Ng Digital Podcast Network

In this week's episode, we are chatting with Will, Chris, and Gareth, the folks behind the Notts Bad Movie Club. Launched last year the NBMC hosts double-screenings of some of the "best" bad movies at Annie's Burger Shack, allowing people to enjoy these historically much-maligned movies among a group of other like-minded folks.  These screenings have included the likes of Streetfighter, Mortal Kombat, Mac & Me, and Anaconda, and have even seen exclusive video messages from some of the people involved in these films - both in front of and behind the camera. Such has been the success of the event that they are now launching a Notts GOOD Movie Club to celebrate some true classics - kicking off with a double screening of South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut, and Basketball. We find out how the club started, what constitutes a "bad movie", and the plans moving forward for his fun event. This was a fun chat and a definite listen for fellow bad movie lovers. You can find out more about what Notts Bad Movie Clu

Notts What I'm Talking About returns for its FIFTIETH episode as we kick off a brand new series of the show, in this first episode we chat to young climate change activist Liv Marshall who tells us about how she got started in climate activism, her recent visit to parliament to present a bill on teaching climate change in schools, the importance of the fight and about her recent open letter in Left Lion encouraging people to try and stay positive despite how bleak things may look. This is a fascinating and inspiring conversation and a reminder of how the youth are leading the fight to tackle climate change - and just how important that fight is for not only their generation but indeed for all. Liv has recently launched a Fridays for the Future, a weekly gathering in the Market Square at 4pm every Friday, to raise awareness on the issue of climate change and remind the public - and council - that action is needed, this is a peaceful gathering and all are welcome. You can check out Liv's fantastic open letter f

*WARNING - This episode contains explicit content* We're back and we have a special episode, for the first time we have a guest who is not from, or connected to, Nottingham, but is just visiting. It's episode 49 and we're chatting with Sigourney Beaver, star of Shudder TV's hugely popular drag competition Boulet Brothers Dragula. Describing herself as a "female impersonator impersonator" Sigourney was a finalist in season 4 of the hit show that takes drag competition to a whole new level with focus on the underground and alternative drag scene and with those at the bottom facing "extermination challenges" that test them both mentally and physically on the show. Sigourney joined us to chat about how she got started in drag, her time on the show, the UK tour - which comes to Nottingham this month - and more, as well as answering a few fan questions, so tune in for a fun chat but be warned the content is VERY explicit. Boulet Brothers Dragula Season 4 UK Tour is coming to the Rescue Rooms on Saturday 26 March -

In episode 48 of Notts What I'm Talking About we chat with singer Rob.Green in what was a very open and intimate chat. We go all the way back to Rob's Parlour Tricks EP launch show at Nottingham Contemporary in 2012 - where host Darren and Rob first met, through to his upcoming Bodega headline show in February. Along the way Rob talks about how a conversation in the early hours of the morning in a converted church roof led to the release of one of his best loves tracks Blue, and how the recent lockdown led to Rob taking a deep look at his emotions and his work-life balance. This is a fascinating conversation with Rob being extremely open and honest about his life and decisions. You can find out more about Rob by visiting his official website here, tickets for his show at The Bodega on 18 February 2022 can be purchased here

Next Friday will see the start of the Nottingham Comedy Festival with over 100 acts performing at venues across the city over ten days and bringing some much needed laughter to us all after a pretty rough time.  To find out more about the festival we had a chat with director and co-founder Helen Stead, so tune in as we talk about the origins and history of the festival, the impact last year had and what's in store for 2021. Plus, find out how you can give stand up a go if. If you want to know the full line up for the Nottingham Comedy Festival 2021 you can find it on the official website This episode of Notts What I'm Talking About is sponsored by NOTTINGHAM LIVE

NOTTS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT is back with a brand new episode and what a fascinating one it is. We're joined by Paul Crawford, professor of health humanities at the University of Nottingham to discuss mental health, especially in young people. Join us as Paul talks about his collaboration with Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animation - the Whatsupwitheveryone project - that offers a fantastic resource for young people looking for help when it comes to the issues they may be facing. We also discuss the pandemic and lockdown and the impacts on mental health resulting from this life-changing situation - and Paul tells us about how writing a book with his son helped him get through lockdown. Plus Paul talks about the importance of compassion - not only to others but to ones self. Check out this fascinating and insightful conversation as we welcome Professor Paul Crawford as our guest for Episode 46 of NOTTS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. Check out Paul's article for Left Lion offering advice to new students here

We're back and it's episode 45, which marks a big change as NG Meets... becomes NOTTS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. That's right we mark our first episode of 2021 with a change of name - plus episodes will now drop on a Thursday. In this new episode were talking to David Phillips headteacher at Chilwell School, in Nottinghamshire. David joined us to talk about the past year and the impact it has had on schooling, how the school has had to adapt, some of the unexpected new skills he and the rest of the staff have had to learn and what differences might come from this pandemic. The school community has done wonders this past year in a bit to try and ensure children's lives were disrupted as little as possible, with online learning, Google classrooms and the like becoming buzzwords of the year - and teachers, staff an all those involved deserve huge praise and credit. Check out this fantastic chat with somebody in the eyes of the school lockdown storm and please be sure to thank the teachers and staff who have work

This week, on NG Meets..., we are talking about The Nottingham Project, a new board made of the great and good of the Nottingham creative and culture scene, with the aim of a once-in-a-lifetime task of rejuvenating Nottingham to make it THE place to be. We chat to director Lee Walker about how the project got started, the aims and plans behind it and what's happened so far, as well as the impact Covid has had on the project and the city and, of course, we discuss the Broadmarsh and the importance of getting the use of that space right. Lee tells us why Austin, Texas is such a huge inspiration to him and the team and why Nottingham needs to make this moment count if it is going to be a successful city in the future. We talk about the huge names that feature on the board of The Nottingham Project which include chair Greg Nugent, who headed up the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Organising Committee, vice chair Vicky McClure, best know for her BAFTA award winning role as Lol in This is England, and more

In this episode of NG Meets... we meet Debbie Clarke aka Debbiedoodah an award winning business consultant and strategist. We chat to Debbie about why she started her own business, and why working for others just wasn't for her, and the joy she has in helping businesses and entrepreneurs be successful.  We also chat about social media, it's role in business, the importance of using it correctly and why it's not always the best way to jump in feet first on every new favourite social media fad. We talk about equality within the business world and Debbie's work with female entrepreneurs as well as her own podcast series Women Who Create. Plus, we discuss the Coronavirus and the impact that has had on small businesses, including on Debbiedoodah, and what the ramifications might be moving forward in terms of working from home and more telecommuting and conferencing.  So tune in for a fascinating and fun chat  - and if you're looking for help with your business be sure to check out what Debbiedoodah can offer

5...4...3...2...1....we're blasting off (metaphorically) into space on this weeks episode of NG Meets... as we speak to Michael Merrifield, who is Professor of Astronomy at the University of Nottingham. We chat to Michael about his career in the field of astronomy and some of the fascinating work he does, including his involvement in the ELT (Extremely Large Telescope) project - and we also address the whole issue of acronyms in science. Michael tells us about Sixty Symbols, the University's Physic teams Youtube video series that offers up a collection of videos on all things physics, and his first home telescope and #LockdownAstronomy project. We also chat about social media, the spread of false news and conspiracies and how Michael just cannot help engaging with a climate denying former UKIP MEP. As a professor at the university Michael has a first hand experience of the impact the coronavirus lockdown has had on further education and he tells us about how the University had to adapt to the new way of t

In episode of 41 of NG Meets... we chat to Tyla Henriques-White. After arranging the anti-racism protest, that attracted around 5,000 people to Forest Rec earlier this year, Tyla, along with friends Shan Vincent and Janelle Brown, launched the Next Gen Movement, a millennial led project aimed at empowering the local community and tacking racism. We had a chat with Tyla to find out what the aims of the Next Gen Movement are, and how they have come so far so fast, how racism isn't always about outspoken groups marching down the street but fosters itself in subtle, and often overlooked ways and why the latest protests and outrage - in the light of the George Flloyd murder - feel different to in the past. Next Gen Movement are working with numerous organisations across the city to get their message out help bring about change, while also working at putting on workshops to help Nottingham youngsters, these workshops need funding and so the team have set up a funding campaign which you can find here. Check out a

It's episode 40 and we're extremely proud to welcome this weeks guest, the award winning author Jasbinder Bilan. We chat to Jasbinder about her debut novel Asha and the Spirit Bird which was a huge success, landing her the 2019 Costa Children's Book Award, and also her upcoming novel Tamarind and the Star of Ishta which is available from September.   We also chat about her love of writing growing up and the impact lockdown has had on her work and her experiences of virtual events and festivals, plus she tells us some of the places she misses most about Nottingham - Jasbinder now lives in Bath.   We also have an EXCLUSIVE reading from the new novel at the end of the episode so be sure to stick around until the end.   Be sure to check out this episode and the head over to Jasbinder's official website for all the latest information, including how you'll be able to get hold of Tamarind and the Star of Ishta when it hits shelves in September.

This week, on NG Meets... we are chatting to Leigh Ellis of Notts Pride about how the event has, like pretty much every other major event worldwide, fallen to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and the alternative plans they have put in place.   While there may be no Pride march and city centre event this year the Pride team have put together a two hour special show, recorded in the Ballroom at the Council House, featuring performances from the likes of Maryam Din, Rob Green, Kitty Tray and Ravelle Sade, along with videos and more.    We also chat about the importance of acknowledging the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and the different experiences faced by different people, the impact the lockdown has had on the community and the importance of looking at mental health and support at a time when so much focus is on the physical health issues.   We also talk about how Leigh got involved in Notts Pride, the difficult balancing games that go into companies supporting and being involved in Pride and plans

In the latest episode of NG Meets... we speak to Josh Osoro Pickering, Community Engagement and Participation Officer at the Nottingham Castles Trust. Having only started the role in January this year Josh has had something of a baptism of fire when it comes to the new role with the Coronavirus pandemic throwing up unprecedented and unexpected challenges, and he tells us about what he and the team have been doing to engage people during this time, such as online activities, physical activity packs and even a gardening project. The castle itself, of course, was already shut before the pandemic hit as it goes through a huge restoration and renovation project, somewhat sheltering from the worst impacts of the shutdown, but the effects will still be felt. Josh tells us a bit about the plans for the reopening of the castle, what considerations may have to be given to potential guidelines at that time and some of the exciting things that will be happening following the work. We also chat about the importance of

As Pride month comes to a close you can check out the latest episode of NG Meets... in which we speak to Nat Thorne from the Nottingham Trans Hub. We discuss the foundation of the Hub and the support and events it offers, and how they have adapted their services during the coronavirus pandemic, including virtual socials - and the benefits these kind of gatherings could bring the hub moving forward. We also chat about the ongoing fight for trans rights and the vitriolic push back that has been seen on social media, and the government decision to ignore the results of the survey on trans rights in relation to the Gender Equality Act - and we dive into the role that social media, education and science can, and will play, in improving understanding and support for trans rights. This is a fascinating chat and, hopefully, paints a more positive hope for the future of trans rights - and indeed all rights - amidst what feels like a hugely hostile period of time. For more on the Nottingham Trans Hub and the servic

This week is Refugee Week and as part of it we had a chat with two of the members of the Nottingham Refugee Week team - Allan Njanji and Dr Anna Ball. Allan and Anna joined us to talk about what Nottingham Refugee Week is all about and how they both came to be involved in the event, they also tell us about how they have had to change the event in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic and the big plans they have had to push back to 2021. We also chat about the importance of challenge the narrative put out by much of the media when it comes to refugees and how events like Refugee week do this - and the importance of not forgetting about refugees especially at a time like this when many minds are elsewhere, and we talk about how the refugee community has been impacted by the virus pandemic and the extra issues facing these communities such as language barriers, issues around accessing healthcare and support services being effected.  This is a really fascinating chat that reminds us of the importance of fightin

In this weeks episode we are chatting to actor Cassie Bradley, who is, probably, best known for her roles in Coronation Street and Casualty. We chat to Cassie about how a trip to the Nottingham Playhouse panto was the catalyst to following the acting dream and working on stage and screen, we also talk about the impact the coronavirus lockdown has had on her and the acting world and what the possible steps might be for the return of filming.  Cassie talks about her involvement with the excellent Nottingham Young Creative Awards and the online monologue webinars she is doing for them - which you can find out more about here. This is a great chat with a dive behind the scenes into some of the different aspects of the acting world and adapting to new situations.  Follow Cassie on Twitter to keep up to date on what she is working on, and check out the excellent monologue she recorded for the recent Nottstopping Festival.

We're still under lockdown and live festivals and events still remain a no go, but that hasn't stopped a whole host of Nottingham organisations from coming together to create the Nottstopping Festival, a huge two day festival taking place on 23-24 May and featuring a MASSIVE selection of events including music, comedy, poetry, community events and more - and all in support of the fantastic frontline workers who are still out there everyday. To find out more about the festival we had a chat with two key members of the organising team Ben Welch and Tricia Gardner to find out more about the event, what they have planned, the logistics behind it and how you can get involved. Check out the episode and then head over to the events official website to keep a track on the latest announcements. Stay safe. Unfortunately, as is the way with remote recording sometimes, there were some technical issues with the feeds in this episode however we have done our best to put together the best show for you to enjoy.

Well we're still in the midst of an unprecedented lockdown but we are continuing to continue bringing you the NG Meets... podcast - via the wonderful world of remote recording - and this week we speak to Louise Cooke, founder and CEO of Sharewear Clothing, a charity organisation that providing clothing, sheets and other items to people that need them. Louise tells us the fascinating story that started in South America and ended with the launch of the charity, we discuss how huge an issue clothing poverty is and how it often fails to get the attention it needs, plus Louise talks about how the Coronavirus pandemic has hit the organisation, with demand rocketing at the same time as resources - especially in terms of available volunteers - has plummeted, and how they have adapted to this fast changing situation. We also talk about how organisations such as Sharewear my be impacted by the repercussions of the pandemic and the inevitable economic issues that will come from it. You can find out more about Sharewea

We're going remote for this weeks episode, our first recorded during the lockdown and we're taking to much spoken about app Zoom to enable us to keep bringing you the show. In this episode we chat to Alex Traska of internet radio station MyHouseYourHouse, the much loved internet radio station which has returned during the lockdown. Alex talks to us to about why and how he brought he station back having initial closed it down in 2018 - after fifteen years running. We also talk about the lockdown and the impact it has had on the creative community and how people have adapted and innovated to ensure they can still get their art out there, and we wonder what might happen going forward and what changes might, or might not, happen in the aftermath of the pandemic. Alex also talks us through the history of the station, and losing co-founder Erick Anderson, plus what the future might hold for the station when the lockdown finally comes to an end. This is a fascinating chat as we address the current pandemic and lo