I’m a simple woman, easily delighted by life’s quotidian pleasures. Cracking the spine of a new book, coaxing a smile from a baby, savouring the first sip of a morning coffee - all are sources of unbridled joy. But nothing, nothing delights me quite like a rigorous, evidenced-based critique of the wellness industry. Luckily for me there’s a podcast out there doing just that. Welcome to Maintenance Phase, a brilliant show debunking the pseudoscience and nonsense behind the biggest wellness trends, scams and obsessions. Each episode will leave you thinking hard, laughing harder and uncontrollably spluttering “Dr. Oz is a liar!” to strangers on the street who will either choose to ignore your existence or whisper back: “who hurt you?”.

Today we’re sharing an interview with Brooklyn-based, Emmy-nominated sound designer Jeremy S. Bloom. Jeremy’s work focuses on crafting immersive story-driven soundscapes for podcasts, interactive installations, films, and theatrical productions internationally. He is a staff sound designer for WNYC Studio's critically acclaimed podcast “Radiolab” and previously contributed sound design and original music for the award-winning Queer podcast "Nancy" and comedy hit "Two Dope Queens."

Acknowledging and addressing mental health issues can often be an extreme hardship, even a debilitating one. For some, such as performer, artist and writer Nikki Lynette, it can also be a blessing in disguise.

June 2nd is International Whore’s Day, IWD, which commemorates when, in 1975, sex workers occupied churches all over France to protest police brutality and violence against women. The podcasts we’ve highlighted are about the ongoing struggle for sex worker rights.

I invite you to commit along with me...to find time and space to slow down and listen to these different kinds of conversations, all centering on Black mothers, each with a unique story, message and point of view relevant for these times.