The Relay

Voices in Conversation: A Co-Production Podcast

What is The Relay?

The Relay is an innovative podcast format where participants rotate between interviewer and interviewee, embodying the co-production values at the heart of the mental health reparations proposal. Each voice both questions and is questioned, creating a democratic space where expertise is collective and transformation is shared.

The Format

After a brief introduction, participants engage in 7-minute segments where each person:

Answers questions from the previous participant (7 minutes)
Transitions to interviewer role to question the next participant
Passes the baton continuing the relay until it returns to the anchor

This structure creates urgency (time pressure demands clarity), democratises expertise (everyone is both teacher and learner), and embodies collective intelligence (understanding builds through conversation, not monologue).

"Without community, there is no liberation. This format makes that visible—we're not individuals speaking to an audience, we're a community thinking together."

Who We're Looking For

We seek voices that represent different relationships to mental health and community transformation:

Lived Experience

Black queer men who have navigated mental health challenges and recovery

Clinical Practice

Mental health professionals working with LGBTQ+ communities

Research & Academia

Researchers studying health inequalities and community health

Commissioning & Policy

Decision-makers who fund and shape mental health services

Community Organising

Grassroots activists working on housing, employment, and mutual aid

Political Leadership

Elected officials and policy advocates championing health equity

Episode Structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

Host sets context for the proposal, explains the relay format, introduces why this conversation matters now. Brief introductions of all participants.

Relay Segments (6-8 x 7 minutes each)

Each participant answers questions from the previous speaker, then transitions to question the next. Topics move from lived experience through clinical evidence, research, commissioning, structural determinants, to political implementation.

Closing (3 minutes)

The relay returns to the anchor participant, bringing the conversation full circle—connecting personal story to collective transformation.

Production Values

Intimacy: Recorded with all participants present, able to see and react to each other
Simplicity: No music or sound effects—the content is compelling; production stays out of the way
Accessibility: Full transcript published alongside audio; BSL interpretation for video version
Transparency: Light editing only, keeping natural flow including moments of emotion or disagreement

Nominate a Voice

Know someone who should be part of this conversation? Nominate them below. You can nominate yourself or others. Community endorsements inform the BLKOUT team's final curation decisions.

Nominee's Name *

Nominee's Email (if known) We'll use this to reach out if they're selected

Which perspective would they bring? *

Why should they be part of The Relay? *

Your Name *

Your Email * We may follow up if we need more information

Confirmation *

I confirm this nomination is made in good faith and I have reason to believe the nominee would be interested in participating

This is a self-nomination

Nominations close January 31st, 2026. The BLKOUT team will review all nominations and reach out to selected participants directly. Community endorsements inform but do not determine final selection.

Timeline

Now - Jan 31, 2026: Nominations open
February 2026: Review nominations and reach out to selected participants
March 2026: Pre-production and scheduling
April 2026: Recording
May 2026: Post-production and launch

Nominations Open