Borderscapes

How many years do you consider a huge age gap? Would you date anyone who is a lot older or younger than you are?  In this episode of Borderscapes, we explore what it feels like to love someone from a different generation, and a different world.  Age-gap relationships are rarely talked about honestly. The assumptions are loud, but the real stories are quieter — and more complicated. Growing up gay in West Germany looks nothing like growing up gay in Taiwan. So what happens when those two timelines meet?  Sonny's boyfriend joins the episode to share his own side of the story. And another couple — Ted, from Taiwan, and Alexander, from Colombia bring their own cross-cultural, cross-generational gap, two continents, and one unforgettable story about soap.  Are these borders something to cross, or something you learn to live inside? And how huge is the gap really? Listen to find out!  Produced and presented by Sonny Yung-Yen Chan    Credits  20260423_1629_Cafe by Benson_Arizona -- https://freesound.org/s/852194/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 

Is disconnecting still an option?  Being connected is no longer something we think about; it's just something we do, all the time. In this episode, we explore the shift from the internet's early promise to today's constant demand for our attention.  We hear from four people as they navigate the struggle to manage screen time, social media, and the quiet pressure to always stay connected.  Drawing on these stories alongside her own, Suzanne N'Gouandi reflects on the subtle ways our phones affect how we interact with people around us, and why it is so difficult to step away, even when we want to. We also hear from Luke, whose relationship with digital media affected his mental well-being, eventually leading him to become a digital minimalist.   This episode is an invitation to pause, reconsider your time spent online, and reflect on what it truly means to disconnect in an always-connected world.   ----------------  Want to learn Luke's story further ?  Against the current Against the Current: Living Offline in an Online World  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Against-Current-Living-Offline-Online/dp/1789633834  The adventure of a digital outsider  https://www.freewebstore.org/jellybeanbooks/product/the-adventures-of-a-digital-outsider       Music    Connect The Dots TV (2015) Connect the Dots 2015: The Promise of the Internet. September 6. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUMil_Y-2tY    Mouse Click Sound for Vlogs, Tutorial Videos and More by inkedflorist -- https://freesound.org/s/710039/ -- License: Creative Commons 0  

Tony left his pregnant wife behind. Peter left, just one year into marriage. Alex left again, immediately after returning from another global opportunity. And Sylviah left, leaving behind her family, including her 10-month-old baby, to study abroad. Beyond scholarships and career prospects lies a quieter story of separation, emotional strain, and personal sacrifice. What does it really cost married students to pursue education across borders?   Through reflective storytelling and critical insight, they share their stories in this episode. They navigate the invisible border of academic mobility that forces married students to choose between opportunity and their families when they cannot travel with them. Academic mobility is revealed not just as an opportunity, but as a deeply human experience marked by tension and resilience. Join Sylviah Chisi, Producer and Presenter of this episode, as she highlights the need to rethink the narrative of success tied to studying abroad and to consider the emotional and social dimensions often left unspoken.    

You never regret a swim: it's the motto of the outdoor swimming community.   Meet five women who brave cold water all year round. For them, it's not just a hobby but a lifeline.  For Mary, cold water swimming was a means to rehabilitation following a critical illness. After four years living and working abroad, she found herself unexpectedly back in the UK – too fragile to return to her old role and life.   Signed off work to recover and have treatment for trauma, she found comfort, community, and connection in the ponds and reservoirs of London. Swimming helped her to feel safe, sane, and herself again.  In this episode Mary retraces her journey and meets others with swimming stories to share – from dealing with divorce to coping with depression and anxiety.  Can they convince you to take the plunge?   Produced and presented by Mary Morgan.  This episode explores issues of death and dying, which some listeners might find distressing. --  If you're tempted to jump in:  West Reservoir: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/hackney/west-reservoir-centre  Kenwood Ladies Pond: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/kenwood-ladies-pond  Luxborough Lake: https://nowca.org/nowca_venue/luxborough-lakes/  No interviews or sound were recorded within the Ladies Pond enclosure – where recording and photography are strictly prohibited. 

For migrants, food is not just food. It is memory, identity, and home. A familiar taste or smell can bring back moments that feel distant, reconnecting them to places and people they may no longer see every day. But what happens when everything changes… when we have to adapt to British food? Can we hold on to that sense of continuity? How do we navigate blending new ingredients, new cultures, and new experiences?  Join Andres Lozano Zamora in this episode of Borderscapes, where he and two fellow Cuban students reconstruct their sense of home and identity through cooking while living thousands of miles away. Flavors Across Borders is not just a nostalgic conversation about "missing food," but an exploration of cultural adaptation, culinary creativity abroad, and cooking as a form of emotional regulation.  Stay tuned to discover how Yaidelines and Mae blur the lines between here and home.   

A little taste of what's to come. Full series landing on May 5th!

Full series landing on 5 May 2026. With episodes on: the intimate cost of acadmic mobility; taking the plunge- cold water swimming for mental health; age gaps in gay relationship; and more!

Love can be borderless, but power never is. In this episode of Borderscapes catch Carolina and Sergio, a Spanish Colombian couple as they move through the interplay of colonial legacies and everyday love. Who holds power, who gets exoticized, and who does the dishes?   From heated debates about colonialism to small negotiations about wet bathroom floors, it's all political if you look closely. Tune in to this episode which is part history lesson, part relationship therapy and the right amount of awkward.    

Is it possible to be both a feminist and a Christian? The one thing that comes to my mind when I think of Christianity is the patriarchy a.k.a. the antithesis of feminism. From how Eve doomed mankind in the tale of Adam and Eve, to the perpetuation of gender roles, Christianity has brought with it rigid and harmful depictions of women. Can my mind be changed?  In this episode, I'm joined by Blessing, a self-declared feminist and Christian. I will be asking her about her religious and feminist beliefs and experiences to determine if one can truly be both. Swinging from moments of light-hearted chatter to earnest discussions, this episode dissects the stereotypes and borders that divide the two identities.  

How far are you willing to go to tell a story?  Journalists take life-threatening adventures in search of truth. While some may be killed, arrested or face physical and online abuse in the line of duty, others experience psychological trauma, separating them from family, friends and things they love so much.   In this episode of Borderscapes, Fisayo Soyombo, an award-winning journalist from Nigeria shares his experiences as an undercover reporter. Growing up, all Fisayo wanted to become was a medical doctor, but destiny had a different script. From discovering his love for storytelling as a campus journalist, to going undercover as a smuggler to expose corruption in Nigeria, Fisayo reflects on how hard it is to be an investigative journalist. He also talks about his unending search for true love, a sacrifice he must make for the public good.  Beyond the headlines, some individuals risk it all for you. Join me in understanding why their stories matter. 

An artist is someone with creativity, inspiration, and a singular vision. Are those traits limited to "fine" mediums? Who decides who gets to be an artist? In this episode of Borderscapes, 'Between Fiber and Art,' host Maria McCoy explores why weavers have been blocked out of the fine art world.  Drawing a line between art and craft causes problems. For one, it slights women. Fiber practices, including weaving, knitting, and sewing, are not only categorized as craft, but as "women's work." Dismissing them discounts passionate women makers, a few of whom you'll meet as a guest of the East Sussex Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers.   Beyond that, a border between art and craft is just too limiting. Philip Sanderson, studio leader at West Dean Tapestry Studio, explains how tapestry weaving doesn't fit squarely in either category.    So, can this border be dismantled? Listen in to find out! 

What happens when faith and feminism meets? Would you cross boundaries to find true love?  Season 5 drops on May 2. Music by the Umamies

Borderscapes Season 5 - Coming Soon Music by The Umamies

Coming out and expressing one's gender identity openly is a deeply personal and often courageous act. It involves breaking free from societal norms and expectations that may dictate how one should behave or identify based on their assigned gender at birth. By embracing their identity, individuals affirm their right to self-expression and autonomy, regardless of whether it aligns with traditional gender roles. This act of liberation allows individuals to live authentically and fosters a more inclusive and understanding society where everyone can be accepted for who they are. It's a journey of self-discovery and self-affirmation that promotes greater diversity and respect for individual differences. There should be no deprivation of rights to live a life of happiness that gives every bit of you hope and satisfaction, for it takes a lot of courage to express and become free to be who you want to be or who you are in society.

In this episode of Borderscapes, we'll explore the complexities of maintaining intimacy in a long-distance relationship when physical distance becomes a significant factor. The story mirrors the experiences of countless individuals worldwide who find themselves navigating the ups and downs of love across borders. From managing time zone differences to finding ways to stay connected despite the miles, the challenges are manifold. But amidst the struggles, there are moments of joy, intimacy, and growth. As our guests share their stories and insights of overcoming obstacles and strengthening bonds in relationships, we'll discover that long-distance relationships also offer unique opportunities for personal growth, independence, and resilience. So, whether you're currently in a long-distance relationship, have been in one in the past, or are simply curious about the dynamics at play, this episode of Borderscapes is for you!    

Social media has almost become an indispensable part of our life. We can contact relatives, friends and classmates on social media, and we can also meet new friends. Social media helps us strengthen the connection between people in life. However, sometimes we also find that when we are too involved in the social networking of the network, we also unconsciously ignore the social networking around us. Similarly, when we enjoy the constantly updated and changing information on social media, the information explosion will also bring us trouble and affect our cognition to a certain extent. Like many things, social media has two sides. I will discuss the impact of social media in combination with my own experience and academic literature, and give my own solutions at the end.

I am using this opportunity to raise awareness and show support of Ukraine's independence, culture and bravery. For my podcast I wish to primarily showcase personal anecdotes that I have collated. I will also be targeting some of the misinterpretations that the western media has been promoting, as well as general misunderstandings that many here in the UK seem to have about the longer historical aspects as well as the global implications of this war. Over the course of this 20 minute episode you will hear from me as well as two very special guests. Thanks for joining me. My solidarity and support goes out to the people of Ukraine and those that hope for a future free of oppression. My condolences to all those who lost their lives or loved ones, human or otherwise.

My podcast episode is an audiobook. Adapted from Edgar Allan Poe's darkly styled Gothic terrorism writings. Serving audiences with fragmented time and visually impaired persons. Based on The Fall of the House of Usher. The original work is a first-person narration, so it needs to be adapted into the form of the host, the protagonist, and the supporting characters reading their lines separately, and the sound effects added later. The Fall of the House of Usher is the work of Edgar Allan Poe, a famous American horror novelist in the first half of the last century. The work is profound and very literary, and I'm going to turn it into a podcast-worthy novel. The Fall of Usher is the work of the famous American horror novelist Edgar Allan Poe in the first half of the last century. The work is profound and literary, and I'm going to turn it into a podcast-friendly novel. There will also be changes in the plot, as the voice actor character needs to be given the opportunity to speak. This work aims to break the boundaries between hearing and seeing, and if only sighted people can enjoy great Halloween stories and literature, the world is too bad for blind people!

LION is just another animal until and unless he leaves his den, explores, gauges and hunts for survival it is called the king of the jungle. Quite similarly, students cross borders and dare to paint outside the lines. When students take this step to pursue higher education from a different country, economically and technologically superior, to enhance one's experience and explore a different education, lifestyle and cultural paradigm. One of the leading reasons is, they want more exposure into the subject of interest and learn it in a practical more applicative manner so that it can be useful and fruitful in real life, while adapting to cultural and lifestyle changes, such is the situation of many students who cross borders, not only geographically but in terms of education, culture and lifestyle also. I bring you my discussion with a few of them sharing experiences of our border escapes.