In this conversation, Sonia Houria Rivas sits down with Wayne Campbell, visual activist and founder of A Celebration of Demonstration, a gallery in the heart of Brixton, London, built as a safe space for protest. They explore how Wayne transformed uncontrollable anger after George Floyd's murder, into art; and how a gallery wall covered in thousands of handwritten messages became a place where strangers cry, hug, and heal.

They also go deep into the inner work behind the activism: the emotional toll of documenting protest up close, the choice between fear and love, why we cling to comfort instead of using our voice, and what it costs to overwork when your self-worth is tied to achievement. Wayne shares how he spent 40 years with all the creative tools but no direction, feeling invisible and broke, until focus arrived and everything aligned. If you've ever felt stuck, called to something bigger, or unsure what your purpose is, this episode is a masterclass in staying open, feeling the energy, and letting your calling find you.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why you can have all the talent and tools and still feel lost
• How to channel anger and rage into creativity instead of letting it consume you
• The hidden cost of the happy suit
• How overworking and tying your worth to achievement leads to burnout
• Why asking "what is my role?" in the face of injustice matters
• How to recognise your calling
• Why connection, communication, and community are the foundation of resilience and change

Whether your thing is protesting, creating, or telling stories, this conversation is an invitation to stop looking away, choose your discomfort, and use what you have.

Connect with Wayne Campbell

Website: https://www.acelebrationdemonstration.com

IG: @acelebrationofdemonstration

New book: Carnival of Resistance (with fellow visual activist Wayne C)

Connect with Sonia 🌊 http://www.womenmakewaves.com.au 🔗 http://www.soniahouria.com 📱 IG: @womenmakewaves_

Listeners' Discounts

SuperFeast — 10% off all products with code WMWHEALTH http://www.superfeast.com.au

Australian Ceremonial Cacao — 10% off with link https://www.australianceremonialcacao.com/?ref=WMWHEALTH

Chapters

00:00 From Brixton to Visual Activism: Meet Wayne Campbell

01:52 Hiding Behind a Camera: How Photography Found Him

04:26 George Floyd, Rage, and Becoming a Visual Activist

06:54 The Emotional Weight of Documenting Protest

09:32 The Gratitude Box: Healing Inside a Brixton Gallery

12:51 Fear vs Comfort: Why We Look Away From Injustice

17:33 How to Process Anger and Heavy Emotions

21:09 Overworking, Self-Worth, and Learning to Rest

24:47 Carnival of Resistance: A First Collaboration

28:10 Trusting Timing, Intuition, and Opportunity

29:18 Fear at Protests and the Courage to Document

32:15 Feeling the Shot: The Craft of Visual Activism

32:55 Performative Activism vs Real Storytelling

34:57 Social Media and Why Every Voice Matters

36:12 What Protests Teach Us About Humanity

38:59 How to Find Your Calling

43:36 Turning Rage Into Purpose and Direction

47:54 A Global Vision: Safe Spaces for Protest Worldwide