In this weeks episode we sit down and chat with Timi Sotire, editor of the anthology 'Black Joy'. We chat about what joy means to us, the revolutionary act of finding joy and being joyful as black people, and the process behind the production of the book. We chat about our parents, being joyful as a collective and as individuals, and how we're going to cultivate joy.

'Black Joy' is available to purchase where ever you buy your books. Remember your black and independent book retailers!

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In this episode we talk about the press-run and launch of Keisha The Sket by JadeLB. Jade talks about the journey, her emotions and some of the day-to-day realities of the whirlwind publication. Ez talks about her position as close friend to Jade and how it was to observe very closely.

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Find us on Twitter @echochamberpod_ Instagram @theechochamberpod and Facebook @theechochamberpod

In this episode we talk about gendered oppression. We name some of our experiences of gendered violence, as well as how living as women presents specific dangers for us. We talk about the way this has lead to negative experiences in our sexual encounters with men and how these experiences are linked to wider narratives regarding misogyny in society. Jade names the link between misogyny and her desire to distance herself from Keisha The Sket for so many years and we both discuss the unlearning required for us to work towards living freely as Black women in Britain.

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In this weeks episode we talk about imposter syndrome and how it impacts our lives. Ez shares her experience of imposter syndrome in relation to her writing and Jade talks about the way it shows up for her in relationships. We highlight the way our identity as working class, Black women means that we struggle with both internal and external narratives about being imposters. Moreover, embodying these minoritised identities means we are often proponents of what Jade refers to as ‘DIY culture’, where we are innovators in our fields and this can add to feelings of being an imposter. You can read and subscribe to the newsletter referred to in this episode on: nancyadimora.com

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In this episode we model an intergenerational conversation with business woman, activist and recently published author Chief Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo. We talk about her experience as a Nigerian woman navigating business in Lagos in the 70’s and 80’s and discuss the many achievements which led her to writing her recently published book ‘My Mother’s Daughter’. Our conversation touches on some of the themes covered in the book including activism and grief within the Nigerian context. We look at our different approaches to activism and ask questions about the generational differences in our approach to and understanding of activism and social justice. You can buy Mrs. Taiwo’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/My-Mothers-Daughter-Coloured-Taiwo/dp/9785849457

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In this weeks episode we talk about love, reviewing bell hooks’ book ‘All About Love’ we discuss our foundational experiences of love and how that has informed our view of and interactions with love throughout our lives. bell hooks theory on love offers a radical, community centred approach to love which we are both challenged and refreshed by. The book encourages us to interrogate our understanding of love which in our case has highlighted the need to unlearn old patterns and beliefs.

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In this weeks episode we chat with Sharmadean Reid, winner of the 2021 Bold Future Award.

Find her on Instagram @sharmadeanreid and her latest venture @thestack.world

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In this weeks episode we discuss School. We both look back on our experiences and very different trajectories in primary school very briefly, and secondary school in greater depth.

Jade reflects on how her experiences of school, at a strict convent, provided academic support and direction she doesn’t remember getting elsewhere. She identifies that the struggles that stand out to her during school were relational, and the ways in which she has avoided processing this truth, while Ez identifies hers as being related to structures and more systematic in nature.

Despite having happy memories of school and identifying how popularity played a massive part in her experience, Ez identifies how her time at two secondary schools shaped a lot for her going forward. She relays how traumatic school experiences have been a theme as she’s spent time in adulthood unpacking childhood trauma.

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