World What's Up!

I was absolutely delighted to interview a true pop original, the one and only Mari Wilson. Bursting onto the music scene in the early 1980s with her unmistakable beehive hairstyle, dazzling stage presence, and a string of unforgettable hits including Just What I Always Wanted and Cry Me a River , Mari quickly became known as the “Neasden Queen of Soul.”  But there’s far more to Mari than the iconi...

Adam Stanton Warmby was born with cerebral palsy, but he never let that stop him from achieving his goals.  Adam demonstrated his resilience and determination during his epic journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End in a wheelchair modified by the Mercedes Formula One team. Some days he spent 14 hours in his wheelchair, eventually breaking the Guinness World Record for the trip, completing it in 2...

Dr. Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun is an amazingly dynamic General Practitioner who I have had the pleasure to hear teacher. She talks with such passion you can't help but listen. In our interview we talk about her love for women health and how salt is the leading contributor to chronic and fatal diseases among the black community in the UK. A fact that is often missed by doctors. We discuss why ther...

Natalie grow up on the Isle of Wight has worked as a  NHS GP in Tower Hamlets for the past 20 years. She has now left the job she loves to focus on women's health and and the growing pandemic of dementia. Natalie  has traveled  this country as well as Europe and the USA to see how different places manage dementia. Some of her findings have been fascinating . Her new book THE DEMENTIA REVOLUTI...

Director ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS is a British award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles, having recently completed her 11th feature film. We chat about Elizabeth's  love of theatre and how she made the transition into directing  feature films. We also talk about her methodology to life called "Medicine with word" Her podcast "Filmmaking Without Fear" is available now on...

Karen is an award-winning producer from the UK who moved in to producing following a highly successful career in Global Events Management in the City of London. Her former training as an actor combined with her exceptional organisational skills and financial acumen make her an outstanding Creative Producer. Karen is CEO and lead producer of production company, Hidden Door Productions, established...

 Sue's had an amazing life and career.  Born in Manchester, her early family life was not always easy. Once Sue realised she had a voice there was no stopping her.  Appearing in countless musicals including Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago and Wicked as well as TV and film roles in Mike Basset Manager, Doctor Who and Red Dwarf and many more. We chat about some of the challenges of...

JACK SPRING became the UK's youngest feature film director after directing comedy DESTINATION: DEWSBURY. The film enjoyed a 6 week theatrical run in the UK and was acquired by Amazon Prime, Sky and Virgin. The film lead to a BAFTA 'BREAKTHROUGH BRIT ' nomination. Jack's new film THREE DAY MILLIONAIRE is a wonderfully  funny and engaging look at the life of the Grimsby fishing c...

Thomas Kelly is a man of many talents. Performing artist and writer Thomas creates meaning and laughter on stage and for the page. A queer artist and long time spoken word poet, indie author, comedian, outrageous Drag Queen, singer and lyricist. We talk about how he first got interest in performing and the drag scene. How he would like to take his art form to the next level and some advice for any...

Like many people of Kate and my generation the idea of going into the arts as a career was never given as an option. So she became a secretary, then a speech therapist before finally find the career she now loves as a make up artist. We chat about her early life and about putting in the free hours to build a portfolio in the make up world. She also tells us about working with Hugh Jackman and her...

The list of Robert Jones' film credits are very impressive including Vera Drake, Dirty Pretty Things, Hard Eight, Gosford Park and one of my all time favourites the Usual Suspect but it was never his plan to be a Producer.  We chat about his childhood and how he went from being a musician to one of the Britains most successful film producers and let's not forget blowing up the West Ham s...

Sofia didn't have the easiest start to life with her mum dying soon after she was born. She spent her first two years in an orphanage in Lisbon Portugal. At the age of two she was adopted my an English family. Sofia says "My parents told me that the orphanage had told them that I was ‘lively’ and ‘had a mind of my own’. I came to my new family and moved to the UK when I was 6 years old....

Francis Urias Peters: Grenadian born playwright and Cultural Ambassador. He is the co-founder and Cultural consultant of the LaBoucan Creative Centre (established in 2014). Peters has written several plays for the stage and radio. His works have influenced new legislation on Incest in Grenada. He has won the best entry on two occasions at the PAHO /WHO Caribbean Media Awards for Excellence in Heal...

Bobby Steele is a force of nature. I call him a Guru in the title because one of  meanings is "An influential teacher or popular expert" and he is certainly that. He has worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry in the Caribbean since he was a 15 year old organising parties. Bobby has a real passion for the industry and a dynamic business brain as well as a great heart. He was...

Part 2 of this fascinating and  inspiring interview with Gordon Micic Stand up, business woman, Dancer and much more! PLUS BONUS of the History of Grenada from 2 MILLION B.C to Today. (In 10 minute) For sponsorship inquiries please email andrewstclairjames@gmail.com

Gordana Micic, aka Gordi, is a force of nature and a wonderful human being to boot. She is also a comedian, dancer, producer, writer, actor, scientist, engineer, pilot, managing consultant, mother and… a very bad cook!  We had a really lovely conversation which you can hear now and Part Two next week.  She talks about her early life, smuggling people out of Serbia to safety (putting her own life a...

Jason Dean is a man of many talents. As a 16 year old he had trials for a number of top  clubs and was about to sign for Aston Villa when there was a complete  change in management. This left him feeling rejected and heading  down a  darker pathway before find a job in design which lead him to his real love -  FASHION. Check out some of the amazing gear from Endless Fugitive!    http://www.endless...

Anthony Warren is a British actor who has been in The Knock, Grange Hill, Murphy's Law, Casualty, Backup, City Centra and The Bill,  He played Henry Toussaint in the Trust three part series, Milton Wreaks in the Britanniamania four part series and Issac Collins in 2005. He has worked extensively in theatre throughout his career. He has now turned his hand to Stand Up comedy and promoting and...

The Now are a four piece band from South Wales who, although only started playing together in 2018. They have started making an impact on the music scene with their big, highly infectious, guitar heavy tracks. The Now consists of: Shane Callaghan on Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocals, Will Scott on Drums, Callum Bromage on Guitar & Vocals and Jay Evans on Bass and Vocals. The Now are determined t...

This week we have a very special kids World What’s Up for Christmas. Out tomorrow morning! I will be giving some great recommendations on the best children shows to see over Christmas.  Then I have a lovely chat with the very busy, one and only Santa Claus! So tell your friends and please share!

Jason talks about his goal of developing more senior opportunities and positions for  the bame community in large corporations. We chat about how he deals with being a black man in a predominately white environment at the highest level. (He said It can be a very lonely space.) Dealing with the shock  on some faces when he entered a meeting room and turning up and people thinking he was the Uber dr...

At the age of 42, in the midst of a successful and lucrative career as the owner of an international retail consultancy, Andrew Thornton realised he had nothing more to give to his business. He quit the agency in 2006 and used his buy-out money as a down-payment for two Budgens supermarkets in north London. Through investing in his people with specialised coaching, Andrew had won not just their de...

David Tims is a very talented young musician and Philanthropist. David is versatile and can play any style of music. He has composed for theatre and has a great new podcast which he co-hosts with the very funny comedian Phil Nichols. They are also taking their hilarious show to the Comedy Store every second Tuesday of the month. David has also helped to bring music to some of the poorest communiti...

If you haven't had a chance yet to listen to season one of World What's Up or you only managed to hear one or two episodes you are in luck. I have put together a compilation of some of the very best bits of season one. ( I'm no tech so it was a mission to put together so the least you can do is have a listen! Joking aside there are some really informative, funny and inspiring interv...

Simon Turner is a very talented musician and composer. He has produced some fantastic music for television, theatre and film. Even though he can't notate himself due to having note blindness this hasn't stopped him doing what he loves and creating great music. We talk about growing up, where he got his love for music and how important music is in creating a vibrant  feel for any project....