Series 1 Episode 4 Summary:

Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Selma Nicholls. Selma is an award winning casting Director and the Founder of Looks Like Me Casting. Selma has an extensive history of the arts, dance and theatre, and is a proud board member of Punchdrunk Entertainment. She has been committed to addressing the imbalance of representation on screen and in the arts since founding Looks Like Like Me Casting in 2015 - after her daughter aged 3 questioned the fact that no one ‘looks like me’ - Selma began this movement well before diversity and inclusion was an expected norm, and has always been ahead of the curve ensuring all nationalities, genders and abilities are represented.

A woman who has been no stranger to challenges, as a single mother, business founder, and a pioneer in this field, Selma still has the sweetest nature and brings energy and optimism to everything she does.

Awards:

Black British Theatre Awards - Best Casting Director Recognition

Casting Directors Association Awards - Best Casting of a Live Performance 'Rumble in the Jungle'

Casting Directors Association Awards - Best Casting of an Open Media 'Queen Charlotte Global Orchestra Promo'

The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 - Rasta Medley - Groundation - Nyabinghi Drumming of Jamaica

Track 2 - Kirk Franklin (Love Theory)

Track 3 - Cutty Ranks (Who Say Me Dun)

Track 4 - Erykah Badu (Bag Lady)

Track 5 - Little Simz (Point And Kill feat. Obongjayar)

Track 6 - Nina Simone (Here Comes The Sun)

The emPOWER Breakfast - Selma Nicholls Spotify Playlist

We asked Selma if she wanted to share any resources with you that mean something to her so please see her note below.

Books:

Be More Human - Rethinking the Rules of High-Performance Teamwork, by Caspar Craven

Ego is the Enemy - The Fight to Master Our Greatest Opponent, by Ryan Holiday

48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene

Masterclasses and Podcasts:

LOVE all Masterclasses, especially Spike Lee, Issa Rae, Serena Williams, Chris Voss https://www.masterclass.com

Love https://www.youtube.com/c/YourAuntiesCouldNever

and love https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO

Currently on a journey of living with grief and joy in my heart at the same time and enjoying long hugs from adults like never before. The beauty of life is learning something new everyday. Selma x

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Series 1 Episode 3 Summary:

Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Jody Allison - Award Winning Producer and Co-Founder of Heads Up Production - Jody talks candidly about her mental health journey and her life of two halves, as she discusses her breakdown in her early 30s. We journey through her resulting rehab experience and the landscape of her early childhood which was very much a contributing factor to offering the opportunity for growth that the experience afforded. In more recent years she has beaten breast cancer and has approached it with the same gusto and positivity in the face of adversity as everything else that has come her way. Jody reminds us to look up, take a step back and to find joy in the small things.

The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Tracks:

1. Second Hand News - Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
2. Roxanne - The Police - Outlandos d'Amour
3. She Talks To Angels - The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker
4. Unwell - Matchbox Twenty - More Than You Think You Are.
5. Strong - Romy and Fred Again

The emPOWER Breakfast - Jody Allison Spotify Playlist

Jody Mentions:

CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected, and that changing one can change the others. CBT helps people identify negative or inaccurate thinking patterns, and then teaches them strategies to respond to challenging situations more effectively. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression.

Mental Health - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Positivity - We talk about the power of positivity and not a toxic ‘everything is fine’ kind of positivity but a ‘trusting of the path’, and your instincts, and facing the hard stuff head on that creates a sense of positive progress, despite having to go through the difficult ‘stuff’ - positive people tend to be better at managing stress, bounce back more quickly after setbacks, and are more adaptable to change. Cultivating a practice of gratitude can do wonders for the mindset.

If you are experiencing mental wellness challenges, please don’t battle through it on your own. There are organisations you can reach out to like the Samaritans - and although you might not feel like it, in fact it could be the last thing you want to do, please consider reaching out to a friend or family member and let them know how you are feeling. A challenge shared is a challenge halved. There really is help out there, and you are worthy of it.

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Series 1 Episode 2 Summary:

Athene Parker talks to Nishma Patel Robb, the Ex-Senior Director of Brand & Reputation Marketing at Google, inaugurated as the President of WACL in 2023—taking them from their 100th to 101st year. The current President of History of Advertising and a trailblazing pioneer for all women entering their second act, Nishma has set up her own company, The Glittersphere—a membership community led by Nishma. This move reflects her second-act pivot and her dream to empower women with financial independence through networking and community.

A vibrant spirit driven to create opportunities and leave a legacy for future generations of women.

The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Tracks:

1. Donna Summer - I Feel Love
2. The Fugees - Killing Me Softly
3. Mary J. Blige - My Life
4. Angie Stone - Wish I Didn’t Miss You
5. Sophie Lloyd feat. Dames Brown - Calling Out

Nishma Patel Robb Spotify Playlist

Topics Covered:

Racism: Nishma talked about her experience of racism and the impact of the Channel 4 Dispatches programme Defiance - Fighting The Far Right - Channel 4 on demand.

Menopause: Athene and Nishma touched on menopause and The Louise Newson Clinic, a specialist private clinic for menopause health. Many women, including both Athene and Nishma, have found HRT life-changing.

If HRT isn’t an option, lifestyle changes like cutting caffeine and sugar, mindfulness, and slowing down your responses can help manage symptoms. Nishma highlighted the mental health challenges linked to perimenopause, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, and shared helpful articles:

The Independent: Fear of Being Labelled Hysterical: 1 in 10 Women Experience Suicidal Thoughts Due to Perimenopause

Menopause Support UK: Study on depression/suicide in perimenopause

Nishma also shared her experience with panic attacks. The NHS provides resources for managing symptoms, and holistic strategies like mindfulness, movement, and professional nutritional guidance.

If you are struggling with depression or intrusive/suicidal thoughts, talk to someone—either your GP or groups who can support you. Reach out to friends who may have similar experiences.

Remember, there are ways to support yourself—HRT, coaching, nutrition, and moving your body. You will get through this. Athene x

Julia Leckey:

Nishma spoke about her friend, coach, and author Julia Leckey, who helped her find a new career path. Nishma recommends Julia’s book:

Think Fearlessly to Grow Wealthy

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Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Leila Bartlam, UK Country Lead for Accenture Song’s Production Studios, about her life and journey into advertising, particularly now that she can look through the lens of receiving her Autism diagnosis aged 48 in 2023. Leila is Accenture Songs enablement lead, a proud Neurodivergent and ND Advocate. Leila's work as a Producer has won numerous creative awards and effectiveness awards from D&AD, British Arrows, Creative Circle and Campaign Bigs amongst others. Leila is incredibly strong operationally and has a passion for helping agencies run more efficiently, whilst still delivering creatively brilliant work. She has also always cared about the internal workings of the companies that she works for, advocating for staff led support. Leila continues to advocate for a healthy working environment for ND Staff and this has become even more important to Leila since she has recently received her Autism diagnosis, which makes her an even fiercer advocate for the hidden voices in our Industry.

The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 You can go your own way - Fleetwood Mac- Rumours

Track 2 Inbetween Days - The Cure - Head on The Door

Track 3 Dreams by The Cranberries - The Collection

Track 4 Shostakovich - Symphony Number 5 - The fourth movement Allegro Non Troppo

Track 5 State of Grace - Taylor Swift - Red

The emPOWER Breakfast - Leila Bartlam Spotify Playlist

Leila Mentions:

Melanie Sykes autobiography Illuminated

Noise Canceling Headphones:

More expensive:

https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/headphones/earbuds/bose-quietcomfort-earbuds-ultra.html#v=QCUE-HEADPHONEIN-LBLU-WW

Less expensive:

https://www.loopearplugs.com/products/quiet-plus

Mind Mapping Software: Mind Manager

Book: Highly Sensitive People

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