The Rolling Out Podcast Bertz Associates

"Danny's a real OG. From skating, dancing, raving, teaching, promoting, working the door since back in the day, my man has more stories than 50 libraries."

A real Birmingham skating legend, Danny's been part of the scene since the 1980s. With tales of building skates and going round schools to teach skating, he's a true fount of music knowledge and fascinating stories. Thanks Danny.

Produced by Bertz Associates

Executive Produced by Iris Bertz

Podcast Produced, Recorded and Edited by Steven Camden

Original Music and Editing by Mia Sugunasingha

Graphic Design by Jen Wilbur

Skating Lead is Empress Gibbs

Field Recording by Emily Baldwin

A huge thank you to Empress, Skate Buddies and Skate Brum for their support. 

Project funded by an Awards to All Grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

"I met Empress for the first time just a few months ago, and I already feel like I’ve known her for years. That’s what Empress does."

Although her skating journey only started in 2020, Empress has quickly established herself as a leader in Birmingham’s skating community. She is the founder of Skate Buddies, a group that enables individuals to repair, maintain, and manger their mental health and fitness through roller skating. 

If you are interested in learning more about how rollerskating can improve your mental health, get in touch with Skate Buddies via their ⁠website⁠ or instagram ⁠@skate.buddies⁠.

Please note: this episode contains references to self harm. Listener discretion is advised. 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, there is help available. You can contact the Birmingham and Solihull Urgent Mental Health Helpline on 0800 915 9292, or visit the NHS Website to find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline near you.



Produced by Bertz Associates

Executive Produced by Iris Bertz

Podcast Produced, Recorded and Edited by Steven Camden

Original Music and Editing by Mia Sugunasingha

Graphic Design by Jen Wilbur

Skating Lead is Empress Gibbs

Field Recording by Emily Baldwin

A huge thank you to Empress, Skate Buddies and Skate Brum for their support. 

Project funded by an Awards to All Grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

"When you mention skating in and around Brum, one name always comes up: Delroy."

A true icon and leader of Birmingham's skating scene, this episode spans from the early 1980s to today, traversing from street skating through to ice skating, quad boots and blades, you can really feel the passage of time in this one and the many personas over the years that make up this fascinating human being. Thanks Delroy.

Produced by Bertz Associates

Executive Produced by Iris Bertz

Podcast Produced, Recorded and Edited by Steven Camden

Original Music and Editing by Mia Sugunasingha

Graphic Design by Jen Wilbur

Skating Lead is Empress Gibbs

Field Recording by Emily Baldwin

A huge thank you to Empress, Skate Buddies and Skate Brum for their support. 

Project funded by an Awards to All Grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

The Rolling Out Podcast - stories from people who just have to skate.

Hello and welcome to the Rolling Out Podcast, where I meet up with members of the Birmingham and West Midlands roller skating community and talk about their journey with skating, life, music, whatever else comes up when we chat really. My name is Steven Camden, or Polarbear, and I'm a writer and creative practitioner from Smethwick. I don't skate - yet - I just love stories and meeting interesting people, and the skating community in our city is full of them.

Each of these pilot episodes is a long-form conversation with a different member of the skating community recording wherever they felt comfortable to sit down with me and share some of their story. Hope you enjoy.

Over the next four weeks, we will be sharing our conversations with Delroy, Empress, Danny and Alima. Make sure you subscribe.

Produced by Bertz Associates

Executive Produced by Iris Bertz

Podcast Produced, Recorded and Edited by Steven Camden

Original Music and Editing by Mia Sugunasingha

Graphic Design by Jen Wilbur

Skating Lead is Empress Gibbs

Field Recording by Emily Baldwin

A huge thank you to Empress, Arron Newell and Skate Buddies for their support. 

Project funded by an Access to All Grant from The National Lottery Community Fund