Spark Changemakers

In this powerful episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with the inspiring Jo Berry, founder of Building Bridges for Peace. Jo’s life was forever changed when her father, Sir Anthony Berry, was killed in the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton in 1984. Rather than succumbing to hatred, she made the remarkable decision to seek understanding, eventually meeting with Patrick Magee, the man responsible for planting the bomb.

Jo shares her incredible journey of peacebuilding, her work in conflict resolution, and how empathy and dialogue have the power to heal even the deepest wounds. She discusses the importance of listening, self-forgiveness, and how we can all play a role in ending cycles of violence and revenge.

Tune in to hear Jo’s profound insights on the power of human connection, the role of young people as changemakers, and her mission to create a world rooted in understanding and compassion.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Jo turned personal tragedy into a mission for peace
• Her meeting with Patrick Magee and their ongoing work together
• The power of empathy in breaking down barriers
• Engaging young people in changemaking and peacebuilding
• The role of forgiveness and understanding in conflict resolution

Connect with Jo Berry:

🌍Learn more about Building Bridges for Peace: Website

📢Follow Jo on LinkedIn: Jo Berry

👉Follow Building Bridges for Peace on social media: Facebook and X (Twitter)

In this episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with Clayton Planter, founder of Street2Boardroom, an innovative organisation transforming street hustle into legitimate business skills.

Clayton shares his journey growing up in a disadvantaged community, recognising the untapped entrepreneurial talent in street culture, and creating opportunities for people to transition from the streets to successful business ventures.

We dive into:

✔️The inspiration behind Street2Boardroom

✔️Breaking down barriers for underrepresented entrepreneurs

✔️How corporate and street business skills are more alike than you think

✔️The power of authenticity and self-belief in business

🔗 Connect with Clayton Planter:

• Website: www.street2boardroom.com
• LinkedIn: Clayton Planter
• Instagram: @streettoboardroom

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to find your entrepreneurial hustle, by being your authentic self.

In this powerful episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant speaks with Dan Newman, founder of Baldilocks, an inspiring movement helping people reclaim their confidence and sense of self after experiencing hair loss.

Dan shares his deeply personal journey — from navigating alopecia after trauma to creating a supportive community that transforms hair loss into empowerment. Through wellness experiences, compassionate education, and advocacy, Baldilocks is redefining how we view self-image and resilience.

Together, Nikki and Dan explore:

• The emotional and psychological impact of hair loss
• The role of humor, community, and self-acceptance in healing
• How social and cultural expectations shape our perception of beauty
• The work Baldilocks is doing to support individuals through barbershop experiences, spa days, and workplace advocacy
• Dan’s inspiring journey from adversity to changemaking

This conversation is a reminder that confidence comes from within—and that by supporting each other, we can truly make a difference.

Connect with Dan & Baldilocks:

🌍 Website: https://www.baldilocks.me/

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baldilocks.me/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baldilocks.me

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Content warning: Molly shares her experiences with mental health challenges, specifically an eating disorder, in this episode.

In this inspiring episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with Molly Leonard, the founder of Craft With Me. At just 26 years old, Molly has transformed her passion for crafting into a powerful tool for mindfulness, healing, and community connection.

Molly shares her deeply personal journey, from battling mental health challenges and spending years in and out of eating disorder units to discovering the therapeutic power of crafting. She talks about how a simple love for creating helped her find purpose, sparked meaningful conversations in hospital wards, and eventually led to her starting Craft With Me — a not-for-profit that delivers mindful craft workshops to people of all ages.

Tune in to hear:

• The impact of creativity on mental wellbeing
• The importance of self-expression and being our authentic selves
• How Molly’s resilience led her to become a King’s Trust Young Ambassador and a recipient of the prestigious Pride of Britain Award.

Listen now for a moving conversation about overcoming adversity, finding joy in small moments, and using creativity to make a real difference in the world.

Connect with Molly

• Website: https://craftwithme.co.uk/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftwithmecic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftWithMeCIC

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In this deeply moving episode of Spark Changemakers, host Nikki Giant sits down with Stefan Wissenbach — bestselling author, keynote speaker, and founder of the Magic Future Foundation. Stefan shares his powerful journey of turning personal tragedy into a global mission to build 100 schools in the world’s poorest communities.

After the sudden loss of his son, Oli, Stefan and his family channelled their grief into purpose, creating lasting impact through education. Their foundation has already built over 27 schools, with many more in progress. Stefan discusses the power of vision, purpose, and values, the importance of collaboration, and how anyone can make a meaningful difference in the world.

🎧 Listen in as we discuss:

✔️How tragedy shaped the mission behind the Magic Future Foundation

✔️The impact of education on breaking the cycle of poverty

✔️The power of vision, courage, and taking action in the face of adversity

✔️How you can get involved in building a school or supporting the initiative

📌 Get Involved:

• Learn more about the Magic Future Foundation: www.oliverwissenbach.com
• Get a copy of Oli’s book: Sam Leaper’s Little Book of Wisdom
• Join the 30 in 30 team challenge to help build a school: https://oliverwissenbach.com/30in30
• Follow Stefan on LinkedIn: Stefan Wissenbach
• Read the book Stefan mentioned, Free to Focus

👉 Share this episode with a friend and help us spread the word!

In this episode of the Spark Changemakers Podcast, Nikki Giant is joined by Tom Bowman, an advisor, speaker, and author of What If Solving the Climate Crisis Is Simple?

Tom shares his journey from designing museum exhibits to becoming a leading voice in climate action, revealing how a pivotal moment in his career ignited a passion for change.

Discover how Tom simplifies complex problems, reframing the climate crisis into actionable solutions that empower individuals and organisations alike. Learn how you can make an impact and why the time for collective action is now.

Join Nikki and Tom as they discuss:

• Tom's epiphany about climate change during his work at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
• The principles behind his book and why solving the climate crisis can be simpler than we think.
• Insights on reframing habitual thinking and fostering creativity in addressing global challenges.
• Why understanding our personal resources and aligning them with our values is key to creating change

This is an episode filled with inspiration, actionable insights, and hope for a sustainable future.

Learn more:

• Learn more about Tom's work: https://www.tombowman.com/
• Buy Tom's book, 'What if Solving the Climate Crisis is Simple?' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resetting-Our-Future-Solving-Climate/dp/1789047471

Stay up to date with Nikki and the team at The Spark Movement here: https://linktr.ee/thesparkmovement

If you liked this episode and you’re ready to spark some change in the world then please subscribe to the Spark Changemakers podcast and leave us a review!

Trigger warning: This episode focuses on domestic and gender-based violence

In this inspiring episode of the Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with Brian Gardner, Lead Advisor at the Ministry of Social Development in New Zealand, to discuss his ground breaking work in family violence prevention and promoting healthy masculinity.

With over 30 years of experience in the field, Brian shares insights into transformative initiatives such as "Change Is Possible," which highlights real men's journeys of change, and the vital role of community-based changemakers in creating safer relationships.

The conversation delves into:

• The power of reframing narratives around masculinity and violence.
• Supporting men through storytelling and community-driven initiatives.
• The significance of long-term strategies, like New Zealand’s 10-year plan, in addressing systemic violence.
• How focusing on healing, trust, and removing shame can lead to profound societal transformation.

Brian also shares his personal story, reflecting on his journey from witnessing violence as a child to becoming a leading voice for change. With heartfelt authenticity, this episode challenges us all to rethink how we engage with masculinity and foster healthier relationships for future generations.

Key Links & Resources:

• Change is Possible campaign: https://www.changeispossible.org.nz/
• Te Aorerekura - New Zealand's National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence: https://tepunaaonui.govt.nz/national-strategy
• She Is Not Your Rehab by Matt and Sarah Brown: https://www.sheisnotyourrehab.com/
• Contact Brian via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gardner-3146091ba/

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that promises to leave you inspired and ready to spark change in your own community.

Stay up to date with Nikki and the team at The Spark Movement here: https://linktr.ee/thesparkmovement

If you liked this episode and you’re ready to spark some change in the world then please subscribe to the Spark Changemakers podcast and leave us a review.

In this episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with Stephanie Lill (known as Lilly), founder of Mindful Sparks, to explore how mindfulness can transform the lives of educators and students alike.

Lilly shares her journey from self-discovery to founding Mindful Sparks, a platform that equips teachers with mindfulness practices to strengthen resilience, cultivate self-awareness, and foster compassion in classrooms. Drawing from her extensive global experience across Thailand, Nepal, China, and beyond, she highlights the importance of supporting educators to create thriving environments for themselves and their students.

Key topics include:

• The misconceptions about mindfulness and its practical applications for teachers.
• Why focusing on wellbeing should be foundational in education.
• The ripple effects of mindful practices on teacher retention and student engagement.
• Practical strategies for integrating emotional wellbeing into daily routines for both educators and children.

Whether you're an educator, parent, or someone passionate about creating positive change in schools, this conversation offers profound insights and actionable tips to support mental and emotional well-being in the educational landscape.

Connect with Lilly:

• Visit the Mindful Sparks website
• Follow Mindful Sparks on Instagram
• Connect with Lilly on LinkedIn

Stay up to date with Nikki and the team at The Spark Movement here: https://linktr.ee/thesparkmovement

If you liked this episode and you’re ready to spark some change in the world then please subscribe to the Spark Changemakers podcast and leave us a review!

In this inspiring episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant is joined by Syd Dennis, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a lifelong advocate for community wellbeing. Syd shares her extraordinary journey—from growing up in the Far East as part of a military family to navigating public service in Wales, where she’s been transforming lives for over 50 years.

Syd’s stories highlight the power of empathy in leadership, the importance of centring human needs in systems and services, and the resilience needed to face life’s biggest challenges. Whether responding to natural disasters, advocating for vulnerable populations, or leading through the pandemic, Syd's approach emphasises kindness, courage, and a relentless commitment to doing what’s right.

Tune in to hear about:

• How her unique upbringing shaped her inclusive worldview.
• Lessons from decades of public service, including her work in child protection, health education, and community development.
• Why putting people at the centre of decisions transforms communities.
• How small acts of courage create big waves of change.

This conversation will leave you inspired to make your own impact, one compassionate decision at a time.

Connect with Syd:

• Get in touch with Syd via LinkedIn
• Learn more about Syd's work with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council's Together website

Stay up to date with Nikki and the team at The Spark Movement here: https://linktr.ee/thesparkmovement

If you liked this episode and you’re ready to spark some change in the world then please subscribe to the Spark Changemakers podcast and leave us a review!

Welcome to the Spark Changemakers Podcast - we're back for season two with more incredible changemakers who are putting their Spark into action.

Hosted by Nikki Giant, this podcast is dedicated to helping people discover their inner spark – the passion, joy, and purpose that drives them to make a difference in the world. Whether you’re already a changemaker or just starting to explore how you can create a positive impact, this podcast is for you.

In this trailer, Nikki shares the mission behind the podcast and what you can expect from future episodes. New episodes will drop every Friday at 8am GMT and you'll hear inspiring stories from changemakers around the globe who are making an impact in their communities and beyond. The focus will be on themes of passion, purpose, and creating a legacy of positive change for future generations.

In this season, guests will include:

• Tom Bowman, an author and leading voice on climate change who shares wisdom from his book 'What if Solving the Climate Crisis is Simple?'
• Stephanie Lill, an educator in Bangkok, Thailand who is introducing mindfulness to support teacher and student wellbeing
• Brian Gardner, a government lead in New Zealand with over 30 years' experience of family violence prevention, who's passionate about promoting healthy masculinity
• Stefan Wissenbach, an entrepreneur and father who is on a mission to build 100 schools in the world's poorest nations

Join Nikki and a community of 'ordinary extraordinary' individuals who are ready to spark change and leave a lasting impact on the world.

Subscribe Now!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and share it with others who are passionate about creating change. Learn more at TheSparkMovement.com