Episodes

  • E2- Why Romance Needs to Come Back | with Hak Baker

    E2- Why Romance Needs to Come Back | with Hak Baker
    Jul 1 2026
    What if romance wasn't just about falling in love? In this conversation of the Wodcast, musician, songwriter and poet Hak Baker joins Benjamin Aston and Mabel Evans for a wide-ranging exploration of romance, brotherhood, community and the courage it takes to change. Together they discuss the forgotten meaning of romance, why transformation is rarely a solitary act, and the idea of slaying the dragon within - the lifelong battle to confront our fears, ego and destructive patterns. Through stories of growing up in East London, finding his voice through music, and building communities rooted in care, Hak reflects on how real change begins not only within ourselves, but in the people who walk alongside us. In a world that often celebrates independence above all else, Hak offers a different vision: one where friendship, creativity and shared responsibility become the foundations for a more hopeful future. This episode is an invitation to rediscover romance, not as an ideal, but as a way of living, creating and changing together. ───── Topics include: The forgotten meaning of romance Brotherhood and community Slaying the dragon within Personal and collective transformation Music, creativity and storytelling Growing up in East London Friendship, belonging and resilience The power of human connection ───── Thank you to our sponsor: Trunk Clothiers https://www.trunkclothiers.com/ ───── More from the Wodcast: ➟ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wod.cast/ ➟ Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wodcast/id1896893830 ➟ YouTube – https://youtube.com/@wodcast_channel?si=sQbEXy6-mO6lOLvB ➟ Substack – https://wodcast.substack.com/ ➟ Website – https://wodcast.co.uk/ ───── Next Wednesday at 7pm GMT Benjamin and Mabel will go live on Substack for 30 minutes to reflect on the episode, and share some writing prompts using Haks ‘weight- baring’ words. Join them there, to share your comments, thoughts and connect with other listeners.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • E1 - When Faith and Doubt Hold Hands | with Elif Shafak

    E1 - When Faith and Doubt Hold Hands | with Elif Shafak
    Jun 17 2026
    What happens when faith and doubt learn to dance together? In this opening conversation of the Wodcast, bestselling novelist Elif Shafak joins Benjamin Aston and Mabel Evans for a wide-ranging exploration of language, love, storytelling and the search for wisdom in a noisy world. Together they discuss the ancient meanings hidden inside words, why different cultures understand love in different ways, the forgotten goddess of writing, the importance of oral storytelling, and what Elif calls "inner democracy" the practice of making space for the many voices within ourselves. Drawing on her novels, her spiritual curiosity, and her lifelong relationship with stories, Elif reflects on the tension between certainty and wonder, information and wisdom, roots and belonging, and why slowing down may be one of the most radical acts of our time. This episode is an invitation to listen more deeply: to language, to each other, and to the stories that shape who we become. ───── Topics include: • Faith and doubt • The many meanings of love • Language and identity • Storytelling and oral tradition • Inner democracy • Wisdom in the digital age • Women, memory and forgotten histories • Nature, listening, and belonging ───── Thank you to our sponsors: Summerour Architects https://summerourarchitects.com/ Trunk Clothiers https://www.trunkclothiers.com/ ───── More from the Wodcast: ➟ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wod.cast/ ➟ Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wodcast/id1896893830 ➟ Youtube - https://youtube.com/@wodcast_channel?si=sQbEXy6-mO6lOLvB ➟ Substack - https://wodcast.substack.com/ ➟Website https://wodcast.co.uk/ ─────
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Season One with Stephen Fry, Elif Shafak & More

    Season One with Stephen Fry, Elif Shafak & More
    Jun 12 2026
    In Season One of the Wodcast, we sit down with novelist Elif Shafak, musician Hak Baker, Professor David Nutt, writer David Larbi, founder and coach Remi Olayjoyegbe, musician Nick Mulvey, filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab, lyricist Tim Rice, and writer, actor, and broadcaster Stephen Fry. Across nine conversations, we explore the words that have shaped their lives, the language that has influenced their thinking, and the stories they carry with them.
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    1 min
  • Welcome to the Wodcast with Mabel Evans & Benjamin Aston

    Welcome to the Wodcast with Mabel Evans & Benjamin Aston
    Jun 6 2026
    Welcome to the Wodcast where every word carries a world inside it. The Wodcast is a podcast exploring the words that shape our lives, cultures, relationships, and imagination. Hosted by Benjamin Aston and Mabel Evans, each episode unfolds into conversations, stories, ideas, and perspectives from writers, thinkers, artists, and cultural voices. From love and belonging to courage, grief, joy, identity, and everything in between, the Wodcast invites you to slow down and look more closely at the language that shapes how we see ourselves and one another.
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    1 min