I Choose Birmingham

Posted On December 19, 2022

Tom Cullen

Listen to our Breaking Bread Birmingham food podcast episode with the writer, editor & producer of the brilliant I Choose Birmingham email magazine. Press play on the player above. Alternatively, listen on your favourite podcast app, just select from the list on this LINK

Who Is I Choose Birmingham Creator Tom Cullen?

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when it happened. Or exactly why it happened, but roughly ten years ago something changed in Birmingham. It’s like people decided they were sick of their city being a bit rubbish & even sicker of the negative way in which it was regarded nationally. A wave of new positive things swept into the city.

Digbeth Dining Club opened and revolutionised the food scene, Independent Birmingham started seeking out and highlighting our indy scene, and champion of Birmingham Dave Oram(RIP) created Brum Pic to celebrate Brum’s culture and heritage.

It was also around this time that a talented writer and former FHM editor named Tom Cullen marched off a packed London bus and decided he’d had enough of the big smoke. Tom weighed up his options eventually choosing Brum (hence the name I Choose Birmingham) as the place to set up a weekly email magazine telling readers about the best things to eat, see. and do in the city.

“London never felt like home. If in thirteen years it doesn’t feel like home, then it’s not going to in twenty-six, and Birmingham always did.” Tom tells us. “People in London thought I was mad, but I knew I was doing the right thing”. Despite being from Birmingham Tom is keen to point out that he didn’t choose Brum because of being from here, instead choosing the city on merit.

Welcome To Breaking Bread I Choose Birmingham?

Tom launched I Choose Birmingham almost immediately on his return. I Choose Birmingham is a weekly email magazine of the best things in Birmingham. In this episode, Tom discusses their observations and concerns about the city of Birmingham, including the media consumption of some of its residents, negative attitudes towards the city, and the city’s positive traits.

Birmingham has always been a city that has faced unique challenges, as discussed in the podcast. The host notes that some residents consume media that paints an inaccurate picture of Birmingham as being better in the 1980s. This is a common misconception that can be frustrating for those who love and appreciate the city for what it is now.

I Choose Birmingham creator Tom touches on the negative attitudes towards Birmingham that some people seem to have. He suggests that while it is understandable to criticise the city, it is also important to recognise its positive traits. Tom notes that Birmingham’s resilience in the face of adversity is what makes it stand out.

Another point raised in the podcast is how Birmingham’s negative attitude differs from that of other cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and Bristol. While these cities also have their challenges, they do not seem to have the same level of negativity towards their home as Birmingham does.

In conclusion, “I Choose Birmingham” is an insightful podcast episode that sheds light on some of the unique challenges faced by Birmingham. While it is understandable to criticise the city, it is important to also recognise its positive traits and the resilience of its people. Birmingham is a city that is worth exploring and appreciating for its many little gems, and we hope this podcast & the I Choose Birmingham email encourages you to take a closer look. Thank you for listening!