vol I: Radioshow hosts Ann & Helena
ANIMA SESSIONS VOLUME 1
Every song holds a story. Sometimes it's tied to a person, sometimes to a place, and sometimes it brings back a version of ourselves we'd almost forgotten. Music has a unique way of preserving memories, allowing us to revisit them long after the moment has passed.
For this edition of Anima Sessions, we're in conversation with radio show hosts Helena and Ann, the creators of “Never Ending Nostalgia”. Through their student radio show, they pair carefully curated music with personal reflections, exploring the emotions, memories, and shared experiences that songs can carry. Together, we talk about creativity, friendship, nostalgia, and how building something together can become a way of documenting your own life.
How did you get into this?
Ann: It actually all started with Helena. A friend from her study association, who was involved with the magazine “CUL” , suggested that she should host a radio show as RadioArcadia was looking for new show hosts, knowing her love for music Helena then pitched the idea to me to co-host it together, as most of our conversations in day-to-day life revolve around music and film it seemed like a good fit. We also love making playlists together and have played music for friends before, so it felt like a very natural collaboration.
Helena: I've honestly wanted to be part of student radio ever since watching “Pitch Perfect”. It always seemed like something that would be so much fun, but also completely out of reach. Then a friend suggested I apply because she knew how much I love music and making playlists, and she put me in touch with someone from the station. As soon as I started thinking about who I wanted to do it with, Ann immediately came to mind. We already spend so much time talking about music that I knew we'd work well together creatively. Once we sat down to develop the idea, everything came together surprisingly naturally.
Is there someone who inspired you, or who you get input from throughout the process?
Ann: I would say the people around me inspire me the most. The show almost feels like a catalogue of my life because so many of the songs come, I associate with friends and family and often remind me of moments we've shared together. Growing up, I also loved listening to the radio because my uncle is a journalist and radio host. I remember hearing his voice on the radio and thinking that was such a beautiful way of telling stories. That definitely inspired me. Nowadays, though, most of the inspiration comes from creating the show together with Helena. Before every episode we build playlists, exchange songs, and naturally shape the direction of each theme together.
Helena:I don't really have one specific person I look to for inspiration. More than anything, the show is something Ann and I build together. We usually start adding songs to a shared playlist about a week before recording, and as soon as I see what she's chosen, it influences what I add as well. It's a very collaborative process. In the beginning, Elisa from Radio Arcadia also played a big role. She listened to our first episodes and encouraged us to talk more instead of letting the music do all the work. That feedback really helped us develop the format, but now we've found our own rhythm and creative process.
In what way can you infuse your own sense of self into your project?
Ann: For me, the show feels like an extension of who I am. Every playlist reflects different people, places, and moments in my life. Some songs remind me of a specific summer, while others immediately make me think of a friend or family member who introduced them to me. Friends sometimes tell me that a particular song is "so Ann" or "so Helena coded," which makes me realise how much of ourselves naturally comes through in the music we choose. I also love that we don't always have to be serious. Some episodes are emotional, while others are playful and a bit silly, and I think that balance reflects our personalities really well.
Helena: For me, it's all about the memories behind the songs. Every song I choose feels like it has to represent a small part of who I am. One example is when we played “Sweet Home Alabama” (by Lyndryn Skynryn). The song itself wasn't really the point—it was the memory attached to it. I remembered hearing it while visiting my mum's hometown, and suddenly she started singing along and talking about her childhood. It gave me a glimpse of a part of her that I don't think I could have understood otherwise. That's exactly what I love about the show. We get to share these very personal stories while knowing that everyone listening probably has completely different memories connected to the same songs.
Is there anything that surprised you about making the show?
Ann: I think what surprised me most was how comfortable it eventually became. At first, it felt strange knowing that anyone could tune in and listen to us. Now it just feels like a conversation between friends, even though I still have to remind myself that it isn't completely private. Our friendship is meant to come across authentically, but because we talk about memories, we also have to decide which stories belong on the radio and which are better kept between us. Another surprise was how much I enjoy hearing the show back afterwards. At first it made me very aware of how I spoke, and it still remains slightly strange to listen to yourself talk for 1.5 hours, but now I mostly appreciate how the show has become a creative outlet that helps me step away from everyday stress.
Helena: I was honestly surprised by how much easier it was than I'd imagined. I'd spent years thinking opportunities like this were difficult to get into, but in reality I simply applied. Looking back, I think we often create barriers in our own minds before we've even tried. I was also amazed by the people behind Radio Arcadia. Everyone is incredibly supportive, and most of them volunteer simply because they're passionate about creating this space for students. They don't have to spend their time helping us record every week, but they genuinely want other people to create. Seeing that level of passion and generosity has probably been one of the most inspiring parts of the whole experience.
Is there an episode you were especially passionate about?
Helena & Ann: Our Love episode is probably the one that resonates with us the most. We talked about love in many different forms, not only romantic love, but also friendship, family, and the relationships that shape who we become. It felt especially personal because it reflected where we both were in our lives at that moment.
At the same time, our very first episode will always be incredibly special. It felt like our little baby because it was the first thing we'd ever created together. We even had a listening party when it aired and seeing people genuinely excited to listen to something we'd made was a surreal feeling.
That episode was dedicated to both of our dads, who introduced us to so much of the music we grew up with. Being able to share it with them and hear their reactions afterwards made the whole project feel even more meaningful.
What would you tell other women who want to go in the same direction?
Ann: I would honestly recommend it to everyone. Hosting a radio show has been such a rewarding creative outlet because it gives you the chance to share something meaningful with other people while also learning a lot about yourself. I also love that our show only airs once every two weeks. In a world where everything is available instantly and constantly, there's something really special about people having to intentionally tune in at a certain time and listen together. It creates a feeling that's much more personal than simply uploading something online.
For me, the most beautiful part is that it creates community. People discover new music, start conversations, or tell us afterwards that one of the songs reminded them of someone in their own lives. That's something I would wish for anyone who wants to create something. If you're thinking about it, I would simply say: try it. You never know where it might lead, and sometimes the best projects begin just because you decided to say yes.
Helena: I would simply say: go for it. I think we often convince ourselves that opportunities like this are much further away than they actually are. Especially as women, I think we sometimes underestimate ourselves or assume that we need more experience before we're "allowed" to try something creative. My experience has been the complete opposite.
There are so many communities, organisations, and creative spaces looking for people who are genuinely enthusiastic. More often than not, they aren't expecting you to arrive with years of experience; they're looking for people who care and are excited to contribute. That's exactly how this project started for me.
Of course, you also have to realise that projects like this usually aren't about making money. We don't get paid to host the show, but that's never been the point. What we've gained instead is a creative space, wonderful people around us, and something we'll always be able to look back on. Years from now, we'll still have these recordings. We'll hear our voices, remember who we were, what we were thinking about, and what music meant to us at that point in our lives. I think that's incredibly special.
“Women in Motion” is all about movement, not just physically.. What kind of movement do you feel is happening in your project?
Helena: For me, I think the biggest thing we're creating is connection. Every episode starts with our own memories, but the beautiful thing about music is that nobody hears a song without thinking of something from their own life. Even if someone has never experienced what we're talking about, they'll almost always connect that same song to a completely different memory. I love that our conversations become a starting point for someone else's.
Our show also creates a space where people can slow down for a moment. They can discover new music, revisit old songs, or simply listen to two friends talking about something they care about. I think that's really valuable today. It's less about giving advice and more about creating a feeling, a sense of community where people realise that memories, music, and emotions are things we all share in different ways.
Ann: For me, it's emotion, but also growth. Every song we choose is connected to a specific time, place, or person, so every episode naturally becomes a way of looking back. Sometimes I'm talking about a memory that happened only two summers ago, but when I really stop and think about it, it feels like a completely different version of myself. Recording the show constantly reminds me how much life can happen in what seems like such a short amount of time.
I also love that the process itself is completely unscripted. We never sit down with a script, we simply press record and start talking. Sometimes one of us laughs halfway through a sentence, sometimes we can't pronounce an artist's name, sometimes we interrupt each other or stop to look up a random fact. Those little imperfections are actually some of my favourite moments because they make the conversations feel honest. It really is just two friends sharing music.
Looking back, I think that's the movement I feel most. Every episode becomes a small snapshot of who we are at that moment. One day we'll listen back and remember not only the songs, but how we spoke, what we laughed about, what we cared about, and who we were becoming. In that sense, the show doesn't just document music: it documents our own growth.
Ann & Helena: A thank you to “Radio Arcadia” and especially Elisa, for believing in us from the very beginning. Her feedback helped shape our first episodes and gave us the confidence to find our own style. We'd also like to thank everyone working behind the scenes. They volunteer their time simply because they believe in creating a space where students can experiment, create, and tell stories. Without them, Never Ending Nostalgia wouldn't exist, and we're incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive community.
Interested in following Helena and Ann´s journey? You'll find links to their Instagram profiles, some of their Neverending Nostalgia Playlists and to Radio Arcadia below. Be sure to tune in to Never Ending Nostalgia, and support the creative projects they continue to bring to life.
Women in Motion is Anima Sessions' ongoing interview series, spotlighting women who move, create, and shape the communities around them. Through conversations like these, I hope to celebrate the people behind meaningful projects and share the stories that inspire others to start creating, too.
Writers note: A special thank you to my friends Lara and Sunny, who supported me immensely throughout the creation of anima sessions volume 1.
