Best Luci Weston Podcasts (2024)

1
104: Matt Ottley (The Tree Of Ecstasy And Unbearable Sadness) 1:15:34

37m ago1:15:34

1:15:34

Charlie and Matt Ottley (The Tree Of Ecstasy And Unbearable Sadness) discuss Matt's type I bipolar disorder and how it has influenced this, his latest book, and his life in general. As Matt is also a composer and illustrator and the book involves both, we also discuss in detail the creation of the music and artwork that is a part of the book. Pleas…

1
103: Kate Weston (You May Now Kill The Bride) 30:10

1d ago30:10

30:10

Charlie and Kate Weston (You May Now Kill The Bride) discuss her hilarious comedy thriller wherein a group of friends go on a hen do, one of them is murdered, but they don't stop going to hen dos... Please note there is some swearing in this episode. A transcript is available on my site General references: Below Deck Books mentioned by name or exte…

1
Milestone 05: Liz Fenwick, Emma Cowell, Ronali Collings, Tammye Huf 50:45

8d ago50:45

50:45

Celebrating 100 episodes of this podcast, Charlie is Joined by Liz Fenwick, Emma Cowell, Ronali Collings, and Tammye Huf, for a general bookish chat. We start off with an excellent conversation on the industry's use of 'women's fiction' when the genderless 'commerical fiction' would do very well. Please note there is one use of 'damn' in this episo…

1
Milestone 04: Phillip Lewis, Melissa Fu, Amanda Geard 43:38

24d ago43:38

43:38

Celebrating 100 episodes of this podcast, Charlie is joined by Phillip Lewis, Melissa Fu, and Amanda Geard for a general bookish chat. This is a slightly quieter episode with some incredibly poignant and compelling stories. A transcript is available on my site General references: Seamus Heany's Limbo Phillip quotes from Dorothy L Sayers' Unnatural …

1
102: Manda Scott (Any Human Power) 58:05

24d ago58:05

58:05

Charlie and Manda Scott (Any Human Power) discuss her book in terms of its Shamanist contexts, her informed ideas for how we can change and thus improve the UK political system, and playing Dungeons And Dragons with Terry Pratchett and Fay Weldon. We also discuss Mass Multiplayer Online gaming in the context of both Manda's book and, briefly, ourse…

1
Milestone 03: Elissa Soave, Jenni Keer, Chloe Timms 47:43

29d ago47:43

47:43

Celebrating 100 episodes of this podcast, Charlie is joined by Elissa Soave, Jenni Keer, and Chloe Timms for a general bookish chat. This one is big on writing, branding, and marketing, and, if Charlie dares says herself, is one of the most fun episodes of this entire show. Please note there is a mild swear word in this episode. A transcript is ava…

1
101: Jacquie Bloese (The Golden Hour/The Secret Photographs) 46:02

1M ago46:02

46:02

Charlie and Jacquie Bloese (The Golden Hour/The Secret Photographs) discuss early erotic photography, Victorian erotic stage performances, and the beginnings of bicycle use for women which had a huge impact on female agency. Please note there are mentions of suicide and abuse in this episode A transcript is available on my site General references: …

1
Milestone 02: Alex Hay, Stacey Thomas, Lucy Barker 41:39

1M ago41:39

41:39

Celebrating 100 episodes of this podcast, Charlie is joined by Alex Hay, Stacey Thomas, and Lucy Barker for a general bookish chat with a concentration on the writing. The trio toured together as debuts and we get to witness just how well they work together. A transcript is available on my site General references: Downton Abbey Ocean's Eleven Mary …

1
100: Liz Fenwick (The Secret Shore) 47:57

2M ago47:57

47:57

Charlie and Liz Fenwick (The Secret Shore) discuss the women cartographers who were fundamental in the Allies winning the Second World War and the way women at university at the time had to choose between their career and having a family. We also discuss Liz's love of Cornwall, her use of Dorothy Sayer's Gaudy Night, and we go back a few times to t…

1
Milestone 01: Elizabeth Fremantle, Amanda Geard, Gill Paul, Maggie Brookes 48:09

2M ago48:09

48:09

Celebrating 100 episodes of this podcast, Charlie is joined by Gill Paul, Elizabeth Fremantle, Amanda Geard, and Maggie Brookes for a general bookish chat. We get all philosophical about genre, discuss film adaptations (Elizabeth’s Firebrand is out), whose books we wish we could have written, and best fan encounters. A transcript is available on my…

1
99: Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ (Dazzling) 54:54

2M ago54:54

54:54

Charlie and Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ (Dazzling) discuss Igbo mythology, the differences between polygamy and monogamy in Igbo culture, and the social impacts of colonialism and military coups in Nigeria. Chịkọdịlị also talks about having her characters bother her when she's trying to shower, finding literature in rubbish heaps, and needing a literary re…

1
98: Sarah Marsh (A Sign Of Her Own) 24:08

3M ago24:08

24:08

Charlie and Sarah Marsh (A Sign Of Her Own) discuss the lesser-known aspect of Alexander Bell's work - teaching deaf children to speak - in terms of both the real history and the fictionalised character she created in order to explore the events. This includes snippets about the manufactured rivalry between the two inventors of the telephone; Bell'…

1
97: Natasha Solomons (Fair Rosaline) 48:31

3M ago48:31

48:31

Charlie and Natasha Solomons (Fair Rosaline) discuss Natasha's interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, told from the perspective of Rosaline, wherein Romeo is a groomer and Juliet must be saved from him. We discuss as well Natasha's stylistic choices for her prose and the changes she made to the original ending. Please note that there is a lot of discu…

1
Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Emma Edwards // Green Party 1:14:28

4M ago1:14:28

1:14:28

Emma Edwards is the leader of Bristol Green Party who could well be in charge of the council for the first time after May's local elections. She chats to Neil about the Green's vision for doing politics in a more transparent and collaborative way, how they'd sort out our public transport, and whether they're ready to make the tricky transition from…

1
Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Mark Weston // Conservative 1:08:54

4M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Neil Maggs sits down with Mark Weston, who was first elected as a councillor nearly 20 years ago, and has led the local Tory party for a decade. On the eve of the local elections, they discuss the Tories miserable national polling, the so-called 'war on motorists' being waged by Bristol City Council, and the cultural divides between Bristol's inner…

1
96: Lucy Barker (The Other Side Of Mrs Wood) 43:45

4M ago43:45

43:45

Charlie and Lucy Barker (The Other Side Of Mrs Wood) discuss Victorian mediums both factual and fictionalised - their work, the spiritualism that led to their popularity, the social circles, the rivalry, the rumours of fraud, and the women's roles as early grief counselors. We also talk about the early days of the Suffrage movement and various aspe…

1
Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Jos Clark // Liberal Democrats 1:09:03

4M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

Jos Clark is an experienced local councillor now leading the Lib Dems into Bristol's local elections. A party that used to have strong support in the city has seen its seats dwindle over the last decade. The critic of Marvin Rees and the mayoral system, who helped manoeuvre the referendum on introducing the new committee system, talks to Neil Maggs…

1
Bristol Unpacked Election Special - Tom Renhard // Labour 1:05:32

4M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

Just three years after being first elected as a councillor, Labour's Tom Renhard is now leading the party into May's local elections. Neil Maggs asks him about his record as the city's housing chief, why he thinks the Greens aren't up to the task of being in power and Labour's plans for building new homes, campaigning for rent controls and bringing…

1
95: Jennifer Saint (Atalanta) 43:40

4M ago43:40

43:40

Charlie and Jennifer Saint (Atalanta) discuss the forgotten story of the female member of the Argonauts - Jennifer's use of and changes to the various versions of the mythological story, including her usage of motherhood as a theme, Homer's thoughts on his women characters, the assault of Callisto, and the fact that Jason isn't much of a hero. Plea…

1
94: Elizabeth Fremantle (Disobedient) 43:04

5M ago43:04

43:04

Charlie and Elizabeth Fremantle (Disobedient) discuss the formative life, and Elizabeth's fictionalisation, of Artemisia Gentileschi, a woman painter from the 17th century. Please note that there are many mentions of rape in this episode, and there is also a mention of animal death. The previous episodes with Elizabeth are episode 7 and episode 70 …

1
93: Kristy Woodson Harvey (The Summer Of Songbirds) 59:48

5M ago59:48

59:48

Charlie and Kristy Woodson Harvey (The Summer Of Songbirds) discuss whether we should like her character, Lanier (who stops her best friend and brother being together); the various plot threads she left out of the book (including alternative endings); and US summer camps (both Kristy's experiences, and the effect of the pandemic lockdowns). We also…

1
92: Maggie Brookes (Acts Of Love And War) 36:06

6M ago36:06

36:06

Charlie and Maggie Brookes (Acts Of Love And War) discuss the small group of British Quakers who went to aid refugees during the Spanish Civil War, the way the war tore families apart as people chose different sides, and why she ended her romantic thread differently than might be expected. All referenced media in this episode: Francesca Wilson's In…

1
91: Stacey Thomas (The Revels) 46:59

6M ago46:59

46:59

Charlie and Stacey Thomas (The Revels) discuss English Civil War era witch hunting which includes the methods, the propaganda, and the awful theatre of it all. We also discuss Stacey's inclusion of actual witches in her narrative, and Stacey's recommendations of Wolf Hall and A Little Life. Witchfinder General James VI/I's Daemonologie Hilary Mante…

1
Salma Najjar on experiencing the Gaza war as a Palestinian in the UK 1:01:35

6M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

Salma, a lawyer who spent her childhood in Gaza, shares the 'dystopian' experience of life under occupation and knowing your family are in a war zone, as well as discussing happier memories and pro-Palestinian activism in the UK. Content warning: contains graphic descriptions of war and violence Salma Hajjar is a young trainee solicitor who spent h…

1
90: Celina Baljeet Basra (Happy) 45:08

7M ago45:08

45:08

Charlie and Celina Baljeet Basra (Happy) discuss the experiences undocumented migrants to Western Europe face, French film director Jean Luc Goddard's seminal film Bande À Part, Indian talkshow Koffee With Karan, and Celina's particular usage of Umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh. The Abduction Of Europe A review of 'Park', the 2017 exhibition curate…

1
Ruth Pitter on the role of the charity sector, pioneering Black theatre and her recent MBE 1:00:35

7M ago1:00:35

1:00:35

Neil chats to Ruth, a daughter of the Windrush generation, on her decades of work with Bristol's voluntary and community groups, how that's changed as public services have been cut – and whether she feels conflicted about receiving an honour associated with empire Ruth Pitter has been a stalwart of Bristol’s voluntary sector for decades – and in Ja…

1
89: Rachel Abbott (Don't Look Away) 46:22

8M ago46:22

46:22

Charlie and Rachel Abbott (Don't Look Away) discuss young carers and the guilt they can feel, trafficking in Cornwall - both fact and fiction - and having her series' policewoman staying in the background of the story rather than take the spotlight. (We talk about that a couple of times, I loved it!) Please note that there are mentions of suicide i…

1
BBC journalist Lucy Proctor on mad cows, Covid and conspiracy theories 1:01:40

8M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Bristol Unpacked with BBC journalist Lucy Proctor on mad cows, Covid and conspiracy theories Thirty years ago, BSE was spreading across the UK while the government insisted beef was safe. Neil asks Lucy, producer of The Cows are Mad podcast, about the scandal – and how conspiracy theories have thrived as trust in the establishment has nosedived. Ov…

1
Watershed CEO Clare Reddington on cinema, class and council cuts 55:04

8M ago55:04

55:04

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Watershed CEO Clare Reddington on cinema, class and council cuts As Bristol City Council slashes spending on venues including arthouse cinema Watershed, Neil asks its boss Clare why funding the arts matters, and whether the sector's reputation as catering mainly to the well-heeled is justified. Over the past year Clare…

1
88: Karen Hamilton (The Contest) 40:55

9M ago40:55

40:55

Charlie and Karen Hamilton (The Contest) discuss the specifics of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and the vast support crews, her ridiculously privileged holidaying characters and where their requests are based in reality, and why everyone is obsessed with toilets. We then move on to an extensive discussion of the thriller aspect of Karen's book and whe…

1
ACORN's Wesley Bear on the Barton House evacuation and housing activism in the city 51:46

8M ago51:46

51:46

In the last few months, Wesley Bear has been at the forefront of actions by ACORN. That's the community union known nationally for taking direct action to stand up for tenants' rights, which originated in Bristol almost a decade ago. On 17 November Wesley, ACORN's communications officer, was involved in an altercation with security guards at the Ho…

1
87: Radhika Sanghani (I Wish We Weren't Related) 28:48

9M ago28:48

28:48

Charlie and Radhika Sanghani (I Wish We Weren't Related) discuss having alopecia, healing from being a people pleaser and self-empowerment in general, and her comic novel which includes an ex-fiance turned future brother-in-law, and a father who died, was not dead, but then died - true fictional story. Radhika's book also includes beloved cats, so …

1
Filmmaker Aodh Breathnach on surviving being stabbed – and documenting the aftermath 59:27

9M ago59:27

59:27

Content warning: audio contains graphic discussions of violence Eight years ago, filmmaker Aodh Breathnach was stabbed multiple times during a night out on Stokes Croft, and rushed in a taxi to the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Aodh was lucky. He recovered from injuries to his head and body within a few weeks and tried to put the attack out of his mind,…

1
86: Gill Paul (A Beautiful Rival) 40:43

10M ago40:43

40:43

Charlie and Gill Paul (A Beautiful Rival) discuss the working lives of and rivalry between businesswomen Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, and the antisemitism in the US during WW2. We also discuss our views of Wallis Simpson. We spoke about Gill's book The Second Marriage (Jackie And Maria in the US) in episode 42 The Powder And The Glory Lin…

1
85: Tasneem Abdur-Rashid (Finding Mr Perfectly Fine) 51:59

10M ago51:59

51:59

Charlie and Tasneem Abdur-Rashid (Finding Mr Perfectly Fine) discuss writing a story that hadn't yet been told in novels and working with getting the balance and choices right when it came to writing for Bengali Muslims, Muslims from other cultures, and other readers. We also discuss the guys she cut from the first draft, why she decided to finish …

1
84: Amanda Geard (The Moon Gate) 58:30

11M ago58:30

58:30

Charlie Place and Amanda Geard (The Moon Gate) discuss Tasmania in WW2 and in general, Australia's famed poet Banjo Paterson and his fellow Bush Ballad writers, British Blackshirts and the Mitfords, and the Moorgate Tube Crash in London. On a lighter note, Amanda also tells us much about the writing of her book, including a lot of what she left out…

1
83: Alex Hay (The Housekeepers) 43:53

11M ago43:53

43:53

Charlie and Alex Hay (The Housekeepers) discuss his meticulously planned and fast-paced 1900s heist novel wherein the entire contents of a grand house are to be removed... and the mistress of the place is in on it. Alex tells us about the successful collaboration between himself and his three editors and we discuss the various comedy aspects of the…

1
82: Paula Cocozza (Speak To Me) 47:57

12M ago47:57

47:57

Charlie and Paula Cocozza (Speak To Me) discuss how phones have taken the place of conversation, a number of literary Susans, and Paula tells us about her love of reading and libraries in childhood. The Guardian's story on Kirstie Allsopp smashing her daughter's IPad Susan Cain's Quiet Suze Rotolo's A Freewheelin' Time I am (happy?) to say that Sus…

1
81: Nicolai Houm (The Gradual Disappearance Of Jane Ashland) 38:08

12M ago38:08

38:08

Charlie and Nicolai Houm (The Gradual Disappearance Of Jane Ashland) discuss a unique and somewhat extreme form of coping with grief, where his characterisation blends into his own writer self, and the open ending he left his readers with. Please note that there's some swearing and mentions of suicide in this episode. Wikipedia's article on Anderso…

1
80: Elissa Soave (Ginger And Me) 46:20

1y ago46:20

46:20

Charlie and Elissa Soave (Ginger And Me) discuss including the working class in fiction, writing about neuro-divergence without labels, and social care and society in context. We also discuss Elissa's Greggs habit, writing about her hometown, and why her editor told her 'this is not Reservoir Dogs...' Please note that there is a mild swear word in …

1
Babbasa CEO Poku Osei on working from the inside to change the system 56:19

1y ago56:19

56:19

Poku Osei transitioned from hustling to sell sugar and DVDs in Ghana to running one of Bristol’s most celebrated social enterprises. Babbasa focuses on helping young people access and thrive with new opportunities, including through alliances with corporates and big institutions. But does this ‘social mobility’ approach undermine more wide scale ch…

1
79: Lisa See (Lady Tan's Circle Of Women) 53:22

1y ago53:22

53:22

Charlie and Lisa See (Lady Tan's Circle Of Women) discuss the medieval Chinese woman doctor Tan Yuanxian, whose book is still in use today. We also discuss, in this context, the isolation and disability of being an aristocratic woman in the time period. Please note that there is swearing in this episode. Tan Yuan Xian's Miscellaneous Records Of A F…

1
Kill the Bill riots ex-prisoner, Jasmine York 57:23

1y ago57:23

57:23

"F*** the police!", "Sluts Against Cops" and “We will burn your fucking cars.” These are some of the things Jasmine York said or graffitied during the ‘Kill the Bill’ riots in March 2021. The biggest incidence of unrest in mainland Britain in a decade. Jasmine was jailed in the aftermath for arson. As an activist and now ex-prisoner, what’s Jasmine…

1
S2Ep6 - Exclusive Access (ft. Paul Clayton & Robin Morrissey) 21:16

1y ago21:16

21:16

Ashley finds herself right in the middle of the scoop of the century. Cast includes Bethan Cullinane, James Corrigan, Lucy Phelps, Shazia Nicholls, Paul Clayton, Robin Morrissey & Michael Marcus.By Mushi Mushi Productions

1
S2Ep3 - Curry Sauce (ft. Gaby French & Michael Marcus) 18:05

1y ago18:05

18:05

Ashley visits old turf, and finds a new flame. Cast includes Bethan Cullinane, James Corrigan, Shazia Nicholls, Gaby French, Michael Marcus & Lucy Phelps.By Mushi Mushi Productions

1
S2Ep4 - Precious Little Luck (ft. Laura Elsworthy & Raj Bajaj) 21:53

1y ago21:53

21:53

Ashley may have got lucky last night, but that's all about to change. Cast includes Bethan Cullinane, James Corrigan, Lucy Phelps, Shazia Nicholls, Laura Elsworthy & Raj Bajaj.By Mushi Mushi Productions

1
S2Ep5 - The Moo Loo (ft. Jamie Wilkes) 15:23

1y ago15:23

15:23

Ashley brings up the rear, behind a pioneer at the vanguard of climate science. Cast includes Bethan Cullinane, James Corrigan, Jamie Wilkes & Lucy Phelps.By Mushi Mushi Productions

1
S2Ep1 - Fat Palm Sally (ft. Lucy Phelps) 16:25

1y ago16:25

16:25

Ashley meets a sporting legend who turns out to be a real handful. Cast includes Bethan Cullinane, James Corrigan and Lucy Phelps.By Mushi Mushi Productions

1
S2Ep2 - Dead Ringer (ft. Shazia Nicholls & Laura Morgan) 20:27

1y ago20:27

20:27

Ashley meets Roger's new girlfriend, and gets handed a real tasty scoop. Cast includes Bethan Cullinane, James Corrigan, Shazia Nicholls, Laura Morgan & Robin Morrissey.By Mushi Mushi Productions

1
78: Eleanor Shearer (River Sing Me Home) 50:45

1y ago50:45

50:45

Charlie and Eleanor Shearer (River Sing Me Home) discuss how slavery didn't really end when it was abolished, and Eleanor's experiences studying the Caribbean during this time and the knowledge she gained. We also explore different versions of freedom, and the way Eleanor's family influenced her writing. The Windrush Foundation Samuel Smith's To Sh…

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Luci Weston Podcasts

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