Close Quarters

Reflections of lockdown; on Close Quarters this week Luciana and Rebecca take a moment to consider the last ten weeks of CQ podcasts and some of the wonderful guests that have featured. We examine the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on women, female leadership, politics and how we can preserve some of the positive impacts that lockdown has had on climate change.

The problem of online abuse is one of the most challenging of our generation with the pandemic magnifying the issue as all our lives moved deeper online. This week Close Quarters had the pleasure of talking with the inimitable Seyi Akiwowo, CEO and founder of Glitch - a UK charity working to end online abuse against women and marginalised groups. Seyi offered such important insights into making the online space one that is safe for all and a masterclass in digital self-care.

What would you do if you weren't afraid? Good question, right? On Close Quarters this week we caught up with tech exec, mum of 4 and author Michal Oshman about her first book asking this very question and offering some insight drawing upon Jewish Wisdom for a life filled with purpose and joy. Er, yes please! We all need to get more comfortable with our failings, our fears and of course owning our successes. You don't want to miss this one!

This week on Close Quarters we caught up with superstar social worker Natasha Langleben, who has been working tirelessly over the last year looking after young adults as they transition out of the social care system. So many unforeseen and not widely discussed, consequences of this Pandemic and so many unsung heroes - just like Natasha! A truly inspirational chat, you're not going to want to miss. Plus an exceptional old T-shirt revival hack.

The pandemic has affected all of us differently and a young woman’s perspective sheds a totally different light. Close Quarters has a fascinating chat with a thoughtful and articulate 15year old, the lovely Evie and got the teenage lowdown on school, friends, social media, the Everyone’s Invited movement and lots more.

Have you managed to stay fit and healthy in lockdown? or found it a massive struggle to find the motivation? Close Quarters caught up with the supremely motivating and completely delightful health and fitness experts Anna and Charlotte of Ace Lifestyle to hear all about how they have been keeping us on track through lockdown and beyond.

Join us as we have a fascinating chat with Isabel Hardman to hear some insights from her new book: The Natural Health Service; and learn all about Isabel's experience as a new Mum with a lockdown baby.

From running a vaccination clinic, to managing children's mental health, to having plenty of sex and drinking cuppa soups - Close Quarters had a fascinating and very honest chat with Dr Emily Simon about how it has been managing her professional and personal responsibilities during the pandemic.

**this episode was recorded before schools went back**

Advocaat https://tinyurl.com/8muzc5pf

Toffee vodka https://tinyurl.com/vbnekn5p

American retrospectives https://tinyurl.com/4psz6e72 (Josh Glancy article) https://tinyurl.com/r5z66d4r (Atlantic podcast)

Colorfy app https://tinyurl.com/zwbsc7s5

Gemini photo cleaning app https://tinyurl.com/xkp3dryk

What’s it like to be the makeup artist on a huge, award-winning TV show? And how does it work when you’re in the midst of a pandemic?! Nicky Austin tells us how she and her team have adapted during Covid, on the set of Apple show Ted Lasso.