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Behind the face of success
Telling the unfiltered truths behind success from role models across the creative industries.
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3. Azeem Rafiq - Former Cricketer, Author, Campaigner, Podcaster
49:54In this special episode, I sit down with former professional cricketer Azeem Rafiq to dig deeper into the impactful moments following his brave decision to expose the racism he experienced. We discuss the profound changes he faced in his career and personal life as a result of his whistleblowing.Azeem, now an author with his new book, "It's Not Banter, It’s Racism," shares an intimate look at his life—from growing up in Pakistan to his tenure with Yorkshire County Cricket Club."One person’s banter is another person’s demise," he says, highlighting the crucial need for self-awareness in today’s society to ensure everyone feels welcome.This podcast tells all about Azeem’s emotional journey, showcasing his resilience and the positive changes he has made for himself and his family. We explore his work in campaigning for change, his transition into a podcaster, author, and speaker, and his efforts to inspire the younger generation to strive for better. Azeem's story is incredibly inspiring. Tune in to hear the highs and lows of his career, and gain valuable lessons in how to never give up.More about AzeemAzeem is a former cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, eventually becoming the first Asian player to captain Yorkshire in a senior game. Azeem’s story is a particularly tough one to tell on this podcast because of how the thing that he loved the most - which is being a cricketer, has led to a lot of trauma in his life. After experiencing bullying and racism which he spoke up about - and an independent report finding it to be true, it led on to a major media story breaking which ultimately has negatively affected his life. What I particularly appreciate and admire about Azeem is that despite all this, he is STILL campaigning for positive change in the sporting world. He’s recently written a book to raise more awareness and he’s made changes in his career to be a keynote speaker and podcaster to bring his passion for cricket into the wider community. It’s a true story of resilience and strength to change the face of cricket forever.
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2. Irene Agbontaen, Founder of TTYA
52:18On this episode we are joined by an inspiring guest - fashion brand owner, Irene Agbontaen. A woman that epitomizes what this podcast is about - real and honest talk. Irene is the founder of her own fashion brand - TTYA (Taller than your average) which was the first inclusive label in sold in Selfridges and she sold out in ASOS, she’s also a podcaster herself hosting TTYA Talks with some incredible guests to help inspire more women in the creative industries, and beyond fashion and podcasting she has also forged iconic collaborations with artists like Burna Boy and Central Cee bringing her passion for creativity, music and fashion together. As a cultural influencer, she also takes that responsibility very seriously by actively speaking up about inclusivity and here’s something surprising about Irene… She loves a bit of DIY and renovated her own home by herself. This episode speaks to how hard work gets you to the places you want to be. It teaches you about knowing your value and knowing what a good business partnership should look like. You’ll learn about the highs and lows of starting a business and how purpose drives growth - personally and professionally. A big thank you to Soho House for supporting us by offering space to record this episode.
1. Harriet Thorpe - Film, TV and Theatre Actress and Entrepreneur
41:14To kick off the new season, I am joined by the brilliant Actress and Entrepreneur - Harriet Thorpe. Harriet has played a number of roles in Theatre, Film and TV and is best known for her telly work in productions like Absolutely Fabulous, The Brittas Empire, French and Saunders and now - further down in her career is playing the character Elaine, the powerhouse landlady of the Queen Vic in BBC’s Eastenders. Which happens to be one of the most iconic roles in British soap dramas. She’s also an entrepreneur who owns her own business with her sister, Actress Matilda Thorpe, called Doctor Theatre, helping men and women find their voice and stage presence. This episode will teach you how to deal with different dynamics in life, how to build your armour, how to focus on your creativity and to always remember to go where you are wanted. We also learn how to reclaim your voice and much more.It's an episode for anyone that wants to improve their confidence, learn what what their value is and ultimately feel good.With thanks to production partner -The River Group and Media Partner - Creative Brief for supporting this podcast.Please rate and review this podcast and follow us on instagram
Introducing Season 2
01:41I'm launching a brand-new season of Behind The Face of Success with some exciting new guests that you'll definitely want to hear from. For this season I'll be joined by some friends who are supporting the podcast. A huge thank you to production partner - The River Group and media partner - Creative Brief. Together we are excited to bring you all some real talk. Please follow the podcast, share your thoughts and review. We hope you enjoy this series and appreciate you tuning in.
14. PodShort: simple and effective strategies for positive mental health
20:34In this 20 minute podshort, we’ll dive deep into one of the strongest themes that came through from the full episodes in S1 - the complexities of mental health. This isn’t just in relation to the workplace but in all aspects of life. Mental health isn't about the negative aspects of our well-being; it encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social wellness. It’s about nurturing a positive state of mind that is essential for our overall health and quality of life. The importance of mental health has been a big topic of conversation for some time now but was highlighted by statistics shared by the NHS, which reported a 21.5% increase in people seeking talking therapies for conditions like anxiety and depression from 2021 to 2022 - this was the time of the pandemic. Throughout this series, I’ve been lucky to speak with remarkable individuals—from Photographer Rankin to tech founder Pip Jamieson and Peloton Instructor Hannah Frankson—who've shared their insights on navigating the challenges of mental health in their respective fields. Themes of burnout, feelings of failure, and anxiety have emerged time and again, prompting us to explore strategies for self-care and resilience.This 20 min PodShort will give you some simple and effective strategies for a positive mental health shared by Rankin, Pip Jamieson and Hannah Frankson.
13. PodShort: International Women's Day 2024
13:58🌟 Celebrate International Women's Day with these impactful killer soundbites straight from the voices of remarkable women. Each soundbite is a gem, offering unique perspectives and valuable advice. Get ready to be inspired by:Author - Poorna Bell, addressing the pressing issue of diversity in senior management and navigating toxic workplace environments.CEO - Rania Robinson, sharing her thoughts on female leadership styles and effective decision-making.Casting Director - Selma Nicholls, advocating for authenticity and the importance of staying true to oneself in the industry.Founder - Pip Jamieson, shedding light on the challenges of being a businesswoman and managing burnout.CEO - Leanne Elliott Young, offering insights on balancing the demands of motherhood with a thriving career.Tune in and empower yourself with wisdom from these incredible women!Enjoy the podshort and pop by the full episodes to listen to their stories.Follow: LinkedIn and InstagramPlease do take a moment to rate and review this series.
12. Poorna Bell, Author, Journalist, Motivational Speaker
51:10In this series finale, we gain insights from the remarkable Poorna Bell, a multi-faceted individual - an author, journalist, motivational speaker, and diversity advocate. Poorna's path to success is truly inspiring. She delves into the importance of resilience in a fiercely competitive industry, offering guidance on developing resilience by embracing rejection, cultivating thicker skin, and taking ownership of feedback. Poorna also shines a spotlight on the pressing need for increased diversity within newsrooms, stressing the importance of accurately mirroring real-world events and society's composition. This powerful episode is a must listen!More about Poorna BellPoorna is an award-winning journalist, charismatic motivational speaker, published author and influencer. She works extensively across several areas including women's journalism, women in business, fitness and strength, body image, wellness, mental health and is an advocate for diversity and inclusion. She was the former UK Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost, and now works as a freelance journalist and editor for titles including The Guardian, Red magazine, Stylist, Grazia, Women's Health and the Daily Telegraph. She has become a popular public speaker and event facilitator. Poorna also received Stylist magazine's Rising Star Award at their inaugural Remarkable Women Awards 2019. She’s a published author (you'll find the links to her books below) and she’s a positive influence on body positivity, mental health and using her social platform for good.Her published books include: Chase the Rainbow, In Search of Silence, Stronger, In Case of Emergency. Follow ‘Behind the face of success’ on instagram