Shambala Speaks

In this episode, we join a panel discussion on climate justice and hear from four people as they unpack, explore and share their perspective on this vitally important topic.

The panel is made up of: Chris Johnson - one of the co founders of Shambala and the Managing Director of Shambala; Adassa Dixon – diversity equity and inclusion lead at Shambala and Kambe events; Lady Shaka – indigenous music producer and DJ and Asad Rehman who is the Chief Exec of Friends of the Earth

https://www.shambalafestival.org/buy-tickets/

https://www.shambalafestival.org/climate-justice/

https://www.kambe-events.co.uk/people/adassa-dixon/

https://www.lady-shaka.com/

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/how-were-run

In this episode I sit down with two members of Asian Dub Foundation - the longest standing and newest member of the band. We dig into how music is breaking down racism, rebel saints and some of their most meaningful moments in their 30 year history.

@asiandubfoundation

https://www.facebook.com/asiandubfoundation

shambalafestival.org

In this episode, I talk to rising star Hak Baker. From learning guitar in prison, to being inspired by his remarkable grandmother, he tells us how he's forging his very individual path to stardom. Just a heads up - there is some strong language in this one.

hakbaker.com

@hakbaker

shambalafestival.org

Straight off the big stage and into the quiet confines of our podcast caravan, I get a rare opportunity to chat to James Sadri and Oliver Knowles of Led by Donkeys, the political activists who hold powerful people accountable. We dive into what it's like to do what they do, the risks they take and what keeps them going.

ledbydonkeys.org

@ledbydonkeys

Get your Shambala Festival 2026 tickets here, for more adventures in utopia:

https://events.humanitix.com/shambala-festival-2026

Hello and welcome to this year's Shambala podcast series. Our adventures in utopia kick off with a Led by Donkeys double bill. They are a team of disruptors who are all about holding powerful people accountable.

This talk was a stand out moment at Shambala Festival 2025. The tent was overflowing and we thought it was only fair to give everyone the chance to hear it again.

Their activism is like nothing I've ever seen before. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

ledbydonkeys.org

@ledbydonkeys

Get your Shambala Festival 2026 tickets here, for more adventures in utopia:

https://events.humanitix.com/shambala-festival-2026

If your soul is in need of soothing, you are in the right place. In this episode, Haitian / American folk musician and cultural activist Leyla McCalla talks to Dizraeli about fitting in with fragmented identity, music and motherhood...

You can find links to their work, music and shows in the notes

https://leylamccalla.com/

https://www.mixcloud.com/dizraeli/

https://www.dizraeli.com/

You can watch highlights from Shambala Festival 2024 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVOvAEJ9Z2s

In this spine-chilling episode, we hear how democracy in this country has been subverted. The exposure of undercover police in environmental and progressive political groups is a major policing scandal of our time.

Climate activists have been duped and spied on, human rights have been infringed and The Big Green Gathering, a festival like Shambala, has been unable to continue. So listen up as we hear from those who’ve been affected first hand…

If you’d like to learn more about spycops, check out the links below:

https://policespiesoutoflives.org.uk

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/721401

https://www.spycops.co.uk

https://policespiesoutoflives.org.uk/campaigns/

https://www.itv.com/watch/the-undercover-police-scandal-love-and-lies-exposed/10a5198

https://campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com

https://spycopsresearch.info

In this episode, we're transported to the beginnings of Afrobeat. Dele Sosimi was in Fela Kuti's band Egypt 80 between 1979-86. And in this conversation, we hear those Nigerian sounds and it's almost like a ringside seat to that iconic club: The Shrine. Dizraeli asks about his journey to musical mastery and what it was like coming from Lagos to London.

You can find links to their work, music and shows:

https://www.delesosimi.org/

https://www.mixcloud.com/dizraeli

https://www.dizraeli.com/

In this episode, we hear from the team who made the spellbinding BBC podcast series: Witch. Whatever you may think, dream or fear about them, the witch has held a place in our imagination for centuries. But what does it mean to be one now? Listen and find out

If you'd like to listen to the full series of Witch, you can do that here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2sVdGfsrPR1QgCfWXS6y0rm/what-does-mean-to-be-a-witch

If you're feeling a bit brow beaten, dispirited or disillusioned, we have just the thing. Will McCullum, Co Executive Director of Greenpeace UK makes a compelling case for hope.

He shows how power has been, and continues to be, disrupted and rebuilt. And shares some big reasons that are keeping him hopeful...

You can find more and support Greenpeace's work by following the link below:

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

You can find out more about Shambala festival by following the link below:

https://www.shambalafestival.org/