The BALANCE podcast

"Woooooo!"

We chat with the greatest wrester of all time, an icon of the WWE and beyond, the Nature Boy: Ric Flair.

At 72 years young, we meet a Ric who's - after years of very heavy living - putting on the brakes. We talk his remarkable life, the immense pride he has in his daughter Charlotte (who could well usurp his world record 16 world titles) and, of course, upcoming Wrestlemania!

WrestleMania is a two-night event streaming live on Saturday 10th April and Sunday 11th April, available on WWE Network.

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Strap in for a strong contender for "loveliest person ever" - the incredibly talented Thaddea Graham.

This rising star of the acting world is the lead in the new Netflix hit show The Irregulars. Set in Victorian England, this series follows a street gang who are enlisted by a certain Sherlock Holmes. But please be warned! This is a very different show to what you might expect - with plenty of thrills and chills along the way (BALANCE has just about returned from behind the sofa).

Thaddea also talks about her remarkable life (no spoilers in this blurb, guys), the magic of trees and the soul-searching card game We're Not Really Strangers (which could can find out more about here).

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We chat with one of Britain's best comedians: the great Jen Brister.

Jen - a star of Live At The Apollo - talks candidly about parenthood, as well as her brilliant book The Other Mother, out now in paperback and also strongly recommended as audiobook. We would also recommend you catch Jen live whenever is legally possible - she's one of the best in the biz.

This episode was recorded live at Always Be Comedy.

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BALANCE and Fora - The Flexible workplace platform reimagining the working day - have partnered to bring you the 'Amazing Lives' podcast. This is a live-streamed recording hosted by BBC Radio London's Jumoké Fashola, with special guest Antoinette Tuff, created and produced by Tim Arthur.

Antoinette became an accidental hostage negotiator when a gunman entered an elementary school in Georgia, USA.

“The first words I heard were, ‘today everybody dies.’ That's when I looked up and saw him standing there with an AK-47 in his hand.”

On 19 August 2013, Antoinette Tuff from Decatur, Georgia, was a severely depressed school bookkeeper, devastated by the break-up of her 33 year-long marriage. As a single mother, she was now faced with the daunting challenge of raising a son with multiple disabilities and a daughter in law school while facing bankruptcy.

The next day, her life changed forever. She managed to prevent a mass shooting.

Antoinette now gives talks all over the world teaching people the three Cs of how to negotiate your way through a crisis – stay ‘calm, confident and compassionate’. She recently launched her Living On Purpose Program which teaches women how to be bold, brave and fearless and keep themselves safe in any situation.

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We chat with England cricket World Cup winner Alex Hartley. Alex talks candidly about a life in sport, and why sport is so important. The Lancashire star also talks about upcoming cricket tournament The Hundred.

Alex also reveals more about The Hundred Rising - a new initiative providing opportunities for anyone wanting to perhaps break into sport or media. To find out more, please visit the official site.

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Omari Douglas is one of the most exiting acting talents around, following global smash It's A Sin.

Here, we talk about how Omari did the hard yards on the stage, before landing the life-changing role of in Russell T Davies's masterpiece, currently available on All 4.

Omari also shares what he went through while making the show, which continues to have an impact around the world.

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The great Charlene McKenna is a multi-award-winning actor in Ireland and will now be even better-known to British audiences thanks to rollicking new thriller Bloodlands (Sundays, 9pm, BBC One).

This immensely likable acting powerhouse has enjoyed huge success (and, as Charlene says, she's still only just getting started) and yet has had knockbacks along the way. Here, Charlene shares tips on how to cope and bounce back (while being hilariously funny throughout!).

Also, despite big success, Charlene could never get too big for her boots - as she explains...

Bloodlands is on BBC One on Sundays at 9pm. Episode 1 is available to watch now on iPlayer.

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Here's a tip if you're creative: keep your ears open. Stop to listen to the world around you. That might be trickier to do right now, but it could be on your lockdown walk, or in the supermarket or with your family. You never know what nuggets you might pick up.

This is one of the gems we picked up from a heart-warming chat with US film producer, writer and actor Kyle Marvin, the star and co-writer of critically acclaimed comedy indie The Climb, which is out now on home ents and digital download.

As you will discover, this was recorded "in the before time" - we chatted in a London hotel bar, so please do enjoy the clinking of glasses and background chatter.

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One of BALANCE's favourite-ever episodes: the great Greg Rutherford.

The multi-gold-medal-winning long-jumper here reveals some of the secrets of his success - while proving hilarious and heart-warming company.

Greg is an ambassador for Alaska Seafood. To find out more, click here.

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We welcome the great Clara Amfo to the BALANCE podcast and what wonderful company she was too.

We talk the magic of Beyonce, the importance of remaining grounded, getting through "Lockdown 3" and much more.

Clara also reveals why she believes there's cause for optimism in the future.

You can listen to Clara on Radio 1's iconic The Live Lounge here.

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