The festive period and welcoming in 2018 has passed some time ago, as has the motivation many of us had in going cold turkey to give up our vices.

However, what if through the sliding door, the changes you thought about making were a matter of saving the deepest relationships you have around you including (and most importantly) with yourself. How far and to what lengths would you be willing to go? How deep could you dig? Would you have the stamina to commit to yourself, or would back out on yourself?  

Many times on my travels, I observed people either running to, or running away from something (imagined or real). Often, for those indulging in a sense of escapism, it went hand-in-hand with a dependency on alcohol or drugs in order to get through the day in an attempt to combat sadness, loneliness, anger, depression, anxiety and fear to mention but a few of the rawest human emotions we can experience.

In this episode of RootED, I'd like to invite you to listen for the next hour to one man's story of what it is like to finally recognise and admit to yourself when the very thing you think is helping you, is killing you and where you go from there.

What I love so much about Joe Yunker, Founder and Host of podcast 'The ComeBack Kid', as I am sure you will too, is his refreshing honesty.

The type of honesty that comes from a person who has seen a lot, has lost a lot, and therefore values with immense gratitude all that is given to them, for they truly understand that they are neither deserved of, or owed anything in this thing we call life.

Joe takes us through his experiences as a former drug addict including the multiple times he went beyond rock bottom, and yet had the courage to continuously pull himself up and give sobriety another shot. In spite of the fear of failure, and success in every attempt. His mesmerising story could happen to any of us, or someone that we know in much less than six-degrees of separation. 

Joe's story is more than just a self-reflective account of drug addiction. He shares deep and profound insights into some of the biggest issues that affect all humankind, no matter where you are or who you are. Including one of the most powerful life lessons of all - the realisation that your thoughts have the power to kill you, or bring life to your brief existence on Earth.

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

From born and raised in 1960s Guatemala, to learning how to stand up for herself in downtown New York, my guest, the wonderful and fabulous pint-size Kenia Solares shows you how life is DONE as she learns how to throw it down on a self-defence mat, whilst carving out a bright and sunny future beyond the rain that poured as she travelled the earth making friends and family with its people.

Listen to RootED and this highly motivated missionary as we discuss faith in humanity regardless of religion, and how to stay focused on what's important when keeping the main thing, the main thing.
 

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

How do we exactly 'do good through food?'. 

RootED's guest ex- Royal Military serviceman turned food industry consultant, Alex Coffin, and now host of podcast show 'Doing Good Through Food' (DGTF) cooks up a storm in this episode as he rolls up his sleeves and tucks right into this question. 

Enjoy listening to Alex as he serves up a banquet of suggestions as to how we can all contribute to efforts in sustainable ways of uniting people through food and communities both near and far. We also discuss his creative pathway into food and beverage management consultancy, which is peppered with pearls of wisdom for anyone considering a career transition into an industry of their choosing, regardless of the starting point. 

Via DGTF, Alex uses his voice to champion the message that contrary to what we see in the media these days, there is a lot of good being done in the world and the best way to get to the heart of it, is through doing good in a mindful way using the essential ingredient to human life that connects us all.

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Double-major graduate, poltical science postgraduate and former Egypt and Sudan-based journalist, Dallia Abdelmoniem gave it all up just a few years ago to become Head Baker at her very own successful cake-making company.

This episode's guest, really packs a punch, and in her straight-talking, no-nonsense fashion, Dallia tells us what led her to make such a radicai career transition and how it helped her to re-evaluate what happiness and success means to her.

Dallia Abdelmoniem gives it to us straight on why she returned to Sudan after many years living in Egypt witnessing the revolutions of 2011 and 2013, and why her fellow nationals should follow suit.

We also find out why Margaret Thatcher was her childhood hero, how she found her voice growing up in a patriarchical society and what really drives her to work so hard for her business.

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

If you are anything like me when it comes to technology, when you first read PEBKAC you may be at a loss to even begin to fathom what it means!

Not to worry though as this episode's guest, Russian-born IT Infrastructure Engineer, Guennadi Kochelev, explains what it is and why everyone without exception has the potential to be a PEBKAC.

IT security and connections on our phones, laptops and PCs can be one of the many frustrations when consistently working abroad - both in terms of maintaining operational performance, and keeping in touch with our loved ones back home.

Guennadi gives us the breakdown of some essential IT basics, with easy to follow and implement advice that will keep your personal data safe and secure whether at home or abroad - even in the most fragile of environments.

Whilst not an exhaustive list, Guennadi's light-hearted and open approach to explaining what can all too often be jargon-heavy concepts, will have you feeling a bit more IT-savvy in no time, and as he puts it, may also have you discovering your inner 'geek' too!

If you would like to contact Guennadi, please email [email protected] for further information.

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

In this episode, we meet Carla Gonzalez, a member of the Translation Management team at UNDP Headquarters in New York, USA.

Through looking at a lens at Carla's story, which tracks how she went from being an intern to holding a management position within a year at one of the world's largest global development agencies; we discuss ways of how others with similar aspirations can stay encouraged toward succeeding in their goal.

The highlights include how Carla initially made a drastic career change after recognising she was on the wrong path in life before joining UNDP; how she balanced instincts of courage and caution when deciding to make the u-turn to follow her passion, and how she took the lessons from her 'mistakes' with her to where she is now.

We also get to hear why it's important not to put humanitarian aid workers up on a pedestal, how to get a plan together to deal with the ups and downs while working in large teams across nations and cultures, as well as why Carla thinks daydreaming is your most powerful ally in life.

NB: Whilst Carla is unable to offer work opportunities at UNDP, she is very happy to connect with other RootED listeners, so if you would like to contact her, please email: [email protected] for further information of how you may do so.

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

In this episode, we meet Jawahir Alfaiz, a Positive Psychology practitioner and owner of Mind Spa - a personal development training business based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where she was born. 

Jawahir shares with us why after leaving Saudi Arabia at a young age with her family, her fears of returning as an adult woman were completely unfounded. In addition, her views on daily life in Saudi Arabia, interaction amongst its people and visitors, and the seldomly mainstream media discussed notion that women are paving the way for advancement in the nation. 

Jawahir is also brave enough to share intimate details of her very powerful story of how she battled through depression in order to become a beacon of light, empowering women of all ages through Mind Spa. We also explore how personal development training for both men and women is taking off across the land, and why it is absolutely essential for every human being in order to make a positive impact in the world. 

If you would like to contact Jawahir, please email: [email protected] for further information on how to do so.

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

In order to do better, we need to feel better, and that begins with connecting to the root of who we are through the body and mind.

In this episode we are joined by trailblazing entrepreneur and movement pioneer, Clare Lim, owner of SharedSpace in Hong Kong and host of Millennial Movement podcast.

Clare and I discuss tips and advice on how we can use the body and mind to reduce stress levels instantly; ground our energy and promote a sense of everyday wellbeing through the development of a daily physical movement practice. 

Clare also gives us 5 easy steps which she designed especially for RootED listeners to be done anytime, anywhere. No gym. No equipment. No excuses.

These very simple, yet powerful techniques were also recorded as a bonus video to accompany the episode. Details of how to access it via Clare's social media links can be found at the bottom of this description.

During 'Getting Grounded', we also gain insights into Clare's personal journey through the discovery of movement in the search to heal anxiety, depression and physical injury; the result of which has led to her success as the innovative powerhouse and inspirational leader that she is.

Her message is clear - doing better in the world starts with being honest with ourselves and connecting to our bodies. 

Let Clare's journey inspire you, just as much as she has me.

To view the bonus video recorded for this episode, please visit Clare's website at http://www.sharedspace.hk

Alternatively you can follow her social and personal Instagram pages via @sharedspace.hk or [email protected]

© 2017-2018 RootED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

An introduction to RootED, and the show's host and connector to great conversation, Remi.

If you would like to contact Remi, please email: [email protected].