Fishing For The Truth

“I think it’s the tonic that we all need, to feel that people are intrinsically good”- Julie Hesmondhalgh

In early 2019, inspired by a similar group, well known stage and screen actor Julie Hesmondhalgh created 500 Acts Of Kindness, a charitable fundraising organisation. In this Fishing For The Truth, Nia sits down for a cup of tea with Julie to chat about the concept of this simple, yet incredibly effective group. It demonstrates how collectively people can help in seemingly small ways to lift the burden of others by donating just £1 a week. Loved by many for the roles she has played, Julie’s warmth and intention are evident in this episode. It’s all about human connection & increasing our awareness of those who are less fortunate.

For enquires about joining the group email: [email protected]

Follow on Twitter: @500Actsof

Follow Nia on Twitter: @niafisher

For more Fishing For The Truth videos and podcasts visit www.niafisher.com

Music- ‘Truth’ written and performed by Parisa Shahmir

October 2018- In this two part episode of Fishing For The Truth Nia is joined by the talented Welsh singer/songwriter Steve Balsamo. Founding member of country rock band The Storys, Steve’s career has taken him from the West End stage to travelling the world as both a solo artist and a collaborator with some amazing people. In this, Part 1, Nia and Steve have a riveting conversation that goes beyond music to another dimension, literally!

‪https://www.stevebalsamomusic.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevebalsamo

Facebook: ‪https://www.facebook.com/stevebalsamo/‬

Twitter: https://twitter.com/niafisher

Rupert Sheldrake ‪https://www.sheldrake.org‬

Special thanks to Ben Robbins at Umbrella Sound ‪http://

www.theumbrellarooms.com/sound‬

‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shahmir

October 2018- “Some people write songs and you want to dance, I just want to break your heart...open!”- Steve Balsamo.

Bruce Springsteen, songwriting, death and Steve’s infamous performance of ‘Gethsemene’ at the Ahoy arena, Holland in 2004 are just some of the topics discussed in this second part of Fishing For The Truth. This conversation is a fascinating window in to what makes this talented artist tick!

*Special thanks to Ben Robbins at The Umbrella Studios.

http://www.theumbrellarooms.com/sound

Part 1- https://youtu.be/xwFm-LfIWcU

https://www.stevebalsamomusic.com/

https://twitter.com/stevebalsamo

https://www.facebook.com/stevebalsamo/

Gethsemene - Ahoy, Holland- June 2004 https://youtu.be/3-rre_BXxC0

White Light by Nia Fisher https://youtu.be/SJkPqYGjroM

Jill Purce https://www.jillpurce.com

Stephen Jenkinson- https://www.orphanwisdom.com

The Ancestral Continuum

http://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-Ancestral-Continuum/Natalia-OSullivan/9781849837576

‘All Those Years Ago’- Celebrating Jon Lord https://youtu.be/_qfcmlnmhMA

The Happy Newspaper https://thehappynewspaper.com/

January 2019- In this Fishing For The Truth Nia is joined by Dean Chisnall, who at the time of recording, was nightly performing the immense role of Jean Valjean in the London West End production of Les Miserables. Their conversation moves from the show itself, to musings on gratitude, ego, learning from your experiences and Bargain Hunt! This podcast will prove interesting not only for fans of Musical Theatre but anyone who wonders what it takes to make your way up the career ladder to such a prestigious West End production.

Follow Dean on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DChisnall

Follow Nia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/niafisher

FOR MORE FISHING FOR THE TRUTH VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx60zAP1HgWY3enXmKlqJdIb4roK6opAT

Music: ‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shahmir

https://twitter.com/itsparisamusic

June 2019- At his home in Dorset, Nia chats to author Richard Matthews about his searingly honest, uplifting and often incredibly funny memoir ‘No I Will’. This is the story of a remarkable family raising a special child, William, and the ways in which Will has changed the lives of those around him. To purchase this wonderful book, see link below. https://www.sheildcrest.co.uk/no-I-will.html

March 2019- “Find your tribe, you will NOT be alone”- Vicky Brannan. In this episode, Nia chats to Vicky, mum of Elsie and Eddie her youngest who has Down’s Syndrome. From the first scan to misconceptions about the disorder, from how we can be a kinder society and the role of the media. This is a beautifully frank and honest conversation! https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/

https://www.arc-uk.org/

https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research-projects/alzheimers-downs-syndrome-uncovering-critical-window-testing-new-treatments/

https://www.readandspell.com/down-syndrome-blogs

To follow Nia on twitter visit https://www.twitter.com/niafisher

For more Fishing For The Truth videos visit

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx60zAP1HgWY3enXmKlqJdIb4roK6opAT

April 2019- In this Fishing For The Truth Nia is joined by Mark, Tom, Alim and Sandy, 4 men who are opening up and sharing their stories about hair loss. From the demands of the entertainment industry to personal self esteem, this conversation is a glimpse in to some of the emotional and psychological side effects of this relatively common condition. Please see below for useful links.

Music- ‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shamir

To follow Alim on Instagram- @alimjayda

According to the NHS 8 million women in the UK experience hair loss, known medically as alopecia.

Male pattern baldness affects around half of all men by the age of fifty and usually starts around the late twenties/early thirties. This generally results in a receding hairline, followed by thinning of hair on the crown and temples. In some cases it progresses to complete baldness.

The condition is hereditary and thought to be caused by over sensitive hair follicles that react to a by product of the hormone testosterone.

Alopecia causes bald patches to appear on the scalp, this affects 2 people in every thousand in the UK, in most cases it grows back within a few months.

Other types of hair loss may be temporary and can be caused by illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or a vitamin deficiency.

Some people experience more severe forms of hair loss, one of these is alopecia totalis which means no scalp hair. This is caused by a problem with the immune system and is common among people who have other autoimmune conditions such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

The issue of hair loss can cause great distress and there are treatments one can try but most aren’t available on the NHS and some can be expensive. “No treatment is 100% effective”

*Source- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/

Other options:

Steroid injection (given into bald patches)

Steroid creams (applied to bald patches)

Immunotherapy (chemical applied to bald patches)

Light treatment (shining ultraviolet light on bald patches)

Tattooing (tattoo used to look like short hair and eyebrows)

Hair transplant (hair cells are moved to thinning patches)

Scalp reduction surgery (sections of the scalp with hair are stretched and stitched together)

Artificial hair transplant (surgery to implant artificial hairs)

Wigs

Counselling or support groups may benefit someone who is in distress.

SUPPORT GROUPS:

British Hair and Nail Society- https://bhns.org.uk

Alopecia UK- www.alopeciaonline.org.uk

Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation- www.carfintl.org

Alopecia Awareness- www.bebold.org.uk

Alopecia World- www.alopeciaworld.com

Help & Advice- www.alopeciascotland.co.uk

www.alopeciaireland.org

The British Skin Foundation- www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk

British Association of Dermatologists’ clinical guidelines- http://www.bad.org.uk/

My New Hair- www.mynewhair.org

April 2019- In this Fishing For The Truth, Nia talks all things music with the incredibly talented guitarist Ben Lochrie. They discuss influences, his formative years, the power of live music and touring with the wonderful Go West.

Follow Nia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/niafisher

Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/benlochrie

http://www.gowest.org.uk/

FOR MORE FISHING FOR THE TRUTH VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx60zAP1HgWY3enXmKlqJdIb4roK6opAT

Music: ‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shahmir

https://twitter.com/itsparisamusic

December 2018- Active addiction is a subject not everyone is familiar with, it is an illness and a disease that has a light shone brightly upon it in this podcast. In this two part conversation as part of her Fishing For The Truth series, Nia hears from Nick Hayes about his own experience with addiction and the dark places it led him to. Almost 3 years clean and sober, his is a vital story that needs to be heard and shared so it can raise awareness and potentially help others.

Watch Part 2 here: https://youtu.be/9_YbojNwLCo

Follow Nick on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/nickhayesuk

Follow Nia on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/niafisher

‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shahmir

*Useful links*

Siam Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre Thailand- https://www.siamrehab.com

Information and support on Addiction and Dependency. Mind, the mental health charity- https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/addiction-and-dependency/#.W_wtuRanyaM

For LGBT people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction- http://www.gayandsober.org

December 2018- In this second part of Nia’s conversation with Nick Hayes he continues to speak candidly about his journey towards sobriety. Nick shares the moment he reached his absolute rock bottom which led him to surrendering and accepting the disease that is active addiction. This part focuses on his journey into treatment , relapse & then into recovery. They also discuss friends & family of addicts & what they can do ... Al-Anon Family Groups, (a worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics) https://al-anon.org/ 3 years clean and sober, Nick’s story is one of hope.

Watch Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/rDFBWeZewsY

Follow Nick on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nickhayesuk

Follow Nia on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/niafisher

‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shahmir

*Useful links*

Siam Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre Thailand- http://www.siamrehab.com

Information and support on Addiction and Dependency. Mind, the mental health charity- http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/addiction-and-dependency/#.W_wtuRanyaM

For LGBT people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction- http://www.gayandsober.org