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Changes with Annie Macmanus

Steve McQueen

Season 7, Ep. 1

Very few artists win the Turner Prize. Very few filmmakers win an Oscar. Only one person has won both. That person is Sir Steve McQueen, the acclaimed director of Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave, and Widows. With each film, Steve McQueen expanded the scope of his fierce, unflinching gaze – from Irish republicanism, to the Slave Trade in the Deep South – but for his most recent project, he turned that gaze inwards, to the world that he knows most intimately. Small Axe is a love letter to his parents' Windrush Generation, who lit London ablaze with music, politics, and culture, on their arrival from the West Indies. It is the project that Steve McQueen has been circling around and sizing up for much of his life, but only recently felt able to take on.


In the first episode of the new season of Changes, you'll hear a maverick artist unleash the energy and intellect that has become his trademark on a wide array of subjects: the school system; privilege; cinema; Grenfell. This is a conversation about the need for all-encompassing, systemic change – as well as the profound, personal change that comes with setting your own blueprint for success in a landscape hostile to your every creative breath. It's a conversation that will leave you dizzy, angry, and, inevitably, inspired.

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  • 12. Gabby Logan

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    Viva la season finale! Where we welcome a total trailblazer and change maker, the iconic sports broadcast Gabby Logan. In her almost 30 year career, Gabby has been at the centre of phenomenal change in a predominantly male dominated industry. She has presented many of the country's biggest sporting events including the Olympics, the Commonwealth games, the World Cup and the 2022 Euros which changed the face of women's football in Britain when the Lionesses won. Gabby has paved the way for other women and played a vital role in the promotion of women’s sport. On top of all this, Gabby has received an MBE, is the host of two hit podcasts; ‘The MidPoint’ and, the brand new, ‘The Sports Agents’ which she co-hosts with fellow broadcaster Mark Chapman, and has even found the time to write her memoir ‘The First Half’.In this inspiring episode, Annie and Gabby discuss the slow but important changes in sports and broadcasting for women, the parallels in their careers - navigating being the token woman and bringing others through, how her upbringing in a sporty family with a footballer father helped shape her career, and how a tragic death of her brother in her teens taught her about dealing with grief and making the most of life. Gabby’s podcast The Sports Agents is available nowhttps://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42Kx2B/GET IN TOUCHContact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
  • 11. Katriona O'Sullivan

    54:39
    The day after St Patrick’s day, we welcome an astonishing Irish woman who epitomises change; Katriona O’Sullivan’s incredible no.1 bestselling memoir ‘Poor’ has dominated Irish bestseller lists for 10 months. The book documents her life - from living in poverty raised by parents who were heroin addicts, becoming pregnant and homeless at 15 to changing everything and completing a PHD at Trinity College in Dublin after a life changing encounter. Today Katriona is a psychologist and award winning lecturer at Maynooth University challenging barriers to education for working class and disadvantaged children. As Barry Keoghan of Saltburn says, ‘Katriona is a legend’. Even now ‘Poor’ is at number one in the Irish Non Fiction bestseller charts and won Biography of the Year and  the Listeners' Choice Award, at the Irish Book Awards 2023. In this unforgettable episode, the now “Dr.” Katriona O’Sullivan, talks about her life in poverty, including her relationship with her parents, myths and privilege, how she changed her life and the people who were fundamental to that happening, who she thinks holds the keys to change and ultimately why we must help children to flourish, have hope and opportunities.Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan is out in paperback 18th April and is published by Penguin. You can pre order it here:https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/452168/poor-by-osullivan-katriona/9780241996768GET IN TOUCHContact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
  • 10. Ken Loach

    38:57
    Ken Loach is one of the greatest film directors of all time and a true British icon. He is known for his powerful, socially engaged films including ‘I Daniel Blake’, which won him a BAFTA for outstanding British film. At 87 years old, Ken’s career spans nearly six decades and his long list of awards includes the first ever British Independent Film Award and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival, which he has won twice.His films shine a light on real human stories and the social injustices of working class lives. From Kes about a bullied and abused working class boy who trains his kestrel, to The Wind That Shakes The Barley which stars Cillian Murphy fighting for Irish independence, to his most recent film, The Old Oak set in an old mining community in the north east of england, where syrian refugees are being homed. In the 60s and 70s some of his work was considered controversial and added to conversations around homelessness, abortion, poverty and much more. In the 80s some of his work was banned. In this illuminating episode, as well as sharing his biggest life changes, Ken discusses whether films can create change, his early life, starting out as a director at the BBC “rattling a few cages”, the social issues highlighted in his films, struggling to retire and what you can do to help change the world. Prepare to be charmed. GET IN TOUCHContact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
  • 9. Deborah Frances White

    39:24
    On the week of International Women’s Day we speak to the Guilty Feminist herself, Deborah Frances White. Host of the hugely successful, award winning podcast ‘The Guilty Feminist’, Deborah is also a bestselling author, screenwriter and comedian. Growing up in Australia as part of a restrictive Jehova's Witness community, Deborah describes her teenage years as “being controlled by a male cult”. This experience steered her towards comedy and feminism and ultimately led her to establish the Guilty Feminist - a community of women fighting for change.In this episode, Deborah discusses how feminism has evolved since starting the Guilty Feminist, how being part of a “cult” changed her, the revelations she had from using psychedelics - an experience which changed her life and, ultimately, why she never wants to stop changing. You can find out about the Guilty Feminist including live shows and buy the book here: https://guiltyfeminist.com/GET IN TOUCHContact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
  • 8. Anna Rowe

    53:03
    Fourteen months after starting a relationship online, Anna discovered that she was a victim of romance fraud. ‘Antony’ wasn’t in fact who he said he was. Now, Anna is using her story to fight for change and is considered an expert in this field. Catfishing, romance fraud and scams are more prevalent than ever. Last year alone the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau in the UK received 8,036 reports of romance fraud resulting in a loss of more than £92m. But how does this happen? How do you find yourself in a relationship with someone who is using a fake identity? Do you think it would never happen to you?In this gripping episode, Anna shares her story and speaks to Annie about the work she’s doing now to change the stigma around romance scams with her website Catch the Catfish and organisation LoveSaid. This includes speaking at the House of Commons with the fraud select committee, campaigning for the police to take these cases more seriously and for legislation to change around the creation of fake identities on dating sites. You can get help and support and find out more about Anna and her work here:https://catchthecatfish.com/https://www.lovesaid.org/@catchthecatfish123GET IN TOUCHContact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
  • 7. Anthony Ray Hinton

    55:14
    Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on death row for a murder he did not commit. There was no evidence against him, he was charged because he is black. During his time on death row, he made some unlikely friends and never lost hope. Anthony’s incredible story is one of unimaginable injustice but also of resilience and forgiveness. During his incarceration, Anthony watched 54 inmates walk to their deaths on the electric chair. The same death penalty that sentenced Anthony in Alabama has been in the news recently due to an offender being put to death using pure nitrogen gas - the first death row inmate to be executed using this method anywhere in the world. Whether the death penalty should be used is being increasingly debated. Anthony himself is advocating for change and, here, as well as sharing his own story, tells us why. Anthony’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. This episode will grip you, enrage you and stay with you. It may even change your views on redemption and the death penalty. Content Warning: Racism, murder and witnessing executionsBuy  a copy of Antony’s book ‘The Sun Does Shine’ here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/437647/the-sun-does-shine-by-anthony-ray-hinton/9781846045745Recent articles on the death penalty https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68097008https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-45835584GET IN TOUCHContact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
  • 6. John Cooper Clarke

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  • 5. Fern Brady

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