Fundamental Bodies

James Downs and Josh Rivers join Matthew Shaw to talk about relationships with our bodies, body image, exercise and food as we emerge from lockdown. So many people have worries about these things at the best of times, but they may be especially acute right now, and are often unvoiced. What can we in the gay, bisexual and queer community do to help each other and

what different challenges and assumptions are made because of our skin colour and identity?

James Downs has spoken extensively about his experiences of mental health and recovery and writes about mental health through the lens of social justice. He also holds roles with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mind, NHS England and the Welsh Government, helping to conduct research and write mental health and eating disorders policy and is a representative of MQ Mental Health, Samaritans and Mind and Beat. James recently finished a masters in psychology and education at Cambridge University with his independent research project exploring understandings of “resilience” and how education can better help equip young people for the challenges of life. 

Josh Rivers is the creator and host of Busy Being Black, the podcast exploring how we live in the fullness of our queer Black lives. The show centres conversations with those how have learned - and are learning - to thrive at the intersection of multiple identities, and is a growing compendium of queer Black voices in a podcast landscape with far too few. Josh is also the head of communications for UK Black Pride, Europe's largest pride celebration for LGBTQ people of colour, and is a freelance writer and communications consultant.