Broadcaster and musician Malachi Cush has returned to BBC Sounds with a new 12-part series of his programme, ‘Healing Sounds’. The series explores themes of grief, trauma, illness, loss, resilience, and hope through the songs that have significantly impacted his guests’ lives.
Alongside Cush’s return, singer-songwriter Rebecca Lucy Taylor, known as Self Esteem, is also launching a new six-part football podcast on BBC Sounds titled ‘Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Trouble at the Bottom – Sheffield FC’, delving into the struggles of the world’s oldest football club.
Malachi Cush Explores Life Stories and Music
‘Healing Sounds’, now in its third series, opens with a special hour-long episode commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. This episode features retired NYPD Lieutenant and 9/11 survivor Bill Cosgrove, who recounts entering the World Trade Center to assist in saving lives and helping to carry NYFD chaplain Father Mychal Judge from the devastation. According to We Are Tyrone, Cosgrove believes this act led to his own survival, describing Father Judge’s removal as bringing him to a ‘safe haven’. Twenty-five years later, Cosgrove reflects on the trauma’s lasting impact, noting that ‘the hurt is always there’ and the anniversary still brings tears to his eyes, though he has never visited the 9/11 Memorial.
Throughout the series, Malachi Cush will speak with individuals from diverse backgrounds, each selecting four songs that hold particular personal meaning. Guests include country singer Lisa McHugh, Tyrone athlete Nick Griggs, Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, and Colin Bell, founder of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Episodes will cover topics such as the devastating loss of a child, serious illness, and family tragedy. Lisa McHugh will discuss her experiences with Functional Neurological Disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, and sepsis, while Nick Griggs will reflect on losing his brother Josh and the significance of running in his life. Colin Bell will share the story of his son Kevin’s loss and the trust established in his memory.
Malachi Cush, who first gained national recognition as a finalist on the inaugural series of BBC’s Fame Academy in 2002, expressed that he was ‘privileged and humbled’ by the stories shared. He noted that ‘Healing Sounds’ comprises “deeply-personal series of conversations” where guests “share extraordinary life experiences and reveal the music that has helped them through some of their darkest and most defining moments.” Cush hopes the audience will find an “overarching sense of hope from the resilience of my guests.” The first episode, featuring Bill Cosgrove’s 9/11 story, is available now on BBC Sounds.
Self Esteem Documents World’s Oldest Football Club
Rebecca Lucy Taylor, known professionally as Self Esteem, hosts ‘Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Trouble at the Bottom – Sheffield FC’, a new six-part podcast from BBC Local and BBC Radio Sheffield. The series follows Sheffield FC, established in 1857 as the world’s oldest football club, through a critical season as it navigates significant challenges to secure its future. The club, which helped shape many rules of the modern game and received FIFA’s prestigious Order of Merit alongside Real Madrid, currently competes in the ninth tier of English football and does not play in the city of Sheffield, according to the BBC.
Self Esteem, whose great-grandfather played for Sheffield Wednesday, explores questions about the club’s potential for promotion, plans for a new stadium, and how it can honour its global legacy while building a sustainable future. Speaking about the series, she called it an “incredible and inspiring story,” adding that “tales of community and humanity are needed more than ever right now.” The podcast is the first in the ‘Mud, Sweat and Cheers’ strand, which aims to celebrate grassroots and community sport stories.
The series offers behind-the-scenes access, capturing the passion of players, staff, volunteers, and supporters. It highlights the club’s recent history, including a tug-of-war for its future between a Qatari-backed venture capital firm and musician Jon McClure, lead singer of Reverend and the Makers, who became chairman in March. McClure, who has ambitious plans for an academy, eSports hub, and a return to the city of Sheffield, stated, “This is not Wrexham. I’m not Ryan Reynolds. Let’s get it clear, I’m in an indie band. I know my place in this world,” as reported by Yahoo Sports. The podcast ‘Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Trouble at the Bottom – Sheffield FC’ is available on Tuesday 22 September on BBC Sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Malachi Cush’s new BBC Sounds series about?
Malachi Cush’s new 12-part series, ‘Healing Sounds’, explores themes of grief, trauma, illness, loss, resilience, and hope through the personal stories and chosen songs of his guests.
Who hosts the new Sheffield FC podcast on BBC Sounds?
The new six-part football podcast, ‘Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Trouble at the Bottom – Sheffield FC’, is hosted by acclaimed Sheffield singer-songwriter and actress Rebecca Lucy Taylor, also known as Self Esteem.
What is significant about Sheffield FC?
Sheffield FC holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest football club, founded in 1857, and helped establish many of the rules that underpin the modern game.
When is the Sheffield FC podcast available on BBC Sounds?
‘Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Trouble at the Bottom – Sheffield FC’ became available on Tuesday 22 September on BBC Sounds.