The Edit Podcast

Welcome back to The Edit!

Hello and welcome back to The Edit Podcast with me L’Oréal Blackett, a journalist, and presenter from Manchester.

Welcome to season 2! I’m very happy to have you back.

For those who are new here, each week I speak to positive influencers from all walks of life and have meaningful conversations about life on and off line.

We’re talking highs, lows, trends, and teachable moments. The aim is to inspire.

To kick off the new season, I’m introducing a new feature 'Editor’s Note' to answer some of your questions and get reacquainted with the podcast.

Did you know women make up just 17% of the UK’s tech specialists? I didn’t. Yet tech it’s one of the fastest-growing, lucrative industries. So why aren’t more women represented in the field?

Which brings me on to my conversation with award-winning tech entrepreneur Melissa Snover

New-York born Melissa began her entrepreneurial journey in her early twenties.

In 2010 she created the world’s first vegan confectionary Goody Good Stuff — which she later sold.

Her latest venture Nourished allows people to personalise their vitamins and superfoods based on their lifestyle and goals, using her patented 3D printing technology.

Melissa is also a mentor and encourages more women to get into tech.

Somehow she also finds time to run.

We talked about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the power of failure, and why women should take more risks.

Award-winning children’s and young adult author Abiola Belo has made her mark in the literary world.

Her fantasy fiction series Emily Knight follows the story of a teenage warrior. A strong, Black, female lead character who lives a rich and privileged life. 

Abiola is passionate about diversity and inclusion in publishing.

At just 31, she’s co-founder of Hashtag Press and Hashtag BLAK, an imprint for under-represented writers.

We talk 90s inspiration including Dragon Ball Z, imposter syndrome, and why publishing still needs more representation…

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Nicole Ocran is an American content creator and blogger living in London.

She’s part of a growing number of people, mainly women, who have forged a career from their blogs, Instagram pages, and more.

It’s a VERY lucrative business — from Kylie Jenner who can command 1 mill dollars per post *, to everyday people who’ve transformed the lives into content.

Although not everyone gives creators their credit. And some brands don’t treat, or pay them fairly.

Nicole helped co-launch The Creator Union to ensure all influencers get what they deserve.

She explained why people should finally see influencing a real job

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6 years ago, Roisin Pelan was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant.

And, some years later doctors confirmed it was incurable.

Since this life-altering news, Roisin set up Facebook community ‘Cancer Fighting Pants Are On’ where she shares her highs, lows, and superpowers.

She runs gifting company Fighty Pants and writes a column for Daily Mirror.

Most of all she’s a fantastic mother, a beacon of optimism, and hilarious.

We spoke about living with cancer during the coronavirus, the importance of online communities, and why everyone should share their story…

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This week I discussed if Instagram can be a space for both beauty and education.

I chatted to very popular content creator Char Ellesse,

On the ‘gram she’s an unapologetic, queer black woman of dreams.

— I’m talking shaved head, artistic make-up, outfits on point. But there’s more than meets the eyes

She launched platform Girls Will Be Boys to challenge old fashioned ideas about gender roles.

Her video series #OMGSHESBALD features conversations with women and non-binary people about why they shaved their heads.

I wanted to know if you can use fashion & beauty to provoke conversations about race, sexuality, gender, and much more.

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Today’s guest is a party starter. Literally.

After making her name on the 90s club scene, DJ Paulette was one of the first female DJs to headline the legendary Hacienda club.

She’s also one of the few black female DJs to support major names in dance music from Giles Peterson to David Guetta.

A trailblazer.

For nearly three decades and over three countries, DJ Paulette has held residencies at some of the most prestigious clubs and best parties in the world

Yet Manchester is where she calls home.

In lockdown, we talk nostalgia, egos in the music biz, the wildest parties and outfits, and why they aren’t more black female DJs in the industry.

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