Be Bold, Be Birmingham: Recent Episodes
Birmingham City Council
We are here to DANCE to the BEAT of Brum’s Drum. To SING the SOUL of our city. Birmingham 2022 is round the corner and we are ready to show the world what a Vibrant, Diverse and Exciting place Brum is!
Join Melzy J as she talks all things Brum with some interesting, influential and talented characters from the city.
On this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, we talk with Sara Wajid Co-CEO of the Birmingham Museums Trust.
As Co-CEO of the Birmingham Museums Trust and one of a small percentage of POC within director roles in the museum industry, Sara is an exceptional force championing gender equality and diversity within her field. Sara is also a founding member of Space Invaders and founder of Museum Detox, organisations which bring together women and POC within the museum industry.
Over the the course of the episode we discuss:
- The inner workings of a Co-CEO for Birmingham Museum Trust
- Diversity and gender representation within the museum industry
- How you can get involved with museums in Birmingham
- What makes Birmingham bold
Sara Wajid can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/waji35
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-wajid-27410813/
On this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, our guests are Madeleine Kludje, the Associate Director of the Birmingham Rep, and Yasmin Nessa who is the co-founder of Saltley Women’s Football club.
As an associate director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Madeline Kludje is passionate about the city, paving the way for women and championing diversity in the theatre industry. Kludje recently directed ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ at the Birmingham Royal Ballet and is currently working with Birmingham Poet Laureate, Casey Bailey and working on Grimeboy which arrives at The Rep in April 22.
Yasmin Nessa co-founded Saltely Stallions Women’s Football Club with the aims to create a safe space for Muslim women in inner city Birmingham. Open to women of all backgrounds, the club encourages diversity and inclusivity and has allowed women to break down barriers around traditional conventions on the role women play in society. Not only this, Saltley Stallions Women’s Football Club has enabled women to meet like-minded people and boost health and wellbeing.
Over the the course of the episode we discuss:
- Celebrating the city’s diverse and industrial heritage and influencing change
- Representation and diversity in theatre and sport
- What support is out there for those looking for careers in theatre
- What makes Birmingham Bold?
Madeline Kludje can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/madeleinekludje
- Website: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/
Yasmin Nessa can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltleywfc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltleywfc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltleyWFC
- Website: https://saltleystallions.co.uk/womens-football/
On this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, our guests are Clayton Shaw, Programme Manager from STEAMHouse and Taran Singh who is the founder and CEO of Taran 3D.
STEAMHouse is part of Birmingham City University which is a collaborative space for businesses and startups, with the aim to propel innovation in the city. As the Programme Manager, Clayton works with start-ups and businesses to develop new prototypes, products and services which has included Taran 3D.
Taran Singh leads an award-winning 3D studio which specialises in all things immersive, working with technology which allows businesses to communicate products, ideas or services in new and engaging ways. Ranging from Virtual Reality to Augmented Reality, Taran 3D also runs workshops to teach immersive technologies to new audiences.
Over the the course of the episode we discuss:
- The importance of technology and innovation
- What is STEAM and how do each discipline compliment each other?
- What is the Metaverse and why is there a need for immersive technology?
- What opportunities are available for people looking to work in this field?
Clayton Shaw can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/claytonshaw
- Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/STEAMhouseUK/
- Website: https://steamhouse.org.uk/
Taran Singh can be found here:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taran3d/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taran3d/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Taran3D
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taran3d/
- Website: https://taran3d.com/
In this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, our guests are Tru Powell, a multi-award winning creative entrepreneur and publicity expert, and Luke Tonge an independent graphic designer and director at Birmingham Design.
Tru Powell is passionate about using his skillset to help other people. Tru’s multiple roles include being a publicity coach, personal brand strategist as well as the Creative and Events Director for the Aston Performing Arts Academy.
Luke Tonge is an established graphic designer and director at Birmingham Design which runs the annual Birmingham Design Festival. He’s a keen supporter of young creatives which is reflected in his roles as a lecturer and mentor.
Over the the course of the episode we discuss:
- The importance of representation, diversity and role models
- Providing opportunities and resources for the next generation
- Some of the recent achievements from their industries/communities
- Is Birmingham full of opportunity?
Tru Powell can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tru_Powell
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tru.powell.7
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truchio-powell-a1ab7833/?originalSubdomain=uk
- Website: https://www.trupowell.com/
Luke Tonge can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/luketonge
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luketonge/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luketonge/
- Website: http://www.luketonge.com/
In this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, we’re joined by Nigel Harris, the Creative Director from Jellybob who directed the iconic Children’s classic Brum, and Ben Wooldridge who is Head of Strategic Communications at The Rep and a keen advocate for the arts.
Nigel Harris is a veteran of children’s TV with over 35 years within the film industry. Working on BAFTA award-winning Teletubbies, Tots TV as well as having produced and directed ‘Brum’, ‘Rosie & Jim’ and much more.
At the time of the podcast, Ben Wooldridge was the Communication and Marketing Manager at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and is now the Head of Communications at Birmingham Rep. With over 10 years of experience working in commercial theatre with his career beginning at the Birmingham Hippodrome, he’s hugely passionate about the theatre scene.
Over the the course of the episode we discuss:
- What it’s like directing a children’s classic
- The importance of film and TV in Birmingham
- What it’s like working on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games
- The vibrant theatre scene in Birmingham
Nigel Harris can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JellybobTV
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigeyp/
- Website: https://www.jellybob.co.uk/team
Ben Wooldridge can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/benwooldridge
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjameswooldridge/?originalSubdomain=uk
In this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, our guests are comedians Janice Connolly, the Brummie comedian behind Barbara Nice and founder of Women in Theatre. Alongside Janice is Tal Davies, an emerging comedian and writer.
Janice Connolly is an established UK comedian, well known for her enthusiastic alter-ego, Barbara Nice as well as being well known for playing Holy Mary in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights as well as an appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.
Tal Davis is an emerging comedian and a regular on the West Midlands comedy circuit. She was runner-up and finalist in the Best Newcomer and Rising Star categories in the 2019 Midlands Comedy Awards and often performs at comedy festivals around the UK.
Over the the course of the episode we discuss:
- How they started their journey in Stand Up comedy
- The Birmingham comedy scene and Brummie humour
- What it's like performing on stage
- Finding your comedy material
Janice Connolly can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraNice
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaranice42/
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Barbara-Nice-6218355837/
- Website: https://www.mrsbarbaranice.com/
- Women in Theatre: https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/
Tal Davies can be found here:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tal.davies/?hl=en
- Website: https://www.taldaviescomedian.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taaaldavies
In this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, our hosts Melzy J and Ben Kane take a look back at episodes 1-6 and share their favourite moments from the podcast so far, which range from topics on diversity through to the independent food scene.
Ben and Melzy J chat about the episodes ranging from the first guests, Martin Green and Amerah Saleh where they heard more about the creative process behind creating and producing events for the Commonwealth Games, as well as the importance of representation.
Key moments for Ben and Melzy J include chatting to Pierro Zizzi and Saima Razzaq on episode 3 where they talked about Brum’s LGBTQ+ scene in the city, through to Episode 5 where Adam Regan from the Hare and Hounds discussed the sound of Birmingham - and if there is one!
Take a listen to the podcast and hear from some of the city’s most passionate people talk about subjects that are important to them, and learn more about what makes Birmingham bold.
In this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, our guests are Jack Brabant, co-founder and director of Digbeth Dining Club and award-winning Brummie food blogger, Laura McEwan from Bite Your Brum.
Jack Brabant launched Digbeth Dining Club in 2012 which has grown from its original site in Digbeth to multiple venues across the West Midlands. Jack champions the independent spirit of the city’s food scene and today, Digbeth Dining Club is one of the UK’s leading operators of street food venues and events.
Laura McEwan is an award-winning food blogger who is passionate about the city and the huge variety of food coming out of Birmingham. Laura has turned her passion project into her profession, writing posts with a sense of humour, staying honest and uses her platform to showcase all things food from street stalls to Michelin starred restaurants.
Over the course of the episode we discuss:
- The journey of Digbeth Dining Club
- Birmingham’s independent food scene
- Turning passion projects into a profession
- DDC’s new venture - Community Interest Company (CIC)
Digbeth Dining Club can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/digbethdiner
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digbethdiningclub
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigbethDiningClub/
- Website: https://digbethdiningclub.com/
Laura McEwan can be found here:
- Twitter:https://twitter.com/biteyourbrum
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biteyourbrum/
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/biteyourbrum
- Website:https://biteyourbrum.com/
In this episode of Be Bold, Be Birmingham, we’re joined by guests Matt Nation from Provide and Adam Regan from the Hare and Hounds.
Matt is the owner of Provide, a brand born in Birmingham which creates products, clothing and gifts which celebrate the city. Spend enough time in Birmingham, and you’ll be sure to spot Provide clothing, proudly worn by Brummies.
Adam Regan is a DJ, promoter at This Is Tmrw and the owner of a Birmingham institution, the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath. The pub is well known in the city for being a brilliant venue to discover new music and is a respected touring venue within the UK.
Over the course of the episode we discuss:
- Musical inspirations
- How the music scene in the city has changed over the years
- The journey of the Provide brand
- Collaborating with independent artists in the city
- The appeal of Birmingham and its creativity
Provide can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/providebrum
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/providebirmingham/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProvideShop/
- Website: https://providebirmingham.com/
Hare and Hounds can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hareandhounds/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hareandhoundsbrum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hareandhoundskingsheath/
- Website: https://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/
This week on Be Bold, Be Birmingham, our guests are Andy Munro from Birmingham Balti Bowl Co and Lizey Thomson, the Canal Heritage Advisor for the Canal and River Trust.
Both of our guests are passionate about Birmingham’s heritage and have turned their passions into a profession. Andy Munro champion’s Birmingham’s Balti story and even discusses how he applied to get the Balti a European Food Trademark of Authenticity.
Birmingham is famous for having more canals than Venice! With more than 100 miles of canals in Birmingham and the Black Country they were built to support the Industrial Revolution to transport coal, iron and other heavy goods. Today they’re enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and narrowboat owners and are a reminder of Birmingham’s unique industrial heritage.
Over the course of the episode we discuss:
- What captured their imagination for their roles
- How canals have changed in the last couple of decades
- Brick conservation
- What is a Balti and why is it unique to Birmingham?
- How to make a Balti
Andy can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BaltiBowl
- Website: https://balti-birmingham.co.uk/
Lizey can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizey13
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/canalrivertrust
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-thomson-3476848/?originalSubdomain=uk
- Website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
This week on Be Bold, Be Birmingham, we’re joined by Saima Razzaq and Piero Zizzi. Saima is head of Diversity and Inclusion at Birmingham Pride and Piero is the organiser of Pride House Birmingham.
Birmingham Pride began in 1997 and has become one of the most important LGBTQI+ festivals in the UK. The event begins with a colourful parade across the city and live music and entertainment from the festival site and attracts around 75,000 people over the weekend.
Working closely with Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Pride House Birmingham aims to create a safe and welcoming space and provide an inclusive environment for LGBTQI+ supporters, athletes, staff and volunteers at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and to date, there have been 20 Pride Houses at international sporting events around the world.
Over the course of the episode we discuss:
- The success of Birmingham Pride and how it has changed over the years.
- What makes Birmingham Pride unique?
- Pride House Birmingham, what they do and how to get involved.
- What the Birmingham Commonwealth Games means to the LGBTQI+ community
Saima can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcsaima
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saima-razzaq-92731764/?originalSubdomain=uk
- Birmingham Pride: https://twitter.com/BirminghamPride
- Birmingham Pride: https://www.instagram.com/birminghampridefestival/
- Website: https://birminghampride.com
Piero can be found here:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PieroZizzi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierozizzi/?originalSubdomain=uk
- Pride House Birmingham: https://twitter.com/PrideHouseBham
- Pride House Birmingham: https://www.instagram.com/PrideHouseBham/
- Website: https://pridehousebham.org.uk
Talking with Tom Ross and PJ Ellis to fly the flag for Birmingham, looking at all the quirks, locations, amazing events and heroes of the city that jump into action on a daily basis.
Two voices of Brum shining a spotlight on the city.
Episode 1 of Be Bold Be Birmingham with special guests, Martin Green and Amerah Saleh.
The focus is on our guests' special role in bringing the Commonwealth games to Birmingham, talking through stories of the bid, the creative role and the importance of the games for the city.
We are here to DANCE to the BEAT of Brum’s Drum. To SING the SOUL of our city. Birmingham 2022 is round the corner and we are ready to show the world what a Vibrant, Diverse and Exciting place Brum is!