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/

Moonchild Sanelly is going stratospheric! She's collaborated with Beyonce, Gorillaz and Self Esteem to name just a few. During our conversation, we get a glimpse into her upbringing, hear her thoughts on power and understand why she never uses the word 'try'. (Heads up - she does mention a sexual assault). 

You can check her out at

https://www.moonchildsanelly.com/

Shambala Festival - Adventures in Utopia:

https://www.shambalafestival.org/

Have you ever wondered what it sounds like under the sea?

Well in this episode, we're taking you on a journey. We encourage you to lie back and listen, as we immerse you in whale songs, sounds and stories...

You might recognise Tom Mustill, author of How to Speak Whale, from last season.

In 2015 he was almost killed when a breaching whale landed on his canoe. This event launched an obsession into whale communication, and with childhood friend and audio expert Vahakn Matossian, he's using whale song to raise awareness of their plight.

https://www.tommustill.com/

Shambala Festival - Adventures in Utopia:

https://www.shambalafestival.org/

In this episode, we hear two tales from the Natural Born Storytellers event. The first, told by Chris, is a hilarious prank played on his housemate. The second is told by Kash, who, having lost his keys, finds something else...

The podcast was lovingly made by Melissa Kidd, Nick Carline, Fredi Devas and Drew Sewell.

You'll find links below to:

Shambala Festival - Adventures in Utopia:

https://www.shambalafestival.org/

And more Natural Born Storytellers:

https://www.naturalbornstorytellers.com/

From lyrical luminaries to rising stars and everything in between, here's a selection of  Shambala's Poetry Slam! Please note this episode does contain strong language.

Thanks to all the slammers who were brave enough to share your poignant, beautiful and touching words with us. We've listed you below:
 

Chuck SJ

Nina

Tia Meraki

Jess

David Viney

Chris Oliver

Jay Corrigan

Nine McCartney

Becka

Jay Sandhu

Rob Mitchell

Orlando

Lilly

Ellie Spirrett

Sennan Uma

Lulu

Kassy

Prem

Kid Anansi

Bethany Slinn

Lexia Thomlinson

Round 2:

Kid Anansi (Winner)

Orlando

Jay Sandhu

Jess

The podcast was lovingly made by Melissa Kidd, Nick Carline, Fredi Devas and Drew Sewell.

Shambala Festival - Adventures in Utopia:

https://www.shambalafestival.org/