Share
Here's Hoping with Jayda G
Reconnecting POC With Nature, Re-Valuing Listening & Combining Your Passions with Louis VI
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 VI
Follow Jayda G
Follow Here's Hoping Podcast
More on our guest
Louis 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.
More episodes
View all episodes
Jayda G's Special Announcement - Pressing Pause
02:11|Jayda shares why she has made the decision to put the Here’s Hoping podcast on pause, sharing what’s going on for her personally and how the amazing guests and lessons of the podcast have helped her make this decision.Hopefully, see you guys again down the line. We appreciate all your support and to everyone who has been a part of the podcast.Goodbye for now and see you later!
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Marvyn Harrison
13:38|In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing founder of Dope Black Dads and Dope Black Men, platforms amplifying Black voices, Marvyn Harrison - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from our 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 InstagramMarvyn HarrisonJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast
Relationship Anarchy & Dope Parenting with Marvyn Harrison
47:00|Jayda and Marvyn sit down to explore themes of parenting, masculinity, protection and relationship anarchy. Marvyn shares his journey from a traditional advertising career to pioneering a platform that challenges generational narratives about black fatherhood. He opens up about the personal struggles of being a dad, the life-changing impact of therapy, and why emotional and psychological safety must be at the heart of all relationships. He talks about how he allows his core values to be his guides as a father and also introduces the concept of relationship anarchy and co-creating the most supportive environment for his children. Marvyn reflects on how inner work helps men build more honest, sustainable partnerships and what that work needs to look like. He also shares his unique co-parenting journey, centring his children’s well-being while nurturing a respectful bond with their mother, and why men must create space for emotional regulation to show up fully as fathers. This episode offers profound, vulnerable insights on dismantling patriarchy, reimagining family dynamics, and prioritizing self-care as a vital act of love.Follow Marvyn HarrisonFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guest Dope Black DadsDope Black Dads PodcastMarvyn Harrison is a visionary leader known for driving business goals and cultural change through strategy, communication, and people development. He is the founder of Dope Black Dads and Dope Black Men, platforms amplifying Black voices across the UK, US, and Africa. Through his consultancy BELOVD, he has led impactful work with clients like WPP, Footlocker, and News UK. A regular media contributor and author of two children's books with Pan Macmillan, Marvyn is passionate about leadership, equity, and transformation. His upcoming book supports men through personal growth in challenging times.
Valuing Your Voice with Aluna (ARCHIVE EPISODE)
51:42|Award winning musician and vocalist ALUNA shares with Jayda how she found the courage to pursue singing and how she’s learnt to surround herself with the kind of people that invest in, rather than drain, her energy. Jayda and Aluna share their experiences of being Black women in dance music and how the genre has the capacity to give anyone hope when they need it.Follow AlunaFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guest MYCELiUM By AlunaAluna is an award-winning dance music artist, a multi-hyphenate talent, she is a singer, writer, producer, and DJ. Aluna rose to prominence as half of the multi-platinum duo AlunaGeorge, but in 2020 released her first solo album, Renaissance, followe by her second solo album Mycellium last year in 2023 to critical acclaim. Aluna has also worked extensively behind the scenes with the Grammys advising on making music awards more inclusive and diverse. As an artist she advocates for dance music recognising and recentering black artists and black dance music pioneers.
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Gina Martin
12:05|In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing gender equality activist, writer, facilitator and speaker, Gina Martin - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from our 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 InstagramGina Martin Jayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast
Loving Men, Gender Activism & Despair Beside Hope with Gina Martin
01:01:54|In this powerful episode, Gina shares with Jayda how her campaign to criminalize upskirting in the UK launched her into activism. She reflects on how working within the legal system changed her understanding of impact, leading her to shift from a prosecution-based approach to one rooted in community and prevention. Gina speaks openly about why community work gives her hope and offers thoughtful advice on turning despair into action, while recognizing despair as a natural response to today’s world. She also explores the emotional complexity of being both a survivor of male violence and someone who holds deep, loving relationships with men. A must-listen for anyone passionate about gender justice, community impact, and navigating the tension between anger at systemic harm and a desire for healing and connection.Follow Gina MartinFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guest Gina Martin WebsiteGina Martin booksGina Martin is a multi-award winning gender equality activist, writer, facilitator and speaker who runs workshops on gender for Tomorrow Woman in schools. She is most well known for making upskirting a specific sexual offence in England and Wales (three countries have since followed suit) and changing discriminatory instagram policy. She has an online following of over 250,000+ across platforms where she shares educational content on misogyny, gender and patriarchy and has written three books.
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Anna Lunoe
15:12|In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with DJ, producer, vocalist, and radio host, Anna Lunoe - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from our 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 InstagramAnna LunoeJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast
Pregnancy Visibility & Hustling in Dance Music with Anna Lunoe
55:10|In this episode, Anna Lunoe shares how becoming a mother transformed her life, her career, and her creative process. She speaks candidly about the challenges of performing while pregnant, the uncertainty she felt, the anxiety of being in clubs whilst pregnant, and the unexpected strength she found in both herself and the support of the dance music community. Anna discusses the realities of raising young children while touring, producing music, and hosting radio shows. She offers an intimate look at how motherhood has deepened her perspective, sharpened her focus, and reshaped her sense of purpose. As she reflects on the making of her new album Pearl, Anna explains how parenting taught her to work with more intention, let go of perfection, and say no to what no longer serves her. This conversation is a powerful reminder that motherhood and ambition can coexist and that growth in one area of life can fuel transformation in another.Follow Anna LunoeFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guest Listen to Pearl by Anna LunoeAnna Lunoe is a DJ, producer, vocalist, and radio host known for her genre-blending sound and magnetic energy behind the decks. Hailing from Sydney, she broke into the international scene with a unique blend of house, techno, and bass, quickly earning spots at major festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza. As the host of Apple Music’s DanceXL, she champions emerging artists while continuing to release boundary-pushing music of her own. A trailblazer both on and off stage, Anna is also a mother, balancing her creative pursuits with family life and inspiring fans with her authenticity, resilience, and dedication to her craft.
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Benjy Kusi
15:21|In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing Queer, British-Ghanaian inclusion and wellbeing consultant, Benjy Kusi - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from our 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 InstagramBenjy KusiJayda GMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast