The Brighton Paradox: MYCELIUM

In this episode, host Richard Freeman explores Brighton & Hove as a metaphorical mycelium—an interconnected network of people, ideas, and movements bubbling beneath the surface. As the city grapples with post-pandemic challenges and economic fragility, this episode asks whether Brighton's current actions stem from hope or stress. Through interviews with local visionaries, the episode investigates how new technological, cultural, and community-driven initiatives are trying to address Brighton’s systemic issues, from inequality to economic sustainability.

Key questions:

• How are the new connections in Brighton influencing its renewal?
• Are people acting out of a sense of new hope or out of desperation?
• What can the metaphor of mycelium teach us about Brighton’s human ecosystem?
• What does 2024 mean for the future of Brighton & Hove, and how does the city move forward from the pandemic?

Featured contributors:

1. Helen Jewell – Creative director, The Old Market
   Discusses Brighton’s independent arts scene, the need for resilience in cultural spaces, and TOMTech, which merges creative technology and art.

   • Website: The Old Market

2. Alex Morrison – Entrepreneur and former chair, Wired Sussex
   Reflects on the recent closure of Wired Sussex and its impact on Brighton's tech sector, urging more collaboration between large institutions and small businesses.

3. Rose Tighe – Founding member, Brighton AI
   Talks about her experience helping build Brighton AI into a broad, inclusive network, focused on ethical tech development and social good.

4. Sue Johnson – Secretary, Friends of Hove Lagoon
   Explains the impact of the pandemic on local volunteerism and grassroots movements, with a call to re-engage communities in public space management.

   • Website: Friends of Hove Lagoon

5. Toby Buckle – Consultant and coach for community organisations
   Discusses the challenges faced by the voluntary and charity sectors in Brighton and the need for collective action to address systemic inequalities.

   • LinkedIn: Toby Buckle

6. April Baker – CEO, Together Co
   Highlights Brighton’s endemic loneliness problem and calls for systemic collaboration between public, private, and third sectors to improve social health.

   • Website: Together Co

7. Tom Gray – Musician, campaigner, and Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion
   Advocates for structural change in Brighton’s political and economic landscape, arguing that systemic reform is needed to tackle issues like low pay and housing shortages.

   • Website: Tom Gray

Key topics covered:

• The mycelium network as a framework for change: The episode uses the metaphor of a mycelium network to explore how Brighton’s diverse communities, innovators, and projects are connected beneath the surface. These networks offer the potential for collaboration and growth, but need to be nurtured and supported to create real, impactful change.

• Navigating post-pandemic recovery: The episode delves into Brighton’s economic and social recovery following the pandemic. It explores how sectors such as arts, technology, and volunteering have been both challenged and energised by the crisis, with a focus on how the city can move forward in a more sustainable and connected way.

• Challenges for the creative and tech sectors: With the closure of major institutions like Wired Sussex, the creative and digital sectors in Brighton face an uncertain future. The discussion highlights the importance of innovation, resilience, and the merging of creativity with technology to maintain Brighton’s role as a hub for arts and tech industries.

• The power of community and volunteerism: Local initiatives and volunteer groups have played a crucial role in maintaining Brighton’s social fabric. The episode touches on how grassroots movements and community-led projects are essential to Brighton’s future, especially in public spaces and community wellbeing.

• Addressing inequality and social health: The episode highlights the growing challenges of inequality and social isolation in Brighton, emphasising the need for collaboration between sectors to address these issues. From tackling loneliness to providing fairer opportunities, the focus is on creating a more inclusive city where everyone can thrive.

• A call for structural reform: The contributors discuss the need for systemic, long-term solutions to Brighton’s deep-rooted problems such as low pay, housing shortages, and lack of investment. The episode suggests that the city’s success lies not in individual leadership but in building a resilient, collaborative infrastructure that works for all.

The episode concludes that Brighton is at a pivotal moment in 2024, where its interconnected networks of creatives, technologists, and community leaders must come together in more cohesive and structured ways. While the city is brimming with innovation, it faces significant challenges of inequality and economic fragility. The strength of the city’s future lies in collaboration, shared resources, and systemic changes that go beyond individual efforts.

Useful links:

• Brighton AI: brightonai.com
• The Old Market: www.theoldmarket.com
• Together Co: togetherco.org.uk
• Friends of Hove Lagoon: friendsofhovelagoon.com

Credits:

This is an always possible podcast: alwayspossible.podcastpage.io/

In collaboration with Lo Fi Arts: linkedin.com/company/lo-fi-arts/

Supported by Brighton & Hove Albion FC: brightonandhovealbion.com

Project partners:

• EQ Investors: eqinvestors.co.uk
• University of Brighton's Help to Grow Management programme: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/help-to-grow.aspx
• Midnight Communications: https://www.midnight.co.uk

Written and presented by: Richard Freeman
Produced and edited by: Chris Thorpe Tracey
Project support by: Kate Regester and the always possible team
Podcast artwork by: Meg Fenn

Original music by:

• Fatboy Slim: fatboyslim.net
• Theme music: "Nadda" by Noraay: noraay.com
• Chris Thorpe Tracey: christt.bandcamp.com

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