Host Sue Stockdale reflects on an incredible year filled with growth and achievement and co-founder Clive Steeper and Sound Editor Matias de Ezcurra reflect on the episode has the greatest impact on each of them.

Listeners are invited to revisit highlights, key insights, and memorable moments from the year, including a reminder of practical tips on embracing failure, fostering openness within teams and using intuition. This episode serves as a celebration of our inspiring guests and the insights gained from them.

Timestamps
00:00:25 - Celebrating Achievements
00:02:14 - Clive's Favourite Episode
00:05:14 - Matias' Favourite Episode
00:07:39 - Embracing Failure and Learning
00:08:15 - Astronaut Robert Thirsk on Failure
00:08:26 - Danielle McDonough on Fear of Failure
00:09:43 - Keith Sharpe on Team Openness
00:11:18 - Eveline van den Heuvel on Regulating the Nervous System
00:13:21 - Sue's Favourite Episode


Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale  Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Sue Stockdale interviews philosopher Dr. Christoph Quarch, exploring his definition of philosophy and its relevance in today's world. Christoph shares his personal journey toward philosophy, his academic path, and the importance of meaningful conversation as a means for individual and collective transformation. They reflect on the significance of inspiration and spirit in fostering innovation and organisational change, as well as delving into the need for slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and embracing open-mindedness as keys to living a more fulfilling life.

About Dr. Christoph Quarch
Dr. Christoph Quarch is a philosopher and bestselling author of numerous books on philosophical, ethical, economic and social topics. He supports executives in companies, teaches as professor at Danube Private University in Krems a. d. Donau and as a lecturer at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA) and Basel University. Christoph organises philosophical journeys for the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT, and together with his podcasts, articles and the weekly radio column "Frühstücksquarch”, he covers a wide audience throughout the German-speaking world. Quarch's work draws on the sources of European philosophy to provide answers to the multiple challenges of the 21st century. In 2019, he and his wife Christine Teufel founded the New Platonic Academy to promote a renaissance of European humanism.

Connect with Christoph Quarch via website

Key Quotes

• Philosophy is mostly about analyzing and deciphering our current mindset
• There's a kind of operational system. which is working on our brain, on our mind, and we hardly ever reflect on it.
• We think conversation is something that is so taken for granted, everybody knows how to do it. But in fact, we don't know how to do it.
• Usually we do not listen to the words that other people  use, but we only hear what we want to hear.
• The more tools, instruments of communication we have, the less developed seems to be our capacity to converse in a good way.
• I think we need to learn to reconnect in a proper way, to reconnect with life, to reconnect with nature, to reconnect with being itself.
• I want to convince people  that life is easier and probably more fulfilling when we stop trying to do everything on the basis of our own power and our own ambition.

Time Stamps
[02:48] Collective social patterns and habits.
[05:05] Philosophy as a lifestyle.
[11:41] The importance of meaningful dialogue.
[15:11] Socratic dialogue and reflection.
[16:56] Disruptive Mindset in Transformation.
[22:08] The significance of inspiration.
[25:42] Spiritual dimension in conversation.
[29:05] The essence of human interaction.
[32:46] Reconnecting with nature's meaning.
[40:00] Open attitude towards philosophy.
[41:29] Engaging with philosophical conversations.


Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale  Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Sue Stockdale talks to Paméla Bisson from Quebec City, who is a media arts advocate and the founder of Le Machin Club - a nonprofit dedicated to engaging children aged 9 to 13 in creative projects like short films, podcasts, and a weekly radio show. Through Le Machin Club, Pamela strives to empower children and foster a more conscious and aware generation in Quebec City's vibrant cultural landscape. Pamela recounts her journey from a summer camp counsellor to establishing her organisation and her mission to spark curiosity and empathy within young people. She shares her challenges, achievements, and transformative experiences in places like Senegal and Brazil, which have shaped her views on privilege, social awareness, and consumerism.

About Paméla Bisson
Paméla is a new media arts artist and movie director based in Quebec City, Québec. Holding a degree in Cultural action and social studies from the University of Québec in Montréal, she initiates projects focused on arts, culture, the planet and humankind. In 2015, she created Le Machin Club, a non profit organisation which produces media quality content by, and for youth, with collaboration of professionals. Based in Québec city, its mission is to empower youth, locally and globally, with creativity to be active in their community.

Connect with Pamela Bisson via website: Linkedin: Instagram : Facebook
and Le Machin Club via website: YouTube : Instagram : Facebook

Key Quotes

• Le Machin Club uses media arts to create a spark in the kids
• In the nine years that it has been running, we've been involving over around 500 children
•  Here we have a lot of privileges and we should not take them for granted
• There's a lot of injustice in the world and when you discover that perspective, you either do nothing with it or you see what you can do.
• I think arts in general are opening the boundaries we have in our own mindset.

Time Stamps
03:35 Inspiration and Background
06:18 The Birth of Le Machin Club
08:55 Engaging with the Community
17:02 Achieving Balance in Personal and Professional Life
18:26 Cultural Landscape of Quebec City
19:49 Challenges and Opportunities in Arts and Culture
24:20 Inspiration from Travel and Cultural Exchange
27:22 Profound Experiences and Personal Growth
32:10 Final Thoughts and Advice for Adults 


Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale  Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Keith Sharpe, Head of Coaching and Leadership Development for the GB Cycling team talks to Sue Stockdale about his work helping athletes and coaches to be better tomorrow, by supporting them today. Keith explains how to create a high performance environment by role modelling curiosity, kindness and humility, and why playfulness and concise communication are key elements of success.
 
About Keith Sharpe
Keith has worked in elite sport for 24 years, gaining a wide range of experiences supporting athletes and coaches in Olympic, Paralympic and Professional sports. He is currently Head of Coaching and Leadership Development for the GB Cycling team. Keith is also a coach mentor for the Premier League. He spent a number of years working in Ghana and Denmark for Right to Dream and FC Nordsjaelland leading their Character Development strategy and delivery. Mindful of giving back, Keith is a Samaritans listener and founded his village Beer Club, which runs quarterly, promoting local suppliers and supporting the local community. 

Connect with Keith Sharpe on LinkedIn 

Key Quotes

• To not be curious is to be dead
• Kids always ask why, why, why? I think the day that we stop asking that is quite a shame
• I want to say or convey my message in the best way with as few words as possible.
• We're pushing the athletes every day to be a better version of themselves.
• I don't think there is failure. I think there's only learning.
• We're all carrying a story and to normalise that rather than to hide away from that is really important.
• I think that role modelling of being vulnerable is really important in the workplace.
• Inspiration comes from people passionate about what they're doing and doing it really well
• Trust yourself. You can do it. You can fluff your feathers and you can give it a go.
  

Time Stamps
[03:45] The role of curiosity in careers
[06:15] Overcoming self-doubt in communication
[11:35] Normalising workplace conversations
[13:41] Learning from performance outcomes
[18:03] Authentic leadership styles
[23:26] Importance of kindness in leadership
[25:27] Playfulness in learning environments
[31:06] Toastmasters for communication development
[35:00] Community engagement and leadership. 


Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale  Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Award-winning photographer Renato Granieri discusses with host Sue Stockdale his transformation from a corporate career to becoming an wildlife and travel photographer. Born in Sardinia and settled in the UK, Granieri shares how a trip to the Faroe Islands sparked his passion for photography at the age of 40 and the pivotal role his partner, a travel journalist, played in his career switch. Granieri emphasises the importance of patience, visualisation, and planning in capturing stunning wildlife images and describes the diverse global locales he explores from Antarctica to the jungles of Africa. He also shares his insights on using new technologies like drones for photography and how his work has become a lifestyle deeply rooted in nature conservation. 

About Renato Granieri
Renato has been a wildlife photographer since 2014. Since his first visit to the Arctic, Renato has travelled regularly to the Arctic and Antarctica. In 2024, Renato has reached the geographical North Pole on an expedition vessel. Renato has won several awards, including the Grand Prize of the National Geographic Traveller on two separate occasions, the Bird Photographer of the Year and the Asferico International Contest. Renato has been commissioned by newspapers, magazines, tour operators and tourist boards and also leads specialist photographic tours to a number of destinations around the world.
 
Amongst all, he spends considerable time with chimpanzees, both with those in the wild and those under rehabilitation, contributing to raising money for the preservation of the species. Renato has a strong passion for conservation and is actively involved in a project with Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone. In 2022, he was made an official ambassador for the chimpanzees of Sierra Leone. He has two main long-term goals: help with the preservation of wildlife, particularly with great apes and the habitat they live in and inspire others to take care of our planet and travel the world responsibly.
 
Connect with Renato Granieri via website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

Key Quotes

• I started touching my first camera at the age of 40.
• Visiting a colony of puffins was the turning point when I started getting very obsessive about wildlife and the natural environment
• You get paid to do something that you really like and change your life and change the way you see things
• Click less and think more
• One excellent shot is worth millions of average shots
• Learn the rules because they're very important, but also learn how to break those rules

Time Stamps
03:29 Discovering Photography: A Life-Changing Journey
06:13 The Creative Process and Inspirations
11:00 Wildlife Encounters and Photography Techniques
25:36 Tools of the Trade: Renato's Equipment
28:53 Building a Photography Business
30:35 Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Photographers

Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale 
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Sue Stockdale talks to learning designer Agnese Spona about the process of creating learning experiences. Agnese shares her frustrations with traditional education systems and the barriers to scaling individualised learning. The conversation concludes with thoughts on how to inspire better human interactions and curiosity within educational contexts, considering the rapidly evolving landscape influenced by AI and technology.

About Agnese Spona
Agnese Spona is a professional with a passion for empowering individuals and organisations through transformative learning experiences. Agnese is  founder of Ness, a learning design and facilitation practice focused on fostering growth and positive change. She also co-founded MadeFor, an international learning business where she led instructional design, customer experience strategy, and brand building as well served as a management team member at the Customer Bureau.

Agnese's insights on education sector has been deepened in her role as a thesis and research supervisor at Hague University of Applied Sciences and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. She is also a founding member of Women in CX and has served as a Strategy and Proposition Design advisor at Logiscool Netherlands (coding school for kids). Her volunteer work : TEDx Amsterdam Impact Program Coach and with Project Fearless demonstrate her commitment to community and social impact.

Find out more about Agnese Spona via her website : Instagram and LinkedIn

Key Quotes

• How do you actually motivate people to recognise that they want to learn?
• One of the things that's really hard in education is evaluation of effectiveness of that education.
• The ultimate goal is to make sure that you consider really the learner  in your design.
• If AI can do your Excel spreadsheet the question is what you're going to do then with that Excel spreadsheet.

Time Stamps

01:35 Agnese's Journey into Learning Design
03:14 Building a Learning Business
04:29 Understanding the Learner's Needs
08:37 Challenges in Traditional Education
14:21  Impact of COVID and AI on Learning
19:13  Personal Reflections on Education
22:05 Curiosity and Customized Learning
24:34 Scaling Individualized Learning
27:41 Future of Learning and AI

Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you are enjoying this podcast - Buy Me A Coffee and leave us a message to help us continue producing quality audio content for our listeners.

Sound Editor: Matias de Ezcurra
Producer: Sue Stockdale 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Sue Stockdale speaks with Mark Fletcher, the owner of Altitude Esports, about what led him to forming and leading an esports racing team. Mark shares his deep-rooted passion for racing, influenced by his father's racing background and their combined foray into model car racing. He explains how the team was founded from personal loss and a desire to create a community. The conversation also touches on Mark's engagement with Sports 2000 racing, integrating his virtual racing skills into real-world mechanics, and the supportive family-like environment within the racing community.

About Mark Fletcher
Mark Fletcher is 36 years old and lives in Worcestershire, England. He is the owner of Altitude Esports, an iRacing esports team and SimFly Driver Development. Mark has a passion for most sports, and in his spare time runs, plays golf, and mechanic for a Sports 2000 race team. He enjoys travelling and exploring new places. 

Altitude eSports is a media partner of Access to Inspiration podcast.

Connect with Mark and Altitude Esports via Facebook and Twitch.

Key Quotes

• There are paid professionals who earn more than I do in my day job and they are racing on a simulator
• It's not just a day out for lads and dads
• We have exactly the same infrastructure as you would for a real race
• We can simulate in the SIM everything that the real world will throw at you
• Find your way to remember these people who have passed and make them still part of your life every day
• Every time that the car touches the track, its like I remember mum

Time Stamps
02:28 What is eSports Racing?
03:19 The Competitiveness of eSports
04:20 Formation of Altitude eSports
07:47 Challenges and Personal Motivations
10:47 Team Dynamics and Recruitment
21:08 Balancing Real and Virtual Racing
28:19 Getting Started with Sim Racing

Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you are enjoying this podcast - Buy Me A Coffee and leave us a message to help us continue producing quality audio content for our listeners.

Sound Editor: Matias de Ezcurra
Producer: Sue Stockdale 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Sue Stockdale talks to Eveline van den Heuvel about her fascinating life journey and academic background in cognitive neuroscience and health psychology. Eveline delves deep into the importance of questioning everything, connecting with people, and harnessing intuition and creativity in both personal and professional life, highlighting its significance in today’s world driven by technology and artificial intelligence.

About Eveline van den Heuvel
Eveline's genius is to help others pave the way into the unknown by creating a bridge between the pragmatic, transactional world and the ethereal creative space of imagination. She holds a Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience and Health Psychology as well as being a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Breathwork coach. During her 20 years as a professional she has worked in academia, the startup and corporate world, as well as in personal and executive coaching. She loves bringing ideas to life particularly in the space between technology, neuroscience and meditation. Eveline also works as a facilitator, gently encouraging people to show and bring more of themselves within group workshops or regular monthly sessions.

Connect with Eveline van den Heuvel via Linkedin and Instagram

Francis Cholle TEDX Talk on Intuitive Intelligence recommended by Eveline

Key Quotes

• I counted how many homes I had lived in and I came to 36 houses by the age of 30.
• Intuition is not separate from creativity, but forms the basis for it.
• I think sometimes we can define limitations for others by what we say to them, what we say is possible for them.
• I remember having experiences where I had these senses like I know what somebody's feeling I've been here before.
• Allow yourself to learn something about yourself that you didn't already know.
• They found that 81 percent of the CEOs actually used their intuition to make certain decisions.

Time Stamps
02:20 Childhood Memories and Playfulness
03:23 Nomadic Lifestyle and Life Lessons
06:41 Academic Journey and Neuroscience
12:19 Exploring Intuition and Personal Growth
17:09 Integrating Intuition in Business
25:33 Practical Tips for Accessing Intuition

Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale 
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

In this episode 134, previous guest from episode 87 Dr Sarah Gilchrist introduces her guest, David Smith MBE, a former Paralympic rower with an impressive sports background. David shares his journey from winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, to facing the reality of paralysis and living with challenging medical issues. David stresses the significance of staying connected to the current moment as a key element of success and a fulfilling life. He introduces the concept of "being where your feet are," emphasising the value of focusing on the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. This mindset enables individuals to fully engage with their surroundings, experiences, and emotions, leading to a heightened sense of awareness and gratitude for life.

About David Smith MBE
David Smith MBE is a remarkable athlete, inspirational speaker, and advocate for resilience and mental strength. With an illustrious career in sports, David has competed at the highest levels, earning accolades in both rowing and cycling. His journey is marked by extraordinary achievements, including winning gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games as part of the mixed coxed four rowing team. David's life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive tumor on his spinal cord. Despite facing multiple surgeries and the threat of paralysis, David's unwavering determination and positivity saw him return to competitive sport. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit. Awarded an MBE for his services to rowing and inspiring others, David now dedicates his life to motivational speaking, sharing his experiences with global audiences. Through his talks and podcasts, he empowers others to overcome adversity and embrace life's challenges with courage and optimism. Discover the incredible journey of David Smith exploring what he learned from his athletic career, his battles with health, and his mission to inspire resilience and a new perspective on life in others.

Connect with David Smith MBE via LinkedIn and his website

Time Stamps
02:05 - David's Tumour Diagnosis
04:03 - Impact of Tumour on Life
07:35 - Athlete's Awareness of Their Body
13:06 - Self-Management and Learning
16:06 - Challenges of Self-Rehabilitation
19:02 - Observing and Listening
23:00 - Finding Beauty in Simple Things
27:00 - Roberto's Story
31:08 - Redefining Success
36:37 - Humour in Difficult Times

Key Quotes

• "How do I make the world just a better place through my understanding of 14 years on cancer wards and neurosurgery wards and everything I've seen there."
• I think that my superpower was to realize the impermanence of life and to know that it doesn't last forever.
• I love getting bored in the countryside because it just feels like my days are going longer, which gives me longer time on this planet.
• I always try to smile to people because I know what it's like when someone smiles to me.
• I guess I paid the ultimate price to learn this lesson, but that is the paradox of all of this is that it taught me how to live.
• You see this strength come from the human spirit, this will to live, will to survive, which is beautiful. There's this level of humility.
• You need human doings as well to change the world.
• If you're born and you're lucky to live to 80, you're given 4,000 weeks.

Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale 
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.

Host Sue Stockdale interviews Shoko Doherty, CEO of Celtic English Academy, who originally hails from Japan and now resides in Wales. Shoko shares her experiences of cultural differences between Japan and Wales after moving 20 years ago, highlighting aspects of respect and societal values.

Shoko also describes how they embrace cultural differences and foster a multicultural environment with the students to lead to positive experiences for both students and staff and contribute to building a more inclusive and harmonious society.

About Shoko Doherty
Shoko Doherty is the CEO of Celtic English Academy, an English language school in Cardiff accredited by the British Council, which has welcomed over 15,000 students from more than 50 countries in the past 20 years. She also serves as the Chair of English UK, a national association dedicated to advancing international students' education in the English language within the UK.

Shoko is recognised for her role in exporting education and contributing to international trade as a Welsh Government Export Exemplar and as an Export Champion for the UK Government Department of Business and Trade. Holding a degree in music from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Shoko has an interest in classical music, especially brass bands. 

Connect with Shoko Doherty on LinkedIn : and Celtic English Academy on LinkedIn : Instagram : Facebook : TikTok

Key Quotes

• When I learned to speak in English, I was still using sense of Japanese language in a way, translating from Japanese to English
• Making mistakes in front of somebody in Japan is taught as a quite big embarrassment.
• I'm really proud that we do make differences in students' lives every day
• Language school is like a microcosm of the world where people from different countries and backgrounds meet and learn together.
• We recruit students from over 50 countries and the diversity of nationalities and the market are really important.
• Being a musician is like being an athlete. It's not so elegant behind the scene, unfortunately. It requires a high level of discipline, long hours of practice and ability to work collaboratively with others.

Time Stamps
02:20 - Cultural Differences Between Japan and Wales
08:11 - Career Path to become CEO of Celtic English Academy
14:01 - Implementing Diversity and Equality
20:40 - Continuous Learning and Development
25:01 - Measuring Success Beyond Profitability

Connect with Access to Inspiration: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Read our Impact Report and if you would like to support us then Buy Me A Coffee

Producer: Sue Stockdale 
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/access-to-inspiration--4156820/support.