes that can shape your life’s direc…

1
Afua Hirsch on different cultural views on bodies - body hair, puberty, fertility and aging 46:30

5M ago46:30

46:30

Rounding off this miniseries on Bodies, the incredible journalist, broadcaster and bestselling author Afua Hirsch unpacks Eurocentric beauty standards and discusses unlearning some of the myths around women’s bodies. Why do western cultures think body hair is bad? How do non western cultures treat puberty and aging? Can we change how we view our bo…

1
Dr. Jen Gunter answers your questions on sex, periods and menopause 51:39

6M ago51:39

51:39

As part of our Bodies Mini Series, renowned gynaecologist Dr. Jen Gunter tackles your burning questions about your bodies as she and Annie delve deep into the complex world of women's health and the changes involved. Dr. Jen Gunter is the author of bestsellers "The Vagina Bible" and "The Menopause Manifesto," and is the ultimate authority on all th…

1
CMAT on body image, fluctuating weight and Ozempic diets 50:22

6M ago50:22

50:22

To open a new mini series on Bodies we welcome boundary pushing musician, CMAT whose low cut, bum crack exposing dress created one of the most viral moments at the BRIT Awards this year. Her unapologetic attitude towards body image caused a storm on the internet attracting a wave of opinions. CMAT, real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson is a one in a …

1
Marian Keyes 43:32

6M ago43:32

43:32

Spring is here(!) and we begin our new season with global phenomenon Marian Keyes. Marian is one of Ireland’s most prolific and successful writers of all time with her books having sold over 35 million copies worldwide. Marian has won multiple awards and is an expert in honest storytelling. She writes characters you’ll love with imperfections you’l…

1
Changes Focus: Parenting - Zadie Smith, Toddla T, Josh Widdicombe and Jen Brister 24:16

6M ago24:16

24:16

In this week’s Changes Focus we are zooming in on parenting. Whether you are a parent yourself or not, we have all been parented in some way and many of us spend time around people who are parents. We therefore all have experience of parenting and the huge effect it has on our lives. It is no surprise that many of our guests on Changes choose becom…

1
Changes Focus: Education - Dolly Alderton, Louis Theroux, Idris Elba, Rosie Jones and Michael Sheen 26:39

7M ago26:39

26:39

Introducing Changes Focus! where we zoom in on one popular Changes theme and bring you multiple takes from different guests. In this episode the focus is Education. Our younger educational years can really define us, so much change and growth can happen. Many of our amazing guests have cited their school or university years as experiences that shap…

1
Gabby Logan 44:00

7M ago44:00

44:00

Viva la season finale! Where we welcome a total trailblazer and change maker, the iconic sports broadcast Gabby Logan. In her almost 30 year career, Gabby has been at the centre of phenomenal change in a predominantly male dominated industry. She has presented many of the country's biggest sporting events including the Olympics, the Commonwealth ga…

1
Katriona O'Sullivan 54:39

7M ago54:39

54:39

The day after St Patrick’s day, we welcome an astonishing Irish woman who epitomises change; Katriona O’Sullivan’s incredible no.1 bestselling memoir ‘Poor’ has dominated Irish bestseller lists for 10 months. The book documents her life - from living in poverty raised by parents who were heroin addicts, becoming pregnant and homeless at 15 to chang…

1
Ken Loach 38:57

7M ago38:57

38:57

Ken Loach is one of the greatest film directors of all time and a true British icon. He is known for his powerful, socially engaged films including ‘I Daniel Blake’, which won him a BAFTA for outstanding British film. At 87 years old, Ken’s career spans nearly six decades and his long list of awards includes the first ever British Independent Film …

1
Deborah Frances White 39:24

7M ago39:24

39:24

On the week of International Women’s Day we speak to the Guilty Feminist herself, Deborah Frances White. Host of the hugely successful, award winning podcast ‘The Guilty Feminist’, Deborah is also a bestselling author, screenwriter and comedian. Growing up in Australia as part of a restrictive Jehova's Witness community, Deborah describes her teena…

1
Anna Rowe 53:03

8M ago53:03

53:03

Fourteen months after starting a relationship online, Anna discovered that she was a victim of romance fraud. ‘Antony’ wasn’t in fact who he said he was. Now, Anna is using her story to fight for change and is considered an expert in this field. Catfishing, romance fraud and scams are more prevalent than ever. Last year alone the National Fraud Int…

1
Anthony Ray Hinton 55:14

8M ago55:14

55:14

Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on death row for a murder he did not commit. There was no evidence against him, he was charged because he is black. During his time on death row, he made some unlikely friends and never lost hope. Anthony’s incredible story is one of unimaginable injustice but also of resilience and forgiveness. During his incarcer…

1
John Cooper Clarke 26:48

8M ago26:48

26:48

This Valentine’s week we’re celebrating romance with an unlikely agony uncle - the legendary punk poet, also known as the bard of Salford, John Cooper Clarke. A self-confessed romantic, John’s iconic love poem ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ has become one of the most popular poems to be performed at weddings in Britain and was famously used by the Arctic Monke…

1
THE POWER OF REDEMPTION WITH ESSAYIST WAYNE BOATWRIGHT 37:24

8M ago37:24

37:24

Essayist and podcaster, Wayne Boatwright, discusses the complexities of the criminal justice system, mass incarceration, and reentry. The Curious Professor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.…

1
Fern Brady 36:46

9M ago36:46

36:46

In 2020, Scottish comedian Fern Brady was diagnosed with autism. Her award-winning Sunday Times Bestselling book ‘Strong Female Character’ is an incredibly honest and hilarious account of Fern’s life as an autistic girl and woman. Fern regularly appears on comedy panel shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats and Taskmaster as well as touring her own shows all …

1
Kwesia (City Girl In Nature) 38:50

9M ago38:50

38:50

From Deptford to the Amazon - For the final episode in our Joy January mini-series we’re joined by a very inspiring guest. Kwesia, also known as City Girl in Nature, grew up on an estate in South East London and struggled with violence and trauma from an early age but after a life-changing expedition to the Amazon she connected with nature in a way…

1
Michael Rosen 45:27

9M ago45:27

45:27

How do you find joy in the aftermath of tragedy or immense adversity? Celebrated poet, author, professor and broadcaster, Michael Rosen has had to learn to do just that after his son passed away suddenly from meningitis aged 18. Michael himself also came close to losing his own life twice, the second time to Covid in 2020. Despite this, in 2023, he…

1
Gretchen Rubin 36:18

9M ago36:18

36:18

What small changes can you make to your daily life to cultivate more joy? As we continue Joy Month, we welcome to Changes one of the most influential experts in Happiness globally, Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen is a bestselling author who has written six books on the topic of happiness (all of which have become New York Times Best Sellers), including th…

1
Femi Koleoso 44:21

10M ago44:21

44:21

Welcome to JOY January - a mini series! The aim is for you to finish these episodes with more joy to start your 2024. Who better to lead us than the most joy filled musician around - the incredibly talented bandleader and drummer of the award-winning jazz group Ezra Collective, Femi Koleoso. When Femi hits the drums, the world listens. He is on a m…

1
THE MAKING OF IGNORANCE AND CULTURAL DIVISIVENESS WITH DR. HAJAR YAZDIHA 20:43

10M ago20:43

20:43

Sociologist Dr. Hajar Yazdiha discusses immigration, social movements and the mechanisms underlying the politics of inclusion and exclusion as they shape ethno-racial identities, intergroup relations, and political culture. The Curious Professor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designe…

1
RACISM AND RESISTANCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE THE WITH DR. ROB ESCHMANN 27:45

10M ago27:45

27:45

Dr. Rob Eschmann discusses racism and online abuse in the digital age. The Curious Professor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.By Karen M. Bryson (Dr. B.)

1
Nish Kumar 42:09

10M ago42:09

42:09

As we get ready to bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to retrace the highs and lows of the year as we bring you our annual Changes End of Year Special! Annie is joined by comedian, tv presenter and co-host of the new political podcast Pod Save the UK, Nish Kumar. Together they dive into some of the year's biggest political, cultural and societal chang…

1
Dr. Vivek Murthy 39:21

11M ago39:21

39:21

“Addressing loneliness is a public health issue as important as tobacco or obesity”. In a world that is more interconnected than ever via technology and social media, why do so many of us feel lonely? And how can we change that? Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 21st Surgeon General of the United States is the man putting loneliness at the top of the public he…

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