FEATURING PHOTOJOURNALIST MARCUS BLEASDALE

Marcus Bleasdale has spent his life in places most of us would struggle to imagine, photographically documenting conflict zones and communities caught in the crossfire of politics and profit. In this conversation, Marcus talks about the responsibility of witnessing brutal truths, from child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the mining of conflict minerals used in our phones and tech, and how his book The Unravelling, forces us to reckon with the uncomfortable fact that everyday convenience often comes at someone else’s expense.

The mailbag is back and in today’s: Spike Boydell sends in a film link that had me properly thinking about connection. Jerilyn Owen shares how making a self-portrait is helping her learn acceptance. Samantha Ramsay finds something spiritual in photographing hands, while Greg Picone stumbles across a spooky landscape right behind his own backyard. Randy Bullerwell’s been capturing carnival season in Aruba in a way that’s anything but ordinary and Complaints Corner is open again… this time, it’s a case of the wrong pants. Plus, a quick reminder: it’s the final week for this month’s One Word Assignment, set by Claire Thomas.

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MORE ABOUT names, words, THE MUSIC and places FROM TODAY’S SHOW

Finbarr O’Reilly is an award-winning photojournalist known for his powerful visual storytelling from conflict zones and his deeply human portraits that reveal resilience amid chaos.

Kadir van Lohuizen is a Dutch photojournalist whose powerful documentary work explores global issues like climate change, migration, and the consequences of rising sea levels.

The Enough Project is a Washington, D.C.–based non-profit organization that was founded in 2007. Its stated mission is to end genocide and crimes against humanity.

Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organisation that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Headquartered in New York City.

Intel has pioneered the development of 'conflict-free' microprocessors by ensuring that the minerals used, such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, are sourced responsibly, without financing armed conflict or human rights abuses.

Jason P. Howe is a British photojournalist whose raw, immersive images from conflict zones around the world reveal both the brutality of war and the fragile humanity that endures within it.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a haunting journey into colonial exploitation and the shadows of the human psyche, set along the Congo River but reaching far beyond it — into the uncomfortable truths we often try not to see.

One Hundred Years of Darkness, by Marcus Bleasdale, the book discussed on the show today.

Marcel Proust was a French writer best known for his epic work In Search of Lost Time, a deeply introspective journey through memory, time, and the subtle details of everyday life.

In March and April 2025, Photowalk listeners have a special offer for a pair of fantastic LOWA boots, so if you need NEW boots to walk that trail, then you’ll be pleased to know that using code PHOTOWALK on www.lowa.co.uk – you can receive 25% off a price of boots or shoes up to the end of April 2025. We’re also GIVING AWAY a pair of LOWAs to UK listeners who send in a great picture story from the walks you take along the trail. Due to shipping, we can only accept entries from the UK this time around - send your letters and pictures to stories@photowalk.show

Kelvin Brown’s flickr Photowalk inspired group - join by invite by clicking on to THIS LINK.

The ENCOUNTERS workshop in April.

MUSIC LINKS: Space Doves sang and wrote today's playout song Free Heart Odyssey. Music on the show is sourced primarily from Artlist and also features in Michael Brennan’s Spotify playlist GoFoto.