Made in the Midlands is a podcast which investigates the cultural foundations of the UK’s most populous region. More than ten million people call middle England their home yet it’s a part of Britain which often seems little understood by our fellow Brits. Northerners are sure we’re southerners. Southerners are equally sure we’re northerners.
Made in the Midlands is a chance to set the record straight and to increase awareness of the talent the region has produced. In each episode Adrian asks his guests what part the region played in their success. Who are the important people, where are the important places that helped them on their way? And how can the Midlands get greater recognition for its achievements?
Made in the Midlands is proudly produced by Midlanders who are part of the award-winning team at Loftus Media.
With thanks to our sponsors Coventry UK City of Culture and Newark Book Festival.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Made in the Midlands is a podcast which investigates the cultural foundations of the UK’s most populous region. More than ten million people call middle England their home yet it’s a part of Britain which often seems little understood by our fellow Brits. Northerners are sure we’re southerners. Southerners are equally sure we’re northerners.
Made in the Midlands is a chance to set the record straight and to increase awareness of the talent the region has produced. In each episode Adrian asks his guests what part the region played in their success. Who are the important people, where are the important places that helped them on their way? And how can the Midlands get greater recognition for its achievements?
Made in the Midlands is proudly produced by Midlanders who are part of the award-winning team at Loftus Media.
With thanks to our sponsors Coventry UK City of Culture and Newark Book Festival.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lee Child, the prolific author of the Jack Reacher detective novels, talks to Adrian about his Midlands upbringing and its lasting influence. He talks of his early years in Coventry before moving to Birmingham where two libraries gave him his love of books. He describes the smell of the dusty shelves and the voracious appetite he developed for reading, so much so his parents obtained extra library cards in the name of visiting relatives.
“Even our dog had a library card,” he says. “Without those two libraries as a little kid, I would have been a completely different person. So when you ask ‘what did the Midlands mean to me?’ I mean, everything. That's who I am.”
Midlands Heroes: Jerry Dammers and Horace Panter for creating Two-Tone. “It was valuable musically, but it was also very valuable socially.”
Commissioned by Coventry City of Culture 2021 and proudly produced by Loftus Media.
Music by Maia Miller-Lewis.
Image of Lee Child by photographer Brian Aris, used by permission of Little Brown UK.
Who are your Midlands' heroes? Tell us at: madeinthemidlands@loftusmedia.co.uk
Dive into the sound of the Midlands via our 'Made in the Midlands' playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lTguCtjyUEMxzGoQYheLu
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.