Welcome to Shambala Speaks, a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, on topics like karma, love, death, epiphanies, activism and psychedelics – all recorded on site under the canopies of Shambala festival.
Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you like to get your podcasts! You can also listen on this page, or get early access to new episodes by downloading the Shambala App. (Available on the Play Store and App Store.)
The Shambala Speaks podcast is lovingly produced by Melissa Kidd and Events in Sound. If you like what you hear, please like and subscribe and leave us a review, to help us get these important ideas into as many ear-holes as possible.
Season 5
Episode 39: Natural Born Story Tellers
In this episode, we hear two tales from the Natural Born Storytellers event. The first, told by Chris, is a hilarious prank played on his housemate. The second is told by Kash, who, having lost his keys, finds something else…
Episode 38: Shambala Poetry Slam 2024
From lyrical luminaries to rising stars and everything in between, here’s a selection of Shambala’s Poetry Slam! Please note this episode does contain strong language.
Thanks to all the slammers who were brave enough to share your poignant, beautiful and touching words with us: Chuck SJ, Nina, Tia Meraki, Jess, David Viney, Chris Oliver, Jay Corrigan, Nine McCartney, Becka, Jay Sandhu, Rob Mitchell, Orlando, Lilly, Ellie Spirrett, Sennan Uma, Lulu, Kassy, Prem, Kid Anansi, Bethany Slinn, Lexia Thomlinson. Round 2: Kid Anansi (Winner), Orlando, Jay Sandhu, Jess
Episode 37: In Conversation with DAM: The First Palestinian Hip Hop Crew
Dam, the first Palestinian hip hop crew, kick off the new season. They share how the political situation has affected their creativity, the role art can play in conflict and what keeps them going.
Just a heads up, this episode does contain swearing and strong language.
Season 4
Episode 36: Music as Resistance
Have you ever loved a record so much that you would die for it? Plenty of people have.
And in this episode, recorded live from The Imaginarium at Shambala 2023, author Joe Mulhall explores Music as Resistance. From songs made for the purpose of opposition, to recognising that simply listening to certain tracks can be an illegal act, this conversation takes us to war zones, uprisings and movements –where music binds them together.
Episode 35: Where Not to Live in the Apocalypse
In this episode, recorded live from The Imaginarium at Shambala 2023, we hear from Ed Gillespie and Saci Lloyd – two veteran environmentalists who tell us why they have chosen to move to the frontline of climate change. Should they know better? What’s it like? And what can they teach us about living in vulnerable places?
Saci Lloyd is a British writer and Environmentalist, who publishes young adult novels of dystopian near-futures.
Ed Gillespie is an Environmentalist, climate activist and author and futurenaut (check his podcast, Jon Richardson & The Futurenauts)
Episode 34: Poetry Slam 2023 – Part 2
Prepare for your mind to stretch and your soul to fill. Here’s part 2 of our poetry slam episode.
Thanks to all our slammers, you dared to show us your poetic prowess and we are richer for it. Pure, dazzling talent and wicked wordsmithery.
Episode 33: Poetry Slam 2023 – Part 1
In this episode, we’ve got all manner of lyrical luminaries and rising stars, taking to the stage as part of Shambala’s legendary annual poetry slam (with more to follow in next month’s episode!)
Thanks to all our slammers, you dared to show us your poetic prowess and we are all the richer for it. Pure, dazzling talent and wicked wordsmithery.
Episode 32: Harnessing Our Collective Intelligence
In this episode, recorded live from The Imaginarium, we hear from neuroscientist, bestselling author and broadcaster Dr Hannah Critchlow who shows us how our brains synchronise, ideas emerge and moral values align.
Given the challenges we face, we need our best thinking caps on and Hannah can show us how!
In 2019, Hannah was named one of Cambridge University’s ‘Rising Stars in Life Sciences’ in recognition for achievements in science engagement. Her work in science communication saw her named as a Top 100 UK scientist by the Science Council in 2014 and one of Cambridge University’s most ‘inspirational and successful women in science’ in 2013. In short, she knows her sh*t.
Episode 31: The Language of Our Seas
Tom Mustill was nearly killed by a breaching whale, which landed on his canoe. Mid air, perhaps on siting Tom, the whale tilted, possibly to miss him. It then re-emerged and looked at him – as if to check if he was ok.
He became obsessed with trying to find out what the whale had been thinking. And so began an exploration into whale communication – what do they say and sing to each other? And can AI help us decode it? What would it mean if we were to make contact?
Come with us on a journey under the sea…
You can find Tom’s book “How to Speak Whale” on his website, here.
Episode 30: Chats from the Shambala Shack with Dutty Moonshine and Dr. Meaker
In this episode, we hear from two bands – Dutty Moonshine (who you lot voted your best act of Shambala 2023) and the much-loved Dr Meaker – another firm Shambles favourite.
We invited them round our little podcast caravan, to pick their brilliant brains on what drives ’em, where they’ve come from and how their creative process unfolds. Starting with Mike and Maria from Dutty Moonshine, followed by Clive Meaker – we hope you enjoy going behind the scenes.
Episode 29: In Sankofa’s with Dizraeli (Feat: Congo Natty / Blythe Pepino / Martin Carthy)
In this episode, we drop in to Sankofa’s on Sunday afternoon, where we soak up Dizraeli’s conversations and hear performances by Blythe Pepino, Martin Carthy and the one and only Congo Natty…
Episode 28: Chats from the Shambala Shack with Chali 2na & A-Skillz
Chali 2na and A.Skillz kick off the season four. We get a glimpse into their history, collaboration, life-defining moments (including how art saved Chali’s life!) plus some wisdom to help us on our way. Chali has played at Shambala many times and his Hands High track accompanied our 2017 film. A.Skillz is a producer, DJ and an all-round excellent humble human.
Season 3
Episode 27: Sunday at Sankofa’s with Dizraeli & BCUC
The last of Season 3 (but have no fear, our podcast team have unearthed all manner of stories on site this year, ready to drop Season 4 in Autumn) and we’re wrapping things up with a BANGER of an episode.
In this episode we drop in to Sankofa’s on Sunday afternoon at Shambala 2022, where we soak up conversations from Dizraeli and friends, plus performances from Luzmira Zerpa from Family Atlantica and the one and only BCUC!
Episode 26: Poetry Slam Part 2
Part 2 of our poetry slam episode, recorded live from Chai Wallahs, at Shambala 2022, just dropped. Find it on the Shambala App, or search for Shambala Speaks on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
!! Just a heads up and trigger warning – part of this material is raw, sweary and contains descriptions of sexual assault. !!
Huge thanks and respect to our featured slammers: Kathy D, Nathan, Woody Rooster, Sennen Una Johnson, Lily, The Blonde Butterfly, Louise Stuart Daisy & Jay Mitra (our 2022 winner).
Episode 25: Poetry Slam Part 1
From lyrical luminaries to rising stars and everything in between, in this episode of Shambala Speaks we showcase a selection of Sunday’s poetry slam recorded live from Chai Wallahs! A massive thanks to our slammers: Tony, Claire, Rory, One Inky Queer, Jay Mitra, Maisy, Alistair, Ann, Steph, Josh, Tia, Bex Gordon.
*Heads up: part of this material is raw, sweary and contains language which some may find offensive*
Episode 24: Bridging the Generation Gap with Paul Cree
In this heartwarming episode, recorded during Shambala 2022 as part of Natural Born Storytellers at the Phantom Laundry, we hear from Paul Cree on how music has helped to tie together threads of three generations…
Episode 23: A Pocket Guide to Stop Ecocide
Ecocide literally means “killing one’s home”. In this episode, recorded live from Chai Wallahs at Shambala 2022. we hear from JoJo Mehta, the Co Founder and Executive Director of Stop Ecocide International.
Episode 22: Elkin Robinson’s Anglo-Caribbean Music History
Elkin Robinson is a performer from the island of Old Providence in The Caribbean. In this episode, Elkin performs with his band and tells us about the origins of his Caribbean folk music. Take your ears on holiday and call in the Spring with these sunshine songs.
Episode 21: Lockdown Lessons from Mark Grist
Mark Grist is an award winning poet, teacher and unlikely battle rapper – with millions of views for both his poetry and rap battles online. In this episode, he explores his experience as an artist during the pandemic, and how audiences and artists rely on each other – and how, when we’re hungry for hope, we can find it in extraordinary places. (Plus a cheeky cameo from hip-hop hero Chali 2na, no biggie!)
Episode 20: Finding Resilience In A Changing World with Gareth Owen
Gareth Owen is the Humanitarian Director of Save the Children UK. In this episode (recorded live at The Imaginarium on Saturday at Shambala 2022) we hear how he manages to match the resilience of those he’s helping on the front lines. His book When the Music’s Over is out now. Part memoir, part history and part politics, its also a story about human connection in desperate circumstances.
Episode 19: The World of Joelle Taylor *EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING*
Joelle Taylor is a poet, author and playwright. Her most recent book won he T.S. Eliot Prize in 2021. In this episode, we join her in The Phantom Laundry (home of all things poetry and spoken word at Shambala Festival) to get a glimpse of butch counterculture, where we feel the bonds, the bravery and the abuse…
Episode 18: Rivers and The Right To Roam
This month, it’s ‘Rivers & The Right to Roam’ with Nick Hayes & Amy-Jane Beer. Nick and Amy-Jane work together on the Right to Roam campaign, which fights for greater equality and access to green and blue space. In front of a packed out crowd at The Imaginarium, Nick and Amy-Jane ask why we need the right to roam, and why is river access in England so restricted?
- Nick is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller ‘The Book of Trespass‘ and ‘The Trespassers Companion: A Field Guide to Reclaiming What Is Already Ours‘.
- Amy-Jane is author of ‘The Flow: Rivers, Water and Wildness‘
Season 2
Episode 17: The Power of Play
In this episode we learn the true value of play and hear how Ash Perrin, once a clown to the wealthy, found his true purpose in bringing love and smiles to those most in need. You can read more about this work in his book, The Real Play Revolution.
Episode 16: Unrequited Love
You may recognise Kash’s voice from episode 6 of Shambala Speaks, where he told us a beautifully bittersweet story about the death of his Grandmother. In this episode, Kash Raja picks up the story; to muse upon the happiness to be found in unrequited love.
Episode 15: Psychedelics & The Climate Crisis
In this episode we hear Dr Gail Bradbrook of XR and Stephen Reid of The psychedelic Society talk about their own mind-expanding experiences, how psychedelics have been useful in their lives and how they could be used as a tool in addressing the climate crisis.
Episode 14: Homelands & Hinterlands: A slice of Luke Wright
In this episode Comic poet Luke Wright pulls us through his homelands and gives us an idea why we need to see beasts in the shadows. This is a little slice of Luke’s hour-long rollercoaster set delivered to a packed crowd in the Imaginarium.
Episode 13: The Children’s Fire
One of the guiding principles of Shambala is the Children’s Fire. Mac Macartney tells us about the wisdom imparted to him from Native American elders and how this simple principle could help us repair, protect and better care for the world we have inherited and we’ll leave behind.
Episode 12: Food For Thought
In this episode we dip into the Garden o’ Feeden to hear Lauren Lovatt tell us about the tragic events that lead her on a journey of discovery into how food can help our mental health. We also get a couple of her special recipes that combine chocolate with medicinal mushrooms, and Kale with CBD oil.
Episode 11: Love, Life, Death: and the Colours Inbetween
In this episode we hear some of the wonderfully rich short poems that were voiced in this year’s poetry slam – sit back and enjoy musings on love, life, death and the wonderful bits in between. Thanks to Shaun Hill, Ali P, Vicki MacWinyers aka Pixievic, Kat from Bristol, Jenny (moon Twiglet), Granma Rapster, Georgia L Stride and GPS.
Episode 10: Cider Battle
Two counties, two rich traditions, two advocates. In this episode we learn from two cider experts Dan Heath and Gabe Cook about our national liquid gold while they try to convince a Shambala audience to decide which county makes the best cider: Somerset or Herefordshire?
Episode 9: Feeding Ourselves Beyond Brexit
There are many aspects of our lives that are hard to imagine beyond Brexit. And in this fascinating episode Humphrey Lloyd, of the Landworkers’ Alliance, walks us through the opportunities, threats and options that this change could present for our food system.
Episode 8: Extinction Rebellion’s Gail Bradbrook
We kick off the second season of the Shambala Speaks podcast with the inaugural Shambala sermon. As another mass civil disobedience begins this week, Dr Gail Bradbrook, one of the co founders of Extinction Rebellion shares some timely insights to help us rebel. This episode does contain strong language and may not be suitable for all audiences.
SEASON ONE
Episode 7: Newport Free Festival
Putting a free festival on can expose communities that other wise have a limited access to new and exciting music and culture, but putting one on, especially a free one is never easy as Jools Constant tells us in this story about the fight for Newport Festival.
Episode 6: ‘Karma, Love & Death’
In this second part of our epiphanies stories Kash Raja tells us a story about his beautiful relationship with his grandmother. A split second misjudgement leads to his grandmother having an accident he feels responsible for. His fear of karmic retribution in the aftermath leads him to avoid driving and air travel – until he has an epiphany at her bedside…
This story was recorded live at Natural Born Storytellers, in the Imaginarium at Shambala 2018 – if you liked this story, check out their amazing podcast where you can listen to loads more. Highly recommended listening.
BONUS episode: ‘The Trial of Daisy The Cow’
In this very special bonus episode, we take you inside the Trial of Daisy The Cow, on site at Shambala 2018. The initial Trial of Daisy The Cow took place in 2017, in Shambala’s Garden O’Feeden venue, where Daisy (representing the global livestock industry) was put on trial for crimes against the earth. Daisy was found guilty, but launched an appeal. Delve into this courtroom drama to hear from experts, scientists and even hedgehogs – to explore how what we eat literally shapes the world around us, and find out if Daisy will be found innocent or guilty…
Episode 5: Epiphanies – A Doctor’s Job
Listen to Dr. Stephen Fabes’ whistle stop epiphany. Taking a trip through A&E via veggies in orifices, to a San Fran party gone terribly wrong, Fabes gives us an insight into how we engage with trauma.
Episode 4: GRRRL – Not Your Average Girl Band
Shambala favourites, GRRRL are a revolutionary group of women musicians from marginalised communities around the world, brought together by the project ‘In Place of War‘. Their incredible performances tell stories of life, conflict, inequality and change. Back at Shambala 2018 we ducked into Rebel Soul – our on-site hub of grass roots activism to catch up with GRRRL to talk about music as activism, bringing sound systems to the favalas – and how, in places of conflict, sometimes all you have is music.
Episode 3: The Founder of Carbon Neutral
Who knew that the history of carbon offsetting was so rock and roll? In Episode 3, Dan Morrell, the founder of Carbon Neutral tells his story – from a wild night out with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant to a terrifying car accident, a near death experience and a talking healing tree. Throw in Joe Strummer, Damien Hirst and a little pet shop in Castle Cary and you have one helluva tale. Buckle up!
Episode 2: The Year of Psychedelics
2018 is the year that psychedelics went mainstream, yet our native ‘magic’ mushrooms are steeped in mystery. Dr. Andy Letcher takes us on an audio journey that ends with some pretty interesting ideas on how psychedelics could guide us out of the global climate crisis.
Episode 1: Adventures in Dystopia
Documentary film maker James Jones takes us on a 15 minute audio-journey through his travels to North Korea, the Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and inside The Phillipines’ ongoing drugs war – all places where a fear of ‘the other’ has been used to incite hate. A sombre start, but if we’re to build utopia, it’s helpful to understand what dystopia looks like.