Share

The Log Books
“Multiple paradox net files” | Episode 1
The internet began to revolutionise LGBTQI+ life in the 1990s: chat rooms, emails, and of course dating websites. In this first episode of the third season of The Log Books, Tash and Adam pull out stories from the archive at Switchboard - the LGBT+ Helpline about people who called to talk about how the internet was changing their experience of sexuality and gender. They hear memories of early online photo searches and hook-ups arranged via chat rooms. And YouTuber Jake Edwards who grew up making videos about their transition and coming out as non-binary, explains their experience on the limits of the internet at making genuine connections today.
The Log Books — stories from Britain’s LGBT+ history and conversations about being queer today. Produced by Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, in partnership with Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline. With thanks to the Bishopsgate Institute and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Music by Tom Foskett-Barnes
Artwork by Natalie Doto
More episodes
View all episodes

5. Lab rats - 005
27:29||Season 5, Ep. 5Tash has been reading some intriguing studies about the psychology of lab rats — and has discovered something about themself in the process. So let’s talk about it! Join us while we gnaw on the topics of cages (real and imagined), being queer, and the power of nature.-Adam + TashDiscussed in this episode:The Well Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-SmithAunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastSeasons 1-3, from 2019-22, were co-produced with Shivani Dave, in partnership with Switchboard.Season 4, from 2025-26, featured interviews for our book, published by Faber & Faber.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
4. Inherent Vice - 004
25:30||Season 5, Ep. 4We make no secret that we’re obsessed with queer history and heritage. So in this episode Tash met Shoun Obana who’s created a zine called Inherent Vice, “for heritage professionals and enthusiasts alike”. We’ve also got a poem by Tash, Dear Section 28.-Adam + TashDiscussed in this episode:Zine: Inherent ViceRadio poem: Dear Section 28, originally created for Short Cuts, series 33, a Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4Aunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastSeasons 1-3, from 2019-22, were co-produced with Shivani Dave, in partnership with Switchboard.Season 4, from 2025-26, featured interviews for our book, published by Faber & Faber.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
3. An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail - 003
27:35||Season 5, Ep. 3Sometimes you read a book and feel ‘this is a bit of me!’ That’s how we both felt reading An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail, so we wanted to talk about it. It’s a book about friendship, across generations, and the power of queer solidarity. So it also led us to two recent photography exhibitions too.-Adam + TashDiscussed in this episode:Book: An Army of Lovers Cannot Fail by Hélène GiannecchiniExhibition: We Others: Donna Gottschalk and Hélène Giannecchini @ The Photographers’ Gallery until June 7thExhibition: Catherine Opie: To Be Seen @ National Portrait Gallery, until May 31stAunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastSeasons 1-3, from 2019-22, were co-produced with Shivani Dave, in partnership with Switchboard.Season 4, from 2025-26, featured interviews for our book, published by Faber & Faber.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
2. Margate Queer Library and Archive - 002
34:22||Season 5, Ep. 2Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside… Tash went for a swim (Adam went to the cafe), but we BOTH went to the Margate Queer Library and Archive, which is run by Sé Malaïka Nomyo. We also met Jen Scott, aka SHELLY GROTTO, who also told us about her work on Margate and Thanet’s queer history.Discussed in this episode:Space: Margate Queer Library and ArchiveVideo: New Rumours on YouTube-Adam + TashAunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastSeasons 1-3, from 2019-22, were co-produced with Shivani Dave, in partnership with Switchboard.Season 4, from 2025-26, featured interviews for our book, published by Faber & Faber.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
1. The Stories of Our Lives - 001
30:44||Season 5, Ep. 1We’re relaunching your favourite podcast! We’re Tash Walker and Adam Zmith, and EVERY WEEK we get together to talk about history, politics, art and LGBTQ+ life. From us ageing millennials nattering on, to interviews with exciting people doing amazing things, The Log Books contain… the stories of our lives. Let us know what you think of the new format, and what you think we should feature.-Adam + TashAunt Nell: Instagram | YouTube | websiteThe Log Books is hosted and produced by Tash Walker and Adam ZmithThe assistant producer is Mia CampbellMusic from SoundstripeOriginal artwork by Natalie DotoThanks to the dreamboats at AcastSeasons 1-3, from 2019-22, were co-produced with Shivani Dave, in partnership with Switchboard.Season 4, from 2025-26, featured interviews for our book, published by Faber & Faber.KI7FHCTLCUOCNJZ9
15. Queer roots | Episode 15
33:00||Season 4, Ep. 15Tash and Adam listen to Abi McIntosh, our youngest interviewee!, who first listed her sexuality on MySpace...Abi also reflects on her experience of connecting with older queer Black people, and how this has changed how she sees herself.You can listen to Abi on the podcast Black And Gay, Back In The Day on Apple and Spotify.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 ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks 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.
14. Being both | Episode 14
29:52||Season 4, Ep. 14Adam and Tash hear from Faizan, who co-founded Imaan, a network for queer Muslims.Faizan recalls what it felt like to be growing up as a British Pakistani queer person in London in the 80s, and the electricity of a first (good) kiss.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 ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks 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.
13. Girl power | Episode 13
34:10||Season 4, Ep. 13Adam and Tash listen to Steph Fuller recall what it was like for trans women to go out on the town in the 90s.Steph reflects on growing up queer and trans, and what it meant to have places to go — in one of our most affecting and intimate interviews yet.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 ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks 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.
12. Active listening | Episode 12
28:59||Season 4, Ep. 12Tash and Adam hear from Monty Moncrieff, who took calls for Switchboard for years and now runs London Friend.Monty remembers what it was like to take difficult calls from LGBTQ+ people, and also to be listened to himself, when he gave his first interview in season 3 of The Log Books podcast.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 ZmithThe voice of the log books: Serena JamesAssistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade Engineer: David PyeMusic: Tom Fosket-BarnesOriginal artwork: Natalie DotoThanks 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.