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Stacked

Stacked is the book podcast for readers who want more from their shelves. We explore the stories and voices that often go unnoticed in traditional literary spaces; the books that shape culture, challenge our assumptions, and help us make sense of the world around us.

If you're passionate about discovering books that challenge the status quo and spark meaningful conversations about literature, culture, and politics, Stacked is for you. Join us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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20 episodes
Avg 38 min
English

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S4 · E7
Oct 9, 2025 · 46 min
White Feminism w/ Gina Martin
Gina Martin joins us this week to discuss Koa Beck’s White Feminism; a book that has fundamentally shifted her understanding of feminism, activism and collective liberation. With that as a jump-off point, Gina also opens up about the journey from her successful anti-upskirting campaign (which led to the passing of the Voyeurism Act in 2019) to grappling with the complexities of law reform vs. transformation We discuss; ✨ White feminism as an ideology ✨ The problems with "girl boss" and choice feminism frameworks ✨ How individualistic feminism connects to regressive movements like the trad wife movement ✨ Intersectionality's original intent and how it's been diluted as a buzzword Gina also shares insights from her work facilitating workshops with young people, helping them think critically about gender stereotypes and societal expectations. Featured Book: White Feminism by Koa Beck Guest: Gina Martin You can find Gina's books, including ‘No Offence, But….’ & 'Be The Change' wherever books are sold, and follow her work on Instagram @ginamartinuk You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E6
Sep 25, 2025 · 54 min
Season of Migration to the North w/ JJ Bola
JJ Bola joins us this week to discuss Tayeb Salih's Season of Migration to the North, a book that has captivated him, and led to multiple re-reads over the last decade since he discovered it. Together, we explore the novel's dual narrative as it follows an unnamed narrator and Mustafa Sa'eed, two Sudanese men whose brushes with the West and colonial education result in a fraught exploration of displacement and otherness. We discuss: ✨ Migration as both physical and psychological displacement ✨ The ongoing effects of colonialism on contemporary society ✨ The complexities of belonging and returning ✨ How literature can help us navigate questions of identity and agency Featured Book: Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih Guest: JJ Bola You can follow JJ on Instagram at @jj_bola You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E5
Sep 11, 2025 · 36 min
Milk Fed w/ Amy Spalding
Amy Spalding, star of the BBC’s I Kissed A Girl, joins us this week for a discussion on Melissa Broder’s provocative novel Milk Fed. We explore how Broder weaves together food, faith and desire through the story of Rachel, a young Jewish woman caught in a cycle of restriction and indulgence. We also discuss; ✨Mother-daughter dynamics ✨The resurgence of diet culture, and its stronghold on women’s bodies ✨Queer desire ✨Why this book is both literary AND deeply sensual Book: MilkFed Guest: Amy Spalding You can follow Amy on Instagram @amyspalding and on TikTok @amyspalding6, and check out her jewellery @sltstudios_ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E4
Aug 28, 2025 · 39 min
Sisters of the Yam (bell hooks) w/ Mireille Harper
Mireille C Harper, author and Editorial Director at Tonic, Bloomsbury, joins us for a conversation about bell hooks’ black feminist text Sisters of the Yam, a book that’s as relevant today as when it was published 30 years ago. Mireille shares how discovering this text in her twenties reshaped her understanding of Black womanhood, healing, and the radical act of self-care, and together, we explore why hooks' blend of theory and practical wisdom continues to resonate with us today. She also shares some insights from her decade long career in the publishing industry. We also discuss: ✨How self-care got hijacked by capitalism and Big Dopamine ✨That time bell hooks came for Beyoncé ✨Community as survival and praxis, not just a nice idea ✨FKA Twigs' timely question; ‘where are the thinkers??' Book: Sisters of the Yam by bell hooks Guest: Mireille C Harper You can follow Mireille on instagram @mireillecharper and on Substack at https://mireilleharper.substack.com/ for more of her writing and publishing insights. DISCLAIMER; I do call the book ‘Sisterhood of the Yam’ a few times through the episode, forgive me, I had travelling pants on the brain. You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E3
Aug 14, 2025 · 29 min
Blessings w/ Tamara Lawrance
Tamara Lawrence & Amanda join us this week for a book chat about Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s beautiful debut Blessings. We explore how Ibeh captures the complexities of growing up queer in contexts that don’t always make space for you; from the tender moments of becoming, to the weight of family expectations, as well as what makes this coming-of-age story so particularly moving to us. Book: Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh Guests: Tamara Lawrence & Amanda Kingsley You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E2
Jul 31, 2025 · 41 min
Pride & Prejudice w/ Bolu Babalola
Bolu Babalola joins us this week to discuss love, literature, and the enduring power of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Bolu & Ziporah explore why Austen’s masterpiece remains the blueprint for modern romance (hello, enemies-to-lovers!), faithful screen adaptations, and how our personal circumstances and social conditions can shape our expectations for ourselves. We also discuss Bolu’s highly anticipated new release, Sweet Heat and get exclusive insights into this steamy sequel to Honey & Spice as Bolu shares what’s in store for fan-favourites Kiki and Malakai, as well as her thoughts on writing authentic Black love stories that celebrate joy, passion and community. Featured Book: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Guest: Bolu Babalola Follow us on instagram @thestackedpod to join in on the conversation, and you can also drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com You can also follow Bolu on Instagram @boluberry You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E1
Jul 17, 2025 · 32 min
Dream Count
This season we’re kicking off with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's long-awaited novel, Dream Count. We get into Adichie's exploration of the search for romantic fulfillment and marriage as achievement in the African context. We also touch on how Adichie has shaped perceptions of African feminism and storytelling, and the evolution of her characters and themes over time….as well as how we react to them now, all things considered. Featured Book: Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Guest: Amanda Kingsley You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 16, 2025 · 46 sec
Season 4 Trailer!
Hi friends…👀 Stacked is back with a fresh format, and the same old fun. Join us for our fourth season where we'll be joined by various guests (friends, writers, readers, publishers!) for conversations on some of their favourite reads, old and new. New episodes out every other Thursday! Don't forget to follow the podcast so you never miss them. You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E10
Apr 25, 2024 · 40 min
Zadie Smith: Beauty, Multiculturalism & NW
Join us for the last episode of season 3! We're discussing why we love our hometown fave Zadie Smith and her sprawling novels. We covered 'White Teeth', 'On Beauty' and her essay collection 'Intimations'. We also took a moment to reflect on the season and all that we've learned. Thank you for joining us along the way friends x Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E9
Apr 18, 2024 · 39 min
Akwaeke Emezi: Creativity, Heritage & Selfhood
Join us for the penultimate episode of the season as we explore identity, gender fluidity, and the power of creative expression through the works of the inimitable Akwaeke Emezi. We'll be discussing the semi-autobiographical "Freshwater," the passionate romance "You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty", and the memoir "Dear Senthuran." Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E8
Apr 11, 2024 · 42 min
Angela Davis: Freedom, Politics & Prisons
This week we took a break from fiction and read the work of writer, activist and academic Angela Davis. The thing that concerned us the most was just how relevant her work is today. Join us as we discuss 'Freedom Is A Constant Struggle', 'Are Prisons Obsolete?' and 'Women, Race and Class' and how they've informed the ways we want to engage with politics and contribute to change. Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E7
Apr 4, 2024 · 39 min
Buchi Emecheta: Proverbs, Tragedy & Female Independence
This week we're discussing Buchi Emecheta who was a social worker and writer (often considered the first successful black woman novelist living in Britain after 1948). We've actually discussed her on the pod before and talked a lot about motherhood, but this episode was a great opportunity to talk about the other themes and contexts that come up in Emecheta's work like the immigrant experience in Britain during the 60s. Join us as we discuss 'In The Ditch' and 'The Bride Price'! Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E6
Mar 28, 2024 · 43 min
Jamaica Kincaid: Family, Forgiveness & Foreign Lands
This week we read the incredible Jamaica Kincaid, Antiguan-American novelist & essayist (& gardener!), and she got us thinking about parent-child relationships, the nature of British tourism, and as always we end up circling right back to colonialism. In this episode, we discuss her debut novel, 'Lucy', her collection of short stories 'At the Bottom of the River' and her anti-colonial essay 'A Small Place' Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E5
Mar 21, 2024 · 55 min
Ocean Vuong: Love, Poetry & War
For this week's episode (coincidently landing on World Poetry Day!) we dive into the world of Vietnamese American poet and novelist Ocean Vuong, and explore some of the key themes that resonate throughout his work - the immigrant experience, the complexities of mother-child relationships, and the lingering shadows of war. In this episode, discuss Ocean Vuong's poetry collections 'Night Sky with Exit Wounds' and 'Time is a Mother', as well as his critically-acclaimed debut novel, 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous.' Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E4
Mar 14, 2024 · 40 min
Zora Neale Huston: Legacy, Culture & Self-Discovery
This week, we're cracking open the pages of a truly under-appreciated legend: Zora Neale Hurston. We'll be diving into respectability politics and the complexities of her relationship with the Harlem Renaissance, her choice to write in vernacular, and the heartbreaking lack of recognition she received during her lifetime (and the work Alice Walker did to remedy this!) Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 8, 2024 · 48 min
Bonus Episode: Nightbloom x Africa Writes with Peace Adzo Medie
Join us for our first live episode ever in collaboration with the Africa Writes festival and the Royal African Society! We spoke to Peace Adzo Medie about her latest novel Nightbloom, the power of walks and life in Ho, Ghana. We wanted to celebrate International Women's Day with Nightbloom because it explores the strength in female friendship and we're doubly excited that it has been longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2024! Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Subscribe to our Substack: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E3
Mar 7, 2024 · 46 min
Joan Didion: Grief, Style & Purpose
Things got a little deep in the studio this week as we discussed the life and works of Joan Didion. Join us as we explore her most impactful works, including ‘Play It As It Lays’ & ’The Year of Magical Thinking’, and Ziporah comes to terms with maybe being a bit of a nihilist (and maybe that’s okay!) Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E2
Feb 29, 2024 · 38 min
Sally Rooney: Women, Writers & Ireland
This week we're talking all things Sally Rooney and asking ourselves where IS the beautiful world we were promised as adolescents? What we enjoy most about Sally Rooney's books is how she's able to hone in on how class impacts the details of our lives and relationships, and how she prioritises women's issues. Join us for an exploration of Ms Rooney's favourite themes, and her past life as a champion debater! (Seriously, who knew?) Follow us on instagram: thestackedpod Sign up for our newsletter: Stacked Weekly Books: Conversations With Friends, Normal People & Beautiful World Where Are You Produced by AiAi Studios: www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E1
Feb 22, 2024 · 56 min
James Baldwin: Love, Guilt & Desire
In the first episode of the season, join us as we dig into the life and novels of THE James Baldwin: author, activist, playwright, and icon (and apparently ex-pastor). As a champion and friend of so many of our faves (Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Miles Davis, etc.) we were SO excited to discuss him and he does not disappoint! Although Ziporah does have some questions about his female characters... Books: Giovanni's Room, Go Tell It On The Mountain and Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone Produced by AiAi Studios www.aiaistudios.com https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 21, 2024 · 42 sec
Season 3 Trailer!
Amanda and Ziporah are back! Join us for season three of Stacked, where we dive into the lives of literary giants like James Baldwin, Joan Didion, and Zadie Smith. This season isn't just about their writing, but the unique experiences that fuelled their words. Think insightful chats, thought-provoking discussions, and a deeper dive into how literature shapes who we are....as well as a bit of fun along the way! You can find Stacked wherever you listen to your podcasts, and don't forget to subscribe so you're notified when the new season drops! Contact at us thestackedpod@gmail.com Stacked - https://www.instagram.com/thestackedpod/ Amanda - https://www.instagram.com/amandaafuaa/ Credits: AiAi Studios - https://www.instagram.com/aiai.studios/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. You can find us on Instagram @thestackedpod and drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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