Hiya Babs

September’s flying and so are our moods: cooler days, a harvest-moon reset, candles, incense and a little sage to clear the cobwebs. We dive into spirituality—full-moon feelings, visits to a medium, and those goosebump moments when loved ones seem to break through with oddly specific messages. That leads us to ghosts (why are they always Victorian?), belief vs. scepticism, and the strange comfort of the unknown.

Then it’s trend talk and the collective ick: everything being called “viral,” matcha mania, novelty trinkets dangling from handbags, and band tees for bands you’ve never actually listened to. From there we segue into comfort > dress codes: hoodies, baggy jeans, breathable fabrics, why ties are on the decline, and a heartfelt ode to the confidence of wearing a kilt (plus some, erm, seasonal practicality).

Public-space pet peeves get an airing—slow walkers, path-blockers, and tiny humans running the supermarket self-checkout like it’s Mission Control. We also debate pet cafés: cute in theory, but what about animal welfare and hygiene?

On the culture front, we share what’s in our ears and on our screens: pure-pop that’s great for running, a face-melting metal collab, G Flip’s 80s-synth vibe, and Emarosa’s latest. TV chat ranges from Traitors Island and Australian renovation chaos (The Block) to Kim’s Convenience and a tour of Real Housewives (Potomac supremacy, Sydney drama, London launch). We also recommend the bite-size sci-fi gem Upload for easy, end-of-day watching. Reading corner: one of us is deep into a book that’s turned surprisingly mystical—in the best way.

We close with cosy autumn plans—a seaside weekend, family (and Murray the dog) time—and a burst of good-news stories: progress on diabetes treatment, smarter waste-to-energy, ocean-safe plastics, a huge new koala park, a giraffe learning to use an inhaler, butterfly numbers ticking up, and even a “lost” shark species rediscovered.

Expect laughs, a little woo-woo, a little rant, and a lot of comfy-season energy.

A warm-and-spicy ep that swerves from nostalgia to nuance. We kick off with iconic ad jingles (Bodyform power ballads, Iron-Bru “made in Scotland from girders,” and rogue double-glazing earworms) before slipping into full autumn mode: candles, chai, cozy darkness and the eternal “when does autumn actually start?” debate.

Then we get serious: free speech vs harm in the wake of Graham Linehan’s arrest, why “opinions” aren’t a licence for hate, and how allyship needs boundaries so we don’t burn out. We unpack sex ed (LGBTQIA+, asexuality, Scotland vs England curricula, and why porn ≠ education), friendship deal-breakers vs healthy challenge, and privilege inside the LGBTQ+ community.

We round it out with wholesome recs (Traitors UK/Ireland, Upload, Fisk), music we’re loving (Sabrina Carpenter, SEMA/SMAT, Paramore/Hayley Williams, The Beaches) and a feel-good news blitz (tiny-home village for older women, Netherlands’ shelter success, school kindness closet). Heavy to light, with giggles in between—classic Hiya Babs.

A warm-and-spicy ep that swerves from nostalgia to nuance. We kick off with iconic ad jingles (Bodyform power ballads, Iron-Bru “made in Scotland from girders,” and rogue double-glazing earworms) before slipping into full autumn mode: candles, chai, cozy darkness and the eternal “when does autumn actually start?” debate.

Then we get serious: free speech vs harm in the wake of Graham Linehan’s arrest, why “opinions” aren’t a licence for hate, and how allyship needs boundaries so we don’t burn out. We unpack sex ed (LGBTQIA+, asexuality, Scotland vs England curricula, and why porn ≠ education), friendship deal-breakers vs healthy challenge, and privilege inside the LGBTQ+ community.

We round it out with wholesome recs (Traitors UK/Ireland, Upload, Fisk), music we’re loving (Sabrina Carpenter, SEMA/SMAT, Paramore/Hayley Williams, The Beaches) and a feel-good news blitz (tiny-home village for older women, Netherlands’ shelter success, school kindness closet). Heavy to light, with giggles in between—classic Hiya Babs.

In this week’s Hiya Babs, Chris and Lee drift from bizarre dreams and sleepwalking tales into a very real conversation about patriotism, flags, and the rise of toxic nationalism. From giant hamsters in hamster balls to Paddington as the ultimate immigrant icon, they unpack how symbols like the Union Jack have been twisted into emblems of hate, and what that means for LGBTQ+ people and migrants in today’s UK.

The chat balances heavy with light: there’s book talk (witch trials in Scotland, cats in space, grief counselling reads), a sprinkling of good news stories (Taylor Swift’s engagement, gender-role-swapping schools in Iceland, recycling wins), and the odd curveball about painting with your penis. Basically—classic Hiya Babs: equal parts funny, thoughtful, and a bit chaotic.

Ever licked a static telly? We have (sort of). This week we tackle fizzy water crimes, midlife chaos, mushroom pod coffins, and whether we’d rather come back as a majestic cedar or a haunted Halloween tree. Add in rants about body image, Nessie’s nectar, and Scottish tap water being elite – and you’ve got another fun filled episode of Hiya Babs. Part 2! (becasue you can'y shut us up!)

Ever licked a static telly? We have (sort of). This week we tackle fizzy water crimes, midlife chaos, mushroom pod coffins, and whether we’d rather come back as a majestic cedar or a haunted Halloween tree. Add in rants about body image, Nessie’s nectar, and Scottish tap water being elite – and you’ve got another fun filled episode of Hiya Babs

It starts with The Simpsons and somehow ends with prehistoric beasts, Taylor Swift’s love life, and the perils of modern politics. In between, Chris and Lee take on toxic masculinity, the state of allyship, and why finding a good news story in 2025 is harder than spotting a velociraptor. Expect laughs, a few soapbox moments, and a lot of laughs along the way.

In this episode, Chris and Lee are joined by the brilliant and refreshingly honest Nathyn.

Fresh off his 40th birthday and proudly owning his identity as a combined ADHDer, Nathyn takes us on a journey from the corporate grind to carving out his own path in diversity and inclusion — with a special focus on neurodiversity. He opens up about getting diagnosed later in life, years of masking, and the “aha” moments that led him to become a passionate advocate and start his own consultancy.

But it’s not all deep reflection — expect some spicy takes too. Together, the trio dive into what’s really going wrong in corporate D&I efforts. From performative “tick-box” exercises to the hollow fanfare around calendar dates like Black History Month, nothing’s off-limits. Their message? Stop the surface-level stuff. Instead, look inward, do the work, and recognize the incredible (and often hidden) neurodiverse talent already in your workplace.

Oh and we can't forget about a memorable 'what are you dunking' anecdote!

After a short break, Babs and Lee are back to tackle the "shit show" of recent media and political events through a D&I lens. They dive into the frustrating narrative of D&I's supposed demise, passionately arguing for its fundamental importance and highlighting often-overlooked aspects. The conversation then navigates the contentious transgender rights debate, particularly the bathroom issue, with disbelief and concern. They also touch on the spread of misinformation, the puzzling stances of political groups like Reform UK, and their somewhat cynical take on the media spectacle of the all-women space launch. Looking ahead, they discuss the quiet lead-up to Pride Month and the often performative nature of corporate involvement. Despite the serious topics, the conversation is peppered with personal anecdotes, humorous tangents (including a memorable "teeny tiny penis" keyring), and ultimately a call to continue fighting for a more inclusive world.

In this episode of DiversiTea, we're joined by the incredible Khakan Qureshi, founder of the social support group Finding a Voice and recipient of the British Empire Medal for his advocacy in LGBTQ+ equality.

Khakan shares his powerful journey as an activist, starting later in life and navigating the complexities of being a gay Muslim man. 1 He opens up about the challenges he's faced, including online abuse and burnout, and the importance of finding your tribe and creating safe spaces.  

We delve into the importance of intersectionality, the power of representation, and the need for more positive stories in the media. Kakaan also discusses the nuances of faith and sexuality, encouraging listeners to educate themselves and find their own personal truth.

This episode is full of inspiring insights and honest reflections on identity, resilience, and the importance of community. Join us for a cup of tea and a conversation that will leave you feeling empowered and hopeful.