The Making Of: Grounding
Grounding was broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music in October 2025
October 2025 saw the release of ‘Grounding’ for BBC Radio 6 Music - a Granny Eats Wolf production - celebrating the unique perspectives and creativity of neurodivergent artists.
What began as an opportunity to give space to a subject not often broached on the radio, became so much more for the whole team. ‘Grounding’ was a year in the making and speaks to the thought, care and tailored planning that went into every part of the production.
Louise Mason - a broadcaster, music journalist and the project’s lead producer - shares her and the team’s experience of working on the series with presenters Blindboyboatclub, Gary Numan, Emma-Jean Thackray and AFRODEUTSCHE.
What was your motivation for producing this series?
It should be said that I am neurotypical, but I have very close relationships with neurodivergent people. My partner was exploring support for ADHD at the time this series came along. Having seen how being neurodivergent shapes daily life, relationships, work and creativity, I'd been wanting to make something in depth on this topic for a long time. And I think this experience was very important for being able to make the series.
So where did you start?
Starting from scratch on a project like this is exciting and slightly daunting at the same time. But with Tom Billington - Granny Eats Wolf’s Managing Director - we had a real desire to get the tone absolutely right. The shows had to be fascinating and insightful, helpful and empowering - plus at the same time be sensitive whilst revealing each host's reality. This was a twelve episode ‘calming’ music series with each presenter sharing their own personal life experiences and perspectives on neurodiversity, how it intersects with their creativity, as well as their own personally selected ‘calming’ playlist.
How did you find the presenters?
Our presenters had to be suitable for a 6 Music audience, be different enough in terms of the types of music they may select and the perspective they would bring. But most crucially, they needed to be completely comfortable with sharing personal details about their lives and creative processes. When it’s something as personal as this, it requires trust and openness.
Emma-Jean Thackery, Gary Numan, Afrodeutsche and Blindboyboatclub
Did you face any challenges?
We learnt incredibly quickly that this could not be a one-size-fits-all series. Unlike your more typical radio shows (where you can come into a studio with a structured playlist), for ‘Grounding’ we had to shape each show individually from the hosts' themes and exactly how they would record. The pre-production process became so important.
For instance, during our pre-call with Gary Numan, he shared that typical ideas of relaxation didn’t resonate with him.
“The problem is, when I’m not writing music, I don’t listen to music at all. Not to relax, not to remember, not to soothe my worries or lift my spirits. I write music to cope with the world. That’s how music helps me.” - Gary Numan
As a result, Gary nearly didn’t do the project. After seeing the initial scripts, which had worked well for Blindboyboatclub, I received a very detailed email from Gary breaking down how he didn’t feel he was right for the show, predominantly because his way of thinking and connecting with music was unique.
“When I was asked to record some radio shows and express, through the music I listen to, how I get through life as a neurodivergent musician, I failed instantly.” - Gary Numan
The decision seemed final and we could have said ok, thank you for considering it. But there was so much thought in his email that I sent a detailed response back explaining that what he’d said was exactly why we needed his perspective.
His email turned out to be a brilliant step in understanding how he thought. He didn’t need to see a script at all. We could have a conversation. He was incredibly patient. For others, having a script was essential. But that’s the whole point, every one is different. You can’t make a show about people’s differences and then not embrace the differences by doing everything differently.
So what about when you go to record in the studio?
The same applies. Blindboyboatclub and Emma Jean-Thackray wanted to work entirely alone when recording links. AFRODEUTSCHE worked with my Assistant Producer Abigail and recorded in a studio having carefully prepared her responses and music order in advance. Gary Numan recorded remotely as he lives in LA.
Usually for pre-recorded radio shows, each link has been recorded in order with the song intros and outros at the same time as if doing a live show. But when we jumped on to record with Gary we realised this approach wouldn’t work so we separated the personal questions from the music. We recorded for over 6 hours talking about very personal topics. It became a deeply personal and reflective conversation. I am incredibly thankful to him for being so patient, giving and open. There was laughter, tears and plenty of brilliant stories.
When he spoke about the ways he and his wife have worked together to understand each other’s needs, I could really relate, and I think we created something truly special.
With his music he took me back to my rock led youth and also included a whole hour of just women (yes Gary!). It was great to see some of the Reddit posts after listening to the shows pick up exactly what I was aiming for:
“I am loving this series, it's the right level of deep. And there's something magical about Gary Numan hosting, I could listen to him for hours.”
“Gary Numan made me feel human! He really did. I've loved listening to him, such a positive person who's able to laugh at himself. Like Gary, I don't do crying yet this really dug deep. Emma-Jean Thackray was brilliant too, I've been glued to all episodes so far. Both very different artists with similar neurodivergences grounding themselves in music. Very relatable stuff!”
“I’m late to the series and it was only on my radar because of Blindboy but, man, the Gary Numan episodes have been outstanding. I can’t remember the last time a radio show made me laugh and cry within the space of 30 mins (his second episode). He comes across as such a lovely chap and so much of what he said was so relatable.”
This was a ‘Calming’ music show, how did that theme impact on the music choices?
I remember speaking to Blindboyboatclub on the phone early on in the project and saying, if that means walking around to Slipknot for you then talk about that. If calm is actually needing noise or a podcast to sleep, go there. The point is to share your view of the world. The main thing was letting them be the expert. Blindboy had some incredible 90s R&B choices, alongside Irish sonnets, Tom Waits and Ronan Keating (possibly the only time this will feature on 6 Music!)
Producer Louise Mason
Why is the series called ‘Grounding’?
Relaxation doesn’t always come into people’s minds when they are neurodivergent. I know people who describe having medication for the first time for ADHD, for example, as the first time they have experienced ‘quiet’ in the brain. Research showed that Grounding in the context of neurodiversity refers to a practice that helps individuals refocus their attention on the present moment by actively engaging their senses, often used to manage overwhelming emotions, sensory overload, or dissociation that can be common experiences for neurodivergent people; essentially, it's a way to pull yourself back to reality and connect with your surroundings when feeling overwhelmed or disoriented. Everyone, neurodivergent or not, can use grounding techniques, and particularly useful for those who have experienced trauma. The series was intended to help people ‘ground’ and one of the questions we asked the hosts was what does Grounding mean to you?
How do you feel now that the series is out there?
To see these shows finally be aired was a very proud moment for everyone involved.
6 Music was the perfect home for this series. The network’s support throughout the process helped shape the shows into what they became and gave our presenters the freedom to express their creativity in the most authentic and natural way.
The aim was for each show to feel like a direct view into each host's minds, how they create and move through life. I think we achieved that. No one held back. It was also wonderful to have The Donaldson Trust, the national body for Neurodiversity, on speed dial for any queries.
As a 6 Music DJ already, having AFRODEUTSCHE was an opportunity for listeners to be let into the private aspects of her world and she chose some really heartfelt themes. I have been a fan of Emma Jean Thackray for a long time, her latest album ‘Weirdo’ is stunning and so raw and I’m sure she’s helped many people talking about autism, ADHD and OCD. I was so happy she did the series. In her lovely post on instagram about her episodes of ‘Grounding’, Emma-Jean Thackray said “this series is like if a podcast and a radio show had a baby”. I couldn’t have put it better myself. I remember reading an article with her back in January when we first put her name in the mix. She said, “you should have the trust in yourself to do what you do. To be you. Do it your way” and that is exactly what we and, more importantly, they did.
For anyone looking for more information on any of the subjects discussed in this blog, please visit The Donaldson Trust - the National Body for Neurodiversity.
Grounding was broadcast in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds.
