Thinking Straight (Pt 1): Conversion

Thinking Straight (Pt 1): Conversion

Author: The Times August 6, 2021 Duration: 37:57

Attempts at conversion therapy are taking place across the country: in village churches, Harley Street clinics and counsellors' treatment rooms. In this first episode of a seven-part series, reporter Emily Sargent goes undercover to explore the extremely secretive practice. 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:

Switchboard provides an information, support and referral service for anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.

Phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm).

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.

Phone: 116 123

Guests: 

- Jayne Ozanne, director and founder, Ozanne Foundation; chair, Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition.

- Dr Qazi Rahman, senior lecturer, King's College London.

- Michael King, Emeritus Professor, University College London.

Host: Emily Sargent, journalist.

Clips: ITV News, Instagram: @xoutloudeuropeofficial, X-OUT-LOUD Europe, Core Issues Trust, BFI, BBC.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
Investigation: One bruise and they took the baby away [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:55
If one day, you saw your newborn baby with a little bruise you couldn't explain, what would you do? Many people like Holly Kobayashi would ask a professional for advice and reassurance. Instead Holly set in motion a proc…
Guns, skis and corruption: Biathlon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:54
Three years ago, a dramatic raid at the headquarters of a popular winter sports blew open a scandal at the International Biathlon Union. The former president, Anders Besseberg, has been accused of receiving gifts in retu…
How China uses LinkedIn to steal state secrets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:12
The Times has uncovered that spies are creating fake business profiles on the professional networking site so that they can identify targets and obtain classified information. Under fake profiles, agents offer money and…
Past Imperfect: Nadiya Hussain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:54
In this special bonus edition we are bringing you an episode from another Times podcast - Past Imperfect.Nadiya Hussain MBE rose to fame after winning The Great British Bake Off back in 2015. She talks to Rachel Sylveste…
It's a Sin: Should gay roles be reserved for gay actors? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:13
Before Channel 4's hit series It's Sin was broadcast, writer Russell T Davies made headlines for his comments on how the show was cast. Should LGBTQ+ roles only be played by those with a lived experience? Or is that in i…
How Russia's vaccine disinformation war backfired [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:15
In October, a Stories of our times investigation blew the lid off a Russian disinformation campaign, which had aimed to stoke fears about the Oxford vaccine.Now Russia has its own vaccine, Sputnik, which is highly effect…
A lockdown exit strategy: Lessons from Israel and Australia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:47
On Monday the prime minister will unveil a roadmap for how we exit lockdown. Today we look to two countries which might show us a glimpse of the future: Australia and Israel.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the…
Post-Brexit Britain 2021: Who do we think we are? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:55
It's been over a year since the UK officially left the EU on the 31st of January 2020 in a vote which was fuelled by decades of British Euroscepticism. With terms like 'remainer' and 'Brexiteer' now holding less signific…
Afghanistan's road to peace: Murder in Kabul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:17
Last month, a team of assassins shot and killed two of Afghanistan’s most eminent women. The murder of the two Supreme Court judges is part of an assassination campaign targeting Kabul’s intellectual and social elite. Ye…