The Netflix show 'Heartstopper' written by Alice Oseman has taken the world by storm for obvious reasons. It is a ground breaking and heartwarming series that speaks to all people of all generations - not just the young LGBTQ+ kids that feature in the show.

Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring may be fictional character but they really have touched the lives of so many and I was desperate to record an episode where we get to reflect on it as slightly older members of the LGBTQ+ community. Is it actually better to be gay today? Are things getting better? How similar were the experiences at Truham and Higgs to what we experienced at school? Do the likes of Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson even exist?! 

In this episode I enlist the help of 5 friends (Marc Jacobson, Charlie Wood, Charlie Davies, Talia Lewis and Tal Booker) to help me dissect the series and reflect on its impact. 

I ask 5 key questions

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did making it. Please leave a review or comment from wherever you're listening from, it would mean the world to me. 

Please also share it with friends and family if you found the conversation interesting.

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In this episode, I sit down with the insanely talented Sophie Hughes -  CEO of body-positive beauty brand GLOWB, model, content creator, campaigner and liver donor.

Sophie tells me what it was like to donate her liver to save her nephews life which in turn left her with a permanent scar that changed the direction of her modelling career forever.

I get under the skin of what it was like to launch a UK business in the midst of a global pandemic whilst living in Australia whilst also discussing Sophie’s views on the beauty industry and social media.

Key topics include:

- Body Positivity 

- Mental Healthy

- Child Modelling

- Liver Donation 

- Starting a Business

- The advantages and disadvantages of Social Media 

Follow Sophie - https://www.instagram.com/sophwithlove/

Follow Glowb - https://www.instagram.com/glowb.shop/

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TW: This episode podcast discussing distressing themes around suicide. If you feel you may be triggered by such content please kindly do not listen. 

In this episode, I sit down with the insanely talented award winning mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin.

Jonny who is a film producer, public speaker, vlogger and published author received an MBE in 2017 for services to mental health suicide prvention. Jonny speaks publicly about living with mental illness and has written articles and given various interviews on TV, Radio and in print around the world to help educate and break stigma. 

Jonny Benjamin began having mental health problems at a young age and his parents first took him to see a psychologist at the age of 5. He later developed depression at 16 and was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in his early 20s. He had also been experiencing the delusion that he was on his own version of the film, The Truman Show, and was hospitalised as a result of his condition in January 2008. He ran away from the hospital intending to take his life by jumping off a bridge. A passerby found him on Waterloo Bridge and talked him out of committing suicide, which lasted long enough for the emergency services to arrive and return him to hospital. This incident became the focus of his 2014 campaign, Find Mike.

Jonny published his first book in May 2018. His second book, The Book Of Hope, will be a collection of quotes, poems and stories by himself and others to inspire recovery and hope which will be published in April 2022.

In 2018 Jonny launched his new youth mental health charity, Beyond. The charity is a grant-giving organisation that aims to provide mental health support to young people, their families and teachers. It is being led by a Youth Board, who together with Jonny, created the UK’s first mental health festival for schools and colleges in early 2021.

Follow Jonny - https://www.instagram.com/mrjonnybenjamin/

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In this episode, I sit down with Victoria Rush, creator of the #iamenough movement. Victoria, a full time content producer for O2 Virgin Media and rugby player, has dedicated her sports career to fighting inequality in sport with a particular focus on rugby.

The #IAmEnough campaign which went viral on social media, allowed female athletes to share their stories on why they are 'enough' with images of themselves taking part in playing sport whilst sharing the hashing….it went absolutely viral and hit every continent.

Victoria tells me how female athletes are severely underrepresented in the media which has ultimately led to a lack of representation, equality and funding in the game whilst also deepening barriers to get more women into sport.

She also talks about her mind blowing project she’s beeb working on, coming to a screen near you very soon.

Follow Victoria here - https://www.instagram.com/victoriahrush/?hl=en

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TW: In this episode, I chat to Kieran Atkin who tells me about his experiences of being groomed when he was just 15 years old by a man he met on Grindr, a popular gay dating app. 

This episode does contains references to sexual assault which some viewers may find disturbing - please do not listen to this episode f you feel you may be affected.

There are a number of ways to seek help in the UK:

Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped sexually assaulted or abused. They have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you. Help is available 24 hours a day.

Find your nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC)

Other places you can get help include:

If you enjoy this episode please don’t forget to subscribe from wherever you’re listening to be notified of future releases. 

Feel free to reach out: extra_ordinary_podcast // extraordinarypodcast.com

In this episode, I speak to Gemma and Sophie from Toddlers, Teen & Between about their incredible business. 

Toddlers Teens and Between, founded in lockdown, is designed to empower parents in a way that helps foster and grow relationships with their children through bespoke and tailored 1-1 troubleshooting guidance.

In this open and honest conversation, Gemma and Sophia discuss the various ways they assist parents whilst shining a light on the momentous cultural shifts we’ve seen in recent years that have affected both the wellbeing of parents and children.

https://extraordinarypodcast.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/toddlersteensandbetween/

https://www.toddlersteensandbetween.com/the-younger-years-course

As we enter yet another year of uncertainty, here are three things I plan to start doing in 2022. Will you be joining me?  

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Email Me: [email protected] 

In this short and very special xmas episode, I walk through 4 essential reading books for 2022. 

These 4 books represent my top picks of the year because they have each taught me so much and have truly helped me change the way I approach things. They were an absolute joy to read and I explain how and why they may benefit you in the year ahead. I honestly couldn't recommend these titles high enough. 

If you enjoy this episode please be sure to follow me on Apple, Spotify or from wherever you get your podcast. 

Get the books here:

Stay in touch:

Hello and welcome back to another episode of Extra Ordinary with me James Wallis - the podcast that shines a light on ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

In this episode I sit down with the founder and CEO of Jordana Ticia cosmetics - Jordana Franks.

Jordana tells me how she started her business which was also her very first job.

She guides me through so many aspects of her business from product development to marketing and how she’s built up a following of nearly 200k followers on instagram, which has led her to being stocked in boohoo and missguided as well as getting featured  in vogue and glamour magazines,

Jordana’s super positive attitude is infectious and motivating which left me feeling really inspired.

Enjoy the show.