BBC launches new podcast about body image and nudity - with naked reporters
Jenny Eells and Kat Harbourne, reporters at BBC Radio Sheffield, are baring all in an innovative series of podcasts for the BBC. The two women (pictured) want to explore issues around body image and nudity to find out why people are so prudish about their bodies and why many people, particularly women, aren’t more body confident. By recording each episode naked they encourage a more open conversation with their guests - who are also naked - and one that confronts the taboos about nudity. They plan to record one of the episodes at a Naturist event.
“I’ve never been scared of being “in the nip” as it were but chatting to a mate in the buff with nothing but a microphone to cover our modesty was a challenging prospect to say the least,” says Jenny.
“And that’s before we got any guests involved! For me being naked isn’t really an issue but I know that’s not the case for everyone and I wanted to try and find out why. Before we started recording, I wondered if conversations with no clothes on could be, quite literally, more revealing. And from the frank, open and honest chats we’ve already had with amazing women from all walks of life – they most definitely are!”
“I don’t particularly like getting naked, so at points I’ve wondered why we’re putting ourselves through this!” explains Kat. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve not felt confident about my body. In my thirties I decided it was time to change this and question why so many of us feel the same way. Why ARE we ashamed of what’s beneath our clothes? Why do we spend so much time worrying what other people think? Why don’t we celebrate the amazing things our bodies are capable of? I can’t wait for people to hear the astonishing stories we’ve recorded with brave, funny and brutally honest women.”
With the Naked Podcast series Kat and Jenny hope to inspire a generation of people to feel more self-assured and proud of what is underneath their clothes.
The station will also run a series of stories about body image and identity across their programmes throughout the week beginning April 16th. Catch a (naked) interview with BN member Mark on the Rony Robinson show on Wednesday 18th April at 2.30pm.
The podcasts will be available to download for free from http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts from that date too.