I had the pleasure of interviewing Moreblessing in downtown Melbourne, Australia earlier this year. Moreblessing is an actor, activists and writer.

I first came across Moreblessing through her amazing TED talk which I'll put a link to in the show notes. If you've got a set second, I really encourage you to take a listen.

Moreblessing is an immigrant from Zimbabwe who came to Sydney when she was just eight years old. We talked about how that has influenced her writing and acting but also how she is trying through her activism to shape the theatre space within Australia, no mean feat to say the least. You can tell that from the very second we started this interview we got on like a house on fire, exploring some pretty deep topics from the way Australia is currently behaving towards black origin immigrants

To how permanently white theatre is and how we don't need to agree with and that we've got a choice.

Finally, we talk about her creative process and the things that have influenced her from not only the inspiration behind her plays and also within her acting itself. This is a very wide-ranging conversation and we go all over the place but it's a fascinating ride and I hope you enjoy it.

Photo credits: Kristina Yenko
Moreblessing's Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/PlrduXFtUQk

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“The perfect body does not exist, as there are no two humans on this planet that are the same. So you have to aspire to be the best version of yourself and not someone else.”

In this episode, I interview the inspirational Felicity Hayward. Felicity is a model, activist and a true ambassador for body positivity.

She was first scouted to be a model whilst dancing to Diana Ross in an East London pub, which says a lot about her personality! Since then she became one of the first plus-size pioneers in the UK promoting body diversity in many high-end fashion editorials. She’s also done campaigns for leading brands such as ASOS, Adidas, Mac Cosmetics, TK Maxx and many more. She’s also been on Channel 4’s acclaimed body positivity program naked beach.

And we had an absolute blast. I’m in absolute awe of Felicity, not only for what she’s done in her modelling work but her infectious personality and the passion for helping more women to accept their bodies. In fact, we discuss at length how their no such thing as the perfect body, as there are no two humans on this planet that are the same.

We cover a lot of topic as per usual, including some pretty shocking behaviours in the fashion world, the one that stood out was Felicity being asked to go to the prestigious British Fashion award and being given only one outfit to try on whilst other women who were a smaller size got to have the ability to choose different outfits.

I don’t want to give any more away so please enjoy the fantastic Felicity Hayward.

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“The first couple of years in business were really tough, and there's no end, just chasing the I'm never going to be done and feeling so anxious and so stressed by it all. I think a lot of women of our generation are just adding things into our to do list. So now I'm going to run a business and now I'm going to have children and now I'm going to write a book or and we're not taking anything out. And at the same time a lot of us are trying to emulate our mothers by being the good friend, the good wife, the good sister, the good mother. I just think it's prime for disaster” Steph Douglas

In this episode I talked to Steph Douglas, founder of alternative online gift company Don’t Buy Her Flowers.

Steph used to be in the world of marketing and advertising, from working in PR for a government department all the way to being a Marketing Manager for EDF Energy and running their London 2012 Olympic Sponsorship.

BUT one day she decided to leave it all behind and follow her dream – setting up her own company called Don't Buy Her Flowers. It all started from an idea she had after having her first son, when everyone bought her flowers. She had gone through what was a demanding 9 months where not only was she pregnant with her first child, but her husband was diagnosed with cancer. So, when the doorbell kept ringing with flowers she thought it wasn’t really the most appropriate thing to give a new mum – something else to look after!

She was feeling extremely overwhelmed at the time and thought there must be a way of giving more thoughtful gifts. Firstly, she started a blog to build her audience before roping in family members to help run the business, it's now going from strength to strength.

What I loved about this episode is that we really got deep and personal. We talked about the importance of talking about emotions and empathy and doing that through thoughtful presents. Unfortunately, we live in a societ where we don't talk enough about how we feel, and we do not know how to be there for people.

And of course, we talked about the more business side of things including what it is like being an entrepreneur starting on your own and the kind of fears that come with it.

And you'll see we laugh a lot, and there is just so much that you can learn from her story.

#dontbuyherflowers #stepdouglas #femaleentrepreneur #onlinegifts

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“I've thought about my career over the years, and there have been a number of situations where it's got tough, it's got really, really tough and I probably gave up on things way too soon. Whether that's been a job, a role or a client relationship. But since having my own business, you realise you can’t walk away. And it’s because you can’t walk away that you realise that you can come out the other side, you come out often better with a better perspective.” Rania Robinson

In this episode, I talk to Rania Robinson, CEO and Managing Partner of the award-winning ad agency Quiet Storm.

Rania who was born in Cairo Egypt and arrived in the UK at 3 years old, starting primary school without knowing a word of English. She lists her ability to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable as one her superpowers, something she attributes to this experience. And unknowingly, this set her up perfectly for the volatile world of advertising.

We talk at length about how she felt directionless and going from job to job after leaving school at 16. That was until she got her first proper break at big ad agency Billington Cartmel. But things weren’t easy, as she joined an industry that at the time was adamant you must have the correct qualification to succeed. However, that didn’t deter Rania who went on to successfully work her way up the ranks, progressing through different planning, strategy and production roles.

We also talked about how having children helped her gain a different perspective, recognising that the industry wasn’t compatible with being a mother and deciding instead to go freelance so she could be in charge of her hours.

And of course, we talked about the dynamic of working with her husband Trevor Robinson OBE who originally founded Quiet Storm 25 years ago. She was only supposed to help out for a pitch and thought because of their relationship it wouldn’t work long term. However, she found this relationship to be a huge strength. It means there’s no bullshit, they go straight to the point to get to decisions made, meaning they can concentrate on creating memorable work for their clients.

So much to learn from this conversation, I hope you enjoy listening to it as much I did recording it!

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“I always I think it's inevitable that in certain music videos and certain artists they want to be sexy and that's just always been the way music has gone on…but I've also felt very much that I am responsible for not exploiting the artist and so I think I've just listened to my instinct, followed my taste and tried to keep it tasteful. I mean with Katy Perry “I kissed a girl” could have been really inappropriate and crass. I tried to keep it sexy but also feminine and sensual rather than sexual. I never actually wanted to see girls kissing, that would just be taking it too far. I think the idea of the fantasy element of it was so much more interesting.”

In this episode, I talk to Kinga Burza. Kinga is a Polish-Australian music video director who has directed over 35 music videos, combining over 750 million YouTube views for artists such as Katy Perry, Calvin Harris, Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa, just to name a few. And she’s won a few awards along the way as well. In between, shooting music videos she’s also directed a few fashion films and commercials for brands such as L'Oreal, Special K, Vogue, and iD magazine. So a talented woman to say the least!

During our conversation, she talks openly about the importance of following your own internal voice. She recalls that when she first started out, she had a lot of people around her who were negative about her abilities – from her parents who would push for her to ‘settle down and get married’ to an ex-boyfriend who would belittle her abilities to make it as a film director.

So how did a young woman from Australia managed to create and direct some of the most iconic music videos of the last decade? We talk at length about all her different achievements and how she managed to make it in such a competitive industry. For her it was simple, she had to focus on the things she could control which was getting her head down, persevere and just work really hard. She also had another disadvantage, she was practically the only female music director at the time, something she said she had to ignore, with the result being some of the best music videos around.

I got to really uncover what the world of music video making is really like, all the different stakeholders and how it’s never as glamorous as it seems.

As usual, my guest was super honest, and I thank her for it! I hope you enjoy this insightful and entertaining conversation.

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“I think there's a lot of time, I totally feel out of my depth. This weekend being a prime example, I had to do three different events with the ‘Irishman' film lot, so you know - Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel and it's just like literally A. Someone pinch me and B. What the hell am I doing here?”

In this episode, I talk to Edith Bowman. Edith is a broadcaster and writer and has been working in TV and Radio for nearly 20 years. Formerly a host on BBC Radio 1 and Virgin Radio, she has also presented many music and film-related TV shows like The Baftas and Glastonbury.

Recently, she has successfully created her own podcast called 'Soundtracking', a weekly half-hour show where she interviews renown filmmakers about their musical influences and their choice of music in films.

So, as you can imagine, I was super eager to talk to her and find out what it’s like to have such a varied career. What stood out for me was Edith’s passion for her job and her relentless pursuit to do the things she loves: Music & Film. It’s her strong internal guiding voice that’s clearly helped her navigate the world of showbusiness, which as she confesses has not always been easy.

In fact, she is refreshingly honest about all the different types of rejections she’s received over the years and how she’s overcome them. We talk about the fact that when she first started out, she was told she could never be a radio host because of her thick Scottish accent. And of course, that’s not the case and Edith has gone on to interview countless famous celebrities, including Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro just to name a few. Her accent is now her trademark and often breaks the ice with the people she interviews, with Joaquin Phoenix recently attempting to imitate it.

We also chat about her feeling nervous and blagging it, to my surprise Edith confesses that she still gets extremely nervous and sometimes even feels out of her depth when doing interviews – who would have thought it! But of course, this doesn’t show and she reveals her tricks on how she is able to use that nervous energy to push on with the interview.

We cover so many different subjects and to say that I enjoyed my conversation would be an understatement. In fact, our chat goes on for a tad longer than usual but completely worth it.

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"Just be confident and brave and just trust yourself and jump and go with it. Because if you don't, no one else will. And as I said, if you just stay on the safe side, then it'll be safe, and nothing will happen. So, jump and trust yourself. Your mind can do amazing things." Morgane Polanksi

This episode was recorded Live on stage at the Design and Advertising New Blood festival in London in July 2019. I had the pleasure of interviewing actress and film director Morgane Polanksi.

You may recognise the name and for good reason, Morgane is best known for acting in films and TV series such as Vikings, The Ghost Writer, The Pianist and The Wife, just to name a few. Daughter of film director Roman Polanksi and French actress Emmanuel Seigner, she is also following in her father’s footsteps and carving a career as a film director with her recent directorial short ‘The Stroke’ already earning her critical acclaim.

I was extremely lucky to share the stage with her as I got to uncover some great insights during our conversation – including an understanding into the acting world and the ups and downs that come with such a demanding career. Highlights for me were talking about her short ‘The Stroke’ and Morgane’s creative process, getting an understanding of what goes into her acting work on the TV Series The Vikings, the background story into her directional work for The Love Magazine and Dior; but also her experience working alongside big film directors such as Wes Anderson.

Morgane is wise beyond her years, listen out for her very sound advice as she has plenty! As you can imagine the film world is not an easy one and I thank her for being so honest and open with her vulnerable moments and the lessons she drew from them.

I hope you enjoy this honest and wide-ranging conversation.

If you’d like to watch Morgane’s film The Stroke, you can view it here: https://vimeo.com/363799036

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“I looked around and I thought, if I stopped to think about what I'm here to do, launch an English agency brand into this market. If I thought about that, I would just go home, get into bed, pull the covers it never come out again.”

In this episode, I had the privilege to interview Cindy Gallop at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity earlier this year. Cindy for those who don’t know, is the founder of Make Love Not Porn - an entirely user generated crowdsource video sharing platform that celebrates real world sex. A start-up that rose to fame after Cindy’s most talked about presentation at the 2009 TED conference.

Cindy wasn’t always in the start-up world, before this she had a very successful career in advertising, culminating with setting up the US division of the famous ad agency BBH. As usual I go through her entire career and the key themes within her journey that we can learn from.

And of course, being Cindy there is plenty to learn from. Cindy tells it like it is and I love for her it. For example, we talk about sex and society's reluctance to talk openly and honestly about it. The danger of porn becoming sex education when it’s simply manufactured entertainment. This is why she started her company ‘Make love not porn’ to try and combat that very problem.

We also talk about the advertising industry as a whole, Cindy is very vocal on social media about trying to really change this industry. We talk at length about how sexual harassment is such a big problem and how we need this industry to do a whole lot more to fix its damaging effects.

We discuss some really important topics that hopefully we can all learn from.

*Warning this episode contains explicit language*

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