‘Starmer appoints an Envoy for the Nations and Regions’, ‘Balance on the 7th Oct Anniversary’ and ‘Laura Lets Slip’ / with Angela Haggerty and David Pratt

This week we are in sync with our listeners with all 3 topics matching questions submitted. Thanks to all!

We have our fingers crossed that we can have Stuart back with us next week.

Recommendations:

Angela

Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars - Jenny Lindsay

The last decade has seen countless cases of women being fired, disciplined, protested or no-platformed for their views on sex and gender. Whether high-profile celebrities or previously unknown feminists, such women’s vocal non-belief in ‘gender identity’ as a universal human condition bears a high social cost. These ‘houndings’ are often presented starkly, clinically, in headlines or fleeting social media moments, stripped of the true cost of holding such beliefs.

But what is the reality behind the headlines and noise? What are the true consequences of holding – and living with - such seemingly now-heretical thoughts?

Hounded charts the often hidden and unspoken harms women face for prioritising and defending sex-based language and rights. Outlining the often-bewildering array of tactics used by opponents against such women, as well as the resilience required to refuse to be silenced, Lindsay presents a compelling argument for recognition of the individual and social harms that are being enacted under the auspices of ‘gender identity activism.’ 

This debut non-fiction book by award-winning poet and essayist Jenny Lindsay, whose own ‘hounding’ offers a unique perspective, is a solid, sane, witty but also compassionate account about the very human cost of this extraordinary cultural and political schism.

David

Lena Zavaroni: The Forgotten Child Star - BBC iplayer

Lena Zavaroni was a child superstar, barnstorming the charts, sharing the stage with Sinatra, and performing for the US president, all before her 11th birthday. But her light was dimmed too soon by a battle with anorexia. 

Told from the perspective of her 84-year-old father, Victor, this poignant story reflects on parental regret as he seeks peace with his daughter's untimely fate. 

Inside Barlinnie - BBC iplayer

This series explores the lives of current prisoners and staff as well as delving into a dark history of hangings, riots and escapes that have shaped the prison for over a century.

Eamonn

‘It’s all I think about’: Stanley Tucci on love, grief and pasta - Guardian

Screen favourite, cocktail maker, cancer survivor, sex symbol… Stanley Tucci is a man of many parts. The ‘Tooch’ discusses fame, his new book – and the perils of cooking for children