Changes with Annie Macmanus

The day after St Patrick’s day, we welcome an astonishing Irish woman who epitomises change; Katriona O’Sullivan’s incredible no.1 bestselling memoir ‘Poor’ has dominated Irish bestseller lists for 10 months. The book documents her life - from living in poverty raised by parents who were heroin addicts, becoming pregnant and homeless at 15 to changing everything and completing a PHD at Trinity College in Dublin after a life changing encounter. Today Katriona is a psychologist and award winning lecturer at Maynooth University challenging barriers to education for working class and disadvantaged children. As Barry Keoghan of Saltburn says, ‘Katriona is a legend’. 

Even now ‘Poor’ is at number one in the Irish Non Fiction bestseller charts and won Biography of the Year and  the Listeners' Choice Award, at the Irish Book Awards 2023. 

In this unforgettable episode, the now “Dr.” Katriona O’Sullivan, talks about her life in poverty, including her relationship with her parents, myths and privilege, how she changed her life and the people who were fundamental to that happening, who she thinks holds the keys to change and ultimately why we must help children to flourish, have hope and opportunities.

Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan is out in paperback 18th April and is published by Penguin. You can pre order it here:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/452168/poor-by-osullivan-katriona/9780241996768

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Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken Loach is one of the greatest film directors of all time and a true British icon. He is known for his powerful, socially engaged films including ‘I Daniel Blake’, which won him a BAFTA for outstanding British film. At 87 years old, Ken’s career spans nearly six decades and his long list of awards includes the first ever British Independent Film Award and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival, which he has won twice.

His films shine a light on real human stories and the social injustices of working class lives. From Kes about a bullied and abused working class boy who trains his kestrel, to The Wind That Shakes The Barley which stars Cillian Murphy fighting for Irish independence, to his most recent film, The Old Oak set in an old mining community in the north east of england, where syrian refugees are being homed. In the 60s and 70s some of his work was considered controversial and added to conversations around homelessness, abortion, poverty and much more. In the 80s some of his work was banned. 

In this illuminating episode, as well as sharing his biggest life changes, Ken discusses whether films can create change, his early life, starting out as a director at the BBC “rattling a few cages”, the social issues highlighted in his films, struggling to retire and what you can do to help change the world. Prepare to be charmed. 

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Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the week of International Women’s Day we speak to the Guilty Feminist herself, Deborah Frances White. Host of the hugely successful, award winning podcast ‘The Guilty Feminist’, Deborah is also a bestselling author, screenwriter and comedian. 

Growing up in Australia as part of a restrictive Jehova's Witness community, Deborah describes her teenage years as “being controlled by a male cult”. This experience steered her towards comedy and feminism and ultimately led her to establish the Guilty Feminist - a community of women fighting for change.

In this episode, Deborah discusses how feminism has evolved since starting the Guilty Feminist, how being part of a “cult” changed her, the revelations she had from using psychedelics - an experience which changed her life and, ultimately, why she never wants to stop changing.

You can find out about the Guilty Feminist including live shows and buy the book here: https://guiltyfeminist.com/

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fourteen months after starting a relationship online, Anna discovered that she was a victim of romance fraud. ‘Antony’ wasn’t in fact who he said he was. Now, Anna is using her story to fight for change and is considered an expert in this field. 

Catfishing, romance fraud and scams are more prevalent than ever. Last year alone the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau in the UK received 8,036 reports of romance fraud resulting in a loss of more than £92m. But how does this happen? How do you find yourself in a relationship with someone who is using a fake identity? Do you think it would never happen to you?

In this gripping episode, Anna shares her story and speaks to Annie about the work she’s doing now to change the stigma around romance scams with her website Catch the Catfish and organisation LoveSaid. This includes speaking at the House of Commons with the fraud select committee, campaigning for the police to take these cases more seriously and for legislation to change around the creation of fake identities on dating sites. 

You can get help and support and find out more about Anna and her work here:

https://catchthecatfish.com/

https://www.lovesaid.org/

@catchthecatfish123

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on death row for a murder he did not commit. There was no evidence against him, he was charged because he is black. During his time on death row, he made some unlikely friends and never lost hope. Anthony’s incredible story is one of unimaginable injustice but also of resilience and forgiveness. 

During his incarceration, Anthony watched 54 inmates walk to their deaths on the electric chair. The same death penalty that sentenced Anthony in Alabama has been in the news recently due to an offender being put to death using pure nitrogen gas - the first death row inmate to be executed using this method anywhere in the world. Whether the death penalty should be used is being increasingly debated. Anthony himself is advocating for change and, here, as well as sharing his own story, tells us why. 

Anthony’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. This episode will grip you, enrage you and stay with you. It may even change your views on redemption and the death penalty. 

Content Warning: Racism, murder and witnessing executions

Buy  a copy of Antony’s book ‘The Sun Does Shine’ here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/437647/the-sun-does-shine-by-anthony-ray-hinton/9781846045745

Recent articles on the death penalty 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68097008

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-45835584

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Valentine’s week we’re celebrating romance with an unlikely agony uncle - the legendary punk poet, also known as the bard of Salford, John Cooper Clarke. A self-confessed romantic, John’s iconic love poem ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ has become one of the most popular poems to be performed at weddings in Britain and was famously used by the Arctic Monkeys in their song of the same name. John first began performing his poetry amidst the punk scene of the 1970s sharing stages with the Sex Pistols, the Buzzcocks and the Clash. His trademark style and Mancunian delivery has made him one of Britain’s most recognisable poets.

In this Valentine’s Day special, John talks about his early life growing up in Salford and his rise to fame as a performance poet. He also gives you an exclusive performance of ‘I Wanna be Yours’ and answers some romance dilemmas. Can John Cooper Clarke help change your love life?! Let’s find out.

Pre-order a copy of John’s new book of poems WHAT here.

Book to see John Cooper Clarke on tour here: https://johncooperclarke.com/gigs/

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2020, Scottish comedian Fern Brady was diagnosed with autism. Her award-winning Sunday Times Bestselling book ‘Strong Female Character’ is an incredibly honest and hilarious account of Fern’s life as an autistic girl and woman. 

Fern regularly appears on comedy panel shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats and Taskmaster as well as touring her own shows all over the world. In this episode, she discusses her catholic upbringing in Scotland and when she realised that she was different to other people, the “unrelenting chaos” prior to her diagnosis (including her time working at a student newspaper and lap dancing at the same time) and how her autism diagnosis as an adult has changed her. There’s no holding back. 

Fern is currently preparing for her worldwide 2024 stand up tour ‘I Gave you Milk to Drink’. Tickets are on sale now.

https://fernbradycomedian.com/

Buy a copy of Strong Female Character here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/strong-female-character-fern-brady/6460207?ean=9781914240447

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Deptford to the Amazon - For the final episode in our Joy January mini-series we’re joined by a very inspiring guest. Kwesia, also known as City Girl in Nature, grew up on an estate in South East London and struggled with violence and trauma from an early age but after a life-changing expedition to the Amazon she connected with nature in a way that sparked joy and transformed her perspective on life. 

Kwesia is now the award-winning host of the birdwatching podcast ‘Get Birding’. Through this and her initiative ‘City Girl in Nature’ she encourages inner-city kids to connect with nature through local adventures.

In this episode, Kwesia explains how her trip to the Amazon helped her realise her capabilities, how nature can be a source of strength and happiness, especially in times of darkness and why she's now on a mission to inspire others to find joy in unexpected places. This is a gorgeous episode to end Joy January. You will immediately want to embrace some element of nature near you!

You can subscribe to Kweisa's You Tube channel City Girl In Nature and find more about her story here:

https://youtu.be/4P0UQ50yKHc?si=rJsI-dcTTTBfN4ql

Her original Rainforest Adventure video is here:

https://youtu.be/-bpw5yinOMU?si=E82zy41RGfJxTNUp

Kwesia is now an ambassador for the British Exploring Society

https://www.britishexploring.org/welcoming-our-new-explorer-ambassador/ 

Content warning: references knife crime, murder and shootings.

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you find joy in the aftermath of tragedy or immense adversity? Celebrated poet, author, professor and broadcaster, Michael Rosen has had to learn to do just that after his son passed away suddenly from meningitis aged 18. Michael himself also came close to losing his own life twice, the second time to Covid in 2020. Despite this, in 2023, he was awarded the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize for his ‘ability to address the most serious matters of life in a spirit of joy, humour, and hope.’ 

Michael has been involved in writing over 140 books, including the beloved, award winning children’s classic ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’. His latest book is ‘Getting Better: Life lessons on going under, getting over it, and getting through it.’ 

For Joy Month on Changes, Michael discusses how play, absurdity and curiosity all play a part in finding joy, the duality of joy and grief and shares why he thinks everyone can use writing to help them have a more joyful existence. It’s a beautiful episode and an important reflection on joy. 

The paperback for ‘Getting Better’ is out on 8th Feb. You can pre order it here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/447363/getting-better-by-rosen-michael/9781529148909

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What small changes can you make to your daily life to cultivate more joy? As we continue Joy Month, we welcome to Changes one of the most influential experts in Happiness globally, Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen is a bestselling author who has written six books on the topic of happiness (all of which have become New York Times Best Sellers), including the widely acclaimed ‘The Happiness Project’. She is host of the hit podcast “Happier with Gretchen”, has been interviewed by Oprah and has walked arm in arm with the Dalai Lama!

In this remarkably practical episode, Annie and Gretchen discuss joy and happiness and how you can get more of both without having to make monumental changes to your life, new year's resolutions and why knowing your tendencies can help with happiness. Don’t miss it!

Take the happiness quizzes discussed by Gretchen here: https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/

You can buy Gretchen’s books here: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.

Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.