Recorded on 28/02/2025

Dr Reem Ameri is an Educational Psychologist and Founder of Loom Psychology. She is also a qualified teacher and has over 20 years of experience in education and Psychology. Her company offers virtual psychological assessments for children and young people aged 0-25 years. Her story-driven assessments tap into her love of powerful storytelling.

Dr Ameri works with Local Authorities, schools and directly with families. Her mission is to make psychological advice more accessible for children and families through using technology to break down geographical barriers.

As a mum of 4 (plus one fur baby), Reem is always on the go and has a lifelong passion for learning, travel, and chocolate.

You can find Dr Reem Ameri at:

loompsychology.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-reem-ameri-490aa435/

Recorded on 29/01/2025

Simon Williams is the owner and director of SW Retail Consultancy Ltd. Their strap line is 'Big ideas, Simple solutions' and this is exactly what they try to deliver to their clients. Simon works closely with business owners who want to deep dive into their organisation to understand their opportunities for growth and savings.

Data is the key to unlocking the potential of every organisation and this is where SW Retail Consultancy start. Analysing the sales in, structuring it into a simple, easy to understand format, and then shining a light on performance highs and lows.

Their raison d'etre is to help with SMEs who have one eye on costs but are keen to invest in external expertise. Simon takes his valuable experience from companies like Asda and Morrison’s and miniaturising it for SME's. He also works with suppliers either already in or looking to get into the retail sector and carries out project work for larger organisations.

You can find Simon on LinkedIn at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-williams-616b876/

Recorded on 09/01/2025

Holly Thompson currently works as a property photographer and EPC assessor for an estate agent full time as well as having her own wedding photography business.

Holly’s work has varied from working in newspaper publishing, advertising and marketing, to a 5-year stint as a chef, to health and safety work during Covid and finally to kick-starting her dream of being a photographer.

Holly left advertising in 2019 after building up clients to start her first year as a wedding photographer but, due to Covid she needed to diversify quickly to survive.

Then a boom in the wedding industry in 2021/2022 meant business was suddenly incredible, but with rising taxes and the cost of living crisis, this had also hit hard and Holly had to seek full-time employment again, as well as also honour her existing committed bookings.

If you’re getting married in Yorkshire or you’re off to a wedding and they need pics or you need any other photography doing go and check out Holly's website to see examples of her work.

Go check it out anyway it’s a good website.

Go to www.flashforwardphotography.co.uk to find out more.

Recorded on 13/01/2025

Seth Mowshowitz is a neurodivergent father of 2 neurodivergent children and the benevolent dictator of Leeds music collective & now community group Fold. He has as many nationalities as he has limbs.

He’s a designer with 25 years’ experience. He’s a big picture thinker.

He’s a self-employed music producer & performer, teacher, web & print designer and web developer.

Seth does a lot of different things for work, none of which pay terribly well because most involve music. He makes & performs music (mostly as the head / founder of a group called Fold), he teaches music and promotes music.

Last year he was awarded funding to run a music production workshop for young people facing barriers, which at the time of recording he was (or at least he was when he sent me the email with this copy) 4 sessions into. In Seth’s capacity as a designer he freelances for a charity called Amyloidosis UK. He also helps out with his partner’s disabled son as a career when needed.

Seth says, “I’m doing this interview mainly in my capacity as the guy from Fold because that role best represents who I am and what I’m trying to achieve in my work. As it says in our bio we aim to amplify humanitarian perspectives & critical reflections on today’s world through our music”.

You can find out more about Fold and buy merch, music and gig tickets at:

https://fold.fm/

https://www.instagram.com/foldfm/

https://fold.bandcamp.com/album/resistance-refusal-ridicule

https://www.youtube.com/foldfm

Dan Akers, Episode 90:

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e3d2a13f-ad82-4f79-aa64-c344f7bbb36b

Samantha Rudd

Recorded on 19/01//2025

Samantha Rudd, is from Leeds is married with a beautiful 6 years old son with Autism. During the week Samantha is a supply teaching assistant working at various schools.

She had attended the classes at SOS Dance in Morley for 2 years until she decided to start teaching the routines herself and the rest, as she says, is history. Sam says teaching dance is, right up my alley! She loves to empower and inspire people through Commercial Dancing.

You can follow Samantha and SOS Dance on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sossamanthadance/

Recorded on 19/01/2025

Steve Bootle is a freelance photographer based in North Leeds, with over 25 years’ experience.

Steve works mainly in corporate, business and commercial photography, concentrating on business portraits and PR. He also covers events and conferences, along with weddings and bar / bat mitzvahs.

We discuss the challenges and rewards of a career behind the lens, the impact of the digital revolution on photography, and the ongoing influence of social media on his industry. Steve also delves into the realities of freelancing, the importance of networking, and his hopes for the future, including his desire to give back through community and charity work.

You can find Steve Bootle at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebootle/

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.bootle.31

https://x.com/sb1photography

Bunmi Owolabi and Dr Pedi Obani recorded on 23/12/2024

In this compelling episode, we explore the transformative work of AfriKindness, a charity dedicated to advocating for kindness, cultural understanding, and racial harmony among children and young people.

Founders Bumni and Pedi share their journeys, emphasizing the importance of empowering families and addressing complex racial challenges through community engagement, co-production, and educational initiatives. They also discuss the organization's rapid growth, the impact of COVID-19 on their mission, and the crucial role of social media in amplifying their message and reaching a global audience.

https://afrikindness.org/

https://afrikindness.org/support-us/volunteer-with-us/

https://afrikindnesspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2195332/episodes

Farina McKay recorded on 17/12/2024

In this episode, we hear from Farina McKay, a dynamic professional who reminisces about her childhood dreams of working with monkeys at a zoo, then navigating through creative writing aspirations, and ultimately finding her niche in linguistics and sales within the cybersecurity field.

Farina shares insights into her current role in an identity advisory company, discussing the challenges and rewards of sales, and the impact of remote work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she touches upon her advocacy for more women in tech, the complexities of social media, and the importance of real, meaningful human connections in the digital age.