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The Log Books

The Log Books

By: Tash Walker and Adam Zmith
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Hosts Tash Walker and Adam Zmith speak to LGBTQ+ elders and peers about life in Britain, inspired by volunteers' log books from the helpline Switchboard since 1974.


Each episode features an intimate conversation with an LGBTQ+ person, as they reflect with Adam and Tash on community, family, volunteering for Switchboard, going out for the night, and the huge shift in LGBTQ+ politics and culture since 1974.


Season 4 starts on January 1st 2026 with all-new weekly episodes, marking the release of Tash and Adam's book, The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened, published by Faber & Faber.


WINNER of several awards including Best New Podcast (Gold) at the British Podcast Awards 2020.


An Aunt Nell Production.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aunt Nell
Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Leather and love | Episode 9
    Feb 26 2026

    Tash and Adam hear from Richard Desmond, aka Switchboard’s once resident leather queen.


    Richard reflects on a life in the LGBTQ+ community, as a leatherman, a volunteer, a friend and lover. We love you, Richard.


    Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.


    Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

    The voice of the log books: Serena James

    Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade

    Engineer: David Pye

    Music: Tom Fosket-Barnes

    Original artwork: Natalie Doto

    Thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.

    Episode transcripts available here.

    Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

    Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Dream homes | Episode 8
    Feb 19 2026

    Tash and Adam listen to Graham McKerrow, who was editor of the newspaper Capital Gay in the 80s.


    Graham reflects on his gay adolescence in the 70s, and how he and his partner transformed a South London house into a communal queer home.


    Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.


    Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

    The voice of the log books: Serena James

    Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade

    Engineer: David Pye

    Music: Tom Fosket-Barnes

    Original artwork: Natalie Doto

    Thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.

    Episode transcripts available here.

    Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

    Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Standing up, standing out | Episode 7
    Feb 12 2026

    Adam and Tash hear from Andy Piccos, whose memories of Switchboard stretch back to 1977.


    Andy remembers the queer family he met through volunteering and living the gay life, and what it was like to come out to his biological, Greek Cypriot family.


    Buy our book or see our events listings: The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline that Listened.


    Hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

    The voice of the log books: Serena James

    Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade

    Engineer: David Pye

    Music: Tom Fosket-Barnes

    Original artwork: Natalie Doto

    Thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute; our publisher, Faber Books; the dreamboats at Acast; the staff and volunteers at Switchboard, and all the contributors who shared their stories.

    Episode transcripts available here.

    Call Switchboard on 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt or instant message via www.switchboard.lgbt.

    Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelogbooks.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
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