Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Vandal Factory

Marena Riyad talks about her play Majenin, which means 'crazy people' in Arabic. The Palestinian rom-com you've been waiting for: a tale of two fools who dare to love in a world obsessed with their sadness. Marena talks about the play's themes, combining stand-up with theatre and her excitement at hitting the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

To support the show, visit their linktree and JustGiving Page to donate to help this amazing show reach audiences: https://linktr.ee/majenintrilogy.

Welcome to a live episode recorded at Wharf Chambers in Leeds! In front of a live audience, Henry & Natalie chat to Palestinian performance poet Farah Chamma and queer punk/hip-hop band DRAAGS. The mischievous DRAAGS join Farah for a totally improvised and unique set, scoring her poetry with an incredible and one-of-a-kind soundscape. DRAAGS will play their final ever show 16th August 2026 at Wharf Chambers. Be there!

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry interviews Gregg Deal, led singer and spoken word artist fronting Dead Pioneers. The band emerged as a dynamic extension of vocalist Gregg's performance art, seamlessly blending music with critical cultural commentary. Rooted in the same themes of identity and resistance that define his visual work, the band’s sound acts as a powerful platform for addressing the complexities of Indigenous experience.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

To celebrate Refugee Week 2026 we give you this wonderful mixture of voices from all around the world.

We also commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox, we discuss in what ways we have, 'more in common than divides us'.

Nat has the pleasure of running a drama group with Fall Into Place Theatre Company and Solace, a charity that supports refugees with their mental health and wellbeing. Solace mark their 20 year anniversary this week, so this episode is dedicated to everyone who has been apart of that incredible journey.

Perfect Show For Rachel is a unique and trimphant theatre performance where Rachel controls the show! Rachel is a learning disabled woman who loves Kylie, fart jokes and firing her actors on the spot!

We spoke to Flo, Rachel's sister about rules and rule-breaking, learning and unlearning. Flo is the artistic director of Zoo Co and talks us through the process and the political importance of access embedded throughout the show.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

We ask comedian Josie Long about hope and anger! Josie is a jester, activist and all round good egg. She's a trailblazer of the UK comedy industry as the first woman to be nominated 3 times for the Edinburgh Comedy Award (2010–2012).

We also hear voices from the Solace refugee group on the theme 'more in common', and members of Keep the NHS Public talk about the exhibition Patients Not Passports.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Lens on Gaza: The Sun and Moon Still Rise is a photography exhibition at East Street Arts, in Leeds UK. It presents an intimate visual narrative of life, resilience, and humanity in Gaza, through photographer Fadi A. Thabet’s own lived experience and work within the city.

The exhibition will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (12 – 4pm) & Saturday and Sunday (12 – 4pm) until May 9th 2026. East Street Arts is located on St Mary's Ln, Leeds LS9 7EH.

Henry speaks to creative producer Shazia Bibi and Artistic Director of East Street Arts, Jon Wakeman, alongside some audio from the artist, Fadi A. Thabet. Fadi was born in 1978 in the central Gaza Strip. A photographer, human rights activist, and art education teacher, Thabet believes that art must serve a purpose without a cause, creative work risks losing its ability to reach and move the world if not created in all circumstances.

Alongside his photographic practice, Thabet works closely with children who have endured the trauma of war and displacement in Gaza. Through art education and creative expression, he supports young people living in camps, helping them process trauma and rebuild a sense of hope and agency.

Shazia Bibi is a cultural producer exploring narratives of identity, belonging, and social justice that transcend borders.

East Street Arts supports artists to explore, connect, and challenge artists to be catalysts of change through art. Bethlehem Arts Festival provides a platform for international collaboration rooted in Palestinian heritage and creativity. Leeds Palestinian Film Festival raises awareness and solidarity through film and visual culture.

Henry and Natalie return to MPF for another live, raucous episode full of heart & humour (and a dash of chaos!). Joining them in front of a live audience are Riaz and Adam from Grail Guard , plus Kashmiri artist Smoked Poets. Grail Guard perform a few of their visceral hardcore punk bangers as acoustic songs, and Smoked Poets delivers a couple of her powerful, anti-imperialist poems.

Check out Grail Guard's new album, Still No Future, available now on TNS Records. Or better yet, catch both acts live at your nearest DIY venue!

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Common/Wealth are a theatre company based in Bradford and Cardiff, making work with, for and about working class communities and urgent social issues. Henry and Natalie took a trip to Bradford to chat about their first book, Do It Yourself: Making Political Theatre. The book is a retrospective of their work, it shares their methodology, personal experiences and belief in theatre being a tool for social change. Joining the episode are Ezra, May, Soarise and Evie discussing how they create vibrant, political work, the vital effect it's had on audiences, particpants and communities...plus a hint towards their next show.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry and Natalie discuss recent protests, the Bussing In installation, their gig with Bob Vylan and Nat's dog, Ivy, pops by. Featuring interviews with Sarah Corbett and the band Kallemi. Founder of the Craftivist Collective, Sarah is known for pioneering "gentle protest" or "craftivism" as a form of strategic, mindful social change. Kallemi (كلّمي) an outernational all-female genre-fluid powerhouse ensemble. Kallemi is a result of a collaborative musical project between Swiss, Dominican and Palestinian musicians.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

'A Grain of Sand' is a new play written and directed by Elias Matar and performed by Sarah Agha. It tells the story of Renad, an 11-year-old Gazan girl, who embarks on a dangerous journey. Carrying only the echoes of her grandmother’s tales and the spark of her own imagination, she searches for her family and the ‘Anqaa’ - the mythical Palestinian Phoenix.

The play is touring the UK across 2026, visit Good Chance theatre's website and book a ticket for this astounding and profound piece of story-telling.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

The full, unedited chat with Boff Whalley taken from episode #37. Boff is the former guitarist for Anarchist Pop-Stars Chumabwamba and founder and lead trespasser of Commoners Choir. He talks about his new book, 'But Life Isn’t Like That Is it?', which is a collection of stories, memories, anecdotes about disruption and digression.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and BlueSky and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry and Natalie interview musicians Boff Whalley and Yung Yusuf. Boff Whalley is the former guitarist of Anarcho-Pop stars Chumbawamba and is the founder of Commoners Choir, talks about his new book - 'But Life Isn't Like That, is it?' and saying thank you to the people who inspired him. Yung Yusuf is a British-Palestinian rapper whose work spans sun-drenched jazz and wider fierce, bass-fuelled politics.

Plus Henry and Natalie discuss local activism, Henry performs a classic poem and Natalie recommends a fresh musician.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Mohammed Moussa is a poet, podcaster and founder of Gaza Poets Society. Joining us at Vandal Factory HQ half-way through a UK tour, Mohmmed talks about his love for language, what it means to be a Palestinian poet on stage and whether poems can change the world.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and BlueSky and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Pins For Peace is a vibrant exhibition inspired by The Peace Museum's unique pin badge collection, featuring large-scale badge artworks by over 30 artists. Henry took a roadtrip to Shipley to speak to DIY curators Adam and Jenna, joined by CJ of Black Lodge Press. You'll also hear Alasdair Beal, a long-time CND campaginer who created the satirical '...Against The Bomb Badges' in the early 1980s.

The exhibition runs until the end of November so check out this bold artwork in-person or online.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Deep in the woods of Greenbelt Festival, you'll find the Rebel Rouser stage, a home to distrupters, hopers and gobheads... and Henry and Natalie hosting a live episode!

Joining the duo are Mohammed Moussa, Fadi Murad and Ste Bardgett. Ste is half of indie-punk noise-makers Mouses and is part of the team programming the Rebel Rouser line-up. After they perform a racketty banger, poet Mohammed joins us. Mohammed is the founder of the Gaza Poets Society, a collective of Palestinian poets dedicated to sharing verse and stories. Finally Fadi Murad, a writer and performer from Jerusalem, shares a piece from his latest project.

Thanks to everyone at Greenbelt and the Amos Trust for putting us in contact with Fadi and Mohammed. Also, if you hear the odd random voice appearing in the background, it's just the recording picking up the tech team, don't worry about it.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Recorded live at Greenbelt Festival 2025!

Amber Massie-Blomfield's book 'Acts of Resistance' is about the power of art to make a better world. Covering 10 stories of political and protest art from history, this chat takes a deep dive into art & activism and how everything from Blue Peter to Beckett inspired social change.

Amber is formerly Executive Director of Complicité and Camden People’s Theatre, she has worked for clients including Actors Touring Company, tiata fahodzi, Barbican, Pro Helvetia, English PEN, Free Word Centre and China Plate. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, and as an activist, she has been involved with Writers Rebel and Extinction Rebellion.

We're at Greenbelt Festival 2025 to recharge our activism! We discuss the powerhouse acts we see, and bump into Kate from Hot Squash and folk musician Maddie Morris.

This episode features nature photographer Bruce Kendrick talking about his love of nature. Then we speak to Portia Kamons and Nara Kim about SEVENTEEN, a libretto using classical music and verbatim to platform young voices in America.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Dr David Hayley is an ecological artist and researcher. In this Factory Floor Cut, Nat talks to David about his creative practice, his career and the time he met Paul McCartney whilst dressed as a gorilla. If you would like to see more of David's work you can go to his website. https://davidhaley.uk/

Other Vandal Factory episode that discuss environmental issues are listed on our website:

https://www.vandalfactory.co.uk/climate-crisis-episodes.html

In this Factory Floor Cut, Nat talks to Scott Burrell, Director of Three Rivers in Bexley, London. Three Rivers is a free-floating, social arts agency that brings local people and partners together to make a difference in Bexley. In this chat, Scott and Nat talk about power structures, community arts and the importance of place .

It's the Comrade Conga! Have a dance with hope and anger! Poet Joshua Idehen discusses his new, powerful collection 'Songbook'. Alexia Roditis from Destroy Boys shares thoughts on their new punk album and the issues facing the U.S.

We have dancer Penny Chivers share their experiences for the Freelance Feelings Factory, and Arwa and Mati share reflections on a dance event raising money for the al-Harah theatre in Palestine.

Dancers at that event were: Trace Collective, Aamina Stenhouse, Annabella Fernandes, Julianna Nagy, Kai Dwyer, Harbi Alhatini, Ahmed Alsatri, Maddy Kirk, Rachel Ensoll, Sarah Selwood, Didi, Eirini, Mati Torres, Anouska, Fleur, Phoebe, Silva. Visit here for event materials:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v7S--nlIYzh3R9Eh7gw_cJiLAT1duxJ9/view

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and BlueSky and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

chamæleon is a collaboration between Palestinian writer Farah Chamma's poetry and Brazilian producer LIEV's musical soundscapes. They explore the intersection between spoken word and musical texture, diving into the unknown to search for belonging and identity.

Henry interviews them about So many ways To Move, a combination of audio, visuals and words which they performed in York on 1st June 2025.

For more episodes featuring Palestinian artists, check out episodes #19, #26 and #29 as well as various other Factory Floor Cuts bonus episodes.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry & Nat return to MPF for another gobby live episode! We're joined by Millie Manders who talks about her musical influences, the politics on her latest album and performs some cracking acoustic bangers alongside musician Joe. We discuss collectivism, ask the audience what brings them hope and play Punk band Or Ale?

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and BlueSky and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

"We should be the brick in your wall and not just the morter you put on top."

As part of episode #32, we spoke to artists about their freelance experiences. Taken from that episode, this is Natalie's full interview with actor Daneka and visual artist Kit. We discuss life as a disabled creative and their current projects, including Kit's Trans Saints Project. We unpack ideas of access, inclusion, Spoon Theory and the challenges of being a self-employed.

Check out episode 32 for more freelance experiences, and episode 20 for more disabled voices and activism.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Hannah Khalil is an Irish-Palestinian playwright whose play My English Persian Kitchen recieved rave reviews after sold out shows. Hannah spoke to us about freelancing for episode #32, but here is the full interview where Hannah also discusses her plays and craft.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

This is the full interview with Zita Holbourne multidisciplinary artist, poet, musician, Trade Unionist and educator. Zita spoke to us about her workshops and her work for Artists Union England. An edited version first appared in episode #32. They take on casework and support members through workplace disputes, connect artists in their local area and campaign for sustainable futures, equality, respect and access in every aspect of life and work.

Listen to episode #32 for more conversations about self-employed life.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

This is the full interview with Janie Nicol and Megan Chapman, visual artists and organisers for Scottish Artists Union. An edited version first appared in episode #32. SAU is the representative voice for visual and applied artists in Scotland and is one of the largest arts membership organisations in the country. We discuss the needs of the membership and enpowering and connecting self-employed freelancers.

Listen to episode #32 for more conversations about self-employed life.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Welcome to the full interview with Annabel Turpin taken from episode #32.

Annabel is Chief Executive Officer at Storyhouse in Chester, which incorporates a library, theatres, an independent cinema, a restaurant, and is a community and creative social hub. We talk about how Annabel works with freelancers and the processes she puts in place. Annabel also talks about calling out other organisations for late payments.

Listen to episode #32 for more conversations about self-employed life.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Freelancers: Assemble!

In this bumper special episode, Henry and Natalie have gathered unique contributions from across the UK. Featuring writers, dancers, musicians and visual artists and Trade Unionists, we explore the good, the bad and the ugly parts of being self-employed in the arts and culture sector.

Thank you to our wonderful contributors: Annabel Turpin, Hannah Khalil, Zita Holbourne, Janie Nicoll, Megan Chapman, Stephanie Roberts, Sara Amini, Megan Faye Hanson, Alice Foxall, Harry Ward, Lucy Sheen, Eirini Papadopoulou, Nicole Joseph, Tyler Pickles, Kit George and Daneka Etchells.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

A live panel discussion recorded at the 10th Leeds Palestinian Film Festival on 6th December 2024.

Three Palestinian creatives share their thoughts on the role of arts to tell urgent stories. Featuring actor and presenter Sarah Agha, classical musician Saied Silbak and director and producer Abed Al Ju'beh. Hosted by Natalie Quatermass.

Thank you to the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival and the panel to allow us to release this audio.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

The unedited interview taken from episode #31.

Artistic Director of Derby Theatre Sarah Brigham talks about 'Welfare', a show written about the Derbyshire mining community. Sarah talks about her career directing political stories and facilitating community work. We discuss gate-keeping, accessiblity, inviations and how Derby Theatre creates routes for the community.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

The full unedited interview, taken from episode #31.

On his last ever UK tour, rapper and activist B. Dolan discusses his latest album 'The Wound Is Not The Body', his writing process and his feelings ahead of the 2024 US presidential elections.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry and Natalie return after a haitus to discuss political music, theatre and community work.

On his last ever UK tour, rapper and activist B. Dolan discusses his latest album 'The Wound Is Not The Body', his writing process and his feelings ahead of the 2024 US presidential elections. Theatre director Sarah Brigham talks about 'Welfare', a show written about the Derbyshire mining community. Sarah talks about her career facilitating community work and how Derby Theatre works with community groups.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry & Natalie host a live episode recorded on the Rebel Rouser stage of Greenbelt Festival 2024. Featuring 'broken folk' musicians Lunatraktors: choreographer and percussionist Carli Jefferson (she/her), and partially-sighted vocalist and researcher Clair Le Couteur (they/them).

As well as a hearty performance, we discuss the questions: what’s left when we’ve have post-apocalyptically lost everything? What is the difference between solidarity and chairty? How can we roll deeper?

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Taken from episode #29, this is an unedited interview with Amber Massie-Blomfield about her new book 'Acts of Resistance'. The book is a vital exploration about art and it's power to make a better world.

Amber Massie-Blomfield writes about the artists who have treated the protest site as their canvas and contributed to movements that have transformed history.

Your friendly podcast about hope & anger, joy & rage, love & justice.

Featuring Marina Barham, the co-founder and General Director of Al-Harah Theater talking about their work bringing joy to communities living in the West Bank of Palestine. We also interview Amber Massie-Blomfield about her new book 'Acts of Resistance' about the power of art to make a better world.

We also have a contribution from curator and arts producer Katrina Man for our Freelance Feelings Factory feature.

This episode was recorded at Greenbelt Fest, a celebration of arts, activism and belief.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

In this bonus episode, Henry chats with playwright Laura Horton and actor Peyvand Sadeghian up at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Their show, Lynn Faces, is a funny, farcical and poignant new play, exploring the impact of abusive behaviour, the power of friendship and how silliness can be healing.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Emilia from queer punk band The Menstrual Cramps talks about the origins of their scrappy DIY band, their new EP and the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign.

This is a unedited version of the interview from episode #28. Check out that episode to hear a song chosen by Emilia inspired by the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

We finally got rid of the Tories! But don't let your guard down, as we're still discussing hope & anger and social justice in these changing times.

In this episode, Emilia from queer punk band The Menstrual Cramps talks about the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign. Lighting designer Jess Brigham contributes to the Freelance Feelings Factory.

Billy and Lou from The Hangout Youth CIC talk about creating space for LGBTQIA+ Youth and their film Beyond Ls14. Speaking of space, Henry and Natalie discuss heterotopia and place-making community work.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

With the 2024 Genral Election round the corner, we asked: What would you change about funding, structures and management of arts and culture?

This is exactly what we put to actors, writers, directors, thratre-makers and musicians across the UK. In no particular order, you’ll hear ideas and provocations from: Dermot Daley, Boff Whalley, Lisa Holdsworth, Daniel York Loh, Luke Skilbeck, Peyvand Sardegian, Daneka Etchells, Richard Burgon (MP), Seth Mowshowitz (Fold) and Jarmouse. With input from your hosts, Henry Raby and Natalie Quatermass.

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Slash Fiction are a south Yorkshire punk band whose new album 'We'll Hold This Line Until Hell Freezes Over' is a masterpiece of raw and wonderful anthems. Henry is joined by Niamh, Jess and Dan who discuss principles of Trade Unionism, DIY culture, solidarity and song-writing.

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You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Natalie visited the Palestine Unveiled art exhibition, a one-day pop-up event at Cole's Gallery in the Leeds Corn Exhange. Celebrating solidarity through visual art and fund-raising for medical aid, Natalie met artists speak about their work and the vital importance of fund-raising.

She speaks with artists Salma Kuhail, Mahgull Khan, Fatima Asad and Josh Sutton.

Follow them on Instagram: @mahgulls.art, @salma.kuhail, @its_fatimaasad, @redfezbooks.

With reflections and insights from Leeds poet Tallullah Howarth and friend-of-the-show Fozia.

"People of Leeds are friends of salt and revolution."

Henry and Natalie visit East Street Arts and meet Juman Quneis and Taqi Spateen, with special thanks to the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival.

Juman is a film-maker from Ramallah in the West Bank whose documentary work has influenced Palestinian law. She's in the UK studying film and volunteering with the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival. She talks about her work, as well as her vision for a documentary about murdered journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Taqi Spateen is a visual artist-activist who has worked across the world. He's visiting Leeds to paint a mural on the side of East Street Arts' building. He talks about the inspiration for his artwork, being arrested by the Israeli Occupation Forces and why he loves a classic Italian song.

And finally we are joined by Jon from East Street Arts talking about the importance of visual street art, large and small.

Photograph by Shui.

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Film director and actor Richard Weston chats about his latest film 'Sparked', a drama about boxing and men's mental health set in working class Birkenhead. Richard talks about his love for film, his own experiences of mental health as well as the importance of boxing clubs for working class communities. To listen to a song chosen by Richard, head on over to episode #25: Rage Is Valid.

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Our full, unedited interview with poet and activist Shareefa Energy. We discuss her jounrey into performing, her work in the West Bank of Palestine and the power of political poetry.

A poem performed by Shareefa and a song she selected can be heard on episode #25 of the Vandal Factory podcast 'Rage Is Valid'.

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Arts & activism, hope & anger, solidarity & rage!

Henry & Natalie are back with an interview with indomitable poet and activist Shareefa Energy, who talks about her journey into performance poetry. Film director and actor Richard Weston chats about his latest film 'Sparked', a drama about boxing and men's mental health set in working class Birkenhead. Plus Khairani Barokka shares one of her latest poems from brand new collection 'amuk', and theatre director Viv Gordon shares a song that inspires her work.

We also discuss the importance and plight of freelancers in the arts sector, play some banging tunes and shout out student activism across the world!

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

For months in Leeds, a sparky crew of photographers and video-makers have been documenting the demos. They've been capturing moments of anger, grief, hope and community with the sharpest shots. We gathered a handful of these snappers to discuss technique, story-telling and camaradiere.

You can find their inspiring photos on Instagram:

imdmilo

racheloleary_

kholaandhercamera

tammyshafi

sumaiyyashafi

and honourable mentions to:

mikebettney

outcast77

We are the artists! We won't be silenced!

Henry and Natalie storm MPF with a special live episode about hope, anger, arts and activism. The duo are joined by folk-punk shredder Erica Freas who plays a few tunes and talks about the value of softness to be powerful. Next up is Liv Wynter: punk poet, host, play-wright and musician. We talk about class, Palestine and their high energy night How To Catch A Pig!

Henry performs a poem and Natalie provokes the audience!

"Punk is valuable, but guess what, you can be soft and be just as powerful." - Erica Freas.

Find us on social media and our playlist on Spotify!

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Info here: patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry and Natalie interview Elvi and Chris about We're Not Going Back, a powerful play about Women Against Pit Closures during the 1984-85 Miners Strike. Argentinian artists Florencia and Clare from Music For Science discuss how they collaborated with scientists.

Natalie talks about her nourishing International Women's Day activities, and Henry shares a brand new poem recorded live. Plus music from Grace Petrie, Joe Solo and a brand new feature: The Freelance Feelings Factory!

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Info here: patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Episode photo copyright Mike Bettney

Natalie talks to British-Palestinian Shaymaa Tannira who is desperately fundraising to help her family escape from Rafah, Gaza.

Please donate whatever you can via her Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/82a0748c

Shaymaa chooses to share two songs that have been giving her strength in recent months Habayebna by Angham and Ghorbet Watan by Mohammad Jneid.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.