From stories of reinvention and inspiring career pivots, to the dramatic shifts that happen in moments of crisis, this season on change explores how we feel at that crucial point of creating new lives for ourselves, and what we can learn from the experiences of others.
Speaking to the likes of authors, artists, CEOs, adventurers, musicians, former prisoners, and even monks, presenter Dee Stirling uncovers the truth about what it takes to make a life change, and paints a picture of how we feel when our lives experience a transition, during life-changing event however big, or small.
Podcast hosts
- DeeStirling
@DeeStirling
Keywords
© Double Espresso With Dee
Double Espresso With Dee: Inspiring Stories of Change and Personal Growth
Read more
Reviews
No reviews yet
Podcast information
- Amount of episodes
- 40
- Subscribers
- 0
- Verified
- Yes
- Website
- Explicit content
- No
- Episode type
- episodic
- Podcast link
- https://podvine.com/link/..
- Last upload date
- December 15, 2022
- Last fetch date
- March 20, 2023 4:44 PM
- Upload range
- MONTHLY
- Author
- Dee Stirling
- Copyright
- Double Espresso With Dee
susbcribers
- Life After Prison: Ex-Inmates Deserve RedemptionToday we will look back to our interview with Coss Marte, an ex-inmate who is now a successful entrepreneur and founder of ConBody . Speaking to Coss has been so incredible. His raw honesty, incredible journey, and desire to make something good out of something so bad has been very moving. During our interview, we touched upon a wide variety of issues, but the one story that stayed with me was our discussion about redemption. Coss shared with us how hard was to start from scratch when he was out of prison. “Giving people a second chance that was one thing that I was struggling with when I came home.” “Three felonies on my record … It was like a stamp for life. So ConBody was basically born out of desperation,” he said. In this short excerpt from the interview you will hear his thoughts on inmate redemption and what could society and large corporations do to help bring them back to positive ways once they are out.0 comments0
- Why Sustainable Fashion Matters Insights Into Sustainable Clothing | Veronica ChouToday we are looking back to a fantastic interview with Veronica Chou from Season 2: Meet The Sustainability Advocates . V eronica Chou is a Businesswoman, an Entrepreneur, and a Sustainability Advocate. She has seen every aspect and angle of the fashion industry and came to the realisation that her future is in sustainability. Today, she is the founder of Everybody & Everyone, an eco-innovative and size-inclusive sustainable fashion brand. She is investing in innovative ideas and making a huge impact in the sustainable clothing industry. Her motto is: “Spread Love, Do Good, Live Sustainably. Eco is for Everyone.” I hope you will be inspired by this insightful story about sustainable fashion and the innovations it brings. If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Double Espresso With Dee: Inspiring Stories of Change and Personal Growth Jun 8 · 10m How to Navigate through Radical Life Change | Emma SladeIn this 10 minute short, we discuss change, how to accept it, embrace it, and flow with it as part of life and part of growth. My guest today has known and navigated radical change. The Incredible Emma Slade was a high flying financial analyst when her life took a massive turn. She was held at gunpoint in Jakarta. Emma survived, and coming out on the other side, she went down a long road to a new way of living. Today, she is a Buddhist nun. Emma tells me about this extraordinary life-changing moment, and how she knew she wanted to do something meaningful with her life. She shares with us her thoughts on handling change, making change, and finding our own unique direction in life. If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- How To Fail Forward and Be Proactive with Sian SutherlandOne of the subjects that comes up time, and again is failure. In this short, I discuss failure with the epic and spectacular Sian Sutherland . She is a serial entrepreneur, having launched a branding agency, set up a restaurant that in short order had a Michelin star and built an innovative global skincare business, which was subsequently sold to the hut group a few years ago. Sian leaned into her calling and co-funded A Plastic Planet , a global campaign organization with a single goal to ignite and inspire the world to turn off the plastic tap for good. With Sian, we unpack the brilliance of failure, embracing what we don't know and being our own unique selves. If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- The Truth About Taking Risks In Life | Gerad KiteMany of my guests have talked about the importance of taking risks to show yourself what you're made of and grow in every aspect of your life. All of them believe that if you play it too safe, you will miss out on the many adventures and opportunities that life brings. I always say, give it a go take the leap. What is the worst that can happen? My dear friend and guest, Gerad kite is a big proponent of going out of your cosy zone and taking a risk. Many years ago within a space of a few weeks, he left behind a successful business in London, which he built in his early twenties and moved to San Francisco with one suitcase and nowhere to stay. Today we will hear how he was feeling while taking a risk and changing his life. Over the coming weeks, we will launch the Double Espresso With Dee shorts. 10-minute podcast episodes with key soundbites from my amazing guests. We will revisit themes that matter to you, risk, letting go, overcoming adversity, embracing failure, making a change, identity, how to be you and many more. If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com Visit my website: https://dee.biz/0 comments0
- Healing Journey After Childhood Trauma | Pirie Jones GrossmanMy guest today is the incredible Pirie Jones Grossman . Pirie started working in L.A. and over the following 20 years became a well-known actor and then a very high profile presenter and TV host for E! Entertainment, Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC. She was famous, fabulous, and part of an L.A. power couple. But privately, she struggled deeply after hitting rock bottom. Pirie left L.A. for good and settled in Sun Valley, Idaho. Over time, she broke through, found herself and decided to change her life. Today, Perry is an international bestselling author, a soul-centred, transformational life coach and TEDx speaker and co-founder and co-host of podcast Own Your Throne. I highly recommend reading her amazing book Conversations With Pirie: 30 Stories of People Who Reinvented Themselves Today through her own experiences, Pirie works with clients to empower their life path, enabling them to learn and recover from their life events, and rise like a phoenix to fulfil their potential. I am sure you will love our conversation as much as I did. Points of discussion: Introduction (00:00) Going back to Pirie's early childhood (02:45) Moving past childhood trauma (07:59) Building the next chapter (10:37) Pirie's first marriage (13:46) Moving to L.A. and starting a professional career (15:21) Second Marriage and suicide attempt (20:18) Leaving LA (24:39) Becoming a mother (28:54) Road to reinvention (34:51) Coaching as life mission (40:07) Final words by Dee (44:23) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Ready to Pivot? Fire up Life and Career Change with Octavia GoredemaSpeaking to Octavia today reminded me that we are all constantly working through a cycle of change. Sometimes we seem to see life as a series of steadier moments, punctuated by dramatic shifts. Often, as she points out, change might happen quickly, but the ripple effects last much longer. My guest today is Octavia Goredema - author, entrepreneur and career coach, British by birth and resident of LA. Octavia is the founder of Twenty Ten Agency a career coaching company that works with individuals and also major corporations to help them advance the leadership development of underrepresented employees. She is the author of the book PREP, PUSH, PIVOT which helps women of colour navigate the key moments that define their careers. “While change might happen suddenly, the ripple effects from that change can take much longer…” - Octavia Goredema Thank you for listening to this week's episode. And thank you to Octavia for her energy and for her wisdom. Points of discussion: Introduction (00:00) Going back to Octavia's decision to relocate to the LA (02:15) Twenty Ten Agency Launch and Growth (06:36) What has changed from when you started your agency (09:28) What are a few things large corporations should lead with after COVID (15:03) Push, Prep, Pivot Book (16:12) How Octavia dealt with her fears (22:33) Epiphany moments (23:49) How to get ahead of yourself - Octavia's secrets (29:08) The best advice Octavia have been given to (31:25) Key Takeaways by Dee (33:22) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- How Mental - Inspiring Story of Social Entrepreneur George TaktakGeorge Taktak and I had a fabulous high-speed conversation about the highs, the lows, and the challenges of humanizing and scaling mental health support. We also discussed how George's creative talents, he is both an artist and a poet, contributing vitally to his high growth business and his wellbeing. George is an entrepreneur, mental health activist, and founder of How Mental - a social movement of more than a quarter of a million people whose mission is to make mental health care accessible to all. The Genesis for How Mental started some years ago, born out of Georgia's own struggles and his experience of a harrowing mental pain. He was so beautifully honest and inspiring to talk to. I am always amazed by his passion, his knowledge and his refusal to accept the status quo. Points of discussion: Introduction (00:00) George’s experience of working as a banker (03:01) Dealing with the loss of a family member (05:31) How did George turn the corner and started his next step on the journey (11:54) How is he supporting himself today (16:04) View on isolationism of technology (21:35) Growth of How Mental movement (23:27) Role of creativity (27:25) The biggest moment of change/epiphany (30:24) Takeaways by Dee (34:21) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Double Espresso With Dee: Inspiring Stories of Change and Personal Growth Feb 23 · 30m Underwater Epiphany - A Story of How Eddeene Became a High JewellerIt’s a special joy to interview your friends, and I feel so lucky to have talked to Édéenne today. She has such an incredible vision and the real grit to keep going, no matter what. Édéenne is a high jeweller having founded her jewellery house in Paris in 2003 after a major life-changing epiphany. We talked about her life-changing experience and transition from businesswoman to a high jeweller. I loved her insistence that we have to keep looking for experiences all the time, not watching the trains go past, but jumping on the right one when it comes along. And her epiphany at the bottom of the lake is just such a hypothetical train. But it is also a testament to the power of nature and how the answers are always there, if only we were listening. Nature plays a big part in her work - from the butterfly to ivy leaves and precious stones. And this links her own belief about trusting her instincts, thinking in her heart about what she wants to do with her life, and how she wants to enjoy it. We discuss her incredible story, this moment of radical change in her life and why we all need to feel the fear and embrace it because surprises await us. Points of discussion: Introduction (00:00) Epiphany story (02:53) Starting over - pursuing a new career (05:51) The biggest challenges Edeenn had in the early years of becoming a fine jeweller (10:52) The creative process (15:30) Changing the personal name (18:05) What excites you the most, today? (22:12) Edeenne’s advice to someone who needs to make the change (24:34) If you could make one piece for one person in the world, who would that be? (26:42) Takeaways by Dee (28:05) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- How Genocide Survivor Taban Shoresh Rebuilt Her Life and Became an Aid WorkerMy guest today is the incredible Taban Shoresh, a former child genocide survivor who suffered imprisonment as a four-year-old with her family, during the Saddam Hussein regime. Over time Taban adjusted to life here, but the trauma of her experiences never fully left her. She married at a young age and settled into her university studies and subsequent career. Little by little. She came to realize that the relationship she was in was highly abusive and she feared for her life once more. Somehow, however, she finds the courage to escape. By 2014, she set up the Lotus Flower , a not-for-profit for women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement. Since its launch, it has supported ISIS survivors in three camp based centres. And to date has helped over 40,000 women and girls. Points of discussion: Introduction (00:00) Going back to Taban's childhood (02:43) Coming to the United Kingdom (08:51) Embracing both Kurdish and British culture during teen days (10:30) Leaving abusive marriage (15:08) Epiphany moment (24:09) The genesis of Lotus Flower organization (32:27) How does Taban manage her foundation and life (38:46) Taban's advice on how to go through hardship (40:01) Closing words by Dee (41:58) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message at Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Powered by Plants: Vegan Campaigner and Ultramarathon Runner Fiona OakesFiona Oakes is renowned as a British endurance runner and vegan athlete. She is the fastest woman in the world to run a marathon on all seven continents and the north pole. She has competed in over 100 marathons and set five marathon course records around the globe, including the Antarctic Ice Marathon. Fiona has been vegan since the age of six. She participates in endurance sports to demonstrate that her diet is not prohibitive to performance and to raise awareness of her Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, which she founded in 1996. At her sanctuary, she cares night and day for 500 rescued animals to which she has devoted her life. She has some really important things to say about ‘modern veganism’ and was a sage reminder of the fact that, like all things, a choice to do better for others is often very simple. It’s only that, as humans, we make it complicated. Thank you to Fiona for sharing her incredible life story with us all this week. I hope you will enjoy hearing from her as much as I did. *** If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com I would love to hear from you! Points of discussion: (00:00) Introduction (02:44) Fiona reflects on though childhood (05:13) What changed to get you running? (06:45) The genesis of Fiona's veganism (14:10) Moments of change during the North Pole marathon (18:33) What have you learned about yourself(20:47) What has changed in veganism from when you started promoting it? (24:55) What does luxury mean to you? (25:44) What does the change mean to you? (27:43) What have you learned working with the animals all these years? (31:03) Fiona's advice to a person that feels a bit stuck (33:18) Key takeaways by Dee0 comments0
- There Is Absolutely Nothing Wrong with You | Gerad KiteMy guest today is Gerad Kite , internationally recognized as an acupuncture master and a fertility expert. Gerad trained in five element acupuncture of which he is now a master and teacher based in London. He started the first-ever NHS acupuncture service in the UK in 1993, based at King's college hospital, predominantly working with patients with AIDS and terminal illnesses. Gerad is a renowned author. His latest book 'The Art of Baby Making' came out in 2020, and he has gained a reputation as the daddy of all fertility experts. Gerad has gone through much change in his life and enabled many to make lasting change in theirs. His discovery of acupuncture was a true epiphany and in our conversation, he tells me all about that moment and the life-changing journey he embarked on. I loved learning about his early approach to work and his rigid mindset, how limiting that eventually was and how somewhere like San Francisco in the 80s could offer such a world of liberation and change. Gerad reminded me that we are so often more programmed to think and behave in a certain way than we realise. And that something, often is about taking a risk. “It doesn't have to be a big risk but take a step outside of the box and take a risk,” he says. Points of discussion: (00:00) Introduction (01:44) What was it like to leave London and move to San Francisco? (04:53) How did you change your mindset and go into acupuncture? (09:11) Five element acupuncture (11:39) After the years of training and practice in acupuncture, what shifted in you? (18:09) How Gerad became a fertility expert (22:03) What are seasons teaching us about changes in life? (25:19) How to get back to the mindful living (26:00) Why do people struggle with change? (28:26) One piece of advice from Gerad (29:15) Future focus and plans (30:09) Key takeaways by Dee If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Reflections on inspiring stories of change and personal growthAs I’ve discovered in the last couple of months, from speaking to all of my extraordinary guests, sometimes it takes a week to decide our destiny. Sometimes it happens in a moment. And sometimes it’s an ongoing journey of discovery. As we come to the close of another year, this is such a valuable message for us to remember. There is so much possibility ahead of us if we can only listen to our instincts, trust the process, lean into challenge and change, and not be afraid of our power. So my invitation to you today is to take my guests as your inspiration. To ask what is stopping you, to listen, truly listen to the answer, and then go forth into a new year ready for change. Thank you, happy new year, and I look forward to sharing more incredible stories with you in 2022. If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Double Espresso With Dee: Inspiring Stories of Change and Personal Growth Dec 16 · 25m Business pivot helped me succeed | Andrew Forman Founder of GivzMy guest Andrew Foreman is a former banker, who after his MBA at Harvard Business School, decided to resolve a problem he experienced to make charitable giving smarter. Fast forward he took the leap, made a business pivot and became an entrepreneur. Today Andrew is co-founder and CEO of Givz , a high-growth tech platform created to resolve this problem. Andrew shared the story of his journey from banker to entrepreneur. During the transition there were many highs and lows. He described how he was feeling during the tough times of business challenges and things not working. Points of Discussion: Introduction (00:00) How did you decide to start a business? (01:47) Being called a wantrepreneur fueled Andrew’s fire (03:35) What was the emotion around not going back to banking? (05:45) Beginnings of Givz and how it looks today (07:05) What were the big business pivots and how did you cope with them? (09:11) What were the changes for you as a business leader? (12:48) How do you deal with uncertainty? (13:51) After becoming a parent, how did that change you as a person? (15:17) Who were the people who influenced you? (16:57) What is your superpower? (19:08) What did you learn about yourself that you are going to bring forward? (20:36) What do you feel is your purpose in life? (21:55) Key takeaways (23:32) Additional Resources: More about Andrew Forman Learn more about Givz Follow me Instagram Visit my website0 comments0
- How a near-death experience shifted my path | Cassius RaynerCassius Rayner is a multi-award winning filmmaker, writer and lecturer. His passion is producing film content using iPhones, capturing stories globally on a variety of social issues. He embraces new technology and runs workshops in smartphone video. He is the founder of the Go Film It , a video production company and also He is also a lecturer at ScreenSpace Ealing Studios in mobile filmmaking. Most recently he won the award for Best Short Film for Dead Eye at the Stockholm Film Festival. Cassius has been working as a camera operator and director in film since 1992. He was 30 years old when his life suddenly changed, when he was stabbed by two youths in South London. They hit a major artery and he would have bled to death had it not been for an off-duty nurse who found him and saved his life. Points of Discussion: Introduction (00:00) What passed through your mind during your near-death experience? (01:45) How did you feel about life during the recovery process? (05:18) Did that trauma send you into a new direction? (07:24) How did you emotionally cope with recovery? (08:24) What did you learn about the gangs and these sorts of behaviours? (11:11) Career pivot and the work with marginalized young people (19:45) Mobile filmmaking and opportunities that come with new technology (29:05) How has Covid affected you and your work (32:35) How do you feel about change? (36:04) What are you looking forward to? (37:38) Key takeaways (40:45) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Surviving cancer was a life changing experience | Annee De MamielToday, my guest is Annee de Mamiel, world-renowned skin health specialist, and founder of natural skincare range De Mamiel - activated by science and designed to treat the impact of stress on the skin. Annee de Mamiel grew up in rural Australia. And after an early career in the pharmaceuticals industry, she pivoted into finance and excelled as a trader on the financial markets. She also pursued her love of sport and became one of Australia's top women triathletes. Then, the sudden death of her dear mentor made her question her life and, as a result, she made some quick and drastic changes. Later, following her cancer diagnosis, she continued to change and evolve her purpose. Today we discuss her journey, her challenges, and her epiphany moments. Points of Discussion: Introduction (01:00) Why the pharmaceutical industry? (1:29) Highlights of finance career (03:45) Time of career change (06:10) Was it a risk to leave the world of finance and money? (08:05) Cancer diagnosis and coping with it (09:05) Changing aspects to survive (15:07) Setting up a business and new road (19:15) What have you learned about yourself by building a business? (22:45) Interconnections between three elements and where does imbalance lie (24:30) Annee's secret of living a healthy life (26:40) How do you handle change, and how do you feel about it? (30:50) What would you say to a 20-year-old self? (32:15) Key takeaways (33:04) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Change Requires Courage |How Emma Slade became Buddhist nunI welcomed Emma Slade, who after studies in Fine Art went into banking, becoming a successful financial analyst. Some years ago, she was in Jakarta on a business trip when she was held at gunpoint. After this profound trauma, she went on a journey which led her to make some fundamental changes in her life. Emma shared the story of how the moment of intense fear made her aware that she wanted to do more with her life. It changed her priorities and gave her the sense that being alive is not to be taken for granted. She talked about how yoga helped her in the process of letting go of many things and of the role that Buddhism played in her life from a young age. In 2014 she has ordained a Buddhist nun in Bhutan. Points of Discussion: Introducing (00:52) The change after trauma (01:31) About yoga, meditation and Buddhism (04:30) How do you keep the continuity? (10:53) Do you believe in chance? (11:50) Becoming a Buddhist nun (12:54) Epiphany of motherhood (14:04) About happiness (20:49) Advice for the people who are trying to escape the prison of themselves (22:30) About change and uncertainty (26:10) How do you use your previous experience in your work today? (29:27) How can people find purpose today? (35:33) What is your biggest concern in the world today? (38:06) The question people ask you the most (40:02) Key takeaways (42:17) If you have a question or feedback on the series send me a message on Instagram (@deedoubleespresso) or email me at doublespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- The unstoppable power of letting go - Our choices create our reality | Jill Sherer MurrayJill Sherer Murray is an author, award-winning journalist, life coach and founder of “Let go for it” a lifestyle brand that enables people to enhance their lives by learning how to let go of what is holding them back. Jill is the author of “Big Wild Love: the unstoppable power of letting go,” published in 2020. Her TEDx talk about letting go now has over 3 million views. Today we talk about how the changes in her life have forced her to look in the mirror and answer some very hard questions. Jill shared a pivotal moment when she decided to end a long relationship that wasn’t working. Despite the pain, she learned that the biggest love story we have is ultimately with ourselves. Jill decided to throw herself into embracing change and taking true responsibility for her choices. Points of Discussion: Introduction (01:01) The pivotal moment (03:05) How did you adjust to the change? (06:52) Why do you think human beings struggle with change? (12:27) Moving forward, both physically and emotionally (15:55) How did you change your approach to dating? (17:39) How slowing down due to Covid affected us psychologically (20:25) How to own your own choices (22:24) The hardest part of change (24:25) The fundamental role of instinct and intuition (30:27) The powerful combination of loving yourself and letting go (35:42) Advice for someone who is facing major change (39:11) What is your mission in life today? (41:37) Key takeaways (43:50) Additional Resources: Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/deedoubleespresso/ Visit my website: www.dee.biz email: doubleespressowithdee@gmail.com0 comments0
- Christine Handy Cancer disruptorThe story of how extreme health issues led to a life-changing epiphany Today I am happy to welcome Christine Handy , mother, model, humanitarian, cancer survivor, and author of “Walk with me,” a novel based on her experiences of dealing with multiple cancers and soon to be made into a film. Today she devotes her life and energy to supporting, helping and motivating others. Christine told us the story of her health challenges right from the moment they started. After her first surgery, it took her a year to recover. She realised her illness was a wake-up call. After her second surgery, Christine had a complication and noone, including doctors and family believed that she was unwell. She shared with us how this impacted her emotionally. When she finally got a second medical opinion, the infection was so bad that she needed urgent surgery. Christine also shared the story of how she first discovered she had breast cancer and fell into deep despair. Her life and her career as a model had been built on how she looked and external considerations. With the passing of time, she found courage and rebuilt her trust in others and started to have self-esteem for the first time. She also realised that her life purpose was to help others. After all of the hardships she went through, Christine wrote a book about her experiences which is being made into a film and became a motivational speaker. Her trauma transformed into creative fuel. Among many inspiring projects she is working on, Christine designed a swimsuit line for women that had mastectomies. Points of Discussion: Introducing (00:42) The impact of health challenges and the moment it started (01:15) At what point did you recognize that you wanted to shift something in your life? (04:52) Complications after second surgery (06:09) How long did it take to recalibrate from that experience? (13:36) How did you cope with ongoing crises? (17:40) About self-talk (20:32) What did you learn about yourself? (22:54) The moment when things started to shift (24:23) The moment you felt ready to go forward (29:25) Do you think this world has moved on in terms of women and how we feel about ourselves? (36:25) Tips on focusing on yourself (39:02) What is the advice you give people who are in moments of pure struggle? (40:41) How to find your purpose (42:42) Who has been a guide for you? (44:43) Big and exciting things ahead of you (46:08) Key takeaways (47:52) Additional Resources: Follow Christine on Instagram Follow us on Instagram Visit our website0 comments0
- Double Espresso With Dee: Inspiring Stories of Change and Personal Growth Oct 25 · 45m From neonatal nurse to inspirational rugby player | Zainab AlemaI am happy to welcome Zainab Alema, known as Zee or The Bulldozer. In 2020, she was named the Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year. The year before, she set up Studs in the Mud, a charity providing equipment and funding to help and encourage women to play rugby. Zee is a British-born Ghanaian, a wife, and a mother of three very young children. After her career playing rugby and working at night full-time as an intensive care neonatal nurse, she is now focused on rugby full-time, playing for Richmond, and aspiring to represent her country. She has gone through much change and seeks to be an agent of change, breaking through stereotypes in the world of competitive sport and beyond. Zee fell in love with rugby at the age of 14, when she didn’t even know women played rugby. She has played ever since, with highs and lows along the way. She was different from her teammates and at times felt lonely, so she nearly quit, but knowing that there are other black female rugby players in the world, such as Maggie Alphonsi, helped her keep going and move forward. Zee shared with us how she managed to create her own path, the one that no one took before her. Today things have changed and she plays in the most diverse team she has ever played. We talked about the importance of Ghanaian culture to Zee and how it adds another dimension to her identity. She explained her nickname Bulldozer, both as a rugby position and a metaphor for her ability to smash stereotypes. Zee also shared her biggest challenges and how she managed to find the balance in her life. Currently, she is working on her dream of playing for England, whilst inspiring many people of different colours, cultures and beliefs to chase their dreams as well. Points of discussion: Introduction (01:25) The moment you fell in love with rugby (01:55) Almost giving up at University (03:06) How did you find the physicality of being on the pitch? (05:38) Did you ever want to no longer wear the headscarf in order to fit in? (08:13) What sort of reception did you get as a young person on the field? (10:40) Are people more inclusive and accepting today? (13:37) Ghanaian tradition and background (15:31) About smashing stereotypes (17:22) Do you think you are re-inventing rugby? (20:06) How do you feel when you are on the pitch? (21:45) What was the biggest challenge for you? (22:18) About balance (23:17) What have you brought from your nursing career to the pitch? (25:16) Being a role model (26:29) Dream of playing for England (28:12) How do you think taking the leap has changed you? (32:55) Where do you think you will be in 5 years? (36:59) Do we need more change? (38:50) A piece of advice (41:20) Key takeaways from the interview by Dee (43:00) Additional Resources: Follow Zee on Linkedin Learn more about Studs in the Mud Follow us on Instagram Visit our website0 comments0
- Change Sessions introduction’m delighted to introduce you to season 3 of the show - Change Sessions. In this season I will talk to incredible people who've experienced huge pivotal moments of real change, by choice or by circumstance. From stories of reinvention and inspiring career pivots to the dramatic shifts that happen in moments of crisis. These sessions on change will explore how we feel at that crucial point of creating new lives for ourselves, and what we can learn from the experiences of others. I will be speaking to everyone from Buddhist nuns and Bollywood actresses to CEOs, adventurers, and authors. I'm excited and inspired to hear and share their stories. Together we will uncover the truth about what it takes to make a change and hopefully paint a picture for you of how we feel when our lives experience a transition. However big or small. The overwhelming message from everybody is that no matter what, keep walking, keep moving. Keep doing, keep changing. As we know, nothing happens if it remains an idea in your head. “For what it's worth, it's never too late, or in my case too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit. Stop whenever you want, you can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things that you've never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” - Eric Roth Additional Resources: Follow Dee on Linkedin Follow me on Instagram Visit our website0 comments0
- Tessa Hempson: We Have the Power to Make the Incredible ChangeToday I am excited to welcome a scientist and marine conservation spe cialist Dr Tessa Hempson. She is an ecologist, a coral reefs specialist, and a writer. She studied botany and zoology, conservation biology, and worked extensively across Africa. Today she is the Principal Scientist and Program Manager of Oceans Without Borders and at the same time an Adjunct Researcher at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University in Australia. During her PhD studies in coral ecology, Tessa even worked as a helicopter underwater evacuation instructor for the Australian Defence Force. She told us about this extraordinary experience and what she learned from it. We reflected on last year's challenges, especially those regarding connection with the community, which is crucial for Tessa's work. She emphasized the importance of building strong local capacities and shared how special it was to return to Africa after the lockdown. Tessa took us back to her childhood, the experience of growing up in nature, and the moment she realized that studying oceans is her call. In the ocean space, little things civilians can do to preserve nature can really make a difference. There are so many simple things we do in our daily lives, choices we make about tiny things that can make a huge impact. For example, reducing plastic usage, recycling, and being informed where our food comes from. Every time we spend money, we are creating a statement on creating consumer demand. So if we demand local products, we are directly impacting the amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. And there is, of course, voting and making your voice heard in the political space. Tessa shared her views on seafood consumption in western, privileged societies where there is a choice. Her advice is to get informed, eat less, and try to eat those lower species on the food chain, such as sardine, instead of predators such as tuna. She told us about her life-changing experience of diving deep into the ocean in the Mozambique area, but also the terrifying one of witnessing the coral bleaching. A lot of environmental problems come from ignorance, and that is something we can deal with. Tessa is sure that there is always hope and that we have the power to make the change. Key Takeaways: Introducing (00:23) Experience of working as a helicopter underwater evacuation instructor (02:20) Over the past year, who would you have loved to have had coffee with and why? (04:46) How has this last year been for you? (07:00) What are the childhood memories that made you who you are today? (11:47) When did you decide to focus on oceans? (15:44) Where are you today in terms of your approach to environmental issues? (18:45) What is your view on consuming fish? (22:53) Hopes and concerns (27:46) Experiences that changed you (32:28) Swimming with sharks (36:42) The most terrifying experience (41:50) How hopeful are you about slowing the process of coral bleaching? (44:17) Where is home for you? (48:46) What is your big focus in the next few years? (51:47) Additional Resources: Follow Tessa on Linkedin Learn more about Oceans Without Borders Follow us on Instagram Visit our website0 comments0
- Tom Mustill: Environmental films that can truly make an impactI am delighted to have Tom Mustill as my guest today. He is an environmental director, producer, writer, the founder of Gripping Films. He creates stories, connects people with the world and some of the burning issues around climate. He made films for BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, National Geographic, won many awards and worked with many pioneering environmentalists and scientists of our days and some of the legends like David Attenborough himself. Tom shared the story of how he became a filmmaker. He is a conservational biologist who always loved documentaries about nature. So he decided to use storytelling as a conservation tool and started making films in 2006, first as a producer and later as a director. The first film he directed was Inside Nature's Giants for Channel 4. We talked about challenges Tom faced during filming and how he chooses projects that move him and that can move other people as well. He shared feelings he had when his films reached millions of viewers and described their impact on decision-makers and the general public. A story can be impactful in loads of different formats, and there doesn't have to be a call to action for people to actually take action. As we were wrapping up for today, Tom explained how the filmmaking industry can reduce carbon and plastic waste to become more sustainable and told us what film he would make if he knew it is his last one. Right now, Tom is finishing his book, and soon it will be available for readers. Key points of discussion: When did it all start for you? (01:17) What was the first film that you put together? (03:24) What have you seen that changed you as a person? How do you choose your projects? (08:40) About the starting concept and the impact of Tom's films today (13:26) Have you seen any changes in people as a consequence of your work? (23:09) The most impactful films (31:10) Sustainable filmmaking (34:44) Who would you have coffee with if you could have it with anyone? (39:07) If you were going to make one last film, what would it be about? (40:33) Additional Resources: Follow Tom on Linkedin Learn more about Gripping Films Follow us on Instagram Visit our website0 comments0
- Fashion tech start-up,Whering, champions eco-friendly consumer experienceToday it is my great pleasure to introduce Bianca Rangecroft, the founder and CEO of Whering, the fashion tech app that allows you to digitise your wardrobe and see and style what you own. Bianca spent the first 4.5 years of her career in Banking at Barclays and Goldman Sachs in London. She worked on two big fashion IPOs, which is how she got a feel for this industry and began exploring demographics and how the sustainability pain point was evolving. While working on the Stitch Fix IPO, she started thinking about how she could harness machine learning to democratize the personal styling landscape. Bianca explained that her route into the sustainable fashion space really stemmed from being a frustrated consumer: “I wanted to help Millennial and Gen Z users, like myself, escape the buy-use-dispose model, but I had a hard time finding access to sustainable styling advice.” She decided to resolve the “I have nothing to wear” dilemma and took the leap and started her entrepreneurial journey in 2020. Her app, Whering is designed to help people rediscover what they already own and empower conscientious consumers to do better with their wardrobe and buy in a way that is more eco friendly. Key points of discussion: Introduction (00:32) If you could have coffee with anyone, who would it be and why? (00:53) Why Bianca decided to build a fashion tech app (02:11) Why clothes are so fundamental (04:57) How is the Whering app empowering conscientious consumers to do better with their wardrobe (06:11) The effect of fast fashion and our societies’ desire to consume (10:35) Sustainable innovations in fashion(13:43) What have been the biggest challenges in building a sustainable brand? (17:59) Bianca’s hardest moment in the business (24:27) The biggest challenge in the sustainability entrepreneurship journey so far (30:31) What was the greatest piece of advice you have been given (33:56) Additional Resources: Follow Bianca on Linkedin and Instagram Learn more about Whering Follow us on Instagram Visit our website0 comments0
