Hiram Johnson is a former policeman who decided to use his investigative skills on his own family. He grew up knowing nothing about this father’s ancestry. In his quest for answers, he uncovered a murder case and an incarceration in the notorious Parchman Farm prison that would change the course of his family’s future. Hiram's written a book about his journey called: Reason to Fight: A Search for Truth. This interview was first broadcast on 5th December 2019. Presenter: Emily Webb Producer: Maryam Maruf Picture: Hiram Johnson holding a photo of his father Credit: Courtesy of Hiram Johnson

When some film producers asked artist Adebanji Alade if he'd like to take up a challenge to repaint Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa in just a month, he thought it sounded like a bad idea - but he said yes anyway, despite the fact the original (which Adebanji had never seen) took four years to paint. He tells Emily Webb about his belief in saying yes, his life as a "compulsive sketcher", and the family tragedy that made him determined never to run away from problems. Get in touch: [email protected] Presenter: Emily Webb Producer: Laura Thomas Picture: Adebanji Alade and his Mona Lisa Credit: Emily Webb for Outlook

When Tran To Nga was growing up in Vietnam during the 1950s, she had a close relationship with her mother - an important figure in the resistance movement against the regime of South Vietnam. During the Vietnam war, mother and daughter grew even closer, both fighting for the resistance in the depths of the jungle. It was at this time that Nga was sprayed with Agent Orange - a toxic defoliant used by the US military to strip away the leafy canopy of the trees and expose their enemies hiding beneath it. Two years later, her first daughter was born with severe health issues and died, and Nga is battling serious illnesses herself, which she believes are a result of her contact with Agent Orange. She tells Emily Webb about her fight to get compensation for the survivors of Agent Orange, and about her decades-long search for her mother who disappeared in 1966. Nga's story is featured in a documentary called The People vs Agent Orange. The interpreter was Véronique Bernard. Get in touch: [email protected] Presenter: Emily Webb Producer: June Christie Picture: Tran To Nga Credit: Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images

Mohamed Barud was losing hope in a Somali prison, when an inmate in a neighbouring cell devised a secret language and tapped out the Russian novel Anna Karenina through his wall... for Mohamed, the book was transformative. He tells his story to Emily Webb. If you're affected by issues raised in the programme, you can find information about support available at bbc.co.uk/actionline or befrienders.org Get in touch: [email protected] Presenter: Emily Webb Producer: Emily Webb Picture: Mohamed Barud and a copy of Anna Karenina Credit: Mohamed Barud, JannHuizenga via Getty Images

Amrou al-Kadhi - who goes by the pronoun ‘they’ - was raised Muslim, but even as a kid Amrou was different. They had no interest in playing with boys their age, and instead loved dressing up with their mother. Amrou grappled with issues of gender identity and sexuality for years. It was not until they picked up drag as a student at Cambridge University that they were able to find solace and belonging. Amrou has written a book called Unicorn: The Memoir of a Muslim Drag Queen. Amrou spoke to Outlook’s Jo Fidgen. This interview was first broadcast 5th November 2019. Get in touch: [email protected] Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Laura Thomas Picture: Amrou Al-Kadhi as Glamrou Credit: Harry Carr