Tough Talks was Podcasting With Purpose‘s first first full production. On the 10th of July, Tough Talks won Best Sex & Relationships Podcast at the British Podcast Awards.
Tough Talks was produced by Reform for Hits Radio & Hits Radio Pride. The series was supported by the Audio Content Fund.
In the series, people from the LGBTQ+ community relive and reflect on a tough talk from their past, covering topics such as gender, sexuality, and identity.
The Podcasting With Purpose scheme has accommodated many podcast productions.
Podcasting With Purposeprovides you with end-to-end production and coaching services from trained, BBC standard producers, as well as editing, upload and podcast promotion, and the chance to record in Reform’s Studio.
Here are some highlights of what is to come on Reform Radio for this year’s Pride Month. Expect shows and an article on our blog which all aim to spread awareness, love and create a platform to educate on LGBTQ+ matters.
Introducing Dan
Introducing Dan is the second piece to come out of the Introducing series, with the first being Evie’s blog post on her journey to becoming her true self as a genderfluid transfeminine woman.
Dan is Reform Radio’s Well-Being Manager who offers 1:1 wellbeing sessions and also runs Life Lounge, a weekly drop in workshop to help you navigate the many thoughts, feelings and experiences we face in life.
The article that Dan has written for Reform is an extremely personal look into the darker emotion that Pride can bring to the surface as someone from the LGBTQ+ community. He explores the relationship that shame has with his identity, diving into his past and demonstrating the complicated topic of shame.
Midweek Jazz Pride Special
Manchester based saxophonist Helena shares her love of all things jazz. Each month explores a different theme and provides the perfect soundtrack to help you through the midweek slump.
This month’s show will be a Pride special, where Helena invites Rachel Oliver from Sonder Radio to discuss how to be a good trans ally and the meaning and history around Pride.
You can catch the show at Reform Radio on 10th June.
Tough Talks
Tough Talks is a British Podcast Awards nominated production, which was produced for Hits Radio Pride & funded by the Audio Content Fund.
The series invited people from the LGBTQ+ community to reflect on a difficult conversation from their past, with the person they had the conversation with. Tough Talks covers topics such as gender, sexuality, and identity.
The 20 episodes from Tough Talks have been divided into a two part show, both airing in June. Catch them both on Reform Radio.
With the support from Audio Content Fund, we were able to team up with Hit Radio Pride to create Tough Talks, a show where people in the LGBTQ+ community relive and reflect on a tough talk from their past.
In these intimate and revealing chats you’ll hear from them and the person they had the conversation with, covering topics such as gender, sexuality, and identity. Hits Radio Pride is the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ radio station from a major broadcaster.
Here are the first three episodes of Tough Talks below – listen to all episodes at planetradio.co.uk .
Episode 1: Rachel & Norah
Rachel, who is a transgender woman from Manchester, chats with her 83 year old Mum, Norah. They reflect on the moment Rachel told her mum about her true identity and how they moved forward from that conversation.
Episode 2: Alfie & Rachael
Alfie, who is a transmasculine person, chats with their partner of 8 years, Rachael. They reflect on the moment Alfie told her they were questioning their identity, and how it changed their relationship.
Episode 3: OneDa & Kyle
OneDa, who is a rapper from Manchester, talks with her childhood best friend Kyle. They look back on the moment she told him she was a lesbian woman and how religion had stopped her from coming out earlier.
BuddyLine is a series of intergenerational telephone conversations between people from the Sonder Radio Community of over 60s and the Reform Radio Community of under 28s. Taking advantage of the technology available to us, the conversations were recorded from each of their homes during isolation.
Through these honest conversations, our listeners enter into an intimate and genuine meeting between two people who would not otherwise interact in everyday society.
We will match people with stories that will enlighten both the listeners and each other, and demonstrate that isolation does not have to be isolating, and can create long-lasting friendships.
Buddyline was set up in order to help combat loneliness during these tough periods of self-isolation. Our aim is to improve wellbeing through the power of communication by pairing two complete strangers and starting a regular phone conversation. Let have a look into some of these conversations!
Episode 1: Racheal and Stevie
Over the next hour, you’ll hear our first pair, Rachel and Stevie talk about many topics- from Gender Identity to Eurovision!
Episode 2: Kitty and Graham
In this episode, Kitty and Graham discuss family history during the Second World War and the power of social media.
Episode 3: Olivia and Sarah
Our next pair of callers, Olivia and Sara, explore all sorts of topics – from their experiences as women growing up in different periods, to guessing what the other might look like!
Episode 4: Tony and Michael
In this episode, Tony and Michael dig into reggae music, their life ambitions, and the value in talking to new people.
Open Forum is an hour long radio show that brings together a melting pot of artists, experts and those that just want a good old chinwag about that months Open Forum topic.
This six part series funded by Audio Content Fund was originally broadcast on Gaydio and Reform Radio in 2019 and 2020.
In every episode participants explore a new theme through the medium of debate and artistic performance. The discussions have been guided with the help of two master presenters, Gaydio’s resident DJ Dean McCullough, and singer songwriter Jenna G.
The Open Forum series has dissected countless topics, from the concept of home to the meaning of sex. Scroll down to get an idea of what each episode entails.
Episode 1: IDENTITY
What does identity mean to you? Is it something you can change? Participants explore the realm of identity from a personal point of view, exploring topics such as heritage, race, DNA, and the prevalence of prejudice and privilege.
The first edition of the series welcomes live performances from rapper and producer Superlative, singer songwriter Bolatito Von May, and artist Flow.
Superlative, rapper and producer
Episode 2: SEX
Episode 2 takes the opportunity to shine a light on the topic of Sex for Wolrd AIDs day. In this edition a group of young people came together to talk about sex and the risks it can pose, with AIDs and the contracting of HIV being one of them.
As well as a lively discussion, we have two extremely moving performances from theatre maker Nathaniel J Hall, who contracted HIV the first time he had sex. The episode gives us a chance to hear his story and learn about the dangers of unsafe sex, but also celebrate the work of the NHS as well as modern science, which has dramatically improved the prognosis of those with HIV.
Nathaniel J Hall, theatre-maker, writer, performer, producer and HIV activist
Through this edition, we are able to remember those that the world has lost, and encourage people to test regularly and keep taking these life saving medicines.
Episode 3: HOME
The third instalment of Open Forum hones in on the vast theme of home, tackling issues of homelessness, the environment and immigration.
In this edition, Open Forum showcased music from IORA, BOA and Emmanuela Yogolelo, and spoken word from Scarlett Rose. The show also features advice from our resident psychotherapist Dan, as well as information about housing and homelessnes from De Paul UK.
Boa, member of the female MC collective Herchester
IORA, Electronica Pop/folk Artist and resident at the Roundhouse in London
Dan, Reform Radio’s resident psychotherapist
Episode 4: RELATIONSHIPS
Episode 4 creates a space to dissect the topic of relationships. Discussion explore healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the importance of fostering relationships with ourselves as well as with others. Participants also look to the future to discuss the influence of science on relationships, and how far they think it could go.
This month’s edition includes music from Anamelia and Queen Tamika as well as spoken word from Emma Johnson and Sophie Silver. This show also features advice from our resident psychotherapist Dan!
Anamelia, Singer songwriter and rapper
Queen Tamika, rapper, Singer songwriter, and member of the MC Collective Herchester
Episode 5: WOMEN
In light of International Women’s Day, episode 5 explores the vast theme of Women. Participants discuss the role of women in society, the history of women, women and sex, the portrayal of women in the media, as well as the most recent #MeToo movement. The show explores what is means to be a woman with perspectives from women, transgender women, men, non – binary, gender fluid, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, family, friends and colleagues.
Music from Queen Tamika, Boa, comedy from Rachel Fitzsimmons and some sax from jazz musician, Helena Summerfield, guided the listener through episode 5. Once again, the show also features advice from our resident psychotherapist Dan.
Helena Summerfield, Saxophonist, teacher and resident DJ at Reform
