Shambala Speaks
Shambala Speaks gathers talks, conversations and stories recorded at the Shambala Festival, an annual event in the UK built around the idea of an adventure in utopia. Episodes feature wise words, revolutionary ideas and personal stories from a range of speakers and performers who appear at the festival. The show aims to carry the festival's spirit of creativity, activism and community beyond the festival grounds. It is produced by Melissa Kidd, Nick Carline and Fredi Devas.
Episodes
Who lives and who dies? Climate justice in the context of arts and culture
In this episode, we join a panel discussion on climate justice and hear from four people as they unpack, explore and share their perspective on this vitally important topic.
The panel is made up of: Chris Johnson - one of the co founders of Shambala and the Managing Director of Shambala; Adassa Dixon – diversity equity and inclusion lead at Shambala and Kambe events; Lady Shaka – indigenous musi
In Conversation with Asian Dub Foundation
In this episode I sit down with two members of Asian Dub Foundation - the longest standing and newest member of the band. We dig into how music is breaking down racism, rebel saints and some of their most meaningful moments in their 30 year history.
@asiandubfoundation
https://www.facebook.com/asiandubfoundation
shambalafestival.org
In Conversation with Hak Baker
In this episode, I talk to rising star Hak Baker. From learning guitar in prison, to being inspired by his remarkable grandmother, he tells us how he's forging his very individual path to stardom. Just a heads up - there is some strong language in this one. hakbaker.com@hakbaker shambalafestival.org
In Conversation with Led by Donkeys
Straight off the big stage and into the quiet confines of our podcast caravan, I get a rare opportunity to chat to James Sadri and Oliver Knowles of Led by Donkeys, the political activists who hold powerful people accountable. We dive into what it's like to do what they do, the risks they take and what keeps them going. ledbydonkeys.org@ledbydonkeysGet your Shambala Festival 2026 tickets here, for
Led by Donkeys: 5 years of resistance against those in power
Hello and welcome to this year's Shambala podcast series. Our adventures in utopia kick off with a Led by Donkeys double bill. They are a team of disruptors who are all about holding powerful people accountable. This talk was a stand out moment at Shambala Festival 2025. The tent was overflowing and we thought it was only fair to give everyone the chance to hear it again. Their activism is like no
In Conversation with Leyla McCalla and Dizraeli
If your soul is in need of soothing, you are in the right place. In this episode, Haitian / American folk musician and cultural activist Leyla McCalla talks to Dizraeli about fitting in with fragmented identity, music and motherhood... You can find links to their work, music and shows in the noteshttps://leylamccalla.com/https://www.mixcloud.com/dizraeli/https://www.dizraeli.com/ You can watch hig
Spy Cops Scandal Uncovered
In this spine-chilling episode, we hear how democracy in this country has been subverted. The exposure of undercover police in environmental and progressive political groups is a major policing scandal of our time. Climate activists have been duped and spied on, human rights have been infringed and The Big Green Gathering, a festival like Shambala, has been unable to continue. So listen up as we h
In Conversation with Dele Sosimi and Dizraeli
In this episode, we're transported to the beginnings of Afrobeat. Dele Sosimi was in Fela Kuti's band Egypt 80 between 1979-86. And in this conversation, we hear those Nigerian sounds and it's almost like a ringside seat to that iconic club: The Shrine. Dizraeli asks about his journey to musical mastery and what it was like coming from Lagos to London. You can find links to their work, music and s
BBC's Witch: Things you never knew about witches
In this episode, we hear from the team who made the spellbinding BBC podcast series: Witch. Whatever you may think, dream or fear about them, the witch has held a place in our imagination for centuries. But what does it mean to be one now? Listen and find out If you'd like to listen to the full series of Witch, you can do that here:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2sVdGfsrPR1QgCfWXS6y0rm/
Hope is a Strategy: Will McCullum (Greenpeace UK) makes his case
If you're feeling a bit brow beaten, dispirited or disillusioned, we have just the thing. Will McCullum, Co Executive Director of Greenpeace UK makes a compelling case for hope. He shows how power has been, and continues to be, disrupted and rebuilt. And shares some big reasons that are keeping him hopeful...You can find more and support Greenpeace's work by following the link below:https://www.gr
"Shine shine you weren't born to be diluted" - In conversation with Moonchild Sanelly
Moonchild Sanelly is going stratospheric! She's collaborated with Beyonce, Gorillaz and Self Esteem to name just a few. During our conversation, we get a glimpse into her upbringing, hear her thoughts on power and understand why she never uses the word 'try'. (Heads up - she does mention a sexual assault). You can check her out athttps://www.moonchildsanelly.com/Shambala Festival - Adventures in
An Underwater Journey: Let Yourself be Moved by Whale Song
Have you ever wondered what it sounds like under the sea?Well in this episode, we're taking you on a journey. We encourage you to lie back and listen, as we immerse you in whale songs, sounds and stories...You might recognise Tom Mustill, author of How to Speak Whale, from last season.In 2015 he was almost killed when a breaching whale landed on his canoe. This event launched an obsession into wha
Natural Born Storytellers
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... The podcast was lovingly made by Melissa Kidd, Nick Carline, Fredi Devas and Drew Sewell. You'll find links below to:Shambala Festival - Adventures in Utopia:https://www.sh
Shambala Poetry Slam 24
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. We've listed you below: Chuck SJNinaTia MerakiJessDavid VineyChris OliverJay CorriganNine McCartneyBeckaJay SandhuRob Mit
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. The podcast was lovingly made by Melissa Kidd, Nick Carline, Fredi Devas and Drew Sewell. Dam's instagram:https://www.instagram.co
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, 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.https://www.theguardia
Where Not To Live in the Apocalypse
In this episode, 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? https://edgillespie.earth/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saci_Lloyd
Poetry Slam 2023 Part 2
Poetry slam 2Prepare 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.Sukie, Mark Grist, Fungalist, Tia Meraki, Kay Walton-Smith, Reanna Valentine, Graceface Leeder, Louise Stewart Daisy (aka Pure LSD), Jess Leigh, Ali P, Emily, Falicia B, Lydia Daisy, Beth Honeyfor
Poetry Slam 2023 part 1
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.
Harnessing Our Collective Intelligence
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/
The Language of Our Seas
Tom Mustill was nearly killed by a breaching whale, which landed on his canoe. Mid air, perhaps on sighting 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
Chats From The Shambala Shack - Dutty Moonshine & Dr. Meaker
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.c
In Sankofas With Dizraeli
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/
Chats From the Shambala Shack: Chali 2na and A.Skillz
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/htt
Sunday at Sankofas with Dizraeli and BCUC
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...
Poetry Slam Part 2
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)
Poetry Slam Part 1.
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
Bridging the Generation Gap - Paul Cree
In this heartwarming episode, we hear how music has helped to tie together threads of 3 generations… Produced by eventsinsound.com
A Pocket Guide to STOP ECOCIDE!
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
Elkin Robinson - Performance
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
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 b
Finding Resilience in a Changing World
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-
The World of Joelle Taylor *EXPLICIT LANGUAGE*
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
Rivers and the Right to Roam
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 Ou
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: https://cygnusreview.com/cart
Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies
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.
This story was recorded live at Natural Born Storytellers, in the Imaginarium at Shambala 2019 - if you liked this story, check out their amazin
Psychedelics and 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.
For more information see the links:
https://www.psychedelicsociety.org.uk/
https://rebellion.earth/
Bringing you a selection of the finest
Homelands and 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.
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 word
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. Mac Macartney’s book
is called the Children’s Fire: https://macmacartney.com/portfolio/thechildrensfire/
Bringing you
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.
https://laurenlovatt.com/
Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas
Love, Life, Death: and the colours in between
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.
Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolution
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?
https://www.theciderbox.com/
http://www.theciderologist.com/
Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary
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 walks us through the opportunities, threats and options that this change could present for our food system.
https://landworkersalliance.org.uk/
Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies of the Sha
Extinction Rebellion
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.
For more information: 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 Me
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.
Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies of the Shambala
Epiphanies: Karma, Love and 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
Bonus Episode - The Trial of Daisy The Cow
In this very special bonus episode of the Shambala Speaks podcast, we take you inside the appeal 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
Epiphanies: a doctor's job
In this first part of our epiphanies stories, Dr. Stephen Fabes tells us about how a tragic event helped him fully understand how to be a doctor…
This story was recorded live at Natural Born Storytellers at Shambala - 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 y
Not Your Average Girl Band
For this episode we duck into the Shambala home of grass roots activism, the Rebel Soul tent to hear from the members of the band Grrrl…
Grrrl are a group of women musicians from marginalised communities around the world, brought together by the project ‘In place of War’ to tell their stories of life, conflict, inequality and change with a powerful collective voice.
Bringing you a selection of the
The Founder of Carbon Neutral
Who knew that the history of Carbon Offsetting was so rock and roll? 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, the Foo Fighters, Damien Hirst and a little pet shop in Castle Cary and you have one helluva tale. Buckle up!
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 a journey that ends with some pretty interesting ideas on how psychedelics could guide us out of the global climate crisis.
Bringing you a selection of the finest of wise words, revolutionary ideas and beautiful stories, spoken under the canopies of the Shambala
Adventures in Dystopia
Shambala’s ethos is to create adventures in Utopia, and in this episode Documentary filmmaker James Jones reminds us that to understand what a utopia looks like it’s pretty useful to understand what a dystopia looks like.
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.
Prod
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