Communities are all around us, at work, college, schools and most importantly, where we live. They are the catalysts in the growth of music, culture and our identity. However, day by day, councils are making massive cuts to youth services, resulting in closed youth centres and safe spaces for many young people around the country. In this episode, Fenn and Zuu discuss the importance of community and how we can help keep them strong in trying times. Joined by music maker and producer, Novelist and Drill artist and ‘most hated’ guy, S1. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

This Is Spoke

S2 E12 - 'Community' feat. Novelist & S1

According to recent data, the happiness of 16-25-year-olds is dropping compared to those of teens from previous decades. But with people constantly documenting their lives on social media, is there any wonder anxiety and depression is on the rise? In this episode, Fenn and Zuu explore whether we are an unhappy generation and the different ways we can all become happier. Joined by the CEO of Strawberries and Creem Fest and winner of Shipwrecked 2019, Chris Jammer, and Radio 1Xtra DJ and documentary filmmaker, Mim Shaikh.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E11 - 'Happiness' feat. Chris Jammer & Mim Shaikh

Trapping drugs has been glorified through music which, in turn, arguably perpetuates the cycle of young people, especially young men of colour, entering the world of dealing – often to a white middle-class clientele. In this episode, Fenn and Zuu are joined by television and radio presenter, Remel London and podcaster and cultural commentator, Lippy Lickshot as they explore the link between drugs and anti-social behaviour, and question why the UK is still yet to legalise cannabis.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E10 - 'The Trap' feat. Remel London & Lippy Lickshot

The concept of beauty has always morphed throughout time, as society's perception of what is beautiful is influenced by broader cultural factors. However, one narrative often left out of the debate are the pressures that men also face. In this episode, Fenn and Zuu are joined by stylist and photographer Naomi Richardson, aka Naysap, and photographer and director Mahaneela as they explore rigid beauty expectations for all genders, and the media's responsibility in perpetuating stereotypes of what is beautiful. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E9 - 'Beauty Standards' feat. Mahaneela & Naysap

The 1969 Stonewall Riots were a pivotal moment in LGBT history, galvanising people across the world to fight for change. Today, although there's been a dramatic improvement in the treatment of LGBTQI+ people, there still is a long way to go. In this episode, journalist and DJ Aisha Mirza and BBC presenter and journalist Ben Hunte join Fenn and Zuu to discuss what has changed in the 50 years after Stonewall, and together they delve into the experiences of LGBTQI+ people of colour and explore the safe spaces are available to this community. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E8 - 'LGBTQI+' feat. Ben Hunte & Aisha Mirza

From crystal healing methods to J Hus and Skepta referring to black magic in their tunes, young people in the UK are increasingly moving away from religious practices and towards spirituality and alternative beliefs. In this episode, Fenn and Zuu are joined by musician J Lucia and DJ and broadcaster Dobby, as they explore magic and spirituality and question why more young people are identifying as spiritual rather than religious. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E7 - 'Magic & Spirituality' feat. J Lucia & Dobby

In this episode Fenn and Zuu talk MONEY and how you can make your money work better for you! Joined by personal finance guru Bola Sol and Entrepreneur Amani Simpson, the team drop some gems that can help you get savvier with your P! Everything from ISA’s, credits cards, leveraging debt, and just better talking about money with your family and friends. So listen up and get yourself knowledgeable! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E6 - 'Money' feat. Bola Sol & Amani Simpson

This week Fenn and Zuu explore the intricacies of coming from a mixed heritage background, staying true to your identity and navigating your way through different cultures. In the UK, people of mixed heritage are the fastest-growing ethnic group, and an exploration of race, identity and belonging is permeating conversations around the country. This is a big one, so listen in and join the conversation. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E5 - 'Mixed Heritage' feat. Joy Crookes and Swindle

#Merky Books Special: On this week’s episode Big Zuu and Fenn explore what it means to be a black girl in the university system with Chelsea and Ore, the authors of Taking Up Space: A Black Girl’s Manifesto for Change. Chelsea and Ore came through to discuss the importance of #Merky Books, delve into their experiences at Cambridge and the process of creating Taking Up Space: The Black Girl’s Manifesto for Change - the flagship release from #Merky Books.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E4 - #Merky Books Special 'Taking Up Space' feat. Chelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi

This week's episode is packed full of inspiration as Big Zuu and Fenn discuss what it takes to make it when the odds are stacked against you. Joined by BBC The Rap UK star Ransom FA (@ransom_fa) and model and artist Bashir Aziz (@bxsqvi), two amazing individuals who have broken down barriers and made it in their industries. From growing up in Scotland and wanting to make it in the Grime scene, to being born with Vitiligo and making it as a model & artist, and living an extraordinary life. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E3 - 'Against the Odds' feat. Ransom FA & Bashir Aziz

In this episode, Fenn and Zuu are talking all things sex, dating, porn and DM's as they get to grips with the Art of Chirpsing featuring TV and radio presenter @snoohchieshy and dad, presenter and influencer @poetscorneruk. Confidence is key when it comes to talking about sex and relationships, but can too much confidence get you in trouble, and is that right? Plus if you listen to the end, you'll hear our '5 Rules to the Art of Chirpsing'.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E2 - 'The Art of Chirpsing' feat. Poet & Snoochie Shy

Did you go to university and was it worth it? Fenn and Big Zuu are chopping up this big question with comedian and BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter @sidemanallday and London based violinist @jhopestrings. Whether to ‘Learn or Earn’ is a hard decision a lot of people go through when they hit the age of 18. They are met with the crossroads of whether to go off to university and get a degree, or whether to join the working world and build up their CVs to earn that P. There are pros and cons to both choices, so let's get into it!!  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

S2 E1 - ‘To Learn or Earn’ feat. Sideman & J Hope

NEW hosts, NEW topics, NEW season. THIS IS SPOKE is back, MON 16TH SEPT! Tell your mum, friends, dad, son, daughter, cousin, auntie, uncle, teacher, manager, pet, bossman in the shop... TELL EVERYONE! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Season 2 Teaser 'We're Back!'

In this episode recorded at our first This Is Spoke live event in Peckham, we discuss diversity, representation and the dangers that we will face if we don’t come through and represent! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

REPREZENT LIVE with @raleighritchie & @emmadabiri

This week we're talking activism and what it means to be an activist? As we attempt to show you that no matter the obstacle, no matter your age, you can make a definite change to the world around you! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

PINK AS F**K with @pinkprotest feat. @scarcurtis @disgracecampbell & @amikageorge

This Is Spoke. A fresh, vibrant podcast dragging the big topics straight from the timeline to your ears. From identity to heritage to sex and dating and everything in between, we create meaningful conversations with some of the most inspiring people from the world of music, art, literature and fashion.