In this episode I get to talk to the man who has had the biggest impact on my life, someone who has helped me in so many ways, especially when I needed it.And now I get the chance to share him with you!Mr James Graves B.E.M has been my mentor for over 28 years and has guided, challenged, and cajoled me into being the man I am today. He has also helped many others and continues to help people at the grand “young” age of 78, with his work with MAST. I just don’t know where he gets his energy from.Hopefully in this podcast you get a little insight into his world and his history and why he does what he does, and why I want to follow in his footsteps.

This time it’s my turn, Carol Martin interviews me for my own podcast. This must have been one of the most nerve-wracking situations I have been in, but for those who are interested Carol gets me to tell my story and how I came to where I am today.https://koap.co.uk/

This is another one of those conversations with someone who inspires me. Chantelle Louise is a self-trained artist who grew up struggling with her self-image and others’ opinions, but she didn’t let them beat her.   In fact, she has used that negative energy to fuel a very positive future, which we discuss in our conversation.  I met Chantelle Louise through another organisation we are proud to work with, Merseyside Community Training (MCT). They are a not-for-profit social enterprise that cares about the Liverpool City Region and is ambitious for its future. MCT is based in Birkenhead and was originally established in 2016 with the primary intent to help the most disadvantaged people from the Wirral community.  https://merseysidect.co.uk/  Chantelle, has been part of this initiative and has thrived from their support.  You can find her work at the links below, and she is taking commissions if you are interested in something special for your home or loved ones.LinkedIn: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chantelle-louise-mcdermott-563b40159&ved=2ahUKEwiynILIhoTyAhWMQUEAHSzuDMwQjjh6BAgFEAE&usg=AOvVaw10IqfcImAq7otkJlNA0swZInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/chantellelouise_artistry/https://www.instagram.com/clsfxmua/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chantellelouiseartistry/https://www.facebook.com/clsfxmua/

A conversation with Dan Hixenbaugh about leaving the security of the corporate world to be self employed, at a time when the world is in flux!Dan has almost three decades of experience in executive sales, product development, and senior business development leadership roles in the healthcare software and technology fields.  He has a proven track record of sales and business development leadership that includes a mastery of negotiation, executive presentations, personnel development, team leadership, and cross-enterprise integrations.  His background has varied from very large U.S. based corporations to small start-up companies that spur on innovation.  He has married his experience with a graduate certificate in executive coaching from Duquesne University, earning a Professional Coach certification.  He has a unique combination of grit from many years of experience in business development coupled with a humble inquisitive nature that he has honed into the practice of coaching.  His experience has led him to a successful transition into the fields of mentor, sales, and executive coaching.  Dan is passionate about fostering collaboration within a client’s ecosystem with a keen understanding that this brings about a high performing culture of inclusion and accountability.His website is :  https://scopeara.com/His lInked in address : https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hixenbaugh-2818766/

This is a first for me, having a recorded conversation with somebody I have just met. I will say however Tom's book is incredibly interesting and challenging in many ways. He takes an alternative look at everything we think is right in the world and challenges some of the traditional ways we think about ourselves and others. It is a challenging read that will make you think but is not that the point.  When I first had the call with Tom, I had only managed to get two thirds of the way through the book, and so I am not sure I have done him the justice he deserves, especially now I have completed It. So, I am hoping that I can persuade him to come back for a second conversation.For now if you wish to contact Tom directly please see the links below.Order the book on Amazon:  https://mybook.to/Understand_Everything How to Understand Everything website. https://howtounderstandeverything.beakbane.com/  What is Consilience?  https://youtu.be/p4DeBJEmGiw LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/beakbane-publishing/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HowToUnderstandEverything Twitter:  @TomBeakbaneClubhouse discussions WTF Consilience? https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/wtf-is-consilience  

In this episode I get to talk to Katherine Handin who is the CEO of the Global Coaching Alliance, who are as their website says  "an executive coaching and leadership consulting firm dedicated to helping organizational leaders inspire the best in others and passionately pursue business objectives with vigour, insight and precision."  I have known Katherine for almost ten years now through our work with global clients, and like me she has  a clear idea of how adult learning is being challenged by the economies of digital learning, and how cost benefits don’t outweigh the lack of "stickiness" and ultimate change in behaviour.  In this discussion we look at both sides of the argument and provide our joint knowledge and experience to hopefully give organisations a better understanding of how self-directed learning and supported learning can live symbiotically to best serve the individual’s development, and ultimately the organisations goals. [email protected] 

This was a fun conversation for me, with my tutor Aaron Garner. Aaron is a Director at Paul Eckman International and EIA in the UK and Programme Leader of the  MSc in Communication, Behaviour and Credibility Analysis course,  working in collaborative partnership with MMU. He has many years experience in this field and has become, in a very short time, someone who I admire and respect for his knowledge and experience. So this was a great opportunity for me to ask the questions I couldnt ask in the classroom and hopefully give you guys the opportunity to get a better insight into the world I love to study.To find out more about Aaron here are some contact details for him.http://linkedin.com/in/aaron-garner-frsa-msc-26776910EIA Grouphome page link for EIA (https://www.eiagroup.com) https://www.ekmaninternational.com/partners/ekman-associates/ 

In this episode we continue my look at inclusion and diversity as I discuss happiness, or rather being happy with the wonderful Shavonne Reed, who says, and I steal happily from her website:- “I will empower your audiences with stories about overcoming life's obstacles and teach a philosophy on how to live a life of love, laughter and legacy.”An infectious smile and a warm personality surround a history that one could say has been challenged, but she does not. I hope you enjoy our talk and if you want to know more about Shavonne then here are her contact links.https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/42981/simplewww.opuatechnologies.com 

This is a personal conversation with my nephew Nathaniel extending my understanding of disability in the community.In this episode I talk to Nathanial about his personal perspective of inclusion and I think his statement “… think more about the person than the disability.” sums up his passion for bringing people together. He is very open about his life experiences and its fascinating to talk to about his life and how he has adapted to the world and drawn people to him. He also shares his passion for righting the wrongs of society. 

In this episode I have the great pleasure to debate with Carol Martin how Senior Leadership has to change as we move into the “new norm”. Her metaphor of the “Emperor’s New Clothes” is an interesting way of looking at Senior leadership and the challenges we face when everyone is afraid to tell you the truth! Can this approach survive in a changing commercial landscape?