National Museums Liverpool Podcast

Ron's Place: an extraordinary world in an ordinary home

How, and why did Birkenhead-native Ron Gittins turn his home into a living work of art.

We talk to TV director Martin Wallace, about the story behind (and ahead of) Ron's Place.

Bombed out Church: from ruin to renaissance

How a group of punk rockers saved St Luke's church.

We talk to musician and artist, Ambrose Reynolds, about his years as caretaker and Creative Director, of this beloved Liverpool landmark.

GIRLFANS: Knowledge, passion and fashion

Jock Stein once said "Football without fans is nothing". And whilst that may be true, representation amongst supporters has historically been overwhelmingly male. In recent years however, football has changed and we are now seeing more women championing the beautiful game, both on the pitch and in the terraces.

To discuss these developments we welcome the founder of photo-zine GIRLFANS Jacqui McAssey, and the Chair of LFC Women's Supporter's Club, Jay Goodall.

Eric's: here for a good time, not a long time

In four short years, the Eric's club in Liverpool became legendary for its international roster, raucous punk antics and youth centric outlook.

Eric's was an impromptu 'school of music' and key to the rise of famous Liverpool bands and figures of the late 70s and early 80s; from Echo & the Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, to Pete Burns, Pete Wylie and many more.

In this episode, co-owner Ken Testi, shares his story of how the club came to be a seedbed of fresh talent in the city, as well as host to some of the greatest acts of all time, from the Sex Pistols to the Ramones.

S3: Episode 6 - Liverpool on Film

From Jodie Comer to Jimmy McGovern, the stars of film and TV are making Liverpool proud, continuing its remarkable history of screen writing and onscreen talent. But what is the state of the Scouse film scene today and what does the future look like?

S3: Episode 5 - Should we go to Space?

In the past decade advancements in technology have enabled us to discover more about the universe we inhabit, but should we be delving deeper into the unknown expanses of space when our own planet has issues of its own? Dr. Jackie Bell tells us how important space exploration is for the generations that follow and how it can help us understand and even solve Earth's Problems. Then our very own Patrick Kiernan from the Planetarium at World Museum tells us how important it is to understand the darkest depths of space so we can protect our earth from meteorites headed to earth.

S3: Episode 4 - Heroes on the Mersey

The Mersey River makes the brilliant city of Liverpool, but who was there when the tide quite literally got too high? A hero by any standard, James Clarke saved many locals from drowning in the Mersey in the early 1900s and taught countless others to swim. And, fast forward to 2022, we meet current day heroes through the LifeBoat Station Project, Jack Lowe's ten year mission to photograph all of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland (including Hoylake, West Kirkby and New Brighton). What drives these people to put their own lives at danger to save strangers at sea? 

S3: Episode 3 - Rebels in Music

The Liverbirds were the first all-female rock and roll band- defying expectations and even the industry. This disregard for convention is shared by Nine x Nine records, whose goals are to support their artists instead of trying to control them. Both these stories show that through their resistance against authority and control, they truly are rebels in music.

S3: Episode 2 - War and Reflection

As we look on across Europe to our Ukrainian allies, how can sharing stories of war help us all?

S3: Episode 1 - Art as an Anchor

Art galleries have always been a space for quiet contemplation, but in the midst of our modern lives, can they still provide solace during life's biggest challenges?