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The Shelley Tasker Show

Shelley Tasker

Shelley Tasker interviews guests with Co-host Mallificus Scott
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#226
Wednesday · 1 hr 56 min
Blade Runner Ben: Surveillance, Resistance and Finding the Courage to Act
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this Remembrance Day episode, we opened with a thoughtful reflection on sacrifice before diving into some of the stories on our radar, including the BBC’s failed attempt to have a defamation case thrown out, the ongoing row over holiday homes and housing for local people in Cornwall, and new bird lockdown measures brought in by UK chief veterinary officers. We also had a lighter catch-up on music, live shows, old engineering, and the kinds of conversations and debates that make this programme what it is. The heart of the episode was my conversation with Ben Butler, also known as Blade Runner Ben, a Cambridge-based activist campaigning against surveillance technology and what he sees as the creeping normalisation of smart-city infrastructure. Ben spoke candidly about the inner work that shaped his activism, from yoga and meditation to finding the resolve to act despite the fear of judgement. He walked us through how he began investigating roadside systems, why he believed they posed a threat, and how that led him to directly disable equipment in Cambridge. We also heard about his arrests, his legal preparation, and why he now sees his work as part of a wider effort to encourage people to question authority, think for themselves, and find their own way of taking meaningful action.
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#225
November 4 · 1 hr 56 min
Do You Love Your Country?
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this roundtable edition of the show, I stepped in for Shelley and opened up a lively discussion around a deceptively simple question: do you love your country? What began as a reflection on a chance encounter while fundraising quickly developed into a much broader conversation about what we even mean by ‘country’ — whether it is birthplace, ancestry, culture, county, shared history, shared values, or some combination of all of them. With Paul, Alex and a caller joining in, we explored how identity can be rooted in land, kinship, language, belonging and lived experience, while also recognising how difficult it can be to define those ideas cleanly in modern Britain. The discussion ranged across Englishness, Britishness, Cornwall, immigration, assimilation, trust in society, pride, embarrassment, and the difference between loving a place and approving of its current direction. We also touched on historical memory, slavery, reparations, empire, and whether national belonging is best understood through race, culture or values. A Rudyard Kipling poem helped crystallise one of the evening’s central tensions: the pull between familiarity and difference, and between emotional loyalty and rational principle. By the end, there was no single agreed definition of ‘country’, but there was a clear sense that the question still matters deeply — especially when people are trying to work out what is worth preserving, what has been lost, and what it really means to belong.
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#224
October 28 · 1 hr 56 min
From Budget Talk to Burnout
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this lively and unexpected episode of The Shelley Tasker Show, I’m joined by my co-host Maleficca Scott for a wonderfully unplanned wander through the week’s stories and our own lives. We touch on Tommy Robinson being found guilty of harassing journalists, the latest budget talk, support for Ukraine, a heartwarming story of a family dog found alive after a house fire, and fresh calls for the UN to declare climate change a health emergency. With our guest unable to make it, the conversation opens out into something more personal and spontaneous, including plenty of laughs, reflections on media narratives, and a preview of next week’s big question: “Do you love your country?” We also get into work, wellbeing and what really matters. I share why stepping away from a draining job in elderly care has lifted a weight off my shoulders, while Scott talks about the physical demands and quiet rewards of working in nature. From yoga, gardening and self-sufficiency to money, family, creativity and being present for the people we love, this episode becomes a heartfelt reminder not to lose ourselves in the grind. It’s a chatty, honest show about stress, time, community and trying to hold on to the joy in everyday life.
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#223
October 21 · 1 hr 56 min
Health Cultivation, Holistic Medicine and Preparing for Uncertain Times
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com On this evening’s Shelley Tasker Show, Mr Scott and I eased into the programme with a very autumnal catch-up, chatting about stormy weather, darker mornings, cosy evenings, dehumidifiers, tumble dryers, old Christmas lights and the little rituals that make this time of year feel homely. We also touched on local headlines and the growing use of technology in retail crime reporting before welcoming our guest for the night, Dr Stephen Hopwood, to the show. Stephen joined us for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about his background in conventional medicine, acupuncture, naturopathy and functional testing, and why he moved towards a more holistic view of health. We discussed health cultivation, nutrition, blood testing and complementary approaches to wellbeing, before moving into his long history of activism, his scepticism towards mainstream institutions, and his commitment to community conversations in Totnes. The discussion also explored his practical life off-grid, including farming, food resilience, keeping pigs and preparing for uncertain times — making for a lively, unusual and unforgettable episode.
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#222
October 14 · 1 hr 56 min
Monika Schafer Returns: Free Speech, Prison Sentences and Standing Firm
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com On tonight’s show, I was joined by Mr Scott for one of our usual lively rambles before welcoming returning guest Monika Schafer back to the programme. We started with a wonderfully offbeat chat about wasp stings, bees, hornets and all the strange bits of knowledge Mr Scott seems to keep tucked away for just the right moment. From there, we drifted into a deeper conversation about homeopathy, prescription medicine, HRT, menopause, anxiety, and the way our thoughts can shape how we experience life. It was one of those shows that moved naturally from the everyday to the profound, with plenty of honesty, humour and reflection along the way. In the second half, Monica joined us for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation about her brother Alfred’s prison sentence in Germany, the wider issue of free speech, political dissent, and the consequences people can face for challenging official narratives. Monica also spoke movingly about her own experience, why she has no regrets about speaking out, and how adversity can strengthen conviction rather than break it. We also heard the remarkable story of her father’s life, from surviving one of Eisenhower’s post-war camps to later being vilified in modern Canada despite a lifetime of medical service. It was a passionate, challenging and deeply human discussion about truth, courage, memory and the price some people pay for refusing to stay silent.
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#221
October 7 · 1 hr 56 min
Addiction, Recovery and Stigma: Final Part of Our Trilogy
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this episode, I’m joined by Mr Scott as we wrap up the third and final part of our addiction trilogy with returning guests Alex and David G. Before we dive in, we have a light-hearted catch-up about work, back pain, AI, and one very pressing household dilemma: whether a home should be shoes-off or shoes-on. Then the conversation turns serious as Alex and David share powerful reflections on addiction, recovery, stigma, and the lived reality behind the label of “addict”. We explore how addiction affects people from every background, why trauma and life circumstances can play such a major role, and how public attitudes often fail to match the complexity of what people are actually going through. We also examine the systems around recovery, from NHS and private rehabilitation to the role of free support networks such as AA and NA. Alex speaks candidly about his own experience of paying for rehab and discovering that the most valuable support often came from community-based meetings already available at no cost. David brings historical and social context, touching on prohibition, the war on drugs, prescribed medication, and the contradictions in how society judges different substances. Together, we ask difficult but important questions about whether people are truly doing the best they can with what they’ve got, what meaningful recovery support should look like, and whether more effective treatments are being overlooked.
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#220
September 30 · 1 hr 56 min
From Rock Bottom to Recovery with David Exo
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this anniversary edition of the Shelley Tasker Show, Mr Scott and I reflected on four years of broadcasting together before wandering through a lively mix of stories from the week, from council spending and restoration funding to technology, camping comforts, care work, and the strange ways modern life seems to pull us further from the natural pace we probably need. We also shared some lighter moments about performing for tough crowds, old photographs and wartime memories, film sensitivities, and the way fear, media and convenience shape so much of everyday life. Later, we were joined by David Exo for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation on addiction, recovery and social change, picking up from our recent discussion with Alex. We explored the differences between private rehabilitation and free support groups such as AA and NA, the challenges of physical dependency, and the bigger questions around why addiction takes hold in the first place. The discussion ranged from the NHS approach to treatment and detox, to the pressures of modern society, the legacy of rave culture, and how despair, conformity and disconnection can leave people searching for escape. It was a candid, compassionate and at times challenging conversation about pain, control, recovery and what it means to heal in a world that often feels upside down.
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#219
September 24 · 1 hr 56 min
Dave Lanyon: Anger, Apathy and Asking Questions
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this lively episode of The Shelley Tasker Show, Mal and I catch up on the week before diving into a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation with returning guest Dave Lanyon. We chat about everything from Gen Z still living at home and the pressures of modern life, to local community events, family life, and the small joys and frustrations of everyday living. As ever, there’s plenty of humour along the way, but also a real sense of wanting to make sense of the world around us. The heart of the episode is our frank discussion with Dave, who shares his anger and frustration at the way ordinary people are treated by political systems, the media, and those in power. Together, we explore public apathy, fear-based messaging, social division, immigration, war, taxation, banking, education, and the steady erosion of community life. It’s an honest, passionate exchange about why so many people feel powerless, why asking questions matters, and what it means to stand up for what you believe in, even when it puts you at odds with the crowd.
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#218
September 17 · 1 hr 56 min
The Nature of Addiction: Alex Vasith
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com On this week’s show, Mr Scott and I began with a lively catch-up on the week, from community projects in Camborne and the joy of telling local people’s stories, to reflections on history, technology and the changing world around us. We talked about the powerful impact ordinary people can have, especially after I visited a church-led food project feeding local children and families, and we also touched on everything from D-Day weather forecasting to concerns around facial recognition, self-service culture and the steady loss of human interaction in everyday life. The heart of the episode was a deeply honest conversation with returning guest Alex about the nature of addiction. Alex shared his personal journey through cannabis and alcohol dependency, his rock-bottom moment, rehab, and the life-changing support he found through 12-step recovery meetings. Together we explored addiction not simply as substance misuse, but as a wider human struggle around control, pain, validation, habit and coping. We discussed sponsorship, gratitude practices, spirituality, self-awareness, boredom, relapse, and the idea that many of us may sit somewhere on the spectrum of addictive behaviour. It was a thoughtful, compassionate and eye-opening discussion about recovery, resilience and what it really means to be supported by other people.
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#217
September 10 · 1 hr 58 min
Heiko Khoo on AI, Control and the Fight for Human Agency
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this episode, Scott and I began with a lively catch-up that somehow took in tree pollarding, social media-fuelled politics and the latest protests around small boats, face coverings and the steady creep of facial recognition. We reflected on how quickly public debate is being pushed into ever more polarised camps, touching on immigration, the media narrative, protest movements in Britain and Germany, and the broader concern that division is being used to justify more surveillance and control. We also marked a personal milestone as I looked back on six years of broadcasting. The heart of the show was a fascinating conversation with political commentator and broadcaster Heiko Khoo about Palantir: what it is, where it came from, and why ordinary people should care. Heiko unpacked the company’s deep ties to intelligence, data integration, AI and state power, and we explored the wider implications for privacy, digital identity, mobile phones, social behaviour and the future of human agency. From Speaker’s Corner activism to the dangers of technological dependence, this was a wide-ranging discussion about surveillance, control and whether people can still reclaim real community in an increasingly managed world.
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#216
September 3 · 1 hr 56 min
Can Multiculturalism Work? A Good-Faith Roundtable
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com On this week’s show, I was joined by my co-host Scott as we caught up on everything from the end of summer and family life to the return of school routines, teenagers, technology and the comforts of autumn. We also reflected on last week’s guest and the importance of having more faith in ourselves, before turning to the evening’s main discussion. The heart of the episode was a thoughtful roundtable with our guests Alex and Patrick on the pros and cons of living in a multicultural society. Together, we explored identity, assimilation, heritage, migration, nationhood, culture, community and the forces that shape social change. It was a lively but good-faith conversation, with different perspectives on whether multiculturalism strengthens society, risks diluting local culture, or simply reflects a reality of human history. Throughout, we kept returning to big questions about belonging, preserving heritage, responsibility, and how communities can live together without losing what makes them distinct.
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#215
August 27 · 1 hr 56 min
Given Two Weeks to Live: Melissa Louise’s Extraordinary Fight Back
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this episode, I was joined by my co-host, Mr Scott, for a lively opening chat covering everything from the changing season and homegrown produce to fasting, sleep, cutting back on alcohol, and the curious little habits we all fall into at home. We also shared a few odd facts, listener moments and plenty of laughs before turning to the heart of the programme: a deeply personal and powerful conversation with Melissa Louise. Melissa joined us to share her extraordinary story of being diagnosed with breast cancer, later being told she had stage four cancer and just weeks to live, and yet refusing to give up. She spoke candidly about trauma, mindset, natural healing, fasting, diet, herbs, visualisation and the determination that carried her through paralysis, hospice care and being told she would not recover. We also talked about her concerns around end-of-life medication, the emotional impact of prognosis, and how her experience has inspired her to support others through her Roseway Project. It was an emotional, thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting conversation about resilience, belief and finding hope in the darkest of places.
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#214
August 20 · 1 hr 57 min
The Farming Fight Isn’t Over: Jo Wood Joins The Shelley Tasker Show
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com This week on The Shelley Tasker Show, Mallificus Scott and I caught up on everything from the much-hyped eclipse to wildfire warnings, hosepipe bans, extreme weather and the way these stories are framed in the media. We also had a laugh about my never-ending decorating mission and camping woes before turning to some bigger questions about public narratives, government priorities and the pressures ordinary people are feeling across the UK. For the main conversation, we were joined by activist and campaigner Jo Wood for a frank discussion about the farming movement, political change, food security, land use, automation in agriculture and growing public concern over immigration, taxation and national policy. Jo shared what she has been hearing directly from farmers, why many still feel ready to mobilise again, and why so many people are questioning who government decisions are really serving. We rounded off with more listener interaction and a wider conversation about Cornwall, culture, community and the importance of protecting local identity in changing times.
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#213
August 19 · 1 hr 56 min
From Wildfire Alerts to Food Shortages: What’s Really Going On?
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com On this episode of The Shelley Tasker Show, I was joined by my brilliant co-host Malefica Scott for a lively catch-up covering everything from the much-hyped eclipse and wildfire alerts to hosepipe bans, flooding, and the wider climate narrative. We also touched on housing, homelessness, water quality, AI and aviation, and the way public debate is so often shaped by media framing. As ever, it was a wide-ranging conversation with plenty of humour, frustration, and honest reflections on what ordinary people are really seeing and feeling. In the second half, we welcomed activist and blogger Jo Wood, who gave us a powerful update on the farmers’ movement, her experiences around Parliament, and her concerns about food security, land use, taxation, migration, and the direction of government policy. After Jo’s interview, we opened things up further with a thoughtful discussion on Cornwall, community, culture, immigration, and preserving identity in changing times, rounded off by a listener call highlighting the unique spirit of Cornwall and the importance of local connection.
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#212
August 15 · 1 hr 55 min
Questioning the Green Agenda and Finding Common Ground
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com With Shelley away for the evening, I held the fort solo and ranged across a lively mix of stories and reflections before welcoming my old friend Alex to the programme. We touched on current headlines, the pressures facing farmers, questions around interdependence, and a moving remembrance of the human cost of war, including a powerful clip from Harry Patch and some thoughts on the legacy of the Somme. I also shared the delight of reconnecting with Broken Romeo, whose music featured in the show, alongside more gems from the Jeff Nichols archive. The heart of the episode was a thoughtful, good-humoured conversation with Alex about climate, pollution and critical thinking. We explored whether you need to believe in man-made climate change to want a cleaner, less polluted world, and looked at the tensions between environmental ideals, political messaging, energy infrastructure and real-world economics. From wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles to media narratives, personal bias and the importance of humility, it was a wide-ranging discussion about how we make sense of complex issues without losing sight of shared values.
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#211
August 13 · 1 hr 56 min
Critical Thinking, Climate Claims and a World Full of Noise
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com With Shelley away for the evening, I took the reins for a wide-ranging edition of the Shelley Tasker Show, reflecting on the day’s headlines, from farming support during dry weather and questions around interdependency in energy and geopolitics, to local resistance over asylum housing and the ongoing debate around the state of Britain’s high streets. I also shared a few historical notes, including reflections on the Battle of the Somme and a moving clip from Harry Patch, reminding us of the human cost of war and the importance of remembrance. In the second half, I was joined by my old friend Alex for a thoughtful conversation about pollution, climate policy and the importance of critical thinking. We explored whether you need to believe in man-made climate change to want a cleaner, less polluted world, and discussed the tensions between science, politics, economics and public messaging around green energy, electric vehicles and fossil fuels. We also touched on how people form beliefs, why humility matters when weighing evidence, and why learning to separate emotion from reason is more important than ever in a world saturated with information.
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#210
August 6 · 1 hr 55 min
Mind Control, Media and the Battle for Our Minds with Jason Christoff
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com After a two-month summer break, I was delighted to be back on air with my co-host Mallificus Scott for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking return to the Shelley Tasker Show. We caught up on summer in Cornwall, coastal walks, life returning at full throttle, and some of the latest headlines around farming, including new government funding for agricultural robots and questions about what that means for British jobs and skills. We also touched on everything from map-reading debates and retirement to water quality, food, walking, and the simple appeal of getting back to basics. The heart of the episode was an in-depth conversation with returning guest Jason Christoff, a mind control researcher and creator of the documentary Planet Mind Control. Jason shared how his work began through coaching clients and trying to understand self-sabotage, before expanding into a much bigger investigation into subconscious programming, repetition in media, propaganda, behaviour shaping, and the ways culture influences belief and behaviour. We explored the role of television, films, social conditioning, public policy, and personal strength in resisting manipulation, and Jason explained why understanding these patterns matters for anyone wanting to think clearly and live more consciously.
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#209
May 21 · 1 hr 56 min
Zed Phoenix: Whistleblowing, Power, and the Theatre of Control
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In tonight’s Shelley Tasker Show on Food For Thought Radio, Mallificus Scott and I kick off with a very British pre-heatwave moan, the joys and jolts of teen independence, and the creeping frustrations of an all-digital world. From buses and broken car deals to the absurdity of call-centre mazes and QR-code gates, we share laughs, rants and real-life workarounds. We also dip into odd headlines (benefits and polygamy, siestas in a 40°C Britain), and celebrate family moments—from mushroom art triumphs to a brilliant, hilarious college video project by Mallificus s 15-year-old daughter. The heart of the show is our candid, compelling interview with Zed Phoenix (formerly Ben Fellows)—actor, filmmaker and whistleblower—who recounts his journey through exposing alleged establishment abuse, media manipulation, and the personal costs of speaking out. Zed discusses court battles, blacklisting, shadow-banning, and the darker mechanics of state power, intelligence operations, and controlled protest theatre. We explore Jimmy Savile, institutional cover, Childline allegations, Jill Dando, and how modern rallies can double as data-harvesting exercises. Zed also shares the spiritual resilience that’s kept him going and previews his forthcoming collections of essays. A gripping hour that blends warmth, wit and hard truths—perfect listening while we take a short break before returning refreshed in a few weeks.
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#208
May 19 · 1 hr 58 min
Fear, Signals and Smart Cities: Cutting Through the Noise with Brizer
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this lively, impromptu edition of the Shelley Tasker Show, (Mr Scott) steers the ship until Shelley joins in hour two, with our guest Brizer beaming in from Ireland. We dive into the week’s headlines and scepticism around scare-stories, touching on reports of hantavirus and norovirus quarantines, media fear-mongering, and how public-health narratives shape attitudes to travel and lockdowns. We also explore a provocative claim about detecting jabbed individuals via Bluetooth MAC addresses, urging listeners to test and verify for themselves. The conversation flows into everyday digital frustrations—QR codes, parcel pickups, and the depersonalisation of modern life—before shifting to books that shaped our thinking (from The Synagogue of Satan to H. G. Wells) and the bigger agenda behind smart cities and curtailed freedoms. When Shelley arrives, we widen the lens to authenticity, ageing, body image, and the value of old-school remedies like castor oil. We swap stories about practical integrity (including a candid car-buying saga), reflect on stepping back from social media and doom-scrolling, and end with simple guidance: less fear, more discernment, and love yourself while living locally and purposefully. Shelley may take a short break soon—stay tuned for updates.
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#205
April 30 · 1 hr 57 min
Hospice Hopes, London Miles, and Speech on Trial: The Monica Schaefer Conversation (Part 2)
Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: http://radiosoapbox.com In this week’s Shelley Tasker Show, I welcomed back my co‑host Mallificus Scott and shared a whirlwind recap of London Marathon weekend, including cheering my daughter Maddie through three checkpoints, navigating jam-packed tubes, and an unnerving post-race train incident where I handed a discarded knife to security. I also revealed some personal news: I’ve accepted a role at our local hospice—returning to the hospital environment I love—after a heartfelt interview that left me buzzing with purpose. We touched on headline moments from Sebastian Soar’s record London Marathon win to rising UK borrowing costs and ONS population forecasts, with our usual blend of banter and curiosity. Our returning guest, Monica Schaefer, continued part two of her story, detailing her ten months in a German prison for speech-related offences and the evolving attitudes of guards and inmates. She described conditions in mixed cells, the “birds of a feather” dynamics in the yard, and how respect grew over time. We then focused on her brother, Alfred Schaefer—currently imprisoned in Bavaria on further speech charges—his previous four-year sentence, and how defending himself in court led to additional punishment. Monica explained Alfred’s efforts to document alleged 9/11 insurance fraud involving Larry Silverstein and Munich Re, his prison tailoring job, strong morale, and how listeners can write to him (address via freespeechmonica.com and truthandjusticeforgermans.com). Along the way, we fielded a live caller’s question, reflected on free speech, justice, digital ID trends, and the strange times we’re living through.
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