Leanne Wood Podcast

Ben Ferguson from Community Energy Wales explains what community energy and shared ownership is all about and how communities can benefit from locally produced renewable energy & infrastructure.

Jasmine Donahaye has written a range of non fiction and poetry, including the books ‘Whose People? Israel, Wales and Palestine’, ‘Losing Israel’, ‘The Greatest Need’ - the sort of Welsh Jewish political activist in Palestine, Lily Tobias. Her latest book is a series of essays about the natural world with a thread running through of birds & watching them. Jasmine comes out as a bird-watcher after exploring why she tried to distance herself from the stereotype of the birdwatcher. There are plenty of political themes in the book that deserve further exploration. Misogyny, racism, colonialism, the climate crisis, manipulation of fear, and peace and reconciliation are some of those themes among many more.

A diagnosis of dementia can mean life changes, and not just for those being diagnosed. Darren Jones, a self-employed follower of Cymru pel-droed suddenly saw his life change when his father was diagnosed with dementia. In this episode, Darren describes what it’s like to care for someone with dementia, what the care system looks like, the frustrations of trying to navigate it to get the right care at the right time for his dad and what needs to change. He also pays tribute to the wonderful staff in the health and social care system, who are real heroes. It’s a real injustice what people with dementia and their families are expected to go through and Darren is doing what he can to fight for change.

Izzy from Ynni Cymunedol Cymru / Community Energy Wales talks with me about the climate and nature crises, community energy, a whole systems approach, biodiversity and the intersections with other justice campaigns. How can we work towards a healthier, happier and more equitable society as we address the climate crisis? Listen to find out.

Election turn-out is diminishing and political accountability seems to be a thing of the past. This results in poor decision-making and more people turned off. Democracy is suffering. An engaging system of citizenship and democracy education, targeted at young people with the aim that they become rounded citizens, is what theatre director Yvonne Murphy advocates. She says we can’t have democracy without informed citizens, and she talks to me on the podcast about what she is trying to do to bring about proper democracy.

With our politics in turmoil and many people in despair, now, following the centenary of his birth, is a good time to revisit the works of Raymond Williams. Born in Pandy near Abergavenny in 1921, Raymond Williams is known in many countries throughout the world as an important socialist academic, who broke ground with his writings in the of sphere of culture. What can we learn from Williams for today's problems? What hope can he offer us? I talk to community development worker and Raymond Williams advocate Russell Todd about a range of subjects - what Williams had to say about football, hope and the strength in our communities, what he might have to say about covid, pubs, autonomy and a post-work future, were he still with us today.

In the wake of a number of high profile cases involving violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse, it’s a good time to consider what is an epidemic of violence. Gwendolyn Sterk from Cardiff Women’s Aid talks to me about how violence and control is used to maintain power in relationships and how it’s escalation can have devastating consequences. We look at recent changes in legislation, links to misogynistic attitudes, the tactics perpetrators can use to deflect blame and responsibility, what can be done to rehabilitate those who perpetrate violence against women and girls and more.

Dr Rob Jones outlines some of the problems with a Welsh criminal justice system run from outside Wales and makes the case for its devolution. Wales has the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe & is the only country with a legislature that doesn’t have control how it’s laws are enforced. We have great potential to create a fair, listening and just Welsh criminal justice system, but steps must be taken now to bring that about.

Is Welsh poverty inevitable? What does a plan for an independent Wales look like? Why does sustainability and fairness need to be at the heart of our transition to independence? Why does independence offer us the best chance to address our past failings and future challenges? These are some of the areas explored in this episode of the Leanne Wood Podcast, with my guest Calvin Jones.

In this episode I explore the history of anti monarchism in Wales with accomplished historian Elin Jones, who recently advised the Welsh government not to automatically distribute the UK Government commissioned jubilee book to Welsh schools.

Ed Poole from Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre explains Welsh finances and the various ways in which we are financially disadvantaged by the system. Welsh poverty is structural. Ed demonstrates how the financial picture for Wales is worsening and how the status quo is unsustainable. He also outlines the real fiscal challenges that would be faced by an independent Wales. With big changes afoot in both Scotland and Ireland, a clear, sober and honest assessment of Welsh finances is essential to enable us too to make plans for our future. This report is essential reading for anyone interested in Wales' future https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1767424/Wales_Fiscal_Future_FINAL.pdf

Dr Jen Daffin explains why we need a new narrative about mental ill health and how a collective, community approach will achieve better results in treating people's mental distress.

Sarah Rees talks about her experience of losing her job while on maternity leave and how that motivates her to work with others in a small charity to bring an end maternity, pregnancy and motherhood discrimination.

Elin Hywel and Meleri Davies work in the field of community development in Gwynedd. Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog and Partneriaeth Ogwen co-ordinate social enetrprises, co-operatives and community initiatives to provide sustainable foundational businesses. Self-sufficient and viable communities are created not with toolkits, but by connected, knowledgeable and committed people - the community builders. For less than the price of a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast by becoming a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

Historian Norena Shopland highlights some fascinating, yet little-known stories from Welsh LGBTQ+ history and explains why representation, visibility and diversity are so important in giving us the full story of our past. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

In this episode I talk with BLM & XR activist & Cardiff LGBTQ+ lawyer Hussein Said about the right to protest, democracy, war, capitalism, racism and much, much more. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

In this episode, I talk to 'Dylan' (not his real name) who outlines a vision for Wales which takes advantage of the opportunities that come with cannabis and hemp production. An incredible, sustainable plant able to provide medicine, fibres for clothes, alternatives to plastics and oil and more - it makes no sense for the current laws to prevail. In this wide-ranging chat, we imagine a Wales with a different attitude and progressive legislation, which learns the lessons from success in other countries. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

Niki Adams from the English Collective of Prostitutes tells me why the prostitution laws should be abolished, why the Scandinavian model is bad for sex workers, how mainstream feminist politicians are failing sex workers and what we can all do to offer support and be a good ally. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

Ali Goldsworthy, co-author of 'Poles Apart', which looks at political polarisation, talks to me about how and why people become tribal and polarised, how this impacts on our politics and what we can do about it. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

Tom Fowler, anarchist and animal rights campaigner, talks about police infiltration into left political activists groups, explains why we should be concerned and what we can do to protect ourselves from those who believe dissent is wrong For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

In this special extended edition, I have three guests - all experts on the valleys in their different ways. Award winning author Rachel Trezise talks about her new book, her politics and her relationship with the valleys. Outdoors enthusiast Martyn Broughton explains the benefits of cold water dipping in nature. And Gareth Williams tells us why choirs are such an important part of our heritage. This special Christmas episode is a celebration of the rich culture of the valleys. Nadolig llawen i chi gyd For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

Our progressive movements have been and are the vehicles that bring about the political change we need for improvement in the lives of working and marginalised people. The strife and discord that has surfaced within progressive movements in Wales risks ruining the hope that we can change the situation for the better. It has to change. The experienced internationalist and socialist campaigner Selma James can teach us a lot. Selma says of movement-building: “the differences between you become a power among you”. And she warns us about the importance of all in the movement being anti-imperialist. I first met Selma a few years ago when she came to the Rhondda present a film she and other women had made during the 1970s, documenting the lives and work of women in the Rhondda. We have met many times since. It’s an absolute pleasure to have someone who has given so much inspiration to so many people in so many different places in the world over such a long period of time on episode five of the Leanne Wood podcast For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

In Episode 4, I speak to anti war veteran and my partner, Ian Brown about what we did eighteen years ago to try to stop the war. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

Leanne Wood speaks with Rocio Cifuentes, chair of the Welsh Refugee Coalition about the potentially fatal consequences of Tory plans to clamp down on refugee rights, and what can be done to oppose them. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

Episode 2 is an interview with trans rights campaigner Crash Wigley. For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood

In the first episode of the Leanne Wood podcast, Mabli Siriol Jones, chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg / the Welsh Language Society explains how and why we should tackle the crisis in housing and homelessness For less than a pint of beer a month, you can support the continued production of this podcast. Become a supporting subscriber on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leannewood