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In episode three, Paolo and Paul talk to Pauline Black, the iconic lead singer of Two-Tone legends The Selecter.

Pauline was born on October 3, 1953, the daughter of a Nigerian man. As a baby, she was adopted by a white family in Romford, Essex.

In this enthralling and moving interview, Pauline talks about the loneliness of being adopted and growing up mixed-race in a predominantly white environment. She shares the difficulty of not having role models, as well as the frustration of not having the vocabulary to express her feelings at the time.

By the 1970s, Pauline embraced her Black identity, even though it clashed with her mother's expectations. She later changed her surname to "Black," a radical choice that highlighted her racial identity. As lead singer of The Selecter, she became a prominent figure in the 2-Tone ska movement, standing out as one of the few Black women in the genre.

Pauline eventually traced her birth mother in her 40s, discovering a connection to her Nigerian father and a reunion with her birth mother in Australia. In her journey of self-discovery, she stresses the importance of supporting adopted children with resources and connections to their heritage.

Tune in to hear more about Pauline's powerful story of identity, adoption, race, and finding her place in the world through music.

More information

• Buy Pauline's autobiography.
• Find out more about The Selecter here.
• Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story (documentary film).

May we all shine on.

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In episode two of But We All Shine On, Paolo Hewitt and Paul Anderson-Walsh talk to Dr Jim Goddard, Chair of the Care Leavers Association.

Jim Goddard is an expert on the care system and currently serves as the Chair of The Care Leavers Association. Jim and his brother spent their childhood in children’s homes in Liverpool and Birkenhead, before moving into a family group home that was meant to replicate family life but was marred by a “randomly violent” care worker.

Through it all, Jim remained academically successful, enjoying the sanctuary of libraries, and eventually going on to university — a rare achievement for someone from the care system at the time. Jim has also become a historian of the care experience and is working on a book about the history of the care system since 1945.

As Chair of The Care Leavers Association, Jim has been involved in campaigning for the rights of care leavers, including lobbying the government for improvements to the care system and helping individuals access their care files. His dedication to advocating for the welfare and well-being of care leavers continues to make a significant impact.

In a wide-ranging and enthralling conversation, Jim talks about his journey through the care system, the history of care, his academic success, and his work for The Care Leavers Association helping people access their care files.

For more information about accessing your care files: https://www.careleavers.com/what-we-d...

For more information on The Care Leavers Association: https://www.careleavers.com/

Follow Dr Jim Goddard on X: https://x.com/JimGoddard1

With thanks to Andres Albert at Tileyard Studios, Kings Cross.

Theme music by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band.

May we all shine on.

www.butweallshineon.com

In But We All Shine On, we dive deep into the powerful stories of resilience and triumph from individuals who grew up in the care system and went on to achieve remarkable success.

Hosted by Paolo Hewitt and Paul Anderson-Walsh, this podcast offers a rare and intimate look into the lives of extraordinary guests who have defied the odds across business, entertainment, sports, the arts, social care, politics, and more.

Through candid and heartfelt conversations, we explore how these individuals turned their struggles into strength, navigating the unique challenges of growing up in care with passion, determination, and unwavering courage. This podcast serves as a celebration of the human spirit, showing that even in the face of adversity, greatness can emerge.

Unlike the typical narratives focused on the darker aspects of the care system, But We All Shine On highlights the power of resilience and the transformative potential within all of us. Tune in to hear an inspiring story that proves anything is possible with the right mindset and heart.

In episode one, we start our journey with Paolo and Paul discussing their own experiences of care
Don't forget to subscribe and catch all episodes of But We All Shine On – where stories of hope, perseverance, and success come to light.

Produced by Simon Wady.

Theme music by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band.

With thanks to Marco and all at De Amicis, Notting Hill.