On The Sofa With Rouge

In this last episode of The Nautilus Project Podcast, we chat with two university interns, Kai-Henning Kotschmar a Geoecology student from Germany and Alice Broughton a student at Plymouth University studying Marine Biology & Coastal ecology , who spent a month in Gibraltar working on a variety of projects with The Nautilus Project. Both Kai and Alice are developing their knowledge and experie...

This is a story about one of Gibraltar’s standout athletes, with an incredible passion for sport, an unwavering determination to achieve his goals and a relentless mind set to keep going for as long as he can. But what really goes on inside the mind of Chris Walker? What does he think about when he’s racing? How does he deal with defeat, setbacks and the pressure to perform? And perhaps the bigges...

We’re back with  On the Menu with Rouge ! This week, we’re chatting to the inspirational Chef Renu Ballantine — who swapped 25 years in the corporate engineering world for a life filled with food, creativity and entrepreneurship. Now a private chef, caterer, consultant and cooking-class host, Renu has turned her passion into a delicious new chapter — and she’s even written her own b...

In this months podcast we get to meet a third-generation member of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick John Pitto. His journey has taken him from Gibraltar to Sandhurst and on to operational service, including Afghanistan, before returning home to take command of the Regiment in 2024. But behind the uniform is a story about much more than military service. It is a story abou...

It took me six months to pin down Bishop Charles Azzopardi—better known to us all as Fr Charlie—and every moment of the wait was worth it. I spent nearly an hour chatting with him at St Theresa's, his beloved parish church, where he begins each day at 5.30am. During our conversation, he shared the story of his vocation, explaining how and why he became a priest, and reflecting on the many ways Our...

Natalia Rodríguez Ruiz is a Spanish diver, freediver, ocean communicator, and emerging marine conservation advocate from Cádiz, whose lifelong connection to the sea began in early childhood after seeing whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar. Driven by a passion for marine life, she earned her scuba certification at a young age, funding her first diving courses by creating and selling hand...

Romina Mayani is the co-owner of Sam's Kitchen, Gibraltar's pioneering plant-based takeaway and restaurant. Together with her husband, Sam, they set out to prove that meat-free food can be bold, delicious and satisfying, creating a menu packed with incredible flavours, homemade sauces and recipes perfected from scratch. Join us as we talk about the journey behind Sam's Kitchen, what make...

In this episode, Rouge sits down with Giselle Carreras, Head of Therapeutic Services at the Care Agency in Gibraltar, for a powerful and insightful conversation about psychology, alcohol and drugs rehabilitation, resilience, and the vital therapeutic services supporting our community. Giselle has dedicated more than 24 years to working within our community, building a career centred arou...

Henry and Priscilla Sacramento are admired members of the Gibraltar community, our very own National Treasures, known for their compassion, generosity, and lifelong dedication to helping others. Priscilla Sacramento devoted many years to education and special needs advocacy, serving as Headteacher of St Martin’s Special School and later as an Education Adviser for Special Educational Needs. Her wo...

I remember Verdi Verdi as one of those places people talked about with genuine affection — less just a falafel spot and more a gathering place powered by personality, warmth and conversation. Idan Greenberg seemed to be at the centre of that energy: charismatic, endlessly chatty, passionate about ingredients, spice, texture and the simple joy of feeding people. The kind of restaurateur w...

This week On the Sofa With Rouge we’re joined by Gibraltarian writer and director, Ana Garcia Garnett. Ana is a documentary film director turned novelist, who also teaches yoga to both adults and kids. Drawing from both disciplines, Ana is now teaching Yoga and Creative Writing at both literary agencies and yoga studios across London, using both practices to inspire each other. Ana has written two...

Aaron Monteverde showed extraordinary musical talent from the age of four, quickly earning recognition as a child prodigy. Under the guidance of renowned musician Felipe Campuzano, he developed not only technical skill but a deep and lasting love for the piano. It was during these formative years that Aaron discovered his true passion—playing, learning, and composing music—which soon grew into an...

Dr. Cathy Lucas is an Associate Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Southampton and one of the world’s leading experts on jellyfish. With a career spanning decades, her research has taken her across the globe, studying jellyfish species in diverse marine environments and contributing to a deeper understanding of their behavior, ecology, and impact on our oceans. Her work includes inte...

Nathan Payas is the kind of person who quietly inspires everyone around him — not just through what he achieves, but through how he lives. Known for being genuinely warm, grounded, and one of the nicest people you could meet, Nathan brings heart into everything he does. A unique blend of artist and athlete, Nathan has found a powerful connection between his two passions: singing and endurance swim...

Iain Ballantine and Audrey Baglietto, the dynamic duo behind Time Out Café and Bake & Take, have built more than just successful businesses — they’ve created a true community hub at Europort. What started as a shared vision has not only strengthened their partnership but also transformed the local dining scene. Time Out Café has become a go-to spot for workers, families, and anyone looking to...

Dr. Séverine Methion is a Marine Ecologist and Researcher at the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) in O Grove, Pontevedra, Spain. Her work focuses on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of marine mammals, especially bottlenose dolphins, and how human activities—such as aquaculture and fisheries—shape their habitat use and social structure. Such an interesting conversation on her wor...

Dan Jarvis is a Marine Biologist and the Director of Welfare and Conservation at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, the UK charity that last year rescued over 5,000 marine animals. Based in Cornwall, he has dedicated his career to responding to strandings, improving welfare standards, and leading conservation work across the British Isles. His collaboration with groups like The Nautilus Projec...

On this episode, I sit down with Gemma Arias Vasquez for a really open and heartfelt conversation about the journey that has shaped the woman she is today. Gemma shares her story with honesty — the experiences that have defined her, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the quiet strength that continues to drive her forward. We talk about what truly motivates her, what keeps her grounded wh...

Antoinette Vermilye is a marine conservation advocate and co-founder of The Gallifrey Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems through education, awareness, and direct action. With a strong focus on ocean preservation, she has worked internationally to promote sustainable practices and inspire communities to take an active role in safeguarding the seas. Antoinette is a...

Dheeraj Punjabi is the driving force behind La Parilla on the Go, one of Gibraltar’s most recognised and trusted food brands. Established 16 years ago, Dheeraj has built his reputation on innovation—creating unique fusion blends of Indo-Asian cuisine and delivering fresh, flavourful meals straight to homes and workplaces, perfectly timed for lunch or dinner. Through creativity, bold spice combinat...

One of a Kind kicks off this month with a truly special guest — Moira Gomez, President of the Gibraltar Netball Association. Moira may hate the limelight and talking about herself, but once we got going… all the secrets came out. Tough, visionary, resilient and tenacious, she’s also deeply family-orientated, fiercely loyal and driven with almost military precision. Growing up as one of seven child...

One Of A Kind - 12 Gibraltarian’s, 12 months, 12 chats like you’ve never heard them before. Dropping soon. Sponsored by Holland & Barrett Gibraltar. Special thanks to Aaron Monteverde for allowing us to use his music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rouge sits down with Daniel Breeze, owner of the much-loved Rendezvous Chargrill, perfectly located in the heart of Queensway Quay. Known for its amazing food, great wine and beautiful setting, Rendezvous Chargrill is a place for every occasion — whether you’re popping in for a coffee or snack, enjoying a relaxed meal, or celebrating something special. Daniel chats openly about ar...

Ran Levy Yamamori is an Israeli filmmaker, environmental activist, and marine biologist whose work spans continents and oceans.  Through powerful storytelling and striking visuals, Ran has dedicated his career to raising global awareness about the urgent need to protect and conserve our oceans. Having worked all over the world, his films shine a light on the fragile relationship between human...

This week on  On the Menu with Rouge , we explore the world of supplements — a vast global industry used by millions for a wide range of health and wellness goals. Rouge is joined by  Paul Victor , Managing Director of  Holland & Barrett Gibraltar , part of one of the UK’s most iconic wellness brands. With over 150 years of history, Holland & Barrett is a truly British insti...