Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East

In this week's episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the  North East ,  we're  joined by Sophie Milliken MBE, and it feels like the perfect conversation to close out  what's  been a brilliant Season 3.   Sophie wears many hats.  She's  the founder and CEO of Moja Group, a personal branding agency based in Newcastle, chairs Smart Works  North East , co-founded City Ladies Networking, and sits on th...

In this week's episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the  North East ,  we're  joined by Jackson Payne (from Season 2 )  and  he's  brought along his best mate Jack Newsworthy too!     If you want to listen to Jacksons episode from Season 2, check it out here:  bit.ly/ gpjackson   The lads have been friends since primary school, bonding over music from  a young age , and  it's  clear from the off...

In this week's episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , we're chatting with Nicola Farndell - a women's health and menopause coach who has rebuilt her life from the ground up after years of anxiety, burnout and big life changes.   Nicola shares her powerful story of going from decades of panic attacks, hiding her struggles at work, and feeling completely disconnected from herself… to...

In this week's episode, we sit down with Teesside's own Amelia Coburn – a singer-songwriter whose blend of folk, storytelling and a slightly gothic twist has been winning over audiences across the UK (and catching the attention of some very big names).  From Middlesbrough youth theatre to Paris, Mexico and Russia… from a £20 ukulele to a Royal Albert Hall headline show… Amelia's journey is one of...

In this week's episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the  North East , we chat with Anthony Young – a stand-up comedian  who's  been making audiences laugh for over 13 years.   From call  centres  and comedy clubs to loft conversions and life lessons, Anthony's story is full of wit,  warmth  and honesty. He  opens up about how he first got into stand-up during one of the darkest times in his life...

In this week's episode of  Geordie Pride: Voices from the  North East , we chat with  Gina Trick  - an  Online Business Strategist, Mentor and self-confessed AI nerd   who's  helping entrepreneurs cut through the noise and build businesses that  actually work  for  them .   From flipping houses and managing hotels to running a seven-figure wedding and events business, Gina's journey is one of rein...

  In this episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the  North East , we chat with  Christina Lord , an  Energy Leadership Coach ,  Breathwork Facilitator  and  Community Host  from  Cullercoats , North Tyneside .   Originally from Sunderland, Christina shares her journey from the high-pressure world of marketing and branding to building a career dedicated to helping others  burn bright without burnin...

We're  back for Season 3 of  Geordie  Pride  and we  couldn't  be happier to return with a story full of courage and incredible hope!   In this episode, we chat with  Amanda Patterson , a North Tyneside-based  Areola Tattoo Artist  and founder of  Amanda Jo Skin ,  who's  on a mission to help boobs smile again.   Amanda combines her  realism  art background with her skills in tattooing and permane...

🎙 In this episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , we're joined by the brilliant Laura Richards - AI strategist, innovation expert, keynote speaker, and proud Northerner who's helping shape the future of tech with people and purpose at the heart of it.   Born in the North East and now making waves across the UK and beyond, Laura shares her inspiring journey from learning to build AI...

🎙 In this episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , we're shining a spotlight on rising local talent - Jackson Payne, a teenage musician from South Shields whose passion, ambition, and authenticity are impossible to ignore.   Angela and I are big believers in celebrating the next generation of North East talent, and Jackson is exactly why. At just 13, he's already writing and performi...

🎙 In this episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , we're joined by the one and only Tolu' A. Akinyemi —multi-award-winning author, publisher, performance poet, and proud "Lion of Newcastle."   Originally from Nigeria and now calling Callerton home, Tolu' shares how Newcastle stole his heart and inspired some of his most personal and powerful work to date. With over 22 books published...

🎙 In this episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , we're joined by the one and only Ophelia Balls - drag cabaret artist, radio host, performer, and self - proclaimed "prehistoric drag queen" (her words, not ours!).   Dubbed the Queen of Newcastle and even the real Angel of the North by many, Ophelia has been lighting up the North East with sequins, sass and sheer talent for decades -...

🎙 In this episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , we're joined by Ceryn Rowntree—coach, medium, author, and proud Northumbrian.   Raised in Cramlington and deeply rooted in the history and spirit of the Northeast, Ceryn shares her lifelong experiences with the spirit world, the heritage of coal mining communities, and the magic woven into the very landscape of Northumberland.   We c...

🎙 In this episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , we're joined by the legendary Peter Lawson - secretary of Easington Colliery Brass Band and a true ambassador for the region's musical and mining heritage.   Peter reflects on more than five decades of dedication to the band he first joined at 11 years old. He shares what it was like keeping the band alive through the closure of the...

In this episode,  we're joined by the brilliant Mark Carruthers , freelance football writer and passionate voice of North East football.   Mark shares his journey from growing up in Newcastle's West End to covering over 50 non-league clubs across the region. From his early days following Newcastle United with his family to covering FA Cup runs at Wembley, Mark's life has been shaped by the power o...

  In this episode,  w e're joined by the incredibly talented Heather Moore , the creative force behind The Peacock and the Printmaker .   Heather shares her journey from growing up in the North West to falling head over heels for the North East —the landscape, the people, and the stories that shape her work. From childhood holidays in Whitley Bay to setting up her own creative business, Heather's...

    In this very first guest episode of Season 2,  we're thrilled to welcome the much-loved Anthony Hutton , best known for winning Big Brother in 2005 and now using his platform to create real, lasting impact in the Northeast and across the country.   This conversation takes us through Anthony's life, from his upbringing in County Durham , to the whirlwind of fame that followed his time on nation...

We're thrilled to share the launch of Season 2 of Geordie Pride! After a bit of a hiatus, we are back with a new season packed with inspiring voices and incredible stories from the North East. In this very first 'welcome back' episode Angela and I chat about our life updates, from moving houses to career changes and the joys and challenges of going self-employed with Angela. Plus, I share our jour...

🎨✨ Welcome to the final episode of "Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East " for this season! 🎙️    Today, we are honoured to feature the immensely talented Sarah Farooqi. Born in the heart of Teesside and now painting from the picturesque landscapes of Northumberland, Sarah's journey from teaching to becoming a renowned artist and illustrator is truly inspiring.   Using watercolor as her med...

Welcome to another episode of "Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East ."    Today, we're diving into the thrilling world of crime fiction with none other than bestselling author OMJ Ryan. We dive into Owen's personal journey, from his upbringing in Yorkshire to becoming an adopted Geordie. We explore his journey from radio and entertainment to becoming a full-time novelist, writing gripping sto...

Welcome to another episode of "Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East ."    Today, we're joined by Taylor Payne. We dive into Taylor's journey as a musician, teacher, and passionate podcaster. We'll talk about his deep-rooted love for music, influenced by his father, his start in bands, and his favourite tunes to belt out during gigs.    We're also discussing his unwavering pride in his Northea...

Join us on the latest episode of Geordie Pride: Voices from the North East , where we chat with author Sue Reed, who turned her fascination with local folklore into compelling literature.    Sue shares her journey from feeling like an outsider to embracing the Geordie spirit, her inspiring transition from teaching to penning novels later in life, and how the land's stories and scenic Northumberlan...

In this episode of "Geordie Pride," we're thrilled to welcome Michaela Reaney, a dynamic force in the world of learning and development, and a passionate advocate for equity and raising aspirations.   Join us as we explore Michaela's journey from law student to leading her company Opportunity Global and organising the first ever TEDxWomen event outside of London in Teesside .    Don't miss this in...

In today's episode, we're thrilled to have with us a special guest who's made the North East his home and is passionate about promoting everything it has to offer. From quaint villages to the bustling city of Newcastle, he's a voice for local businesses and the spirit of our community.   Luke Hilliard, originally from Cornwall but now a proud resident of Wylam, joins us to share his journey to the...

In today's episode, we're thrilled to welcome a truly inspiring figure from the world of entertainment and broadcasting – Dan Westwood. Hailing originally from Hartlepool, Dan's journey in the entertainment industry is as diverse as it is fascinating. From his early days as a dancer to gracing theater stages in pantomimes, Dan has now become a familiar face and voice on our TV screens and radios....