The Brighton Paradox

In this episode, Impatience, the focus shifts to the growing sense of urgency within Brighton’s creative, business, political, and educational communities. As the city grapples with the challenges of economic inequality, educational disparities, and social justice, the episode examines how impatience is driving new initiatives and pushing for change. Contributors discuss the tension between the desire to act quickly and the need for thoughtful collaboration to ensure sustainable progress, all while navigating significant political shifts within the city’s leadership. Key questions: How is impatience shaping the future of Brighton’s communities? Can quick fixes lead to long-term solutions, or do they risk fragmenting the city’s efforts? What role does education play in addressing social inequalities in Brighton? How are recent political shifts influencing the direction of the city’s development? How can Brighton balance rapid innovation with the need for inclusivity and sustainability?   Featured contributors: Curtis James – Storyteller and creator of Class Divide podcast Curtis shares his experiences documenting educational inequality in East Brighton, highlighting the emotional and practical challenges of amplifying marginalized voices. Website: Class Divide Podcast Cllr Bella Sankey – Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council Bella discusses her administration’s bold initiatives to tackle deep-rooted inequalities, including innovative policies in education, such as prioritizing children on free school meals in secondary school admissions. She also reflects on the political shifts within the city council and how these changes are influencing policy directions. Website: Brighton & Hove City Council Cllr Ty Goddard – Lead Councillor for Economic Development Ty outlines his vision for improving Brighton’s infrastructure, focusing on enhancing public spaces and the city’s physical appearance to support a thriving economy. He also discusses the impact of political changes on economic strategies and development priorities. Rosie McColl – Headteacher, Brighton Girls Rosie discusses the role of education in promoting inclusivity and equality, including a partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion to promote girls’ football across the city. Website: Brighton Girls Bobby Brown – Community Worker and Creative Entrepreneur Bobby reflects on how Brighton’s creative sector is ripe for innovation, especially through emerging technologies like AI, and the need to harness this potential for social good. Website: Bobby Brown (The New Society) Kevan Smith – Founder, Epiphany Content Kevan discusses the ongoing challenges in promoting diversity and inclusion within Brighton’s business sector, particularly in PR and media. Website: Kevan Smith (Epiphany Content) Flo Powell – Co-MD, Midnight Communications Flo shares her insights into the efforts being made by local PR firms to diversify the workforce and create more inclusive workplaces. Website: Midnight Communications Vicki Hughes – Managing Director, Fugu PR Vicki talks about the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity in Brighton’s business community and the challenges of sustaining momentum in diversity initiatives. Website: Fugu PR Key topics covered: The urgency of addressing social inequality: Discussions on how Brighton’s leaders are impatient for change, particularly in the areas of education and social justice. The episode explores how this impatience is driving policy innovations and grassroots initiatives. Education as a tool for social change: The role of education in promoting inclusivity is highlighted, with a focus on partnerships between schools and local organizations, like Brighton & Hove Albion, to support underrepresented groups. Political shifts and their impact: The episode delves into the recent political changes in Brighton & Hove City Council, exploring how these shifts are influencing policy decisions and the broader direction of the city’s development. Balancing rapid innovation with sustainability: Contributors discuss the tension between the desire for quick fixes and the need for sustainable, long-term solutions. This is particularly relevant in Brighton’s creative and tech sectors, where rapid innovation is often at odds with inclusivity. Diversity and inclusion in business: The episode delves into the ongoing efforts to promote diversity in Brighton’s business community, with insights from PR and media professionals who are working to make their industries more inclusive. The episode concludes that while impatience can be a powerful motivator for change, it also carries the risk of fragmentation if not managed carefully. Brighton’s success will depend on its ability to channel this impatience into a collaborative, sustainable effort that address the city’s deep-rooted challenges, particularly in education, social justice, and in navigating the new political landscape.   Credits: This is an always possible podcast: alwayspossible.podcastpage.io/ In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts: linkedin.com/company/lo-fi-arts/ Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC: brightonandhovealbion.com Project partners: EQ Investors: eqinvestors.co.uk University of Brighton's Help to Grow Management programme: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx Midnight Communications: https://www.midnight.co.uk Written and presented by: Richard Freeman Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey Project support by: Kate Regester and the always possible team Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn Original music by: Fatboy Slim: fatboyslim.net Theme music: "Nadda" by Noraay: noraay.com Chris Thorpe Tracey: christt.bandcamp.com Listen to The Brighton Paradox on your favourite podcast platform.  

In this episode, host Richard Freeman explores Brighton & Hove as a metaphorical mycelium—an interconnected network of people, ideas, and movements bubbling beneath the surface. As the city grapples with post-pandemic challenges and economic fragility, this episode asks whether Brighton's current actions stem from hope or stress. Through interviews with local visionaries, the episode investigates how new technological, cultural, and community-driven initiatives are trying to address Brighton’s systemic issues, from inequality to economic sustainability. Key questions: How are the new connections in Brighton influencing its renewal? Are people acting out of a sense of new hope or out of desperation? What can the metaphor of mycelium teach us about Brighton’s human ecosystem? What does 2024 mean for the future of Brighton & Hove, and how does the city move forward from the pandemic? Featured contributors: Helen Jewell – Creative director, The Old Market Discusses Brighton’s independent arts scene, the need for resilience in cultural spaces, and TOMTech, which merges creative technology and art. Website: The Old Market Alex Morrison – Entrepreneur and former chair, Wired Sussex Reflects on the recent closure of Wired Sussex and its impact on Brighton's tech sector, urging more collaboration between large institutions and small businesses. Rose Tighe – Founding member, Brighton AI Talks about her experience helping build Brighton AI into a broad, inclusive network, focused on ethical tech development and social good. Sue Johnson – Secretary, Friends of Hove Lagoon Explains the impact of the pandemic on local volunteerism and grassroots movements, with a call to re-engage communities in public space management. Website: Friends of Hove Lagoon Toby Buckle – Consultant and coach for community organisations Discusses the challenges faced by the voluntary and charity sectors in Brighton and the need for collective action to address systemic inequalities. LinkedIn: Toby Buckle April Baker – CEO, Together Co Highlights Brighton’s endemic loneliness problem and calls for systemic collaboration between public, private, and third sectors to improve social health. Website: Together Co Tom Gray – Musician, campaigner, and Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion Advocates for structural change in Brighton’s political and economic landscape, arguing that systemic reform is needed to tackle issues like low pay and housing shortages. Website: Tom Gray Key topics covered: The mycelium network as a framework for change: The episode uses the metaphor of a mycelium network to explore how Brighton’s diverse communities, innovators, and projects are connected beneath the surface. These networks offer the potential for collaboration and growth, but need to be nurtured and supported to create real, impactful change. Navigating post-pandemic recovery: The episode delves into Brighton’s economic and social recovery following the pandemic. It explores how sectors such as arts, technology, and volunteering have been both challenged and energised by the crisis, with a focus on how the city can move forward in a more sustainable and connected way. Challenges for the creative and tech sectors: With the closure of major institutions like Wired Sussex, the creative and digital sectors in Brighton face an uncertain future. The discussion highlights the importance of innovation, resilience, and the merging of creativity with technology to maintain Brighton’s role as a hub for arts and tech industries. The power of community and volunteerism: Local initiatives and volunteer groups have played a crucial role in maintaining Brighton’s social fabric. The episode touches on how grassroots movements and community-led projects are essential to Brighton’s future, especially in public spaces and community wellbeing. Addressing inequality and social health: The episode highlights the growing challenges of inequality and social isolation in Brighton, emphasising the need for collaboration between sectors to address these issues. From tackling loneliness to providing fairer opportunities, the focus is on creating a more inclusive city where everyone can thrive. A call for structural reform: The contributors discuss the need for systemic, long-term solutions to Brighton’s deep-rooted problems such as low pay, housing shortages, and lack of investment. The episode suggests that the city’s success lies not in individual leadership but in building a resilient, collaborative infrastructure that works for all. The episode concludes that Brighton is at a pivotal moment in 2024, where its interconnected networks of creatives, technologists, and community leaders must come together in more cohesive and structured ways. While the city is brimming with innovation, it faces significant challenges of inequality and economic fragility. The strength of the city’s future lies in collaboration, shared resources, and systemic changes that go beyond individual efforts. Useful links: Brighton AI: brightonai.com The Old Market: www.theoldmarket.com Together Co: togetherco.org.uk Friends of Hove Lagoon: friendsofhovelagoon.com Credits: This is an always possible podcast: alwayspossible.podcastpage.io/ In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts: linkedin.com/company/lo-fi-arts/ Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC: brightonandhovealbion.com Project partners: EQ Investors: eqinvestors.co.uk University of Brighton's Help to Grow Management programme: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx Midnight Communications: https://www.midnight.co.uk Written and presented by: Richard Freeman Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey Project support by: Kate Regester and the always possible team Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn Original music by: Fatboy Slim: fatboyslim.net Theme music: "Nadda" by Noraay: noraay.com Chris Thorpe Tracey: christt.bandcamp.com Listen to The Brighton Paradox on your favourite podcast platform.

This is the final episode. Where this part of the journey ends.   These clips are all about what's next for Brighton & Hove. The hopes, fears and dreams for the next decade.   In four sections, we have ordered contributors' thoughts into: Keeping Brighton weird? The city as the UK's laboratory and how to grow that philosophy Paying it forward? Making space for young people to shape, lead and disrupt Fixing the ecosystem? Being brave to make long-term change to the city’s infrastructure Community power? Harnessing the energy of everyone, everywhere to shape the future     Featured contributors, in order:     Fiona Anderson (plusx.space) Declan Cassidy (https://intogames.org/) Samantha Harland (plusx.space) Norman Cook (https://www.fatboyslim.net/) Sarah Ticho (https://hatsumi.co.uk/) Adam Muirhead (https://www.trustdevcom.org.uk/) Andy Budd (https://www.andybudd.com/) John Varah (https://samesky.co.uk/) Donna Close (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/donnaclose) Loubna Khamlichi (https://noraay.com/) Boogaloo Stu (https://www.instagram.com/boogaloostu/) Angi Mariani (https://thelatest.co.uk/) Adam Joolia (https://audioactive.org.uk/) Rachel Carter (https://futurecreators.org.uk/) Jack Maddalena (https://www.naurt.com/) Kelly Dibbert (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kelly-dibbert-33821818) Claire Mason (https://www.manbitesdog.com/) Pam Loch (https://lochassociates.co.uk/) Caroline Lucas MP (https://www.carolinelucas.com/) Kelvin Newman (https://brightonseo.com/) Dr Adam Jones (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Jeannie Boyle (https://eqinvestors.co.uk/individuals/team/jeannieb) Andy Winter (https://andywinterbn1.wordpress.com/) Tom Druitt (https://thebiglemon.com/) Luke Taylor (https://unitedus.co.uk/) Kevin Grist (https://www.electricmedway.org/) Ruth Anslow (https://hisbe.co.uk/) Carolynn Bain (https://afroribooks.co.uk/) Barry Joinson (https://barryjoinson.com/) Naomi Alexander (https://brightonpeoplestheatre.org/) Jenni Lloyd (https://twitter.com/jennilloyd) Kathy Caton (https://brightongin.com/)   Now it is your turn. What's next? www.alwayspossible.co.uk/paradox     Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/) Uschi Schomig   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)

In this penultimate episode, we look at how the city wanting to attract big business and London money - is also the city pioneering the weird, small, experimental ideas that are often best scaled-up elsewhere   And we try to answer the following questions:   Where does leadership come from in Brighton & Hove? What kind of leadership is needed to get things done? Do we need a mayor or stronger networks with teeth to make change? Should Brighton be more of a regional leader as a city?     Featured contributors:   Ed Chinn (https://twitter.com/Ed_Chinn) Mat Hunter (plusx.space) Sarah Springford (https://www.brightonchamber.co.uk/) Ian Trevett (https://www.rubixvt.com/) Kelly Dibbert (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kelly-dibbert-33821818) Steve Rackley (https://siliconbrighton.com/) Rachel Carter (https://futurecreators.org.uk/) Joseph Young (https://www.theceramichouse.co.uk/) Caroline Lucas MP (https://www.carolinelucas.com/) Andy Budd (https://www.andybudd.com/) Declan Cassidy (https://intogames.org/) Naomi Alexander (https://brightonpeoplestheatre.org/) Simon Fanshawe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Fanshawe) Seb Royle (https://platf9rm.com/)   Useful links:   // Silicon Brighton Leaders   // Greater Brighton         Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/) Uschi Schomig   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)

In this episode, we look at how the city wanting to attract big business and London money - is also the city pioneering the weird, small, experimental ideas that are often best scaled-up elsewhere   And we try to answer the following questions:   Can Brighton & Hove be comfortable as the UK's ideas lab? What is a laboratory approach to business/tech, social justice, public services and culture/sport? Who is investing in ideas and risk? How important are collaborative spaces? Messy spaces? Interdisciplinary spaces?     Featured contributors: Mat Hunter (plusx.space) Jack Maddalena (naurt.com) Declan Cassidy (intogames.org) Katherine Courtney (twitter.com/kcourtneybis) Ali Ghamini (bhfood.org.uk) Tom Druitt (thebiglemon.com) Kristina Perekaite (southeastangels.co.uk) Norman Cook (fatboyslim.net) Dr Carlie Goldsmith (classdivide.co.uk) Phil Jones (wiredsussex.com) Joseph Young (theceramichouse.co.uk) Jenni Lloyd (twitter.com/jennilloyd) Angi Mariani (thelatest.co.uk) Darren Fell (crunch.co.uk)   Useful links:   // Brighton & Hove Economic Strategy - 2018 to 2023   // i360   // "Universal Quantum: Brighton tech company joins quantum computing race"         Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/) Uschi Schomig   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)

In this episode, we look at how the city trying to compete for business and rapid economic growth - is also the city where a focus on health & wellbeing is helping it to stand out in the 21st century   And we try to answer the following questions:   Is Brighton & Hove's lens of health and wellbeing a privilege of the comfortable middle classess or a genuine philosophy that makes the city stand out? What makes a healthy city? What do innovation cultures in healthcare and education say about Brighton & Hove? Can Brighton & Hove contain a slice of London's hustle culture whilst also rejecting burnout? What is it about the sea?     Featured contributors:   Sarah Ticho (hatsumi.co.uk) Charlie Symonds (alirity.com) Seb Royle (platf9rm.com) Jack Maddalena (naurt.com) Sarah Springford (brightonchamber.co.uk/) Paul Barber OBE (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Barber_(football_executive)) Rachel Carter (futurecreators.org.uk) Rifa Thorpe-Tracey (rifa.co.uk) Ian Trevett (rubix vt) Ian Elwick (werksgroup.org.uk) Donna Holland (www.rockinghorse) Jeannie Boyle (eqinvestors.co.uk) Andy Winter (andywinterbn1.wordpress.com)   Useful links:   // Class Divide podcast   // Cities of Learning   // BadgeNation   // Dr Richard Russell   // "Dr Richard Russell and the Miracle of Sea-Water Therapy"   // "Brighton Named Top UK City For Caring About Physical Wellbeing"   // "Wellbeing Paradise: The Healthiest Places To Live In The UK"   // 'The Art Of Good Health In Brighton & Hove' (report)           Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/) Uschi Schomig   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)

In this episode, we look at how the city about which a major study coined a phrase, articulating the unique opportunity for economic growth when arts and tech work together - is also the city that rarely talks about it and many haven’t heard about it   And we try to answer the following questions:   Can, and should, Brighton & Hove business try and scale? What is superfusion, and what does it say about Brighton? Have incubators and co-working spaces changed the potential in the city? Is Brighton & Hove at its best when it's focused on mad ideas?     Featured contributors: Dr Adam Jones (research.brighton.ac.uk/en/persons/adam-jones) Dr Richard Tolcher (about.me/tolcher) Phil Nutley (mimagroup.com/people) Claire Mason (manbitesdog.com/team/claire-mason/) Sarah Ticho (hatsumi.co.uk) Phil Jones (twitter.com/philjoneswired) Charlie Symonds (alirity.com) Seb Royle (platf9rm.com) Samantha Harland (twitter.com/samanthaharland) Fiona Anderson (plusx.space) Katherine Courtney (twitter.com/kcourtneybis) Jack Maddalena (naurt.com) Declan Cassidy (intogames.org) Dr Bashair Ahmed (shabaka.org) Marisa Zanotti (marisazanotti.net)   Useful links:   // The Fusebox   // The Fuse Report   // Findings from The Fuse Report (video)   // '18 Months Of Entreprenuerial Spark Hatchery In Brighton'     Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/) Uschi Schomig   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)    

In this episode, we look at how the city that has a top 10 premier league football team, award-winning food culture and decades of environmental innovation - is also a city unsure of its global identity, of abject food poverty and congested streets piled high with rubbish   And we try to answer the following questions:   What impact has Brighton & Hove Albion FC had on the city's reputation? Should a football club also be a driver of social impact? Is food putting Brighton on the map? Can activism also drive economic opportunity? What happens in an emergency, when the infrastructure is joined-up?     Featured contributors:   Paul Barber (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Barber_(football_executive)) Kelly Dibbert (faresharesussex.org.uk / communityenergysouth.org/meet-the-team Caroline Lucas MP (carolinelucas.com) Luke Taylor (unitedus.co.uk) Ali Ghamini (bhfood.org.uk) Tom Druitt (thebiglemon.com) Ruth Anslow (hisbe.co.uk) Norman Cook (fatboyslim.net) Michael Kennard (compostclub.online) Naomi Alexander (brigvhtonpeoplestheatre.org) Sarah Ticho (hatsumi.co.uk) Sarah Springford (brightonchamber.co.uk) Useful links:   // Is Brighton’s food scene capitalising on culture?   // History of Brighton & Hove Albion FC   // Tony Bloom factor means Brighton will not “do a Southampton”   // Hisbe: a brave new model for food retailers in Brighton   // Feeding Brighton & Hove: tackling food poverty in a pandemic     Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/)   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)   Some audio used from Jak Hutcraft's documentary 'Right Here, Right Now' for Sky Documentaries (https://www.jakhutchcraft.com)   Archive interviews with Andrew Comben and Lemn Sissay from The Possibility Club podcast by always possible (www.alwayspossible.co.uk/podcast)  

In this episode, we consider how the city that is on the map for experiences, festivals, culture and tourism - is also the city that for years was overlooked for investment, long-term funding and capital infrastructure projects   And we try to answer the following questions:   Why did an HSBC report consider Brighton & Hove to be one of the UK's five 'supercities'? What has put Brighton on the map since 2000? What is the impact of the city's biggest business conferences? How does the Children's Parade happen? What is notable about some of Brighton's buildings?     Featured contributors:   Katherine Courtney (twitter.com/kcourtneybis) Norman Cook (fatboyslim.net) Sarah Springford (brightonchamber.co.uk) Donna Close (twitter.com/donna_close) Naomi Alexander (brightonpeoplestheatre.org) John Varah (samesky.co.uk) Phil Harris (podexperiences.co.uk) Rifa Thorpe-Tracey (rifa.co.uk) Declan Cassidy (intogames.org) Kelvin Newman (brightonseo.com) Jenni Lloyd (twitter.com/jennilloyd) Joseph Young (artofnoises.com)   Useful links:   // "Study reveals Brighton to be one of the most gamer-friendly cities in the UK"   // "Brighton among most expensive UK cities to be a student"   // "'Never Normal' is the resounding campaign message to boost Brighton during uncertain times"   // Our Place   // The Brighton Summit   // Big Beach Boutique II   // Brighton Festival: guest directors     Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/)   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)   Some audio used from Jak Hutcraft's documentary 'Right Here, Right Now' for Sky Documentaries (https://www.jakhutchcraft.com)   Archive interviews with Andrew Comben and Lemn Sissay from The Possibility Club podcast by always possible (www.alwayspossible.co.uk/podcast)  

In this episode, we consider how the city that is famous for alternative lifestyles, liberal attitudes and minority pride - might also be the city that can amplify groupthink, homogenous views and narrow perspectives   And we try to answer the following questions:   Are multiple views and perspectives given the space they need? Are narratives about Brighton & Hove ambitious, fair and honest? What does it take to be taken seriously? Is the People's Republic of Brighton & Hove a genuine force for independent thinking or a smug self-congratulatory forcefield? Is Brighton & Hove a racist city? Why is community football so powerful?     Featured contributors:   Rifa Thorpe Tracey // (https://rifa.co.uk) Andy Winter // (https://andywinterbn1.wordpress.com) Adam Joolia // (https://audioactive.org.uk/) Luke Taylor // (https://https://unitedus.co.uk) Carolynn Bain // (https://afroribooks.co.uk) Loubna Khamlichi // (https://noraay.com) Pam Loch // (https://lochassociates.co.uk) Kathy Caton (https://brightongin.com) Kevin Miller (https://whitehawkfc.com) Simon Fanshawe OBE (https://simonfanshawe.com) Barry Joinson (https://barryjoinson.com)   Useful links:   // "'I love Brighton, but it’s a racist city' - Shop owner hits out at city's anti-racism campaign"   // BAME groups in Brighton   // "The People’s Republic of Brighton and Hove: Britain’s latest breakaway nation"   // "THAT’S THE POINT WE WANT TO GET TO. WHERE PEOPLE SAY “SO WHAT?”   // Brighton Book Festival   // "What do Brighton think of Brexit?"   // "Brighton: Anything goes at this liberal enclave"     Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/)   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)

Summary:   In this episode, we look at how the city that provides sanctuary, open arms and acceptance of strangers and travellers - is also the city that often marginalises communities outside of the centre   And we try to answer the following questions:   What does a Brighton & Hove welcome look like? How would people describe the city to a space alien? Does Brighton have too many charities? Is compassion a genuine energy that drives change in the city? What happened in Whitehawk in 2005 that has left a bitter legacy? Are current economic failures actually helping to reduce class divides?     Featured contributors:   Kevin Grist // (https://electricmedway.co.uk) Caroline Lucas MP // (https://www.carolinelucas.com/) Adam Joolia // (https://audioactive.org.uk/) Adam Muirhead // (https://www.trustdevcom.org.uk/) Donna Holland // (https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk/) Naomi Alexander // (https://brightonpeoplestheatre.org/) Dr Carlie Goldsmith // (https://www.classdivide.co.uk/)   Useful links:   // "The school that died of poverty"   // Patcham Pylons   // Red Bull: "Watch Rag’n’Bone Man go back to his roots at Sussex charity AudioActive"   // The five Class Divide demands   // The Crew Club   // "Brighton and Hove among most expensive places to live, report finds"   // "Challenging health inequalities in East Brighton" // Tackling Inequality in Brighton & Hove – Trust for Developing Communities in 2020 // Trans-Atlantic study looks to Brighton and Hove for lessons from pandemic   Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/)   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)  

The Brighton Paradox   Episode One: THE EDGE     Summary:   In this episode, we look at how the city of individual creativity, spirit, otherness and personal missions - is also the city of collectives, co-operatives, networks and community cells.   And we try to answer the following questions:   Why did Brighton & Hove want to be a city? Was 1995 - 2008 really a 'golden age' for Brighton? Why did Brighton AND Hove happen? Where is the city centre? Brighton or Bristol? What sort of person landed in Brighton in the 90s/00s?     Featured contributors:   Simon Fanshawe // (https://simonfanshawe.com) Kevin Grist // (https://electricmedway.co.uk) Sarah Ticho // (https://hatsumi.co.uk) Katherine Courtney // (https://primaryspace.org) Donna Close // (https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnaclose/) Jenni Lloyd // (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennilloyd/) Ian Trevett // (https://www.rubixvt.com) Darren Fell // (http://crunch.co.uk) Claire Mason // (www.manbitesdog.com) Boogaloo Stu // (https://boogaloostu.co.uk) John Varah // (https://samesky.co.uk) Andy Budd // (https://www.andybudd.com) Rob Jones-Mantle // (https://magpie.coop) Ian Elwick // (https://www.werksgroup.org.uk)     Useful links:   // Burning The Clocks   // "How Brighton and Hove became a city 20 years ago"   // MILLENNIUM CITY STATUS COMPETITION - WINNING CITIES ANNOUNCED   // The Zap Club   // Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT)   // Brighton Fishing Museum / Seafront Heritage Trust   // "Brighton's come a long way from Skid Row-on-Sea"   // "This is what readers miss most about Brighton in the 1990s"       Credits:   An always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts (https://twitter.com/lofiarts) and Plus X Innovation Hubs (https://plusx.space)   Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com)     Written and presented by: Richard Freeman   Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey   Production support by: Ian Lauder   Project management by: Stephanie Danvers, Molly Boyer, Annie-Marie Page and the always possible team   Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn   Project partners: UnitedUs (https://unitedus.co.uk) The University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme (https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx) Silicon Brighton (https://siliconbrighton.com) Alirity (https://alirity.com)   Media and communications by: Sussex Business Times (https://www.thebusinessgroup.co.uk) Fox & Bear (https://foxbear.co.uk/services/website-optimisation/search-engine-optimisation/)   Original music by: Fatboy Slim (https://www.fatboyslim.net) Noraay (https://noraay.com) Chris Thorpe Tracey (https://christt.com/music/)        

Hello!   A quick note to say that The Brighton Paradox will be back soon!   Series 2 will be examining the landscape across the city in 2023 and 2024 - what is changing, and what is building in economics, culture, community and technology.   Look out in this feed later this spring.   We're also delighted to announce that we are being supported again by Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club who return as brilliant headline sponsors and partners. And the University of Brighton's Help To Grow Management programme also returns as a valuable project partner. In addition - we have two new supporters; the exceptional folk at EQ Investors and the legends at Midnight Communications.    ALSO   Make sure you subscribe, for free, to The Brighton Connectiv - a monthly digest of positive, celebratory stories of collaboration, innovation, connection and opportunity across the city.   Go to BrightonConnectiv.Substack.com to see the first few editions and to get new ones right in front of your lovely eyes around the middle of each month.

We're taking a short break between episodes 8 and 9/10. We will be organising some follow-up events later this Spring and Summer, to take forward themes and ideas in The Brighton Paradox. Not just more roundtable discussions, but action-led spaces for learning and commitment.   But we don't want to own or dictate how these run. We'd like to have a range of people facilitate, and to consider different and engaging formats to usual panel or workshop formats.   Can you please head to alwayspossible.co.uk/paradox and answer a few questions? Scroll down below the published episodes and you'll find a button. This will load a quick GoogleForm where you can tell us about your reaction to the podcast, what you'd like to see taken further and how you'd like to see that happen. ALSO The Brighton Paradox ❤️ Big-Hearted Community Auction https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/brightonparadoxauction To celebrate the release of this interesting and complex tale,  were raising money for Rockinghorse and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership between 1st February and 1st May 2023. The items in this auction are: All of, from, for or about Brighton & Hove Experiences, one-offs, rarities and money-can’t-usually buy offers Being added every week - so check back for new ones Open to all and any bidders Items have so far been donated by Stephen Grant, The Levellers, Brighton Dome & Festival, FatboySlim, Annabel Dunstan, Plus X, SameSky, Do Good PR, Bird & Blend Tea, always possible, Brighton & Hove Albion + more! AND The Possibility Club podcast https://the-possibility-club-podcast.podcastpage.io Interviews by Richard Freeman with leaders from across business, society, culture and education who are rolling their sleeves up and making change happen.   Over the past 5 years, my diverse set of guests have included Andy Burnham, Charlotte Church, Gina Miller, Michael Rosen, Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, Lemn Sissay, Deborah Meaden, Wayne Hemingway and 100s of others.   Delve into our archives for real-time responses to the covid-19 pandemic as well as exploration of innovation and change in different sectors. A brand new series will be landing soon.   ------   Whilst you are here - can you please leave a review of The Brighton Paradox? That would be very very helpful. Spread the word. Let us know your thoughts.    Keep in the loop with events etc at www.alwayspossible.co.uk/paradox   Thank you!

We're taking a short break between episodes 5 and 6, so newcomers to the series can catch up. In the meantime, please check out these brilliant things:   The Brighton Paradox ❤️ Big-Hearted Community Auction https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/brightonparadoxauction To celebrate the release of this interesting and complex tale,  were raising money for Rockinghorse and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership between 1st February and 1st May 2023. The items in this auction are: All of, from, for or about Brighton & Hove Experiences, one-offs, rarities and money-can’t-usually buy offers Being added every week - so check back for new ones Open to all and any bidders Items have so far been donated by The Levellers, Brighton Dome & Festival, FatboySlim, Annabel Dunstan, Plus X, SameSky, Do Good PR, Bird & Blend Tea, always possible, Brighton & Hove Albion + more!   ----- Class Divide podcast https://www.classdivide.co.uk/podcast The series follows the lives of a family, one daughter and three sons from Whitehawk, whose stories will highlight what a massive difference a good education can make to life chances. Across the series families, teachers and education experts talk about the roots of the UK's education, segregation and subsequent attainment gap and why it’s so bad in places like Brighton and Hove. Guests include Orwell prize winning writer, rapper and tv presenter Darren McGarvey, working class academic and education expert Professor Diane Reay, education writer Fiona Millar and many others.   ----- The Possibility Club podcast https://the-possibility-club-podcast.podcastpage.io Interviews by Richard Freeman with leaders from across business, society, culture and education who are rolling their sleeves up and making change happen.   Over the past 5 years, my diverse set of guests have included Andy Burnham, Charlotte Church, Gina Miller, Michael Rosen, Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, Lemn Sissay, Deborah Meaden, Wayne Hemingway and 100s of others.   Delve into our archives for real-time responses to the covid-19 pandemic as well as exploration of innovation and change in different sectors. A brand new series will be landing soon.   ------   Whilst you are here - can you please leave a review of The Brighton Paradox? That would be very very helpful. Spread the word. Let us know your thoughts.    Keep in the loop with events etc at www.alwayspossible.co.uk/paradox   Thank you!