The Convex Conversation

Journalist Kate Silverton tells Helen why she left a hugely successful career in broadcasting to become a child therapist.   Since studying psychology at Durham University, Kate has been fascinated with the complexities of how the brain works and the role it plays in shaping behaviour as well as our future mental health.   She works closely with The Princess of Wales on Her Royal Highness’s Shapin...

Crime reporter Martin Brunt has covered some of the biggest and most notorious crime stories in British history for Sky News for the last three decades.  Still working in 24-hour breaking news, he’s finally found time to write a book - No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason – filled with previously undisclosed details and fascinating inside track. Martin shares gripping dispatches about hi...

Helen joins Chef Tom Sellers at his stunning new London restaurant, Story Cellar in Neal’s Yard, for an honest and open chat about his journey and the next chapter in Tom’s story.   From the age of 16, he worked unforgiving hours in the kitchens of some of the world's most influential chefs – Tom Aikens, Thomas Keller and Rene Redzepi – and earned his first Michelin star just 16 weeks after openin...

Daniel Wiegand shares the story of how he came up with the concept and architecture for the electric Lilium jet as a young engineering student inspired by the V-22 Osprey - a vertical take-off US military aircraft -- and how he’s grown the company from the ground up.   More than a billion euros and some of the finest minds in aerospace and engineering are behind the creation of the world’s first,...

Blue Marine Foundation’s co-founder and former award-winning British film-maker George Duffield explains how overfishing is destroying the ocean’s biodiversity and its ability to store carbon yet is one of the world’s most solvable problems.   George hopes robust data gleaned from Blue’s partnership with scientists from Exeter University and Convex in the five-year Convex Seascape Survey will reve...

Herbert Hall Winery in Kent produces just 20,000 bottles of English sparkling wine a year but can be found in some of the most prestigious places, including Fortnum & Mason, and King Charles’s Highgrove collection.   Herbert farmed in Marden at the end of the nineteenth century. His great-grandson Nick explains why the land is perfect for growing grapes like Chardonnay, Pinor Noir and Pinot Meunie...

Hot on the heels of his exciting new album release, Grammy winning Bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland wows Helen with his breathtaking playing, live from his studio in Indiana.    Michael was born blind and is partially deaf, yet has risen to the absolute top of his game, collaborating with music legends like Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck and Vince Gill. As a youngster he played alongside ‘the father...

Wim Hof Instructor Belinda Raphael explains the many health benefits and compelling science behind the famous Wim Hof Method, and shares stories from a recent expedition to Poland with The Iceman himself.   Belinda discovered cold-water therapy accidentally after she was left suffering chronic pain following a severe attack by a patient in her role as a critical care nurse practitioner.     Now sh...

The Metaverse is predicted to be a fast growing trillion-dollar industry by 2030, but how much do we know about it or understand how it might enrich our lives?   Vault Hill Founder/CEO Jimi Daodu and his team are building the first human centric virtual world designed to enhance human experiences.    Jimi takes us on a fascinating journey from his offices in Dubai through the endless exciting poss...

The Black Cop – winner of Best British Short Film at last year’s BAFTAs – is the story of Gamal ‘G’ Turawa’s life - growing up with a white foster family in Kent, abuse by his biological parents and his experiences in the Metropolitan Police.   Despite the racism he suffered in the force, including having his face painted white by fellow officers, ‘G’ is proud to have served 25 years in the Met. H...

Theresa Patricios - Head of Investments for Convex Insurance - and life-long friend Cam Parker talk about the mental and physical challenges of their upcoming 2,800-mile row across the Pacific, raising funds for mental health charity Mind.    As part of an organised race, their four-man team – Pacific Discovery 2023 – estimate spending 40 days at sea, rowing in two-hour slots, and carrying out res...

“Seeing John hold his bear made it really hit home that he was just a child when he was facing the Holocaust in Hungary” Rankin Holocaust Survivor John Hajdu describes life as a small boy in Budapest as Jews were rounded up & killed, and his parents taken to concentration/labour camps in World War 2. He describes the fear of hiding in a dark cupboard as four-year-old, surviving in a cramped ghetto...

Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies / economist Paul Johnson explores the state of Britain’s economy and explains what’s needed for recovery and vital economic growth.   Paul – who writes a column for The Times newspaper – says the absolute priority is for inflation, currently at a 40-year high, to come down and be under control, and explains how trade-offs are essential.   He's a regular...

Light Artist Chris Levine takes us behind the scenes on his sittings at Buckingham Palace to create the first holographic portraits of The Queen and explains how Her Majesty embraced his innovative and complex techniques.   ‘Lightness of Being’ - which captures the Queen with her eyes closed wearing the Diadem she wore to her Coronation – and ‘Equanimity’ hang in London’s National Portrait Gallery...

Hazel Findlay has been climbing for 27 of her 33 years. She tells Helen how tackling the most difficult, vertical, steep rocks is what motivates her most and shares her joy of sleeping in a makeshift hammock hanging from a sheer rock face.   On a recent expedition to Greenland, Hazel made two ‘first ascents’, climbing massive walls that no one has ever conquered, and explains how much harder it is...

More people have been to space than have been Yeoman Warders at The Tower of London - a role created by King Henry V11 after the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.    Former Royal Marine Commando Andy Merry talks about the Yeoman Warders’ role in modern day history, giving us a behind the scenes look at guarding Her Majesty The Queen as she lay in state; their involvement in the proclamation of Kin...

In our first podcast of 2023, Mindset Coach Kamran Bedi talks about how to deal with the overwhelming feelings many people have as a new year dawns, and how to achieve a positive mindset and live more in the present.   Kamran – author of The Anxiety Antidote & Your Mind is Your Home – tells Helen that now is a good time to take a look at our minds and shares positive tips on how to start.   He als...

Entrepreneur and pioneer Margo Marrone reveals how she grew her business from a shop in London’s Kings Road 20 years ago - at a time when there was a lot of scepticism about ‘organic’ - into a global brand with a presence in more than 40 countries.   Margo – a pharmacist, homeopath, yogi and shaman - has dedicated her life to healing and finding natural ways to promote wellness of the mind, body a...

Sam Zeller shares the story behind lifting the first ever World Cup for Physical Disability Rugby League for England, beating New Zealand 42-10 in a tough game to become champions. Sam - a 23-year-old claims adjuster at Convex - says the England team's focus is now on getting more exposure for the game to ensure more people are able to play. The England side is made up of players with cerebral pal...

Consultant anaesthetist Dr Manish Raval of Moorfield’s Eye Hospital reflects on 11 years volunteering for Orbis, travelling to places like Peru, Zambia and Mongolia to work on surgeries on board their state-of-the-art Flying Eye Hospital and in the community.   Manish explains that 1.1 billion people have some sight loss yet 90% is avoidable. Orbis - a non profit organisation - empowers local medi...

It’s Friday night at St Columba’s Church in London’s Knightsbridge. Helen joins Haircuts4Homeless founder Stewart Roberts at work and chats to some of those who turn up for a free cut and warm meal.   Stewart started offering homeless people haircuts eight years ago. He now has 600 volunteers who have given more than 40,000 cuts all over the UK and Ireland, and the charity is proud that Game of Th...

As COP27 approaches, Callum Roberts - Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Exeter - talks about the Convex Seascape Survey, an ambitious five-year scientific research programme to fathom out how the ocean could be a vital asset in slowing planetary warming.   The seabed is the ultimate sink for carbon emissions but has been overlooked and undervalued because of insufficient and in...

Globally renowned business expert Adam Kingl talks to Helen about the three generations in today’s workforce - baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y   By 2025, it’s estimated Gen Y will make up 75% of the global workforce but a typical Gen Y doesn’t tend to stay in a job long-term.   Adam explains the paradigms and events which have led to the creation of a generation who demand a better work-life balance...

As Hampton Court Palace prepares to host the 10th Tusk Conservation Awards, Helen is in Northern Kenya with the awards' partner/co-creators Ninety One to meet their first ever winner, Tom Lalampaa.   Tom - CEO of the North Rangelands Trust - explains how he’s found success brokering peace with feuding tribes in Northern Kenya using a conservancy method to ensure communities, wildlife and the habit...

As the UK’s cost of living crisis deepens, Helen meets the Deputy Editor of MoneySavingExpert.com - Helen Saxon - for advice on what we can all do to survive the coming months.   With energy rates soaring, as well as food, broadband, council tax and fuel going up in a way we haven’t seen since the 1970s, Helen shares her expertise and offers some practical advice.   Money Saving Expert Martin Lewi...