TALKING MATTERS WITH NICK HALKES

The final episode of this series covers multiple thought provoking areas. Oggi Tomic was abandoned as an infant with a potentially fatal health condition and spent his childhood in multiple orphanages during the Balkan civil war. After rebuilding his life in the UK, Oggi went on to become a double BAFTA-winning filmmaker, also receiving the BHFF NYC Award for his acclaimed documentary Finding Family, which follows his emotional return to Bosnia in search of his long-lost biological family. Special thanks to Mike Swaine for his production work on the series.

As Britpop exploded and Oasis became the talk of the town for the first time ,life was pretty good for Simon Mason who found himself moving in interesting and dynamic circles – whether backstage, on stage or at the after party. As time went by however he spiralled into crack and heroin addiction, he became homeless and hit rock bottom in the searing heat of Spain fearing that he was about to be murdered. In this conversation we talk about how he managed to become clean , stay clean and document that journey in his excellent book ‘ Too High, Too Far, Too Soon’. Simons subsequent work as a songwriter and performer with Hightown Pirates and solo has won him appreciative reviews and his work helping guide others through their post addiction journeys has changed lives in other more profound ways. This conversation was recorded several years ago but the topics covered remain as important as ever today . Simon is now 19 years sober.

From life as a successful globe trotting DJ/producer to bankruptcy and an incurable disease diagnosis Mark Wilkinson has certainly experienced some highs and lows. From rock bottom he embarked on a journey that would see him evolve into a very different phase as a life coach ,author ( do check out his Life Remixed ,Money Remixed and Personalities Remixed publications) and motivational speaker. We spoke some years ago but there is plenty here that is just as resonant today. 

In our last episode I talked to someone who unexpectedly found themselves in a very challenging and life threatening physical environment. This time I talk to a record breaking and globe trotting explorer who has put himself in extreme environments by choice and dealt with more than one alarming set of circumstances. Whether it’s dealing with running out of food in the arctic ,getting robbed at gun point in India or moving through a particularly dark phase of life George Bullard has learned from everything that life has shown him. We talked some years ago but I think the lessons learned resonate as much today as on the day that we talked. Today George advocates with passion for the importance of and therapeutic value in humans re connecting with nature. In the conversation he also shines a light on the need to develop more knowledge about the changing planet . You can keep up with his thoughts , experiences and initiatives at @georgebullardexplorer 

Following some glamorous and colourful experiences working in the aviation industry Viv Bird and her fellow crew members experienced an air crash and 22 hours in freezing temperatures surrounded by icy tundra before they were rescued by the military. Viv's attitude to life surely helped her to cope with such a dramatic turn of events and perhaps there may be some useful aspects of this enjoyable conversation for us all!

With significant experience working in some of the worlds most challenging war zones Paul Conroy has documented important stories with skill and bravery. His book 'Under the Wire' is a compelling read and the 2018 film 'A Private War' shines a light on his incredible work with the esteemed journalist Marie Colvin. In this conversation he recounts his dramatic escape from the besieged Syrian city of Homs after being wounded in the attack which took the lives of Marie and fellow photojournalist Remi Ochlik.

I found Jason Ardays story particularly inspiring. Unable to speak til he was 11, unable to read or write til 18 years of age, Jason was not a prime candidate for the extraordinary life which he has lived. Jason has enjoyed an amazing career in academia , currently holding the role of Professor of Sociology of Education at Cambridge University .As if that wasn’t enough he also tells us how he raised over a million pounds for charity way ahead of schedule. This conversation was recorded back in 2021 whilst Jason was an Associate Professor at Durham University. 

For some years Gian Power has been doing great work with his TLC Lions initiative who are on a mission to transform workplaces globally through the power of storytelling. His work around the areas of mental health is impressive and in 2019 he was the winner of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Before that however he experienced the anguish of his father going missing in India before being told that he had been murdered. The experience prompted him to become an ambassador for missingpeople.org.uk , a charity that offers a lifeline for the 170000+ people who run away and go missing each year in the UK. They also provide support for family and friends.

Recorded back in 2021 this conversation forms part of a podcast series where pioneering record label founder and music industry manager Nick Halkes talks with people who have faced significant challenges but moved through them providing some inspirational teachings in the process. More episodes have been recorded and will follow-if you're interested in getting involved you can contact Nick at [email protected]

Produced by Mike Swaine and Nick Halkes. Edited by Mike Swaine.

You can learn more about the work of and donate to the missing people charity at www.missingpeople.org.uk  If you need help you can call or text them on 116000

You can learn more about the work of TLC Lions at www.tlclions.com  

Follow Gian Power on Instagram at @gianpower

Follow Nick Halkes on Instagram @nickhalkes