The Northern Rose Podcast

What Makes an Activist? Zoe’s Story

In This Episode We sit down with Zoe, a local climate activist who has been arrested multiple times for taking part in protests. We explore what first motivated her to become an activist, what keeps her going despite the personal risks, and how she is trying to raise attention to the climate crisis. Zoe speaks about the philosophy behind her actions - from moral responsibility and urgency to the belief that ordinary people can challenge powerful institutions. She also reflects on the consequences of protest and the experience of arrest. What Else Have We Been Doing? Henry North Since covering the Gorton & Denton by-election [https://www.thenorthernrose.com/p/reform-sent-packing-the-greens-win], we’ve continued to cover union events and industrial action across the city alongside spinning several plates journalism related and not. We’ve covered what looks like a case of Union busting at the iconic Refuge bar in Manchester [https://youtu.be/36VajIRkyPw?si=Nw6C4Q9E_ZN8t58D] (more about this in the future), the Together Alliance march in London [https://youtu.be/LVIgRfoFy3Y?si=rU3pxVE3OF2tzppq] last Saturday and a strike over the last minute pull out of pay rise and back pay by NHS management [https://youtu.be/2VQkePmzo1g?si=YXgRJ9uk3Ii61v1y]. The behaviour is unprecedented and it’s hard to believe that the pay rise stopped was from Band 2 to Band 3 [https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits/agenda-change-pay-rates] which is a difference of £2,204 from £25,272 to £27,476 for 11 employees. Kevin Corran, the Unison representative at the picket line told us that managers had spent more on a review of the pay agreement than they would have spent on the agreement itself - a frustrating situation. It’s a lot to keep up with and to get videos as we publish them, we’d appreciate it if you could subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Thenorthernrose_news] and if you like a video… please give it a like. It helps push us in the algorithm and reach new audiences. Adam’s also been busy speaking at conferences. A couple of weeks ago he was in Dublin where he won an award for the best overall paper and - at the time of writing - is in Oxford for another conference where he’s given a speech. What’s Coming Up? We’re going to need the help in the algorithm too because we recorded a podcast episode last week about the many problems of social media and how they can censor the news that we consume. Adam talks about how he’s been at the Sky Sports campus in Brentford with a team of academics collecting data on the harms of social media - it’s an interesting chat but unlikely to be amplified by the platforms we publish on. This Easter weekend we’ll be publishing an feature on the 30th anniversary of the restoration project at the Manchester Monastery - dubbed Manchester’s Taj Mahal. [https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/gorton-monastery-manchesters-taj-mahal-6792035] It’s a great story, one of coincidence and luck but underpinned by hard work and dedication. Excitingly we’ve also set up The Northern Rose shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheNorthernRose#about]. I’m currently in the process of putting it all together but soon you’ll be able to find bucket hats, beanies, hoodies and mugs on there. Once again, thank you for your continued to support. As we close in on 500 subscribers on YouTube I’m very proud of the following we have achieved and the news we have provided. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenorthernrose.com [https://www.thenorthernrose.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Where We Get Our News Now - And Why It Matters

We discuss the rapid rise of social media and digital platforms as primary news sources, the decline of editorial standards in legacy media, and how this has created fertile ground for misinformation and disinformation. Unlike traditional newspapers or broadcasters, algorithm-driven platforms personalise news feeds, removing the randomness that once exposed people to a wider range of views and stories.The conversation explores how customised news shapes opinions, reinforces existing beliefs, and changes the way political and social issues are understood. We also ask what responsibility platforms, regulators, and journalists have in rebuilding trust and protecting the public interest in an age where algorithms increasingly act as editors.This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in media literacy, journalism, democracy, and the future of news in the UK. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenorthernrose.com [https://www.thenorthernrose.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Do Women Runners Face Abuse? - Findings from New UK Study

Drawing on findings from their study, the conversation explores how harassment, intimidation and violence shape women’s experiences of public space, exercise and safety.We discuss what the data reveals about the scale and normalisation of abuse and why responsibility is so often placed on women to adapt their behaviour rather than on men to change. The episode also looks at the structural factors behind the problem and what meaningful change could look like.The discussion closes with a reflection on why the researchers undertook this work in the first place, and how academia can be used not just to study injustice, but to challenge it.This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in gender equality, public safety, women’s sport, and the role of research in driving social change.Links mentioned in the podcast:- The Abuse Of Women Runners: Perceptions, Fears and Experiences: https://www.n8prp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/315/2024/03/N8-Final-Report_Abuse-of-women-runners-project-final.pdf- JogOn: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jogon- VAWG (Violence Against Women & Girls) strategy to better protect children from misogyny and abuse: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vawg-strategy-to-better-protect-children-from-misogyny-and-abuseComments have been turned off by request, but if you would like to get in touch with us, please contact: thenorthernrosenews@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenorthernrose.com [https://www.thenorthernrose.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Our Christmas Wish List for Andy Burnham & Manchester

This Christmas, we sat down to ask a simple question: what would Manchester actually ask Andy Burnham for if he were Farther Christmas?In this Christmas episode, we talk through a Manchester Christmas wish list - from fair, inflation-linked pay for transport workers, to better communication, visibility and accountability from the Mayor himself. With public services under pressure and trust in politics stretched thin, we reflect on what leadership should look like in 2025 and beyond.This isn’t about party politics - it’s about the everyday realities facing people across Greater Manchester, and what could make a real difference to workers, commuters and communities.Happy Christmas from all of us - and thanks to everyone who’s supported the channel this year across our social platforms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenorthernrose.com [https://www.thenorthernrose.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Exposing Contradictions in Far-Right Rhetoric | Our Experience at the Unity Rally

The exchange was civil, but revealing. While we found areas of agreement on issues like the cost of living and the dangers of concentrating power, the discussion ultimately exposed how far-right rhetoric relies not on logic or evidence, but on racial hatred and fear of the “other.”We break down the contradictions we heard, explain why these arguments fall apart under scrutiny, and reflect on what the experience says about the rise of extremist narratives in the UK. This episode isn’t about platforming hate — it’s about understanding how these ideas spread, how to challenge them, and why community solidarity and anti-racist organising matter now more than ever.If you want insight into how the far-right frames its arguments, how to respond to them, and what we learned by engaging directly, this is the conversation worth hearing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenorthernrose.com [https://www.thenorthernrose.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]