Launching on 23rd March, the six-part series delves into hidden stories of the Museums' treasures. Falling under six themes, Identity, Hair, Sexuality, Scandal, Oceans, and Bodies, the podcast uncovers themes of empowerment, taboo, lived experience and the history of the city.

Several of our Melodic Distraction presenters have teamed up with National Museums Liverpool to guide you through the podcast. Knowing the city better than anyone, we turned to our community of hosts and presenters for their take on Liverpool history.

Episode one, Identity, premiers on 23 March. Formed of three Stories, we invited three of our Melodic Distraction hosts to sit down with some inspiring speakers, guests and local thinkers.
First up, an emotive discussions about the complexities of being a scouser with African and Afro-Caribbean heritage. We're delighted to have brought our resident, DJ 2Kind - a public speaker, and fierce advocate for Scouse talent - to explore his identity as a Black Scouser in conversation with Ashleigh Nugent - an author, performer and the director of RiseUpCiC. Episode one also explores the origins of sailor tattoos and skin marking, and our resident, Alex Wynne - a tattoo artist as well as a DJ - sat down with Ian Murphy, head of the Maritime Museum, for a good old natter about how skin marking shows and affects group identities. Finally, our host Mia Thornton - host of the Go Off, Sis Podcast and the producer of Black To The Future, a documentary about Black Scouse identity - joined forces with Mara Livermore, holistic consultant and academic of Traditional African Religions to uncover how connecting with one's ancestors can heal in the present.

Over the coming episodes, you'll see plenty more of the Melodic Distraction extended family taking the reins and guiding you through a world of exciting stories.

The upcoming My body episode features local poet and host of Kaleidoscope, Mary Olive, in conversation with the artist David Lock. It also features an exploration of work by acclaimed Portuguese artist Paula Rego, through the lens of powerful etchings on the topic of abortion in NML’s collections. This personal and political story is brought to life through commentary by Ana Bela Almeida from University of Liverpool and Rego’s son, Nick Willing. Scandal will examine the fallout from Liverpool losing its UNESCO World Heritage status, as well as local artist and comedienne, Kat Plumb exploring taboo and sexuality in the early 20th century through seized copies of the banned book, Lady Chatterly's Lover. The Hair episode explores the ethics of a dress from our collections made entirely of human hair, while Sex looks at the devastating effects of Henry VIII’s Buggery Act – in conjunction with The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics exhibition, opening at Walker Art Gallery in May.

Scott Smith, Head of Digital at National Museums Liverpool is "so pleased to be working with Melodic Distraction to bring listeners an insight into some of the most interesting people and communities who call Liverpool home. We’re certain that the many stories contained within our varied collections will allow listeners to explore connections between the past and the present.”

Our very own Station Manager, Nina Franklin has been delighted to spearhead the project - "working on the National Museums Liverpool podcast, which celebrates and documents Liverpool’s heritage as well as uplifting new creatives across the city region, has been so exciting.”

“We’re proud to shine a light on stories from the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as working class people, women and people of colour. Our contributors to the podcast provide a new, exciting angle from folks who know and love this city, and it’s a pleasure to be able to add our voices to these stories.”

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