Brighton Paradox

A peculiar adventure of 10 podcast investigations, looking at Brighton & Hove’s first years of city status – and what this might tell us about the near future.

Throughout 2022, I got really nosey about Brighton & Hove. 

A city I have lived, worked or played in since 1996. Where I went to school and college, where my wife and children were born, my first job, where my business is registered, where my heart calls home.

But during the lockdowns, I didn’t step foot inside the city for over a year. For the first time in over two decades.

I found myself observing the place and its people, culture and economy from outside, in my Worthing crow’s nest. I felt detached and homesick and admiring, as well as angry and bewildered. The best of society and innovation, tech and compassion was writ large during the peak of the pandemic – with amazing efforts of creativity to grow ideas, connections and communities. 

But I was also watching a fragile economy with so many people feeling unsupported; a city more reliant on tourism and students than it wanted to admit; and deep inequalities, fault-lines and poverty that just shouldn’t exist somewhere so small and with so much social and creative capital. Constant paradoxes – of unique ingenuity and talent meeting paralysis and self-limiting behaviour. 

Why?

What is really happening in 2020s Brighton and what does this mean for the next decade?

My curiosity took me on a strange quest to find out, creating over 100 hours of audio from over 60 interviews. I’ve trawled reports, stats, newspaper columns, essays and social media to try and piece together an idea of how Brighton & Hove might thrive in the coming years. I’ve been making podcasts for over five years and enjoyed countless investigations in that medium, so it seemed a good place to start.

The Brighton Paradox was born – and will start to be made public this month.

This peculiar adventure is a 10 part podcast investigation, looking at Brighton & Hove’s first years of city status, and what this might tell us about the near future.

1. The Edge

Episode one looks at Brighton in the 80s and 90s, the merger with Hove and the impact of winning city status in 2001. 

2. Hail Guest!

What is a Brighton & Hove ‘welcome’? This episode explores the challenge of (in)equality, charity, sanctuary and inclusion with Caroline Lucas and Dr Carlie Goldsmith. 

3. Omertà

Does the city suffer from groupthink? This episode looks at diversity of thought, culture and who is ‘allowed’ to speak their mind in 21st century Brighton & Hove.

4. The Fifth Supercity

What is Brighton famous for right now? What has put the city on the map in the past 20 years? This episode asks tricky questions from leaders in business and culture, with a close look at Big Beach Boutique, Brighton SEO, The Brighton Summit and The Brighton Festival amongst others.

5. Food & Football

Brighton & Hove Albion’s rising star is changing perceptions of Brighton, globally. How? And can Brighton be both a foodie heaven AND a city of 44 foodbanks? Featuring an exclusive interview with Paul Barber as well as innovators from Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, HISBE and The Compost Club.

6. Superfusion

A number of major academic studies identified the fusion of creativity and tech as the key to Brighton’s economic growth. But does everyone know this? And is it still true? We explore pioneers of co-working spaces, business incubators and creative tech research.

7. Living & Learning

Does Brighton & Hove equal London prices but Eastbourne’s wages? Some say that the pandemic has shown how Brighton’s lifestyle, sea air and unique eco-system may lead to a radical counter-London renaissance of health, education innovation and opportunity. Will it?

8. The Laboratory

Brighton has a problem in scaling up big ideas. But maybe that also suggests its strength? Could the future of Brighton & Hove be its talent for testing, and demonstrating, the possibilities that others are slow to realise? The UK’s, or even the world’s, ideas lab…?

9. Leadership

Brighton’s power tussle between maverick individuals and collective, co-operative, networks is one of its biggest paradoxes. What does this mean for city leadership needed to drive change over the next decade and beyond?

10. The Cusp

The future of Brighton & Hove’s prosperity doesn’t have to be left to chance, or external agents. What if the city is on the cusp of something big? This final episode stitched together a wide array of thoughts.

This is a hugely collaborative endeavour, led by multi award-winning projects and strategy company, always possible. Plus X Innovation Hub has provided state-of-the-art technical facilities, planning space, introductions and help with production costs. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club have opened doors with ideas, finance and time – and the first launch party will be at the Amex Stadium.

Lo Fi Arts are the production wizards, UnitedUs and University of Brighton’s Help To Grow Management Programme are valued project partners. Music has been provided by Fatboy Slim and Noraay. Media and marketing support from Sussex Business Times and Fox&Bear. 

We couldn’t have done it without any of these guys. And now it’s over to you, to listen and maybe find some inspiration. 

To hear the first episodes of The Brighton Paradox as they land, visit alwayspossible.co.uk/paradox