Here's Hoping with Jayda G

In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible writer and creative, Liv Little - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramLiv LittleJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast

In this episode Jayda welcomes Liv Little, writer and founder of iconic POC magazine gal-dem. Liv shares her journey from founding gal-dem,to navigating its ending and her experience of closing chapters and beginning new ones. She shares the impact caring for her father when he was sick had on her life and career choice thereafter, and the process of writing her first book, Rosewater, whilst her father was battling terminal illness, and the importance of creating a space that just existed for herself. Expanding on her writing, Liv discussed not only learnt about herself through the creative process but also the importance of representation in film & TV and the ability to connect with characters and how she is trying to create more queer POC stories and characters on screen specifically in main roles. This is a conversation about following your intuition, creating personal creative spaces and building a community that you see yourself in.Follow Liv LittleFollow Jayda GFollow Heres HopingMore on our guestRose Water by Liv LittleLiv Little is a writer and creative working across journalism, literature, film, and TV. A leading voice in contemporary UK media, having founded gal-dem magazine. Liv has gone on to release her debut novel, Rosewater, last year and she wrote and directed BBC Film BUMPED (BBC Film), and is currently developing projects with Left Bank, BBC/Parkville, and Emenata Studios. Liv has contributed to numerous major publications and hosted the ‘Why I…Move’ podcast with Nike and Elle, and led campaigns for brands like Google and MAC. A BBC Writer in Residence (2021), she was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 and recognized as a top speaker by The Dots.

In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the iconic mixed martial arts champion, Molly McCann Pearson - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramMolly McCann PearsonJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast

This week Jayda is thrilled to welcome mixed martial arts champion Molly McCann Pearson. Molly reflects on her journey of first falling in love with martial arts, to playing football for Liverpool to then becoming an MMA champion. Jayda digs deep into Molly’s relationship with resilience, perseverance, and finding hope after injury. Molly explores how being from Liverpool and her family, especially her grandmother, shaped her life and how she has navigated the trials and tribulations of her career. Jayda asks how she first got into fighting and why being accepted into the gym was so important to her as a young girl. Molly also delves into her personal experience of coming out as gay and the support she received from her family and the UFC. She reflects on dealing with public scrutiny, the mental and physical challenges of her career, and the importance of mental health and therapy, especially when hitting rock bottom like she did after breaking her leg. As well as how her lifelong gratitude practice and her profound love of music has helped her through life.Follow Molly McCann PearsonFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guest Molly McCann-Pearson aka Meatball Molly is the iconic mixed martial arts champion! Molly is a former Cage Warriors Flyweight Champion and currently competes in the women's Straweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Growing up in Liverpool, UK, Molly started off playing professional football for Liverpool for 5 years before an injury initiated her retirement from football. After which Molly started training again in MMA - Mixed Martial Arts, which kickstarted her iconic MMA career and the numerous titles she amassed and won me over as a massive fan!

In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible fair fashion campaignerand co-founder of Remember Who Made Them, Venetia La Manna - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramVenetia La MannaJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast

Jayda is joined by renowned fair fashion campaigner ,Venetia La Manna, to discuss sustainable fashion, climate justice, and ethical consumption. Venetia shares her journey from television production to social media activism, emphasising the need to dismantle oppressive systems within the fashion industry. They explore the misleading nature of 'sustainable fashion,' the concept of slow fashion, and the impact of social media on consumption habits. Venetia highlights her campaign 'Speak Volumes' and organisation 'Remember Who Made Them,' focusing on garment workers' rights and advocating for systemic change. Venetia also does an amazing job of breaking down the impact of patriarchy and sexism on consumerism and why for women, it can be particularly hard to break away from fast fashion, and her advice on holistic well-being and self-worth practices are at the heart of improving your relationship with fashion. Follow Venetia La MannaFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guest Remember Who Made Them Venetia La Manna (she/her) is a fair fashion campaigner. Through her social media platforms, Venetia challenges fashion brands who are costing the earth and calls out corporations on their unethical practices. A co-founder of Remember Who Made Them, which aims to energise a new solidarity economy in fashion; seeking to uplift the voices and demands of garment makers. In 2023, she presented a documentary called The Fast Furniture Fix for BBC Radio 4. She is featured in the Channel 4 documentary Inside Shein. Venetia has written for atmos and The Independent and in 2024 she was a judge for the inaugural Women's Prize for Non-Fiction.

In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible Rapper, Musician, Film Composer, Documentary Maker, Zoologist and Nature activist, Louis VI - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramLouis VIJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast

Jayda and Louis explore their academic journeys, with Louis sharing how a teacher’s disparaging comments pushed him to pursue medical school, despite it not being his true passion. Finding the courage to pivot, Louis rediscovered his love for zoology and began combining his passions for nature and music to raise awareness about climate change. Louis shares some incredible facts about animals but also a feel understanding of how colonial ideologies are reliant on separating humans from nature and gives examples of how this occurred. Louis also opens up about working in the Wildlife film industry as a mixed-race Black man, revealing its lack of inclusivity and colonial undertones. He critiques the predominance of white professionals in zoology and environmental fields, and the disconnection of Black and Brown communities from their ancestral lands. Louis explains why he believes spending time in nature is a powerful act of resistance for city-based POC, and how he is helping make outdoor spaces more accessible.Together Jayda and Louis discuss the mental health benefits of nature, Louis’ transformative trips to the Amazon and his paternal homeland, Dominica, and the climate crisis’ impact on the island. Jayda and Louis also reflect on their time at COP26, criticizing its shortcomings while celebrating the connections it led to with native climate activists worldwide. Together, they examine colonialism’s lasting impact on nature and how communities can resist and heal through reconnection with each other and the outdoors.Follow Louis VIFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guest EARTHLINGLouis VI is a Rapper, Musician, Film Composer, Documentary Maker, Zoologist and Nature activist, cross-pollinating music & nature. Louis’ mission is to use his music, documentaries and keynote speeches to help diasporic people reestablish their connection with nature. Louis’ keynote speech at COP26 about the colonial legacy of Climate Change and the alienation of people of colour in the UK from access to nature, drew on his award-winning documentary “The World Is (Y)ours” . Louis has collaborated extensively with Earth Percent, a charity founded by Brian Eno and was one of first artists in the world to officially feature “NATURE” as an artist. His music centres the climate justice movement - weaving together a love for melody and a multitude of genres cut with atmospheric field recordings from his time spent in the natural world. 

In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible writer, television presenter, lecturer and speaker, Emma Dabiri - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramEmma DabiriJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast