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7. From Dependency to Contribution - A Town Transformed - with Kate Darrah
44:23The Ridge aims to create jobs and training opportunities in Dunbar, Scotland. Anchored by a mission to give the time and the skills to those who need it most in the community, it is transforming buildings and garden space in the back streets of Dunbar. The belief in the potential of individuals who would otherwise “have ended up in a box” has created highly skilled craftsmen who are now being snapped up by organisations such as Historic Environment Scotland. Kate Darrah, the Ridge’s Managing Director, is a visionary trailblazer whose philosophy rests on the power of passion and commitment. She joins the show to unpack the evolution of The Ridge's strategy and vision, and the importance of assessing and refining direction as the organisation grows. Timestamps:(03:28) Limited access to transport leads to deprivation.(06:31) Work on sites to revitalise historical areas.(10:38) Vocational apprenticeships with ongoing support team assistance.(14:53) Transition to supporting struggling youngsters and creating effective change.(17:15) Work experience in the community for students.(23:46) Reviewing past challenges and devising future strategy.(34:50) Successful leadership involves delegating and attracting specialists.(38:00) Passion, care, and self-care lead to success.(42:06) Creating a flexible template for community needs and opportunities.Links mentioned:The RidgeConnect with the podcast:Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrnSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755
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6. From Cleverness to Wisdom with Simon Hampel
35:51Simon Hampel is a leader dedicated to moulding a better future through SARSEN and his innovative program, Light. From leading global bankers in Africa on a quest for compassionate leadership to his own quest for balance and meaning through meditation, Simon will take us on a journey through his philosophy of the transformative power of being present. We'll delve into the strategies behind Light, aimed at touching millions of lives by encouraging profound personal and collective consciousness shifts, the ability to make effective and wise decisions, and fostering trust.Timestamps:(04:34) Importance of presence and mindfulness for well-being.(07:40) Organised leadership retreat in Africa, promoting mindfulness.(15:45) Fostering purpose, curiosity, and mental well-being.(18:07) Activists aim for connected, purposeful, mindful change.(19:33) Human addiction to distraction impedes mindfulness benefits.(25:08) Acknowledge, release, and approach with compassion.(30:55) Embracing life's challenges.(33:27) Seeking authenticity and self-confidence to make a change.Links mentioned:Download the Light AppSARSENSimon Hampel on LinkedInConnect with the podcast:Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrnSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755
5. A Vision for Inclusive Employment and Empowering Abilities with Erin Riehle
48:20Erin Riehle is a visionary advocate for inclusivity, with a passion for transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities. As a nurse in A&E of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, in the 1990’s she founded Project Search, a revolutionary global program that reimagines the transition from education to employment for these individuals. Our conversation unpacks how word of mouth has organically grown the programme from local to global, the difference between collaboration and cooperation with multiple partners, and some lovely stories of how our own assumptions often get in the way of how people with learning disabilities can achieve what we can never imagine.Timestamps:(04:24) Internships provide holistic, diverse skill development training.(08:52) Bridge the school-work gap by training disabled individuals.(11:04) Collaboration led to successful employment for youth.(14:16) Erin's promotion to sterilise dental instruments.(22:44) Define shared success to foster team collaboration.(25:48) Teacher transition from teaching to business skills.(29:58) Unplanned program at Cincinnati Children's resonates globally.(37:24) Adapt to cultural differences and embrace collaboration.(39:15) Teaching a student to work left to right.(42:47) Passionate about creating transformative moments in employment.(46:36) Overcome fear, pursue ideas, and expect more.Links mentioned:Project SearchErin Riehle on LinkedInConnect with the podcast:Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrnSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755
4. Being a Voice for Gender-Based Violence and Learning Disabilities with Author Leeanne Clark
21:20Leeanne Clark is a remarkable individual with an inspiring story of resilience and determination. Born with cerebral palsy, Leeanne shares her journey of overcoming abuse and adversity, and finding strength and support from important figures in her life. From writing a book about her experiences to being a voice for those who have experienced gender-based violence and learning disabilities, Leeanne is actively making a difference and inspiring others.Join us as we explore Leeanne's remarkable journey and gain insight into her vision for the future, which includes setting up her own business and continuing to inspire and empower others. Timestamps:(05:45) Finished school at 16, and pursued higher education.(09:45) Writing a book to share positive life experiences.(12:53) Helped SafeLives with a gender-based violence workshop.(18:01) Book on gender violence and care system.(18:51) Advocating for abuse survivors.Links mentioned:‘My Journey Through Life: The Real Me’ by Leeanne ClarkConnect with the podcast:Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrnSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755
3. Crafting the Arab World's Narrative: Abdulrahman Khedr's Mission in Animation
48:07Abdulrahman Khedr is a visionary leader who is rewriting the narrative and challenging stereotypes of Egypt and the Arab world. From his experiences with misrepresentation in the West to taking decisive action, Abdulrahman has transitioned from engineering to media production to make an immediate impact through storytelling. He is the founder of two groundbreaking media production companies – AXEER and Giraffics.Timestamps:(05:45) How authenticity and risk led to successful representation.(08:17) The music videos that went viral and entertained global audiences.(11:54) Championing cultural identity in the Arab world.(13:35) Growing up misrepresented in entertainment and seeking representation.(17:36) How Egypt is a diverse, ancient, culturally vibrant, religious crossroads.(23:10) Empowering the African animation industry.(29:28) How Egyptian filmmakers face challenges in producing movies.(35:39) Balancing company vision and profit is challenging.(37:33) Having a small core team and collaborating with external talent.(43:47) The power of great business partners and amazing team support.Links mentioned:GirafficsAXEERAbdulrahman Khedr on LinkedInConnect with the podcast:Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrnSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755
2. Overcoming Social Care Challenges with Human-Centric Strategy, with Angela Bonomy, Sense Scotland
37:01Angela Bonomy is the CEO of Sense Scotland, a specialised social care provider for individuals with communication support needs. Angela shares her insights on the challenges and rewards of leading a social care organisation, tackling chronic underfunding in the sector, and the importance of strategy as an ethos rather than just a document. Join us as we delve into Angela's journey, her leadership approach, and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of staff and those they support.Timestamps:(05:14) Being passionate about serving vulnerable people.(07:42) Variations in social care funding reflect challenges.(14:42) Having a strategy to empower and improve staff's impact.(22:14) Consultative approach involving families, staff, and support.(25:23) Value good people for skills, competence, and professionalism.(27:47) Surround yourself with good, competent people values.(32:33) Showing vulnerability can build connection and credibility.Links mentioned:Sense ScotlandAngela Bonomy on LinkedInConnect with the podcast:Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrnSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755
1. Detoxing agriculture from Synthetic Nitrogen addiction: Agreed Earth’s Kelly Price
47:29Our food system is addicted to synthetic nitrogen fertiliser - a $200 billion petrochemical-based product whose inefficiencies have led to severe environmental and climate damage. Kelly Price co-founded Agreed Earth to tackle this issue. Focusing on soil health, Agreed has built a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform that remotely monitors nitrogen flow and loss from fields, giving farmers a map of the loss 'hotspots'. This in turn provides great target areas to introduce regenerative farming practices that can help 'staunch the bleed' and provide earning opportunities to farmers for losing less nitrogen from their fields. Timestamps:(06:26) Seeking solutions to complex problems and pursuing innovation.(09:21) Understanding the root cause of farm problems.(12:42) Sustainable mission, strategy and finance for farmers.(18:03) Farming collaborations are cheaper than building nitrate removal.(21:08) Food companies focus on emissions and nitrogen impact.(26:47) Urgent need to implement sustainable farming practices.(31:11) Strategically communicating positivity.(40:42) Corporations lack the apparatus for collaborating with startups.Links mentioned:Kelly Price on LinkedInAgreed EarthConnect with the podcast:Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrnSubscribe on SpotifySubscribe on Apple