Somewhere To Believe In

It’s the final episode in series three of our podcast *cries*, and some might say we’ve saved the best ‘til last. We get to it with festival friend and everyone's favourite Lutheran minister, Nadia Bolz-Weber.With her usual candour, humour and joy Nadia talks about her experiences growing up within a very particular, conservative Christian tradition, her journey away from Christian faith as a young adult and into other spaces that helped her heal, and her return to the fold later on; building a church from the ground-up, based on all the ‘good bits’.Plus, we have a refreshingly honest chat about religion, sin, struggle and sex. And that time Nadia had a sculpture of a vagina made from melted down purity rings. (You can play along at home by having a drink of your choice every time Nadia says “vagina”.)Katherine and Paul reflect on a year of podcasting and lockdowns and we respond to some messages from you lovely lot.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT NADIA BOLZ-WEBERNadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, founder of House for All Sinners & Saints in Denver, Co, the creator and host of The Confessional Podcast and the author of three NYT bestselling memoirs: Pastrix; The Cranky, Beautiful Faith Of A Sinner & Saint (Re-released 2021), Accidental Saints; Finding God In All The Wrong People (2015) and SHAMELESS; A Sexual Reformation (2019). She writes and speaks about personal failings, recovery, grace, faith, and really whatever the hell else she wants to. She always sits in the corner with the other weirdos. Read more from Nadia in The Corners or connect with her and other spiritual misfits in a pop-up Chapel for conversation, daily prayer, and exclusive content by visiting thechapel.io.Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram____LINKS AND RESOURCESNadia’s talks at GreenbeltFresh ExpressionsHouse for All Sinners and SaintsConfessional podcastFeminist Pastor Unveils Vulva Sculpture Made Of Old Purity RingsMore Graves Found At New Site, Canadian Indigenous Group Says____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:47 - Katherine and Paul catch up05:58 - Introducing Nadia Bolz-Weber06:32 - Nadia joins the conversation07:10 - Nadia on Greenbelt Festival10:30 - Nadia on the Lutheran church20:40 - Nadia on founding House for All Sinners and Saints29:14 - Nadia on struggle and optimism33:00 - Nadia on sex36:54 - Nadia on negative feedback39:49 - Nadia on grace41:10 - Nadia on insults44:33 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Nadia01:02:04 - How to get in touch with us01:02:39 - Thank you’s01:03:28 - Hidden tracks____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week – in what may be the best recommendation we’ve ever had – we’re talking to theologian, former American footballer, and probably Rowan Williams' biggest fanboy, Danté Stewart.With fire in his belly, Danté “takes us to church”, telling us the story of his own faith journey; from his childhood spent learning of Black revolutionary power, to his full immersion into white evangelical culture as a college football star. And, ultimately, his decision to turn his back on white evangelicalism and to re-nourish and re-build his spirituality and identity as a Black man instead.Plus, all this gets Katherine and Paul asking: what does healthy religion look like? And how can Greenbelt go beyond showcasing diverse performers and do more to create spaces that are designed for everyone?Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT DANTÉ STEWARTDanté Stewart is a writer and speaker whose voice has been featured on CNN, The Washington Post, Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Sojourners, The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, Comment Magazine, and more. As an up-and-coming voice, he writes and speaks into the areas of Black literature, embodiment, and theology. He received his B.A. in Sociology from Clemson University. He is currently studying at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Website | Twitter | Instagram ____LINKS AND RESOURCESUnder The Skin With Russell Brand: #105 Alienation and Extremism w/ Angela NagleRowan WilliamsWhere to Start with Octavia ButlerCulture And Imperialism by Edward SaidHarry and Meghan detail royal struggles, from discussions of baby's skin tone to suicidal thoughtsThe Divided Mind of the Black Church: Theology, Piety, and Public WitnessThe Black Arts Movement (1965-1975)It is like growing up black one more time by Toni MorrisonClemson UniversityTwo Days, Two Deaths: The Police Shootings Of Alton Sterling And Philando CastileThe Fire Next Time by James BaldwinAudre Lorde____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:47 - Katherine and Paul catch up08:08 - Introducing Danté Stewart08:06 - Danté joins the conversation09:40 - Danté on the pandemic 13:40 - Danté on staying resilient20:00 - Danté on history and change24:50 - Danté on growing up28:00 - Danté on white institutional spaces32:10 - Danté on exile from those spaces37:50 - Danté on his faith journey43:08 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Danté55:35 - Next week on the podcast56:32 - How to get in touch with us57:10 - Thank you’s58:00 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get your best philosophical hats out for this episode because we’re doing a deep dive into the not-so-holy-trinity of dinner table topics – religion, politics and belief – with Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK.Andrew gives us the 411 on what it means to be a Humanist. And we wrestle with some meaty questions, like: Where does morality come from? Are religions dying out? Can good ever come from causing offence? And does it really matter what we choose to believe?Plus, Katherine, Paul and Andrew share in their admiration for Frank Turner, a proud humanist and iconic Greenbelt Festival headliner. And Katherine gives us our first lesson in the history of Anarchism... and it might not be what you expect.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT ANDREW COPSONAndrew Copson was appointed Chief Executive of Humanists UK in 2009, having previously been its Director of Education and Public Affairs. He is also the current President of Humanists International, a position he’s held since 2015. His books include The Little Book of Humanism (2020) and The Little Book of Humanist Weddings (2021) with Alice Roberts; Secularism: a very short introduction (Oxford University Press, 2019); The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Humanism (2015) with A C Grayling. His writing on humanist and secularist issues has appeared in The Guardian, The Independent, The Times and New Statesman as well as in various journals.Website | Facebook | Twitter____LINKS AND RESOURCESMethodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' voteHumanists UKFrank Turner - Glory HallelujahLittle Book of Humanismhumanist (n.)AnarchismTwo Monkeys Were Paid Unequally: Excerpt from Frans de Waal's TED TalkNicholas WalterTeacher suspended for showing a picture of Prophet Muhammad refuses to return to work over fears for his life ____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:47 - Katherine and Paul catch up05:16 - Introducing Andrew Copson05:46 - Andrew joins the conversation06:10 - Andrew on lockdown07:06 - Andrew on Frank Turner08:35 - Andrew on Humanism12:30 - Andrew on morality16:20 - Andrew on restoration19:30 - Andrew on social codes21:20 - Andrew on religious trends27:22 - Andrew on his Humanism30:27 - Andrew on blasphemy and offence35:52 - Andrew on beliefs and values40:30 - Andrew on certainty42:20 - Andrew on challenging power49:05 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Andrew01:06:05 - Next week on the podcast 01:07:05 - How to get in touch with us 01:07:38 - Thank you’s01:08:24 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re feeling humbled and full of love this week as we chat to artist, speaker, writer and priest, Mpho Tutu van Furth.Mpho tells us about her experiences living under apartheid as a young girl and the freedom and justice that so many South Africans, including her family, fought for.We also hear about Mpho’s journey into priesthood and how she reluctantly handed her license back to the church after their (unfortunately unsurprising) reaction to her ‘lovely can of worms’ – AKA falling in love with a woman. Perhaps most importantly, Mpho reminds us how interconnected and interdependent we all are, and that showing a little bit of care can do a whole lot of good.Plus, Katherine and Paul reflect on some similarities they see between Mpho’s apartheid memories and life in modern-day Palestine. Like the rest of us, Paul and Katherine jump on the football bandwagon, and Katherine officially joins the #FreeBritney movement. Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT MPHO TUTU VAN FURTHThe Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth is an episcopal priest, an artist, an author, an accomplished public speaker and retreat facilitator. She has had many roles in non-profit leadership. She was the founding executive director of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. She continues to work for environmental justice, human rights and equal access to opportunity for all people without regard to race, class or gender. With her wife, Marceline, she has established and is Executive Director of the Tutu Teach Foundation to enhance access to opportunity for women and girls. Ms. Tutu van Furth and her wife live in the Netherlands. They have four children and two (amazing) grandchildren.Website | Instagram | Facebook____LINKS AND RESOURCESWhy Longtime Britney Spears Fans Are Demanding to #FreeBritneyDid Rudiger try and bite Pogba?A history of Apartheid in South AfricaDomas: Carrying Apartheid’s bookThe June 16 Soweto Youth UprisingSpace and power in South Africa: The township as a mechanism of controlThe Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy FoundationWhat does ubuntu really mean?Truth and Reconciliation Commission____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:48 - Katherine and Paul catch up00:00 - Katherine and Paul on Prospect Farm08:49 - Introducing Mpho Tutu van Furth09:52 - Mpho joins the conversation10:05 - Mpho on lockdown13:27 - Mpho on South African identity16:49 - Mpho on the living under apartheid23:33 - Mpho on privilege27:05 - Mpho on her journey to priesthood29:00 - Mpho on Marceline 33:58 - Mpho on church and her sexuality36:00 - Mpho on small acts of kindness38:00 - Mpho on personal spirituality 40:56 - Mpho on being loving43:47 - Mpho on ubuntu44:50 - Mpho on enjoying the journey47:18 - Mpho on forgiveness48:13 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Mpho01:01:20 - Next week on the podcast 01:01:58 - How to get in touch with us 01:02:35 - Thank you’s01:03:24 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we bask in the warmth of Rabbi Herschel Gluck – an incredible Orthodox Jewish leader  – whose entire life seems to be one big act of love. Aside from being in awe of Rabbi Gluck’s gentle soul and kind nature, we talk about his life-long dedication to his community, his outlook on the good that could come from the pandemic and his belief that we can work together to create a better future; without losing sight of our own traditions, cultures and values.Rabbi Gluck also shares how he still struggles to grasp the effect that the Holocaust had on his family, and speaks of the continuous trauma generations of Jewish communities still experience because of it.Plus, Katherine and Paul update us on the plans for Prospect Farm and get an unexpected visit from our new podcast sponsors, Hello Fresh.Promo code: JustKidding.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT RABBI HERSCHEL GLUCKRabbi Herschel Gluck OBE is a British Rabbi based in Stamford Hill in North East London. Born in London and based in the city for most of his life, he is a committed member of a wider ‘global village’, having studied at Yeshivos in France, Canada and the USA and working with communities across the world. Rabbi Gluck was appointed an OBE in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to interfaith understanding. In the past year he has been quoted in British Parliament for his lifetime commitment to inter-communal understanding and his work countering Anti-Semitism in the UK.____LINKS AND RESOURCESOysgezoomt: The Yiddish word of 2020HolocaustKindertransportTzedakahThe ScreamRabbi Herschel Gluck’s talks at Greenbelt Festival____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:48 - Katherine and Paul catch up05:00 - Katherine and Paul on Prospect Farm06:46 - Introducing Rabbi Herschel Gluck07:22 - Rabbi Gluck joins the conversation08:10 - Rabbi Gluck on becoming a Rabbi09:47 - Rabbi Gluck on duty and care11:40 - Rabbi Gluck on finding precious moments12:45 - Rabbi Gluck on lockdown14:09 - Rabbi Gluck on community15:30 - Rabbi Gluck on modern Judaism 20:30 - Rabbi Gluck on generations of Jewish experience23:50 - Rabbi Gluck on change27:00 - Rabbi Gluck on Greenbelt Festival28:10 - Rabbi Gluck on being interfaith and refugees34:00 - Rabbi Gluck on charity36:50 - Rabbi Gluck on being humble 38:08 - Rabbi Gluck on art as connection 40:57 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Rabbi Gluck57:54 - Next week on the podcast 58:41 - How to get in touch with us 59:30 - Thank you’s01:00:19 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast it’s our absolute privilege to chat with Yvonne Ridley, a journalist and activist who has one of the most fascinating life stories we think you’ll ever hear. Plus, her very enthusiastic peacocks have their say, too.We talk about Yvonne’s experience as a prisoner of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001, the promise she made to her captors to study Islam and read the Quran if they released her, and her unexpected faith journey thereafter, as she decided to leave the Christian faith and embrace Islam.Plus, as well as talking about her decades of work to combat harmful Muslim stereotypes, we dig into her relentless activism for issues as wide-ranging as Scottish independence, peace in Gaza, justice for Rohingya Muslims, and more generally, what it means to be a ‘radical’.Meanwhile, Katherine and Paul reflect on one year of podcasting – no, we can’t believe it either – and their potential new careers as daytime TV hosts.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT SISTER YVONNE RIDLEYBritish journalist Yvonne Ridley made global headlines when she was captured by the Taliban in 2001. Since then she has moved from London to Scotland, becoming active in the independence movement. She has published a number of books including her harrowing experience with the Taliban and another on the Rise of the Prophet Muhammad. She worked as a senior editor to establish Al Jazeera's English website in Qatar before returning to the UK to play central roles in the start up TV projects Islam Channel and Press TV. When she's not working as a journalist in humanitarian and conflict zones she writes historical fiction from her remote farm in the Scottish Borders. She was nominated for a Nobel peace prize in 2019 for humanitarian work involving Syrian women prisoners and helping Rohingya refugees compile evidence of war crimes.Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook____TAKE ACTIONFundraiser: Gaza Children's festival (Amos Trust)Fundraiser: Rebuild Gaza's Samir Mansour Book Store (Clive Stafford Smith)___LINKS AND RESOURCESFree Radical: Yvonne RidleyWhy is there a war in Afghanistan? The short, medium and long storyHistorical anti-war protest in London: 15 February 2003The Day I Realized I Would Never Find Weapons of Mass Destruction in IraqRespect PartyScottish National PartyAction for Independence All Under One BannerTimeline: the humanitarian impact of the Gaza blockadePeace Activist Boats Sail Into Gaza SandMyanmar Rohingya: What you need to know about the crisisMalak MattarClive Stafford Smith Podcast episodeReprieveBooks by Yvonne RidleyEden Burning____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:47 - Katherine and Paul catch up04:50 - Introducing Yvonne Ridley06:32 - Yvonne Ridley joins the conversation06:42 - Yvonne on her animals07:44 - Yvonne on her experience in Afghanistan13:16 - Yvonne on pro-war propaganda17:37 - Yvonne on the movement against the Iraq War20:38 - Yvonne on ISIS and religious extremism22:04 - Yvonne on media accountability 25:50 - Yvonne on radicalism28:32 - Yvonne on grassroots politics32:28 - Yvonne on activism in Gaza 36:10 - Yvonne on Zionism 38:40 - Yvonne on being hopeful43:55 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Yvonne58:30 - Next week on the podcast59:21 - How to get in touch with us59:58 - Thank you’s01:00:48 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second conversation in our ‘Keeping the faith’ series is with Sister Teresa Forcades who – with good reason – has been dubbed ‘Europe’s most radical nun’.Sister Teresa joins us from her Monastery on the mountain of Montserrat, near Barcelona in Catalonia, where she lives with thirty Catholic Benedictine sisters. We discuss her open criticism of the very Catholic Church she serves, her feminism, her politics, her general mission to speak out in order to create a more loving and fair society, and her experiences of being silenced for doing so.Plus, as a physician and expert in public health, it would have been rude not to ask Sister Teresa for her professional thoughts on the pandemic, the vaccination programme and the role of big pharmaceutical companies. Which, as you may have guessed already, she has a lot of alternative (some would say ‘controversial’) things to say about.Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Sister Teresa and Katherine, in particular, is taken aback by how refreshing Sister Teresa’s views are in comparison with her Catholic schooling. And Paul is reminded by Sister Teresa about just how important it is to be made to look more closely and think again.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT SISTER TERESA FORCADESTeresa Forcades i Vila (1966) is a physician, theologian and Benedictine nun in the mountain monastery of Sant Benet de Montserrat (Catalonia, Spain). Master of Divinity (Harvard, 1997), doctor in Medicine (U. Barcelona, 2004) and doctor in Sacred Theology (Facultat de Teologia de Catalunya, 2007). From 2015-18 she took a leave of absence from her monastery (exclaustration) to become politically active in the Catalan movement for independence. Since 2017 she has been the director of the journal of Christian critical thought Iglesia Viva and hosts a weekly radio program on Catalan radio. She is also the principal of the Sinclètica Monastic School of theology.Website___LINKS AND RESOURCESSister Teresa Forcades: Europe's most radical nunEurope: a Nun’s Eye View (2017) - Greenbelt recorded talkTeresa Forcades i Vila in conversation with Martin Wroe (2017) - Greenbelt recorded talkNúria Calduch - First woman appointed Secretary of Vatican Biblical CommissionJan Brueghel The Elder – The CrucifixionOn the Abolition of All Political Parties by Simone WeilA Letter Concerning Toleration by John LockeThe Peril of Not Vaccinating the WorldIvermectin for Covid-19____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:49 - Katherine and Paul catch up03:01 - Introducing Sister Teresa Forcades05:50 - Sister Teresa joins the conversation06:19 - Sister Teresa on her monastery07:24 - Sister Teresa on young women wanting to become nuns12:19 - Sister Teresa on feminism, misogyny and sexuality22:00 - Sister Teresa on vaccines and public health31:14 - Sister Teresa on being silenced 33:40 - Sister Teresa on politics and democracy39:00 - Sister Teresa on church and politics 45:08 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Sister Teresa1:00:40 - How to get in touch with us1:01:25 - Thank you’s1:02:10 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Somewhere To Believe In! We’re calling this series ‘Keeping the faith’ because this time around we’re having no-holds-barred conversations with people who get stuck in BECAUSE of what they believe.Arguably, no one has done more to keep the faith than our first guest; former superintendent in the Met police, man-on-a-mission to change a racist police system from within, subject of one of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe films and general truth-to-power-speaker, Leroy Logan.We talk about Leroy’s incredible life. From some of his formative years being spent as a young boy in Jamaica seeing Black people in positions of power to his short career in science and his ultimate ‘calling’ to the police force – a decision which resulted in him joining the ranks of the officers who beat-up his father, and a decades-long mission to call out toxic police culture and replace it with love, respect, service and care.Plus, a lot has happened since we last had a podcast chat, so Katherine and Paul get us up-to-date on all things Greenbelt Festival, Prospect Farm and – most importantly – which lockdown hobbies have stuck and which haven’t.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT LEROY LOGANDr Leroy Logan MBE is a former superintendent in the Metropolitan police. He retired in 2013 after 30 years' service. He is also a former chair and founding member of the Black Police Association. Leroy is one of the UK’s most highly decorated and well known black police officers. A highly respected and well regarded commentator on policing in black communities, he believes that there is still much work to do in creating a more equitable and fair criminal justice system.Website | Twitter | Book___LINKS AND RESOURCESLeroy Logan’s book ‘Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop’Small Axe: Red, White and BlueBlack Police AssociationMacpherson report: what was it and what impact did it have?VOYAGE (Voice of the Youth and Genuine Empowerment) PROGRAMMEDamilola Taylor investigation and reportStephen Lawrence Steering GroupCommission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: The ReportPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts BillParm Sandhu speaking on Channel 4 News about racism in the MET____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:56 - Katherine and Paul catch up04:25 - Katherine and Paul on cancelling Greenbelt Festival (again)07:10 - Katherine and Paul on Prospect Farm08:45 - Katherine and Paul on why we’re not doing a digital festival this year09:44 - Introducing Leroy Logan11:39 - Leroy joins the conversation12:37 - Leroy on East London13:16 - Leroy on moving to Jamaica15:59 - Leroy on growing up16:30 - Leroy on faith and policing19:40 - Leroy on feeling called to join the police22:30 - Leroy on hostile environments and standing up to make a difference25:46 - Leroy on racist and toxic police culture31:30 - Leroy on George Floyd and Derek Chauvin37:48 - Leroy on reflecting, learning and improving42:40 - Leroy on Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series46:35 - Leroy on speaking for those who don’t have a voice48:56 - Leroy on police and protest53:03 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Leroy59:52 - Katherine and Paul on protecting your right to protest1:01:40 - Next week on the podcast1:02:27 - How to get in touch with us1:03:05 - Thank you’s____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final episode in this series, we talk to Palestinian spoken word artist, human rights activist and our new favourite politics teacher, Rafeef Ziadah.We dig into poetry, art, trauma, displacement, equality and justice as Rafeef shares her experiences of being a third-generation Palestinian refugee, exiled from her home and now living in London. Rafeef reminds us that issues like climate change and the pandemic do not respect borders, which makes us reflect on the entire ‘nation-state’ system.Above all, Rafeef tells us of the strength she gets from the Palestinian people whose resolve and resilience is undiminished despite great challenges, and who continue to tell their stories and create art in the face of occupation.Plus, Katherine and Paul reflect on their first year of podcasting and Katherine’s new favourite hobby. Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT RAFEEFRafeef is a Palestinian spoken word artist and human rights activist based in London, UK. Her performances of poems like ‘We Teach Life, Sir’ and ‘Shades of Anger’ went viral within days of release. Her live readings offer a moving blend of poetry and music. Since releasing her first album, Rafeef has headlined prestigious performance venues across several countries with powerful readings on war, exile, gender and racism. Her long awaited third album Three Generations is out December 2020. It can be pre-ordered here: https://www.pozible.com/profile/rafeef-ziadah We Teach Life, her second album, was a powerful collection of spoken word with original music compositions, which she brings to the stage with Australian guitarist and producer Phil Monsour.  Rafeef received the Ontario Arts Council Grant from the Word of Mouth programme to create her debut spoken-word album Hadeel. She regularly conducts spoken word workshops with the aim of empowering expression through writing and performance. Website | Spotify | Itunes | Facebook | Twitter____LINKS AND RESOURCESThree GenerationsBandcampPassportNakba 1948: Ethnic Cleansing of Cities, Towns and VillagesPalestinian Writers FestivalWe Teach Life SirPalestine Music ExpoEdward Said National Conservatory of MusicMade in Palestine If my wordsThe Walled Off Hotel - BanksyJesus Was Not in a Stable Relationship - Pádraig Ó Tuama in conversation with Paul Northup____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:19 - Katherine and Paul catch up04:00 - Introducing Rafeef Ziadah and her work10:30 - Rafeef joins the conversation10:47 - Rafeef on lockdown ‘Three Generations’15:50 - Rafeef on being a Palestinian refugee17:35 - Rafeef on art and activism19:02 - Rafeef on being stateless 21:02 - Rafeef on changing the world22:50 - Rafeef on politics and social movements26:45 - Rafeef on building a movement29:00 - Rafeef on responses to her work32:10 - Rafeef on writing and performing poetry34:09 - Rafeef on being denied the right of return to Palestine35:50 - Rafeef on the wall38:06 - Rafeef on profit and power over people39:25 - Rafeef on the US election and Trump44:37 - Rafeef on the pandemic in Gaza46:23 - Rafeef on Palestinian resolve and resistance 48:09 - Rafeef on the Christmas story50:10 - Rafeef on hope 50:45 - Rafeef on burnout 52:28 - Rafeef on how to support her work53:19 - Rafeef on Greenbelt Festival53:52 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Rafeef01:08:16 - How to get in touch with us01:08:37 - Thank you’s01:09:40 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we connect with Canadian singer-songwriter and theatre-maker Ben Caplan. Ben joins us from the car park of a Canadian fast-food giant called Tim Hortons, en route to play a socially distanced gig as part of the Small Halls Festival in Ottawa.We get all the deets about life and lockdown in Canada. Ben has praise for his government’s response to the pandemic – in stark contrast to what we’ve heard from other artists both here in the UK and elsewhere. We talk about Ben’s identity as a Jewish man, his experiences of antisemitism, and how growing up with Jewish values like tikkun olam (literally “repair of the world”) inspires him to make art that leaves a smile on our faces and a question in our hearts.Plus, after recovering from the shock of hearing someone talk so positively about their government, Katherine and Paul reflect on how heartfelt and eloquent Ben is, which gives us an idea about how we can fix this mess... #BenCaplanForPrimeMinister.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT BENBen Caplan is a songwriter, performer and entertainer in the most time-honoured sense of the word. From the moment he walks onto the stage, you are filled with his infectious spirit, and captivating presence. You can feel Caplan's comfort and ease as he strides in front of the crowd and begins the controlled collective descent into chaos.In his latest project, Ben Caplan explores themes of immigration, loss, darkness, love, sex, and God. Caplan is touring with a fresh batch of songs which were originally composed for a new musical play called Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story. The award winning play had its international debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it won top festival honours, and has been a smash hit. The play has toured internationally including a seven-week run Off Broadway where it picked up a New York Times Critic's Pick, and six Drama Desk Award nominations, among other accolades.WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter____FEATURED TRACKSO Holy Night by Ben Caplan (12:01)Fledgling by Ben Caplan (21:35)Plough the Shit by Ben Caplan (28:40)Truth Doesn’t Live in a Book by Ben Caplan (45:20)The Happy People by Ben Caplan (50:57)-Podcast theme - I Can Change by Lee Bains III & The Glory FiresLINKS AND RESOURCESThe Festival of Small HallsOld stock: A refugee Love StoryPogromsTikkun Olam: Repairing the WorldInvestigation into antisemitism in the Labour PartyIsrael's Benjamin Netanyahu: Commando turned PMThe TalmudWebsiteWebstore Bowling for Columbine ____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:20 - Katherine and Paul catch up05:30 - Introducing Ben Caplan and his work06:03 - Ben joins the conversation07:51 - Ben on the pandemic in Canada09:56 - Ben on slowing down 12:01 - ‘O Holy Night’ by Ben Caplan12:50 - Ben on support for the arts in Canada15:33 - Ben on creativity16:29 - Ben on his inspirations18:05 - Ben on refugees21:35 - ‘Fledgling’ by Ben Caplan22:40 - Ben on the power of art25:40 - Ben on finding moments of joy26:20 - Ben on telling stories of massacres 28:40 - ‘Plough the Shit’ by Ben Caplan30:18 - Ben on Judaism31:45 - Ben on anti-semitism40:47 - Ben on literalist readings of religious texts45:20 - ‘Truth Doesn’t Live in a Book’ by Ben Caplan46:23 - Ben on commercial music48:30 - Ben on performing49:41 - Ben on brokenness50:57 - ‘The Happy People’ by Ben Caplan51:20 - Ben on Greenbelt Festival54:20 - Ben on what he would retrain as56:56 - Ben on how to support his work59:08 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Ben1:10:07 - Coming up next week1:10:27 - How to get in touch with us1:11:06 - Thank you’s1:11:30 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the podcast this week Katherine and Paul welcome Mimi and Lucy from “queer, feminist, punk-witch band” Dream Nails.We discuss what it means to be punk – in the cliched sense but also in the Dream Nails sense, which includes: writing badass music, creating safe gig spaces where everyone can dance without fear, shouting ‘women and non-binary people to the front’ at the start of every show and placing hexes on the patriarchy; all done with an immense amount of joy.Describing themselves as ‘four punk witches from London’, we take the opportunity to summon an old Greenbelt tale about the year “the white witch” came to the field and the subsequent fallout. (Spoiler alert: some people weren’t that happy about it.) Plus, inspired by Dream Nails’ ‘Gig In a Box’ (complete with a handmade sticky floor tile so you can recreate that small-venue experience at home), Katherine and Paul wonder what a ‘Greenbelt In a Box’ might look like.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT DREAM NAILSDream Nails are a punk force to be reckoned with. Founded by feminist activists in 2015, their debut album garnered 4/5 stars from NME, DIY and Kerrang!The female four-piece have built a reputation across the UK, Europe and Scandinavia for their ‘fierce talent and furious energy’ (Guardian). Dream Nails have taken their riotous live shows on tour with Cherry Glazerr, Bleached and Petrol Girls. In 2019 they headlined Glastonbury's Sisterhood stage for the third consecutive time.Dream Nails are PRS foundation and PPL Momentum 2020 artists. Having won support from Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson and Amy Lame (BBC6), Huw Stephens and Jack Saunders (Radio 1), John Kennedy (XFM), and glowing coverage in Billboard, DIY, Upset, Independent, Guardian, VICE, Dazed, NYLON, Clash, i-D, The Skinny and Frieze, Dream Nails’ energy and youthful power promise to set your soul on fire.BandcampInstagramTwitterFacebook____FEATURED TRACKSPayback (25:55)DIY by Dream Nails (30:22)Vagina Police by Dream Nails (46:24)Big Dyke Energy by Dream Nails (55:57)-Podcast theme - I Can Change by Lee Bains III & The Glory FiresLINKS AND RESOURCESDream NailsFeministmas & Gig In a BoxCOVID-19: Shops to open 24 hours a day to boost high street pandemic recoveryPoverty in the Pandemic: the Impact of Coronavirus on Low-income Families and ChildrenGood Night OutRiot Grrrl movementSisters UncutHex the Patriarchy patchAbortion Support NetworkLonely Star (Christmas Song) by Dream Nails2young4punks - Don Letts at Greenbelt Festival 2011Greenbelt at 40 (featuring the year of the witch and the willies)____TAKE ACTIONDonate to Abortion Support Network____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:20 - Katherine and Paul catch up09:38 - Introducing Dream Nails and their work10:48 - Dream Nails join the conversation11:50 - Dream Nails on releasing their debut album during lockdown13:54 - Dream Nails on not being able to play live15:52 - Dream Nails on community17:36 - Dream Nails on ‘women and non-binary people to the front’24:07 - Dream Nails on activism and resilience25:28 - ‘Payback’ by Dream Nails26:26 - Dream Nails on their music29:50 - Dream Nails on affirmations30:22 - ‘DIY’ by Dream Nails30:55 - Dream Nails on pushback33:35 - Dream Nails on punk36:29 - Dream Nails on self-care39:32 - Dream Nails on witches45:51 - Dream Nails on Greenbelt Festival46:24 - ‘Vagina Police’ by Dream Nails49:08 - Dream Nails on Abortion Support Network52:47 - Dream Nails on Trump55:57 - ‘Big Dyke Energy’ by Dream Nails56:40 - Dream Nails on what’s coming up59:13 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Dream Nails01:15:45 - Coming up next week01:16:30 - How to get in touch with us01:17:18 - Thank you’s01:17:58 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re talking to “jack of all trades, master of ceremonies” Testament: hip-hop MC, writer, theatre-maker and world-record-breaking human beatboxer. Listen in as Testament discusses his cultural upbringing, including his love of De La Soul as well as the Pet Shop Boys, along with his theory why Glee is not only prophetic, but “the real hip-hop”. Testament gets real with Paul and Katherine about his own faith, feminism and social justice work. Including his attempts as a rebellious teenager to ‘out-Christian’ his parents, and his acceptance nowadays of his own vulnerability and ‘brokenness’ as a way to help others reflect on their own lives. He also belatedly apologises for accidentally stabbing his older brother in his hand with a compass when they were growing up, but that’s another story…Meanwhile, Katherine and Paul get excited about Dolly Parton’s covid vaccine and have a go at guessing what’s inside Dominic Cummings’ cardboard box.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT TESTAMENTTestament is a Hip-Hop MC, writer, theatre maker and world record breaking human beatboxer. Born in North London and growing up in Manchester, moving on to study in West Yorkshire where he currently resides. As a lyricist his critically acclaimed work combines strands of rap, song and spoken word. Testament’s work includes the celebrated Hip-Hop album Homecut: No Freedom Without Sacrifice, as well as several spoken word performances for BBC TV and  BBC Radio (1xtra, Radio 4 and 6Music). More recently, 2019 he was Channel 4 Writer in Residence at Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester.WebsiteInstagramTwitterFacebook____LINKS AND RESOURCESTestament’s websiteDominic Cummings and his cardboard boxDolly Parton Vaccine Orpheus in the Record ShopPeace JamThe Romantics and Us with Simon SchamaTestament And William BlakeWokeTestament’s interview with Leroy LoganLeroy Logan and Testament in conversation - Podcast____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:20 - Katherine and Paul catch up08:39 - Introducing Testament and his work09:22 - Testament joins the conversation09:50 - Testament on lockdown11:34 - Testament on Orpheus in the record shop14:55 - Testament on creativity23:28 - Testament on Peace Jam27:45 - Testament on Desmond Tutu 28:50 - Testament on faith, dogma and trying ‘out-Christian’ everyone32:16 - Testament on Greenbelt Festival34:10 - Testament on ego and social justice37:06 - Testament on classic and contemporary art40:33 - Testament on ‘Woke’ and feminism 47:42 - Testament on racial justice52:10 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Testament01:06:00 - Coming up next week 01:07:54 - How to get in touch with us01:08:08 - Thank you’s01:08:36 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s podcast episode is a very important one, so let’s get straight to it. Katherine and Paul speak to writer, human rights campaigner, political refugee, theatre-maker and ‘public enemy’ to Alexander Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus, Natalia Kaliada.Natalia is a founding Co-Artistic Director of Belarus Free Theatre, a collective of artists who use the power of theatre to fight for democracy in Belarus and oppose what’s known as ‘the last dictatorship in Europe’.We hear about Natalia’s own experiences living a not-so-censored life under an oppressive regime. Including her exile to London and how she continues to fight the same fight her ancestors did (her grandfather survived German concentration camps and Soviet gulags before ever Alexander Lukashenko came to dictatorial rule in his beloved Belarus). Resistance is seemingly in her DNA.Natalia shares the stories of the Belarus protesters, 15,000 of whom have been imprisoned, raped or killed by the Belarus government this year. We hear how theatre has helped some of them through their imprisonment and how Belarus Free Theatre continues to use art as a tool to take down the dictatorship.Katherine and Paul reflect on the importance of this conversation and how now, more than ever, we need to stand with the people of Belarus; not just to demand democracy for them, but to actively protect democracy around the world for everyone.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT NATALIANatalia Kaliada is a founding Co-Artistic Director of Belarus Free Theatre as well as a writer, human rights campaigner and producer and is one of the most outspoken critics of Belarus’s repressive regime.Belarus Free Theatre was founded in 2005 in Europe's last surviving dictatorship, by Natalia Kaliada and Nicolai Khalezin. BFT’s performances take place in selected secret venues around Minsk with audiences alerted to their existence by text message or e-mail. Although forced to operate under cover within Belarus, the Theatre has travelled widely and has gained a growing international reputation. They continue to create exceptional theatre under near impossible conditions underground in Belarus. The company has found a home as associate artists of the Young Vic, London.Natalia Kaliada has been detained, arrested without access to counsel and threatened with rape for her participation in peaceful rallies that were called “subversive” activities and “unstable elements” by the Belarusian authorities. After the tragic events in Belarus in 2010, she and her husband were smuggled out of Belarus and now live in exile in London.Website: https://www.belarusfreetheatre.com/ Instagram: @belarusfreetheatreFacebook: @belarusfreetheatreTwitter: @BFreeTheatre____TAKE ACTIONSupport Belarus Free Theatre http://www.belarusfreetheatre.com/ I’m with the Banned http://www.belarusfreetheatre.com/en/bft/imwiththebanned/#Banned Ask your local MP to add “major scumbags” who support Lukashenko’s regime to a sanctions list so their assets will be frozen.____LINKS AND RESOURCESBelarus Free Theatre https://www.belarusfreetheatre.com/ Ministry Of Counterculture https://moc.media/Who is long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko? https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/07/belarus-presidential-election-who-is-long-time-leader-alexander-lukashenko Who is Svetlana Tikhanovskaya? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/world/europe/belarus-opposition-svetlana-tikhanovskaya.htmlAlexander Lukashenko on Coronavirus https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-belarus-alexander-lukashenko-vodka-sauna-countryside-tractors-a9434426.html Natalia on Bruatility https://euobserver.com/opinion/149384 Brutality in Belarus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53776461 Belarus bans two opposition candidates https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/14/belarus-bans-two-opposition-candidates-from-running-in-elections Balaklava Blues http://www.balaklavablues.com/ Balaklava Blues at Greenbelt https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/artists/balaklava-blues-presented-by-belarus-free-theatre/ Generation Jeans https://theconversation.com/denim-and-revolution-belarus-free-theatres-generation-jeans-resonates-101442 Being Harold Pinter https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03bcpyk Red Forest http://totaltheatre.org.uk/belarus-free-theatre-red-forest/ Discover Love https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p038x587 Trash Cuisine https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p038x5sq Burning Doors https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/theater-review-burning-doors-is-a-fiery-anti-putin-scream.html Dogs of Europe https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2020/event/belarus-free-theatre-dogs-of-europe  Belarus: thousands protest against death of teacher in police custody https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/15/belarus-thousands-protest-against-death-of-teacher-in-police-custody Is Protest Art Just Propaganda? Or is All Art a Form of Protest? https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/talks/is-protest-art-just-propaganda-or-is-all-art-a-form-of-protest/ ____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In01:00 - Introducing Natalia and the work do Belarus Free Theatre05:36 - Natalia joins the conversation06:44 - Natalia on Belarus Free Theatre11:20 - Natalia on generations of resistance16:12 - Natalia on a lifetime of fighting for democracy21:50 - Natalia on western democracy and dictatorship29:24 - Natalia on 2020 in Belarus41:11 - Natalia on theatre as protest49:07 - How to support Belarus Free Theatre51:36 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Natalia1:05:40 - Coming up next week 1:06:09 - How to get in touch with us1:06:56 - Thank you’s1:07:29 - Hidden track____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the third episode of our second podcast series, Katherine and Paul welcome Bristol-based poet, theatre-maker and powerful storyteller, Muneera Pilgrim.We hear about Muneera’s experiences growing up as a black woman in Bristol – and what it means for her to finally see the statue of you-know-who toppled. We also talk about Muneera’s unexpected faith journey: from repeatedly falling in and out of love with her Caribbean Christian roots, to eventually finding her home in Islam.Above all else, Muneera’s infectious belief in the ability for art and storytelling to transform our lives gives us a much-needed shot of hope. Meanwhile, Katherine and Paul can’t help but laugh over the absurdity that is ‘Four Seasons Total Landscaping’, and we find out what Shakespeare, crosswords and scripture have in common.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT MUNEERAMuneera Pilgrim is a poet, cultural producer, writer and broadcaster, as well as co-founder of the Muslim female spoken word and hip-hop duos Poetic Pilgrimage and Nana Collective. Muneera conducts expressive-based, purpose-driven workshops, shares art, guest lectures, hosts and finds alternative ways to educate and exchange ideas. She regularly contributes to Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2, and she is currently an Associate Artist with The English Touring Theatre where she contributed to The Othello Project, and is writing a project that will be revealed in 2020.Instagram: @muneera_pilgrimTwitter: @MuniPilgrim ____LINKS AND RESOURCESEdward Colston statue toppled in Bristol https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/14/the-day-bristol-dumped-its-hated-slave-trader-in-the-docks-and-a-nation-began-to-search-its-soul Unicorns Have Nothing On Us by Muneera Pilgrim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpJjWGcCUqU Marlon Thomas https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/marlon-thomas-family-bristols-stephen-2735642 Amal http://amal.org.uk/ Othello Creative Response https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/talks/othello-creative-response/ ____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:20 - Katherine and Paul catch up09:35 - Introducing Muneera Pilgrim and her work10:24 - Muneera joins the conversation10:35 - Muneera on Bristol15:00 - Muneera on lockdown and inequality 18:13 - Muneera on storytelling20:40 - Muneera on her influences24:10 - Muneera on creativity25:35 - Muneera on Marlon Thomas29:18 - Muneera on faith and race34:33 - Muneera on Islam38:05 - Muneera on spirituality40:40 - Muneera on Greenbelt44:26 - Muneera on Othello47:18 - Muneera on art51:58 - Muneera on hope and motivation55:00 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Muneera01:05:39 - Coming up next week 01:06:18 - How to get in touch with us01:06:55 - Thank you’s____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we’re beyond excited to welcome the hilarious comedian and all-round lovely person, Josie Long.We hear about Josie’s unique journey into comedy, beginning aged just 14. And how she’s determined to extend the olive branch of opportunity to the next generation of young creatives. Needless to say, we talk about the current government's support (or lack thereof) for the creative industries and why she’s decided she’s had enough and is moving to Scotland.Plus, Paul and Josie have a fan-girl moment over our unofficial resident Geographer, Danny Dorling. While Katherine gives you her two cents about how to be a successful dictator.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT JOSIEOften described as a unique voice in comedy, Josie is one of the most respected comedians of her generation. She started stand-up at age 14 and went on to win the BBC New Comedy Award. She has continued to perform stand-up around the world and her eighth solo stand-up show, Something Better, had a sell-out two weeks at the Soho Theatre in London, followed by a two-week run at the Barrow Street Theatre New York. Josie has been nominated for the coveted Best Show award at the Edinburgh Fringe three times. Her latest show, Tender, is touring the U.K. in 2020. On TV and radio, Josie has appeared on The News Quiz, Just A Minute, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Skins, 8 out of 10 Cats, and Drunk History. Josie has also worked extensively in factual areas including The Culture Show on BBC2 and as the presenter and writer of Radio 4’s Short Cuts. Josie wrote and starred in the film Super November, directed by Douglas King. The film was nominated for The Discovery Award in the 2018 BIFAs.Website: https://www.josielong.com/ Instagram: @josielongFacebook: @josie.i.longTwitter: @josielong____LINKS AND RESOURCESArts Emergency https://www.arts-emergency.org/ Book Shambles with Robin Ince and Josie long https://www.josielong.com/podcast/book-shambles/ Josie & Jonny Are Having a Baby (With You!) https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stitcher/josie-jonny-are-having-a-baby-with-you Jonny & The Baptists https://www.jonnyandthebaptists.co.uk/ Josie at Greenbelt https://youtu.be/pJjzuJQwf_M Tender https://www.josielong.com/josies-shows/tender/ ____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:22 - Katherine and Paul catch up06:41 - Introducing Josie Long and her work08:23 - Josie joins the conversation08:23 - Josie on lockdown 11:34 - Josie on performing online14:49 - Josie on productivity15:46 - Josie on government arts funding18:03 - Josie on how she got into comedy20:10 - Josie on her inspirations21:36 - Josie on learning from others24:28 - Josie on Arts Emergency26:57 - Josie on the value of art29:12 - Josie on anger and despair 34:56 - Josie on politics36:43 - Josie on small venues vs stadiums40:45 - Josie on offence45:44 - Josie on religion46:25 - Josie on Greenbelt Festival50:03 - Josie on hopefulness 52:11 - How to support Josie55:43 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Josie01:03:42 - How to get in touch with us01:04:23 - Thank you’s____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the second series of Somewhere To Believe In! We’re back by popular demand(ish). This time around we’re coming together to celebrate and hear from artists we love – and we hope you’ll love them too.Who better to kick things off than Lee Bains of Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, a self-proclaimed ‘deep-south wide-open far-left liberation gospel’ Rock-N-Roll band from Alabama, USA. Lee and his band are on a mission to fight against white supremacy, xenophobia and systems of power, all while bringing their southern hospitality and charm to the table.With the US elections looming, we hear what it’s like being Christian living under a government that so regularly weaponises the Bible to justify inhuman behavior. Lee gives us a much-needed reminder about the power of the people, making us wonder if the election results matter as much as we think they do. We also get introspective and hear how slowing down has made Lee tackle some big questions about who he really is and what he’s trying to do with his music.Meanwhile, Katherine and Paul talk about our plans for the 2021 festival and - and we can’t stress the importance of this enough - how happy Katherine’s mum will be that we’re back with a second series of the podcast.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____SUPPORT LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRESWebsite: http://www.thegloryfires.com/ Merch: https://store.thegloryfires.com/ Bandcamp: https://leebainsiii.bandcamp.com/ Instagram: @gloryfiresFacebook: @thegloryfiresTwitter: @TheGloryFires____LINKS AND RESOURCESAngela Davis https://time.com/5793638/angela-davis-100-women-of-the-year/Arundhati Roy https://www.facebook.com/ArundhatiRoyAuthor Linn Park statue https://bhamnow.com/2020/06/02/a-history-of-the-confederate-monument-in-birminghams-linn-park/  Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires http://www.thegloryfires.com/ ____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:42 - Coming up in this series02:32 - Katherine and Paul catch up05:26 - Katherine and Paul on Greenbelt Festival 202106:17 - Introducing Lee Bains and his work08:34 - Lee joins the conversation09:06 - Lee on Greenbelt Festival 12:56 - Lee on this year and Covid-1915:42 - Lee on government support in America20:37 - Lee on independent music venues24:38 - Lee on not being able to tour27:47 - Lee on activism and burn out33:13 - Lee on people, systems and policing36:10 - Lee on church and power38:09 - Lee on the power of music42:49 - Lee on success51:00 - Lee on the US election52:15 - Lee on anti-racist rallies and activism in Atlanta 56:00 - Lee on how to support Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires57:13 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Lee01:02:58 - Katherine and Paul on the future of music venues01:06:20 - Katherine and Paul on church and power01:08:50 - How to get in touch with us01:09:42 - Thank you’s01:10:24 - Hidden track ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greenbelt Festival is proud to be taking part in Everybody Now.We’ve caused a turning point in the Earth’s natural history. Everybody Now is a podcast about what it means to be human on the threshold of a global climate emergency, in a time of systemic injustice and runaway pandemics. Scientists, activists, farmers, poets, and theologians talk bravely and frankly about how our biosphere is changing, about grief and hope in an age of social collapse and mass extinction, and about taking action against all the odds.On 19th October 2020, Everybody Now is being released by podcasters all over the world as a collective call for awareness, grief and loving action.With contributions from:Dr. Gail Bradbrook - scientist and co-founder of Extinction RebellionProf. Kevin Anderson - Professor of Energy and Climate Change at the University of ManchesterDámaris Albuquerque - works with agricultural communities in NicaraguaDr. Rowan Williams - theologian and poet, and a former Archbishop of CanterburyPádraig Ó Tuama - poet, theologian and conflict mediatorRachel Mander - environmental activist with Hope for the FutureJohn Swales - priest and activist, and part of a community for marginalised peopleZena Kazeme - Persian-Iraqi poet who draws on her experiences as a former refugee to create poetry that explores themes of exile, home, war and heritageFlo Brady - singer and theatre makerHannah Malcolm - Anglican ordinand, climate writer and organiserAlastair McIntosh - writer, academic and land rights activistDavid Benjamin Blower - musician, poet and podcasterFunding and Production:This podcast was crowdfunded by a handful of good souls, and produced by Tim Nash and David Benjamin BlowerPermissions:The song Happily by Flo Brady is used with permission.The song The Soil, from We Really Existed and We Really Did This by David Benjamin Blower, used with permission.The Poem The Tree of Knowledge by Pádraig Ó Tuama used with permission.The Poem Atlas by Zena Kazeme used with permission.The Poem What is Man? by Rowan Williams from the book The Other Mountain, used with permission from Carcanet Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final episode of season one, Katherine and Paul are joined by human rights lawyer, founder of Reprieve and all-round international justice powerhouse, Clive Stafford Smith. Clive candidly discusses his work representing prisoners facing the death penalty, those held in secret prisons (including Guantanamo Bay), and the victims of assassination by drones. He also shares his less-than-glowing views on the criminal justice system, our treatment of criminals and forensic science.He even uses his incredible mind-melding abilities to interrogate Katherine and Paul (not like that) and poses a series of head-scratchers. Would you send someone you love to prison? What’s the worst thing Paul’s ever done? Is Katherine a marxist? All this and much more...It’s an important conversation to hear, but be aware it occasionally features some strong language and there are descriptions of torture. Possibly not one for the kids.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT CLIVE STAFFORD SMITHCLIVE STAFFORD SMITH JD OBE is the founder of Reprieve, a London based human rights charity that focuses on the direct representation of prisoners facing the death penalty around the world, those held in secret prisons, and the victims of assassination by drones. Born in Cambridge, he is a dual UK-US national. He was educated at Radley College, where he studied science and mathematics. His law degree comes from Columbia Law School in New York. He worked for nine years at the Southern Center for Human Rights, a charity in Atlanta; in 1993, he founded the Louisiana Crisis Assistance Center, a non-profit law office in New Orleans specializing in the defence of capital cases at the trial level; he founded Reprieve in 1999. In early 2002 he was one of three lawyers who filed the initial litigation in Rasul v. Bush, to force the Bush administration to respect the rights of Muslim prisoners in Guantánamo Bay and other secret prisons. In 2000, he was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for “services to humanity”. He has been involved in more than 300 death penalty cases in the US and around the world, and has helped secure the release of 80 detainees in Guantánamo Bay, where he continues to represent a further 7 detainees. He lives in Dorset.Twitter: CliveSSmith____LINKS AND RESOURCESReprieve https://reprieve.org.uk/ Kris Maharaj https://reprieve.org.uk/update/kris-maharaj-turns-80/ Ahmed Raabbani https://reprieve.org/cases/ahmed-rabbani/ ‘The World of Reprieve’ by Clive Stafford Smith https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/talks/the-word-of-reprieve/ ____TAKE ACTIONhttps://reprieve.org.uk/take-action/____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:30 - Katherine and Paul catch up03:00 - Feedback from listeners04:40 - Introducing Clive Stafford Smith and his work05:49 - Clive joins the conversation06:00 - Clive on covid and human rights09:50 - Clive on how he got into law11:00 - Clive on the British legal system14:14 - Clive on innocence and fair trials 15:50 - Clive on forensic science16:50 - Clive on prison19:00 - Clive on the criminal justice system24:10 - Clive on rehabilitation25:30 - Clive on secret executions26:20 - Clive on doing better28:20 - Talk Snippet from GB2017 ‘The World of Reprieve’37:30 - Clive on Guantanamo Bay42:20 - Clive on hunger strikes44:30 - Clive on what we can do to help47:00 - Clive on violence and pacifism50:40 - Clive on faith54:00 - Clive on passion58:36 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Clive01:07:00 - How to get in touch with us01:08:10 - Thank you’s____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Katherine and Paul are joined by Amelia Womack, Deputy Leader of the Green Party. We talk about how, growing up, Amelia was inspired by David Attenborough to get into climate action, as well as her not-so-pleasant experiences as a young female politician in a male-dominated workplace. We also get Amelia’s take on the - literally - burning environmental and political issues of the day.Elsewhere Paul and Katherine talk about the quirks of their respective campervans, the protests currently happening in Belarus *and* we get an essential update on what Mums of the Greenbelt Staff Team (MotGST) think of the podcast. Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT AMELIA WOMACKAs the Green Party has moved from being a fringe party to a major political force, Green issues have moved their way up the mainstream news agenda. From living a month without plastics, to taunting Piers Morgan about vegan sausage rolls and advocating rewilding as a solution to flooding, Amelia's five years as Deputy Leader of the Green Party have put her at the heart of the Green surge.Facebook: @GreenAmeliaWomackInsta: @greenameliawomackTwitter: @Amelia_Womack____LINKS AND RESOURCESLukashenka vs. democracy: Where is Belarus heading? https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/lukashenko-vs-democracy-where-is-belarus-heading/Piers and Deputy Green Party Leader Clash in Meat Tax Debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrynJiZDkc8 Green Party https://greenparty.org.uk/Young Greens https://www.younggreens.org.uk/The Anti Fracking Nana’s https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/artists/the-nanas/Talk: ‘There Is No Planet B’ by Mike Berners-Lee https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/talks/there-is-no-planet-b-a-handbook-for-the-make-or-break-years/ Book: ‘There Is No Planet B’ by Mike Berners-Lee https://theresnoplanetb.net/ Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 https://www.futuregenerations.wales/about-us/future-generations-act/ Doughnut Economics https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:30 - Katherine and Paul catch up05:00 - Katherine and Paul on the upcoming festival weekend06:40 - Katherine and Paul on the protests in Belarus09:50 - Katherine and Paul on Palestine12:05 - Introducing Amelia Womack and her work12:25 - Amelia joins the conversation12:57 - Amelia on her interview with Piers Morgan14:40 - Amelia on her journey into Politics17:40 - Amelia on making change19:30 - Amelia on leadership21:13 - Amelia on power and politics23:00 - Talk Snippet from GB19 ‘There Is No Planet B’ by Mike Berners-Lee31:05 - Amelia on what is stopping us from making change33:25 - Amelia on “building back better”35:16 - Amelia on the power of local communities37:35 - Amelia on Brexit trade deals39:45 - Amelia on connecting with nature40:55 - Amelia on representation in politics44:00 - Amelia on hope45:33 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Amelia55:00 - How to get in touch with us57:00 - Coming up next week58:40 - Thank you’s____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast Katherine and Paul welcome *takes deep breath* openly-Catholic gay rights campaigner, life-long advocate for inclusion and equality, ex-CEO of Stonewall and recently appointed Baroness of Bethnal Green, Ruth Hunt.With inclusion, love and acceptance in our minds, we discuss the complex relationship between religion and sexuality and ask each other why the church is STILL so obsessed with who we love? Ruth talks about her own journey in connecting her faith with her advocacy.Plus, Katherine and Paul talk more about our plans for our #GBWildAtHome festival weekend and respond to critics who accuse Greenbelt of being an echo-chamber of lovey-dovey ideals.Links, resources and episode timestamps (for all you skippers out there) below.____ABOUT RUTH HUNTRuth Hunt is a co-founder and director of organisational change consultancy, Deeds & Words, which she runs with her partner Caroline Ellis. Prior to this she was CEO of LGBT human rights charity Stonewall, where she worked her way up through the policy and campaigning team over fourteen years. In this time the UK took huge steps towards equality for LGBT people, including equal marriage and equal adoption rights for same-sex couples. During her tenure as CEO, Stonewall also became trans inclusive. In 2019 Ruth became Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green and continues to fight for societal change and a kinder type of politics from the cross-benches. Ruth is a practising Christian and lives in London with her partner Caroline.Insta: ruthiehuntTwitter: @ruth_hunt____LINKS AND RESOURCESStonewall https://www.stonewall.org.uk/Deeds & Words https://www.deedsandwords.co.uk/ OUT at Greenbelt https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/out-at-greenbelt/https://www.facebook.com/OutatGreenbelt/https://twitter.com/outatgreenbeltCaroline Criado Perez https://www.carolinecriadoperez.com/Stonewall’s glossary of LGBT+ terms https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/faqs-and-glossary/glossary-terms ____TAKE ACTIONYou can find a list of open UK petitions around LGBT+ issues here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions?state=open&q=lgbt ____00:00 - Welcome to Somewhere To Believe In00:30 - Katherine and Paul catch up01:39 - Katherine and Paul on the upcoming festival weekend03:20 - Listener questions and comments05:40 - Introducing Ruth Hunt and her work06:06 - Ruth joins the conversation06:20 - Ruth on lockdown08:00 - Ruth on being a Baroness10:08 - Ruth on Deeds & Words 12:34 - Ruth on gender and racial bias in tech13:55 - Ruth on Stonewall16:40 - Ruth on trans inclusion17:50 - Ruth on making effective change20:00 - Ruth on Greenbelt Festival and faith21:38 - Talk Snippet from #GB15 ‘Thou Shalt Not Be Overcome: LGBT People, Our Allies, and the Christian Church’30:39 - Ruth on The Book of Queer Prophets33:57 - Ruth on why the church still cares about who we love36:30 - Ruth on human compassion37:48 - Ruth on hope for the future and Black Lives Matter42:18 - Katherine and Paul reflect on the conversation with Ruth51:00 - LGBT+ communities and Greenbelt Festival54:25 - OUT at Greenbelt1:01:51 - Thank you’s1:02:39 - Hidden Track - Ruth’s guide to LGBT+ terminology ____A huge thanks to the Greenbelt Volunteer Talks Team for all their hard work on editing this episode. Our podcast music is ‘I Can Change’ by Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.____https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/#SomewhereToBelieveIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.