Conversations to Connect

In this episode of Conversations to Connect, I sat down with Gustavo Rodrigues, Capoeirista and Tour Guide who grew up in Rocinha, Brazil’s largest favela, in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro. Gustavo is an integral member of Acorda Capoeira, a transformative social project that has thrived in the heart of Rocinha for over two decades. Founded in 2004 by Mestre Manel, Acorda Capoeira is a social p...

On today’s episode, I am joined by Sarah Taylor, Research and Evaluation Manager at the Prison Radio Association (PRA). Founded in 2006, PRA is a UK charity that operates National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station dedicated to individuals in prison. Broadcasting 24/7, National Prison Radio plays a crucial role in supporting incarcerated individuals, contributing to efforts to...

On today’s episode I am joined by Cormac Russell, a social explorer, author and a much sought-after speaker. He is the Founding Director of Nurture Development and a member of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, at DePaul University, Chicago. Over the last 25 years, Cormac’s work has demonstrated an enduring impact in 35 countries around the world. He has trained communities, a...

On today's episode, I am joined by Vanessa Longley, Chief Executive of Chance UK. Chance UK is a leading children's charity dedicated to supporting children aged 5-13 with early intervention and mentoring programs. Since its founding in 1995, Chance UK has focused on supporting children facing adversity by providing individualized support to enhance self-esteem and develop essential life skills. T...

On today's episode, I am joined by Ruy Marra da Silva Jr., a distinguished neuroscientist, hang gliding instructor, and two-time Brazilian champion. Ruy is deeply committed to the belief in the unlimited capacity of human evolution, a philosophy that has guided his extensive research and innovative approach to mental health and personal development. He is currently part of the Biociences and Healt...

On today’s episode I am joined by Seth D. Kaplan, a leading expert on fragile states, societies, and communities. Seth is the author of Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time . He is a Professorial Lecturer in the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Senior Adviser for the Institute for Integrated Transit...

On today’s episode I am joined by Kriss Munsya, a Congolese-born visual artist currently living in Rio de Janeiro, with experience in photography, graphic design, music and video production. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Brussels, Belgium in the ‘90s, Munsya became aware of his differences early on. In his white-dominated surroundings, he became accustomed to experiences w...

On today’s episode I am joined by Sammy McKay, professional boxer, boxing coach at Miguels Boxing Gym in Brixton and founder of Champs Within. Sammy started boxing in 2015, as part of the London Fire Brigade Lambeth Boxing Initiative. Having travelled the world training with champions, Sammy gained a number of title wins and turned pro in 2020. Sammy has trained regularly at Miguels since fin...

On today’s episode I am joined by Beatriz Acevedo. Beatriz Acevedo is an artist and educator, originally from Colombia, who has been living in the UK for 20 years. She is passionate about restoring our relationship with beauty, challenging the imposed ideas of what is pretty and discovering beauty around and inside us. She has been writing about beauty, aesthetics and ethics and is now finishing h...

On today’s episode I am joined by Brendan Cox. Brendan Cox is a campaigner for more cohesive communities. He has co-founded multiple organisations that work to build more connected and cohesive communities, such as More in Common which works to build more inclusive communities in France, Germany, the UK and the US, Survivors Against Terror, the Jo Cox Foundation,(continuing the work of his la...

On today’s episode I am joined by Nova Reid. Nova Reid is a thought leader, TED speaker, author and producer, fascinated by human behavior. Often described as a force to be reckoned with, Nova uses her professional background in mental wellbeing to encourage meaningful change from the inside out.  Through her impactful advocacy and powerful public speaking, writing and storytelling, she has b...

On today’s episode I am joined by Hannah Campbell and G Bansal, the founders of One Twelve, a creative agency that works with fashion, music and brand partnerships in the UK. Hannah and G founded One Twelve with an important mission, as black and brown female founders, they have a vision to ensure marketing is more inclusive and representative of various peoples lifestyles and cultures. They aim t...

On this episode I am joined by my grandfather, Commander David Hawksley OBE, born in August 1923. David joined the navy at 18 in 1942 and fought in the Second World War and continued to work in the navy until 1976. He then began a new career at BSI, British Standards Institution. On leaving BSI at 65, he became an international consultant for developing countries to help them develop their own sta...

On this episode I am joined by Marc Abraham or Marc The Vet, as he is more commonly known. Marc is an award winning veterinary surgeon, broadcaster, author and animal welfare campaigner and was awarded an OBE for services to animal welfare in the 2021 Queens Birthday honours. As well as campaigning to improve animal welfare in the UK, Marc volunteers around the world, and visits schools teaching p...

On this episode I am joined by Tony Supreme, an award winning radio presenter, CEO of Grounded Sounds, a charity which aims at empowering youth through music, as well as the founder of Soul Surge - a music and wellbeing platform. With extensive knowledge and personal experience of the criminal justice system Tony also mentors and supports young people into careers in music. On this episode, w...

On this episode I am joined by Meryl Davies, Chief Executive Officer at Re-engage, a charity aimed at tackling the huge and growing issue of loneliness in later life. More than 2 million people in the UK over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say that they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. Re-engage is working to make life less l...

On this episode I am joined by Dr Radha Modgil, GP, Media Personality and medical expert for BBC Radio 1, campaigner, broadcaster, podcast host and author. Dr Radha Modgil is also an ambassador for the National Academy of Social Prescribing and offers empowering advice that helps people deal with life's many challenges, and to take control of their own health and wellbeing. On this episode we disc...

For our fifth episode I am joined by Silas Armstrong of Brixton Chamber Orchestra. Music is a universal language that connects us all. It can improve our emotional state, enhance our mood and create a sense of unity and togetherness that can help in reducing loneliness and social isolation. Based in Brixton, London, Brixton Chamber Orchestra is a registered charity and group of instrumentalists th...

For our fourth episode we are joined by Simon Jarvis, Operations Executive at Beam. Beam is an award-winning Tech for Good start-up and crowdfunding platform that supports homeless people and refugees into stable jobs and homes. Beam's technology allows anyone around the world to read about individual people's stories, connect with them, write messages of support and help to fund vocational traini...

For our third episode we are joined by Eddy Elmer, to discuss marginalistion and loneliness in the LGBTQ community. Despite the birth of the global gay rights movement, the LGBTQ community still suffer from marginalisation and a risk of increased loneliness. On this episode we discuss potential causes, risk factors and collective solutions. Eddy Elmer is a researcher and consultant in aging a...

For our second episode we are joined by Tansy Dowman, Forest Bathing Guide, Outdoor Life Coach and Mindfulness Teacher. Tansy helps people reconnect with nature and themselves to live more fulfilling lives. Being close to nature and green spaces has a proven impact on loneliness, depression and anxiety and in this episode we are going to be discussing forest bathing, mindful walking and how reconn...

For our first ever episode we are joined by Robin Hewings, programme Director at the Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make...