Recorded on 28/01/2026

Tony Crooks started LeedsNet.com, the first public information service for Leeds, thirty years ago in 1996, before the internet got to the UK. He had 54 telephone lines, with a modem for each line, in the back to back house in Harehills he lived in at the time.

Originally starting his working life in horticulture, Tony became an award‑winning cabinet maker, and he has carried that mind-set of having the right tools for the job into his role as Group Head of Research and Development at Aotea Global, where he now applies the right mix of knowledge, methods, and on‑the‑ground practices to solve real problems for communities and governments across Africa.

Welcome to How to Change the Size of Raindrops.

Tony is leading a massive $3 billion program to restore water cycles across East and Southern Africa. By re-greening huge areas of barren land with simple, natural methods the program will end floods and droughts, deliver full food-security to the nations involved, and enable them to export food in future years—just what Europe and the UK will need as climate change cuts their crop yields.

All the tools needed to fix these problems already exist; some are modern innovations and some have been used successfully for thousands of years. These tools are all tested, proven to work, and designed to work together as a whole, rather than in isolation.

Most people assume that helping to save the planet cannot make money and is basically charity work but the projections Tony has seen from financial experts show that these programmes can stand on their own feet and generate strong returns. Making them an ideal investment for anyone who wants to make the world better and, at the same time, earn a decent profit.

The Zimbabwian water delivery project he discusses in this episode is in the very final stages of negotiation now, and Tony has been told there will be orders for enough pumps to provide clean water at the point of need to between 2.5 to 5 million people in remote villages, meaning that those people's lives will be transformed. They will be able to grow all the food they need, water their animals, have much improved health outcomes and girls can go to school and get an education.

This is a brilliant episode about a Loiner who’s doing truly amazing things and it’s another one where we go off-piste from my standard questions.

Aotea Global will expand its presence from eight to twelve East & Southern African nations this year. Aotea Global are building a new website to replace the temporary one at www.aotea.global and the email for investors is investors@aotea.global - though they don’t have facilities yet for small investors, but you can still register interest.

NB This is not financial advice

You can find out more about Tony’s work at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-crooks-aotea/

Or email him at: tony.crooks@aotea.global

Terrance McKenna clip from https://youtu.be/jDTWocis0YQ?si=Q3AsrJ3mK1H4Ic-A

Recorded on 30/01/2026

Leigh Staunton is the Project Lead for the Leeds Mindful Employer Network — a one-of-a-kind, city-wide network bringing employers together across sectors to make work better for mental health.

Unique to Leeds, the Network connects organisations of all sizes to share ideas, learn from one another, and take practical action to create positive, psychologically safe workplaces. It offers free events, resources and regular communications to employers across the city who have signed up.

Commissioned by Leeds City Council, the Network is led by Leigh and guided by a Steering Group of local employers, ensuring its work is grounded in real-world challenges and solutions.

An English language teacher in a past life, Leigh has also worked in employability, in training and development and has supported people with mental ill health to find and stay in work. A mum of three, she is deeply passionate about helping local employers build inclusive cultures where people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.

Leeds Mind Find out more about our vision for mental health for all.

Join the Leeds Mindful Employer Network

Nominate a Mindful Employer of the Quarter

Find out more about the Mindful Employer Charter

Follow Mindful Employer Leeds on LinkedIn

Come to Conference

Conference details: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/events/conferences/leeds-mindful-employer-network/

Book your free conference tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leeds-mindful-employer-network-free-conference-2026-tickets-1982897655265

Mindful Employer Event post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mindful-employer-leeds_exciting-news-our-first-in-person-event-activity-7424813808591745025-ajf0/

Get tickets for Neuro Inclusion at Work here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neuro-inclusion-at-work-moving-beyond-awareness-to-what-actually-works-tickets-1982296873310

Recorded on 08/11/2025

Erene Hadjiioannou is a psychotherapist, supervisor, author, trainer, and (occasional) activist.

Erene has worked with adult clients since 2010 and is currently based in her private practice Therapy Leeds. She has specialist skills in supporting survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, including clients navigating the criminal justice process (known as ‘pre-trial therapy’).

Erene is an Advanced Accredited gender, sexuality, and relationship diversities therapist - awarded via Pink Therapy.

Between 2019 and 2022 Erene was part of an independent steering group that successfully lobbied to change the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines on ‘pre-trial therapy’ increasing access to therapeutic support for survivors of abuse.

Therapy Leeds is a LGBT+ friendly service.

You can find Erene at:

www.therapy-leeds.co.uk

www.pretrialtherapy.co.uk

@TherapyLeeds

https://www.waterstones.com/book/psychotherapy-with-survivors-of-sexual-violence/erene-hadjiioannou/9780367429515

Recorded on 31/10/2025

Gill Beadle is an ILM7 certified Executive and leadership Coach with two decades’ experience in Technology and change Leadership roles within Health-Tech and Financial services.

She decided to become a Coach after seeing first-hand the impact Coaching had when working with her teams, as well as on her own confidence as a leader.

Gill specialises in working with teams and individuals going through periods of change, whether that is stepping into a new role, coming back from parental leave or navigating the uncertainty of organisational change.

As well as being a Coach, Gill volunteers as a Mentor for the GoodWork charity. Providing Mentoring for young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to support them getting corporate employment.

You can find Gill at:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-beadle-nee-maidens-64400ba3

Her website is www.Maidle.co.uk

And to find out more about Good Work go to https://www.goodwork.org.uk/

And if you'd like to buy The Chimp Paradox you can find it here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-chimp-paradox/steve-peters/9780091935580

Recorded on 05/11/2025

Dominic Charkin was the CEO of a charity that was established in 2002 to work with local people to identify and overcome issues that affect their health and wellbeing at a community level. In the past few months the Trustees have decided that now was the time to close its doors and Dominic was in the middle of working through that decision.

While there is sadness in the decision he says, he’s learned so much about endings and how to make them positive, as well as having a new found voice, that being at the behest of commissioners and funders does not always allow.

The Old Red Fire Station

https://theoldfirestationgipton.org.uk/

Sir Wilfred Thesiger's Last Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swjcpS6EpV4

Recorded on 19/09/2025

Helen Underwood is a Former NHS Physio, First Aid Expert, and entrepreneurial-mum on a mission!

With over 20 years in healthcare, including time in Children’s ICU and other NHS departments, I’ve devoted my career to helping people. Now, as founder of Underwood Training, Helen is creating a ripple effect of empowerment by making First Aid knowledge more accessible in businesses, schools, and communities.

Helen believes First Aid should be general knowledge. She delivers simple, practical, context specific First Aid Training and First Aid for Mental Health Training for individuals, groups and teams.

Underwood Training sessions are engaging and designed to build confidence, not just compliance.

Helen believes that anyone, regardless of background or profession can learn life-saving skills and that they should have the opportunity to do so, such that I’ve created a virtual first aid course for parents and carers. Her aim is to break down barriers and myths around first aid to help more people in our communities feel ready to act in an emergency.

To get in touch with Helen check out:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/underwoodtraining

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenunderwood

Instagram: www.instagram.com/underwoodtraining1staid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Underwood.Training1stAid

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@underwoodtraining5923

Recorded on 06/08/2025

Sam Perry is Project Lead for Warm Homes at the Trades Union Congress, where he works to improve job quality in the clean heat and home retrofit sector, promote just and inclusive net zero transitions, and enhance the voices of working people in national and regional decision-making.

He established the North East, Yorkshire, and Humber Just Transition Network; leads on the Climate Action Pledge at Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission; is a national champion and enabler of trade union climate action (especially through green reps); and works closely with DESNZ on workforce planning in the retrofit sector.

Sam's background is in union organising and local authority social housing delivery, and his special interest is the climate, social justice, and economic opportunities of large-scale, publicly delivered home energy upgrades.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-perry-york/

https://www.facebook.com/SamPerryYork

https://bsky.app/profile/samofyork.bsky.social

And check out https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/our-history

Union Links:

Centenary of General Strike. https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-the-celebration-of-the100th-anniversary-of-the-general-strike-1926

Join a UK TUC Affiliated Union https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union

TU news and campaigns https://www.labourstart.org/welcome/

Labour Start podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1TOPX2A9YGDZnQSLz8oBZE?si=7ac312d15f7042b4

Simon Sapper and Martin Smith’s Organising for Change – the podcast for union builders https://open.spotify.com/show/09KsNslXwvHPuO8Dgt2AVC?si=3e904e09bdaf4125

Working Class History Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3dqQUrBAmXgoU1Q6hcUnBX?si=1d84a837e0064177

Analysis News Playlist with Jane McAlevey interviews https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5wue8oAUyGr5RZszwAWS4sEpqAUNQ4qJ

Recorded on 11/09/2025

Jessica Spencer runs Aladdin’s Cave Jewellery, a third-generation family run business in Queens Arcade Leeds, alongside her mum, Roberta. The shop has been in the same location for over 45 years.

From being a little girl, Jessica always loved 'treasure hunting'. She’s always loved the stories that antique and vintage Jewellery pieces carry, the idea that someone wore and cherished each piece long before it reached their shop.

That’s why Aladdin’s Cave focus on sourcing unusual, one-of-a-kind treasures for people who want something with meaning, not just another mass-produced trinket.

The shop itself is crammed full, every corner bursting with curiosities and a window display packed to the brim! it really does feel like stepping into a treasure trove.

From Art Deco engagement rings to Victorian mourning jewellery, and even quirky little finds like silver napkin rings, their collection is a celebration of history, beauty, and craftsmanship.

Run in the early days by Jessica’s grandpa and auntie, before her parents took it over in the late 90s. Sadly, though, Jessica’s Father died in 2003, which is when Jess stepped in and started her antique jewellery journey proper.

She had just finished a Broadcast Journalism degree at Leeds Uni and was still trying to make it in the highly competitive TV industry. Jessica says, “I always thought I would go back to it, but over 20 years later I'm still here, and love my job now, way more than I did in my 20s and 30s”.

For a long time, Jessica worked in the shop itself, but after maternity leave and having two kids it made more much more sense for her to work from home and concentrate on the website, marketing and everything needed behind the scenes.

Her favourite part of the job though, is still sourcing beautiful antique jewellery at auctions and fairs. From everyday jumble sales and car boots up to the more prestigious end of art and jewellery fairs. Jewellery really is in Jessica’s blood.

You can find Aladdin's Cave online at:

https://www.instagram.com/aladdinscaveleeds/

https://www.facebook.com/aladdinscaveleeds/

https://www.aladdinscavejewellery.co.uk/