Nicky Campbell is launching a new BBC Radio 5 Live podcast about language and cultural change.
The broadcaster returns with Don’t Say a Word, a weekly series examining how boundaries around words, art and expression are shifting.
After 25 years hosting the station’s phone in programme, Nicky is moving into the on-demand space to explore how cultural norms and public expectations evolve.
The podcast looks at how reactions to jokes, books, films and everyday phrases can change over time, and who decides where the limits now sit.
Across the first run of episodes, Nicky, who won the British Podcast Award for Best Interview in 2023, tackles casting controversies and whether lived experience should dictate who plays certain roles.
Adam Pearson joins to discuss disabled representation and why he believes he is the right man to play the Elephant Man.
Other discussions explore what separates a right laugh from a wrong one, whether using the term brainstorm is offensive, and how the language of Christianity may disadvantage feminists.
One episode also features an interview with Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed, examining why artists such as Michael Jackson continue to divide radio playlists.
The series includes musical moments linked to each theme, alongside a regular segment called The Navigation Arms, where guests discuss social taboos and linguistic grey areas. Contributors lined up include Stuart Maconie, Sara Cox and Victoria Derbyshire.
On the launch of the podcast, Nicky said: “We’re living in a time where words carry more weight than ever and sometimes, more risk. This podcast is about asking the difficult questions, having honest conversations, and debating the absurdity of it all. There’s a lot to say about not being able to say things.”
The first two episodes are available on BBC Sounds from today, 3 March, with new editions released weekly.
