World What's Up!

Natalie grow up on the Isle of Wight has worked as a  NHS GP in Tower Hamlets for the past 20 years. She has now left the job she loves to focus on women's health and and the growing pandemic of dementia. Natalie  has traveled  this country as well as Europe and the USA to see how different places manage dementia. Some of her findings have been fascinating . Her new book THE DEMENTIA REVOLUTION will be out soon.

Director ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS is a British award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles, having recently completed her 11th feature film. We chat about Elizabeth's  love of theatre and how she made the transition into directing  feature films. We also talk about her methodology to life called "Medicine with word" Her podcast "Filmmaking Without Fear" is available now on all major streaming platforms: https://www.motheranddaughterent.com/podcastHer book “Filmmaking without Fear” is also available online at Amazon (https://amzn.to/39cwe59) and Walmart (https://bit.ly/3zhFDTH)

Karen is an award-winning producer from the UK who moved in to producing following a highly successful career in Global Events Management in the City of London. Her former training as an actor combined with her exceptional organisational skills and financial acumen make her an outstanding Creative Producer.Karen is CEO and lead producer of production company, Hidden Door Productions, established in 2015.Her debut feature film, Just Charlie, has achieved critical acclaim around the world and won many awards including the prestigious Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Grand Prix in the Ecran Juniors in Cannes 2019. It has been sold to many territories internationally (theatrical and otherwise) including Amazon in the USA and most recently to SKY cinema in the UK.Karen has produced a number of privately financed short films including "Lady M" starring Samantha Bond (Tomorrow Never Dies, the World is not Enough) and Eleanor Bron (A Little Princess, Black Beauty) "Bertie" starring Alison Steadman (Life is Sweet, Gavin and Stacey) and Arthur Darvill (Dr Who, Broadchurch) and "Down" starring Amanda Donohoe (LA Law, Emmerdale) and Paul Barber (Only Fools and Horses, The Full Monty) These films have done extremely well at festivals, been BAFTA long listed and have secured distribution deals.Karen is president of the Timothy Welling Bursary, an award and mentoring scheme set up with E15 Drama School designed to support and nurture a student in their final year of training.Karen is also the Producer of the wonderful (Love Without Walls) directed by Jane Gull (My Feral Heart) which premiers at the Manchester Film Festival and is coming to cinema summer 2023!

 Sue's had an amazing life and career.  Born in Manchester, her early family life was not always easy. Once Sue realised she had a voice there was no stopping her.  Appearing in countless musicals including Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago and Wicked as well as TV and film roles in Mike Basset Manager, Doctor Who and Red Dwarf and many more.We chat about some of the challenges of being a Jewish actor, her love of music and her belief that theatre should be something that people can relate too.

JACK SPRING became the UK's youngest feature film director after directing comedy DESTINATION: DEWSBURY. The film enjoyed a 6 week theatrical run in the UK and was acquired by Amazon Prime, Sky and Virgin. The film lead to a BAFTA 'BREAKTHROUGH BRIT' nomination.Jack's new film THREE DAY MILLIONAIRE is a wonderfully  funny and engaging look at the life of the Grimsby fishing community.For such a young man Jack's is mature and grounded way beyond the 26 years he has lived so far. He now has two feature films under is belt and for him the sky is the limit.

Thomas Kelly is a man of many talents. Performing artist and writer Thomas creates meaning and laughter on stage and for the page. A queer artist and long time spoken word poet, indie author, comedian, outrageous Drag Queen, singer and lyricist. We talk about how he first got interest in performing and the drag scene. How he would like to take his art form to the next level and some advice for anyone looking to get into drag world.https://linktr.ee/thomaswkellyhttps://www.thomaswkelly.comhttps://fb.watch/g8kCFrQc38/

Like many people of Kate and my generation the idea of going into the arts as a career was never given as an option. So she became a secretary, then a speech therapist before finally find the career she now loves as a make up artist. We chat about her early life and about putting in the free hours to build a portfolio in the make up world. She also tells us about working with Hugh Jackman and her dream of getting a job in Barbados.Endless Fugitives Great leisure wear that not only looks good but feels good as well Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

The list of Robert Jones' film credits are very impressive including Vera Drake, Dirty Pretty Things, Hard Eight, Gosford Park and one of my all time favourites the Usual Suspect but it was never his plan to be a Producer. We chat about his childhood and how he went from being a musician to one of the Britains most successful film producers and let's not forget blowing up the West Ham stadium! Robert also answers the question ‘What does a producer do?’

Sofia didn't have the easiest start to life with her mum dying soon after she was born. She spent her first two years in an orphanage in Lisbon Portugal. At the age of two she was adopted my an English family. Sofia says "My parents told me that the orphanage had told them that I was ‘lively’ and ‘had a mind of my own’. I came to my new family and moved to the UK when I was 6 years old. Faced with their own challenges, I watched my parents work incredibly hard to make a new life for my adopted brother and I. They were a real inspiration to me, and on reflection they had already inspired one of my life goals – to build a secure family home."Sofia tells me about her early years in the UK having to deal with bullying,  having a son at 16 and going on the create a successful finance company in the form of Penny House.

Francis Urias Peters: Grenadian born playwright and Cultural Ambassador. He is the co-founder and Cultural consultant of the LaBoucan Creative Centre (established in 2014). Peters has written several plays for the stage and radio. His works have influenced new legislation on Incest in Grenada. He has won the best entry on two occasions at the PAHO /WHO Caribbean Media Awards for Excellence in Health Journalism with radio drama series on Child Abuse, HIV&AIDS and Gender Issues. Peters continues to use his plays and the Arts as a vehicle to address social, health, environmental, historical and educational themes.

Bobby Steele is a force of nature. I call him a Guru in the title because one of  meanings is "An influential teacher or popular expert" and he is certainly that. He has worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry in the Caribbean since he was a 15 year old organising parties. Bobby has a real passion for the industry and a dynamic business brain as well as a great heart. He was the man behind Grenada's most successful club ever - Bananas and is looking forward to it’s exciting relaunch later this year.We chat about his early life and where he sees Grenada heading in the future. He gives us an exclusive insight into an aspect of his life. The man is a master storyteller and very funny, so sit back and enjoy!

Part 2 of this fascinating and  inspiring interview with Gordon Micic Stand up, business woman, Dancer and much more!PLUS BONUS of the History of Grenada from 2 MILLION B.C to Today. (In 10 minute)For sponsorship inquiries please email andrewstclairjames@gmail.com

Gordana Micic, aka Gordi, is a force of nature and a wonderful human being to boot. She is also a comedian, dancer, producer, writer, actor, scientist, engineer, pilot, managing consultant, mother and… a very bad cook!  We had a really lovely conversation which you can hear now and Part Two next week. She talks about her early life, smuggling people out of Serbia to safety (putting her own life at risk) and being a business woman in a male donated world.

Jason Dean is a man of many talents. As a 16 year old he had trials for a number of top  clubs and was about to sign for Aston Villa when there was a complete  change in management. This left him feeling rejected and heading  down a  darker pathway before find a job in design which lead him to his real love -  FASHION. Check out some of the amazing gear from Endless Fugitive!   http://www.endlessfugitive.co.ukIf you would like to sponsor my triathlon for the Victims of the volcanic disaster in St Vincent.https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andyjamesstvincent?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=andyjamesstvincent&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=0674e70738a54c30afd4acdf7362396f

Anthony Warren is a British actor who has been in The Knock, Grange Hill, Murphy's Law, Casualty, Backup, City Centra and The Bill,  He played Henry Toussaint in the Trust three part series, Milton Wreaks in the Britanniamania four part series and Issac Collins in 2005.He has worked extensively in theatre throughout his career. He has now turned his hand to Stand Up comedy and promoting and is very excited about his up coming projects. If you would like to sponsor my triathlon to help the people of St Vincent after the terrible volcanic eruptions took many of there homes last year see below.JustGiving page by clicking here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andyjamesstvincent?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=andyjamesstvincent&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=8ac3f442fc5f44cead25e03be7861d5c

The Now are a four piece band from South Wales who, although only started playing together in 2018. They have started making an impact on the music scene with their big, highly infectious, guitar heavy tracks.The Now consists of: Shane Callaghan on Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocals, Will Scott on Drums, Callum Bromage on Guitar & Vocals and Jay Evans on Bass and Vocals.The Now are determined to stand alone with a unique sound. They have music and lyrics that need to be heard and it’s the band’s mission to make sure they’re heard by as many people as possible.The Now have already worked with legendary producers like grammy award winning producer Jason Perry (Mcfly, Busted, Don Broco, The Blackout), Adam Noble (Coldplay, Biffy Clyro, Liam Gallagher) and Richard Jackson (The Automatic, Super Furry Animals and Duffy).The boys single Dr Jones has managed to start their rise to success with it featuring on BBC Radio 2 - The Rock show "Johnnie Walker" and also a numerous amount of plays on Planet Rock with Wyatt featuring the track on his show "The New Rock Show". Not long after the release of Friendly fire, they got contacted by BBC introducing Wales presenter "Adam Walton" to air Friendly Fire on the station.The Now signed their first independent record deal in September 2021 with Golden Robot Records; given The Now something they were missing to take them to the top.TourIn it together Festival supporting Noel Gallagher June 03/05/2022.Plus More dates to be confirmed (I'll keep you posted!)DON'T MISSThe NEW Single Holy out on 22/02/22.

This week we have a very special kids World What’s Up for Christmas. Out tomorrow morning! I will be giving some great recommendations on the best children shows to see over Christmas. Then I have a lovely chat with the very busy, one and only Santa Claus! So tell your friends and please share!

Jason talks about his goal of developing more senior opportunities and positions for  the bame community in large corporations. We chat about how he deals with being a black man in a predominately white environment at the highest level. (He said It can be a very lonely space.) Dealing with the shock  on some faces when he entered a meeting room and turning up and people thinking he was the Uber driver. He explains what steps we have to take as a community to move forward and how in the future we can get more of our young people engaged at an earlier age.

At the age of 42, in the midst of a successful and lucrative career as the owner of an international retail consultancy, Andrew Thornton realised he had nothing more to give to his business. He quit the agency in 2006 and used his buy-out money as a down-payment for two Budgens supermarkets in north London.Through investing in his people with specialised coaching, Andrew had won not just their dedication, engagement and commitment, but their whole hearts and minds. By purposely trying to weave authenticity, cohesion, empathy, self-leadership, enquiry and creativity into every fibre of the business, Andrew not only raised levels of engagement - and profit as a result - but ignited the spirits of all who worked for him.Andrew  was also years ahead of his time in making supermarkets more environmentally  friendly.

David Tims is a very talented young musician and Philanthropist. David is versatile and can play any style of music. He has composed for theatre and has a great new podcast which he co-hosts with the very funny comedian Phil Nichols. They are also taking their hilarious show to the Comedy Store every second Tuesday of the month. David has also helped to bring music to some of the poorest communities in South Africa. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/songs-in-the-key-of-laugh/id1587973137https://london.thecomedystore.co.uk/event/cray-cray-cabaret/