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Recorded on 28/01/2026 Tony Crooks started LeedsNet.com, the first public information service for Leeds, thirty years ago in 1996, before the internet got to the UK. He had 54 telephone lines, with a modem for each line, in the back to back house in Harehills he lived in at the time. Originally starting his working life in horticulture, Tony became an award‑winning cabinet maker, and he has carried that mind-set of having the right tools for the job into his role as Group Head of Research and Development at Aotea Global, where he now applies the right mix of knowledge, methods, and on‑the‑ground practices to solve real problems for communities and governments across Africa. Welcome to How to Change the Size of Raindrops. Tony is leading a massive $3 billion program to restore water cycles across East and Southern Africa. By re-greening huge areas of barren land with simple, natural methods the program will end floods and droughts, deliver full food-security to the nations involved, and enable them to export food in future years—just what Europe and the UK will need as climate change cuts their crop yields. All the tools needed to fix these problems already exist; some are modern innovations and some have been used successfully for thousands of years. These tools are all tested, proven to work, and designed to work together as a whole, rather than in isolation. Most people assume that helping to save the planet cannot make money and is basically charity work but the projections Tony has seen from financial experts show that these programmes can stand on their own feet and generate strong returns. Making them an ideal investment for anyone who wants to make the world better and, at the same time, earn a decent profit. The Zimbabwian water delivery project he discusses in this episode is in the very final stages of negotiation now, and Tony has been told there will be orders for enough pumps to provide clean water at the point of need to between 2.5 to 5 million people in remote villages, meaning that those people's lives will be transformed. They will be able to grow all the food they need, water their animals, have much improved health outcomes and girls can go to school and get an education. This is a brilliant episode about a Loiner who’s doing truly amazing things and it’s another one where we go off-piste from my standard questions. Aotea Global will expand its presence from eight to twelve East & Southern African nations this year. Aotea Global are building a new website to replace the temporary one at www.aotea.global and the email for investors is [email protected] - though they don’t have facilities yet for small investors, but you can still register interest. NB This is not financial advice You can find out more about Tony’s work at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-crooks-aotea/ Or email him at: [email protected] Terrance McKenna clip from https://youtu.be/jDTWocis0YQ?si=Q3AsrJ3mK1H4Ic-A

Recorded on 30/01/2026 Leigh Staunton is the Project Lead for the Leeds Mindful Employer Network — a one-of-a-kind, city-wide network bringing employers together across sectors to make work better for mental health. Unique to Leeds, the Network connects organisations of all sizes to share ideas, learn from one another, and take practical action to create positive, psychologically safe workplaces. It offers free events, resources and regular communications to employers across the city who have signed up. Commissioned by Leeds City Council, the Network is led by Leigh and guided by a Steering Group of local employers, ensuring its work is grounded in real-world challenges and solutions. An English language teacher in a past life, Leigh has also worked in employability, in training and development and has supported people with mental ill health to find and stay in work. A mum of three, she is deeply passionate about helping local employers build inclusive cultures where people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. Leeds Mind Find out more about our vision for mental health for all. Join the Leeds Mindful Employer Network Nominate a Mindful Employer of the Quarter Find out more about the Mindful Employer Charter Follow Mindful Employer Leeds on LinkedIn Come to Conference Conference details: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/events/conferences/leeds-mindful-employer-network/ Book your free conference tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leeds-mindful-employer-network-free-conference-2026-tickets-1982897655265 Mindful Employer Event post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mindful-employer-leeds_exciting-news-our-first-in-person-event-activity-7424813808591745025-ajf0/ Get tickets for Neuro Inclusion at Work here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neuro-inclusion-at-work-moving-beyond-awareness-to-what-actually-works-tickets-1982296873310

Recorded on 08/11/2025 Erene Hadjiioannou is a psychotherapist, supervisor, author, trainer, and (occasional) activist. Erene has worked with adult clients since 2010 and is currently based in her private practice Therapy Leeds. She has specialist skills in supporting survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, including clients navigating the criminal justice process (known as ‘pre-trial therapy’). Erene is an Advanced Accredited gender, sexuality, and relationship diversities therapist - awarded via Pink Therapy. Between 2019 and 2022 Erene was part of an independent steering group that successfully lobbied to change the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines on ‘pre-trial therapy’ increasing access to therapeutic support for survivors of abuse. Therapy Leeds is a LGBT+ friendly service. You can find Erene at: www.therapy-leeds.co.uk www.pretrialtherapy.co.uk @TherapyLeeds https://www.waterstones.com/book/psychotherapy-with-survivors-of-sexual-violence/erene-hadjiioannou/9780367429515

Recorded on 31/10/2025 Gill Beadle is an ILM7 certified Executive and leadership Coach with two decades’ experience in Technology and change Leadership roles within Health-Tech and Financial services. She decided to become a Coach after seeing first-hand the impact Coaching had when working with her teams, as well as on her own confidence as a leader. Gill specialises in working with teams and individuals going through periods of change, whether that is stepping into a new role, coming back from parental leave or navigating the uncertainty of organisational change. As well as being a Coach, Gill volunteers as a Mentor for the GoodWork charity. Providing Mentoring for young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to support them getting corporate employment. You can find Gill at: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-beadle-nee-maidens-64400ba3 Her website is www.Maidle.co.uk And to find out more about Good Work go to https://www.goodwork.org.uk/ And if you'd like to buy The Chimp Paradox you can find it here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-chimp-paradox/steve-peters/9780091935580

Recorded on 05/11/2025 Dominic Charkin was the CEO of a charity that was established in 2002 to work with local people to identify and overcome issues that affect their health and wellbeing at a community level. In the past few months the Trustees have decided that now was the time to close its doors and Dominic was in the middle of working through that decision. While there is sadness in the decision he says, he’s learned so much about endings and how to make them positive, as well as having a new found voice, that being at the behest of commissioners and funders does not always allow. The Old Red Fire Station https://theoldfirestationgipton.org.uk/ Sir Wilfred Thesiger's Last Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swjcpS6EpV4

Recorded on 19/09/2025 Helen Underwood is a Former NHS Physio, First Aid Expert, and entrepreneurial-mum on a mission! With over 20 years in healthcare, including time in Children’s ICU and other NHS departments, I’ve devoted my career to helping people. Now, as founder of Underwood Training, Helen is creating a ripple effect of empowerment by making First Aid knowledge more accessible in businesses, schools, and communities. Helen believes First Aid should be general knowledge. She delivers simple, practical, context specific First Aid Training and First Aid for Mental Health Training for individuals, groups and teams. Underwood Training sessions are engaging and designed to build confidence, not just compliance. Helen believes that anyone, regardless of background or profession can learn life-saving skills and that they should have the opportunity to do so, such that I’ve created a virtual first aid course for parents and carers. Her aim is to break down barriers and myths around first aid to help more people in our communities feel ready to act in an emergency. To get in touch with Helen check out: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/underwoodtraining LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenunderwood Instagram: www.instagram.com/underwoodtraining1staid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Underwood.Training1stAid YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@underwoodtraining5923 A video version of the interview will be released in 2026.

Recorded on 06/08/2025 Sam Perry is Project Lead for Warm Homes at the Trades Union Congress, where he works to improve job quality in the clean heat and home retrofit sector, promote just and inclusive net zero transitions, and enhance the voices of working people in national and regional decision-making. He established the North East, Yorkshire, and Humber Just Transition Network; leads on the Climate Action Pledge at Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission; is a national champion and enabler of trade union climate action (especially through green reps); and works closely with DESNZ on workforce planning in the retrofit sector. Sam's background is in union organising and local authority social housing delivery, and his special interest is the climate, social justice, and economic opportunities of large-scale, publicly delivered home energy upgrades. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-perry-york/ https://www.facebook.com/SamPerryYork https://bsky.app/profile/samofyork.bsky.social And check out https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/our-history Union Links: Centenary of General Strike. https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-the-celebration-of-the100th-anniversary-of-the-general-strike-1926 Join a UK TUC Affiliated Union https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union TU news and campaigns https://www.labourstart.org/welcome/ Labour Start podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1TOPX2A9YGDZnQSLz8oBZE?si=7ac312d15f7042b4 Simon Sapper and Martin Smith’s Organising for Change – the podcast for union builders https://open.spotify.com/show/09KsNslXwvHPuO8Dgt2AVC?si=3e904e09bdaf4125 Working Class History Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3dqQUrBAmXgoU1Q6hcUnBX?si=1d84a837e0064177 Analysis News Playlist with Jane McAlevey interviews https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5wue8oAUyGr5RZszwAWS4sEpqAUNQ4qJ A video version of the interview will be released in 2026.

Recorded on 11/09/2025 Jessica Spencer runs Aladdin’s Cave Jewellery, a third-generation family run business in Queens Arcade Leeds, alongside her mum, Roberta. The shop has been in the same location for over 45 years. From being a little girl, Jessica always loved 'treasure hunting'. She’s always loved the stories that antique and vintage Jewellery pieces carry, the idea that someone wore and cherished each piece long before it reached their shop. That’s why Aladdin’s Cave focus on sourcing unusual, one-of-a-kind treasures for people who want something with meaning, not just another mass-produced trinket. The shop itself is crammed full, every corner bursting with curiosities and a window display packed to the brim! it really does feel like stepping into a treasure trove. From Art Deco engagement rings to Victorian mourning jewellery, and even quirky little finds like silver napkin rings, their collection is a celebration of history, beauty, and craftsmanship. Run in the early days by Jessica’s grandpa and auntie, before her parents took it over in the late 90s. Sadly, though, Jessica’s Father died in 2003, which is when Jess stepped in and started her antique jewellery journey proper. She had just finished a Broadcast Journalism degree at Leeds Uni and was still trying to make it in the highly competitive TV industry. Jessica says, “I always thought I would go back to it, but over 20 years later I'm still here, and love my job now, way more than I did in my 20s and 30s”. For a long time, Jessica worked in the shop itself, but after maternity leave and having two kids it made more much more sense for her to work from home and concentrate on the website, marketing and everything needed behind the scenes. Her favourite part of the job though, is still sourcing beautiful antique jewellery at auctions and fairs. From everyday jumble sales and car boots up to the more prestigious end of art and jewellery fairs. Jewellery really is in Jessica’s blood. You can find Aladdin's Cave online at: https://www.instagram.com/aladdinscaveleeds/ https://www.facebook.com/aladdinscaveleeds/ https://www.aladdinscavejewellery.co.uk/

Recorded on 31/10/2025 J Warren Jones was born in Leeds in the early 70s and lived in Wakefield for most of his life. Travelling extensively in his late teens and early twenties and working in the gambling trade for 20 years before starting Mrs Atha’s café in Leeds in 2012. A fresh start doing something to make people happy rather than the morally corrupt world of gambling. He ran the popular café for 12 years, serving the city centre and surviving a global pandemic, before finally closing it's doors earlier this year. Warren in his own words is, "now attempting to be a professional musician" and by the sounds of his single debut solo single Daylight Robbery he's certainly got the chops! It's worth listening to the episode just to hear it. You can find J Warren Jones at: https://www.instagram.com/jwarrenjones/ https://www.facebook.com/warrenjonesmusic/ YEP article about the story of the single: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-mrs-atha-new-song-5369235 And you can buy the singe at https://open.spotify.com/track/7iGpkmpot30QHyYxBTcqaS?si=7fe159720c6943e2 https://music.apple.com/gb/album/daylight-robbery/1843158215?i=1843158217 The Lianne mentioned in the episode was Lianne Marie Mease from Butterflumped you can check out her WHP interview here: https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/lianne-marie-mease

Recorded on 16/09/2025 As a Health and Lifestyle Coach with over 20 years' experience in medical research, including a BSc in Biomedical Science and a PhD in Drug Metabolism, Louise Guilfoyle is passionate about using science to empower people to take control of their health. Through personalised, evidence-based coaching, Louise helps her clients cut through the confusion of conflicting health advice and make sustainable changes that boost energy, reduce stress, and support long-term wellbeing. As a working mum Louise understands how hard it can be to prioritise your own health amidst the demands of work, family and life. That’s why her approach is practical, compassionate, and rooted in real life; no fads, no gimmicks, just small, consistent changes that lead to lasting results. Most chronic illness is preventable, Louise’s mission is to help educate and empower people to prevent it and feel better, stronger, and more in control of their own health every day. Prior to setting up on her own, Louise worked in medical research for nearly 20 years at The University of Leeds, Yorkshire Cancer Research and most recently was the Head of Research at The Stroke Association. Through this work, it became clear to her that, whilst we know that 80-90% of heart disease, 90% of strokes, around 40% of cancers and nearly all type 2 diabetes are preventable through lifestyle changes, all the money and resources are channelled into the treatment of chronic diseases rather than preventing them in the first place. Louise wants to be able to educate and empower people to take control of their own health and make lifestyle changes that are achievable and sustainable so they can ultimately live longer healthier lives. https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.healthcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-guilfoyle-phd-358251b6/ If you're interested - UK life expectancy since 1765 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1040159/life-expectancy-united-kingdom-all-time/ A video version of the interview will be released in 2026.

Recorded on 04/08/25 Derek Miller is native of Chicago where he got his background in acting and improv at Improv Olympic, Second City and Piven Arts. Derek spent 20 years in Hollywood, teaching and performing at The Second City, iO West, and UCB. His improv show Opening Night! ran for 20 years with over 1,000 (mostly) sold-out performances. He used his improv chops on shows like Scrubs, The Goldbergs, Wedding Band, and Drunk History; in movies like Transformers 3; and in over 100 commercials. He’s also written on three TV series, a sketch show, and a feature film released on Amazon last year. Since moving to the UK, Derek has taught improv all over Europe, been on the BAFTA nominated Packed Lunch - which shot here in Leeds, and has written for Nickelodeon in London. You can catch him this summer in Wednesday on Netflix (directed by Tim Burton), and this autumn in The Running Man—where he got to work with another bucket-list director, Edgar Wright! He currently is a gigging actor and writer based in Leeds and teaches screen acting and screen skills at Leeds Beckett University and Met Film Leeds. https://www.firsttakeworkshops.co.uk/derekmiller https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2479885/ And if you're going to Amsterdam, make sure you check out Boom Chicago: https://boomchicago.nl/ A video version of the interview will be released in 2026.

Recorded on 22/05/2025 Asma Khanum is a pioneering Speech and Language Therapist of Bangladeshi heritage and the CEO of Chatterbug Speech and Language Therapy Service. With a wealth of experience, Asma is deeply committed to supporting children with SLCN, drawing from her unique perspective as a neurodivergent individual and a mother of neurodivergent children. Her work has earned her the ASLTIP Leadership Award, recognising her dedication to high quality, tailored support for every child with SLCN. Join Asma in this talk to explore our innovative solutions and learn how you can make a profound impact on children’s lives across the UK. Discover how, together, we can provide the support that ensures every child has the opportunity for a bright and successful future. https://www.linkedin.com/in/asmaceo/ https://www.instagram.com/asma.ceo/ https://www.instagram.com/chatterbug_slt/

Recorded on 03/09/2025 Dave Pike joined the Trades Union Conference (TUC) from the NEU (National Education Union) where he was leading on activist development and mobilisation. Dave has worked on several high-profile campaigns, including leading the NEU's response to Covid in the East Midlands and mobilising around pay campaigns, as well as a number of local disputes - including with a large education service seeking to restrict the voice of LGBT+ educators. Further, Dave has a wealth of experience in organising with care workers and delivery drivers. He also brings to the TUC valuable experience in building resistance against the far right, and supporting the LGBT+ community. https://www.tuc.org.uk/neyh https://www.instagram.com/tucneyh/ https://bsky.app/profile/davepikesheff.bsky.social https://x.com/TUC_NEYH

Jin-Theng Craven recorded on 03/10/2025 Infinitely curious and endlessly imaginative, Jin-Theng Craven thrives at the crossroads of art, culture, and storytelling. A former broadcast journalist, banker, and artists’ agent, she brings a rare multi-lens perspective to her work as a filmmaker and arts producer. Her projects span art exhibitions, international festivals, and documentary films — all driven by a desire to excavate hidden stories and bridge the worlds of “East” and “West.” From co-producing Singapore Uncovered with Asia House in London to creating documentaries like Being and Becoming Chua Ek Kay (2013) and Ahmad Zakii Anwar: Edge of Obedience (2017), Jin-Theng has built a body of work that celebrates bold vision and meaningful collaboration. Her latest venture, Bills and Beats, is a 360° initiative blending film, community, and financial literacy to empower young creatives. Whether leading ambitious projects or amplifying the visions of others, Jin-Theng brings precision, imagination, and a globally informed eye to every collaboration. Check out Bills and Beats: https://billsandbeats.com/ https://www.instagram.com/billsandbeats/ Buy tickets for Bills and Beats: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bills-and-beats-how-money-goals-work-for-musicians-and-makers-tickets-1554914524199?aff=oddtdtcreator Follow Jin Theng: https://www.instagram.com/jin_theng/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jin-theng-c-creative/

Recorded on 27/06/2025 Laura Stubbs runs social media agency, Coucou Social Media, helping small businesses and charities in Leeds get their message out to a wider audience online. She has worked in marketing for 15 years and is also a Trustee of Made with Music, a charity which bring accessible music events to families in Yorkshire. Laura formed her social media agency in 2023 to enable her to support her autistic son. Her family flexi-schools (part home educates) and are passionate advocates for SEND reform. https://www.instagram.com/coucousocial https://www.coucousocial.co.uk/ https://www.designmyfuture.eu/ Listen to the Ahead Partnership episode here: https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/Olivia%20Collins