Radio for a World that Works

This interview celebrates the launch of Konstantin Voskresenskiy's 'Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy' as an audio book in English, along with a collection of his poems, again voiced in English by me.It is furthermore a celebration of creative collaboration across global boundaries and cultural understandings, that transcends politics and stereotypes. It shows what can be done with unbounded creative intent, a will to cooperate and enabling technology.The Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy is a coming-of-age story about the poet and engineer Konstantin Voskresenskiy, written as an autobiography. This fascinating account of the adventures of one young man takes place at a turning point in history: the early years of modern Russia, the following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This book is intended for a broad readership.Find out more about Konstantin's books here: www.litres.ru/konstantin-voskresenskiy/Poetry 'fragment': https://vk.com/music/playlist/158361766_53542827_50bf61901ef63eec69Konstantin Voskresenskiy: Vk79859753732@ya.ruProducer Peter Svetlichniy : petrradiosvet@gmail.comTranslator: Elizabeth 'Liza': Elizavetasuboch@gmail.comProject Manager and Translator: Leah Foden: +44 7530 981024 | Leah-foden@live.co.ukFull project credits:1. Basic translating checking – Kristina Shlykova-Luneva (Russia, Krasnodar city)2. Final checking for basic translating – Christopher Fawcett (U.K.)3. Proofreading/re-translating – Leah Foden (U.K.)4. Notes for proofreading – Carl Munson (U.K.), Peter Svetlichniy (Russia, Stavropol’)5. Final proofreading – Leah Foden (U.K.)6. Reader for audiobook – Carl Munson (U.K.)7. Sound Engineer – Peter Svetlichniy (Russia, Stavropol’)8. Basic illustration – Daria Asanovna Asylbek (Kazakhstan)9. Cover decoration – Marina Aleynikova (Russia, Krasnoyarsk), Khairullin Ildan Nailevich (Russia, Republic of Tatarstan), Tuzhikova Lada Igorevna (Russia, Bryansk), Asylbek Daria Asanovna (Kazakhstan)10. Basic cover design (Russian edition) – Zarifa Kamilievna Azretkuliyeva (Azerbaijan, Baku)11. Cover re-design (English edition) – Sergey Tarabrin (Russia, Novorossiysk)12. Publishing house of electronic books and audiobooks – Aegitas (Russia, Moscow)

In this wonderful conversation, it's suggested I marry my guest - 93 (maybe) year-old Josephine, who talks to me about gratitude, relationships, love, the Royal Family, Americans who marry into the Royal Family (doesn't talk about Prince Andrew), her care home, Devon, England and Tennis.She's marvellous.

Sexual power, shame and approaching menopause are the key themes discussed here with Suzy Williamson, recent 'performing artist' at Devon's Drop The Story Festival. 'Solo Autobiographical Theatre' was the medium, spanx pants, 3" heels and false breasts were part of the get-up, and sexual power the driving force.Among many candid revelations, we discuss the pressure on older women to conform to society's expectations, as Suzy shares about her own dramatic examination of her sexual power."Screw you!" is an important message here. And Blondie, Bardot and Helen Mirren come into the conversation as does the 'weaponisation of cleavage'.Although an intensely and primarily personal event, Suzy reveals how others felt a great benefit from her courageous and daring theatrical articulation. The concept of the 'shame hangover' from shadow work is discussed, and it's a pleasure to hear of how honouring an inkling to explore 'something missing' in one's life can be so revealing and powerful.We conclude with her guidance to other women, who may be wishing to approach menopause positively, as well as her younger self, which is thoroughly heart-warming and inspiring, like the whole conversation.

Part One of this interview can be found here: https://www.spreaker.com/user/carlmunson/the-amazing-jaki-king-and-www-adoddle-orHere, in Part Two, Jaki goes into greater depth, including her personal challenge of facing Complex PTSD whilst developing this incredible project on a tiny budget and small team of volunteers.There's more information on how to get involved, at every level and in any location, as well as how to become a sponsor too.www.aDoddle.org

Here's part one of a delightful and inspiring interview with adoddle.org Founder Jaki King.In this conversation, we talk about how adoddle came about and what, in essence, it is.www.adoddle.org is a remarkably simple idea that - as you'll hear - is hugely inspiring in its creation and development.Find out more and sign up or get support, locally, at www.adoddle.org

World Mental Health Day - although I think of myself as mentally resilient, I have not been without my own challenges. Living with a loving husband who has battled his inner demons throughout his life and our married life, meant that for many years I took on the role of ‘the strong one’.Over time I realised that, despite my husband’s own challenges, he is the strong one and my well meant efforts meant that I inadvertently disempowered us both in certain areas of our lives. This is often the case when your default setting is ‘the helper’ - those who put themselves in the role of rescuer, often don’t know how to ask and receive help for themselves whilst not always empowering others with their help. Having done personal research on this phenomena, I could share a lot more on this subject but now is not the time.It finally took a conflict at work over 12 years ago, and a long hard look at myself, to see how much I had lost myself by focussing on the needs of others rather than my own. Once I saw what I was doing, I was able to slowly come back to myself. Layer by layer I have started to let go of what is no longer serving me and embrace what is.There are three areas of focus that are now an essential part of my life and work as a coach:1. Feed Connection - presenceAlthough I value my time alone, I know it is essential that I reach out to my husband, family, friends and colleagues and make time and an effort to keep me from isolating myself. This is particularly important when you are a solopreneur. Spending quality time with my wonderful husband and connecting to nature has been another essential part of my home coming to my own true nature. I thank my dog Eva for ensuring I go out every day, in all weathers!2. Feed Creativity - curiosityThis has been huge for me. Focussing on what I love and consistently feeding and nourishing the light. To unleash my creative heart and to allow myself to express all of me without editing myself away. This has been enormously empowering and has allowed me to reconnect to my strong and courageous heart and spirit.3. Feed Compassion - kindnessNurturing loving kindness and compassion for myself has also been instrumental. Noticing my inner critic and not judging it or engaging with it. Allowing myself to be ok with not knowing. Creating awareness of my loving heart and giving it space to speak and feel heard. Breathing into my body and cultivating a generosity of spirit through practicing gratitude.Thank you to all who have walked beside me over the past number of years - friends, colleagues and clients - as I found my way back to myself The Heartworker’s Way. You have my gratitude and my love.Ann, aka The Heartworker

Great to talk to Karen 'True Profit' Skidmore about 'Content Creation Anxiety', a condition we discovered togetherrecently, where people struggle to commit to a regular recording and production routine.Karen's solution is to record batches, or a Netflix-style season, in one sitting and outsource the post-production to someone else. Result!We also discuss her True Profit Business book, published this very week, that can help entrepreneurs re-humanise and personalise their commercial endeavours - getting a good balance of creativity, profitability and impact.It was so good to de-hype and deconstruct the digital age of doing business with Karen, and consider what an 'elder' perspective can bring to the potentially fulfilling world of creating and running your own business.We celebrate a move away from the shaming and doubt-creating techniques of online marketing experts and a return to passion, creativity, authenticity and flow!More about Karen's new book at https://karenskidmore.com/book

Not the best recording I've ever made, due to some tech issues, but worthy of inclusion I feel.Here, Gav Hughes and I - using Communication Club 'rules' - dig deeper into our views about initiation, vulnerability, young men and elders. A conversation sparked by this article: http://www.inside-man.co.uk/2014/11/02/if-you-dont-initiate-your-young-men-they-will-burn-down-the-villageAnd further fuelled by this video: https://www.facebook.com/king.judah/videos/10156193551116593/I incorrectly referred to the speaker as Judah Isvaran, it is actually Jameela Jamil

Carl Munson with an insight into how Communication Club works, including the first and only rule; some intentions, considerations and lubrication.Read the article here: https://bit.ly/2lMr7mC

From a longer interview https://www.spreaker.com/user/carlmunson/ready-for-a-society-re-boot-charlie-mitcA game-changer and social 'galvaniser' since the age of eight, Charlie Mitchell was a life-coaching early adopter who has become something of a 'leader whisperer' in the corporate and charity sectors.As the threads of personal development, coaching and social transformation have come together for Charlie and culminated against a collective backdrop of crisis and unprecedented change, she's ready with a new kind of support - for those who want to support their communities and ultimately change the world.Hear all about her journey in this interview and find out more about her work at: https://creatingspace4u.net/

A game-changer and social 'galvaniser' since the age of eight, Charlie Mitchell was a life-coaching early adopter who has become something of a 'leader whisperer' in the corporate and charity sectors.As the threads of personal development, coaching and social transformation have come together for Charlie and culminated against a collective backdrop of crisis and unprecedented change, she's ready with a new kind of support - for those who want to support their communities and ultimately change the world.Hear all about her journey in this interview and find out more about her work at: https://creatingspace4u.net/

The return of Communication Club

'The Grandfathers' is a new project associated with Social Network for Communities - OurNet"Wise Elders on Demand" - “Wisdom you can’t refuse” - “Trusty NOT Rusty” “WE know what it’s like to be YOUNG, YOU don’t know what it’s like to be OLD!”OurNet team Michael Brodie & Carl Munson have over 120 years combined real-life experience that they intend share with their generally younger Aveiro University (Portugal) Incubator colleagues.The 'youngsters' have great ideas, endless energy and the will to change the world. The oldies, or preferably 'elders', have experience, success (& failure) and a genuine wish to support the next generations who will change the world.Their wish is to help from their wealth of experience as 'pre-historic social entrepreneurs' with decades of hard-won experience in personal and community development.- Know-what and know-how from an elder entrepreneur perspective- Experience in coaching, consultancy and narrative transformation- Specialist sector knowledge in Ethical Business, Publishing, Holistic Health, Alternative Living, Community Development- Practical insight to share in sales, marketing, PR and personal effectiveness- UK market and cultural links/networkingCome see The Grandfathers - Weekly drop-in in Aveiro (PCI Incubator), by appointment, listen to our podcast and join us at our occasional talks and workshops...

In a time of crisis for male identity and when rites of passage and growing up are optional, does the potentially terrifying ordeal of coming out give gay men character-building access to personal power?Really looking forward to talking to my friend Chris White about this and his personal insight from the process for my podcast...

If you want to 'make social media great again', you can give Carl Munson of OurNet's 5-day, self-led programme here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ournetinteractive/learning_content/This audio diary is Carl's own check-ins during his own commitment to the process.

Looking for answers to my questions about 'masculinity', 'rites of passage' and 'growing up', I was sent in the direction of today's guest - David Schofield.I'm delighted to say I'm already benefiting from David's practical and down-to-earth 'Men On Purpose (enabling men to build a business and impact the world)' programme, but in this fascinating conversation, I discover that his work reaches far beyond the contemporary 'masculinity' conversation.Although an articulate and insightful commentator on all of the issues for which I tracked him down, it seems David has a more overwhelming agenda. He's up for making the world a better place through clearly-intentioned and practical action, by all who are interested in what I see as a 'world that works'.We do look at the 'P'-word, Patriarchy, in our conversation and how men might grow up and serve their communities as much, if not more than, they serve themselves.It was a delight to discover that his work owns and transcends the male shadow, but doesn't get stuck there. The 'Ethical Organiser', as he calls himself is in service to all - in recognition of what unites and motivates us, rather than what divides and undermines.There is a new and unlikely rite of passage that we also discuss, as well as talking about how David has tied his experience and insight together into a service, which you can find out more about here: http://ethicalorganiser.org/

In this upbeat, conversational interview, find out more about Radical Honesty with CEO John Rosania, in my latest 'Communities for a World that Works' (radically honest) piece for OurNet. Listen and learn how to bring more honesty and authenticity in to YOUR life and community, and find out more about John, and Radical Honesty, here: https://www.radicalhonesty.com/john-rosania

Fascinating to talk to my former boxing and fitness coach Chris Rattenbury who joined me to consider one of the big themes of the moment – ‘what is masculinity?’As well as considering his chances with Donald Trump in a scrap, Chris talks about what it is to be a real man in these complex times.We talk about the ‘old days’ of our club where ‘Chef’, ‘The Viking’ and ‘The Fridge’ came together and perhaps surprisingly learnt something about themselves by immersion in the art of boxing. Chris looks at the origins of formalised combat and talks about his own experience as a teacher, working with hundreds of young people over twenty years.Based on his insight from the ring and the gym – currently, the hugely successful Kings Boxing Academy in Kingsteignton, Devon - Chris also offers his unique and perhaps old-fashioned view of masculinity and manliness.I’m eternally grateful to Chris for giving his time, energy and passion to me and others at our short-lived, yet deeply impactful club. My prejudiced view of boxing and physicality was changed forever by his approach and I recommend it to anyone who spends too much time in their head. He also manages to address capitalism, social media, and what young men might do, to find themselves in a challenging world.Perhaps a big part of being a man is taking action? Taking action on improving yourself, stepping up in your community and working for the benefit of others?Carl ‘The Cobra’ MunsonPictured: Chris Rattenbury showing his 'feminine side'?

It’s over ten years since I first came across Non-violent Communication (or NVC), thanks to my friend and guide Rev. Hilary Woollett. It’s the gift that keeps on giving from originator and master communicator Marshall Rosenberg, who formulated the first principles in 1960’s America.For OurNet, where my role sits largely within communication, I’m revisiting this profound methodology in the realms of ‘Communication for a World that Works’, i.e. a spotlight on a way of connecting with others, and ourselves, that can offer more of what I believe our hearts desire.OurNet is essentially an online community communication concept, and whilst creating a new context where communities can connect more richly, our aim is not to be prescriptive or dogmatic.I share this look at NVC with you, not necessarily as an endorsement or expectation, but as a possibility and point of reference, in a world where communication technology is increasingly sophisticated, yet the transmission and reception still often resorts to level: ‘primitive’.It would appear we humans are being blessed with a next-level Gutenberg moment, and with it an absolute deluge of potentially liberating information and awareness. But we seem to be struggling to move beyond our hard-wired reactions of polarity, conflict and war – even if our new weapon of choice is a keyboard.Hence the review of NVC. Here’s a way of lifting our relationships from the battlefield and into a more idealistic and experimental laboratory; ultimately into respect, love and compassion.In Oxford, UK, on a hot Spring day in 2008, I attended my first NVC workshop with renowned trainer and exponent Bridget Belgrave. In her enobling environment, a sign greeted us that asked: “Would you like to... • Be honest without insulting people • Be heard to your complete satisfaction • Handle conflict with consequence • Transform anger into positive communication • Never hear blame or criticism again • Inspire willing cooperation • Deepen good relationships • Enjoy people"Who wouldn’t want any, or all, of those blessings in their lives?So what follows is my conversation with Bridget, after the workshop, about Non-violent Communication, where I begin by attempting to put some NVC principles into practice.Later in the interview I ask Bridget a BIG question: Is there a massive mis-match between what people are feeling and needing, and what our society gives them?For that matter, are YOUR needs being met by the ‘common agreements’ of how our world operates in that curious and increasingly, ill-fitting place known as ‘normality’? If they’re not, if you feel like the proverbial ‘square peg’ you may wish to keep listening...Find out more about Bridget here: http://www.nvcdancefloors.com/More general information about NVC here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonviolent_CommunicationI finish with something my aforementioned friend Hilary said when I interviewed her about Nonviolent Communication: “We have a tremendous power in our world to think before we speak,” she said. “And to know that there is another way of doing it,” she added.Stay tuned for more ‘other ways’, here, on radio for a world that works...Diagram: William Huston - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonviolent_Communication#/media/File:The_Inner_World_of_OFNR_(NVC).png