From exploring collective ownership, unearthing hidden histories of overlooked towns and the impact of the Stanlow Oil Refinery, to examining British West African identities and shining a light on the Muslim practice of Zakat, BBC Sounds Audio Lab returns with five more untold stories from a range of diverse new voices.
Chosen from hundreds of applicants, five fresh talents have spent eight months immersed in the unique accelerator programme backed by a comprehensive package of practical and professional training, embedded with one of Audio Lab’s five production partners across the UK, to produce a set of brilliant new podcasts for BBC Sounds.
In addition, BBC Sounds are giving Audio Lab creators the opportunity to join The Radio Academy Mentoring Programme. The intensive development initiative matches each mentee with a bespoke mentor for confidential one-to-one mentoring sessions, as well as peer development and valuable leadership skills through a series of seminars and training workshops to help build confidence for participants to take charge of and advance their own careers.
Khaliq Meer, Commissioning Executive, BBC Sounds Audio Lab says: “It’s thrilling to present the next five Audio Lab titles as part of our second year programme. The creators have left no stone unturned, digging deep into their lives and experiences to produce unique stories and fresh reflections in surprising and imaginative ways, from across the UK. I hope listeners find these programmes and documentaries as moving and exhilarating as we have making them.
“This year we brought in production partners to enhance the experience even more, giving each creator a sense how world class podcasts are brought to life, as well as feel part of a team. I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved together and l can’t wait to see what they do next, especially with the ongoing support and resources through the Radio Academy mentorship scheme we’re offering our creators.”
Hometown Boring? by Anouska Lewis
History Hun Anouska Lewis is on a mission to prove that no hometown is boring, because everywhere has a history (and history is never boring).
Across six episodes, Anouska spotlights hidden histories from misjudged places across the UK, supplying a few history-hun-facts along the way. From the links between the British Empire and a local recipe in Ormskirk, the story of a soon-to-be-demolished Brutalist shopping centre in Cumbernauld, and the birthplace of the first Black footballer to represent Wales in Chepstow, to a little-known strike led by South Asian women in Slough, the ‘I’ LGBTQIA+ history in Plymouth, and even how her hometown Milton Keynes had connections to 1990s rave culture, Anouska meets the historians and a local residents showcasing their town for some fascinating discussions about the stories they unearth.
Anouska Lewis, Audio Lab creator says: “I realised that people thought my hometown was boring when I left home and met people from bigger and cooler cities. When I introduced myself as being from Milton Keynes, they laughed, shrugged, or asked ‘where?’. I think lots of people in the UK are from places that get similar reactions. But as a historian, I’m convinced that no town or city can truly be “boring” because everywhere has a history.
“By supporting me as a creator, Audio Lab has also allowed me to explore the past in a less traditional way and appeal to fellow Gen Z History Huns. Working with Mags Creative as part of the scheme has been a dream. They were so enthusiastic about my idea from the beginning and supported me throughout. I can’t wait for people to hear it!”
Hometown Boring? is a Mags Creative production for BBC Sounds Audio Lab, available now
Seun’s Talking Drum British And West African - Seun Matiluko
A talking drum is a popular West African instrument used to spread important stories and messages across generations. It is also the inspiration for British-Nigerian journalist Seun Matiluko’s podcast, sharing stories about what it means to be British and West African today.
Each episode explores different aspects of British West African life from the past and present. From jollof rice wars and shipping boats to language classes and hall parties, Seun Matiluko meets other British West Africans, including sports legend Kriss Akabusi and BBC Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom, and asks whether we can truly, authentically, be both. In this five part series, Seun hopes to share an important message through her own Talking Drum.
Seun Matiluko, Audio Lab creator, says: “The African community in Britain is large, diverse and (as-of-yet) underexplored. I’m delighted to shed some light on British West African life with my podcast: from naming ceremonies and jollof rice wars to private fostering and Tudor history there really is something for everyone in this series!
“The Audio Lab experience was a rollercoaster. It gave me the opportunity to learn how to make a high-quality podcast and be involved at every stage of the process, from pressing record on the microphone, to interviewing contributors and editing the content together. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to bring this podcast to life.”
Seun’s Talking Drum British And West African is a Three Arrows Media production for BBC Sounds Audio Lab
Now Here by May Robson
Now Here explores stories of people coming together to fight back in the face of neighbourhood decline and neglect. From a Liverpool pie shop reviving abandoned streets and a former mining village in South Wales reclaiming a radical past, to ‘citizen scientists’ exposing the slow death of the river Wye and people opposing the slow death of London’s queer spaces, these very different landscapes share common threads.
May Robson hears from those reimagining how we can live together, taking listeners on a journey from the Scottish Islands to the southern borders of England to explore how common spaces are being created, reclaimed and rediscovered. The six part series travels around the UK to find out how ordinary people are making a new kind of future – one that isn’t a distant horizon of utopia, one that’s here, now.
May Robson, Audio Lab creator says: “I’m so excited to finally share this podcast. It’s been a rare opportunity to tell community stories that are shut out of the mainstream and make connections across the UK. I’ve enjoyed hanging out with 89-year old gardeners in Birmingham, queer activists in London and former miners in South Wales, and I hope you will too.”
“Now Here would be nowhere without Audio Lab. The idea would still be floating around in my head. It’s been a wild ride - exciting, exhausting and eye-opening all at once. I’m very grateful to my team for their support and belief in me as a creator and presenter.”
Now Here is a BBC Scotland production for BBC Sounds Audio Lab, available now
Black Gold by George Powell
Stanlow Oil Refinery in North West England has been a driving force in the UK’s industrial strategy for the past one hundred years. It has built the world around us, provided thousands of jobs for generations, dominated the landscape, influencing musicians and artists. But what is its impact on the people living and working closest to it?
In Black Gold, George Powell delves deep into Stanlow’s history, from ushering in an age of prosperity and fueling Britain’s economy, to a dramatic turning point during the recession in the 80s and losing half its work force, asking what is next for the aging petrochemical plant in the midst of a Green revolution.
George Powell, BBC Sounds Audio Lab creator says: “I'm utterly fascinated by the interrelation between how we live and the places around us, and knew that Stanlow Oil Refinery would be home to some incredible stories. The oddity on the banks of the Mersey always threw up questions for me, every time I passed it on the motorway. From when I was younger and even still. I hope this podcast satisfies the curiosity of anyone else who may have questions about the place.
“Audio Lab gave me the incredible opportunity to make a podcast that attempts to answer some of the questions I had about Stanlow. It also gave me a huge insight into every stage of making a programme with the BBC, with the support and guidance of an industry leading-team."
Black Gold is a Long Form Audio, BBC News production for BBC Sounds Audio Lab, available now
Sacred Money by Taqwa Sadiq
For centuries, Muslims around the world 'purify' their wealth through giving away 2.5% of it to those in need. Called Zakat, estimates for how much is collected each year worldwide range from 200 billion to one trillion US dollars.
In this five-part podcast, Taqwa Sadiq explores whether Zakat, an Islamic tradition, can help solve the UK cost-of-living crisis. Her quest for answers takes us all over the globe and even back in time. From hallowed libraries in Cambridge and a mysterious stone in Turkey, to a flooded farm in Pakistan and modern activism in Chicago. Along the way, Taqwa meets young Muslims, doctors and influencers, aunties and uncles, the mandem, a religious scholar, an ex-government official, and more. Their stories open up questions around identity and belonging, get to the heart of what it means to be a British Muslim, and explore what happens when ancient traditions are transported to new places and times.
Taqwa Sadiq, Audio Lab creator says: “Sacred Money is about a seemingly niche topic that turns out to have massive universal implications. Making the podcast totally changed how I think about money and belonging, and it might just do the same for you!
“Audio Lab gave me an invaluable opportunity to spend time delving into Zakat, meeting wonderful and fascinating contributors along the way. It has demystified what it’s like to work at the BBC and what it takes to make a multi-part series, as well as working with some amazing people in audio.”
Sacred Money is a BBC Audio Speech & Music Podcasts production for BBC Sounds Audio Lab, available now
About BBC Sounds Audio Lab:
BBC Sounds Audio Lab launched in 2021 to provide a space for the next generation of podcasters and open up the industry to a wider range of people by giving new audio creatives the opportunity to turn their ideas into a series of podcasts for BBC Sounds.
The unique programme, and first of its kind from the BBC, offers a comprehensive package of practical and professional training. With the support and guidance of mentors and experts from across the BBC, the first Audio Lab cohort went on to land broadcasts on BBC Radio 1Xtra and 4 Extra, be championed in the Radio Academy’s 30 Under 30, gain critical acclaim alongside some of 2022’s biggest hits including Pod Bible’s best podcasts of the year and an ARIA Gold win for Best New Podcast at the 2023 awards.
For the initiative’s second year, creators were also paired with one of our production partners from across the UK. Two independent productions companies – Mags Creative in London and Three Arrows Media in Salford – joined BBC Scotland Production in Glasgow, BBC Long Form Audio in Salford and BBC Audio Pop & Speech podcasts in London to lead on development and production for each creator.
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