Conversations with Agents of Change

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 —...