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On the show
From 13 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
Talk Club’s Gavin Thorpe – moving the dial on men’s mental health
Jun 22, 2026
1h 06m 12s
Ben Carpenter: what should youth services look like?
Jun 8, 2026
59m 53s
Paul Smith: spending £20m and not betraying Hartcliffe
May 26, 2026
1h 02m 55s
Yassin Mohamud: Bristol's first Somali lord mayor
May 11, 2026
49m 33s
Lewis Wedlock: towards a positive masculinity
Apr 13, 2026
1h 01m 52s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/22/26 | ![]() Talk Club’s Gavin Thorpe – moving the dial on men’s mental health | Talk Club, set up in a Bristol pub seven years ago, offers a space for men to get together and discuss their mental health. That’s something too few of us still do, as shown by the horrible statistic that in the UK, a man dies by suicide roughly every 90 minutes – the length of a football match.With this episode recorded during Men’s Health Week, and with the World Cup bringing many men together in a highly emotional state, it seemed an appropriate time to sit down with Gavin Thorpe, one of Talk Club’s two founders.The clubs have rapidly expanded, to 150 branches across the country. But with suicide still the biggest killer of UK men under 50, the need to talk remains urgent. Why are we men so reluctant to open up about what’s getting us down? Are Talk Club’s activities moving the needle? And do young men – far more in touch with emotions than their grandads – offer hope?Content warning – this episode, as you might have guessed, contains discussions of suicide and mental ill health. But it’s a great chat, and by no means all doom and gloom – hope you enjoy.The Bristol Cable is Bristol's community-owned cooperative newsroom – fiercely independent journalism that puts people before profit. Since 2014, we've been holding power to account through investigative reporting, community campaigns, and democratic media ownership. Because when journalism serves the community, not shareholders, real change becomes possible.Support independent journalism and help us bring more vital conversations to Bristol: become a Bristol Cable member. | 1h 06m 12s | ||||||
| 6/8/26 | ![]() Ben Carpenter: what should youth services look like?✨ | youth servicesgovernment investment+4 | Ben Carpenter | Grassroot CommunitiesThe Bristol Cable | DocklandsSt Paul’s+1 | youth servicesgovernment plans+5 | — | 59m 53s | |
| 5/26/26 | ![]() Paul Smith: spending £20m and not betraying Hartcliffe✨ | local governmentcommunity investment+3 | Paul Smith | The Bristol CablePride in Place+1 | Hartcliffe | HartcliffePaul Smith+3 | — | 1h 02m 55s | |
| 5/11/26 | ![]() Yassin Mohamud: Bristol's first Somali lord mayor✨ | politicscommunity+3 | Yassin Mohamud | The Bristol Cable | BristolLawrence Hill+2 | BristolSomali+5 | — | 49m 33s | |
| 4/13/26 | ![]() Lewis Wedlock: towards a positive masculinity✨ | masculinityeducation+3 | Lewis Wedlock | Masculinity in SchoolsNetflix+5 | Bristol | masculinities educatormanosphere+2 | — | 1h 01m 52s | |
| 3/30/26 | ![]() Kerri Matthews: what happens when parents go to prison?✨ | parentingprison+2 | Kerri Matthews | EveryFamilyUnpacked+5 | BristolSouth Gloucestershire+1 | EveryFamilyBristol+3 | — | 59m 40s | |
| 3/16/26 | ![]() Heather Williams: trauma, community and healing in south Bristol✨ | traumacommunity+2 | Heather Williams | UnpackedKnowle West Park+3 | BristolHartcliffe | Knowle West ParkMax Dixon+3 | — | 1h 02m 42s | |
| 3/2/26 | ![]() Edson Burton: what is culture and who does it belong to?✨ | cultureidentity+2 | Dr Edson Burton | Radio 4The Bristol Cable+1 | BedfordBristol+1 | cultural identityBristol City of Culture 2029+2 | — | 1h 04m 04s | |
| 2/16/26 | ![]() Joe Joyce: rugby, resilience and returning to the West Country✨ | rugbyresilience+2 | Joe Joyce | Bristol BearsGloucester+5 | the West CountrySouthmead+3 | Bristol BearsGloucester+3 | — | 56m 36s | |
| 2/2/26 | ![]() Ani Townsend: art, inequality and the case for universal basic income✨ | universal basic incomeart+3 | Ani Townsend | The Bristol CableBristol+1 | BristolUK | Bristol City of Cultureeco-populism+1 | — | 1h 03m 05s | |
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| 1/19/26 | ![]() Clare Moody: policing, power and a political cancellation✨ | policingpolitics+1 | Clare Moody | The Police FederationThe Bristol Cable+2 | AvonSomerset+1 | LabourAvon and Somerset+3 | — | 58m 12s | |
| 12/15/25 | ![]() Bristol Temple Quarter: can regeneration be inclusive?✨ | regenerationinclusivity+4 | Lyn Garner | DingsBristol Unpacked+5 | Lawrence HillBarton Hill+2 | Bristol Temple QuarterTemple Meads+3 | — | 59m 29s | |
| 12/1/25 | ![]() DIY wealth redistribution, with Bristol Redistro’s Frances Howe✨ | wealth redistributioninequality+2 | Frances Howe | Bristol Redistro’sGreen Party+4 | Knowle WestHengrove+2 | Bristol RedistroGreen Party+5 | — | 44m 29s | |
| 11/17/25 | ![]() Unpacked – Darren Jones: from Lawrence Weston to Starmer’s right-hand man✨ | politicsBristol+2 | Darren Jones | LabourReform+4 | Lawrence WestonBristol+1 | Keir Starmerpublic support+2 | — | 48m 50s | |
| 8/11/25 | ![]() WECA Mayor Helen Godwin - redefining regional leadership and sorting out the buses | Our guest today is no stranger to the show. Back in 2020, Neil spoke with Helen Godwin when she was a Bristol City Councillor. A lot has changed since then. Not only has the Bristol mayoral role been abolished, but a new Labour government is in power, and Helen Godwin now holds one of the West Country's most important political positions: the Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).In May, Helen won the election and has since been settling into her new role. We've brought her back on the show to get the inside scoop on her first few months in office. What has she accomplished, and what challenges has she faced? We unpack what it's really like to be the WECA Mayor.Helen has often described herself as an empathetic and caring leader, a stark contrast to her predecessor, Dan Norris, who was known for his disagreements with local leaders. We explore her plans for building better relationships with local bigwigs and improving morale within the WECA office. What does she think she can realistically achieve during her four-year term?The Bristol Cable is Bristol's community-owned cooperative newsroom - fiercely independent journalism that puts people before profit. Since 2014, we've been holding power to account through investigative reporting, community campaigns, and democratic media ownership. Because when journalism serves the community, not shareholders, real change becomes possible.Support independent journalism and help us bring more vital conversations to Bristol: become a Bristol Cable member. | 1h 03m 01s | ||||||
| 7/28/25 | ![]() Lee Haskins: The world champ boxer who never left Lockleaze | Neil scored a conversation with Bristol's homegrown boxing legend, Lee Haskins. You might know him as a former world champion, but today, ten years on from that victory, the two catch up to talk shop about Lee's ongoing legacy.He now runs his own family gym, Round One Boxing, where he trains and teaches alongside a roster of other professional fighters. They talk family life; some of Lee's kids are following in his footsteps and stepping into the ring. Is that hard to watch as someone who's been through the highs and lows of professional sport?You don't need to be a boxing fanatic to appreciate this one. Lee is a local and global legend and has an interesting and engaging outlook on life, health, family, Bristol and of course boxing.The Bristol Cable is Bristol's community-owned cooperative newsroom - fiercely independent journalism that puts people before profit. Since 2014, we've been holding power to account through investigative reporting, community campaigns, and democratic media ownership. Because when journalism serves the community, not shareholders, real change becomes possible.Support independent journalism and help us bring more vital conversations to Bristol: become a Bristol Cable member. | 57m 28s | ||||||
| 7/14/25 | ![]() Mythbusting Islam & Islamophobia, with Rizwan Ahmed | Trigger Warning: Contains discussions about grooming gangs in the second halfThis week it’s another episode of Bristol Unpacked. Islam is back in the firing line of the culture wars, with a new legal definition being drafted by Labour, and the grooming gang scandal very much overlapping with far-right narratives about the religion. We wanted to hone in on this national issue, as it's one having a ripple effect in neighbourhoods across the nation, including in Bristol. Bristol Muslim Cultural Society Director, Rizwan Ahmed, joined Neil to debunk common misconceptions about Islam, and to talk through his mission to strengthen inter-faith community ties through education. Rizwan gives us an insight into the normalcy of life as a British Muslim and answers some of those burning questions many non-Muslims might have: What are the foundations of the faith? What is the deal with Sharia Law? And perhaps most importantly; how can you spot a British Muslim in Mecca?The Bristol Cable is Bristol's community-owned cooperative newsroom - fiercely independent journalism that puts people before profit. Since 2014, we've been holding power to account through investigative reporting, community campaigns, and democratic media ownership. Because when journalism serves the community, not shareholders, real change becomes possible.Support independent journalism and help us bring more vital conversations to Bristol: become a Bristol Cable member. | 1h 03m 37s | ||||||
| 6/30/25 | ![]() £20m for Hartcliffe: Kirsty Tait on climate change, class & community | Join Neil Maggs alongside councillor for Hartcliffe and Withywood Kirsty Tate, to talk about class & climate justice in her community. Kirsty is the Climate Action Manager at Heart of BS13, and is a co-author of The Just Transition Declaration which is all about ensuring climate policies are fair for everyone especially those most negatively impacted. This is particularly relevant in Bristol, where controversies like the Clean Air Zone and East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood have sparked debate topics we’ve covered on Unpacked before.Hartcliffe has just received £20 million as part of a national government scheme to support communities in driving change. The goal? To ensure ‘left behind’ areas are ‘no longer ignored’ in the government’s own words. Hartcliffe is one of only two areas in our region (the other being Swindon) to secure this funding.So, what does this mean? How should the money be used? What matters most locally? And how can residents shape these decisions?The Bristol Cable is Bristol's community-owned cooperative newsroom - fiercely independent journalism that puts people before profit. Since 2014, we've been holding power to account through investigative reporting, community campaigns, and democratic media ownership. Because when journalism serves the community, not shareholders, real change becomes possible.Support independent journalism and help us bring more vital conversations to Bristol: become a Bristol Cable member. | 1h 00m 11s | ||||||
| 6/16/25 | ![]() From Eastville to LA (via Wigan): Bristol Northern Soul Club | We're going up north – or actually, the north is coming down south to Bristol. You've probably clocked by now that there's been a massive Northern Soul revival in the city, so we thought we'd unpack what it's all about.This week, Neil talks to Levanna McLean and her mum, Eve Arslett. It started when Levanna began doing Northern Soul dances during lockdown. Her mum filmed it, they pushed it out on socials and it blew up. They've featured everywhere: from BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour to the New York Times.They then set up the Bristol Northern Soul club night. It kicked off at The Assembly in Old Market and has recently moved to the Eastville Social Club – an historic working men's club in an Ikea car park.So, why is a scene that started in the sixties taking off in Bristol now with a whole new generation? We try and unpack all of this...Bristol Northern Soul on HeadfirstLevanna McLean | 54m 53s | ||||||
| 6/2/25 | ![]() Kalpna Woolf: From migrant kid in London to High Sheriff of Bristol | 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 talks us through her upbringing as a first generation migrant kid in London and the life experiences which led her to this point, as an ambassador of community cohesion across cultural divides. It’s a good one, and feels poignant in this current political climate where migrant has become a dirty word.Kalpna founded 91 Ways – an organisation using the power of food to connect Bristol's 91 language communities. She also set up the Be Onboard initiative which aims to diversify boardrooms, making them representative of the communities they serve. She's been a boss at the BBC and a board member for University of the West of England. | 57m 42s | ||||||
| 5/19/25 | ![]() A year of Green power in Bristol with council leader Tony Dyer | 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 occurring within the city, such as the appointment of the new West of England Combined Authority mayor, Labour's Helen Godwin. They unpack some key local issues from the past year, including the controversial East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme, Yew Tree Farm and more generally, budget constraints impacting public services. Also, the rising wave of right wing populism and how that might impact Dyer's stomping ground in South Bristol in the years ahead. | 58m 56s | ||||||
| 5/5/25 | ![]() What is a citizens' assembly and how do they work? | 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 enable citizens to lead decision-making and shape the future.Citizens’ assemblies offer a representative group of people the chance to deliberate on thorny issues – such as abortion or assisted dying – in a much more nuanced way than, for example, the Brexit referendum did. They are meant to provide a safe space for people to respectfully disagree, something that has become harder in our age of polarised opinion, and to find solutions that are acceptable for all.This year, Jubb will be collaborating with Trinity Community Arts and St Paul's Carnival on Citizens for Culture, a West of England-wide project to explore how creative opportunities can be more inclusive and accessible for everyone in the region. How will that work then? Who will be involved? And what would success look like? Tune in for another thought-provoking chat… | 59m 12s | ||||||
| 4/21/25 | ![]() Cider, jet skis and the WECA mayoral election: BBC journalist Pete Simson | 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 the complexities of local political dynamics here in Bristol. How do you cover local political content in an engaging way? And what might be the impact of recent scandals and controversies on the WECA election results? Listen on to find out.Politics West | 1h 05m 32s | ||||||
| 4/7/25 | ![]() Legendary Bristol photographer Colin Moody | 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 life. Now, he’s turned his lens to the nightlife, working for the past five years (yes, even through lockdown) alongside Jasmine Yaba Ketibuah-foley. Neil chats with Colin about his new book, the decline of nightlife across the UK, and why clubs are closing left and right. Is it the cost of living? Post-pandemic struggles? And what about the rave scene—is it still the cultural force it once was?Plus, should a man of Colin’s age really be out until 4 AM taking photos? Shouldn’t he be at home with a cup of cocoa? Tune in for a brilliant conversation about art, nightlife, and the soul of after-hours Bristol. | 1h 00m 38s | ||||||
| 3/24/25 | ![]() From the archive: Carla Denyer becomes Green party co-leader (2021) | 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 expressed in this interview? Check out her voting record and see for yourself.Original Copy - October 2021:Carla Denyer, an elected councillor in the city, has just won the leadership of the Greens alongside Adrian Ramsay. With Labour shifting to the right, and concern about the climate crisis starting to become mainstream, Denyer thinks this is the moment for Greens, in the UK and beyond. But can they get out of their pigeon-hole and reach a wide range of society? Will internal divisions rock the party like they have others? And what does this all mean for Bristol? Join Neil for an in depth interview on Carla's background, politics and plans.An audio excerpt of a council meeting is used courtesy of Bristol City Council. | 50m 53s | ||||||
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