180 episodes

DJ Annie Macmanus chats to artists, writers, musicians and a host of fascinating people about CHANGE. Each guest talks through the biggest changes they have overcome in childhood and adulthood, and how they effect change. The podcast explores how change punctuates our lives, how it can totally derail us and define who we are. How we confront it, react to it and how we try to activate change has never been more important than in this moment.
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Changes with Annie Macmanus Annie Macmanus

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 1.3K Ratings

DJ Annie Macmanus chats to artists, writers, musicians and a host of fascinating people about CHANGE. Each guest talks through the biggest changes they have overcome in childhood and adulthood, and how they effect change. The podcast explores how change punctuates our lives, how it can totally derail us and define who we are. How we confront it, react to it and how we try to activate change has never been more important than in this moment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Katriona O'Sullivan

    Katriona O'Sullivan

    The day after St Patrick’s day, we welcome an astonishing Irish woman who epitomises change; Katriona O’Sullivan’s incredible no.1 bestselling memoir ‘Poor’ has dominated Irish bestseller lists for 10 months. The book documents her life - from living in poverty raised by parents who were heroin addicts, becoming pregnant and homeless at 15 to changing everything and completing a PHD at Trinity College in Dublin after a life changing encounter. Today Katriona is a psychologist and award winning lecturer at Maynooth University challenging barriers to education for working class and disadvantaged children. As Barry Keoghan of Saltburn says, ‘Katriona is a legend’. 
    Even now ‘Poor’ is at number one in the Irish Non Fiction bestseller charts and won Biography of the Year and  the Listeners' Choice Award, at the Irish Book Awards 2023. 
    In this unforgettable episode, the now “Dr.” Katriona O’Sullivan, talks about her life in poverty, including her relationship with her parents, myths and privilege, how she changed her life and the people who were fundamental to that happening, who she thinks holds the keys to change and ultimately why we must help children to flourish, have hope and opportunities.
    Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan is out in paperback 18th April and is published by Penguin. You can pre order it here:
    https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/452168/poor-by-osullivan-katriona/9780241996768
    GET IN TOUCH
    Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
    Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 54 min
    Ken Loach

    Ken Loach

    Ken Loach is one of the greatest film directors of all time and a true British icon. He is known for his powerful, socially engaged films including ‘I Daniel Blake’, which won him a BAFTA for outstanding British film. At 87 years old, Ken’s career spans nearly six decades and his long list of awards includes the first ever British Independent Film Award and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival, which he has won twice.
    His films shine a light on real human stories and the social injustices of working class lives. From Kes about a bullied and abused working class boy who trains his kestrel, to The Wind That Shakes The Barley which stars Cillian Murphy fighting for Irish independence, to his most recent film, The Old Oak set in an old mining community in the north east of england, where syrian refugees are being homed. In the 60s and 70s some of his work was considered controversial and added to conversations around homelessness, abortion, poverty and much more. In the 80s some of his work was banned. 
    In this illuminating episode, as well as sharing his biggest life changes, Ken discusses whether films can create change, his early life, starting out as a director at the BBC “rattling a few cages”, the social issues highlighted in his films, struggling to retire and what you can do to help change the world. Prepare to be charmed. 
    GET IN TOUCH
    Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
    Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 38 min
    Deborah Frances White

    Deborah Frances White

    On the week of International Women’s Day we speak to the Guilty Feminist herself, Deborah Frances White. Host of the hugely successful, award winning podcast ‘The Guilty Feminist’, Deborah is also a bestselling author, screenwriter and comedian. 
    Growing up in Australia as part of a restrictive Jehova's Witness community, Deborah describes her teenage years as “being controlled by a male cult”. This experience steered her towards comedy and feminism and ultimately led her to establish the Guilty Feminist - a community of women fighting for change.
    In this episode, Deborah discusses how feminism has evolved since starting the Guilty Feminist, how being part of a “cult” changed her, the revelations she had from using psychedelics - an experience which changed her life and, ultimately, why she never wants to stop changing.
    You can find out about the Guilty Feminist including live shows and buy the book here: https://guiltyfeminist.com/
    GET IN TOUCH
    Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
    Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 39 min
    Anna Rowe

    Anna Rowe

    Fourteen months after starting a relationship online, Anna discovered that she was a victim of romance fraud. ‘Antony’ wasn’t in fact who he said he was. Now, Anna is using her story to fight for change and is considered an expert in this field. 
    Catfishing, romance fraud and scams are more prevalent than ever. Last year alone the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau in the UK received 8,036 reports of romance fraud resulting in a loss of more than £92m. But how does this happen? How do you find yourself in a relationship with someone who is using a fake identity? Do you think it would never happen to you?
    In this gripping episode, Anna shares her story and speaks to Annie about the work she’s doing now to change the stigma around romance scams with her website Catch the Catfish and organisation LoveSaid. This includes speaking at the House of Commons with the fraud select committee, campaigning for the police to take these cases more seriously and for legislation to change around the creation of fake identities on dating sites. 
    You can get help and support and find out more about Anna and her work here:
    https://catchthecatfish.com/
    https://www.lovesaid.org/
    @catchthecatfish123
    GET IN TOUCH
    Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
    Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 53 min
    Anthony Ray Hinton

    Anthony Ray Hinton

    Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on death row for a murder he did not commit. There was no evidence against him, he was charged because he is black. During his time on death row, he made some unlikely friends and never lost hope. Anthony’s incredible story is one of unimaginable injustice but also of resilience and forgiveness. 
    During his incarceration, Anthony watched 54 inmates walk to their deaths on the electric chair. The same death penalty that sentenced Anthony in Alabama has been in the news recently due to an offender being put to death using pure nitrogen gas - the first death row inmate to be executed using this method anywhere in the world. Whether the death penalty should be used is being increasingly debated. Anthony himself is advocating for change and, here, as well as sharing his own story, tells us why. 
    Anthony’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. This episode will grip you, enrage you and stay with you. It may even change your views on redemption and the death penalty. 
    Content Warning: Racism, murder and witnessing executions
    Buy  a copy of Antony’s book ‘The Sun Does Shine’ here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/437647/the-sun-does-shine-by-anthony-ray-hinton/9781846045745
    Recent articles on the death penalty 
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68097008
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-45835584
    GET IN TOUCH
    Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
    Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 55 min
    John Cooper Clarke

    John Cooper Clarke

    This Valentine’s week we’re celebrating romance with an unlikely agony uncle - the legendary punk poet, also known as the bard of Salford, John Cooper Clarke. A self-confessed romantic, John’s iconic love poem ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ has become one of the most popular poems to be performed at weddings in Britain and was famously used by the Arctic Monkeys in their song of the same name. John first began performing his poetry amidst the punk scene of the 1970s sharing stages with the Sex Pistols, the Buzzcocks and the Clash. His trademark style and Mancunian delivery has made him one of Britain’s most recognisable poets.
    In this Valentine’s Day special, John talks about his early life growing up in Salford and his rise to fame as a performance poet. He also gives you an exclusive performance of ‘I Wanna be Yours’ and answers some romance dilemmas. Can John Cooper Clarke help change your love life?! Let’s find out.
    Pre-order a copy of John’s new book of poems WHAT here.
    Book to see John Cooper Clarke on tour here: https://johncooperclarke.com/gigs/
    GET IN TOUCH
    Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
    Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
1.3K Ratings

1.3K Ratings

Spells1974 ,

Thank you

I’ve been listening to the Changes podcast for a while now, and every single podcast has been utterly captivating.

Annie has such a wonderful way of talking to people, she gives them space to talk about their experiences while drawing out the heart of the story.

I’ve just listened to Anthony Ray Hinton’s incredible story, I feel like I held my breath as he talked about the injustice, inherent racism & absolute bare faced lies that convicted him to 30 years in prison on death row. This one’s going to stay with me.

mrst1x ,

Star 🌟

So beautifully interviewed so touching moved me to tears listening to dr John cooper Clarke & I’m endeavouring to bring ‘gentleness’ into my everyday so Thankyou so very much 🙏 stars 🌟 all round ya beauty xx 💋 happy valentines 💗

Free the mind ,

The best podcast

Annie brings out the best in all of her guests 5⭐️

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