Recap of 2025

The Chris Allen Podcast

Sunday, 4 January 2026 - 1 hour 34 minutes

I had the privilege of conducting over 300 conversations on WCRFM in 2025. This podcast seeks to reflect something of what we covered during the year - with apologies to the many I've not managed to include!

You will be able to find most of the conversations in full in this podcast series.

Faith across the city

Martin Gomberg - the difference between the Jewish Community and the state of Israel

Kelsang Dedan - the value of meditation

Imam Mohammad Asad - his role as a chaplain

Zalika Gilkes - Haile Selassie Day

Tal Singh - Sikhism and mental health support.

Ruth Upall - a Christian perspective on Pentecost Sunday

Events in 2025

Beacon Vision’s 150th Anniversary - Lisa Sadler-Todd (nee Cowley)

International Women’s Day - Dr Clare Roberts-Molloy

Kabaddi World Cup - Julie Pietragallo, Cllr Bhupinder Gakhal, Cllr Chris Burden, Cllr Stephen Simkins

Mothering Sunday - Tonia Daley-Campbell

Armed Forces Day- Lee Chapman

National Recovery Walk - Tom Hayden

Some of the issues we highlighted

Support for Ukraine via Antityla UK supporters, Cathy Clements, Anna Pilipchuk and Naomi Walsby

Breast Cancer with survivors Mandy Fellows, Gill Phillips and Mary Simkin

Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia with Timmy and his mum Aisha

Functional Neurological Disorder with Kim Hearn, Toni Clemson and her daughter and carer Olivia

Domestic Abuse with Laura Rogers CEO Haven and DCI Mike Sansbury

Knife Crime with Mark Brindley, Charlotte Paterson and Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Forster

Personal stories

John Richards - Freedom of the City of Wolverhampton

Ethan Shaw - Young Citizen of the Year

Lynn Pritchatt - Motor Neurone Disease and the Mel Evans MBE Foundation

Professor Ebrahim Adir - University of Wolverhampton Vice Chancellor and Deputy Lieutenant in the West Midlands

Alicia Spencer - Chief Executive of the African Caribbean Community Initiative

Pooja Kanda OBE and her daughter Nikita - Ronan’s Law, honouring his murder using a ninja sword

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