United In Words

What was the real meaning behind those black and white selfies on social media? The Challenge Accepted Campaign on Instagram spread like wildfire, with thousands of women uploading black and white selfies to show their support and solidarity for other women. The true meaning was to specifically support the women of Turkey, many of whom are being killed at the hands of men. Some captions provided more information than others and yet I still didn’t understand what it all really meant.  In the final episode of Series 1 of United In Words, I speak with Zeycan Rochelle Yildirim, who took the time to talk to me about the Turkish Femicide. Zey is a feminist, an activist, an entrepreneur and such a beautiful person inside and out. Her instagram is a mix of the philanthropic endeavors she is a part of and her fabulous life in Istanbul, where she lives.To support the women in Turkey, I urge you to donate to the Purple Women’s Shelter Foundation.This episode is in loving memory of Pınar Gültekin - Rest In Power.

What is it like for an athlete to face a global pandemic? Especially one whose performances rely on an audience and stalls being full of people seeking escapism and magic. Lauren Cuthbertson is a shining bright ballerina living in London with countless accolades to her name. She performs around the world but really her home is the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. As for so many of us, Lauren’s world has been turned upside down and inside out this year. It was a joy to speak to Lauren, she’s bright and full of passion - we cover several topics as her personal life has also taken a pirouette!

Supporting your community in a time of crisis. Adam Richlin is the Founder of Lightbulb Grip, a film equipment rental company in New York City. When the pandemic hit, he turned his unused warehouse into the headquarters of “Feed The Freelancers”, an initiative that delivers grocery boxes to all the freelancers who lost their jobs during quarantine. What started as a small quest, has turned into a huge operation. Adam is also pivoting this model to support the Black Lives Matter protests. He’s a doer, he uses his skills for the good of the world and I hope his story and energy inspires you to find ways of supporting your own communities.

The story of a neighborhood restaurant in the heart of New York.Jess is a British Chef and Co-Founder of King, a European brasserie-style restaurant in the heart of New York City. The hospitality industry took a big hit this year, and particularly the independent restaurants so I really wanted to speak to Jess and listen to her story. It was moving hearing how overnight, a business that she worked on day and night, just stopped. This episode also draws attention to the travel ban between the UK and the US, Jess is now stuck in London and cannot go back to her own restaurant even as it gradually reopens. 

Henry Cookson talks about the impact of the sudden lull in travel and how to explore the world more meaningfully. In 2009 Henry quit his life in the City and set up Cookson Adventures, to follow his passion of travel and exploration. Henry and his team organize the most unique, once in a lifetime trips and challenge us to engage with the world in a whole different way, they encourage us to really live and feel our surroundings. It was a really joy to speak to Henry this week, I was fascinated to hear about the impact zero travel has had on more tourism reliant ecosystems but it was also a wonderful piece of escapism in such needed times.

What does 'defund the police' mean? And what is it like to be an Afro-Latina woman running for office in the US? These are some of the topics Aura covers so passionately during our chat.Aura Vasquez is a community leader and an activist in Los Angeles, where she was once elected to sit on the board of her local council. She uses her voice to tackle social, environmental and community issues. Aura encourages discourses around racism, police brutality and identity, to keep educating oneself and to keep growing. 

Capturing the Black Lives Matter moment, an on the ground account. Michael Atallah is a film maker and story teller.  A born and bred Angelino from Brazilian and Lebanese parents, he lives in Downtown LA, in the thick of it all. The anger at the death of George Floyd, the latest in a long string of black American’s who have lost their lives to police brutality, has forced people out onto the streets. Mikey took his camera into the heart of the protest, so I wanted to hear his first person account of documenting this vital event, to give a sense of what it is like for those who can’t be there in person. 

Techno in Club Corona. Lee Curtiss is a pioneering techno and house music produce, DJ, songwriter, record label owner, father and just the loveliest man. We talk about the long lasting effects of the pandemic on the music industry and how is own life took a 180. 

Has your own anxiety actually subsided during lockdown? Henry is a prolific and fabulously creative artist and sculptor living in London. He runs two studios and has a big team around him, so isolating alone has actually been a welcome break for him and has helped alleviate his anxiety. Being away from his studios has allowed him to experiment with solo techniques and processes he wouldn’t normally explore.

And what about the horses? Alice Fox-Pitt is a presenter on the ITV Racing channel in the UK. She’s a true force on and off camera, being the only woman to have ridden both Badminton Horse Trials and over the Grand National course at Aintree. Alice is a mum of 4 and lives in Dorset with her husband William where they run Fox-Pitt Eventing. Her observations on how the pandemic is effecting the equestrian world are as informed and insightful as can be.

How's the nation's mental health during Covid? Connie Allfrey is a dear friend, a psychotherapist and someone who is full of wisdom and words! We talk about the rise of online therapy and how the state of quarantine has affected our state of mind as individuals and as a collective. At the end of our conversation, Connie recites one of her beautiful poems and you will get to feel her wit and warmth. She’s also the first person I will ring once music festivals are back on!

How to put on a theatrical performance in a virtual world. Gala is an actress and co-founded a theatre and film production company called Platform Presents, she is a lightening bolt of creativity and convector for others. Last weekend, in the midst of quarantine, Platform Presents co-produced a live theatre show, streamed over the internet and watched by more peple than can fit into any theatre in England and... it actually worked. So I had to speak to Gala about how she pulled this off! 

The pandemic hit as a crucial day was coming. An artist from Chicago and from Yemeni background, Yasmine's work is deeply personal and truly evocative. Covid-19 hit as her exhibition was about to open, which on a personal level meant a lot. I hope talking about it today has somewhat captured the elements of her show and I cannot wait to see it in person when museums reopen again.

A frontliner's account, thoughts and feelings. Gigi is a paramedic living in London. As the public sentiment has quite rightly shifted to regards these healthcare workers as society’s heroes whilst thrusted into almost war time circumstances, I wanted to talk with Gigi to get her frontline perspective. This conversation is really special for me because Gigi is my youngest cousin who is doing really big and important things with her life.

Where will we dance again? Mickey Curbishley has worked in the live music industry for over 30 years, now one of the most threatened industries because of Covid-19. He’s currently President of Solotech, supplying audio and visualsfor concerts and festivals. He’s worked with The Eagles, Bon Jovi, Prince, Madonna, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. As you will see from our conversation, Mickey is the most charitable person - he is honestly one of the kindest people I know… listen to find out his story and when we will all finally be able to stomp and boogie in a field again! 

Immune compromised in a pandemic. Jamie Wright is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of So It Goes, a stunning magazine and creative agency based between Oslo and Los Angeles. Jamie is a brilliant photographer and his divine creative eye makes him a leading cultural curator. Pre existing health issues mean his quarantine has been more extreme than others. (this recording took place on 16th April).

New uniforms for a new era. Susanne founded and runs Jermyn Street Design  in London. For the last 30 years they have seen designing and dressing corporate wear for the Body Shop, Ascot Racecourse, Ocado, Kensington Palace, the Eurostar and more! An ex model, a badass business woman and is married to my father in law. Her business has had to pivot to now suit a new way of working and living.