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Podcasts

The Cable is now producing weekly podcasts!

Every week we’ll be bringing you new episodes, from audio investigations and Bristol Unpacked to deep-dives into local issues and recordings of live events.

You can listen and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

For early access to new podcasts every Monday become a paid member of The Bristol Cable, join us.

Listen: People Just Do Something – Isaac meets the Great Baldini at Cribbs Causeway’s Tesla Takedown

Who are the people taking part in the global Tesla Takedown at the local dealership for Elon Musk's cars, in Cribbs Causeway. And do they have an effective protest strategy? Isaac hits the road to try to find out.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with the BBC’s Pete Simson on the WECA mayoral election, making politics interesting and why snacks matter

Neil talks to Pete Simson, BBC Politics West editor, about the race to become the new mayor of the West of England Combined Authority and whether an upset in the 2025 election is likely after Arron Banks' entry.

Listen: People Just Do Something, with Palestinian activist Iyad Burnat on the power of nonviolent resistance in the face of genocide

In the first episode of a new season, Isaac talks to Iyad Burnat, head of the Bil'in Popular Committee against the Wall, about the decades he’s spent peacefully resisting Israeli occupation in the West Bank.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with photographer Colin Moody on documenting the city, and the threats to its nightlife

In the first of a new season of Unpacked, Neil talks to Colin about his new book collaboration with Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley, celebrating Bristol's nightlife – and the challenges venues face in the post-Covid era.

Listen: The Debrief – Medact, the doctors fighting for Barton House residents

In February, doctors from health justice charity Medact presented a hard-hitting report to Bristol City Council about how the Barton House tower block evacuation had harmed residents' physical and mental health. Priyanka Raval hears more from the group's Dr Amelia Cussans.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked from the archive, with Green co-leader Carla Denyer on taking on Labour and tackling lazy views of her party

In our second raid on the Unpacked vaults, from 2021, Carla and Neil discuss overturning Green Party stereotypes, aiming for a kinder local politics and conquering the left-wing territory being vacated by Labour.

Listen: The Debrief – Filton 18, the Palestine Action activists hit by anti-terror laws amid the British state’s crackdown on dissent

A group of Palestine Action activists who targeted a Bristol facility owned by Israeli arms firm Elbit have faced unprecedented use of anti-terrorism powers by the state. Adam Quarshie and Sean Morrison discuss the Filton 18's case.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with barrister Lucy Reed, on opening the secretive family courts to scrutiny

The family courts, which make orders for children to be taken into care, have long been a hidden world, but that's now changing. Neil talks to barrister and transparency campaigner Lucy about why this matters, and how the system needs to change.

Listen: People Just Do Something, with Joshua Dávila on putting the blockchain into use for the left

How do cryptocurrencies work? Why does the right love them so much? And how can blockchain technologies be used for more positive social purposes – or even authentically left-wing ones? Join Priyanka and Isaac to find out…

Listen: Bristol Unpacked, with former Lord Mayor Paul Goggin on homelessness, mental health and the struggle for south Bristol votes

'It's been eventful', says Paul Goggin, of a life that has featured both rough sleeping and local politics. He joins Neil Maggs to talk housing, faith, and whether Labour should fear Reform in wards like Hartcliffe and Withywood.

Listen: People Just Do Something, with striking teacher Nik on trade unionism’s ‘ethical gravy train’

What is a strike? What are trade unions for? How can you organise your workplace? Teacher and NEU rep Nik steps away from the picket line for a 'union bro love-in' with Isaac that answers these questions and more.

Listen: People Just Do Something with Jake Hanrahan, more than just ‘a gritty Louis Theroux’

Why did Jake Hanrahan become a journalist, how did he turn war reporting on its head with Popular Front, and why does he reckon the industry is 'one of the most grotesque things I've seen in my life'? Join Priyanka and Isaac to find out.

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