Janine Walker recorded on 02/05/2024

Janine Walker reflects on her childhood dreams of becoming a lawyer or FBI agent, influenced by TV shows and movies like 'Ally McBeal' and a film about FBI agents. It is called FEDS and it's from 1988.

Janine didn’t pursue these careers but found fulfilment in the arts, volunteering for Leeds Children's Theatre where she directs, choreographs, and leads workshops.

Janine also co-organize a Twitter-based Christmas book swap inspired by Icelandic traditions, which has grown significantly, connecting people around the world.

Janine has transitioned from a long-term banking job to becoming a debt advisor at Christians Against Poverty (CAP), fuelled by a desire to help others and leveraging her finance background to help others. Janine discuss the challenges and rewards of this role, CAP's holistic support approach, and its environmentally conscious practices. She also touches on societal issues like child poverty, inadequate financial literacy, and the importance of community initiatives for financial stability.

Links:

https://capuk.org/

https://www.leeds-childrens-theatre.co.uk/

https://x.com/ChristmasBkSwap

Lyla Asif recorded on 25/04/2024

Lyla Asif is a very outspoken 30 something year old with lots going on. She's a disability and mental health “influencer” and all views are her own.

Insta @cerebralpalsywarrior91

@as.if_lyla_writes_poetry

Noah Roberts – recorded on 08/02/2024

Noah Roberts is a non-binary, Neuro-Queer disabled raconteur who uses creativity to reduce ableism.

They speak publicly and write about LGBT+ issues, mental health, disability and Neurodiversity. They offer freelance consultancy to creative projects and organizations on how to make their practice more accessible and engage a diverse audience.

They express their own creativity through performance art.

Noah is also a community news reporter and podcast host. They are foodie loving, plant based and write a blog reviewing places to eat and drink called spilltheequalitea.

Website: www.neurocoach.online

Socials:

Twitter : @blueglassesuk

Facebook: @creativecoachinguk

Instagram @blueglasses

Zine : https://heyzine.com/flip-book/02c356c98b.html

West Leeds dispatch paper:

https://westleedsdispatch.com/bramley-woman-builds-fat-pigeon-bakery-in-her-back-yard/

Jo Myers recorded on 25/07/2024

Jo Myers is one half of the Swine That Dines and Co-owner of The Greedy Pig.

This is the bio Jo sent me – She states: "In a nut shell I’m a fifty-year-old woman just going through the menopause and this is kind of "my issue" if you like. I want to talk about it so it becomes normalised for women coming after her. I'm a mother to a 20-year-old young man. Been married to husband Stu for about 10 years. But been together since uni.

We own and run a small restaurant. Have just done a successful crowd funding campaign. I do yoga and knitting and sewing to control the rage. Love my job. Absolutely love it but, never ever thought this is what I would end up doing."

Find out more about The Swine That Dines at: https://swinethatdines.co.uk/

Jo's photo is curtesy of Roo Warburton @roophotostudio

Nathan Atkinson and Kevin Mackay recorded on 14/06/2024

Nathan Atkinson and Kevin Mackay are the founders of Rethink Food.

Rethink Food is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company based in Leeds. Rethink Food are working to deliver 10 million hours of education in support of improved food security.

Founded by teachers in response to children arriving at school hungry, Rethink Food began its work in an area of high deprivation in Yorkshire and has now expanded to working with schools across the UK.

At Rethink Food, our passionate team is dedicated to creating healthier, more sustainable communities through education and innovative initiatives. From our visionary co-founders, to our dynamic staff including educators, managers, and creative professionals, every member plays a vital role in driving our mission forward.

Find out more about Rethink Food: https://www.rethinkfood.co.uk/

Eve Roodhouse recorded on 10/05/2024

Eve Roodhouse, shares her journey managing the city's cultural and economic landscape. Discussions range from career transitions, the impact of local government services, and the importance of networking and stakeholder management.

The episode explores how Leeds has tackled significant challenges, including COVID-19 and Brexit, and the critical responses implemented to support businesses, manage financial stability, and adapt to new regulations and funding shifts post-Brexit. The importance of major cultural events in economic uplift, community spirit, and the continuous drive for inclusive growth is also highlighted through local examples like the Tour de France Grand Depart and the Yorkshire Sustainability Festival.

The conversation emphasizes the city's efforts in promoting sustainability and combating climate change through updated growth strategies, green job creation, and infrastructure improvements. The episode also covers the potential impacts of Universal Basic Income on societal and employment landscapes and spotlights the unique entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit that defines Leeds, making it a special place to work and innovate.

You can find Eve on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eve-roodhouse-10711b10/

Bianca Spruit recorded on 26/07/2024

With over 20 years’ experience in the tech industry, Bianca Spruit created Sprout Coaching to support the growth of tech businesses by preparing their staff to be leaders and growing high performing, happy teams. Bianca has personally experienced the frustrations of having managers who didn’t support her to grow, and of being the manager who wasn’t sure how to bring out the best in her team.

So, after qualifying as a coach herself she started putting her new found tools into practice coaching her team and the effects were incredible! Her team developed in ways she hadn’t realised were even possible. Employee retention as well as the quality of all work vastly improved and her own job became easier as the team were confident, eager and able to take on more responsibility making everyone happier. This is why Bianca is so passionate about sharing her transformational coaching skills and supporting as many people as possible to be the most effective, supportive managers they can be.

You can find Bianca on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/biancaspruit

Or go to her website at: www.sproutcoaching.co.uk

HOMELESSNESS IN THE UK IS OUT OF CONTROL. Beanies Masato is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme from Leeds based Masato Jones helping to fund homeless outreach all year round. To get your beanie go to: https://www.masato.co.uk/collections/masato-beanies

Masato Jones recorded on 27/08/2024

Leeds based Japanese born Masato Jones, specialises in women’s and men’s designer bespoke garments with his eponymous life style brand company. They also have a great little walk in shop again named after Masato at 5 Thornton's Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6LQ

Masato also offers 1-2-1 tutoring in pattern cutting and garment making in his 1st floor Atelier. Masato Jones is a small independent local Leeds business.

Go check out the physical shop or the great range of stuff available on their online store at masato.co.uk

You can contact Masato at: studio@masato.co.uk