We're joined by hosts Grace, Zola and JJ - this episode is all about the wider team behind the podcast, the events and the Awarding Gap Project.

The AGP is a collective of engaged and spectacular Black heritage students who produce a range of outputs to encourage students at the University of Southampton. Our hosts take a deep dive into why the AGP does what it does , our ethos, our passions and the reasons why we're important in the higher education space.

Sit back and relax as this exciting episodes bridges the gap between the project and our dear listeners. Enjoy!

For this week's Bridging the Gap Podcast, hosts Grace and JJ sit down with special guest Enny, to explore boundaries. They explore the varying definitions of the word and share their lived experiences of enforcing boundaries. Reflecting on the different responses from those around you and how to navigate these spaces.

This fun and insightful episode brings insights into how boundaries are formed in many different contexts. Do you need to set boundaries with others? With yourself? With your phone. Our trio are honest and encourage boundary settings as a form of resistance and self-care.

In this powerful episode of Bridging the Gap Podcast, hosts Jessie and Ola sit down with guests to explore the meaning of diaspora and how it shapes identity, belonging, and expression for young Black people living in the West. They unpack what diaspora means both as a concept and a lived experience, reflecting on emotional ties to heritage, community, and home.

The conversation dives into navigating dual identities, code-switching, and the ways food, language, music, and tradition help preserve cultural pride. They explore how representation, or the lack of it, in schools and media affects self-perception, and share personal stories of growing up in predominantly white environments while trying to stay connected to cultural roots.

Together, they reflect on generational differences, push back against stereotypes, and highlight how young Black people today are reclaiming their narratives. It's a rich and honest conversation about cultural preservation, personal growth, and building a sense of home, wherever you are.

In the first episode of the new season of Bridging the Gap Podcast, hosts Jessie and Ola are joined by Jonathan and Zenzi to discuss political awareness and why it’s such a vital topic for young Black people today. 

Together they unpack what political awareness means, the barriers to engagement, and how a lack of representation and access to reliable information can lead to feelings of apathy and powerlessness. From voting systems and media bias to echo chambers and the role of education, they share personal stories and reflect on the importance of being informed, proactive, and united. 

Tune in as they explore how political decisions affect our everyday lives, why our voices matter, and how even small actions can help shift the narrative.

In the last episode of the season, our hosts are joined by Niall as they discuss what discrimination is and the different ways that it presents itself throughout school and university. 

They explore how to deal with microaggressions, and question whether where you're from is an excuse for racist behaviour in the age of such social media and information accessibility. 

Tune in to hear them answer questions from listeners and share their personal experiences of discrimination in education.
Please note that all opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the individuals. If you'd like to get in touch, please reach out to ⁠[email protected]⁠!

This week, Jessie, Grace and JJ are joined by Fasial to discuss representation in the workplace. 

They explore what representation is and how it can be measured, and discuss how successful quotas are in achieving good representation. 

They propose other possible solutions for when a quota can’t achieve real change and discuss what makes a company an attractive place to work for minority ethnic students. 

Please note that all opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the individuals. If you'd like to get in touch, please reach out to ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Is your career the only time that your networking skills are important? 

Join Jessie and Grace with return guest JJ as they show the positive impact that networking can have on your life in university, work and friendships. 

Listen in as they look at how networking has changed over the years, and give their top tips for delivering an expert elevator pitch and keeping your connections alive. 

In this episode, they also explore the ways that you can use technology and university resources to effectively network. 

Here is a list of useful resources as mentioned in the episode:

Please note that all opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the individuals. If you'd like to get in touch, please reach out to ⁠[email protected]⁠!

This week, our hosts delve into exam stress with guest David as they explore how to effectively manage exam stress. 

Listen in to hear some top revision tips as well as ways to avoid the burnout that so many students face at this time. 

Please note that all opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the individuals. If you'd like to get in touch, please reach out to ⁠[email protected]!

In this episode, Jessie and Grace are joined by guest Sage to discuss economic status as a university student. Join them as they dive into the top struggles that students experience when faced with budgeting for the first time, and explore the ways in which many black students over-victimise and underestimate themselves. 

In this episode, they also share their top budgeting tips to help you avoid situations such as falling into the classic trap of spending too much in fresher's week and ending up with an empty stomach and two trollies in the supermarket! 

In the first episode of this exciting new podcast, Jessie and Grace are joined by Staci and JJ as they discuss imposter syndrome and the way it has affected their lives. 

Join them as they dive into the definition, contributing factors, and their experiences of the phenomenon as black women throughout school, university, and the corporate world.