Martin Shipton Meets...

Professor Richard Wyn Jones, head of the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, talks devolution, "Little Britain" and cultural warfare. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Shereen Williams, CEO of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, speaks on adapting to Welsh life from Singapore, and her community work with victims of coercive control.Discussing religious conservatism, she tells Martin that the first time she wasn't allowed in a mosque because of her gender was here in Wales, and calls for the nation to be more representative of its citizens in public institutionsShe's also talks about overseeing the controversial process of reviewing the number of Welsh MPs and local authorities. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

General secretary of TUC Wales, Shavanah Taj, talks about systemic structural discrimination and her own personal experiences.She tells Martin why the trade union movement must be better organised, louder and more supportive of one another, if they are to hold the UK Government to account and meet the challenges of Brexit. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The first female Bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann, talks women in the church and the foundation of her faith.She recalls her frustration and hurt as she waited five years to be ordained and what is was like to come out after hiding her sexuality through fear. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

How do you get more Welsh speakers watching S4C? Chief executive Owen Evans speaks on viewing figures, the move to Carmarthen, improving quality of programmes and its relationship with the BBC.He also discusses putting power back into our classrooms, recalling his time as director of the Welsh Government's education department. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Poet Menna Elfyn began writing at the age of 15, struck by the injustice of the Vietnam war and Treweryn Valley.She talks about her journey as a woman writing in Welsh to acceptance as a serious poet.And she recalls the stigma of writing about miscarriage in the 1970s and how activism saw her in prison twice. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Deputy Economy and Transport Minister Lee Waters on how a major part of the Welsh Government’s role is to nourish communities that have been abandoned by economic forces.The Llanelli AM also recalls his time working as special adviser to Welsh Secretary Ron Davies, and explains why he argued against the M4 relief road. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Dr Sophie Quinney explains how she helped to establish a gender identity service in Wales after a huge unmet need.She is joined by patient Ben Marriott, who talks about the mental health suffering of young trans people. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Baroness Anita Gale of Blaenrhondda speaks on women overcoming prejudice in politics.She discusses all-women shortlists and twinning, the resistance and why she's optimistic for the future of the Labour party. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The former Labour AM for Rhondda is now an academic at Cardiff University.He shares his views on what's gone wrong for the Labour party, explains why he left and who he'd back for leader.He also discusses local government reform in Wales and Brexit. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Sian Lewis is chief executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the largest Welsh language employer in the third sector.She explains what the youth movement is doing for Wales, its international strategy and how Welsh is overcoming reluctance and resistance of the past. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Russell Goodway, cabinet member for investment and development at Cardiff Council, tells Martin Shipton how he entered politics "by mistake".He talks of his vision for Cardiff, on devolution, the abandonment of the Valleys and the Labour Party recovery.And he addresses the public concerns about Cardiff Bus Station. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Paul Murphy, who helped deliver the Good Friday peace agreement in Northern Ireland, recalls the occasion when he looked round a negotiating room and realised he was the only person present who wasn’t a murderer.As he publishes his memoir Peacemaker, the former MP for Torfaen speaks about the pressures of his role in bringing Loyalists and Republicans together. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The Labour Assembly Member for Pontypridd speaks on improving the conditions of Welsh workers, constitutional dysfunction and why he sees the future of the UK as a voluntary union of nations if it's to survive. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Fay Jones is standing in the marginal seat of Brecon & Radnorshire, which she hopes to regain from Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds to become Wales's first female Conservative MP. She talks about the Ross England affair and Alun Cairns, working for Prince Charles and the prospects of Welsh farmers post-Brexit. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

From a teenage thief to a born-again Christian pastor who spoke in tongues, Richard Taylor is one of the most unusual General Election candidates in Wales.Now a disciple of Nigel Farage, he tells Martin Shipton why he's "not your standard politician" as he mounts a challenge to Labour in Blaenau Gwent. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr tells Martin Shipton how she became tied up in the murky world of information warfare as she uncovered the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal - and the toll it has taken on her own life.They also talk of her roots in Wales and the state of political accountability.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Labour AM Alun Davies has a panic button by his bed because of the toxic political environment created by Brexit.He tells Martin Shipton why progressive forces need to win a "culture war” against those who have turned Britain into a society not at peace with itself. He also explains why he has no faith in Jeremy Corbyn to win a General Election. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Is it ever ok to smack your child? Vivienne Laing, head of policy and public affairs at NSPCC Cymru, discusses the plans to change the law in Wales to end the legal defence of reasonable punishment when parents discipline children. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Labour MEP for Wales Jackie Jones talks about her belief in the European Union, why it's had low esteem in the eyes of many Brits and faced four decades of negative portrayal. She also discusses the apparently contradictory policy of the Labour party on Brexit. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy