AJ Tracey on London’s streets and how music saved him from a culture of fear

This week, Annie has some news. Changes is changing! Annie talks through how she has come to the decision to pause this podcast and shift the Changes conversation onto Substack.You can now find Changes with Annie Macmanus here:https://anniemacmanus.substack.com/p/welcome-to-changes-with-annie-macmanus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DJ Fat Tony is one of the most iconic figures of London’s nightlife scene. Tony’s extraordinary four-decade career at the heart of music and clubbing has seen him spinning tracks for everyone from Madonna to Prince, but his rise to stardom was paired with a drug addiction that almost killed him. Tony’s 2022 Sunday Times bestselling memoir ‘I Don’t Take Requests’, is a shocking, honest yet also at times hilarious account of his life. It’s filled with wild stories about his past and heartbreaking reflections on his journey through addiction, recovery, and transformation.In this live episode of Changes, recorded at Before Midnight in Gunnersbury Park, Annie and Tony dive deep into Tony’s life from his upbringing in Battersea, to his teenage years spent on the legendary Kings Road, to the dark depths of addiction and his return to clubbing as a sober DJ. They talk about Tony’s love for music, how UK nightlife has evolved over the years and offer a raw insight into the highs and lows of DJ culture. Content warning: this episode discusses addiction and abuse and has very strong language from the start.GET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are few writers more renowned for pushing the boundaries of modern fiction than Scottish literary icon and author of the 90s cult classic Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh.Irvine grew up as a working class boy in Edinburgh surrounded by drugs, crime, poverty and unemployment. It was this harsh environment and the people he grew up around that became the influence for the literary worlds he went on to create. After a tough start to life, including being arrested aged 8 and later dealing with a heroin addiction, Irvine became a published author in 1993 aged 30 after he wrote Trainspotting a book that would go on to change his life forever. The book became a cultural phenomenon, catapulting Irvine into the public eye. Through all this, Irvine continued to stay grounded through his writing, becoming a prolific bestselling author whose novels reveal the uglier sides of society, exploring life on the fringes. His latest book, Resolution, came out in July this year, and is the final instalment in his CRIME trilogy which has now been adapted into a hit ITV series.In this unfiltered conversation Irvine reflects on his early experiences growing up in Edinburgh and the tough lessons he learnt early on. He discusses how these have informed his work and shaped him as both a man and a writer. Annie and Irvine also discuss masculinity - how it has changed, the different iterations and perceptions of it, as well as the softening that comes with ageing, especially when it comes to his male friends and affection. Irvine is a true legend and we hope you enjoy hearing his changes. You can buy a copy of Irvine’s latest book Resolution here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/458494/resolution-by-welsh-irvine/9781787334755GET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes to move forward, you have to look back and in today’s episode Annie is joined by her dear friend Clara Amfo who opens up for the first time publicly about the life-altering event in her childhood that changed her forever. Broadcaster, pop culture aficionado and British ‘it girl’ Clara Amfo is an unstoppable force when it comes to British tv and radio. She has hosted many of the UK's biggest music and cultural moments, from Glastonbury to the BRIT Awards. But for Clara, living authentically is at the heart of everything she does and earlier this year, after a decade of success on BBC Radio, including on 1xtra and presenting the Live Lounge and Future Sounds on Radio 1, Clara felt it was time to explore different parts of her professional and personal journey, marking a time of significant change and reflection.In this radically honest episode, Clara opens up to Annie about something she has never discussed publicly before. She reveals how unpacking her past has helped her to judge herself less, de-root feelings of shame and fight for deeper self love and acceptance. Clara shares the realities of being a black woman in the spotlight. They also discuss the search for contentment in a world that often demands more. This deeply personal conversation between friends is a lesson in understanding your own power and showing up as your true self despite all the odds.Warning: this episode discusses acts of racism and child sexual abuse.If you need additional support after listening to this episode you can use the links below to find more information on some places to go:Call the Samaritans on 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk/https://www.survivorsuk.org/GET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author of ‘The Outrun,’ Amy Liptrot is proof that change is not only possible but life-saving. When Amy found herself in rehab for alcoholism aged 30, she left London behind and returned to her family’s farm on Orkney, a remote Island off the coast of Scotland. Overcoming addiction on an isolated island, Amy found solace in the wild landscapes that she’d grown up in. Her outstanding memoir ‘The Outrun’ is an account of these experiences and in 2016 the book was awarded the Wainwright Prize and the PEN/Ackerley prize. The film adaptation of The Outrun starring Saoirse Ronan is in cinemas later this week, it is incredibly beautiful and an absolute must see.In this profound and illuminating conversation, Amy and Annie talk about The Outrun, Amy’s involvement in the film version and what it’s like to see your life played out on screen. They talk about Amy’s childhood on Orkney and the effect that her mother’s strict religion and father’s mental health had on her upbringing. They also talk about the path of addiction, getting sober, different kinds of loneliness, the healing power of nature and the definition of home. This was a truly intimate and deep conversation looking at life's biggest questions.The Outrun is in Cinemas this Friday.GET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AJ Tracey is one of the most influential artists in the UK music scene today but his life could have taken a very different direction had he not made some serious changes. AJ is known for his groundbreaking contributions to grime, drill and UK garage. Last year he celebrated 1 billion streams in the UK and was honoured with the Brits Billion Award. His triple platinum-selling hit Ladbroke Grove is an homage to his West London neighbourhood where he was raised by his single mum. For AJ, the reality of growing up as a black, working class boy in London meant being surrounded by gangs, violence, and a culture of fear. These early experiences led him to carry weapons and sell drugs, but through all this, music became AJ’s lifeline, offering him a way out and ultimately led to his rise as an independent artist. In this frank and eye opening episode AJ and Annie dive deep into his journey from early days on council estates to headlining stages as a multi-platinum artist. They talk about the pressures of becoming the man of the house at a young age, protecting his family, and navigating the harsh realities of The London postcode clash. They also discuss the issues facing young people today, how his rise to fame and making money have changed him and how he manages to stay grounded while breaking boundaries in the music industry. Warning: This episode discusses knife crime and violenceGET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Model turned comedian Michelle de Swarte’s life story has more twists and turns than most novels. A born and bred South Londoner, Michelle was scouted aged 19 and moved to New York to begin her modelling career working for the likes of Dolce and Gabbana and Versace. After two decades on the runway Michelle started doing stand up comedy and eventually moved back to London. Now making it as a successful writer and actor, Michelle is constantly evolving and redefining what it means to live life on your own terms. Her critically acclaimed BBC sitcom ‘Spent’, came out in July. Both written by and starring Michelle, it’s a hilarious, loosely autobiographical story of a bankrupt, ex model navigating the realities of her new life.In this funny yet reflective episode, Michelle brings her deadpan humour to dive into the extreme amount of change that she has gone through, discussing her upbringing being raised by her single mother, her queer grandmother, her time as a model and what working in the industry was actually like. Annie and Michelle also talk about Michelle’s transition into comedy, money, the currency of beauty and how modelling young taught her the dangers of everyone curating their life on social media today.Watch Spent now on BBC Iplayer.GET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first guest of the series is the phenomenally popular author Bella Mackie. Bella’s debut novel ‘How To Kill Your Family’ was a #1 Sunday Times Bestseller and lined the top 10 book charts for a staggering 47 weeks. It has just been announced that Netflix will adapt the book with Anya Taylor-Joy starring as Grace Bernard. Bella is back with a brand new novel ‘What a Way To Go’ which comes out on 12th September. It’s a story that indulges Bella’s fascination with slapstick murder and the mega rich, something Annie and Bella discuss.Bella is, like her books, funny and raw, in a way that feels so relatable. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Annie and Bella talk about Bella’s life living with anxiety disorder and OCD since her childhood and how running and writing about it in her memoir ‘Jog On’ have helped her through some of the most challenging times. Bella speaks openly about her short-lived first marriage, her relationship with Greg James (Radio 1’s Breakfast host) and the personal growth that is often born out of romantic relationships. They also discuss privilege, not having children and Bella’s passionate hatred for wellness. Hope you enjoy! Order Bella's new book 'What A Way To Go' here: https://smarturl.it/WAWTGGET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this final Changes Focus of the series we are focusing on Bodies, one of the topics from our popular mini series earlier this year which seemed to resonate with so many of you. With that in mind we’ve pulled out some of the highlights. You’ll hear from the brilliant musician (and fellow Dubliner) CMAT, who gives her refreshing perspective on body image and being a female pop star. We’ve also got the fantastic writer Marian Keyes who talks about her journey with self acceptance and brings some home truths around being honest about ageing and botox. Journalist and author Afua Hirsch shares some shocking revelations on the origins of when and why we started to remove our body hair, and the internets go to gynaecologist and author Dr Jen Gunter answers one of our listener questions on sex after giving birth and cultivating desire in a relationship. You can find all the featured episodes in full wherever you get your podcasts.Vote for Changes at the British Podcast Awards! Voting is open until 29th August. Just click this link and search for Changes. https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingGET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weeks episode of Changes Focus is a celebration of Trans lives. On this podcast we try to build empathy and connectedness through sharing people’s personal stories and the only way we can understand what it’s like to be a Trans person is by actually listening to those people who are living it every day. In this episode we’ve got Chelsea Manning, the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst and whistleblower, who discusses her journey of transitioning while in military prison, the incredible poet and musician Kae Tempest shares their thoughts on going through puberty as a Trans teenager and the importance of being your authentic self. Performance artist and author of ‘None of The Above’ Travis Alabanza shares their definition of transness and talks about how they got to the point of feeling able to come out as gender non conforming. And finally, activist and author of ‘The Transgender Issue’ Shon Faye shares her experiences of transphobia and her thoughts on why people are so scared of change when it comes to gender. You can find all the featured episodes in full wherever you get your podcasts.Vote for Changes at the British Podcast Awards! Voting is open until 29th August. Just click this link and search for Changes. https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingGET IN TOUCHContact us at [email protected] with your emails and voice notes.Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changesPlease Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.