Conversations with Agents of Change

Too often, International Women’s Day is reduced to a symbolic celebration — flowers, compliments, and social media posts about how wonderful women are. But the day was never meant to be just that. International Women’s Day is about recognising the impact of women in society and the world. It is about celebrating women everywhere — the progress we have made, the strength we carry, and the future we...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , I sit down with Ronan Bradley, Northern Ireland Site Lead and Principal Engineer at Ocula Technologies, to explore one of the biggest questions shaping our future: How can we embrace the power of AI while reducing its environmental footprint? We dive into: the shift from AI as infrastructure to AI as real‑world impact how agentic systems are...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd is joined by Janet Schofield, CEO of CAN, the Compass Advocacy Network, user-led charity based in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. This conversation is about power, who holds it, who is heard, and what happens when leadership genuinely centres the people it exists to serve. Janet leads with a simple but radical principle: "not...

In this episode, Dr Erika Servin Zamora — veterinary scientist, educator, and one of the world’s leading voices in axolotl conservation. From the mystical origins of Mexico’s iconic Ambystoma mexicanum to pioneering breakthroughs in cryopreservation, Dr Servin Zamora is reshaping what conservation can look like. She takes us inside her work restoring fragile habitats, freezing genetic material to...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izchel Boyd sits down with Ola Sobieraj — community organiser, immigration advisor, and relentless advocate for migrant rights. Ola shares her journey from being one of the only Polish migrants in rural Northern Ireland to becoming a powerful voice for EU citizens navigating complex, often hostile systems. Together, we explore what acces...

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , host Izy Boyd sits down with Sharon Galway — a woman who has turned personal adversity into profound purpose. With over 30 years in financial services and a deeply human approach to trust and estate planning, Sharon is reshaping how we talk about money, legacy, and preparing for the future. From navigating divorce and rebuilding con...

What really helps us stay steady when life speeds up? In this episode, we sit down with Doug Strycharczyk , CEO of AQR International and one of the world’s leading voices on mental toughness , to explore the invisible inner capacities that shape how we respond to pressure, uncertainty, and opportunity. Drawing on decades of research across business, education, sport, and social mobility, Doug expl...

What if the problem isn’t how people learn — but how systems are designed? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd is joined by Dr John Kelly , founder of Fingerprint Learning, to explore how brain science and upstream thinking can reshape education, leadership, and innovation. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, John challenges deficit-based models that label peop...

What if the biggest climate solutions aren’t in the sky… but beneath our feet? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , I’m joined by Allistair Wilkinson , Sustainable Materials Expert at CDE Group — working inside one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world to help transform it. We talk c ement decarbonisation , circular economy solutions, and why changing how we buil...

Dr Jonny Bloomfield — high performance coach, sports scientist and TEDx speaker — shares on this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, how wellbeing is the foundation of sustainable performance and leadership. Drawing on his experience in elite sport, workplace wellbeing and men’s mental health, Jonny explores why prevention matters, how leaders shape culture through behaviour, and what...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , Izchel Boyd is joined by resilience and mindset coach Valerie Crozier-Nicholl , founder of Kaleidoscope VCN. Valerie shares her powerful journey from burnout and serious health challenges to creating the EMBRACE programme — a compassionate, practical approach to emotional wellbeing. Together, they explore what mindset work really means (beyo...

This is the heart of being an Agent of Change:  an ongoing rhythm of inner development that fuels outer transformation. It’s not reserved for the extraordinary. It’s a path available to anyone willing to look inward, reach outward, and move forward with intention. Because in a world calling for change, the greatest contribution we can offer isn’t just what we do—it’s who we choose to become. https...

In this episode, we’re taking a slightly different route. Instead of spotlighting a contemporary changemaker, we’re going back in time to reflect on the legacy of one of history’s most powerful Agents of Change: Benito Juárez, the first Indigenous president of Mexico in the mid-19th century, and widely recognized as a transformative Agent of Change—both in Mexican history and in the broader contex...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , we sit down with Yogiraj Jakkal , an extraordinary emerging innovator whose ideas are already reshaping how we think about climate impact, entrepreneurship, and global responsibility. Recorded following his standout success at the What’s the Big Idea? Awards — a competition organised by Queen’s Students’ Union and sponsored by Ormeau Busines...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , we dive into the inspiring story behind Stendhal Festival with its founder, Ross Parkhill. What started as a dream in a field has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated independent festivals. Ross shares the challenges and triumphs of building a cultural movement from the ground up, the values that shaped its evolution, and how...

Conversations with Agents of Change is a thought-provoking podcast series celebrating the visionaries shaping our world for the better. Through honest, inspiring, and deeply human conversations, we meet the artists, organisers, innovators, and community leaders driving positive transformation across culture, sustainability, and social impact. Each episode dives into the stories behind the change —...