Access to Inspiration

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...

During this month we are republishing some of our most popular episodes. Dr. John-David F. Bartoe is a retired astronaut and former Research Manager of the International Space Station. He has travelled over 2.8 million miles and logged over 190 hours in space. In this episode Dr Bartoe talks to Sue Stockdale about his experience as an astronaut, what it’s like to travel into space on the Space Shu...

During December we are republishing a few of our most popular episodes. This week it's Jennifer Wilde & Dan McClure talking about Systems innovation. It was first broadcast on 26th Jan 2022 as episode 59. Jen and Dan explain how to reimagine systems when addressing big challenges, such as organisational change or the aftermath of a humanitarian disaster. They explain how to avoid overwhelm, wh...

During December we are republishing a few of our most popular episodes. This week Sue Stockdale talks to Palwasha Siddiqi, whose early childhood experiences as a refugee shaped her interest in helping others to maximise their potential. Palwasha was born and raised between Afghanistan and Pakistan. When she was seven her family fled the civil war in Afghanistan and became refugees in Pakistan wher...

Sue Stockdale talks to Alex van den Heever, a wildlife tracker and author who worked for many years at the famous Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. He served in numerous roles, as a safari guide, tracker and ultimately had full responsibility for the reserve’s environment. Alex describes the ancient skill of tracking and how it relates to modern day decision-making. He shares the five interr...

Global CEO of Designit, Nic Parmaksizian talks to Sue Stockdale about why he is passionate about creativity and innovation. Nic outlines how leaders can create environments that encourage innovation, and why ambidexterity is needed to be able to focus on both profitability today and tomorrow. An accomplished global business executive, Nic is known for his strategic, visionary thinking. His contagi...

Sue Stockdale talks to Dr. Sarah Gilchrist about the subject of sleep. With over 60% of the British population reporting that they have poor sleep quality, and an estimated 1 in 3 suffering from insomnia or sleep deprivation, it’s a topic that has a significant impact on our health and wellbeing. Dr. Sarah Gilchrist FBASES spent over 20 years working in the high-performance sport industry latterly...

Tyrone Mathurin talks to host Sue Stockdale about being a racing driver in Team BRIT, which aims to become the first ever all-disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race – the most iconic endurance sportscar race in the world. Whilst riding his motorbike in 2005, Tyrone crashed which caused four nerves to be torn from his spinal cord. During surgery to reattach the nerves, doctors...