Feb 17 2023
Apocalypse and change. With GP Andy Knox
“Change can happen. Change has happened…”Poverty makes us unwell. GP Andy Knox sees this in his North Lancashire consulting room, meeting people whose lives could improve if stigma and destitution went away. He tells sociologist Imogen Tyler about the burnout facing doctors and frontline workers trying to care for their communities on scant resources, and reflects on how we need to ask “bigger deeper questions” about what’s making our society sick.But, inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s idea of hope as an “axe” – as something to practice, actively – Andy says change can happen if we have the humility to listen and the audacity to act differently. Describing working alongside his area’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community, he shows how listening can be an anti-stigma practice, and also reflects on the power of social movements. We must not scoff, he says, at “being woke” – indeed, in this time of “apocalypse” and revelation, refusing to “wake up” is not an option.Note: **In this episode, Andy mentioned suicide rates among female GPs. For recent research on this, see Claire Gerada's work in the British Journal of General Practice. CreditsHost: Imogen TylerGuest: Andy KnoxExecutive & Development Producer: Alice BlochProject Lead: Imogen Tyler Project Officer: Danielle GalwaySound Engineer: David CracklesMusic & Artwork: Bruce BennettEpisode resourcesAndy Knox’s forthcoming book Sick Society (2023)Hope in the Dark Rebecca Solnit (2004)The dictionary of alternatives utopianism and organisation Martin Parker, Fournier, ValeÌrie & Patrick Reedy (2010) Poet, writer, activist Dionne Brand receives her honorary degree (2018)Doughnut economics : seven ways to think like a 21st century economist Kate Raworth (2017)The work of Katherine Trebeck The value of everything: making and taking in the global economy Marina Mazzucato (2018)Learning from the Sixties A lecture by Audre Lorde lecture (1982)Andy Knox’s blog at The King’s Fund Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers ProjectFind extended reading lists and learn more about The Stigma Conversations at The Sociological Review Act!Trussell Trust Independent Food Aid NetworkEnough is Enough Disabled People Against Cuts Everydoctor Healing Justice Shelter Southall Black Sisters The Peoples Assembly Acorn