Shambala Speaks

From lyrical luminaries to rising stars and everything in between, here’s part 1 of Sunday's Shambala poetry slam with more coming in part 2. Thanks to all our slammers, you dared to show us your poetic prowess and we are all the richer for it.

In this episode, we hear from neuroscientist Dr Hannah Critchlow who shows us how our brains sychronise, ideas emerge and moral values align. Given the challenges we face, we need our best thinking and Hannah can show us how. https://hannahcritchlow.com/

Tom Mustil 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: www.tommustil.com.

In this episode, we hear from two bands – Dutty Moonshine – which were voted by you as best festival act in 2023. And much-loved Dr Meaker - another firm favourite. We find out what drives them, 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. https://www.drmeaker.co.uk/ https://www.duttymoonshine.com/

In this episode, we drop in to Sankofa's on Sunday afternoon, where we soak up Dizreali's conversations and hear performances by Blythe Pepino, Martin Carthy and the one and only Congo Natty... https://www.dizraeli.com/ https://www.blythepepino.com/ https://alanbearmanmusic.com/artists/martin-carthy/ https://www.instagram.com/congonatty_official/

Chali 2na and A.Skillz kick off the third season. We get a glimpse into their history, collaboration, life-defining moments 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. You can find links to their work and art below.https://www.chali2na.com/ https://www.instagram.com/askillzofficial/

In this episode we drop in to Sankofa's on Sunday afternoon, where we soak up Dizreali's conversations and hear performances from Luzmira Zerpa from Family Atlantica and the one and only BCUC...

Prepare for your mind to stretch and your soul to fill. Here’s part 2 of our poetry slam episode. Just a heads up and trigger warning - part of this material is raw, sweary and contains descriptions of sexual assault. Thanks to our slammers: Kathy D, Nathan, Woody Rooster, Sennen Una Johnson, Lily, The Blonde Butterfly, Louise Stuart Daisy, Jay Mitra (our 2022 winner)

From lyrical luminaries to rising stars and everything in between, here’s a selection of Sunday's poetry slam with more coming in part 2. Heads up: part of this material is raw, sweary and contains language which some may find offensive. Thanks to our slammers: Tony, Claire, Rory, One Inky Queer, Jay Mitra, Maisy, Alistair, Ann, Steph, Josh, Tia, Bex Gordon

In this heartwarming episode, we hear how music has helped to tie together threads of 3 generations… Produced by eventsinsound.com

Ecocide literally means “killing one’s home”. In this episode, we hear from Jo Jo Mehta the Co Founder and Executive Director of Stop Ecocide International. She updates us on the tremendous progress and profound changes that are taking place in making ecocide an international crime. To support this work and get involved, please head to https://www.stopecocide.earth/act-now where you'll find a whole host of ways to get involved.

Elkin Robinson is a performer from the island of Old Providence in The Carribean. Elkin performs with his band and tells us about the origins of his music . Call in the spring with these sunshine songs! Produced by eventsinsound.com

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!)

Gareth Owen is the Humanitarian Director of Save the Children UK. In this episode, 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. https://repeaterbooks.com/product/when-the-musics-over-intervention-aid-and-somalia/

Joelle Taylor is a poet, author and playwright. In this episode, we get a glimpse of butch counterculture, where we feel the bonds, the bravery and the abuse… Joelle’s most recent book, Cunto and Othered Poems, won the T.S. Eliot Prize in 2021. Produced by eventsinsound.com

Nick Hayes and Amy-Jane Beer work together on the Right to Roam campaign. This argues for greater equality and access to green and blue space. Nick and Amy-Jane ask why do we need the right to roam and why is river access in England so restricted? Nick Hayes is author of The Sunday Times bestseller: The Book of Trespass and The Trespasser’s Companion: A Field Guide to Reclaiming What is Already Ours. Amy-Jane Beer is author of The Flow: Rivers, Water and Wildness: https://linktr.ee/right2roam https://www.instagram.com/nickhayesillustration/ https://www.instagram.com/amyjanebeer/ Produced by Melissa Kidd and eventsinsound.com

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: https://cygnusreview.com/cart Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies of the Shambala festival – an adventure in utopia. Produced by Melissa Kidd and http://eventsinsound.com/

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. This story was recorded live at Natural Born Storytellers, in the Imaginarium at Shambala 2019 - if you liked this story, check out their amazing podcast where you can listen to loads more. Highly recommended listening. https://www.naturalbornstorytellers.com/podcast Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies of the Shambala festival – an adventure in utopia. Produced by Melissa Kidd and http://eventsinsound.com/

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. For more information see the links: https://www.psychedelicsociety.org.uk/ https://rebellion.earth/ Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies of the Shambala festival – an adventure in utopia. Produced by Melissa Kidd and http://eventsinsound.com/

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. His collection of poems ‘After Engine Trouble’ is available from his website: http://www.lukewright.co.uk/ Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies of the Shambala festival – an adventure in utopia. Produced by Melissa Kidd and http://eventsinsound.com/