podcast & radio
IN TOUCH podcast series • The Virtual World of Sex Education • Anthems
In Touch Podcast Series
In 2019, I met producer and sound designer Bea Duncan at a terrible birthday party and we found sanctuary with each other. Huddled in a corner, we started cooking up an idea that years later would become this series.
In Touch is a documentary series offering an intimate and playful education around the ways we connect to sex, relationships and our bodies. Each episode covers a different topic close to my heart.
To bring these subjects to life, multiple voices are woven through each episode: a mix of my personal ramblings, experts in the field, intriguing guests with lived experiences, and some of my nearest and dearest. I chatted to my dad about nudity, my partner Alex about our flavour of non-monogamy, my sibling Maya about changing our pronouns, and my mum and I reminiscing about us having “the talk”.
The aim of this project was to open the door of these communities from the inside, welcoming the listener into a space designed to be curious, vulnerable and connected.
The series was shortlisted for the International Women’s Podcast Awards, and was a top pick for the Guardian and the Independent.
Produced by Bea Duncan for Broccoli Productions.
EPISODE 1.
From the moment that we have an understanding of our bodies, we’re taught to criticise them. Which is exhausting. What would it be like if we were able to start from a place of accepting our bodies as they are right now? Ruby speaks to Dr Keon West about the positive impacts being nude could have on us all.
EPISODE 2.
With the help of experts and those in the kink community, Ruby explores the different ways kink can look and be practised, as well as the ways that shame and judgement is combatted through community.
EPISODE 3.
How does most sex ed get it so wrong? In this episode Ruby tackles the different ways that sex ed and inherited shame shape us, as well as examining why a one size fits all approach to sex education fails us all.
EPISODE 4.
Non-monogamy isn’t new, yet there’s still a whole host of misconceptions and assumptions that people make about the reality of being non-monogamous. Ruby chats to her nesting partner about their relationship, and hears from others within the community about the ways they’ve made non-monogamy work for them.
EPISODE 5.
TW: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault
Every single one of us has a relationship to porn - whether we watch it or not. In this episode, Ruby unpacks the realities of making and consuming porn. She speaks to performers about why people are so reluctant to pay for content, as well as unpacking the impacts watching porn can have on the self esteem and sexual experiences of adults.
EPISODE 6.
TW: This episode contains discussion of transphobia
In this episode, Ruby is exploring their own gender, speaking to their sibling and partner as well as other gender nonconforming people about their experiences. She also hears from Meg-John Barker about how we all go on a journey with gender throughout our lives, and the impacts these conversations are having.
EPISODE 7.
TW: This episode contains multiple discussions between survivors. There will be discussion of sexual violence, child abuse and domestic abuse.
In this episode, Ruby speaks to two other survivors, Lilly and Andreena, as well as Amy Roch from Galop, a charity supporting LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. They’ll be unpacking the realities of processing abuse, as well as how we move forwards in their lives, work, and relationships.
EPISODE 8.
Pleasure impacts so many areas of our lives, yet there’s so much shame about the things that bring us pleasure. In this episode, Ruby talks to Emily Nagoski about what pleasure actually is and the things that might prevent us accessing it.
The Virtual World of Sex Education
I host this documentary for BBC Radio 4 exploring the ever-growing connection between social media and sex education, a topic I’m passionate about. I spoke to teenagers about how social media can fill in the gaps left by traditional (i.e. crap) sex education, parents about the concerns they have when their children learn about sex and relationships online, and experts who address what can happen when young people are denied comprehensive and inclusive sex ed. The show was one of Radio 4’s Top Picks and was selected to be featured on the Radio 4 podcast ‘Seriously’.
Contributors: Ben Hurst from Beyond Equality, Professor Jessica Ringrose, Eliza Bell from Brook, Genevieve Collister Brown, Dr Tanaya Narendra, Sophia Smith-Galer and Melissa Pintor Carnagey from Sex Positive Families.
Produced by Anna de Wolff for Pier Productions.
Listen here
Anthems
A collection of original manifestos, speeches, stories, poems and rallying cries written and voiced by exceptional women, that celebrate and contemplate what it means to be human. Proving that there is more that binds us together than sets us apart.
I was honoured to be included in the first series of Anthems, where I mused on the power of pubes.
Produced by Hana Walker-Brown for Broccoli Productions.
Listen here