Isles Aloud Podcast: Discussing Changes and Challenges that Malta is Facing

Isles Aloud is a podcast by the IotL Magazine. It is a contribution to the public debate on the changes Malta is experiencing at the moment and their social consequences.

The podcast showcases discussions on pertinent social and economic issues, audio essays and poetry.

Listen below, find us on Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Podomatic, or access the RSS feed directly.

Watch this space and suggest topics for new podcast episodes.

Audio Essays

#4. COVID-19 and Solidarity: a Wish List of Government Measures in the Time of Crisis

Crisis must not be an excuse for discrimination and injustice. On the contrary, solidarity is our weapon during these difficult times.

Written by Daiva Repečkaitė and read by David Saliba. Read the text version here.

#3. On Regretting Motherhood

The perfect, romanticised version of motherhood—the ‘motherhood myth’—needs to be dismantled. Women who are childless by choice are controversial, but women who regret motherhood…? This is the ultimate taboo.

Written by Liza Caruana-Finkel and read by Maria Theuma. Read the text version here.

#2. A Sea That Connects And Nurtures Is No Longer Ours. Time to Reclaim It

The sea has always been the major force that shaped history of Malta. Today, the seafront as a public space seems to be the only resource element that somehow managed to survive, but for how long will it prevail?

Written by Kristina Borg and read by Tamsin Caruana. Read the text version here.

#1. Malta’s Transport Conundrum: Alternative Routes to Sustainable Mobility

We all need access to education, work, healthcare, goods and services. We should therefore look at designing a transport system that provides equitable, affordable and efficient mobility options—truly a public transport.

Written by Suzanne Maas and read by Tamsin Caruana. Read the text version here.

Talking Point

#6. Malta’s Public Space in 3D: Defining, Designing and Defending It | with Antoine Zammit

Raisa Galea talks to Antoine Zammit, a practicing architect and urban designer, about challenges and hopes pertaining to open public spaces in Malta.

#5. Discussing Abortion: on the Limits of Choice, Individualism and Protecting the Vulnerable

The host Raisa Galea, Andrea Dibben, a social policy academic and chairperson of Women’s Rights Foundation, and David Zammit, Head of Department of Civil Law at the University of Malta reflect on the debate on abortion in Malta.

#4. Who’s Afraid of Feminism? | with Mario Vella

Raisa Galea talks to Mario Vella, the frontman of cult band Brikkuni, about his alleged aversion to feminism, #metoo movement and gender equality.

#3. The Seven Deadly Sins of Lovin Malta

Raisa Galea talks to Christian Peregin, the founder of Lovin Malta, about the publications’ style, vision and media sensationalism. Together, they discuss Lovin Malta’s dubious coverage of the key recent national events.

#2. Discussing Malta’s Fuel Service Station Policy and the Urgent Need for Its Revision

Raisa Galea speaks with Victoria Pisani, an activist at Moviment Graffitti and Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent, about the infamous fuel stations policy which has never been reviewed, despite the Planning Authority’s promise to do so. Read the text version here.

#1. Discussing White Paper: Towards Affordable Housing in Malta

Raisa Galea met with three members of the Research and Policy team at the Parliamentary Secretariat for Social Accommodation: Rachael Scicluna, Joseph Bartolo and Kurt Xerri.

We discussed the overall purpose of the White Paper, the methodology of the research aimed to assess Malta’s rental market, which sectors of society were consulted and why, whether the shortage of housing supply is truly the major problem and whether the suggestions proposed by the team will succeed in making housing more affordable.