The Swinging Palm Trees Podcast

On today's episode I chat with filmmaker & writer, Comfort Emmanuel.  Comfort shares why her passion for writing and filmmaking got her into the industry, and the challenges in getting her vision to a wider audience.  We discuss how her corporate background has given her a grounded reality, and balancing realities and expectations when it comes to making films.  Speaking of films, Comfort...

On today's episode I have an interesting conversation about all things cocktails with mixologist and entrepreneur Eron Mibo.  Eron shares with us how her interest in the hospitality industry led her to start a career with beverages.  We talk about ingredients, thriving businesses in her neighbourhood, the lack of women of the Global Majority within this side of the industry.  Eron also discus...

Today's episode is a very short thank you to all the listeners of The Swinging Palm Trees podcast, and a special thank you to all my guests who have taken the time to have a chat with me and share their lived experiences and quotes that inspire them.   Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  I would also like to th...

In this episode, I talk with David Martinez Flores about his love for film and heritage.  David shares the positive influence his family has had on him for his appreciation for film, especially from his mother.  We talk about his pride of being Mexican, and the importance of heritage and storytelling.  David also talks about his advocacy for representation, diversity and LGBTQ and their portrayal...

On today's episode I chat with Jerry Mannikarote.  He shares with us his lived experiences over the years that includes being a physician and sleep technologist.  As sleep is an area that fascinates me, Jerry breaks down the importance of understanding sleep, and discusses sleep disorders including insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome & Obstructive Sleep apnea.  Jerry also stresses the importa...

On today's episode, I chat with sisters Donna and Abigail Otchere, a Mechanical Engineer and Biomedical Scientist respectively.  We talk about their interest in the sciences and why they created SiSTEM, a non-profit organisation connecting women and Sciences. The sisters talk about what science means to them, the importance of encouraging children towards science; they challenges they've...

On today's episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Psychologist, university lecturer and author, Dr Anna Scarnà.  Anna talks about her career and her passion for words and language, including bilingualism and language acquisition.  We talk about her co-authored book with Robert Ingersoll entitled 'Primatology, Ethics and Trauma: The Oklahoma Chimpanzee Studies',  and we talk ab...

On today's episode I talk with songwriter  and singer Gloria Stanley.  Ms Stanley shares her joy for singing, her compositions and how she discovered herself.  She discusses her love for all things music, and also her passion for the city of Macon, Georgia.  We also talk about the importance of her faith & belief,  why she describes her charity work as 'philanthropy with flair',...

On today's episode I chat with the  Scottish Green Party Councillor Holly Bruce.  We look at why she sees herself as an activist first, and why she got into politics from a career in law.  Holly discusses her role as an councillor within the community; her role in passing a motion at Glasgow City Council,  making Glasgow 'UK's first feminist city' making women integral to “all...

On today's episode, I chat with creative duo Adwoa & Solomon of Adeche.atelier.  They discuss how they use their collective talent in art to explore African mythology  & the resurgence of knowing one's culture & identity.  We look at some of the folktales from Africa and other parts of the world, the recent recasting of 'The Little Mermaid', storytelling & the a...

On today's episode, I chat all things Teddy bears with Penelope Carrington, a self-described 'Chief Bear Alchemist', and editor of 'One Good Road Buddy'.  Penelope shares how she had her first Teddy bear, Albert, and how she has been making teddy bears since she was 13.  She also talks about the importance and relevance of teddybears, and the psychology of holding and cudd...

On today's episode, I chat with Masterchef Quarter Finalist 2022 & Commercial Property lawyer, Ally Middleton.  He shares with us how he got into law and why he chose to go into Commercial Property law.  He also talks about his immense love for cooking, his early memories of the first dish that he was taught to cook, the people that have inspired him and why he finds food fascinating.  Al...

On today's episode I chat with actor Vinay Rai.  Vinay talks about his passion for rugby, his time playing for Bangalore Rugby football club (B.R.F.C), the injuries he sustained during his playing days and whom he idolises within the sport.  Vinay  discusses how he started within the film industry in India, the importance of having a strong work ethic, how his language skills have kept him in...

On today's episode, I chat with husband and wife team Simon & Louisa Georgiou about their product, 'Louisa's Honey'.  They share how the business started with a road trip  to Italy with their neighbour and now business partner, Peter,  and also discuss their passion behind the business and why it is important to them. We chat about sustainability, apiculture and the environ...

On today's episode, I have a chat with actor & Comic Connoisseur Michael Ajih.  He shares the deep and positive impact that comics have had on his life, especially with the challenges that he has had with dyslexia & learning difficulties.  Michael also shares with me the first comic superhero that piqued his interest,  his favourite comic book character, how many comics he currently h...

On today's episode, I chat with award winning musician & educator Joey Stuckey.  Joey talks about his life in music, his career in the industry, and his love & passion for The Blues, and why music has always been a source of solace to him.  Apart from all things musical, Joey shares with us the health challenges he encounters, what his superpower could be, and of course, a quote that...

On today's episode, I chat with Erick, a Script editor & Story Consultant.  He shares with us his story and how he got into the industry, the ongoing challenges he faced and still faces, why representation is vital and the importance of heritage & cultural storytelling and providing platforms  for the unheard stories. Erick breaks down what a Script editor does and what makes a good s...

On today's episode, I chat with journalist, film critic & nerd, Marshall Julius.  We talk about his new book, 'Masters of Make-Up Effects: A Century of Practical Magic' which he co-authored with legendary effects wizard Howard Berger. We delve into a few of the stories from the book including conversations with Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero, James McAvoy, John Landis, Bruce Campbell...

On today's episode, it's a laid back chat with my good friend, Tinu, and you can tell from the first 10 seconds of conversation!   We talk about her upbringing, life vignettes, what it means to be Yoruba, its traditions and culture.  We also discuss life issues including generational trauma & mental health within communities, EDI (Equality, diversity and inclusion), discrimination, p...

On today's episode I talk to Biomedical Scientist (BMS) and Founder of Harvey's Gang, Malcolm Robinson.  Harvey's Gang are lab tours for young patients and their families to give them the chance to talk to the various medical staff who work in hospital labs and analyse their samples to help diagnose and manage their illnesses.  Malcolm shares the story of  Harvey Buster Baldwin, who...

In this episode, I talk with Digital illustrator and Visual Artist Vince Fraser. Vince shares how he started within the industry and we take a  look at how his craft is continually evolving.  We discuss Afro-Futurism & Afro-surrealism through a Black lens, the importance of culture, telling the right stories and mentoring the  younger generations.  We also chat about NFTs, debate the use of A....

In this episode, I chat with Visual storyteller Adesua Okosun.  Adesua talks about her interest in film-making, her documentary project called 'The Other Side' that includes stories about the LGBTQ communities in The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, and female wrestlers in Senegal.  We also discuss the importance of truthful storytelling, her desire to see more women in technical roles wi...

Trigger Warning: this episode addresses issues involving sex trafficking and trauma. In this episode, I chat with Evon Benson-Idahosa, a leading expert and thought leader on the subjects of modern day slavery and gender based violence in sub-Saharan Africa.   Evon talks about why she started the NGO and her campaign to stamp out sex trafficking not only in Nigeria, but also globally.  We also talk...

Pax vobiscum! This is The Swinging Palm Trees podcast, where I talk to my guests about their lives and they share the quotes and sayings that continually inspire them. My name is Akin, creator and host of the podcast and thanks for stopping by. For regular & new listeners alike, you may be wondering why there's a different look to the normal line-up format.  That's because today I&ap...

On today's episode I chat with author and graphic novel creator Ram V about his career.  Ram shares how he started within the industry, his first self published graphic novel and his work with DC comics and Marvel.  Ram talks about his creative process, his work on Batman, Swamp Thing, and Justice League Dark and his upcoming project 'The Vigils'.  I also geek out with him over one...