Shows
Korks TalksReview: Intimate Apparel at Donmar WarehouseReview of 'Intimate Apparel' at Donmar Warehouse featuring key leads: Samira Wiley (Orange is the New Black, The Handmaid's Tale) and Kadiff Kirwan (Chewing Gum, Slow Horses.)
2025-08-3046 minKorks TalksKorks' Currents: Content Creation, Online Safety Bill and 1000 Men and Me DocumentaryA social commentary episode about the ethics of content creation, the UK's Online Safety Bill and Channel 4's recent 1000 Men and Me Documentary.
2025-08-1539 minKorks TalksReview: Unforgivable (BBC Drama)Review of BBC drama 'Unforgivable' produced and written by Jimmy McGovern, featuring Anna Friel.
2025-08-0841 minKorks TalksReview: Echo at Royal Court TheatreWritten by Nassim Soleimanpour and directed by Omar Elerian. This limited-run featured an all-new cast of brave performers, taking to the stage for one night only - the performance I watched featured award-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya.
2025-08-0143 minKorks TalksKorks' Currents: Michelle Agyemang, Ed Sullivan and Young PeopleIn this episode, I talk about the Lionesses reaching the semi-finals, the Netflix show 'Sunday Best' and the voting age being decreased to 16 and 17.
2025-07-2343 minKorks TalksRound Up Review: Back to Reality at Annroy Gallery; Anatomy of a Painting at National Portrait GalleryReviews of the 'Back to Reality' exhibition (A retrospective of HUNGER magazine) at Annroy Gallery and 'Anatomy of a Painting' by Jenny Saville at the National Portrait Gallery.
2025-07-2043 minKorks TalksReview: 'The Catch' by Yrsa Daley-Ward Part OnePart one of my review of 'The Catch' by award-winning, bestselling author of 'bone' and 'The Terrible' by Yrsa Daley-Ward.
2025-07-1742 minKorks TalksReview: Little Fires Everywhere on Channel 4 ODReview of Little Fires Everywhere on Channel 4 OD featuring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon.
2025-07-1541 minKorks TalksReview: Miss Myrtle's Garden at Bush TheatreReview of 'Miss Myrtle's Garden' at Bush Theatre - a world premiere production by Danny James King, directed by Taio Lawson, part of the Bush Theatre's outgoing artistic director Lynette Linton's final season.
2025-07-1143 minKorks TalksReview: Cowboy Carter Tour at Tottenham Stadium Part OneReview of Cowboy Carter Tour at Tottenham Stadium (Monday 16th June)
2025-07-0233 minKorks TalksReview: River on ITVReview of British crime drama series River featuring Stellan Skarsgård, Nicola Walker and Adeel Akhtar.
2025-06-2353 minKorks TalksReview: Tina Knowles In Conversation With Stella McCartney At Southbank Centre About Her Book 'Matriarch'Review of Tina Knowles In Conversation With Stella McCartney At Southbank Centre about her debut NY Times bestselling book 'Matriarch'.
2025-06-1935 minKorks TalksKorks' Currents: Technology, Integrity and AccountabilityAnother stream of consciousness about the misappropriation of technology, the importance of integrity and allocation of accountability.
2025-06-1442 minKorks TalksKorks' Currents: Documentaries, Dying and CapitalismA stream of consciousness about documentaries I've watched recently; the importance of life as currency and the cataclysm of capitalism.
2025-06-1331 minKorks TalksReview: Deep Water on ITVReview of ITV series Deep Water adapted from Paula Daly's novel 'The Mistake I Made' featuring Rosalind Eleazar (Kate), Sinéad Keenan (Lisa and Anna Friel (Roz) - three mothers based in the Lake District.
2025-06-1039 minKorks TalksReview: The Uninvited at BAFTA 195 PiccadillyReview of The Uninvited at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly directed by Nadia Conners in her directorial debut.
2025-06-031h 13Korks TalksReview: Little Brother at Jermyn Street Theatre (Part Two)Second review of Little Brother at Jermyn Street Theatre which folllows the stage adaptation of Ibrahima Balde, played by Blair Gyabaah. I also talk about the release of Jessica George's sophomore novel, 'Love by the Book' on April 7th 2026.
2025-05-3133 minKorks TalksReview: My Little Brother at Jermyn Street TheatreReview of My Little Brother at Jermyn Street Theatre - I didn't mention in the podcast, but the protagonist whom the production was based on was refused entry to Britain to witness the production that was based around his life! This decision has since been reversed and he has been allowed entry but just another example of the importance of community creating change - public pressure enforcing accountability on otherwise unaccountable authorities with nebulous policies. A great result. Full article here: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/15/author-ibrahima-balde-denied-uk-visa-to-attend-premiere-of-play-based-on-his-memoir
2025-05-3047 minKorks TalksKorks' Currents: Journalling, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Gingerbread by Helen OyeyemiA short episodes about the power of journalling alongisde some introspections on gender in the BAFTA-winning TV show, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi.
2025-05-2650 minKorks TalksReview: The Tower and Code of SilenceReviews of recent ITV shows: 'The Tower' and 'Code of Silence' as well as a spiel about pyschology (also it's my birthday today)
2025-05-2130 minKorks TalksReview: Gentleman's Journal Live Keynote Speech and TV series Malpractice by Grace Ofori-Atta (Part One)Review of Gentleman's Journal Live Keynote Speech with Matthew Freud (British entrepreneur and CEO and founder of Freuds group) and TV series Malpractice by Grace Ofori-Atta (British-Ghanaian screenwriter, producer and writer).
2025-05-1341 minKorks TalksReview: Linder and Mickalene Thomas at Southbank Centre and Noah Davis at BarbicanRetrospective reviews of Linder Sterling's 'Danger Came Smiling' and Mickalene Thomas' 'All About Love' at Southbank Centre and Noah Davis at Barbican.
2025-05-111h 16Korks TalksReview: Sinners (Part Two)Review: Sinners (Part Two) - Additional social and historical commentary about the blockbuster hit.
2025-04-2014 minKorks TalksReview: Sinners (Part One)Review: Sinners (Part One) directed, written and produced by Ryan Coogler
2025-04-2024 minKorks TalksReview: The Importance of Being Earnest, The Colour Purple, Year of YesA belated roundup review of stage play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at The National Theatre, 'The Colour Purple' by Alice Walker and 'Year of Yes' by Shonda Rhimes.
2025-03-0931 minKorks TalksKorks' Currents: Right To Switch OffIn this new weekly segment 'Korks' Currents', I discuss the top headline news. This episode explores the 'Right To Switch Off', the highs and lows of corporate versus creative careers, the impact of information in the social media age and aspirations for a new career.
2024-09-1439 min
Korks TalksReview: Life Between Islands at Tate BritainReview of exhibition of Caribbean-British art at Tate Britain, ending on April 3rd.
2022-03-2550 minKorks TalksReviews and ReadingThis episode is a mixture and politlcs, hopscotching a variety of shows I've watched and articles and books I've read, including but not limited to:
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy - BBCTwo - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0bncnd5/stanley-tucci-searching-for-italy-series-1-1-naples-and-the-amalfi-coast
The Dropout - DisneyPlus - https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/series/the-dropout/5C0gjGwyRTeZ
Courttia Newland's talk about 'A River Called Time'
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/03/21/the-anti-elizabeth-holmes
https://blackballad.co.uk/views-voices/magic-system-premier-gaou-iconic-cross-cultural?listIds=591b37f155fd6dc14e461ae7
https...
2022-03-171h 11Korks TalksReview: MoodReview of BBC drama: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/01/mood-review-songs-sorrow-and-sex-work-in-nicole-leckys-bold-fresh-drama
2022-03-0652 minKorks TalksThe history of Food, the inevitability of Death and the space in-betweenThis episode includes a mini-review of Stanley Tucci's new series: Searching For Italy https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bncl3n , engaging with different cultural views on death, the impact of cultural forces like Jamal Edwards, Andre Leon Talley and Virgil Abloh before they passed, and the role of mental health in the Black community.
Catapult Magazine extract by Eloghosa Osunde https://catapult.co/stories/rain-short-fiction-by-eloghosa-osunde
2022-03-0424 minKorks TalksUniversity Crises, Culture as Education and the importance of EntertainmentThis episode includes a tribute to award-winning cultural entrepreneur and SB.TV founder Jamal Edwards who passed away at 31 last week. Around this tribute, I talk about the importance and cultural impact of entertainment and sport in the Black community. I also talk about education and learning - how changes to terms of student loans - in terms of entitlement and repayment, hinders young people's opportunities for growth, not just as graduates but as citizens.
2022-02-2839 minKorks TalksReview: Abbott Elementary, imagine... Labi Siffre, The Photograph, Love is Blind IIhttps://www.netflix.com/title/81168503
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0014jmn/imagine-2022-2-labi-siffre-this-is-my-song
2022-02-2033 minKorks TalksReview: jeen-yuhs, Life Lessons and lots of JoyReview of Netflix show: https://www.netflix.com/title/81426972 , thoughts on service provisions as participants of capitalism, the alleviating effects of socialism in the professional services economy and how to make yourself happy.
Article mentioned: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/feb/13/too-close-for-comfort-the-pitfalls-of-parasocial-relationships
2022-02-1740 min2022-02-1527 minKorks TalksHappy Valentine's Day (All About Love)This episode explores love and its ramifications. Starting off with a review of the Netflix shows 'The Tindler Swindler' and 'Inventing Anna' which were about scamming on social media, I talk about how the failure to meet Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs leaves people vulnerable to exploitation - and how we must reframe our understanding of love into a framework for care.
2022-02-1547 minKorks TalksReview: 'Chloe' and 'This Is Going To Hurt'A review of the 2 recently released miniseries 'Chloe' (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0b69pn6/chloe-series-1-episode-1) and 'This Is Going To Hurt' (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0b6k5gx) - both are dramas of which I talk about their form, storylines and cultural relevance. I also talk about how we navigate our lives with routines and finding purpose within and beyond our careers.
2022-02-1058 min2022-02-0529 minKorks TalksReview: Janet Jackson, Judas and the Black Messiah, Queen and SlimA review of some films and docu-series I watched and a link the "Posting for Posterity" article by Terry Nguyen that I really enjoyed: https://genyeet.substack.com/p/posting-for-posterity
2022-02-0524 minKorks TalksReview: We Are History At Somerset House curated by Ekow EshunWe Are History is an exhibition at Somerset House curated by Ekow Eshun.
https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/we-are-history
2022-01-2930 minKorks TalksReview: Lubaina Himid Exhibition - Tate Modern (Part 1)This episode is a part 1 cultural review of Lubaina Himid's self-titled exhibition at the Tate Modern; exploring themes of migration, femininity, masculinity and the politics of survival. Part 2 is to follow in June or July.
2022-01-2628 minKorks TalksReview: A Number by Caryl Churchill at the Old Vic Theatrehttps://www.oldvictheatre.com/whats-on/2022/watch-at-the-theatre/a-number
Featuring Paapa Essiedu and Lennie James.
2022-01-2517 minKorks TalksMortality, Breaking Boundaries, Inspiration, Focus and Disciplinehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLo5XMjIJD8
https://www.njlifehacks.com/the-war-of-art-steven-pressfield-summary/
https://news.sky.com/story/regina-king-tributes-as-ian-alexander-jr-dj-and-musician-son-of-oscar-winner-dies-aged-26-12523305
2022-01-2428 minKorks TalksViolence Against Women, Pornography and the Constructs of Gender and BlacknessThis episode includes a short review of new BBC show: Rules of the Game
Khadija Diskin's feature on https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tJURKkGKSSrRyEEJNS0Gb?si=14ee75fa13064d61
https://blackballad.co.uk/views-voices/identity-politics-was-never-meant-to-be-a-weapon?listIds=605397fbf24df005d63304ca
2022-01-1327 minKorks TalksBojo, PMQ and the Politics of Prince AndrewA political episode lamenting how money, status and nobility combine in our modern age to protect people from being held to account for harmful and/or criminal behaviours. I do this by observing Boris Johnson's performance in the House at the PMQ, the lawsuit against Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction as sex offender.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/10/opinion/boris-johnson-britain-bills.html
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/12/prince-andrew-the-lengthy-and-embarrassing-legal-ordeal-ahead
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59502787
2022-01-1351 minKorks TalksReview: Marcella and Missing White Woman SyndromeA review of the TV series Marcella and analysis of missing white woman syndrome.
2022-01-1215 minKorks TalksReview: Encanto and Netflix's Stay Close; Molly Mae and the Nationality and Borders BillThis episode is a continued review of the film Encanto, a bit more commentary on Molly Mae, the discriminatory Nationality and Borders bill, and Netflix review of Stay Close.
2022-01-1029 minKorks TalksDiasporan (Black and) BluesThis episode covers a variety of themes including the politics of repatriation for Black people living in the diaspora, Molly Mae's podcast comments, the metaverse and implications of wholly digital communities, the importance of recognizing culture as transient as opposed to fixed, the need to document history for future generations and the influence of capitalism on our approaches to our personal, political and professional lives.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/opinion/confederate-monuments-racism.html
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/16/right-culture-tories
https://www.netflix.com/title/80190588
2022-01-091h 322022-01-0809 minKorks TalksBen Affleck and BlackberriesA political episode about cultural values in art - ranging from the motifs we see in the UK vs USA and the inescapable politicisation of art content.
2022-01-0725 minKorks TalksMental Health, Vices and Healthy HabitsAn episode about managing mental health, vices and building healthier long-term habits.
2022-01-0621 min2022-01-0211 minKorks TalksEncroaching Corporatocracy, Media, Entertainment and a Happy New Year.Last episode of the year!
2021-12-3126 minKorks TalksReview: Insecure Finale, The Big Short and the Crux of CapitalismThis will be my final episode of 2021 - I started this podcast with a desire to express and managed to compile many hours of expression that I'm so thankful to share.
Signing off wishing you all a Happy New Year.
2021-12-2949 minKorks TalksContinuation of Reviews; Swan Song, Encanto, Needle In A TimeStackContinuation of reviews.
2021-12-2722 minKorks TalksRound Up Review: Swan Song, Encanto, Needle In A TimeStack, Don't Look UpReview of a round-up of films that touch on fate, humanity, control and love.
2021-12-2639 minKorks TalksApocalypsesThis episode is about the apocalypses of all types, political and personal: analysed through a review of the new Netflix film: Don't Look Up.
2021-12-2530 min2021-12-2014 minKorks TalksRound Up Review: A Naija Christmas, Boxing Day, This Way UpIn this episode, I talk about 3 very random shows/films I've watched to gear up for the festive season.
Have a listen!
2021-12-1926 min2021-12-1324 minKorks TalksReview: ParasyteThis episode summarises a new Japanese anime series I binge-watched; it also covers themes of climate change, humanity, good vs evil and much more. I also talk about some other shows/films I've watched, including Netflix's The Unforgivable, and lament on the state of TV/film today.
2021-12-1129 minKorks TalksReview: You Don't Know MeA review of the new BBC Drama starring Samuel Adewunmi (The Last Tree) and Bukky Bakray (Rocks).
2021-12-0810 minKorks TalksReview: An Audience With AdeleIn this episode, I talk about being exclusively invited to watch Adele live at the London Palladium on Saturday 6th November; walking the red carpet, the privilege of watching Adele's performance live and in-person (later aired on ITV: https://www.itv.com/hub/an-audience-with/L0055a0007), the no-phone policy and how honoured I was to witness so much excellence (and celebrity fervour)! Dream come true!
2021-11-2734 minKorks TalksHigh Maintenance (by Design)In this episode, I talk about my difficulty finding cosmetic products that suit me: from haircare to skincare and hair removal, and how I go about navigating this as a dark-skinned Black woman.
2021-11-1216 minKorks TalksReview: The Eternals (Spoiler Alert)In this episode, I talk about the themes I identified in the Eternals film - including religion, environmental (climate crisis), race and philosophy. Disclaimer: As a Marvel novice, I know nothing about the Marvel universe but I gave it a try!
2021-11-1128 minKorks TalksEcological Anxiety, Climate Crisis, Change and Environmental Activism #COP26This episode is about the importance of the impending ecological crisis (climate change) and the Black British perspective to it.
Can I Live? (12*) (AD) - Complicité / Fehinti Balogun: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2021/event/complicite-fehinti-balogun-can-i-live
Queeries: How can I stay hopeful as the world burns? by Aisha Mirza (Gal-Dem) https://gal-dem.com/queeries-eco-anxiety-ecological-grief/
Insulate Britain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59163068
2021-11-0427 minKorks Talks'War Inna Bablyon' at the ICA, Jade LB's 'Keisha The Sket' with Lemara Lindsay-Prince and Jyoti Patel (and my Testimony)This episode is a quick review of 2 events I attended and the takeaways I learned from both:
Check out the following for more:
Stafford Scott: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/stafford-scott
Rianna Jade Parker: http://riannajadeparker.com/
Jade LB: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/144/1443146/keisha-the-sket/9781529118919.html
2021-10-2420 minKorks TalksWellness, Blackness, and the Politics of UsIn this episode, I explore the effects of capitalism and how it is shifting social and cultural norms: from poor work-life balance to declining health, both mental and physical. I also talk about the role of technology (particularly the internet) and its impact on us as a society; from individual self-care to communal healing. I also talk about the importance of perception: visibility, representation, and the institutional pressures that barricade us from redemption.
Links referenced:
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/childcare-costs-system-overhaul-working-parents-spend-half-wages-1236865
https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/09/02/china-rules-996-work-culture-illegal-prevent-people-overworking
...
2021-10-1058 minKorks TalksAccountability in the age of CelebrityThis is a continuation of my series on abuse investigating how different forms of privilege: financial and monarchical, impact the ability of victims in their access to justice.
2021-09-0819 minKorks TalksAbuse and Access to JusticeTrigger warning: abuse and r*pe
In this episode, I continue to outline the structure of abuse; sharing my views on carceral punishment, the criminal penal system, the ramifications of compensation for victims and alternative dispute resolution.
2021-09-0825 minKorks TalksWhat Love Island's Faye and Teddy, the Lawsuit against Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty and The Plymouth Mass Killing All Have In CommonThis episode requires a trigger warning of: verbal, domestic, sexual abuse and death.
2021-08-1429 minKorks TalksShort and Sweet because I'm BeatRecommended read: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/07/26/the-german-experiment-that-placed-foster-children-with-pedophiles
2021-08-0118 minKorks TalksBreaking down Rachel Yoder's 'The Loaf' for Guernica Magazine, Gratification and GodIn this episode, I break down the metaphors of bread, feminism and consumption in Rachel Yoder's 'The Loaf' for Guernica Magazine (https://www.guernicamag.com/the-loaf/), coupled with my understanding of gratification and relationship with God.
2021-07-2628 minKorks TalksSustainability, Goodreads and Good WritingApologies for the hiatus all! I've been super busy. But please find below a host of articles I mention in the episode today (which is mostly about sustainability and self-care)
Recommended:
https://azmagazine.co.uk/is-this-character-quirky-or-is-she-just-autistic/
https://www.stylist.co.uk/fashion/fashion-rental-industry-social-media/543270
https://catapult.co/stories/rain-short-fiction-by-eloghosa-osunde
My article:
https://azmagazine.co.uk/joy-oladokuns-label-debut-album-in-defense-of-my-own-happiness-complete-seeks-to-fulfil-her-names-prophecy-with-a-tenuous-exploration-of-self/
2021-07-2528 minKorks TalksWhy I Deleted Twitter (Because I'm a Black Woman)This episode is about the importance of detoxing social media (particularly Twitter) as a Black woman, due to harm, danger and doxxing.
Links:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2017/11/what-is-online-violence-and-abuse-against-women/
https://gal-dem.com/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-viral-essay-shows-transphobia/
2021-06-2226 minKorks TalksRound Up Review: Dipo Baruwa-Etti 'the sun, the moon, the stars' play, James Barnor's 'A Retrospective' exhibition and Lupin Season 2In this episode I review a play that I watched: 'the sun, the moon, the stars' by Dipo Baruwa-Etti, and how it explored the familial/sibling love between Femi and Seun. Drawing on Yoruba-Nigerian cadence, the main character Femi (played by Kibong Tanji) poetically tells the story of her emotional and judicial quest after her brother Seun is murdered.
I also review the Serpentine Gallery's exhibition 'A Retrospective' by James Barnor and how phenomenal and important his photography was for Brits and Ghanaians.
I also share my thoughts on Lupin Season 2 on Netflix and the a...
2021-06-2132 minKorks TalksNatural Hair, Salon Struggles and the Cost of ConvenienceIn this episode, I talk about my dogged experience with my natural hair and how we all need to be more sensitive to the coping mechanisms our elders take for assimilation, the inevitability of mortality and death, the cost of convenience.
(Excuse my nasal voice, I caught the flu!)
Links:
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2021/06/08/chronology-of-a-body/
2021-06-2120 minKorks TalksNew Me, Morning Routine and BoundariesIn this episode I talk about my new and improved approach to life (and death), some amazing tips to improve my morning routine and how I've started re-negotiating boundaries in my life.
2021-06-0722 minKorks TalksRemittances, hyper-Individualism and the need for Black collectivismIn this episode, I talk about the need for community amongst Black people, and how our hyper-individualism is akin to the theory of the bootstrap and infects the progression of the community as a whole. Starting from the exclusionary nature of mainstream institutions (in school) and how this discrimination affects the ability of Black people to escape poverty and achieve milestones like property ownership that affect the Black community. I also talk about the failures in the semantic understanding of 'pro-blackness' as a copout from real collective change.
Links mentioned:
Black Ballad article: School to...
2021-06-0348 minKorks TalksLaw as lifeIn this episode, I navigate a contractual and capitalistic approach to life: questioning social contracts, our appetite for ownership and citizenship of land and people, the capital that is our culture and challenging the universal norms and policies that dictate our existence.
I do this by talking about the information I've consumed lately (see below):
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/28/africa/germany-recognizes-colonial-genocide-namibia-intl/index.html
https://www.modernghana.com/news/1078504/a-quick-note-to-the-owners-of-electrochem-ghana.html
Netflix: High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81034518
2021-05-2936 minKorks TalksLessons in letting goIn this episode, I speak about a documentary I watched about hoarding, my experience with ghosting (both as victim and perpetrator) and share my thoughts on latest BBC Three doc: 'Race, Pop & Power' hosted by Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCzPCq-1MrI&t=1664s
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09fy1qy
2021-05-2630 minKorks TalksLynette Yiadom-Boakye's Tate exhibition: Fly In The League of Night, inspiration and intentionThis episode talks about my newfound inspiration which I located at the Tate Britain exhibition 'Fly In The League With Night' by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. I talk about how Yiadom-Boakye's interpretation and depiction of Black people, in particular, has refuelled me into being a more intentional artist.
Sone links I mention include my own blog: https://doublethekor.wordpress.com/category/art/
And a link to the Tate exhibition: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/lynette-yiadom-boakye
2021-05-2630 minKorks TalksHacking happiness, activism, the media and moralityThis episode traverses through my understanding of happiness (or rather Eudaimonia which is a Greek term for fulfillment) - from the chemicals involved to how happiness can become imbalanced. In light of the world's many atrocities: from the apartheid between Israel and Palestine, to the genocide of Hazara Shias and ethnic cleansing of Uyghur Muslims, it feels selfish to even recognise the concept of happiness. My hope is that this episode serves as a guiding light for those who feel helpless in how to be effective activists in a time like this - away from the moral posturing we...
2021-05-1224 minKorks TalksManifestation, materialism & minimalismGood news galore!
This episode is a personal one, traversing the trials and tribulations I've faced this week; why I'm committing myself to a life of joy, improving my self-esteem, accepting the fact that I deserve great things, trusting God's guide, and maximising what I have to make way for my potential.
2021-05-1121 minKorks TalksBody image for Black women: BBLs, Apetamin and fashionThis episode talks about body image in a variety of contexts: from the rise in surgical procedures (Brazilian Butt Lifts), to the popularity of the unlicensed sale of Apetamin syrup, and how they disproportionately harm Black women. By sharing facts and statistics, I hope to encourage listeners to rethink their approach to body modification/enhancement without judging.
Politically, I speak about the role of the Black woman as a consumer, and how often markets fail in regulating the procedures and products we disproportionately experience and consume; from minor blips like poor hairdressing to full-blown maternal mortality - a...
2021-05-0724 minKorks TalksRound Up Review: Black Brits and Europeans on the Big Screen (TV and film industry)Off the back of Daniel Kaluuya's Oscar win for 'Judas and The Black Messiah', I thought I'd rave about some more shows featuring Black Brits and Black Europeans (Afropeans) as lead, part of the main ensemble or supporting lead, that I think we should all watch, these range from but are not limited to: Michaela Coel's 'I May Destroy You,' Adjani Salmon's 'Dreaming Whilst Black,' 'Lupin' featuring Omar Sy, 'The Last Tree' by Shola Amoo, 'Rocks', Too Close', 'Generation Revolution' by Cassie Quarless and Usayd Younis, 'Trigonometry', 'Industry,' Netflix's 'Zero' (featuring Daniela Scattolin), 'Luther,' 'Yardie...
2021-04-2844 minKorks TalksGa-Adangbe people of Ghana, environmental racism and climate change activismThis episode revolves around the topic of environmental racism, tapping into a few examples of global injustice of Black people living in areas that are subject to exploitative practices of extraction (like mining) or excessive levels of pollution (the Ella Kissi-Debrah case in the UK). I mention, in this respect, the Songor lagoon and Atewa Forest both natural reserves in Ghana, subject to mining on instruction from the government. I link this to the global phenom of climate change as stressed in Swedish activist Greta Thunberg's book "Nobody Is Too Young To Make A Difference" and challenge the findings...
2021-04-2626 minKorks TalksNorms, neurodiversity, ableism and mental health in the Black communityThis episode talks about the limitations of psychiatry and psychology in diagnosing mental conditions and disorders in marginalised communities - particularly Black people. Including commentary on limited access to healthcare, medicalisation and disparate diagnoses as a result of the context of behavioural classifications (racial, cultural, gendered and classed), I draw on statistics to explain why we need to rethink the mind biologically, socially and pathologically.
Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGQ78cJiMcJhMbpKhjunAxg
https://twitter.com/flotuk
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0891243218801523
2021-04-2325 minKorks TalksMedical racism in the UK, Sickle Cell, the failing NHS and lack of accountability by the StateIn this episode, I address what I believe to be an inadequate healthcare system - the NHS. Drawing on information from the inquest of Evan Nathan Smith, a 21-year-old man who died in 2019 due to complications related to sickle cell, I talk about how lack of research and awareness into the disease that predominantly affects the African and Caribbean community, led to what I believe to his, and many other people's, preventable deaths.
Piggy-backing off of this Black Ballad article: https://blackballad.co.uk/views-voices/sickle-cell-trait-dating-having-children?listIds=595c23e15a0862ed58fed19b&referrerType=article&referrerSource=related , I...
2021-04-1541 minKorks TalksDecentring romance and democratising loveThis episode deep-dives into the pedestalling of romantic love by inviting viewers to consider alternative forms. By introducing the multiple forms of love - from parental to sibling to friend to neighborly - I challenge what I consider to be a hyper fixation on romantic love that does not appreciate the breadth and complexity of desire or appetite for love. I then link this to the nuclear family and why I think we must abandon this construct of the family of 4 - considering alternative structures that extend beyond the traditional - one man, one woman, one daughter, one son.
2021-04-1529 minKorks TalksReconceptualising education, rethinking [mis]information, social media and becoming critical thinkers ft. StaceyHappy Easter!
In this episode, I collaborate with my sister, biomed and finance grad, Stacey as we talk about attitudes to learning - ranging from the workplace to everyday life. I draw upon my experience in mentorship and as an ambassador to an educational charity, and she draws upon her experience working in a leading educational management company and voluntary tutoring, to reframe what we think education is and should be. We also touch on the difference in how we perceive mass media and the information it propagates and the can-do and critical approaches we adopt to...
2021-04-0239 minKorks TalksA closer look at the report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic DisparitiesA continuation of the previous episode which focuses on the unfair criticisms of the Afro-Caribbean population, providing context as to their provenance by mentioning the effects of the Windrush scandal, sub-par treatment by the State in terms of education and other overt racism.
2021-03-3118 minKorks TalksMissing Black Brits, the model minority myth and normalisation of Black deathIn this episode, I talk about the plight of missing Black people in Britain, naming present and historical cases including Joy Morgan, Richard Okorogheye, Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman and Joyce Carol Vincent, and how the media coverage of them differed to Sarah Everard who was found murdered this March of 2021. I also talk about today's publication of "The report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities" by the government, how it propagates the model minority myth of meritocracy, and undermines the material disadvantages black people experience at the hands of the state which often lead to...
2021-03-3132 minKorks TalksAn ode to older Black women's stories (part 2)Trigger warning: sexual abuse, domestic violence and financial abuse
A continuation of the previous episode, I share my review of Tina Turner's documentary 'Tina,' assessing how her trauma, and that of many other black women, informs their artistry. Briefly talking about Cicely Tyson's book 'Just As I Am', I go on to speak about the importance of black women telling their own stories from their own perspectives, peaks, pitfalls and all.
2021-03-3027 minKorks TalksAn ode to older Black women's storiesTrigger warning: sexual abuse
Inspired by Audre Lorde's "Eye to Eye: Black Women, Hatred and Anger," I'm sharing my thoughts on the typecasting of black women in terms of hypersexuality, trauma and abuse and attempting to contextualise it in history and theory; I am also trying to explain the unconscious lack of grace we offer to black women. Examples include but are not limited to: Nina Simone, Billie Halliday, Maya Angelou, Whitney Houston and Cicely Tyson. In recording this, I hope to humanise these women but also acknowledge how integral these elements of their lives were to t...
2021-03-2929 minKorks TalksAll about [Black] love (no bell hooks)This episode deconstructs everybody's favourite topic: love.
For just under 50 minutes, I traverse through the 4 different types of love: familial, storge, eros, unconditional, made popular by the Greeks. Comparing a few dichotomies, I compare a few models of love: from individualist vs kinship, to pro-black vs interracial. I speak about role modelling (using examples of Quavo and Saweetie), the convolution of abuse and love, the extent to which we compromise ourselves socially and biologically and the dating market for black women. Throwing in examples from the arts (books, films and music), I propose that our perception of...
2021-03-2744 minKorks TalksDealing with overwhelm, self-image, growth and healingA short stream of consciousness as to how I'm feeling on a Thursday evening when I have deadlines looming and thoughts rail my mind.
2021-03-2520 minKorks TalksKente, custom and how visual art influences African cultural identityThis episode questions the idea of ownership - centring around the kente cloth which is a symbolic piece of clothing worn by the Akan and Ewe people in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo. Using my fascination with visual artist Toyin Ojih Odutola as a springboard, I traverse through the connection between culture, art, and identity; how we redeem ourselves as diasporans looking for belonging and why it's time to protect the origins of who we are without being discriminatory.
Links for further information for anyone interested:
https://theconversation.com/ghanas-politics-has-strong-ties-with-performing-arts-this-is-how-it-started-148940
https://thevinylfactory.com...
2021-03-2534 minKorks TalksCelebratings wins and lows, self-care politics and journalling in the social media ageIn this episode I speak about navigating the wins and losses of adulthood, debate the constructs and conventions of womanhood and decide different ways to practise self-care in the social media age - from drawing on radical collective politics to the simple practice of journalling. Briefly touching on some of the literature I've read - from Audre Lorde's "Use of the erotic", to Avna Doshi's "burnt sugar" and Tsitsi Dangarembga's "This mournable body", I talk about the duality of identity and how it is a fluid space I am constantly floating upon.
2021-03-2525 minKorks TalksThe monarchy's true colourismThis episode touches on Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah, the connotations of colourism, the institutional racism and white supremacy of the Royal Family and why we need a republic.
2021-03-0816 min
Korks TalksWhy I can't take a compliment?A short introduction into my thoughts and feelings of the concept of self and the topics I will be evaluating in further episodes.
2021-03-0713 min