In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible award winning spoken word performer and sociopolitical poet and author, George The Poet - 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…

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George The Poet

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George shares how going to Cambridge and the fear of being stereotyped kickstarted his transition from Grime & rap to poetry, and why he never looked back due to the greater freedom he feels there is to talk on vulnerable topics in poetry. George talks about the impact of coming across black poets Def Poetry Jam and connecting to it emotionally instantly and why he feels poetry has maintained a grassroots quality compared to music because of the struggle to truly commercialise it. On this theme George talks about the process of writing his non-fiction book, Track Record, drawing on his PhD in understanding why, despite the huge commercial success of Black music, Black communities haven’t truly benefitted and been empowered by that success and unpacking how Colonialism and its continued presence is core to this. George also tells Jayda why he didn’t accept the MBE offered to him in 2019 and how it relates to Colonialism and being Ugandan, but conversely how writing a poem for Harry and Megan’s wedding opened him up to love and led him to falling in love with his wife shortly after. Jayda and George talk about marriage and George shares how partnership with his wife has helped him stay grounded as an artist.

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George The Poet website

Have You Heard George's Podcast?

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George the Poet is an award winning London-born spoken word performer and sociopolitical poet. George’s innovative brand of musical poetry has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and a social commentator. He is the author of multiple poetry books and the non-fiction book Track Record which explores the power dynamics that impact Black creativity. George is also the host of the podcast ‘Have you Heard George’s Podcast?’ which has won 5 British Podcast Awards! In 2019, George was offered an MBE, but turned it down due to due to the British Empire's history of exploitation. In 2021 The University of London presented George with an honorary doctorate in literature. George is now embarking on a PhD at UCL'S Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, focusing on the socio-economic potential of black music.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing high fashion model, activist and creative director, James Corbin - 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…

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James Corbin

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode James shares with Jayda what it was like becoming a model as a plus size dark skinned man and the self-actualisation that his first ever shoot had, and the feeling of figuring it out what it is you want to do in life. James also unpacks tokenism that happens in modelling and what the difference is between feeling tokenised versus fashion being truly inclusive, and how what you see in the people behind the scenes makes all the difference. On this he also spoke about the competition and colourism between plus size and dark skinned models and why he wants to see more space made in fashion for people like him. Jayda also asks James about the male experience of body image and James’ journey with body acceptance and James shared how it really doesn’t matter how you look on the outside but it’s how you internally feel about yourself. Lastly, James also spoke about the importance of brotherhood for men and how he draws on this theme in his work as a model and documentary maker.

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The Loveland Foundation

Hungermag editorial

James Corbin is a high fashion model, activist and creative director. He was scouted for his first modelling job in Vogue Italia during 2020 by photographer, Campbell Addy and is now represented as a model globally across the world. Some of his fashion credits include: Vogue Italia, Gucci, Valentino, BOSS, Lacoste, Dazed, British Fashion Council, Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, GQ, Perfect Magazine, Christian Cowan, S.S Daley, Mr Porter, Charles Jeffrey, Levi’s and many more.

James has a passion for discussing and writing on social issues and helping facilitate conversations of importance, that result in change. He has been interviewed and featured in profiles for The Guardian, Vogue, Dazed, Port Magazine, British Fashion Council, ES Magazine & The Independent. He is currently working on a personal documentary that delves into colourism within the UK, alongside a podcast project that aims to engage in conversations with industry insiders promoting self-confidence.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing Podcast host of Menopause Whilst Black, activist and retreat founder, Karen Arthur - 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…

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Jayda G

Karen Arthur

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this brilliant episode, Karen shares with Jayda her experiences of going through the menopause and the differences in which Black people experience the menopause and unpacking the social racial issues behind this. They talk about the journey of aging, and your body changing, and how for Karen so much growth, positivity and beautiful change was born out of her life being turned upside down. Jayda asks Karen more around the stigma of aging, and why for Karen aging is a privilege and she has found more joy in her life the older she has become. At the same time Karen spoke about finding a balance of gratitude in life but also mourning change and loss, and what for her is the difference between healthy processing versus toxic positivity.

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Menopause Whilst Black

Menopause Whilst Black Podcast

The Joy Retreat

Karen Arthur is the founder and host of the ground-breaking podcast Menopause Whilst Black, which champions Black British based menopausal stories now in its fifth season. Karen is a broadcaster, menopause diversity campaigner, and draws on her previous work as a fashion designer and model when founding ‘Wear Your Happy’ which is conscious clothing for better mental wellbeing.

Karen also created and hosted five star rated The Joy Retreat Barbados, the world’s first retreat designed exclusively for Black women in any stage of menopause, and is the host of bi-weekly radio conversation show ‘Can We Talk’ on Golddust Radio. Karen has been featured in Vogue, The Guardian, Times Radio and BBC London Radio as well as BBC Breakfast, Channel 4’s ‘Sex, Myths and the Menopause’ with Davina McCall and Sky Arts ‘Statues Re-Dressed’. Karen has advocated for diversity in menopause representing in Parliament twice and is now part of The Health Collective with RCOG committed to equity in women’s health care as well as the world’s first National Menopause Education and Support Programme with UCL. Her work on menopause is referenced in several books and cited in the British Medical Journal.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing CEO and founding member of media and film platform Waterbear, Sam Sutaria - 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…

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Jayda G

Sam Sutaria

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam discusses how storytelling builds community and the importance stories and in-person gatherings play in mobilising a network around a cause, not just educating and informing. Sam talks about the opportunity and time sensitivity of closing the gap between inspiration and action, enabling people to make a positive impact and contribute to collective missions when they are moved by different stories. Jayda and Sam also talk about how seeing the tangible impact of your actions is crucial to motivating people to get involved, as well as coming up with more interesting and creative calls to actions. Sam dives into finding joy and lightness in activism and not just sacrifice, and how for Sam, building a social component to WaterBear and their campaigns and focusing on the intersection of entertainment and impact is crucial to achieve this. Sam also shares with Jayda the challenging sides of building a company, and the personal impact pushing yourself for something you are so passionate about can have on your mental health, along with the changes to lifestyle he’s made and recommendations for how people in impact can become more resilient and prioritize self-care.

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WaterBear

Blue Carbon (UK, NL, SA)

Rebels With Cause

London Breeze Film Festival

Aegean Film Festival

Sam Sutaria is the CEO of WaterBear, the Certified B Corp community storytelling network entertaining people into action. Through award-winning storytelling, curating opportunities to take collective action, and building a global community, WaterBear is defining a new category in media at the intersection of the environment and culture. And the best part? The stories we tell are available at any time, on any device, for free.

Prior to helping found WaterBear, Sam was the GM of The European Nature Trust (TENT) and trained with the BBC’s Natural History Unit in Bristol. Sam also sits on the Board of the London Breeze Film Festival and Aegean Film Festival.

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