“I left my home a broken man - after walking the UK for 6 years, I’m returning with a girlfriend and baby”

This week, we’re welcoming Chris, Kate, Magnus and Jet to the podcast.

Chris has walked the coastline of the UK in a bid to find happiness. 

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“Why are white women celebrated when they fake tan, but I was bullied for being brown?”

This week, we’re welcoming Laila Woozeer to the podcast. 

Laila is a musician, writer and author of book, Not Quite White, and today we’re going to be discussing their piece about bullying and fake tan. 

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“I’m 45, work three jobs, and know that I will never be able to afford to retire”

This week, we’re welcoming Cecilia Floren to the podcast. 

Cecilia is an administration officer, and today we’re going to be discussing her piece about affording to retire.

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“I thought I’d just eaten too much rich food – I want you to know bowel cancer symptoms”

This week, we’re welcoming Nick Summerfield to the podcast.

Nick is a supporter of Worldwide Cancer Research and today, we’re going to be discussing his story about bowel cancer in his 30s. 

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“I was 21 when I found out I had HIV from an at-home STI test”

This week, we’re welcoming Ellie Harrison to the podcast. 

Today we’re going to be discussing her piece about finding out she had HIV from an at-home STI test.

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“There is nothing inappropriate about drag queens performing for children”

This week, we’re welcoming Crystal to the podcast. 

Crystal is a drag queen, having appeared on series 1 of Drag Race UK. She’s also a DJ, writer and host of the fantastic podcast, The Things That Made Me Queer. 

She has written for Metro.co.uk many times before but today we’re going to be discussing her article about drag queens performing for children. 

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“I was scared to get my first smear test after coming out as a trans man”

This week, we’re welcoming William Cuthbert to the podcast.

William is a freelance writer, passionate about mental health, gender equality and LGBTQ+ issues. He has written for Metro.co.uk many times before - about taking 30 years to realise he is trans, sex, and masculinity - but today we’re going to be discussing his article about getting a smear test as a trans man. 

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“My husband and I adopted four kids – three have disabilities. I couldn’t be more proud of our family”

This week, we’re welcoming Garry Ratcliffe to the podcast. 

Garry is a CEO, educator and disability rights campaigner and dad to four incredible kids. Today, we’re going to be discussing his story about about adopting four kids, three with disabilities, with his husband. 

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“I never planned to remarry after my wife died – when I did I was shamed for it”

This week, we’re welcoming Raj Singh Rainu to the podcast. 

Raj is the owner of Sikh Wills, a will-writing business for the Sikh community. Today, we’re going to be discussing his story about remarrying after his wife passed away. 

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

“As a teen, I let my good looks define me – now, at 44, I feel invisible”

This week, we’re welcoming Rowan Atkins to the podcast. 

Rowan is a PR consultant and writer, and today we’re going to be discussing her piece about Pretty Privilege.

In My Platform, Metro.co.uk’s new podcast, we speak to the authors of some of our first-person and opinion section’s most-read articles of the past few years. My Platform is all about drawing attention to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media, with guests talking about issues close to their heart. 

Hosted by me, Jess Austin. I edit the section of the Metro that all our lovely guests submitted their pieces to. As well as being among the most popular articles, they’re also some of my absolute favourites, and I can’t wait to speak to the authors more about what inspired them, unhindered by a pesky word count! 

Our main aim with this podcast is to give a platform to underheard voices, offering a human-first story to accompany some of the most prevalent topics in the news. We’d love to hear if Rowan’s story helped shape your view - if so, please let us know on Twitter @MetroOpinion or by email at [email protected] 

My Platform is produced by Pineapple Audio Production.