Switchboard
125 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago -Welcome to Switchboard! We're back for Lent Term and we have a brand new season of Switchboard lined up for you, plus a whole new team. Over the course of the term, producers Liv and Izzy will bring you new voices and topics each week, covering everything from veganism to Pink Week. Plus, brand new this term - a segment in collaboration with Varsity's AskVulture series!
If you have a story you want covered, an issue you want to raise or want to get involved yourself just message the Facebook page or email [email protected]!
You can stream us wherever you get your daily podcast fix.
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Episodes
S8. Ep7. VarsiTea on Varsity
March 15, 2022 15:57 - 55 minutes - 56.9 MBIn the final episode of this season of Switchboard, we catch up with some of the sporting community in Cambridge to talk about all things Varsity competitions. From boxing to taekwondo and women's blues football we learn about the preparations for the competition against Oxford and what it's like balancing work with training. We also hear from our very own Senior Sport's Editor at Varsity, Liam, about what it's like covering sports at both the college and university level and the importance ...
S8. Ep6. International Women's Day
March 05, 2022 22:03 - 34 minutes - 34.5 MBThis week, Switchboard celebrates International Women’s Day by sitting down with women of Cambridge and chatting about the projects, campaigns, and art they are part of, as well as all the ways they work to empower women and work towards gender equality. With the special addition of a live reading of a poem, and three brilliant guests, this episode is worth the listen. Tune in to hear reflections on careers, inclusion, body acceptance, and so much more! Transcripts available here! ...........
S8. Ep5. Campaigning for Cambridge
February 26, 2022 19:13 - 50 minutes - 51 MBIn this episode, we learn about various student campaigns around Cambridge. We hear about the U Bus Campaign to increase accessibility around the city for different colleges, Cambridge Period Project in their fight against period poverty in the university and beyond, and the Demilitarise Cambridge campaign aimed to shed light on the university investment ties to arms companies. You're guaranteed to leave feeling proud and inspired by all the amazing student activism in Cambridge! Transcript...
S8. Ep4. Vegan Virtuosos
February 20, 2022 01:48 - 37 minutes - 36.9 MBIn a slightly different format than previous episodes this season, Liv and Izzy sit down with a group of vegan and veggie Cambridge students, to hear about a variety of experiences with bringing a plant-based lifestyle to uni. Tune in for a panel-style discussion about cooking in college gyps, ways college dining halls could do better, and recipe favorites from all of our guests. This one is a tasty one! Transcripts available here! ............................................................
S8. Ep3. Love Without Limits
February 12, 2022 23:44 - 40 minutes - 39.9 MB...or, The Queer, The Corporate, and The Christian. In this episode, we dive into what Valentine's Day really means, who it's for (and who is left out), and how people are celebrating their love outside of the heteronormative imagining of February 14th. This one is a heart-warmer; stories of love, joyful first dates, and nonromantic expressions of love overflow from our guests this week. We also challenge the commercialization of Valentine's Day, and ask whether there might be better ways to...
S8. Ep2. Passion for Pink Week
February 12, 2022 23:40 - 51 minutes - 49 MBJust in time for the start of Pink Week 2022 (and the Pink Week Ball happening tonight, Feb 5!!) comes an episode about the history of Pink Week, from its conception years ago to its resounding success today. Our very own host, Liv, is Pink Week President this year, so she gives us the scoop on what Pink Week really is, and how she's managed to balance being president with a Cambridge degree. Our guests have each played a different role across Pink Week's history, each with their own insight...
S8. Ep1. Considering Covid
January 29, 2022 14:48 - 39 minutes - 39.1 MBIn the first episode of a brand new season of Switchboard, our hosts Liv and Izzy bring you student voices from across the university reflecting on and chatting about their experiences throughout the past two years. Tune in to hear from Yasmin, Tara, and Ayomide as they unpack their covid considerations, plus a special treat at the end in collaboration with Varsity's AskVulture. Transcripts available here! ......................................................................................
S7. Ep8. Switchboard: A Year in the Life
August 07, 2021 15:03 - 1 hour - 112 MBTo close out the term, and the academic year, Izzy, and guest host (and Varsity head editor!) Liz Haigh sit down with the previous four hosts of Switchboard to reflect on the past year and their time as producers and hosts of the podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message
S7. Ep7. Exams: Exhaustion or Elation?
August 07, 2021 14:56 - 47 minutes - 87.6 MBIzzy and her guest host Laleh Bergman Hossain chat about their experiences with online exams and hear about a variety of different exam conditions across the university, as well as some predictions and opinions about exams going forward. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message
Episode 6: Navigating North and South
June 12, 2021 19:20 - 51 minutes - 95 MBIzzy and her guest host Alex Oxford discuss the North/South divide and how this affects the Cambridge experience, exploring both the UK and Italy. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/switchboard/message
S7, Ep. 6: Navigating North and South
June 12, 2021 19:20 - 51 minutes - 95 MBIzzy and her guest host Alex Oxford discuss the North/South divide and how this affects the Cambridge experience, exploring both the UK and Italy. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message
S7 Ep5. Pride, Power and Partying
June 04, 2021 13:11 - 50 minutes - 94.3 MBListen to Izzy and her guest host Ted chat with LGBT+ identifying students about their experiences in Cambridge, as well as the work they and others are doing in various spaces around Cambridge to make the university and the city all the more accepting! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message
Pride, Power and Partying
June 04, 2021 13:11 - 50 minutes - 94.3 MBListen to Izzy and her guest host Ted chat with LGBT+ identifying students about their experiences in Cambridge, as well as the work they and others are doing in various spaces around Cambridge to make the university and the city all the more accepting! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/switchboard/message
S7. Ep4. Investigating the Indian Covid Crisis
May 29, 2021 16:36 - 45 minutes - 83.6 MBIzzy and her guest host Inika Murumbi take a look at the impact of the Indian Covid Crisis for Cambridge and its students, and how we have been doing what we can to support those suffering most in this time... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message
S7. Ep3 Seeking Spirituality
May 22, 2021 10:24 - 50 minutes - 94.3 MBIzzy and her guest host Nora Redmond discuss spirituality and faith both inside and outside the Cambridge bubble. From the Christian Union to Mindfulness, the duo discuss the different experiences of students either finding religion at university or feeling more detached from it. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message
S7. Ep2. Matter On Your Mind
May 14, 2021 15:59 - 49 minutes - 36.5 MBAs it's Mental Health Awareness Week, Izzy and her guest host Libby Warr take stock of mental health in the last year. With interviews from students, researchers and Cambridge helplines, the episode reflects on the past and looks forward to the future. Special thanks to the interviewed guests: Alicia, Jessica, Natalie and Cat! All resources mentioned in the episode are linked below: University Counselling Service: https://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/ Nightline: https://cambridge.nightline....
S7. Ep1. Learning from Lent
May 07, 2021 12:08 - 47 minutes - 88.8 MBIn our first new episode of the series, new host Izzy and her guest host Theola discuss the highs and lows of this year's Lent term. We spoke to Ashlan, an Executive officer and soon-to-be president of Cambridge RAG, who spoke to us about organising virtual events and the incredible ways that the Cambridge community were helping others while also struggling themselves. Next, we spoke to fellow fresher Colin about love, lockdown and living back with your family. He discussed his experiences...
S6. Ep10. Reflections
March 14, 2021 12:51 - 49 minutes - 81.8 MBIn our final episode of Season 6, we reflected on the last year and our hopes for the roadmap. We were grateful to have Alex, a member of the Switchboard Team, share an honest account of her recent experiences, which presented their own challenges independent of the impact of Covid-19. We hope this highlights that the past year has been difficult for all but non-Covid struggles are still equally present. Eliza offered her own view on a perfectionism pandemic, highlighting how social isolat...
S5. Ep10. Reflections
March 14, 2021 12:51 - 49 minutes - 81.8 MBIn our final episode of Season 5, we reflected on the last year and our hopes for the roadmap. We were grateful to have Alex, a member of the Switchboard Team, share an honest account of her recent experiences, which presented their own challenges independent of the impact of Covid-19. We hope this highlights that the past year has been difficult for all but non-Covid struggles are still equally present. Eliza offered her own view on a perfectionism pandemic, highlighting how social isolat...
S6. Ep9. The Trodden Path
March 05, 2021 14:16 - 34 minutes - 62.3 MBInspired by our own quarter-life-crises, we searched out current Cambridge post-graduates. We wanted to ask them what they were doing when they were our age and how they chose their post-graduate studies. This episode has lots of helpful advice on how to think about post-graduate education from funding to life plans. Thanks to Ellie Bladon, Grayson Pallen and Charlotte Husnjak. Our music for this episode is a wonderful choral piece from Lucy Walker. --- Send in a voice message: https:/...
S.5. Ep9. The Trodden Path
March 05, 2021 14:16 - 34 minutes - 62.3 MBInspired by our own quarter-life-crises, we searched out current Cambridge post-graduates. We wanted to ask them what they were doing when they were our age and how they chose their post-graduate studies. This episode has lots of helpful advice on how to think about post-graduate education from funding to life plans. Thanks to Ellie Bladon, Grayson Pallen and Charlotte Husnjak. Our music for this episode is a wonderful choral piece from Lucy Walker. --- Send in a voice message: https:/...
S6, Ep8. LGBTQ+ History Month
February 26, 2021 19:35 - 58 minutes - 108 MBThis week's episode celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month! We chatted to Cam FM Queer Hour, a student talk-show covering topics across all corners of the LGBT+ community. They've produced episodes on lesbian motherhood in the 70s, the Lavender Scare and the Canadian fruit machine this month! We chatted with Elliot, Medwards Trans and Non-binary Officer, about his experiences. Last but certainly not least, we were treated to a drag brunch by the cast of Just About Coping. You've got 24 hours t...
S5. Ep7. Love In Lockdown
February 19, 2021 20:38 - 39 minutes - 71.8 MBLove in lockdown --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/switchboard/message
S6. Ep7. Love In Lockdown
February 19, 2021 20:38 - 39 minutes - 71.8 MBLove in lockdown --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/switchboard/message
S6. Ep 6. Confessions, confessions...
February 13, 2021 10:54 - 48 minutes - 89.7 MBWe must confess.. we've spent far too long scrolling through Facebook. But is this really such a waste of time? In this week's episode, Amber and Eliza explore the goods and ills of Cambridge confession pages and consider how their role has changed during Covid-19. We chatted with the anonymous admins of Kindbridge, Worldbridge and ADCbridge (who were kept so through some hilarious voice modulation). We also heard some favourite Camfess-es and George Garrity's observation of these pages, b...
S6. Ep 5. Refreshers on Freshers
February 05, 2021 21:00 - 39 minutes - 72.5 MBHere with a *fresh* new episode, Amber and Eliza take us back to March 2020 when Y13s across the country had their A Level exams cancelled by lockdown. Current offer holders might be able to empathise and older years will certainly be curious. We heard a range of experiences from current Cambridge freshers of what it was like to start uni with Covid restrictions in place. Overall, we were surprised to hear that the freshers had such a positive experience. It all came down to their mindset. T...
S6. Ep 4. Creativity Out Of Crisis
January 29, 2021 18:02 - 52 minutes - 95.6 MBIn response to Episode 10 of series 4 ‘Creativity in Crisis’, Eliza and Amber examine whether the arts scene during lockdown is quite so bleak. They chat with theatre veterans Jonathan Powell and Jasper Cresdee Hyde about the ADC Online Season. Considering another prominent feature of the Cambridge art scene, Amber chatted with Johnny Cresswell, the editor of The Mays. This established literature and arts anthology has had to adapt and will be entirely virtual in 2021. Moving away from how t...
S6. Ep3. Mind Your Health
January 23, 2021 20:50 - 1 hour - 113 MBAs we enter the first week of a remote Lent term, Switchboard is helping you stay tuned to the needs of your mind and body during lockdown! This episode, Amber and Eliza are speaking to Kit Treadwell (representing Student Minds) and Lucy Patchett (one of Varsity’s sports editors) about the importance of feeling physically and mentally fit during this time! Then we’ll hear from two of Cambridge’s best organisations, RAG and Pink Week to discuss how their plans for the term will help you conne...
S5, EP2 The Scoop On Toope
January 15, 2021 17:05 - 32 minutes - 60.4 MBAmber and Eliza chat to V-C Toope on everything from Safety Net provision to the new Foundation Year to hear how Cambridge is preparing for another online term. The brilliant music for this episode was generously provided by Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble and a new track from Katrina Rose brought to you by the Cam FM show New Music Cambridge. Unlike your Pret Subscription, we don't expire after a month so tune in again next Friday! Oh and we'd love to hear you on our Facebook, Instagram or...
S6. Ep2. The Scoop On Toope
January 15, 2021 17:05 - 32 minutes - 60.4 MBAmber and Eliza chat to V-C Toope on everything from Safety Net provision to the new Foundation Year to hear how Cambridge is preparing for another online term. The brilliant music for this episode was generously provided by Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble and a new track from Katrina Rose brought to you by the Cam FM show New Music Cambridge. Unlike your Pret Subscription, we don't expire after a month so tune in again next Friday! Oh and we'd love to hear you on our Facebook, Instagram or...
S3, EP1: Disparity Strikes Despair
January 08, 2021 18:31 - 47 minutes - 33.6 MBHappy New Year to all and welcome to the podcast version of the Cambridge Pret Queue! A new (albeit virtual) term means a new season of Switchboard with a brand new team, here to introduce themselves and share their first episode. Amber and Eliza (this term’s hosts) open by discussing Michaelmas in all its odd glory, speaking to students from Medwards and Homerton about their rather different experiences regarding college communication and welfare throughout the term. Then, we heard an offic...
S6. Ep1. Disparity Strikes Despair
January 08, 2021 18:31 - 47 minutes - 33.6 MBHappy New Year to all and welcome to the podcast version of the Cambridge Pret Queue! A new (albeit virtual) term means a new season of Switchboard with a brand new team, here to introduce themselves and share their first episode. Amber and Eliza (this term’s hosts) open by discussing Michaelmas in all its odd glory, speaking to students from Medwards and Homerton about their rather different experiences regarding college communication and welfare throughout the term. Then, we heard an offic...
S2, Ep.10: Creativity in Crisis
November 27, 2020 17:43 - 42 minutes - 97.5 MBFor Switchboard’s final episode of the season, hosts Isabel and Maddy explore the impact the coronavirus crisis has had on creative endeavours, asking those involved in Cambridge’s creative scene what it was like working in the arts during such challenging times. The hosts begin by speaking to Alex Haydn-Williams and Cate Horne from BAIT, a termly Cambridge art and culture zine. They explain the origins of the magazine and how the pandemic has impacted their work. (1:21). Next, Fred Duffen...
S5. Ep10. Creativity in Crisis
November 27, 2020 17:43 - 42 minutes - 97.5 MBFor Switchboard’s final episode of the season, hosts Isabel and Maddy explore the impact the coronavirus crisis has had on creative endeavours, asking those involved in Cambridge’s creative scene what it was like working in the arts during such challenging times. The hosts begin by speaking to Alex Haydn-Williams and Cate Horne from BAIT, a termly Cambridge art and culture zine. They explain the origins of the magazine and how the pandemic has impacted their work. (1:21). Next, Fred Duffen...
S5. Ep9. Behind the headlines - Sexual Assault Procedure at Cambridge
November 20, 2020 17:16 - 42 minutes - 37.4 MBContent note: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. Nine months after the investigation into the mishandling of sexual assault complaints by senior members of college staff at Trinity Hall was published, the hosts ask, has anything changed? (0:38). Switchboard talks to an anonymous student from Homerton college about the recent allegations of mishandled sexual misconduct and disciplinary complaints. (1:10). Journalists Ella Hill and Chris Cook from the m...
S2, Ep.9: Behind the headlines - Sexual Assault Procedure at Cambridge
November 20, 2020 17:16 - 42 minutes - 37.4 MBContent note: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. Nine months after the investigation into the mishandling of sexual assault complaints by senior members of college staff at Trinity Hall was published, the hosts ask, has anything changed? (0:38). Switchboard talks to an anonymous student from Homerton college about the recent allegations of mishandled sexual misconduct and disciplinary complaints. (1:10). Journalists Ella Hill and Chris Cook from the m...
S2, Ep.8: Pushing for Divestment at Cambridge
November 13, 2020 17:13 - 39 minutes - 84.3 MBIn the wake of Cambridge University’s commitment to fully divest from fossil fuels by 2030 and the announcement earlier this week that Trinity Hall will divest from direct investments in fossil fuels within the next six months, Switchboard speaks to campaigners to investigate how they achieved this goal, and to outline the next steps. To start off the episode, we hear from Evan Wroe, a representative of the Cambridge Zero Carbon Society. He explains the aims of the society, as well as break...
S5. Ep8. Pushing for Divestment at Cambridge
November 13, 2020 17:13 - 39 minutes - 84.3 MBIn the wake of Cambridge University’s commitment to fully divest from fossil fuels by 2030 and the announcement earlier this week that Trinity Hall will divest from direct investments in fossil fuels within the next six months, Switchboard speaks to campaigners to investigate how they achieved this goal, and to outline the next steps. To start off the episode, we hear from Evan Wroe, a representative of the Cambridge Zero Carbon Society. He explains the aims of the society, as well as break...
S2, Ep.7: Mental Health at Cambridge - What needs to change?
November 06, 2020 13:40 - 38 minutes - 33.7 MBThis week, hosts Issy Roberts and Maddy Fisher tackle student mental health at Cambridge, in a term where the start of the notoriously difficult week five coincides with the start of a month-long national lockdown. Switchboard talks to the BME campaign’s mental health and disabilities officer Elia Chitwa about their experiences of poor mental health at Cambridge, and how BME students are disproportionately impacted by mental health issues at Cambridge. (01:10). Former Pembroke student Luke...
S5. Ep.7: Mental Health at Cambridge - What needs to change?
November 06, 2020 13:40 - 38 minutes - 33.7 MBThis week, hosts Issy Roberts and Maddy Fisher tackle student mental health at Cambridge, in a term where the start of the notoriously difficult week five coincides with the start of a month-long national lockdown. Switchboard talks to the BME campaign’s mental health and disabilities officer Elia Chitwa about their experiences of poor mental health at Cambridge, and how BME students are disproportionately impacted by mental health issues at Cambridge. (01:10). Former Pembroke student Luke...
S2, Ep.6: Behind the Headlines - Homelessness in Cambridge
October 23, 2020 15:51 - 35 minutes - 28.3 MBIn a series of interviews by hosts Maddy and Isabel, Switchboard shines a spotlight on the homeless experience, investigating council policy and speaking to students involved in volunteer outreach programs. This week’s episode begins with Angel, a homeless man who has been living on the streets in Cambridge. He talks openly with Isabel and Maddy about how he came to be a rough sleeper and his experience of homelessness in the city centre. (0:55) Next, Sam Crawley, a news correspondent for ...
S5. Ep6. Behind the Headlines - Homelessness in Cambridge
October 23, 2020 15:51 - 35 minutes - 28.3 MBIn a series of interviews by hosts Maddy and Isabel, Switchboard shines a spotlight on the homeless experience, investigating council policy and speaking to students involved in volunteer outreach programs. This week’s episode begins with Angel, a homeless man who has been living on the streets in Cambridge. He talks openly with Isabel and Maddy about how he came to be a rough sleeper and his experience of homelessness in the city centre. (0:55) Next, Sam Crawley, a news correspondent for ...
S2, Ep.5: Behind the Headlines - The Movement to Decolonise Cambridge
October 16, 2020 12:34 - 39 minutes - 36.7 MBThis week, Isabel and Maddy speak to students and staff at Cambridge involved in the campaign to decolonise the University, as well as talking to those pushing the government for national educational reform. The episode begins with Jazaal Babar, who is one of the Cambridge SU BME Campaign’s Education Officers. He discusses what the movement to decolonise Cambridge entails, and what Cambridge needs to do to challenge its colonial legacies. (01:27). Next, Isabel and Maddy speak to Jonathan C...
S5. Ep5. Behind the Headlines - The Movement to Decolonise Cambridge
October 16, 2020 12:34 - 39 minutes - 36.7 MBThis week, Isabel and Maddy speak to students and staff at Cambridge involved in the campaign to decolonise the University, as well as talking to those pushing the government for national educational reform. The episode begins with Jazaal Babar, who is one of the Cambridge SU BME Campaign’s Education Officers. He discusses what the movement to decolonise Cambridge entails, and what Cambridge needs to do to challenge its colonial legacies. (01:27). Next, Isabel and Maddy speak to Jonathan C...
S5. Ep4. A Very Different Freshers' Week
October 09, 2020 11:11 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBThis week, Isabel and Maddy speak to Freshers’ reps about the difficulties of organising Fresher’s week during a pandemic, as well as speaking to some first years about the experience of starting at Cambridge amidst COVID-19. To start off the episode we hear from Suzi, who is the first-year representative at St Catherine’s. She talks through the issues caused by the fairly last-minute implementation of the rule of six, and how herself and the other Freshers’ rep have adapted to ensure the b...
S2, Ep.4: A Very Different Freshers' Week
October 09, 2020 11:11 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBThis week, Isabel and Maddy speak to Freshers’ reps about the difficulties of organising Fresher’s week during a pandemic, as well as speaking to some first years about the experience of starting at Cambridge amidst COVID-19. To start off the episode we hear from Suzi, who is the first-year representative at St Catherine’s. She talks through the issues caused by the fairly last-minute implementation of the rule of six, and how herself and the other Freshers’ rep have adapted to ensure the b...
S2, Ep.3: Behind the headlines - Cambridge and 'the refugee crisis'
October 02, 2020 15:38 - 41 minutes - 34.1 MBIn this week’s episode, hosts Isabel and Maddy take a closer look at ‘the refugee crisis’, hearing the real life stories behind the headlines, and speaking to the organisations Cambridge students have been involved with that are trying to aid the situation. The hosts talk to Cambridge Alumnus Milan Vrućinić about his experience as a refugee, fleeing Bosnia and Herzegovina as a child. (01:09). Tigs Louis-Puttick, founder of Cambridge Must Act (a city charter of Europe Must act), details the...
S5. Ep3. Behind the headlines - Cambridge and 'the refugee crisis'
October 02, 2020 15:38 - 41 minutes - 34.1 MBIn this week’s episode, hosts Isabel and Maddy take a closer look at ‘the refugee crisis’, hearing the real life stories behind the headlines, and speaking to the organisations Cambridge students have been involved with that are trying to aid the situation. The hosts talk to Cambridge Alumnus Milan Vrućinić about his experience as a refugee, fleeing Bosnia and Herzegovina as a child. (01:09). Tigs Louis-Puttick, founder of Cambridge Must Act (a city charter of Europe Must act), details the...
S5. Ep2. What Lies Ahead For Cambridge Next Year?
September 18, 2020 17:50 - 39 minutes - 36.9 MBSwitchboard is back for episode two; this week, hosts Maddy and Isabel take a look at how the coronavirus pandemic will affect Cambridge student life in the coming year amid growing concerns about the opening of universities. Switchboard asks: What are the university’s guidelines? Are they compatible with government advice? And how does the pandemic affect different members of the student population? Switchboard is Varsity’s flagship podcast. Episodes are released every Friday on all major ...
S2, Ep.2: What Lies Ahead For Cambridge Next Year?
September 18, 2020 17:50 - 39 minutes - 36.9 MBSwitchboard is back for episode two; this week, hosts Maddy and Isabel take a look at how the coronavirus pandemic will affect Cambridge student life in the coming year amid growing concerns about the opening of universities. Switchboard asks: What are the university’s guidelines? Are they compatible with government advice? And how does the pandemic affect different members of the student population? Switchboard is Varsity’s flagship podcast. Episodes are released every Friday on all major ...