Problem Busters

This one is something special. Shadia M joins Jon and Ollie to share what her new start in the UK has been like and her plans for the future.

We learn about her background, the journey her family took to get to the UK and how much the Breadwinners team have come to mean to her. Shadia shares her love of learning across a surprising mix of subjects and her current career trajectory.

We hear first-hand what being a Mentee in the Breadwinners programme means, how important Shadia's relationship with her Mentor has been and what she's learned in 2.5 years in the programme.

Shadia is eloquent, passionate and most of all inspiring.

This episode is a great reminder of the energy newcomers to any place bring with them, and the opportunities for the local community to be enriched by their presence.

Image credit: Shadia M

Guest: Martin Cosarinsky, Director of Breadwinners and Board Member at Praxis

Description:

Martin Cosarinsky Campos joins Jon and Ollie to share his story and how he came to be Director of Breadwinners, an inspiring Social Enterprise that provides young refugees both work experience and training on arrival into the UK. Refugees and their journeys from home country to new home is a topic close to many of our hearts, and this is a great opportunity to hear in detail from someone who has deep insight into what that journey is like. Breadwinners is an amazing organisation and this episode will certainly leave you inspired and enlightened.

Introduction to Martin Cosarinsky:

• Martin is introduced as the Director of Breadwinners, a social enterprise providing work experience and training to young refugees in the UK.
• He is also a board member at Praxis and has deep insight into the journey of refugees.

Mission of Breadwinners:

• Breadwinners supports refugees by offering them employment opportunities and training upon arrival in the UK.
• The organization aims to empower refugees and help them integrate into society.

Impact of Breadwinners:

• 90% of Breadwinners graduates have progressed into further paid work.
• The organization provides tools such as CV writing, networking, and interview skills to make refugees job-ready.

Key Moments in the Conversation:

• 06:00 - Martin shares his personal journey and how he became involved with Breadwinners.
• 13:30 - Insights into the challenges refugees face during their journey.
• 23:30 - Overview of Breadwinners' programs and their impact on refugees.
• 36:00 - Discussion on mentoring and its benefits for refugees.
• 48:00 - Martin's vision for changing the world.

Additional Information:

• Martin was highly commended as an "Impact Management Champion" at the 2023 NatWest SE100 Social Business Awards.
• Breadwinners' website: www.breadwinners.org.uk

This podcast episode delves into Martin Cosarinsky's impactful work with Breadwinners, showcasing how the organization empowers refugees through employment opportunities and support services. Join hosts Ollie and Jon as they explore Martin's journey, the challenges faced by refugees, and the transformative power of community and mentorship. #WeAreBreadwinners #RefugeeEmpowerment #ImpactfulLeadership

Hosts: Ollie and Jon

Guest: Graham Cullis, Founder of the #karmacardproject

Description:

Join hosts Ollie and Jon as they sit down with Graham Cullis, the passionate founder of the #karmacardproject, a movement dedicated to raising awareness for mental health through art and collaboration. Graham shares his inspiring journey of leaving his 9-5 job to pursue his passion for helping people with their mental health. Through interviews and collaborations with artists and charities, Graham spreads positivity and creativity while offering holistic methods for managing mental health. Tune in to hear about his globe-trotting adventures, his unique projects, and his mission to touch as many lives as possible through art.

• Introduction to Graham Cullis:Graham introduces himself as the founder of the #karmacardproject.
• He discusses his background and his decision to leave his 9-5 job to pursue his passion for helping people with mental health.
• Mission of the Karma Card Project:Graham explains that the project aims to raise awareness for mental health through interviews and collaborations with artists and charities.
• He highlights the importance of spreading positivity and creativity as tools for healing.
• Globe-Trotting Adventures:Graham shares stories of his travels around the world, painting and collaborating with amazing people.
• He mentions projects he's initiated, such as art therapy, support groups, and cold water therapy through sea swimming.
• Giving Away Artwork for Free:Graham discusses his decision to give away his artwork for free, aiming to connect with more people and spread his messages of positivity and creativity.
• He hopes that by sharing his art, he can make a positive impact on people's lives and possibly lead to future collaborations or purchases.
• Graham expresses his desire to make a great first impression through his art and encourages listeners to try his artwork for free.
• He invites them to connect with him and join the movement to raise awareness for mental health through art and collaboration.

• Graham Cullis Artist Website
• Patreon -Graham Cullis
• Graham's Vlog: Experience Bali Art
• The Karma Card Project
• Graham Cullis Karma Club Podcast - Listen to the latest episode
• Documentary: There once was an island

This podcast episode offers a glimpse into Graham's inspiring journey and his mission to make a positive impact on the world through art and advocacy for mental health awareness. Join us as we explore the power of creativity and collaboration in making a difference.

Follow Sanath on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_giving_sanath/

Donate via Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sanath-demel

In this captivating episode of the Problem Busters Podcast, hosts Jon and Ollie dive deep into the extraordinary journey of their guest, Sanath de Mel, a digital nomad who transformed his life to become a humanitarian hero in Ukraine.

Sanath shares his early career as an engineer and his deep interest in cryptocurrency, exploring the potential of digital currencies and blockchain technology. This fascination with crypto laid the foundation for his future endeavors and set him on a unique path of exploration and problem-solving.

Living life as a digital nomad, Sanath cherished the freedom of remote work, allowing him to roam the globe while making a living. However, it was his unwavering desire to make a positive impact that eventually led him on an awe-inspiring mission.

The episode unravels Sanath's decision to purchase and modify a Mitsubishi L200 to deliver essential supplies in Kyiv, Ukraine. Through ingenious modifications, Sanath transformed his vehicle into a versatile resource capable of traversing challenging terrains and reaching those in need.

As Jon, Ollie, and Sanath recount his journey across Europe, listeners are taken on a virtual adventure, experiencing the trials and triumphs encountered during the testing phase. From navigating rugged Italian landscapes to braving the bustling streets of Kyiv, Sanath's modified Mitsubishi L200 proves to be an invaluable asset, highlighting the significance of innovation and adaptation during times of crisis.

The conversation then delves into Sanath's life in Ukraine before the country was engulfed in conflict. He offers insights into the local culture, the warm hospitality of the Ukrainian people, and his decision to remain when others chose to leave. Sanath's determination to assist those affected by the conflict becomes apparent as he shares his experiences fundraising and organizing initiatives to purchase and deliver essential supplies to the Ukrainian frontline.

Through Sanath's accounts, witness his resilience, determination, and selflessness in the face of adversity. His inspiring story serves as a reminder of the profound impact individuals can make, even in the direst circumstances.

Join Jon, Ollie, and their extraordinary guest, Sanath de Mel, on this episode of the Problem Busters Podcast as they explore the transformative power of crypto, the exhilaration of the digital nomad lifestyle, and the incredible journey of a man who became a true humanitarian, lending a helping hand to those in need on the Ukrainian frontline.

Liz Batalla shares how she came to realise her dream of helping women level up both individuals, groups and the organisations lucky enough to have them. This is an inspiring episode from an experienced and finely-honed leadership coach.

We learn how to set about writing a book, what you could expect to learn on Liz' Masterclasses, what issues commonly hold women back at work, and most importantly, how to support the women around you.

About the show:

Problem Busters is a show that explores solutions to the biggest and the smallest of problems. Hosts Jonathan Goodwin and Oliver Happy discuss making the world a better place with guests from far and wide.

About our guest:

​​Liz Batalla is the Founder and Executive Director of The Institute for Achievement and Excellence and the author of the book - Level up to move up. Liz helps women level themselves up and helps businesses educate and promote their female talent.

Show mentions:

• A corporate and academic background
• 2020: create the Institute for Achievement and Excellence to help women level up across 9 life areas so they can better navigate the business world and step into leadership roles. As well as assist organisations better educate and promote their female talent.
• Working in male-dominated environments, finding women had concerns around personal and professional progress.
• A common question: how to navigate this space, in order to grow professionally and personally?
• 03:30 three things that worry women in the corporate environment. Lack of confidence, a feeling of overwhelm/imposter syndrome, a lack of flexibility in the organisation (e.g. flexible working hours).
• Women still tend to be the main carer at home. Having flexibility can really help.
• Female family members are the women I look up to (grandmothers, mum, god-mother, sisters).
• 06:00 Anything I'd do differently if I had my time again? Starting the process of what I'm doing now, earlier i.e. I'd have set up the Institute for Achievement and Excellence earlier.
• Providing help as a manager or lecturer is different than running the Institute. I am able to touch many more lives due to making my knowledge and experience available via: online, self-paced masterclasses.
• 09:00 What impact are the 3 challenges women are experiencing having on society? Monumental impace because it affects their contribution to their organisations, family and community. If they are unable to give of their best then the everyone they are in contact with never benefits fully from all she can offer.
• Article: McKenzie and Company (2020) - Women make up just 15% of executive-team membership, and more than a third of companies have no women at all on their executive teams.
• This due to not putting themselves forward as well as not being sponsored and supported into it. There are both intrinsic and extrinsic challenges.
• A man may put himself forward with 50-60% understanding of a role, a woman may require 90% upwards to feel confident to do the same.
• 11:00 How can the Institute help? Assisting companies to better educate and promote their femal talent and also helping the woman herself to take responsibility and level up herself so she can rise to the occasion.
• 12:00 The 3 forces in achieving excellence are: Identity of the individual (improving oneself), connections (relationships with self and others), status (managing one’s standard of living).
• 3 life areas in each of the 3 forces in achieving excellence, there are 9 life areas in total.
• 14:30 Women going through the process of a self-assessment. Easiest way to identify areas of strengths and areas for improvement.
• The three Cs: Courage, Confidence and Charisma.
• A lot of women coming into corporate environments are lacking the fundamental skills to navigate the world of business because these skills are not taught in schools.
• 18:00 What can women do now, to get the ball rolling? Establish where you are. Then establish where you would like to be. A gap analysis. If you don't know where you are and where you are going, it's hard to navigate the space. Speak to loved ones who are supportive of your progress, professionals and coaches, or an easy way - do a free assessment online.
• 20:30 Liz' story as an author. There needs to be a plan. It can be loose, doesn't need to be fixed. Need to be flexible, however knowing what you need to accomplish every single day is important. I don't measure the size of the step, I just do something every single day.
• Break it down into small chunks, so I don't feel overwhelmed, then even smaller.
• Example: it takes 6 months to write a book, with 12 chapters say. So to reach my goal, I need to do 2 chapters per month. 10 pages per chapter gives 20 pages per month. 4 weeks in one month gives 5 pages a week = 1 page a day (not including weekends) to be written.
• 25:30 steps to get the book published.
• In my business, I never pay or farm out anything until I understand the process myself (unless it's very technical). So I can guide the person, and if they become unavailable, I can roll up my sleeves and do it myself.
• 28:00 What it feels like to get a book out there. Initially scared, then proud, then happy
• Book: Elizabeth Batalla - Level up to move up: the 3 forces in achieving excellence.
• 30:00 How working with women is worth it. Why I do it. How much it means to me!
• 33:30 The sharing section
• 34:00 Who do you most look up to in the world? The women in my family. There isn't just one, from my grandmother to my mum, to my sisters. <----
• 36:00 What book/film most inspired you recently?
• Book: The game of life and how to play it, by Florence Shinn. It helped me to understand that like all games, there are rules. Once someone understands the rules of the game, you can play better. I started to see everything like a game.
• What projects or movements have you most excited right now? The foundation of why I formed the institute. To reach more people, to help more people, to have positive impact on women in leadership
• McKinsey and Company’s 2020 report:  Companies with broadly diverse leadership teams were 45 percent more likely to report growth in market share and 70 percent more likely to capture a new market. It's a huge effect.
• The conversations are happening and I would like to see more than just a few posts on social media or text in a mission statement.
• The movement that supports women in accomplishing their goals.
• 39:30 How businesses can improve the situation. Two things: recognise how massive the benefit is to empower women. The fact is that diversity is not a trend, it is here to say. The public is demanding strategic representation in businesses. Secondly more action being taken. Beyond saying the right things, the action needs to be looked at holistically from inception, induction all the way through the employee lifecycle, to exit.
• 42:30 How men can help the women around him. I choose to believe people are inherently good, but may not be aware of the situation. Be aware of the way things are said, and the way things are done. Don't speak over women in meetings. Ask questions, as she may not feel confident enough to expand on her ideas. <-----
• In isolation, a situation may not seem like a big deal. But when a woman has to deal with a situation every single day, it can be exhausing. So just be more aware and not to trivialise what seems to be an isolated issue from your point of view. From her point of view is is neither isolated nor trivial.
• 46:30 What is one thing you'd like to change in the world? I would love it if people could slow down just a little bit, so they could listen more actively. Really listen, not waiting to interject or to bring the conversation back to them. It is very rare to have someone truly, actively listen to what you have to say - and genuinely show interest.
• 49:00 What one thing would you like people to take away from this episode? Identify your goal, your dream, your purpose. And don't wait. Start where you are. Use what you have and do the best that you can. Some of the greatest achievements started with tiny steps. <----
• How can people find out more about you?
• Website: https://achievementandexcellence.com
• Take your free assessment: https://courses.achievementandexcellence.com/p/professional-assessment-benchmark
• Book: https://books2read.com/leveluptomoveup
• LinkedIn personal profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethbatalla

Social Links:

• Youtube:n https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn08Yx5bKaRIwf0Im5P69dg?sub_confirmation=1
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-institute-for-achievement-and-excellence 
• FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/instituteforachievementandexcellence  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/achievementandexcellence 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/InstExcellence 
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/AchievementandExcellence 
• Blog: https://achievementandexcellence.com/blog 

Logo and concept by Christy O'Connor

Repair Cafe Portsmouth founder Clare Seek opens the Problem Busters' eyes to the Right to Repair. We learn about the growing, global community of Repair Cafes and most importantly - how to start one in your town.

About the show:

Problem Busters is a show that explores solutions to the biggest and the smallest of problems. Hosts Jonathan Goodwin and Oliver Happy discuss making the world a better place with guests from far and wide.

About our guest:

Clare Seek is all about building community for people and planet. Based in Portsmouth, a city in south west England, she is the founder of Repair Cafe Portsmouth, Green Drinks Portsmouth and other community-based projects besides. Clare lives in Portsmouth UK with her family.

Show mentions:

• 02:00 A bit about Clare and how a move into motherhood coincided with an interest in the environment and our impact on the planet.
• Repair is at the heart of walking more lightly on the planet.
• The sheer existence of my children had a lot to do with my becoming interested in treading lightly, and my community
• 04:00 Why Repair Cafe? Started in the Netherlands by a woman who initiated what has become a global movement.
• What is a Repair cafe? A place that brings together people who fix things with people who have things to fix.
• 05:30 The setting up of a Repair cafe. 200 people showing interest within 1 day!
• Portsmouth is an island city, one of the most densely populated areas of the UK outside of London.
• 4 months later, we ran our first Repair Cafe.
• Starting with people who could repair and fix each other's stuff.
• 07:30 What is next for Repair Cafe Portsmouth? We are a pop-up event, we hold it once or twice a month. We've had to stop advertising because we are at capacity.
• Opening up a space permanently, taking it to the next step
• The library of things concept - we will work it in with that.
• 09:00 Campaign - The right to repair. A global campaign.
• Most of the carbon in electronics happens before the first use of the item.
• The right to repair campaign is focusing on manufacturers and policy makers to provide goods that are designed to last longer, can be fixed, have manuals and spare parts available.
• Right to repair as a justice issue - lobbying to create a fairer way to consume goods and services.
• 11:00 Petition - The restart project. And changing where tax is applied.
• 12:00 Shifting culture from wastage to consumers being able to repair.
• In France - they have a system that shows on products how repairable they are. Consumers are better informed.
• [13:00 Jon Coughs]
• The UK is the second biggest producer of e-waste per capita in the world. It's shocking.
• 14:30 Why is the UK so high on the e-waste scales? We have an appetite for the latest gadgets, Norway is ahead of us, we are second.
• 16:00 There is a pressure in our culture to have the latest thing and the best tech for that.
• 17:00 What do kids learn in school about sustainability? Very little. However, thankfully coming generations are taking more of an interest in the environment anyway.
• There is very little in schools that leads kids down a repair career path, although elements of sustainability are sprinkled through other career paths.
• Concept - the circular economy
• There is a stronger voice from individuals and community groups, than the Government, when it comes to pushing for real change.
• Episode - Hakim and Aryaana
• 19:30 Where is the concern in the young coming from? Concern about climate change. Kids are really aware of that. They have clear and vivid imaginations about these things. Kids wonder about the world, they question things. They sense the urgency.
• Conference: Cop26
• Extinction rebellion
• Pester power - from kids to parents, e.g. adding pressure to reduce plastic consumption.
• 21:00 It's really interesting to talk to kids about career paths in sustainability
• Greta Thunberg
• David Attenborough
• Topic: at what age should children be able to vote? Should it be lowered?
• 22:30 What benefits does the Repair Cafe bring to the community? It's about a lot more than just fixing stuff. It's all volunteers, there is a relaxed social environment. It's a safe place to volunteer and offer skills, to learn, to welcome people, to serve cake.
• It's an opportunity for people to get more skills.
• Building peoples' confidence up.
• Project - city of sanctuary. Linking into a group who help asylum seekers. They can give back in that way.
• Community as a way to challenge isolation.
• 25:00 creating a place that has a purpose, not just being a place to chat, but a place to tinker.
• website: iFixit (great for how-to guides and spare parts)
• Jonathan's family friend who learned to repair washing machines. A great example of community assistance that became a business for him.
• 30:00 How to access spare parts and why does the law in the UK stop at white goods?
• Having a kit to repair phones in your house.
• Ifixit guide to repair your mobile phone
• Campaign - chargers. Aiming to enforce universal chargers.
• 33:30 What is openability?
• Phone - The Fairphone. A phone designed with easily replaceable elements.
• Hair dryers - most are literally sealed shut (manufacturers claim safety), and cannot be fixed.
• Irons - working out how to open them is very challenging. Repair Cafe Portsmouth is planning on collecting old irons that can't be fixed and start a repository with the tips and tricks on how to open them, to have a chance of fixing them.
• 35:30 What goods can be repaired? For us, around 67% of electrical, and almost all clothing, jewellery, bikes and lots of toys.  It's great when items have a real story and sentimentality. 
• Show - The Repair shop on the BBC - a great way to inspire people (although somewhat different to what we do in community repair)
• 37:30 How to buy with more care. Do you need to buy it? Can you borrow it? Can you share one someone else already has? Check the website of the product "fixing X", see if it can be fixed or not.
• Petition to sign: The Restart Project (UK). Asking for repairability measures to include everybody, not just for professionals, but also for DIY/community repair groups. Commitment to right to repair for electronics. Reducing the VAT on repairs.
• Poll - YouGov (UK) - 81% of the public are behind the right to repair.
• How to get a conversation with your MP - use the website.
• TheyWorkForYou website to find your MP
• Knock on their door if they have an office nearby. When they come door knocking, looking for votes, talk to them about right to repair.
• Look up local repair projects and get involved. Both to get your things repaired, and to help repair things.
• Website - Repair Café Foundation shows groups around the world as well as The Restart Project
• 44:30 How to set up a Repair Cafe in your town. Find a few people who are interested in helping you. Get along to the nearest Repair event to you. Look up tools and guides advising how to set one up. We are a helpful bunch!
• Movement: Community repair network (UK) Bringing Repair to Every Community
• 47:00 The sharing section
• Who do you most look up to in the world? I totally admire people and get excited and inspired by them. But I am into everyone being really awesome. Inspired by my kids, by people who are carers, people who helped us get through the pandemic.
• Film - Belfast. It was amazing! Beautifully shot, poignant, looking at conflict in Northern Ireland.
• Book - Non-violent communication by Marshall Rosenberg. About repairing ourselves and our relationships with others.
• The Problem Busters bookshop - where all books mentioned in the show are available in one list.
• Movement - Restorative Practice. A fascinating way to bring people together when there are disagreements. A great way to solve problems.
• Movement - Positive journalism.
• Magazine/email list: Postive.news. A great magazine to have on the table and to inspire and bring positivity into the house and the day.
• Tool: Ti.To for bookings (used for repair cafe bookings)
• The value of turning apps off, unsubscribing to things. Using the unsubscribe button on emails.
• 56:30 What is one thing you'd like to change in the world? My husband's snoring ;-) Switching to natural bedding (latex and wool duvets). People pausing and engaging the brain a bit more before they do something. Whether that is something they do, say, buy. That ability to slow down in the moment before reacting. Could even lead to world peace.
• 57:30 What one thing would you like people to take away from this episode? Repair is an option. It's always an option. To set up a repair project, right through to buying things carefully, or repairing what you have first, before buying.
• https://repaircafeportsmouth.wordpress.com/
• Twitter: @southseamum

Clare on LinkedIn

Logo and concept by Christy O'Connor

Candice Gasper of Valley Mill Microgreens shares her story from bright-eyed environmental science graduate, to corporate, to ultimately becoming an Urban Farmer. She explains what urban farming is, what microgreens are (and why they are such a great way to get nutrients from your veggies) and how anyone, with as little as a sunny windowsill of space, can grow their own food.

It's a great time to talk to Candice as her startup Valley Mill Microgreens is still in its first year, so we talk about the joy of working for yourself and soak up her enthusiasm for growing.

We talk about the state of food, why the world needs more Farmer's markets, and how wonderful it is to connect directly to those who grow what we eat.

Candice describes the foraging movement and gives us step by step instructions on how to germinate your own seeds, and grow your own food.

About the show:

Problem Busters is a show that explores solutions to the biggest and the smallest of problems. Hosts Jonathan Goodwin and Oliver Happy discuss making the world a better place with guests from far and wide.

About our guest:

Candice Gasper is an Urban Farmer and is the founder of Valley Mill Microgreens. An Environmental Scientist by trade, she has worked in both the corporate world and scaled urban farming but these days is enjoying the life of a startup founder. She lives with her partner in Baltimore USA and is passionate about educating people about nutrition and the joy of growing your own food.

Show mentions:

• A childhood outside, and choosing to study environmental science.
• A career in sales for environmental consulting  and green construction.
• 02:00 Volunteering at the neighbourhood farmers market. One of the only place you can meet local farmers in a city.
• Food justice and food equity - and how access to food affects people
• 03:30 getting my first part time job on a women-owned microgreen farm.
• Saving up, losing my job and then going full time as a farmer
• 05:30 Hydroponics and how they work. Pros and cons.
• Learning what it's like to work in a large scale production facility.
• 07:30 Starting up my own business growing in my back yard. And the pride to get to here. The love of what I do.
• 10:00 Microgreens - what they are and why they are so cool. They can be added to any dish. You can sneak them in and get nutrient density into any dish. They are packed with flavour.
• Microgreens are nature's multivitamins
• 12:00 Anybody can grow microgreens, all you need is a sunny windowsill, a container, some water, some soil and some seeds.
• 12:30 Urban farming allows people to be more connected to their food.
• It's just neat to see my peers doing this and just right down the street, not in the middle of nowhere or far away. 
• Saving on carbon emissions by not having to truck food into the city.
• There is really nothing cooler than getting to know your farmer
• 14:30 There is a lot of healing in growing - it teaches you patience. 50% percent of plants will die, and you learn how to care for them.
• The quality of food that is readily available not being great in many cities.
• Is soil quality deteriorating due to constantly farming them?
• 16:30 Cover crops are something you can plant between seasons that will extract nitrogen out of the air and regenerate the soil.
• Mass production leads to no breaks in the growing season and leads to less nutrients in the soil and therefore in the food.
• Microgreens grow so fast - they are only growing 2-3 weeks at most and they really don't need fertiliser.
• 18:30 how to get started growing microgreens in your own home.
• Kale microgreens have the cutest miniature kale leaves when they grow
• 21:30 There is a certain level of acceptance of failure in farming. Everything has been a learning process - if something doesn't work, I don't feel like I'm failing, I feel like I'm going into the next round of learning.
• 23:30 It's hard to make a good living as a farmer. Farming is difficult to get into because land access is difficult. Price of land, even renting land is unbelievable.
• I started my farm with about $10,000.
• 26:00 for most people wanting to get into agriculture, it's probably best to do it as a side hustle. Sell at your local farmers market.
• I try to shop at farmers markets as often as I can. The best bit is at the end of the market you can trade with the other farmers - and have groceries for the week!
• Food with backstory - you can tell by the way the grower raises their products that there is going to be more nutrient density in it.
• Episode: Nathan Ranklin on taking charge of your weight
• 31:00 The types of vegetables to look for in an urban area. Pay attention to what is in season. If it's in season and at a farmers market, you can bet it was grown nearby.
• The cost of living crisis in the UK, and in the USA right now.
• 33:30 What types of vegetables you could grow yourself. Microgreens are your best option. You don't have to repot them.
• SNAP (Supplemental nutrition assistance program) in the U.S. you can use the money to buy seeds - which is really exciting. Your dollar goes further.
• Urban garden rental plots. Renting a piece of land in a community garden.
• Allotments and their growth in popularity.
• Plant starts - a small plant you can repot when you get home, to get you started growing.
• 38:00 How to make fertiliser from kitchen scraps. The benefits of alfalfa tea for fertiliser.
• 40:00 How to support local farmers - buy directly from them. Sign up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) - paying in advance for a box of food. It helps the farmers to buy up seeds beforehand. Or go to the farmers market and buy directly from them!
• Supporting restaurants that also support local farms.
• Restaurant - Wild Flor (Hove UK). For supporting local farmers and having food that tastes just so amazing.
• Movement - School gardens and exposing kids to the joys of growing food, of getting involved in food. It's something they can do at an early age and it really impacts their lives.
• 44:30 Who do I most look up to in the world? Other women-owned farmers. Just to see someone else like myself doing well and being successful.
• Book - Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. How he talks about food is just awesome.
• Movement - Foraging. Trying to understand indigenous foraging practices and learning about mushrooms and food all around you.
• We have gotten away from some of those crucial indigenous food practices.
• 48:00 What would I like to change in the world? I would love to see more young people get involved in agriculture. I love the creative energy that comes from having to solve a problem right away. Agriculture is really interesting because it involves so many skillsets.
• 49:00 What one thing I would like people to take away from this episode? If you aren't happy sitting at a desk all day, just start being curious about the things that make you feel good, feel happy and spend some time volunteering.
• Getting in touch
• Instagram: valleymillmicrogreens
• Farmers market: Central market at York Pennyslvania

Logo and concept by Christy O'Connor

Nathan Ranklin has lost 18.5 stone, over 200kg and half his body weight. He talks the Problem Busters through what it's like to be a "big kid" growing up, how he took control of his weight (and kept it off), and most importantly - how he's helping others do the same.

This is an honest and empowering look at a global issue which affects many in our lives at any given moment. Nathan has a disarming yet straight up style and therefore delivers a punchy and important message in an easy to digest way.

We talk diet, lifestyle and modern food. Nathan explains how listening to those who have an addiction to food (or anything else) is the single most important step.

About the show:

Problem Busters is a show that explores solutions to the biggest and the smallest of problems. Hosts Jonathan Goodwin and Oliver Happy discuss making the world a better place with guests from far and wide.

About our guest:

Nathan Ranklin is a 1:1 Diet Consultant for Cambridge Weight Plan. He lost 18 and half stones in 14 months, and won the male slimmer of the year 2020. Now he is here to share his gift with the world - the ability to take charge of your weight.

Show mentions:

• 02:00 Growing up as a "big kid", being isolated as a result of my size
• Issues with food: comfort, binge and secret eater.
• For me, food was just there as my best friend - I'd just turn to it.
• Being a secret eater, it's hard for friends and family to monitor - as they don't see the eating
• 03:00 First realisation of being big at Alton towers, being taken off the ride at age 12. Doctor at 14 saying if you carry on like this, you would make it to 30.
• As a teenager I was still quite active, running about.
• 05:00 At 18, sitting down and doing nothing, I piled the weight on. There is always a reason to eat in the office. I was a yes man to eating.
• Being a binge drinker as well as a bing eater.
• At 20, diagnosed with sleep apnea. The fat around my throat limiting my breathing when I lay down at night to sleep.
• Being on a machine to sleep all through my 20s.
• At 26 being bed bound for a few days - the doctor turned around and said the weight you are, what do you expect? This was when the hard reality really set in.
• At 29 - went to Budapest, was quite sluggish this time. I wasn't the same, I was always tired. I needed a machine to stay alive at night time. Having to shop online or at big shops.
• 09:00 the moment I had an intervention from a Jamaican woman I sat down next to.
• I ran away for 4 months, but this woman was so persistent, she kept catching me in all the worst moments. Catch me having naughty meals.
• Eventually I gave in and went to her house on 22 March 2019.
• I weighed 36.9 stone (239 kilos).
• She promised me that I would never see that weight again, that she promised I would go down to a L size shirt size. How could she change my life in a week?
• I did the 1:1 diet by Cambridge Weight Plan.
• I hated it, hated everyone around.
• 13:00 I had tried a lot of diets before, but there was no one really there. Even through the doctors. No real structure. This was the first time I had someone on my ass the whole time.
• A week later I came back, I didn't feel like I can lost any weight
• To my surprise I lost 17 pounds (just over a stone, 7.7 kilos).
• Next week, another 10 pounds (almost 2 stone in 2 weeks!)
• I was hooked, the calculations were done. That was it, there was no turning back.
• I'm thinking I have a second chance here.
• The result - in 14 months straight, lost 17.5 stones (107 kg).
• How I did it, a lot of walking then I started the gym afterwards.
• The 1:1 diet is a combination of meal replacements and a healthy meal plan. It's all calculated for you, then I had to make myself the two additional meals.
• The thing was cutting out the carbohydrates.
• I kept seasoning all my food
• I started using fry light instead of oil, a george forman and an air fryer
• Tech: Air fryer - I absolutely love it!
• 19:00 The way to losing weight is - Water, your sleep, diet then exercise.
• Water goes in, breaks down the fat in the cells and flushes it out.
• I now drink 5 litres a day, just to stay hydrated.
• Majority of people should drink 2.5 - 3 litres a day
• 22:00 How I became a weight loss coach.
• 24:00 How being a weight loss coach works. Getting to know the person. Know their triggers. It's not one size fits all. What are the issues they are dealing with? Gaining weight is usually a side issue to something else. It's often filling a void of something else.
• It's all about relating to the person so I can help them.
• Then putting together a plan for them. Calorie limits, eating plan, tailored to their lifestyle.
• 27:30 The slimmer light is a choice I make every day. It's easy to slip into old habits. Everyone's body works differently.
• 29:00 Some mistakes I made and what I learned.
• The general level of people's knowledge is quite low.
• It's not's people's fault, they've never been educated.
• Social media and all the Just Eat adverts appear on Fridays.
• 31:30 The weekend is the hardest thing. The number one line is "the diet starts on Monday". Weekends and evenings. The cake I watched. The cake that watched me.
• 33:50 What about cheat days? I cheated for 29 years, I didn't need any more cheat days. I'd say plan in your meals. Work it out. The calories you will consume. You don't want this cheat day to wreck everything you've done.
• Get to the point you have control over your habits, then you can plan in the occasional naughty meal.
• 36:30 Food addiction is a real thing, that doesn't really get discussed.
• Usually people have a stone, 2 stones, maybe 5 stones to lose. They have the same problems, but they are catching it earlier.
• 38:30 How to tackle your weight. First step, be honest with yourself. It's never to late to start. Make sure you are doing it for yourself and not for someone else. And just get started.
• 40:00 How to support a loved one who is trying to lose weight.
• Do not fat shame! That whole bullying thing will trigger another emotion.
• Have conversations and see how they are feeling.
• If you don't have a problem with your weight, and your family or loved one is having trouble with theirs, do your naughty take aways out of the house.
• Do jump on board with the plan. You don't have to diet, but get involved with the cooking. Everyone can benefit from having a nice healthy meal.
• Suggest activities that don't resolve around food. There are so many things you can do that don't involve food.
• Show your support by joining them once a week or a month with them at a gym.
• You can occasionally fight their corner for them. Maybe you don't need another drink or another meal.
• It's all about being conscious.
• 45:00 All the things people did, that didn't help me when I was on my diet. Why don't we share it? It's me. So many shady things that didn't help.
• When you change your life around, you need to understand that people need time to catch up. I flipped the switch and that was it. There was no public announcement, that was it.
• 49:00 The sharing section
• 50:00 Who do I most look up to in the world? Barak Obama. Because he defied all odds and became a black president. I relate to that in the sense that I always thought I would be this big person. I've defied the odds.
• Book - The SAS guide to survival. I feel that growing up in a concrete jungle in London, books were always successful and networking. Money orientated. This book is nothing to do with money. It's about getting back to nature. Being the black Bear Grylls!
• The importance of reconnecting to nature, a long walk to recalibrate yourself
• Projects or movements have me most excited? I want to help expand my team. Help train people to help people lose weight.
• I want to educate the youth - that's missing. I feel like they are getting left behind. Their skills are going to come from YouTube.
• Kids are exposed to so many things and so quickly. They need guidance.
• Zoom has allowed me to connect to so many people all around the world. To connect to people and my dieters from anywhere.
• Tik Tok - the algorithms are amazing.
• The information on Tik Tok is the best when you're travelling. You can plan your life via Tik Tok!
• 01:02:04 One thing you'd like to change in the world? The education system for children. I'd implement nutrition and exercise in there properly. Food technology should not be optional.
• 01:04:00 Always cook from fresh. I love food. I like to understand what I'm making.
• 01:05:00 The one thing would you like people to take away from this episode? You are never too far gone. If I can do it, you can do it too. If you have a goal in life, it is never too late to go for it. There is so much you can do in a year.
• Getting in touch: Facebook (nathan ranklin), Instagram (call_me_slender), Tik Tok (1:1 diet with slender).

Logo and concept by Christy O'Connor

Life Coach Kapil Pankhania takes the Problem Busters through finding a coach, how to make the most out of being coached, and how to coach and mentor those in your team.

Kapil has a refreshingly open and honest way of talking about coaching. He explains the difference between mentoring and coaching, tells his story and answers common questions about how both life coaching and coaching in general can benefit us.

About the show:

Problem Busters is a show that explores solutions to the biggest and the smallest of problems. Hosts Jonathan Goodwin and Oliver Happy discuss making the world a better place with guests from far and wide.

About our guest:

Kapil Pankhania is a life coach from North London, currently working with Ollie at Form3. Kapil has a background in Finance and technology.

• website: www.kapil.coach

Show mentions:

• Realising that coaching was a good route to becoming a better person, both professionally and personally
• App: Spotify
• Arriving at coaching as an idea
• Looking for a workshop and running into Becky, who was running the workshop.
• Life Coach: Becky Balzano became my first coach
• The benefits of coaching
• Coaching as a way to become more self-aware
• 05:00 Overcoming the excuse of "I have no time", and the importance of finding time for myself
• The value of putting time aside for myself every morning, for journaling, reading and plugging away
• Becoming aware of where you are spending your time
• Identifying where time is not being spent well, and substituting it for something more valuable
• 07:00 The emotional aspect of coaching. Digitised world, rare to have a time to have a proper conversation, about you.
• The value of saying things out loud - taking a big breath of fresh air.
• 09:00 Listening but also being present in the conversation. Really understanding where they are at before suggesting solutions.
• Coaches are not perfect, we are all humans.
• Trying not to relate to the client, but remaining separate in order to focus entirely on them and their challenge.
• 12:30 Advice to people who are looking for a coach
• Look for a coach you can trust, who is a good listener and is non-judgemental
• Suggest a first discovery session to see if you will work well together.
• 15:00 Figuring out what coaching is to you - and what each person wants to get out of the process.
• The importance of momentum and impact
• 18:30 What to expect from your first discovery session with a coach
• 20:00 How to get the most out of working with a coach
• Insight: The goal presented initially is not always the ultimate goal
• The importance of picking a place to start - the first challenge to tackle
• Write down as much as possible before the session
• Take notes as you go, so you have something to refer back to
• 24:00 The value of being accountable for your actions - of committing to take action. Playing back in next session on which actions you've taken.
• The value of taking action between sessions
• 26:30 What I've learned from coaching people
• 28:30 The importance of just letting people speak.
• The importance of reading body language
• 31:00 The difference between mentoring and coaching.
• The value of asking good questions
• 33:30 Advice for Managers wanting to coach their teams better
• Demonstrating the power of coaching is the way to sell it.
• 34:30 The value of developing a coaching culture, both between managers, at the exec level and out to all people in the business.
• 36:00 common mistakes managers make when coaching others
• The importance of not making assumptions. Ask, don't assume.
• Ask questions first in order to understand
• 37:00 How to develop a feeling of trust, of being heard
• 38:00 Daily habits I have picked up from coaching
• The value of a solid early morning routine
• Journaling as a daily practice. Thoughts on the day, what I've learned, unlocking your thoughts and creating space for new thoughts.
• The importance of reading regularly - as a way to learn
• Book: The miracle morning
• 41:00 The value of goal setting
• Getting crystal clear on what you want to get done, so you can start your day with purpose
• 42:00 the difference between life before and after goal setting
• 43:30 What it was like to start journaling
• Realising the importance of writing down my thoughts rather than what was happening around me.
• 45:00 The sharing section
• Who do I most look up to in the world? NBA Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers). He won many championships, but he had both an amazing work ethic and was a great person. The Black Mamba.
• Book: Can't hurt me by David Goggins
• A remarkable guy with remarkable mental toughness
• Movie: Good Will Hunting
• One thing you'd like to change in the world? Have people being more empathetic and have more compassion for the people around them. To not judge people for who they are and what they've done, but understanding them first.
• The best way to see how other people see the world is to ask them questions.
• 50:00 One thing would you like people to take away from this episode - look at your own motivations. Are you living your life on auto pilot? Or are you living your values?
• Look at the 2-3 main things you did in a day and decide if they served you or should be eliminated.
• Coach: Paul Søgaard
• Putting YouTube videos out as a way to help share knowledge with people.
• YouTube channel: Coaching Conversations
• getting in touch
• website: www.kapil.coach

Logo and concept by Christy O'Connor

GirlCode co-founder Adeola Haruna shares how she got into tech, the experience of being a minority (a woman) in tech, and what motivated her to founding a non-profit coding academy to give back.

GirlCode Academy is a volunteer-powered organisation that is rapidly becoming a movement. Headquartered in Lagos Nigeria, they have off their own backs created courses that have given hundreds of women the chance at a career in tech. Whether the students opt for Product Design, Frontend coding or perhaps Product Management, they have had an incredible impact on the people involved, many of whom return as volunteers to help others.

This is an awesome story and includes the ability for us too to help - by donating a used laptop or supporting a woman in learning to code.

About the show:

Problem Busters is a show that explores solutions to the biggest and the smallest of problems. Hosts Jonathan Goodwin and Oliver Happy discuss making the world a better place with guests from far and wide.

About our guest:

Adeola Haruna is the co-founder of GirlCode Academy - a volunteer organisation in Nigeria that has trained hundreds of women in Frontend coding and Product Design. She is a Project Manager, now a Product Manager and has a background in Fintech. Adeola is from Lagos Nigeria, and now resides in Aberdeen Scotland (for the castles, what a great reason to move anywhere!).

• Website: https://girlcode.academy/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GirlCodeAcademy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlCodeAcademy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlcodeacademyng/
• Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeola-haruna-24490434/

Show mentions:

• Adeola is the co-founder of the GirlCode academy, and by day is a product manager and former software engineer and graphic designer.
• 03:00 What is the GirlCode academy?
• Being the only woman in every technical team, from company to company
• In 2016: In Lagos Nigeria - decided to find a solution to being the only technical woman in tech
• Women were interested in technology but didn't have the opportunity to participate in tech.
• The idea: train women in coding.
• 2017 - GirlCode academy was launched.
• 2017 - 25 women trained
• We have 100 applications in the first batch, then 300+ for the second.
• 2018 - 66 women trained in a bigger office
• Why do girls want to learn to code? "I tried to learn online, but I didn't get it, so I want to be in the class"
• 2021 - now over 1,000 applications each time
• We added more classes; front-end engineering, product design.
• 09:30 Is there disparity between men and women in Nigeria? Yes. We grew up with mothers with roles such as nurses, catering, fashion.
• In Nigeria you keep hearing "this is for men, this is for women"
• The problem we wanted to solve - having the right information and the right opportunity.
• We want to place a women in tech in every family
• Plenty of my cousins have taken up product and web design
• 12:30 Representation really matters. When you have someone who looks like you doing a thing, you want to do it too.
• What it's like to be a woman in tech. It's not difficult, but you will encounter some forms of discrimination or bias.
• 13:00 Example of looking for work and experiencing discrimination
• It's getting better in Nigeria - there are a lot of women I look up to in media and tech now, so it's getting better by the day.
• 17:30 What career paths did the GirlCode graduates end up taking?
• An internship is included in the program. A lot of them have gone on to bigger things.
• Example: someone studying medicine, but wanted to learn to code. She started the program, was one of our best and now she has stopped medicine, and works for one of the largest e-learning organisation in the world.
• From the last batch of graduates - we've had some girls come to us and say "I want to do Product Management, how do I do it?".
• They inspire me every day and they make me want to be better.
• 20:00 What I learned running GirlCode
• Even though we were doing it for free, I realised that volunteers deserved to be paid for their time.
• It's made me appreciate those who taught the first batch of girls, for free.
• I learned the value of friendship
• I've learned to try to outsource. We try to do lots of the things for ourselves, but we are getting less done by doing it alone. We've realised that with more volunteers we can take it to the next step.
• 23:30 Some of the feedback we've had
• They want us to extend the training! To have more time, more courses
• Last year we decided to add a Product Design course - over 500 applicants! We took 84 girls into the course.
• We had applicants from other countries for the first time.
• 25:00 A run through of the Frontend course
• 8 weeks - saturday only
• They have access to the tutors, both Instagram and WhatsApp numbers. So they can contact their tutors at any time.
• They are working on projects during the week, it's all practical
• 28:30 The plans for the future - for GirlCode
• Expand the number of tutors. Expand the countries we can cover.
• Our adverts are only targeting Nigerians.
• Perhaps even the UK!
• I'd like to add more courses - and both online and physical
• Get more support from people, get sponsorships.
• The Adopt a scholar program - paying for a girl to learn design, to code, to become a product manager, data science.
• GirlCode Academy website: https://girlcode.academy
• 32:00 Some of the ways the girls inspire me
• Graduates have been giving back as trainers
• A girl from the third batch now lives in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria and trains girls to code in a community in Nigeria
• People who didn't want to code have gone on to become tech writers.
• Lagos and the tech scene
• 2012: Conga was the first ecommerce site that I realised was built by Nigerians, and was owned by a Nigerian I think.
• I saw it, was blown away.
• Fintech in Nigeria is booming. It is everywhere.
• PayStack, which was acquired by Stripe.
• There are a lot of Startups, getting great investors, providing great solutions.
• There are a lot of Microlending operations in Africa
• In Nigeria, people don't really have access to credit. If I want to buy a new computer, I can't get a loan. The bank would ask for collateral (land) that I don't have. All these Fintechs are trying to provide loans to people like me - who need to graduate and get access to quick cash.
• Some people don't have access to banking solutions. People don't know what a credit card is, what a debit card is, what an ATM is. Buy now, pay later solutions are really important here.
• Peer to peer lending is also so important for people - the unbanked.
• In Jamaica, you'd have a Pardoner - who would help the community contribute to someone in need.
• Now it's digitised and it's even better
• There is a huge volume of young people in Africa, so the margins don't need to be high.
• International Women's Day was last week.
• What can people do to help encourage gender equality in tech?
• A lot of advertising is happening with companies asking directly for women to join - and women therefore want to learn to get there.
• Hercoonomy
• Shuttlers
• 43:30 Don't think because they are women, this is all they can do. Try a woman, let her let you know she can't do it, rather than expecting it.
• Advice for young women wanting to get into tech
• Just do it. Start. If you don't start, you cannot know what will happen.
• Reach out to people and ask questions if you don't know.
• Sell yourself. Always show up and be consistent
• 45:30 Advice to hiring managers at tech companies about hiring women.
• Always provide feedback. If they are not proceeding, tell them.
• Just listen to women. Don't box them because of their gender.
• Ask them all the questions you would ask a man.
• 48:00 The sharing section
• I look up to a lot of women
• The female founder of an app called Shuttlers (in Nigeria) - it solves the transportation problem in Nigeria, especially Lagos.
• Movie director - Kemi Adetiba. She's good, she calm and she gives good advice.
• Producer - Ava Duvernay in the U.S.
• And of course my mum. I've learned a lot from her. She taught me patience. I wish to be half the woman she is.
• Nollywood - Nigeria has the third largest movie industry in the world.
• A Netflix partnership has occurred, there are a lot on Netflix
• Movie - King of boys
• Movie - Confusion na wa
• TV series - A suitable boy
• Movie - Seventy Six
• Book - How to crack the Product Management Interview
• Book - Ship it. I loved reading it. I still go back to it. They interviewed a couple of silicon valley product managers and how they work.
• GirlCode movement is inspiring me!
• If I could, I would love there to just be peace. To just live together as one.
• What is going in Ukraine is so bad.
• The one thing I would like people to take away from this episode? For those who can give back. Who are privileged, who have the ability to lift others, please start. For those that are lost, let them speak out and reach out to people. The worst they can say is no. Keep pushing. Keep doing what you can do.
• The website: https://girlcode.academy/
• Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeola-haruna-24490434/

Logo and concept by Christy O'Connor