• Introducing The Power of Sound - (New season, coming soon)
    Dec 20 2025
    Episode Notes

    Discover how sound shapes emotion, memory, and connection in Talking Point’s new season – coming soon.

    Think about the last time a sound stopped you in your tracks. Maybe it was the opening notes of a favourite song, carrying you back to a moment you thought you’d forgotten. Perhaps it was the sound of someone’s voice – warm, familiar, and able to lift your spirits in seconds. Or maybe it was something simpler… the hush of rain at night, the laughter of someone you love, the crackle of a fire on a winter evening. Funny, isn't it, how sound has a way of reaching us when nothing else can, weaving itself into our memories and shaping how we feel, often without us realising. Join me to explore how deeply sound touches every part of life – and why it’s far more powerful than we think.

    Across multiple episodes, each theme has room to breathe, inviting psychological, scientific insight and lived experience.

    The power to heal

    We will examine how sound restores, calms, and uplifts – from therapy and stress reduction to the science behind listeners’ favourite sounds. In addition, I’ll share my working theory: that relief may come not from sound itself, but from the neurochemical and emotional responses it triggers.

    The creative force of sound

    From the pulse of music to the quiet rhythms of the natural world, creativity thrives on what we hear. This theme explores performance, composition, and the recording and post-production processes that shape what ultimately reaches our ears. Furthermore, we’ll consider how choices in editing and space design influence mood, memory, and meaning.

    Challenges, threats, and innovation

    The landscape is shifting fast. We’ll tackle AI’s impact, widening pay gaps, and the ongoing need for diversity and inclusion. In addition, we’ll look at emerging tools and ideas that could open doors rather than close them, asking what a fair and flourishing future might require.

    Special contributors include

    Dr Victoria Williams, co-founder of Audicin; Kay Rose of Grounded Sound; Professor Sophie Scott CBE; audiobook producers Samuel Wilkins and Morrison Ellis. Together, they bring perspectives spanning neuroscience, wellbeing, and creative production.

    NB: Subject to change.

    Still open for contributions

    If you’re a listener with a story or a professional working with sound, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch for details and upcoming deadlines.

    Launching soon. I can’t wait to share it with you.

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    4 mins
  • Talking Point Shorts The Price of Bias – The unseen Dangers Behind Decisions That Affect You and Me
    Feb 22 2025
    Episode Notes

    ⚖️ "A wrongful conviction. A misdiagnosed illness. A newsfeed that tells you only what you "want" to hear."

    We like to think we’re rational thinkers—but what if "bias" wasn’t just shaping our own decisions, but the decisions made about us?

    In this ""15-minute Talking Point Shorts episode"", we uncover how ""confirmation bias"" quietly influences the choices we make—and the judgments others make about us.

    As Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman warns, even scientists who commit to a theory tend to disregard conflicting facts, concluding that the ""facts must be wrong, not the theory"". If the most rational thinkers do this, what about the rest of us?

    From "social media to justice and medicine," are the unseen dangers of bias shaping our lives more than we realise?

    🎧 ""Hit play and challenge your own thinking.""

    📧 info@talkingpoint.site 📱 WhatsApp/Txt 07948568191 Join our WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DxchVTyr2ah6nJTeshMyrm

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    15 mins
  • Talking_Point_Shorts_Recording_as_Therapy
    Jan 24 2025

    Have you ever dreamed of being the voice that introduces the nation’s favourite programmes? In this latest ""Talking Point Shorts"" episode, I share my journey of creating a continuity demo inspired by my dream of becoming a BBC Radio 4 continuity announcer (hyperlink here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012qgp ). This dream isn’t just rooted in ambition—it’s a tribute to the icons who made an indelible mark on me during the 80s and 90s: the unmistakable gravitas of ""Brian Perkins"", the elegance of ""Charlotte Green"", the warmth of ""Andrew Crawford"", and the charm of ""Catriona Young"".

    Recording this demo wasn’t years in the making, but it was deeply meaningful—both as a creative outlet and a therapeutic exploration of my love for radio. It’s a reflection of my passion for a medium that’s been a constant companion, and the occasional commissions I’ve had accepted on Radio 4 only deepened that connection.

    This episode doesn’t just look back—it also looks ahead. Stay tuned as I reveal a glimpse into the next season of ""Talking Point"", where we’ll dive into the barriers faced in the audio industry. I’ll be joined by two incredible guests: acclaimed audio producer ""Morrison Ellis"", (hyperlink here: https://morrisonellis.co.uk/ ) whose work has redefined sound design, and ""Sam Wilkins"", (hyperlink here: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/samuel-wilkins-3704b543 ) a trailblazer in making audio accessible to all.

    🎧 ""Tune in now"" to hear my continuity demo and join me in celebrating the power of radio, storytelling, and the voices that inspire us. Whether you’re a lifelong Radio 4 fan or simply curious about the magic of the airwaves, this episode promises a journey full of nostalgia and excitement! Episode Notes

    Notes go here

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    15 mins
  • Talking_Point_Shorts_Outtake
    Nov 1 2024
    Episode Notes

    🎙️ Ever listened to yourself listen? In this quirky entry from my Intermediary Shorts Single Episode series, you're invited to step into a world of technical tangles, posture tweaks, and reflections on self-care. These are not just sound checks—they’re sound bites from the mind’s backstage, where each interconnecting link slyly shifts, voiced in an ironically sped-up cadence that doubles as its own commentary.

    Through carefully edited snippets, I explore the art of active and passive listening, revealing how even the smallest conversational cues connect us and recalibrate us. And with a touch of irony in every layered clip, you’ll be left pondering: are we ever truly alone in our thoughts?

    Get ready to eavesdrop… on myself.

    Notes go here

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    21 mins
  • S1E2 - Talking Point Impossible Is Possible
    Sep 30 2024

    Talking Point: Impossible Is Possible What’s the impossible that was made possible for you? In this episode of Talking Point, Philip Anderson explores how the impossible becomes possible through the power of technology, human resilience, and service. We begin with Angela Peak, a nurse turned self-care coach, who helps exhausted healthcare professionals rediscover their energy and well-being. Her story exemplifies how personal transformation is possible even in the face of overwhelming challenges. Next, David Beard, Head of Technology at British Wireless for the Blind, shares insights into the organisation’s vital work. For nearly a century, British Wireless has used radio technology to connect and comfort those living with sight loss, offering a lifeline against isolation. David discusses how radio’s relevance continues to evolve in the digital age. We also meet Martin Rhodes, who reflects on the joys of HAM radio, a timeless hobby that continues to inspire communication across the globe made possible by screen reading technology. In addition to these guest appearances, the Talking Point team explores other remarkable stories of human determination and technological innovation, leaving you rethinking what’s possible in your own life. Among these stories is Eo Davies, a woman with cerebral palsy, who has accomplished the remarkable feats of driving a car, riding a bike, and even sailing a boat—proving that determination can conquer any barrier. Jenny Tate also shares her journey of how Dragon Naturally Speaking technology made it possible for her to complete her honours degree with the Open University, despite facing challenges that once seemed insurmountable. Ready to be inspired? [Listen here] Email the show: info@talkingpoint.site Visit the Talking Point official website: www.talkingpoint.site

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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Talking Point Shorts - Is Britain Racist or Just Angry
    Aug 21 2024

    In light of the recent riots, we're asking: is Britain racist or just angry? Music used in this podcast: Primetime News Variations. Reproduced under a Music standard License. Item ID: 2910499 Licensor's Author Username: leto.

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    7 mins
  • Talking Point Shorts A Leap from the Tree - a Childhood Trauma Revisited
    Jul 18 2024

    Ever wondered how a childhood trauma shapes your life? In this gripping episode, I recount a pivotal moment from my childhood that changed my life forever. At just 10 years old, I fell 20-30 feet from a tree, narrowly escaping death by the slimmest of margins. Born with Bilateral Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, a rare condition affecting my vision and associated with hypoglycaemia and intellectual disabilities, I’ve faced numerous challenges. Join me as I delve into the harrowing experience and the long-term impacts of the fall, which left me questioning whether my memory and language difficulties are linked to the head injury or my congenital condition. This episode marks a new departure for me, as I turn the microphone on my own story instead of my usual reporting on global accessibility and inclusion issues. Learn about the resilience, uncertainty, and strength that has defined my journey. 🎙️ Listen to: A Leap from the Tree" 🌳 Email me: info@talkingpoint.site Podcast Main: www.talkingpoint.site

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    17 mins
  • S1E1 - Talking Point 1-2 A Word in Your Ear - Celebrating 50 Years of Calibre Audio
    Apr 15 2024

    Ever been blown away by a good audiobook? "Half a Century of Stories: How Calibre Audio Redefines Access for All" "Dive into the story of Calibre Audio as I explore how a vision for accessible books became a lifeline for many and sparked a global conversation on the need for inclusivity in literature." Join me for a special hour-long episode of Talking Point, as I celebrate the golden anniversary of Calibre Audio, a pioneer in making literature accessible to those with additional print needs. For 50 years, Calibre has not just provided books but has championed the cause of inclusivity, ensuring everyone can experience the joy of a good story. As someone who grew up benefiting from Calibre’s vast array of children's titles, I understand deeply the impact of their work. "Calibre was a beacon of hope during my childhood, offering stories that my mother, due to personal circumstance, couldn't read aloud to me. Their commitment to accessibility transformed my access to literature and allowed me to dream big," I reflect. Discover how Calibre Audio has shaped the landscape of accessible reading, from their early days using audio cassettes to today's advanced digital offerings. I dive into why accessible literature matters more than ever in a world that still grapples with reading inequalities and what the future holds for inclusive publishing. Celebration Highlight: Don't miss hearing about the "Inclusive Voices Competition," a creative initiative launched to mark this Calibre Audio golden milestone. It invites stories featuring characters with additional print needs, aiming to inspire and educate by showcasing diverse experiences through literature. **Listen to Talking Point: 'A Word in Your Ear' Part 1.

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    1 hr and 1 min