

If I Speak
Novara Media
Ash Sarkar and Moya Lothian-McLean sort the personal from the political, tackle listener dilemmas and air their opinions on the frustrations of modern life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 8min
73: Where did it all go wrong on the dancefloor?
*Flag your Special One status with the If I Speak Baggu bag – it’s ethically made, comes in two colours and is available now from shop.novaramedia.com*
Having rekindled her appetite for fun, Ash now has a five-point plan to improve dancefloors. Plus, advice for a special one whose boyfriend isn’t weird or jealous – and that’s the problem.
Send us your dilemmas: ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 7min
72: Why does it always have to be me taking responsibility?
*We’ve got merch! The If I Speak Baggu bag is ethically made, comes in two colours and is available now from shop.novaramedia.com*
Ash and Moya descend into the guilt vortex for a conversation about family, responsibility, and parents who need to be parented. Plus: advice for a special one with a workplace crush.
Send us your dilemmas: ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h
71: If I’m so angry then why am I crying?!
*We’ve got merch! The If I Speak Baggu bag is ethically made, comes in two colours and is available now from shop.novaramedia.com. Support the show and find fellow Special Ones.*
On this episode, Moya presents an intrusive thought from a Special One about why some women struggle to express their anger. Should our ‘outlaw emotions’ be brought to the surface? Plus: help for a listener whose friends have taken an anti-trans turn.
Send us your dilemmas: ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 11min
70: Can you ever change what you want?
*We’ve got merch! The If I Speak Baggu is ethically made, comes in two colours and is available now from shop.novaramedia.com. Support the show and send a signal to fellow Special Ones.*
In this episode, Moya and Ash talk about what to do with their impossible desires. Plus: Britain’s drinking problems, and and advice for a gay man whose female bestie has ditched him.
Got a problem? ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 1min
69: Is marriage a hard border? w/ Jeremy Atherton Lin
Is marriage like an island, or more of an open house? Ash talks about state-sanctioned relationships with memoirist Jeremy Atherton Lin, whose new book Deep House: The Gayest Love Story Ever Told, is out now. Plus, advice for a listener whose money worries aren’t shared by her partner.
Are you in big trouble? Send us your dilemmas: ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 10min
68: Help! My housemate is a pig
Moya and Ash deal with your dilemmas, including a daughter who wants to give away her inheritance, a scared mum facing up to her prejudice, a singleton wondering if moving home was a mistake, and a renter whose housemate is a total pig.
Are you in big trouble? Email us: ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

Jun 3, 2025 • 56min
67: What’s up with Generation Alpha?
Moya and Ash wonder what’s up with kids these days, thinking about parenting, advertising, social media and anxiety. Plus, advice for a bereaved listener who’s furious with her stepmum.
Send your dilemmas to ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

May 27, 2025 • 59min
66: I’m right, you’re wrong, end of!
Moya has an intrusive thought about our need for certainty and Ash responds with an idea about how the internet has polarised our thinking. Plus, advice for a singleton with avoidant tendencies.
Send your dilemmas to ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

May 20, 2025 • 55min
65: Has your smartphone broken your brain?
Ash and Moya face up to all the ways their smartphone has warped their minds. Plus, advice for a trans woman struggling to interact with the world in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling.
Come and see If I Speak in London on 21st May! Final tickets are available now from Dice.
Send your dilemmas to ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.

May 13, 2025 • 57min
64: What is the female gaze?
What do straight women find attractive? Too many men think the answer is ‘big muscles’ says Ash, who has a big theory about sensuality. Plus: what to do when your boss is a bigot.
Come and see If I Speak LIVE in London on 21st May! Join Ash, Moya and special guest Monica Heisey – comedian and author of Really, Good Actually – at EartH in East London, followed by a social. Tickets are available from Dice.
Send your dilemmas to ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.


