First Deaf-led video podcast launched this week

This week marks the groundbreaking launch of Shaping Tomorrow, a unique deaf-led video podcast created by Hear Art, a UK-based social enterprise co-founded by Academy Award winner Rachel Shenton and deaf advocate Cindy Sasha.

Shaping Tomorrow promises to amplify the voices of the deaf community, spotlighting the stories and careers of deaf professionals in the creative, sports and entertainment industries. With an impressive 90% deaf production team, this series is a milestone in inclusive media and is the first of its kind to be fully accessible in British Sign Language (BSL).

A bold new approach to storytelling

Shaping Tomorrow offers a platform that truly showcases deaf talent. The series breaks new ground by using video podcasting, an engaging format that accommodates deaf viewers, who are often excluded from traditional audio-only podcasts. Featuring full BSL, captions and transcripts, each episode ensures that both deaf and hearing audiences can immerse themselves in the conversation.

The series’ structure is both innovative and refreshing. Each episode pairs a deaf professional with a hearing counterpart from the same industry, fostering open, honest dialogue about their respective experiences. This dual perspective shines a light on the challenges that deaf individuals face in less accessible environments, while also exploring how the creative and professional worlds are slowly evolving to become more inclusive.

Conversations that matter

The first episode of the four-part series features designer and entrepreneur Wayne Hemingway MBE in conversation with Christopher Laing, a deaf architect and founder of Deaf Architecture Front (DAF). Together, they discuss their journeys through architecture, with Christopher sharing his experiences of advocating for the deaf community and the importance of representation in his field.

Future episodes will continue to highlight an array of inspiring professionals:

• Episode two sees make-up artist Caroline Barnes and deaf make-up artist Nicky Weir discuss the often ruthless world of beauty, and the visual strengths Nicky has harnessed despite her profound deafness.
• In episode three, adventurer James Aiken interviews deaf mountaineer Michael Woods, who opens up about the unique difficulties he faces in climbing Mount Everest, including navigating and signing BSL in adverse conditions.
• Episode four wraps up the series with a candid conversation between actress Maxine Peake and deaf actress Sophie Stone, who shares her frustrations with being typecast in subdued, “pitied” roles while longing to portray vibrant, multi-dimensional characters.

Each discussion is rich with themes of resilience, personal growth, and the continuous fight for accessibility, inclusion, and equality. These stories bring to the forefront the lived experiences of deaf professionals who are pushing boundaries in industries that have traditionally overlooked them.

Deaf creatives take the lead

Directed by Sam Arnold, a deaf filmmaker and producer of the award-winning film Name Me Lawand, Shaping Tomorrow is not just a podcast, it’s a statement. Arnold emphasised the importance of creating a truly immersive video experience, explaining that many deaf viewers struggle to engage with traditional podcast formats, which are often inaccessible.

“This video podcast is an important breakthrough,” Arnold says. “By using a deaf-led production team, we’ve ensured that deaf voices are not only heard but seen and appreciated in all their complexity.”

Co-founder and Academy Award winner Rachel Shenton, best known for her short film The Silent Child, echoed the sentiment. “Shaping Tomorrow is our first independent venture, and we are incredibly excited by the conversations it sparks. This podcast reflects our mission to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities, helping them learn from each other.”

A platform for change

Since its founding in 2020, Hear Art has been committed to improving employment opportunities for deaf creatives, with a mission to maintain at least 50% deaf crew on all projects. Shaping Tomorrow is the latest example of Hear Art’s success in empowering deaf professionals and fostering a more inclusive creative industry.

Cindy Sasha, co-founder and creator/producer of the series, envisioned *Shaping Tomorrow* as a podcast that would highlight the perspectives of deaf professionals while demonstrating that podcasts don’t need to be exclusively for hearing audiences. “This series showcases how deaf people navigate and thrive in less accessible environments,” she explains. “We wanted to create a podcast for everyone – something that is truly inclusive.”

Watch the podcast now

The first episode of Shaping Tomorrow is now available exclusively on YouTube, with new episodes released every two weeks. After the series concludes, all episodes will be accessible on Spotify, Audible, and Apple Podcasts by early November.

Shaping Tomorrow isn’t just a podcast; it’s a revolution in how stories are told and shared. As the first deaf-led video podcast of its kind, it promises to shape the future of digital media, challenging the norms of accessibility and amplifying voices that have long been silenced.

Don’t miss this incredible series – watch below and be part of the change!