On The Sofa With Rouge

This week we’re joined by Professor Alan Deidun, a renowned Marine Biologist from the University of Malta and head of the Oceanography Malta Research Group. Professor Deidun has devoted his life to exploring and protecting our oceans. His fascination with the sea began during his undergraduate studies when a diving course opened his eyes to the incredible underwater w...

The inaugural #GIBLDN25 Gibraltar London Business Conference was held on 21st October 2025 at the prestigious Oxo Tower Brasserie, bringing together key voices from Gibraltar’s business and creative sectors. This landmark event offered Gibraltarian podcasters a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and spotlight the vibrant diversity of our business community. I was proud to represent...

The Edinburgh Arms brings a burst of flavour and passion to Gibraltar’s South District! A beloved local pub with years of history, has now been transformed into Ian Estella’s culinary dream — a vibrant gastro haven where classic dishes meet creative twists and bold fusions. Inspired by his grandmother and mother, Ian and his partner Head Chef Luisa serve up a unique dining expe...

In this episode, we chat with Veta Wade, Founder and Director of Fish N’ Fins, an NGO on the island of Monserrat in the Caribbean, empowering youth through marine education and turtle conservation. Veta is on a mission to inspire the next generation to protect our oceans, one turtle at a time! Through hands-on learning and global collaborations, like with the Nautilus Project, Veta is bu...

Food, friends, and a whole lot of flavour!  Recording a podcast with your mates is always a blast — but when the convo’s all about food, things really start cooking! From diving into what makes  Gibraltar cuisine  unique, to swapping stories about our  grandmas’ legendary recipes , to figuring out how to snap that  perfect  Insta-worthy food shot 🍴📸 — it’s all on th...

Tucked away up La Calle Comedia or Castle Street, Rouge sits down with Lauren, the passionate powerhouse behind El Kasbah. From taking over the reins to transforming the menu into a vibrant explosion of colour, creativity, and bold flavours—Lauren’s journey is as inspiring as the dishes she serves. Think Middle Eastern fusion, fresh local ingredients, and unforgettable Moroccan desserts that’ll ha...

This is the Nautilus Project Podcast. Here in Gibraltar, at the gateway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, we’re proud to keep exploring, learning, and protecting the marine world that connects us all. Today’s episode features Alex Sanchez Soiza & Mikey Rugeroni 2 students currently studying Marine Biology and Geography respectively. They give an insight into what their role is within...

Step into the kitchens of two family-run restaurants whose flavors tell a story of love, resilience, and community. Welcomed into our community with open arms, these culinary dreamers have become local legends—not just for their handcrafted spice blends and unforgettable dishes, but for the way they treat every customer like family. Their journey is steeped in passion and perseverance, a pursuit o...

Welcome to ‘On the Menu with Rouge’ Series 5 starting next week, your backstage pass to Gibraltar’s sizzling food scene. I’m cooking up conversations that go beyond the plate. Whether you’re a die hard foodie, a restaurant owner or part of Gibraltar’s catering community this is your space. This season is all about culture, flavour and connection. And if you have a story to tell or a food philosoph...

On the Sofa with Rouge  this week, we’re diving into all things LGBTQ+ with the inspiring Paul Perez — Chair of Gibraltar’s LGBTQ+ Committee and educator at Bayside School. In his leadership role, Paul spearheads vital initiatives such as public awareness campaigns, the LGBTQ+ Book Club, support meetings for the trans community, and a variety of inclusive social events. A passionate advocate...

This is an extraordinary story of a father and son—two remarkable men whose lives were forever changed by the impact of a stroke. Wayne transformed his life, made a full recovery, and embraced a new way of living. Wes, on the other hand, continues to navigate the profound and challenging effects of his own stroke—an experience that has been both life-altering and deeply moving. Their journey is on...

The Taourarte Educational Charitable Trust was born out of a simple act of kindness. Maurice Valarino, along with a group of fellow travelers, found themselves stranded in the remote village of Taourarte during a violent storm, unable to return to Chefchaouen. The villagers welcomed them with warmth and shelter, offering safety when it was most needed. During their stay, the group learned that onl...

A determined team of six—four on bikes, two in a support vehicle—took on an epic 1,200km challenge from Lourdes to Gibraltar, battling blistering heat, relentless rain, steep climbs, and sleepless nights. After 10 intense days on the road, they crossed the finish line, cycling through breathtaking landscapes and pushing through every obstacle in their path. Join Tony, Ian, Jimmy, and Glenn On the...

Jayden Fa has been a creative force since childhood, with a passion for music and a keen eye for photography. From an early age, he experimented with concepts and setups, often roping in friends to bring his imaginative ideas to life. His flair for fashion photography quickly gained recognition in Gibraltar, but it was a major social media-driven shoot that truly launched his international career....

Living with a disability comes with its own set of challenges, and on my podcast, I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stories of several neurodivergent friends from our community. This week, I’m joined by Eloise Durante. Eloise was born with aniridia—a rare genetic condition that affects the eyes—and is one of the few people in Gibraltar living with it. Partially sighted, she refuses to let her...

Gibraltar Netball: Passion, Power & Purpose In this empowering episode, we dive into the world of Gibraltar Netball — a sport driven by passionate women who have built a powerful legacy on and off the court. Moira Gomez , President of Gibraltar Netball for 32 years, shares how she's helped put the sport — and Gibraltar — on the map, championing women’s participation and creating a thriving lea...

Change your energy, change your life CYE-CYL. Don’t feel afraid to manifest what’s in your heart and achieve anything you set your mind to. This is the philosophy of Navin Mayani a very spiritual and down to earth mentor and leader empowering young people to reach their goals, to dream and dream big and to keep believing in themselves. Cye-Cyl was created from a very pure intention helping young p...

When you think of sustainability and a greener future, you think of  OTWO Magazine  and trailblazer Vanessa Byrne. Passionate about the planet and dedicated to making Gibraltar healthier and more eco-friendly, Vanessa has built a platform that educates and inspires change. Through constant awareness and expert advice, she encourages our community to embrace greener choices—from sustainab...

Celebrating International Women’s Day today and On the Sofa with Rouge this week is Ross Mulkern a British linguist and educator resident in Gibraltar since 2023. His work with the Mulkern Foundation focuses on providing professional training for "left behind" women affected by war in the Middle East.  The Foundation's Certificate in Language Pedagogy course boosted the careers of 24 Syrian t...

It’s always such a pleasure to interview people and find out what drives them. This week On the Sofa with Rouge the conversation is about birds, bats caves and ornithology. Dr. Stewart Finlayson is a Gibraltar-based naturalist, evolutionary biologist, and wildlife photographer with a Ph. D. in Life Sciences. Passionate about ornithology, bats, and caves, he has published extensively on Gibraltar’s...

We all want to look and feel our best, but sometimes life gets in the way. When we fall off track, we can feel bloated, sluggish, and unmotivated. Karen Jacobson understands this struggle firsthand. With a passion for gut health that began at a young age, Karen has spent years researching and uncovering what truly impacts our well-being. Her journey has been about more than just diets—it’s been ab...

This week On the Sofa with Rouge, we get to meet Lauren Lavelle, owner of Classic Cuts Hair & Beauty and a talented hairdresser in her own right. From humble beginnings, Lauren always dreamt big. With the help of her sister, she landed a job at Toni & Guy, and from there, the sky was the limit. Lauren eventually made her way to Gibraltar—a young Essex girl with a few years of London hairdr...

Episode 15 in the WTF! series boasts an inspiring conversation with two incredibly talented creatives, Jackie Villa and Kaigan Garcia, who are making a significant impact in the world of theatre in Gibraltar. Their collaboration and shared journey in the arts have led them to create "The Theatre Makers," a group dedicated to producing new plays and theatre experiences for the community. Through th...

This week's episode of  On the Sofa with Rouge  and the Infinity Group features Dr. Reena Virdi, a GP at the PCC and mentor for the Infinity Group. Dr. Virdi, who also runs the Well Woman Clinic at the PCC, is an advocate for healthy living and a regular at the gym. In this inspiring conversation, she talks about how to maintain a healthier lifestyle and the importance of good habits. Dr...

Welcome to our series of podcasts, brought to you by On the Sofa with Rouge and the Specialist Medical Clinic / GibMed International Hospital. Situated at the heart of the community, these installations offer specialized and bespoke care to patients. This podcast episode offers an insightful look into the work and lives of three skilled GPs—Dr. Krish Rawal, Dr. Aga Biel, and Dr. Aaron Dehghan—who...