Access to Inspiration

Host Sue Stockdale interviews Bettina Ovgaard, a versatile professional who has pursued a career by following her curiosity. Bettina shares her experiences working in various industries, including costume design for film, leading tours in the Arctic, and serving as Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation for Joint Arctic Command. They delve into Bettina's work at the Thule Air Base (now Pituffik Space...

Have you ever come up against rules, procedures, or obstacles that make it incredibly difficult to create change? This week's guest shares some brilliant examples of organisations that have successfully overcome these challenges. Sue Stockdale interviews Paolo Savaget, Associate Professor at Oxford University, about his work in transforming unjust systems through workarounds and entrepreneurship....

In episode 110, host Sue Stockdale interviews Dr Poornima Luthra, an associate professor at Copenhagen Business School. They explore the concept of active allyship and discuss ways to overcome the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing when supporting diversity and inclusion within organizations. Poornima is the founder and CEO of TalentED Consultancy ApS. Poornima’s work in DEI focuses on expand...

Slowing down and engaging in activities that quiet the brain can bring more wonder into our lives. Monica Parker talks to host, Sue Stockdale about how practicing mindfulness and being observant allows us to cultivate a slower thought process, which is essential for experiencing wonder. Additionally, exposing ourselves to new ideas, new perspectives, and new environments can also stimulate wonder...

In this episode, host Sue Stockdale welcomes Kevin Chapman, co-founder of the Physical Intelligence Institute. Kevin shares his passion for helping people perform at their best by understanding and utilizing the full potential of their bodies. He introduces the concept of physical intelligence and explores how our bodies can impact our confidence and anxiety levels. Through science and practical a...

In episode 107 of the Access to Inspiration podcast, host Sue Stockdale interviews Gary Fildes, an astronomer and the founder of the Keilder Observatory in the UK. Gary's passion for astronomy and his encyclopedic knowledge of the subject have contributed to the success of the observatories he has worked at. They discuss the distinction between being an astronomer and an astrophysicist and how Gar...

In today's world, the term "ecology" often evokes images of sacrifice, expense, and inconvenience. In this final episode of our Climate Solutions series, renowned explorer and environmentalist, Bertrand Piccard explains why focusing on ecology is not only profitable but also exciting. Piccard is best known for his groundbreaking achievements in exploration: flying around the world in a solar-power...

In this episode of our podcast, host Sue Stockdale talks to Professor Dame Anne Glover, President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Anne emphasizes the importance of effective communication in science and geography. Whether it's encouraging more people to pursue science or communicating the importance of research findings, clear and effective communication is essential. With Climate Solu...

Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials in the world, with one third of global resources going into its production. However, the production of concrete has a significant impact on the environment, and there is a growing need for sustainable alternatives. Host Sue Stockdale interviews Roisin Hyde, a chartered architect specialising in sustainable design and 3D printing of low car...

In this episode, Iain Stewart, an expert in geoscience and sustainability, highlights the need for the scientific community to communicate differently to engage communities in developing sustainable climate solutions, learning to move away from the 'tell and sell' approach, to one of 'sense and respond' in order to build trust. Iain explains to host, Sue Stockdale about his latest project in north...

Sue Stockdale interviews Jojo Mehta, the co-founder and executive director of Stop Ecocide International who talks about the organisations mission of advocating for the criminalisation of ecocide and make the destruction of nature a global crime. Jojo Mehta co-founded Stop Ecocide in 2017, alongside barrister and legal pioneer the late Polly Higgins, to support the establishment of ecocide as a cr...

Sue Stockdale talks to Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) about his adventurous and philanthropic background, and how experience on an expedition to Borneo inspired him to give back to the environment. Mike also describes his work at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, its function as a small charity, and how he believes that it is not enough for...

Sue Stockdale welcomes Simeon Wood, a multi-talented musician, educator, and composer, to celebrate the Access to Inspiration podcast's 100th episode. Simeon shares tales of his 30-year journey as a guest entertainer perfoming all over the world in concert halls, on cruise ships, and even in a prison. Simeon describes his two homemade instruments - the walking stick flute and the bicycle pump - an...

Who would have thought that a Bronx-born rookie cop would go on to become a successful author, giving readers an intimate look into the world of law enforcement? In conversation with host Sue Stockdale, Vic Ferrari talks about the powerful connection between his deep love for the NYPD and his mission to share his experiences through his writing. Growing up in the Bronx, Vic always dreamt of becomi...

In episode 98, Berit Lewis shares her personal story of how she arrived at her area of interest in helping people over 50 in their later years of life. Berit talks about how she found a passion for psychology, mindfulness and learning to regulate her physical sensations as a way to manage her thoughts and emotions. This theme of primary and secondary suffering is also brought up, with Berit sugges...

Roshni Pandey, who is Indian by ethnicity, Fijian by birth, Australian by citizenship, & Singaporean by residence, explains how her experience of freedom, imagination and creativity as a youngster influences her work today as a creative strategy consultant, angel investor and social entrepreneur. She reflects on how self-imposed limitations can get in the way of new idea generation, and how a...

Judith Keys talks to Sue Stockdale about how the ups and downs of emigrating to live and work in France. She explains what prompted her to move, how she initially found it difficult to integrate into the French way of life, and what helped her to adapt. Originally from Ireland, Judith has now lived in Provence for over 10 years. In 2013 she left her corporate job in Scotland, sold her house, and d...

Ray Martin created his own path in life after facing a crisis. In 2005, shattered by divorce and the loss of his father, he decided to let go of being a successful business leader to embark on a journey of reinvention by taking a six-month sabbatical which ended up lasting fourteen years. He explains to host, Sue Stockdale what he learned from this experience, and how he completely re-evaluated hi...

Faisal Hoque talks to host, Sue Stockdale about how mindfulness has helped him in his life and work by enabling him to be present, patient and accepting the different circumstances he has found himself in. Whether it was at university where he had to work several jobs whilst studying, being let go by the investors that took control of the company he founded, or supporting his son through cancer tr...

Clive Steeper and Sue Stockdale, founders of Access to Inspiration podcast, reflect on the recent guest-hosted series and the key insights that they gained including: The value of reflection How to overcome fears and step into the unknown The importance of leadership and self-leadership This series is kindly supported by Squadcast –the remote recording platform which empowers podcasters by capturi...

In our final guest-hosted episode, researcher and designer Josh Wasserman, from episode 44 talks to Andrew Freear, Director of Rural Studio which part of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture of Auburn University. Freear lives in a small rural community in Hale County, West Alabama, where for twenty years he has directed this unique architecture program where students des...

Cori Myka, from Orca Swim School talks to Rob Lawrence ( from episode 42 ) about how she supports adult non-swimmers who often have a fear of deep water, to realize their dreams. And it's all to do with healing the mind. You will learn how she teaches learners remotely to help them become aware of their thoughts and change their subsequent behaviour. About Cori Myka Cori is co-owner of Orca Swim S...

Pierre Heistein talks to Brendan Davis, from episode 58, about the documentary film he made telling the story of Atuel River in Mendoza region, Argentina. In 2020 there were protests against the overturning of a water protection law that had successfully kept water-intensive mining projects out of the Mendoza province, the largest wine-producing region in Latin America that gets water from the Atu...

In the first of our series of guest-hosted episodes Racheal Wanjiku Kigame, Country Director, Help a Child Africa, who was a guest on episode 12 talks to her mentor Dr. James Kisia about using mentorship to cultivate leadership in Africa. They discuss: why leaders must listen and be curious why mentors should '‘walk their talk’ if they want to encourage others to grow and develop why there is a gr...

Sue Stockdale previews the guest-hosted episodes that will be featured in Series 12. They are: Dr. James Kisia talks to guest host Racheal Wanjiku Kigame from episode 12 about using mentorship to cultivate leadership in Africa Pierre Heistein talks to guest host Brendan Davis from episode 58 about recording the story of the Atuel River Cori Myka talks to guest host Rob Lawrence from episode 42 abo...