Here's Hoping with Jayda G (Jayda G )

In this trailer episode, Jayda tells us all about how she came up with the idea for the podcast, how she understands hope and a taste of the amazing guests in this first season. We also meet our producer Mia and hear how she and Jayda serendipitously came to work together. 

About us: 

Jayda G, the Grammy-nominated writer, producer, DJ, environmental toxicologist, campaigner and broadcaster. She has recently embarked on a life changing journey whilst undertaking filming for the forthcoming feature-length documentary ‘Blue Carbon’, which took her to the front lines of the climate crisis to meet with those communities already affected by the looming catastrophe. The film is from BAFTA and Emmy-winning director Nicolas Brown and is hosted by Jayda with original music by Wu-Tang’s RZA.

Mia Zur-Szpiro aka Zipporah is an award winning Podcast Producer, filmmaker, DJ, and radio host. A founding member of music website and collective Stamp The Wax, Mia has gone onto produce documentaries and creative projects for the likes of FACT, The Vinyl Factory, Ableton, Boiler Room, Universal Music, The Guardian, Global Citizens, VICE and more. Mia’s work is inspired by the intersection of arts, identity and global storytelling. Mia is also a qualified Sex & Relationship Psychotherapist, and Pilates teacher! 

https://www.instagram.com/jaydagmusic/

https://www.instagram.com/miazipporah/

Connect with us - Here's Hoping Instagram listen to the playlist on Spotify.

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Award winning musician and vocalist ALUNA shares with Jayda how she found the courage to pursue singing and how she’s learnt to surround herself with the kind of people that invest in, rather than drain, her energy. Jayda and Aluna share their experiences of being Black women in dance music and how the genre has the capacity to give anyone hope when they need it. Listen to the end for Aluna's song choice for hope!

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our first episode with the incredible music artist ALUNA, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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Marine Biologist and Educator Danni Washington, aka the Black Mermaid, brings us so much hope for the future of our oceans in this uplifting episode. Danni shares powerful advice how everyday people can protect our oceans as well as shares how her own relationship with water gives her the support to face any challenge.

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Big Blue & You

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Danni’s Podcast

Danni’s Brand Mocha Mermaid

Danni Washington is a renowned TV personality and science communicator with 15 years of experience. She made history as the first African-American woman to host a nationally syndicated science series. With a diverse portfolio including "Ocean Invaders" on PBS Nova, "Mission Unstoppable" on CBS, Xploration Nature Knows Best on FOX, and "Strange Evidence" on the Science Channel, she engages audiences in STEM. She hosted the podcast "The Genius Generation" spotlighting young innovators, and she authored "Bold Women In Science," celebrating 15 influential female scientists. As co-founder of nonprofit Big Blue & You, she inspires and educates youth about marine science education through the arts and media. Danni continues to educate the public on the importance of ocean conservation, STEM innovation and environmentalism using mediums that acutely connect: science, arts and media.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on this episode with the incredible Marine Biologist and Educator Danni Washington, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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London Grime OG Elijah shares advice on how to stay creative and his secret for overcoming blocks to sharing your art. Elijah and Jayda also discuss whether hope and privilege are connected and finding your own way in music.

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Make The Ting Album

Butterz Label

Elijah is a Creative Consultant, Writer and DJ with 15 years of experience in the Independent Music and Arts sector in London. He writes about creative work on Instagram with a project called 'Yellow Squares' that has developed into visual installations, an album and a lecture series that has had editions all over the world.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on this episode with the incredible Creative Consultant, Writer and DJ, Elijah, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this episode I talk to Leah all about what intersectional environmentalism is and why environmental activism has to take race and other identities into consideration. We also talk about the importance of community to have hope why Leah started her music gathering Earth Sessions to provide the gathering and faith that people struggle to find if they aren’t religious. We also share our experiences and opinions on social media, when it can be positive and support your sense of hope and when it is detrimental. We also have a fascinating discussion about the intersection of gender, nature and the environment, and how we need to break out of gender binaries to cultivate true environmental awareness, care and action, in all.

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Earth Sessions

Intersectional Environmentalist

Leah is an environmental author, advocate and creative. She is the author of ‘The Intersectional Environmentalist’ and has contributed articles for Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire, where she explores the dynamic between music, culture, social media and the climate, She has also been named as part of the Forbes 30 under 30 and TIMES 100 lists. Leah is based in Los Angeles where she also hosts her ‘Earth Sessions’ which fuse music, community and environmentalism and advocates for the overlooked relationship between social justice and environmentalism.

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Jayda is joined by her best friend Katie Green. Revisiting how they met many years back in Vancouver, Jayda and Katie discuss what are the core factors to friendships lasting, as well as how friendships are a huge part of their relationship with hope. Katie also shares how embracing the unknown is the foundation of hope for her and how both making art, and bringing others into the process of creating, has been her most important journey and healer. 

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Katie Green Art

Katie Green is a visual artist creating intimate watercolour personas, murals and mask sculptures that embody her exploration of art as a healing process. Katie lives in Mohkínstsis, Calgary, Alberta, Canada and work has been supported by Canada Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts and she has received various international art residences including the Santa Fe Art Institute and the Vermont Studio Centre. Her murals have featured across the world including Canada, united States, Taiwan and Germany. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible visual artist Katie Green, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Katie Green

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our first episode with the incredible climate activist Leah Thomas, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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Jayda reconnects with Cherif who she met in Senegal filming her Blue Carbon documentary. They talk about the grassroots initiatives happening in Senegal and how community-driven sustainability projects are crucial in our fight against the climate crisis.  

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Cherif Khoury Website

Corps Africa

Cherif Khoury is an award winning producer, director and photographer based in Senegal/Dakar. Cherif combines his love for in-country travel and filmmaking, while telling the stories and sharing the perspectives of local communities through video, films, journalistic vignettes, short documentaries and photography. His work especially focuses on capturing local communities taking sustainable approaches to environmentalism.

Cherif consults with international production companies such as Make Waves Media, OffTheFence, WaterBear Network with whom he released his first International film "Mame Coumba Bang" as well as working for CorpsAfrica/Senegal for over six years.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible photographer, producer and director, Cherif Khoury, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Cherif Khoury

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible performance artist, public speaker and creative director Tihane, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Tihane

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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Tihane shares how her Polynesian culture is at the heart of how she connects with body, identity and earth. She and Jayda talk about how dance and using their voice has been a core part of healing their trauma and stepping into self-actualisation. Tihane also shares how drawing on her nomadic ancestors helps give her the strength to find challenges in her own life and speaks to the little known illegal occupation of Hawaii by America.

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Workshops & Coaching

TEDx Talk

TIHANE is a performing artist, public speaker and creative director who focuses on immersive storytelling experiences that combine creative flow, neuroscience and sound meditation tools to awaken and empower authentic self-expression. Tihane cites her Polynesian Croatian background, nomadic upbringing and many years in Kenya, as sources of inspiration in her lifelong intention to cultivate creative experiences that heal divides.

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Jayda meets the dynamic documentary maker Alice Aedy, who specialises in telling stories around the theme of climate crisis and human rights. Alice and Jayda share why making beautiful documentaries is core to engaging people around these themes and Alice talks about why she loves working with female filmmakers and women in general. Alice and Jayda also discuss the imposter syndrome you can feel as a woman starting out and so why they love to champion other women in their fields. Alice talks about how she navigates working with brands and assessing whether they align with her own values, and also why she thinks it’s important to give the platform to more local storytellers, and moving towards more of a producer role and supporting the autonomy of people capturing their own stories, especially in the global south. As well as why Alice thinks building genuine trust between film crews, local filmmakers and then people who’s story they capture is so important, how she approaches building that trust but also why it’s is so hard and such a big responsibility for her as a Western documentarian.  

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Earthrise

Earthrise Instagram

Alice Aedy is Co-Founder + CEO of Earthrise, an impact-driven media company for climate pioneering innovative multimedia storytelling. Alice is an award-winning Documentary Director & Producer sharing human stories around climate and social justice.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the brilliant Documentary director, producer and co-founder, Alice Aedy, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Alice Aedy

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the brilliant content creator, author, presenter, freelance writer, public speaker, plus-size model, and body image and self-love advocate, Stephanie Yeboah, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Stephanie Yeboah

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this powerful conversation Stephanie shares her journey with body image, body positivity and fat acceptance with Jayda. They share the importance of visibility of marginalised bodies and how seeing people who look like you, directly impacts your relationship with your body, and in turn, your mental health. Stephanie discusses the roots of the body positivity movement, started by Black and fat American women, but how over the years this movement has been co-opted by capitalism and it’s true inclusivity has been lost. Steph shares how embracing the word fat has been her response to reclaiming that power and Jayda and her discuss why having proper plus size fashion options is so important for self actualisation. 

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Fattily Ever After Book

Gratitude Affirmations For The Body

Steph is a multi-award-winning content creator, author, presenter, freelance writer, public speaker, plus-size model, and body image and self-love advocate, with over 15 years of experience writing and creating content about plus-size fashion, beauty/skincare, travel, lifestyle and pop culture.

In 2020, Steph released her debut non-fiction novel ‘Fattily Ever After: A Fat Black Girl’s Guide to Living Life Unapologetically‘, which became an Amazon bestseller in its first week of publication. In the same year, she became the first British plus-size black woman to grace the cover of Glamour Magazine UK and has featured on the lives of Sky News, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio London, LBC, ITV News and MTV UK.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, live improviser, and field recordist, Cosmo Sheldrake - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Cosmo Sheldrake

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this episode, Jayda and Cosmo talk about how they interweave their music with their love and fascination with nature. Cosmo also shares his role in campaigning for the publishing rights of nature, for nature to earn from the music it is featured in. We hear Jayda and Cosmo discuss why giving nature legal rights like this is essential in preserving and protecting the living world. Cosmo also shares his thoughts around artists donating parts of their profits and why looking to fungi, appreciating how interconnected we all are, plants and humans, is what gives him a sense of hope. 

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Cosmo Sheldrake Website

Cosmo is a UK-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, live improviser, and field recordist. His music ranges widely from celebratory anthems to soulful elegies to riotous party numbers, to sparse electronic production, to haunting polyphonic songs that have grown out of field recordings of birds, whales, fish, frogs, and fungi, and more. Running through all his work is a belief that the living world is a noisy and musical place with the power to change how we think, feel, and imagine. Together with his human and non-human collaborators, Cosmo creates music that speaks to the urgency and possibility of our times. Cosmo has toured internationally with sold-out headline shows across North America, Europe, and Japan. He has composed music for both film and theatre and, in 2015, ran a community choir in Brighton, UK. Cosmo’s song Come Along was featured in a high-profile global Apple commercial, resulting in the track charting at number 39 on the US Digital Songs chart. In 2020, his song Birthday Suit became a top trend on TikTok and currently has over 60 million streams on platforms with over 1 million video uploads using the track. In 2020, he released Wake Up Calls on his label Tardigrade Records, featuring tracks composed entirely from recordings of endangered British birds. In 2023, Cosmo released Wild Wet World, an EP that is an homage to the ocean. His new album, Eye to the Earwill be released in April 2024. See his Linktree for shows, merch, and more.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible grammy-winning Haitian producer & DJ, Michaël Brun - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Michaël Brun

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this beautiful conversation, Michaël shares with Jayda his experience of growing up in Haiti and how his Caribbean culture has influenced his music and approach to collaboration. They talk about the importance of creating opportunities for community and connection for the Caribbean diaspora and how important enjoying one’s culture and music is to a sense of self and actualised personal identity. Michaël shares why he founded his event series BAYO and how his love of Haiti and celebrating Haiti culture is both behind the parties he throws but also the important Philanthropy he does, from both supporting Haitian communities impacted by local disasters to investing in local culture and arts. Jayda also talks with Michaël about his journey from studying medicine to quitting and pursuing music full-time and the importance of mentors in supporting your journey to what you are meant for in life. This was such a rich and uplifting conversation!

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BAYO tour

Michaël Brun is a grammy-winning Haitian producer & DJ, with a sound that is heavily Caribbean influenced with a global outlook. he has collaborated with an amazing array of international artists including J Balvin, Becky G, to Oxlade, Mr Eazi, to Lolo Zouaï & John Legend! Michael is also deeply committed to his roots and platforming Haitian and Caribbean artists, and founded the incredible sell-out event series BAYO, which brings together and celebrates the Haitian and Carribean diaspora. What started off as a block party in New York now tours around the world. Michael is also a philanthropist, supporting communities in Haiti and is always using his platform to shine a spotlight on Haitian culture, talent and creativity. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible queer and climate activist, and co-founder of Atmos, Willow Defebaugh - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Willow Defebaugh

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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Willow shares why she feels the answer to positive change is love and reminding people that we love the earth is a crucial part of fighting climate change. She talks about how love and admiration of nature is at the of her beautiful publication, atmos’ ethos. Willow also shares how the ever changing dynamic of nature gave her strength to transition herself and also shares the ways in which nature is queer. With that, Willow shares how queer activism overlaps with climate activism and how they are both grounded in challenging the status quo, and why she practices spiritual ecology and allow nature’s wisdom to help guide her through life. 

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Atmos instagram

Willow Defebaugh is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Atmos, a climate and culture magazine that tells stories about the environment through a lens of creativity. She is the author of The Overview, a deep ecology newsletter and book. She is a lifelong student of nature and graduated with a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Teen Vogue,V Magazine, Interview, i-D, BBC, The Guardian, them, New York Magazine, and more. She lives in Brooklyn on unceded Lenape territory.

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Sam discusses how storytelling builds community and the importance stories and in-person gatherings play in mobilising a network around a cause, not just educating and informing. Sam talks about the opportunity and time sensitivity of closing the gap between inspiration and action, enabling people to make a positive impact and contribute to collective missions when they are moved by different stories. Jayda and Sam also talk about how seeing the tangible impact of your actions is crucial to motivating people to get involved, as well as coming up with more interesting and creative calls to actions. Sam dives into finding joy and lightness in activism and not just sacrifice, and how for Sam, building a social component to WaterBear and their campaigns and focusing on the intersection of entertainment and impact is crucial to achieve this. Sam also shares with Jayda the challenging sides of building a company, and the personal impact pushing yourself for something you are so passionate about can have on your mental health, along with the changes to lifestyle he’s made and recommendations for how people in impact can become more resilient and prioritize self-care.  

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WaterBear

Blue Carbon (UK, NL, SA)

Rebels With Cause

London Breeze Film Festival

Aegean Film Festival

Sam Sutaria is the CEO of WaterBear, the Certified B Corp community storytelling network entertaining people into action.    Through award-winning storytelling, curating opportunities to take collective action, and building a global community, WaterBear is defining a new category in media at the intersection of the environment and culture. And the best part?  The stories we tell are available at any time, on any device, for free. 

Prior to helping found WaterBear, Sam was the GM of The European Nature Trust (TENT) and trained with the BBC’s Natural History Unit in Bristol. Sam also sits on the Board of the London Breeze Film Festival and Aegean Film Festival. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing CEO and founding member of media and film platform Waterbear, Sam Sutaria - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Sam Sutaria

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this fascinating conversation, Courtney brakes down STI and herpes stigma, and how stigma around herpes cause more harm for people than anything else about it. Courtney unpacks why sexual health is mental health, and how the shame and fear that can come alongside living with herpes and other STIs can manifest in depression and isolation. Courtney also discusses with Jayda communication around sex and intimacy, how to actually bring up conversations around sexual health, and how having foundational conversations about things like STI testing and whatever else, can actually lead to greater intimacy and better sex. Courtney also talks about how he works with men around emotional wellness, and the complexities of encouraging Black men to be vulnerable, and the duality of how opening up can be something beneficial, but when it’s the opposite how they’ve been socialised that can bring up challenges. Lastly, somehow Courtney and Jayda got onto the topic of anime! They both geek out together but actually have a fascinating discussion about how Courtney feels anime is an amazing example of men inspiring emotional openness and navigating emotional hurdles. 

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Something Positive for Positive People

Courtney Brame is an Emotional Wellness Practitioner who runs the non-profit, Something Positive for Positive People, which supports people with herpes through the challenges of stigma. Courtney is also a yoga teacher and podcaster with a special focus on intimacy, and men’s mental and sexual health. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing emotional wellness practioner and founder of Something Positive For positive people, Courtney Brame - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Courtney Brame

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing Podcast host of Menopause Whilst Black, activist and retreat founder, Karen Arthur - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Karen Arthur

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this brilliant episode, Karen shares with Jayda her experiences of going through the menopause and the differences in which Black people experience the menopause and unpacking the social racial issues behind this. They talk about the journey of aging, and your body changing, and how for Karen so much growth, positivity and beautiful change was born out of her life being turned upside down. Jayda asks Karen more around the stigma of aging, and why for Karen aging is a privilege and she has found more joy in her life the older she has become. At the same time Karen spoke about finding a balance of gratitude in life but also mourning change and loss, and what for her is the difference between healthy processing versus toxic positivity. 

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Menopause Whilst Black

Menopause Whilst Black Podcast

The Joy Retreat

Karen Arthur is the founder and host of the ground-breaking podcast Menopause Whilst Black, which champions Black British based menopausal stories now in its fifth season. Karen is a broadcaster, menopause diversity campaigner, and draws on her previous work as a fashion designer and model when founding ‘Wear Your Happy’ which is conscious clothing for better mental wellbeing.

Karen also created and hosted five star rated The Joy Retreat Barbados, the world’s first retreat designed exclusively for Black women in any stage of menopause, and is the host of bi-weekly radio conversation show ‘Can We Talk’ on Golddust Radio. Karen has been featured in Vogue, The Guardian, Times Radio and BBC London Radio as well as BBC Breakfast, Channel 4’s ‘Sex, Myths and the Menopause’ with Davina McCall and Sky Arts ‘Statues Re-Dressed’. Karen has advocated for diversity in menopause representing in Parliament twice and is now part of The Health Collective with RCOG committed to equity in women’s health care as well as the world’s first National Menopause Education and Support Programme with UCL. Her work on menopause is referenced in several books and cited in the British Medical Journal.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible award winning spoken word performer and sociopolitical poet and author, George The Poet - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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George The Poet

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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George shares how going to Cambridge and the fear of being stereotyped kickstarted his transition from Grime & rap to poetry, and why he never looked back due to the greater freedom he feels there is to talk on vulnerable topics in poetry. George talks about the impact of coming across black poets Def Poetry Jam and connecting to it emotionally instantly and why he feels poetry has maintained a grassroots quality compared to music because of the struggle to truly commercialise it. On this theme George talks about the process of writing his non-fiction book, Track Record, drawing on his PhD in understanding why, despite the huge commercial success of Black music, Black communities haven’t truly benefitted and been empowered by that success and unpacking how Colonialism and its continued presence is core to this. George also tells Jayda why he didn’t accept the MBE offered to him in 2019 and how it relates to Colonialism and being Ugandan, but conversely how writing a poem for Harry and Megan’s wedding opened him up to love and led him to falling in love with his wife shortly after. Jayda and George talk about marriage and George shares how partnership with his wife has helped him stay grounded as an artist.

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Have You Heard George's Podcast?

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George the Poet is an award winning London-born spoken word performer and sociopolitical poet. George’s innovative brand of musical poetry has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and a social commentator. He is the author of multiple poetry books and the non-fiction book Track Record which explores the power dynamics that impact Black creativity. George is also the host of the podcast ‘Have you Heard George’s Podcast?’ which has won 5 British Podcast Awards! In 2019, George was offered an MBE, but turned it down due to due to the British Empire's history of exploitation. In 2021 The University of London presented George with an honorary doctorate in literature. George is now embarking on a PhD at UCL'S Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, focusing on the socio-economic potential of black music.

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In this episode James shares with Jayda what it was like becoming a model as a plus size dark skinned man and the self-actualisation that his first ever shoot had, and the feeling of figuring it out what it is you want to do in life. James also unpacks tokenism that happens in modelling and what the difference is between feeling tokenised versus fashion being truly inclusive, and how what you see in the people behind the scenes makes all the difference. On this he also spoke about the competition and colourism between plus size and dark skinned models and why he wants to see more space made in fashion for people like him. Jayda also asks James about the male experience of body image and James’ journey with body acceptance and James shared how it really doesn’t matter how you look on the outside but it’s how you internally feel about yourself. Lastly, James also spoke about the importance of brotherhood for men and how he draws on this theme in his work as a model and documentary maker. 

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The Loveland Foundation

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James Corbin is a high fashion model, activist and creative director. He was scouted for his first modelling job in Vogue Italia during 2020 by photographer, Campbell Addy and is now represented as a model globally across the world. Some of his fashion credits include: Vogue Italia, Gucci, Valentino, BOSS, Lacoste, Dazed, British Fashion Council, Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, GQ, Perfect Magazine, Christian Cowan, S.S Daley, Mr Porter, Charles Jeffrey, Levi’s and many more.

James has a passion for discussing and writing on social issues and helping facilitate conversations of importance, that result in change. He has been interviewed and featured in profiles for The Guardian, Vogue, Dazed, Port Magazine, British Fashion Council, ES Magazine & The Independent. He is currently working on a personal documentary that delves into colourism within the UK, alongside a podcast project that aims to engage in conversations with industry insiders promoting self-confidence.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing high fashion model, activist and creative director, James Corbin - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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James Corbin

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible adventurer, author, speaker and coach, Gail Muller - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Gail Muller

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this truly uplifting and expansive episode, Gail shares with Jayda her personal experiences with chronic pain and how she found the hope to overcome being told she would never be able to walk again. With that Gail tells Jayda her unbelievable stories of adventuring from everywhere from the Appalachian Trail to Alaska and her relationship with hope whilst conquering such journeys, but also the immense role the outdoors and being in the wild has had on hope itself. Gail also shares with Jayda her experience of getting a late diagnosis of ADHD and the impact of learning you are neurodivergent on both how you and others relate to and understand you. Gail goes into incredible detail of really unpacking what hope is, and gives us an even deeper understanding of therefore how to re-cultivate it when it's feeling hard to come by. We really think this episode will be so valuable to everyone, and really deepen your understanding of hope, whether you are facing chronic pain or a challenged sense of self for any reason. 

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Gail Muller Website

Gail Muller is an adventurer, author, speaker and coach with a passion for education and a talent for inspiring others. Gail draws on her experience of overcoming huge personal challenges, including 15 years of chronic pain and a late ADHD diagnosis, helping others to do the same through her books, courses and retreats which she runs in Cornwall, empowering individuals to explore their creativity and overcome barriers. Gail embarked on a transformative journey in 2019, hiking the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail, and has since authored the bestselling books "Unlost: A journey of self-discovery and the healing power of the wild outdoors”, and in 2023 "Do Hope: why you should never give up". Gail advocates for living joyfully and authentically. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible award-winning producer and director in filmmaking, Sol Guy - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this episode, Jayda and Sol dive deep into Sol's transformative work with Quiet, an artist-led organisation that prioritises creativity, care, and community. They discuss the significance of for-profit and nonprofit support, nurturing artists holistically, emphasising that support goes beyond financial assistance, it involves fostering a community where artists can thrive and develop fully. Sol shares insights from his 7 year journey with Quiet, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and teaching. He identifies the three key pillars of value alignment, self-care, and artistic sovereignty as essential for empowering artists in their practices.

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We Are Quiet

Sol Guy, aka Jayda’s big brother (!), is an award-winning producer and director whose career in filmmaking, music, community-building, and support of other ground-breaking artists demonstrates the power of art to heal and to catalyze social change. Sol is the co-founder of Quiet, an artist-led community based in trust, care, and empowerment, which offers a new approach to creative practice and support and champions philanthropy in the arts. Honored by National Geographic as an “Emerging Explorer,” Sol directed the feature documentary about his family, The Death of My Two Fathers and co-produced the Oscar-nominated film Bobi Wine: The People’s President, and more!

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In this episode, Jaguar and Jayda discuss their different trajectories into music and Jaguar’s personal experience of having a dream and what it took to make it into reality. She talks about the importance of people she looked up to, like Annie Mac, listening to what her dreams were and supporting them. She also discussed how challenging the music industry is right now and why she thinks forming a collective is the best antidote to a ‘broken music industry’. Jayda asks Jaguar all about her foundation and the immensely impressive ‘Gender Equality Report She did in UK Dance Music’, they discussed their main takeaways from the report and whether they think things have or haven’t improved for female and minority gender artists and DJs. Lastly, they muse on the importance of doing what fills your cup and making choices to do what gives you life back and supports you in your journey through life.

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The Jaguar Foundation

Jaguar is a broadcaster, DJ and journalist. Alongside being an incredible DJ with her own label UTOPIA, and host of her award winning, BBC Introducing on Radio 1 Dance show, Jaguar set up the Jaguar Foundation, championing equality in dance music and commissioned a truly landmark report on gender equality in UK dance music. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible broadcaster, DJ and journalist, Jaguar - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this juicy and informative episode, Jayda asks Ruby what changes she wants to see to sex education, why Ruby thinks we have to centre pleasure in sex ed and how talking about pleasure is necessary to truly teach about consent. Ruby discusses how not to talk about sex and pleasure though and the importance and complexity of age-appropriate conversations around sex. Ruby shares some fascinating insight into Dualism, and how the philosophy that has separated mind and body is also seeped in patriarchy and has prevented us from having a more holistic relationship with sex and intimacy. Ruby also shares how she is able to find common ground with people who don’t feel queer or trans-inclusive and also the importance of allowing adults to say they don’t understand something. They also discuss the fear-mongering around porn and how to engage in porn in a healthy way, and Jayda also asks Ruby about her experiences of being non-monogamous and Ruby’s advice for anyone wanting to open up their relationship and explore non-monogamy but also feel like it would be too hard. They talk about how to navigate jealousy and the importance of accepting rather than fearing complex emotions. 

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Ruby Rare Website

The Non-Monogamy Playbook

Sex-Ed: A Guide For Adults

Ruby Rare (she/they) is an award-winning sex and relationships expert with over eight years of experience in the industry. A writer, presenter and broadcaster, they are on a mission to get everyone talking more confidently and inclusively about sex. Starting off as a sex educator for BROOK, UK’s leading sexual health charity, for which she remains an ambassador, Ruby has gone on to author two books, ‘Sex Ed: A Guide for Adults (Bloomsbury, 2020)’ and ‘The Non-Monogamy Playbook’ which is releasing on Penguin Random House in January 2025. Ruby also hosted the E4 show, Sex Rated alongside Rylan Clark and the popular podcast docu-series In Touch, which explores the ways we connect to sex, relationships, and our bodies with nuance and curiosity. Runy is also the co-founder of the body positive life drawing class, Body Love Sketch Club, and has been featured in the Guardian, Metro, Pink News, and Huffington Post, and has spoken at TedXLondon, Women of the World Festival, and on BBC Woman’s Hour. In 2023 Ruby won best Sex and Relationships Creator at the bCreator Awards, has been listed as one of 24 figures making a positive change to social media in Cosmopolitan’s Positivity Index, and is on The DIVA Power List, which celebrates queer trailblazers changing the game for LGBTQ+ representation. Ruby enjoys collaborative partnerships with the likes of Netflix, Modibodi, LELO, JOYClub and Feeld.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible writer, presenter, broadcaster and all-round sex and relationships expert, Ruby Rare - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible sustainable fashion strategist and ethical brand consultant, Emma Slade Edmonson - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Emma Slade Edmonson

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this episode Emma and Jayda share their own experiences of being mixed-race and why being able to talk about their experiences and creating the space to do so as Emma is with her podcast and book is so important. As well as how creating a platform around talking about mixed race identities and bringing people together connects to cultivating hope for her, through making people feel less alone. Emma also shares what it was like being raised by white parents as a mixed-race kid and shares a lot of fascinating, and hard-hitting, information around past adoption policies and how they were racistly motivated. Jayda and Emma go deep into the theme of adoption and whether kids being adopted should be only adopted by families who reflect their same race and how they look. Jayda also asks Emma more about slow fashion and how she was able to make the changes to practice it as part of her everyday life. Emma shares really interesting insights into how tapping into slow fashion can help you slow down in general and live more mindfully, and why she thinks we must reconnect to humanity to appreciate everyone and everything involved in creating clothing and to then buy and wear more ethically. Emma discusses how her work around both race, identity and fashion all intersect around the theme of existentialism.

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Emma Slade Edmonson website

The Half Of It Book

Emma Slade Edmonson is a slow fashion OG, a sustainable fashion strategist, and an ethical brand consultant. Emma launched her own ESE consultancy business to work with brands to help refocus their businesses for positive impact and social and environmental good, working with some of the UK’s biggest brands, charities and social enterprises such as Cancer Research UK, Shelter, Westfield, Universal and Mayamiko and is regularly featured in international press, including The Guardian, Huffington Post, Vogue, Grazia, Telegraph and many more. Emma is also the creative strategist behind successful campaigns that celebrate thoughtful fashion consumption, including Charity Fashion Live & The Love Not Landfill pop-up stores and campaign. Emma is also the co-host of the podcast Mixed Up and the co-author of the book, The Half of It, both which explore the mixed-race identity and taking a deeper look at race and identity. 

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MINA shares with Jayda how she came up through the Leeds music scene and was influenced by its DIY attitude that anyone could start anything, talking more about how she created her career and connected with people like her around the world, onto when and why she chose to go sober. MINA talks about what it’s been like as a sober DJ and music lover, why people react more weirdly when you say no to alcohol versus any other drug, misconceptions about alcohol and people who don’t drink and why the most fun people she knows don’t drink. Jayda asks MINA more about why she created an alcohol-free event, Club Soft, hearing the different reasons she started it, from creating a safe space for people in recovery, people of different religions, people who also just want to be able to rave and get up the next day without a hangover, and creating a generally safer space for women and minority genders. Jayda and MINA also get into when they actually choose not try to level up and expand one’s career, and sometimes why getting bigger isn’t always better. As well as the importance to always ask yourself the question if something is going to nourish you.

*****Make sure you catch Club Soft this Saturday 2nd November to join the alcohol-free rave in London. Link below!*****

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Club Soft

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This week’s guest is the music artist, producer and DJ, Mina. Mina has received a devoted following for her vibrant and melodic productions which connects the dots between diverse styles, fusing together sounds from the UK, with rhythms from around the world. Mina has collaborated with vocalists and producers from Brazil, Jamaica and Ghana, most notably the vocalist and MC Bryte, who she tours internationally with and she has released her high energy, highly danceable EPs through Portuguese label Enchufada, as well as her own label, Earth Kicks, founded in 2019. Alongside producing, Mina has a monthly residency on NTS radio, and is also part of the DJ collective Boko! Boko! with Tash LC and Juba. Mina has performed at prestigious venues and festivals around the world including Berghain, MoMA PS1, Nyege Nyege Festival and Primavera, and her tracks have been supported by key tastemakers such as Branko, Ben UFO and Jamz Supernova. Mina has also launched a service working closely with other artists to support grant writing and applications to help more independent artists receive creative grants and launched her new alcohol-free club night, Club Soft, with residencies in London.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible music artist, producer and DJ, Mina - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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MINA

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible climate justice activist and mobilizer Xiye Bastida - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Xiye Bastida

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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We meet the truly impressive young coinage activist Xiye who shares with Jayda how living on the frontlines of climate change in her native Mexico led to her becoming a climate activist, how this was always a part of her parents and her Indigenous activists parent’s life, but how moving to New York after her home was flooded and getting involved with Fridays for Future and connecting to Greta Thurnberg cemented her destiny. Xiye talks about her indigenous identity and the values that are a core part of her and how that drives her activism work and why she thinks the number one thing western activists can do is listen to the communities affected by climate issues. Xiye also explains why she and her family call themselves environmental defendants and what stewarding land and the amazon means and how it shows that indigenous people and the land like the Amazon are inseparable. She also talks about the absolute necessity of hope, and why hope cannot be an option, but has to be a priority for people on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and why started the re-earth initiative to embody her values. 

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Re-Earth Initiative Website

Xiye Bastida is a 22-year-old Mexican climate justice activist and mobilizer. Through her Otomi roots, she champions Indigenous worldviews as a solution for the climate crisis. She was an organiser with Fridays For Future and is the co-founder of Re-Earth Initiative, an international youth-led organisation that supports frontline youth across 27 countries. Xiye was the recipient of the 2018 UN Spirit Award and was named TIME100 Next in 2023. She earned her degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2024.  

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible activist, educator, host, presenter, model and Director of Facilitation and Training at Beyond Equality - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Ben Hurst

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this insightful conversation, Ben shares with Jayda how he works with boys and men to explore what masculinity means to them, and why Ben doesn’t have the answer but instead has the questions that help them define their own perspectives. Jayda and Ben discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for boys and men to have vulnerable conversations but also discuss the complexity of being vulnerable and feeling unsafe to many men considering how they have been socialised and the realities for many men. Ben also gives his powerful insight into why many boys and men gravitate towards men like Andrew Tate and how it connects to many boys needing role models of what it means to be a man, and so the importance of more healthy male role models in boys’ lives. Jayda also talks about being pregnant with a baby boy and together with Ben, discusses their thoughts around parenting and raising young boys to be as healthy and loved as possible.

Content Warnings: Suicide

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Beyond Equality

Beyond Equality Website

TEDx Talk - Boys will be boys

Ben Hurst is an activist, educator, host, presenter, podcaster, model, public speaker and the Director of Facilitation and Training at Beyond Equality, a UK-based organisation that engages men and boys in the gender equality conversation across Schools, Universities and Corporate spaces, rethinking masculinities and promoting positive personhood and healthy relationships.

Ben discusses these topics online, most notably in his TEDx Talk, ‘Boys won’t be boys. Boys will be what we teach them to be’, and in print, with features in Stylist magazine, Postscript, GQ and many more.

Ben is also the co-host of TED x London’s Climate Curious podcast where he lifts the lid on the climate emergency by speaking to the world’s leading and most relatable climate pioneers. Ben’s focus is on making important conversations accessible for young people and adults from all walks of life.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible Chef and author of book 'MEZCLA', Ixta Belfrage - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Ixta Belfrage

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this mouth watering episode, Ixta shares with Jayda some phenomenal food stories including learning about indigenous cooking in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, but also goes deep into her personal relationship with food, and how she learned to avoid the pressure to cook for social media and make viral recipes, but actually listening to her own body and developing food that truly nourishes her. Ixta also shares how she first learned to cook and how she draws on her unbelievable mix of cultural heritages of Mexico, Brazil and Italy, and the beauty of fusion. Ixta breaks down how to make cooking delicious food more easy, and why she wants people to feel more empowered to follow their own senses and tastes rather than recipes have to be dogmatic. Lastly Jayda and Ixta share the role food and eating plays in bringing people together. 

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MEZCLA Book

Fusion Chef Ixta Belfrage rose to prominence as the co-author of the recipe book FLAVOUR alongside the GOAT, Yotam Ottolenghi. Her own acclaimed solo cookbook Mezcla, features in ELLE UK and restaurant residencies, draw on her own multicultural heritage and culinary inspirations of Brazil, Italy, and Mexico, and has affirmed her as one of the most exciting food writers and cook’s today. Ixta is currently working on her next cookbook all about Brazil. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible Sexual Assault & Trauma Expert, Trauma Media Consultant, and Comprehensive Sex Educator Jimanekia Eborn - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Content Warnings: Murder, Rape, Sexual Assault

In this powerful and at times hard hitting but at the same time joyful episode, Jimanekia shares the very personal reasons she has become a trauma specialist. She shares very helpful insight into what trauma is and how to notice if trauma is showing up in yourself or people in your life; as well as the importance of taking a holistic and somatic perspective to trauma as well as psychological and social one. Jimanekia talks with Jayda about how to actually ask for help as someone who struggles to and why you need to be really specific and teach people how to show up for you. At the same time she talks to why each person needs to take responsibility for our capacity to support others and set boundaries around that and the importance of directly communicating to a person needing help if you are burnt out. Jayda also asks Jimanekia about generational trauma and her advice on how to break out of roles and family systems that no longer serve you as well as if Jimanekia thinks one can overcome trauma and her reflection on the difference between wiping away what has happened to you, rather, changing how things affect you. This conversation is also full of Jimanekia’s advice for daily tips and habits to help yourself work through trauma, live in self worth and with self love, how to talk back to the negative voice in your head and the radical importance of centring joy in your life even if you are navigating trauma, and how to take ‘healing off the pedestal’ and move towards a growing mindset instead.

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Trauma Queen

Trauma Queen Podcast

Jimanekia Eborn is a Queer, Sexual Assault & Trauma Expert, Trauma Media Consultant, and Comprehensive Sex Educator, who has worked in mental health for the past 16 years in sex education and sexual trauma support. Jimanekia is the Founder of Tending the Garden, a non-profit for sexual assault survivors of different marginalized identities and Co-founder of Cintima, bringing increased representation to the field of Intimacy Coordination in the film industry. 

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Jide shares with Jayda how he got into outdoors adventuring that has seen him go everywhere from Morocco to Everest, and how he credits his mum for his entrepreneurial and adaptive character. He talks about the importance of creating the spaces you want yourself and why community is at the core of hope for him, Jayda and Jide also talk about both being black people who love being in the outdoors but why it isn’t always accessible to POC people in the West and so why Jide has built a community that makes going on outdoors adventures both a safe space but also a joyful space for black people and POC, especially wanting to make trekking and travel safer for black women. Jide also shares his dreams and what mountain he wants to summit, and the importance of finding like minded people to achieve your goals and bring expansive adventure to your life.

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Versus Everyone

Jide Mariano, aka Saint Jidz, is an entrepreneur and founder of the adventure community, Versus Everyone. Jide’s journey began with playing football for Ipswich Town and Leicester City. After which he co-founded Yoke Network, a successful TikTok marketing agency. But despite his growing business, Jide’s passion for adventure led him to rediscover his true calling after a trek to Everest in 2023. Since then he’s dedicated his time taking people outdoors and into the wild through the community he has built.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible entrepreneur and founder of the adventure community 'Versus Everyone', Jide Maduako - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Jide Maduako

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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Straight off Emma dives right in with some amazing advice around how to work with your body to make your birth experience as positive as possible and with that the importance of oxytocin and understanding its impact as her number one advice and why. Jayda also asks Emma to really explain what a doula actually is and Emma busts myths about what a doula is not and why having a doula is all about enhancing your experience of birth. Emma also talks about the fear mongering around birth, but also how to face valid fear of pain with curiosity and an embodied relationship with self to help yourself feel embodied to navigate pain and the experience of labour. Jayda asks Emma about the connection between the patriarchy and women being disempowered in their birth experience as a default and and Emma gave great advice on how to advocate for yourself more especially with care providers, they also discuss the different experiences people of colour have during labour as well anyone LGBTQ+, and why Emma emphasises how important it is to actively choose the team you work with and always prioritise your safety, support and voice. With that, Emma talks about Hypnobirthing, why she teaches it, why it is so significant for people’s labour experience and how it is at heart a mindset and about connecting deeply with yourself. A great and informative conversation for anyone who is pregnant or supporting a person going into labour, now or in the future!

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The Naked Doula

The Nake Doula Etsy Shop

Emma Armstrong, a creative visionary, entrepreneur and the founder of the Naked Doula brand is a retired birth doula & hypnobirthing coach who has built a worldwide visual education platform which will inspire women and men alike for years to come. Emma is using her influence and gifts to guide women all over the world in connecting back to their self-trust, confidence and abilities not just in birth but in all aspects of their lives. Emma is also a writer, author and illustrator, with her debut book The Fearless Birth Book hitting the shelves earlier this year and the fearless birth journal due to drop in April 2026. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible creative visionary, entrepreneur and the founder of the naked doula brand, Emma Armstrong - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Emma Armstrong

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Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In our this end of year special, Jayda sits down with Here’s Hoping’s producer Mia Zur-Szpiro to discuss together the making of the podcast, what it has been like working together, what they have learned about one another, but also themselves, through doing the podcast. They also discuss their favourite episodes, which guests made them think the most and how making the podcast has impacted their relationship with hope. They also tease some upcoming episodes releasing in the new year!!

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Jayda meets the most vibrant Lady Shaka to chat all about how she went from a professional dancer to become a DJ, spoiler, it’s a hilarious story, but importantly how she has been using her platform to lift up other indigenous and Pacific Islander artists through her curated Boiler Room events and global parties and collective. Shaka shares core philosophies part of her identities including Mana, and how they guide her work as a multidisciplinary artist. Jayda and Shaka also discuss what it was like for each of them as mixed-race artists to move from small towns to a city of London overflowing with culture, and for Shaka how especially joining queer POC spaces and club nights have been fundamental to her self actualisation and discussing the importance of being around people who look like you. Shaka brings so much energy to this conversation, having us in stitches as well as making us cry, you are going to love it!

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Pulotu Underworld

Lady Shaka Boiler Room

Rarotonga Boiler Room

Lady Shaka is a DJ and interdisciplinary artist of Pacific Island, Māori, and Cape Verdean descent, originally from Aotearoa (New Zealand) and now based in London. Her music blends electronic sounds with her queer identity, cultural roots, and connection to the moana (ocean). As part of a new wave of Pasifika artists, she challenges mainstream norms with genre-defying work that reclaims and re-indigenizes the Pasifika experience. Recognized at the 2023 Pacific Music Awards, she won the ‘Creative New Zealand Award’ for her innovative contributions to contemporary music. A former dancer, Lady Shaka views music as a powerful medium for storytelling and expression. She made history as one of the first Pacific Islanders to perform on Boiler Room in 2021 with queer collective Filth and has since performed globally. In 2024, she helped bring Boiler Room to the Pacific Islands for the first time, debuting the series in Rarotonga.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible DJ and interdisciplinary artist of Pacific Island, Māori, and Cape Verdean descent - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Lady Shaka

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the inspiring Rachel Elizabeth Cargle, an author, activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropic innovator - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Rachel Cargle

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this episode Jayda asks what self-love means to Rachel and hears how for her true self-love begins with knowing yourself and when to step off the “life escalator” to reclaim your authenticity. Rachel explains the courage muscle and why you have to train it to embrace your own values, including her own personal choice to remain childfree, as well as why she doesn’t want that to be radical. Jayda also asks Rachel about her amazing foundation and why Rachel advocates and fundraises to make therapy more accessible to black women and girls, but why at the same time as providing free therapy to them she also campaigns to support more black therapists to be able to train. Rachel gives insight into why she thinks it’s important to work with Black therapists if you are black, as well as her astute reasoning for why it’s more cost-effective! Jayda also heard Rachel’s advice for loving with grief and the power of reimagining in life, especially for Black people. This episode is a powerful look at self-love, therapy and healing.

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The Loveland Foundation website

Rachel Elizabeth Cargle is an author, activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropic innovator. She is founder of The Loveland Group; a family of companies including Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre, a literary space that celebrates marginalised voices and The Great Unlearn, a community learning space that centres the teaching of BIPOC thinkers. In 2018, she founded The Loveland Foundation, offering free access to mental health care for Black women and girls. Cargle is a regular contributor to Cultured Magazine, Atmos, and The Cut, and her work has been featured in Time Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The New Yorker. Her debut memoir A Renaissance of Our Own published by Penguin Random House in May 2023 with the paperback releasing March 26th, 2024.

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In this episode, Jayda sits down with plant-based chef Ben Rebuck to explore the intersections of food, identity, and activism. They kick things off by discussing why Veganuary feels less and less relevant, why that is actually a good thing and Ben’s reflections on how veganism has shifted culturally as well as why he thinks reframing plant-based food as simply food makes it more accessible. They share their strong connection with food and eating as Jews and Jayda asks to Ben how he stays connected to the food traditions of his Jewish identity as a vegan and he shares how he has embraced the creativity of reimagining classic recipes in a vegan way. Jayda and Ben go on to discuss Jewish Joy deeper, the power of preserving cultural traditions, the importance of finding joy in community, and the unique challenges of being part of a very small but vibrant minority. Ben opens up about navigating social media as a Jewish creator over the last 18 months, confronting antisemitism, and how he’s embraced the role of shielding his family and community from harm online. Going deeper into this, they discuss the complex and fascinating parallel between far-left and far-right ideologies of late, particularly when it comes to antisemitism. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking episode that celebrates food and the enduring importance of tradition.

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Ben Rebuck is the face behind @benrebuck, a popular social media account in which he shows people how to make simple plant-based meals. Ben also uses his platform to discuss issues around antisemitism, and has taken great pride in becoming a spokesperson for the Jewish community.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the amazing plant-based chef, Ben Rebuck - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Ben Rebuck

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In this episode of Here’s Hoping, Jayda G chats with filmmaker Damon Gameau about his new documentary Future Council and his dedication to empowering kids to tackle climate challenges while staying hopeful. Damon shares how his latest project helps children overcome fears for the climate and their future by sharing ideas and calls to action with senior figures, and emotive oy engage them in taking meaningful action for the planet. Jayda and Damon discuss the power of children’s creativity and getting everyone to tap into the inner child to drive climate solutions, and shifting activism from fear-mongering to joyful dreaming.

Damon emphasizes the importance of healing the future—not stealing it— and fostering a regeneration mindset and action over sustainability, which is no longer good enough. Damon shared with a Jayda why he started his platform The Regenrators which creates personalized action plans directing his film audiences to actions and resources that makes most sense for them, and how Damon has created a way to convert impressions of doc activism into tangible action. Jayda and Damon also discuss how dreaming of a better world and engaging in positive action can transform anxiety into hope and inspire real change, and why working with children fills Damon with hope for the future. This is a wonderful episode for inspiring people who need hope and also want to learn more about how to talk and work with kids around the theme of the climate crisis and activism.

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The Regenerators

The Regenerators - Future Council

Future Council Trailer

Damon Gameau is an Australian film director, speaker, and author. After making a name for himself as an actor and fiction director, in 2015 Damon turned to activism with his debut feature documentary “That Sugar Film”, which became Australia’s highest grossing documentary film ever. Damon turned his focus to the climate with his climate solutions feature documentary “2040” in which he imagines a future climate crisis free world for his daughter, and is now releasing his latest climate focused doc ‘Future Councils’, where he took a group of kids around the world to engage senior figures in talks on climate action and positive change . Damon is also a co-founder of Regen Studios and the impact platform The Regenerators which builds comprehensive impact campaigns for their films and raises money for ecological solutions and awareness in classrooms, boardrooms, and Parliaments around the world. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible film director, speaker, and author, Damon Gameau - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Damon Gameau

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible writer, television presenter, lecturer and speaker, Emma Dabiri - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Emma Dabiri

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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Jayda sits down with Emma Dabiri to hear her academically informed understanding of beauty and identity. As well as drawing on her own unique mixed Irish and Nigerian identify, Emma reflects on how her degrees in African Studies and History laid the foundation for her deep understanding of the impact of colonialism on how we perceive ourselves and our bodies. Emma shares her knowledge of global history and philosophy, tracing the emergence of racial hierarchies and explaining why Western culture’s emphasis on appearance stems from colonialism. She contrasts this with pre-colonial Yoruba philosophy, which prioritizes inner beauty and shares her insights on body image, self-perception, and why dance and music is at the heart of connecting to herself with hope.

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Emma Dabiri books

Emma Dabiri - The Guardian

Emma Dabiri is an esteemed writer, television presenter, lecturer and speaker, Emma is the author of ‘Dont Touch My Hair’ and ‘What White People Can Do Next’ and the host of BBC Four’s ‘Britain’s Lost Masterpieces’, the Channel docuseries ‘Is Love Racist’ and the radio show ‘Journeys in Afrofuturism’. She is also a frequent contributor to the Guardian and the Irish Times. Her work explores the intersections of race and gender, as well as examining the impact of capitalism and colonialism on society.

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible fair fashion campaignerand co-founder of Remember Who Made Them, Venetia La Manna - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Venetia La Manna

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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Jayda is joined by renowned fair fashion campaigner ,Venetia La Manna, to discuss sustainable fashion, climate justice, and ethical consumption. Venetia shares her journey from television production to social media activism, emphasising the need to dismantle oppressive systems within the fashion industry. They explore the misleading nature of 'sustainable fashion,' the concept of slow fashion, and the impact of social media on consumption habits. Venetia highlights her campaign 'Speak Volumes' and organisation 'Remember Who Made Them,' focusing on garment workers' rights and advocating for systemic change. Venetia also does an amazing job of breaking down the impact of patriarchy and sexism on consumerism and why for women, it can be particularly hard to break away from fast fashion, and her advice on holistic well-being and self-worth practices are at the heart of improving your relationship with fashion. 

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Remember Who Made Them

Venetia La Manna (she/her) is a fair fashion campaigner. Through her social media platforms, Venetia challenges fashion brands who are costing the earth and calls out corporations on their unethical practices. A co-founder of Remember Who Made Them, which aims to energise a new solidarity economy in fashion; seeking to uplift the voices and demands of garment makers. In 2023, she presented a documentary called The Fast Furniture Fix for BBC Radio 4. She is featured in the Channel 4 documentary Inside Shein. Venetia has written for atmos and The Independent and in 2024 she was a judge for the inaugural Women's Prize for Non-Fiction.

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Jayda and Louis explore their academic journeys, with Louis sharing how a teacher’s disparaging comments pushed him to pursue medical school, despite it not being his true passion. Finding the courage to pivot, Louis rediscovered his love for zoology and began combining his passions for nature and music to raise awareness about climate change. Louis shares some incredible facts about animals but also a feel understanding of how colonial ideologies are reliant on separating humans from nature and gives examples of how this occurred. Louis also opens up about working in the Wildlife film industry as a mixed-race Black man, revealing its lack of inclusivity and colonial undertones. He critiques the predominance of white professionals in zoology and environmental fields, and the disconnection of Black and Brown communities from their ancestral lands. Louis explains why he believes spending time in nature is a powerful act of resistance for city-based POC, and how he is helping make outdoor spaces more accessible.

Together Jayda and Louis discuss the mental health benefits of nature, Louis’ transformative trips to the Amazon and his paternal homeland, Dominica, and the climate crisis’ impact on the island. Jayda and Louis also reflect on their time at COP26, criticizing its shortcomings while celebrating the connections it led to with native climate activists worldwide. Together, they examine colonialism’s lasting impact on nature and how communities can resist and heal through reconnection with each other and the outdoors.

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EARTHLING

Louis VI is a Rapper, Musician, Film Composer, Documentary Maker, Zoologist and Nature activist, cross-pollinating music & nature. Louis’ mission is to use his music, documentaries and keynote speeches to help diasporic people reestablish their connection with nature. Louis’ keynote speech at COP26 about the colonial legacy of Climate Change and the alienation of people of colour in the UK from access to nature, drew on his award-winning documentary “The World Is (Y)ours” . Louis has collaborated extensively with Earth Percent, a charity founded by Brian Eno and was one of first artists in the world to officially feature “NATURE” as an artist. His music centres the climate justice movement - weaving together a love for melody and a multitude of genres cut with atmospheric field recordings from his time spent in the natural world. 

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In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible Rapper, Musician, Film Composer, Documentary Maker, Zoologist and Nature activist, Louis VI - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.

If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…

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Louis VI

Jayda G

Mia Zur-Szpiro

Here's Hoping Podcast

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This week Jayda is thrilled to welcome mixed martial arts champion Molly McCann Pearson. Molly reflects on her journey of first falling in love with martial arts, to playing football for Liverpool to then becoming an MMA champion. Jayda digs deep into Molly’s relationship with resilience, perseverance, and finding hope after injury. Molly explores how being from Liverpool and her family, especially her grandmother, shaped her life and how she has navigated the trials and tribulations of her career. Jayda asks how she first got into fighting and why being accepted into the gym was so important to her as a young girl. Molly also delves into her personal experience of coming out as gay and the support she received from her family and the UFC. She reflects on dealing with public scrutiny, the mental and physical challenges of her career, and the importance of mental health and therapy, especially when hitting rock bottom like she did after breaking her leg. As well as how her lifelong gratitude practice and her profound love of music has helped her through life.

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Molly McCann-Pearson aka Meatball Molly is the iconic mixed martial arts champion! Molly is a former Cage Warriors Flyweight Champion and currently competes in the women's Straweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Growing up in Liverpool, UK, Molly started off playing professional football for Liverpool for 5 years before an injury initiated her retirement from football. After which Molly started training again in MMA - Mixed Martial Arts, which kickstarted her iconic MMA career and the numerous titles she amassed and won me over as a massive fan!

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