smallVOICE podcast – August 2020

We’re still safely recording via the interweb, and hope you are all keeping safe too, perhaps enjoying post-lockdown, or back-into-lockdown-just-a-bit, or in full post-apocalypse hysteria… We are a safe space for you all. This month in our Media Review, we review the new novel Scabby Queen by Kirstin Innes, while Margaret speaks to writer and broadcaster Andrew Graystone about ‘tiny acts of rebellion’ for another of our small voices of the month. On the music front, we bring you a couple of specially-recorded songs from folk and Americana duo Two Far Flung and also Orcadian folk musician Aidan Moodie … And we round things off with our Moral Mixdown when we look at what might be considered inflammatory in the light of the new Scottish Government Hate Crime Bill.

Presented by Darren, Anne and Holly, with ‘small voice’ feature report by Margaret.

Recorded remotely on Thursday 13 August 2020. Duration: 62’25

Theme music by Nicolai Heidlas

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5 Responses to "smallVOICE podcast – August 2020"

Catriona says:

August 16, 2020 at 5:08 pm

I always look forward to tuning in (or whatever the digital podcast App equivalent is) to this podcast. This month’s was, for me, especially enjoyable – and not because I got a mention!

I read ‘Scabby Queen’ in two extended sittings, so it was reassuring to discover I wasn’t alone in finding it hard work to get into. Whilst I am glad I read it, I can’t say it ‘did it’ for me as, for whatever reason (and I seem to be an outlier here), the author didn’t succeed in making care about most of the characters, and there were bits I didn’t quite ‘get.’ In answer to your question about who I felt empathy for, Donald (a godfather, unofficial) and Sammi (a girl who lives in a squat) were the two, whatever that says about me! So, thank you for your thoughts, which added to my appreciation of the book, even though it won’t make my keepers list!

It was lovely to hear Andrew Graystone’s interview, I know a little of his work and we have some mutual friends/acquaintances. I need to get that little book!

I really appreciated the discussion about the Hate Crime Bill and just how complex and confusing it all is. I am glad that there has been a public consultation, and I am glad people felt able to state their views… and it does feel like a genuine endeavour to tackle something complicated and continuing.

I was challenged to take a look at my bookcase and pull out a few volumes that might be deemed ‘controversial’ (photo on your Twitter page)… I guess I was saddened that among them was one of which I am a co-editor which some people find controversial because it is a collection of writing by ordained women… that saddens me all the more given that the contributors reflect a huge diversity of theological understanding, and the collection sets out to celebrate that diversity. Being told it could not be endorsed in a specific context was pretty hurtful. This is just a book, and there are plenty of other contexts where it is welcomed and even celebrated – but it’s a reminder that one person’s ‘normal’ is another person’s ‘controversial’ – and it’s good for me to be reminded of that tension.

Lovely music as always

Enough waffle! Thanks again and I’ll look forward to the next one.

Reply
1. Darren says:
  
  August 18, 2020 at 11:01 am
  
  Many thanks Catriona for such a full, thoughtful reply. I am sorry to hear about the issue of endorsement.
  
  Re SQ, I think I felt much the same way. It’s an interesting book to discuss but I wasn’t really won over. A bit of humour wouldn’t have hurt, but that’s maybe just my personal taste.
  
  Reply
Bruce says:

September 17, 2020 at 2:17 pm

I can’t match Catriona’s fulsomeness of comment, but just to say I continue to enjoy dipping in over office lunches. I watched Mrs America so enjoyed that review from July, and am up to Andrew’s interview in this one. September awaits.
Yes, I’m well and truly taking up the rear here… though that sounds a little odd so maybe don’t quote me there..

Reply
Panda says:

September 17, 2020 at 5:15 pm

I think you meant *bringing* up the rear ..?! Lovely to hear from you Bruce and thanks for keeping listening.

Reply
1. Bruce says:
  
  September 21, 2020 at 12:47 pm
  
  you’re absolutely right – that sounds a lot better!
  
  Reply

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