It's to the world of education this month for the 6th episode of informal and honest interviews with influencers from all walks of life, and Pepe Hart is a truly inspirational and highly regarded figure within the education world. A head teacher, advisor and educational trust board member, Pepe has had a huge effect on many pupils and teachers throughout the years and this is one of the most honest and emotional interviews in this podcast series. Enjoy! If you are a teacher or involved in education, this will strike a cord. And don't forget that all the episodes of The Influencers are still available on several podcast platforms.

Many of us have experienced bad times and have had terrible experiences. Mark Williams, as a 10 year old boy, lost his leg in a car accident. Did that stop him from being a top Paralympic swimmer, a successful businessman and a true inspiration? Absolutely not! Mark and his wife have built a company, LIMB ART, based in the heart of North Wales, that designs and produces covers for prosthetic limbs and they are world leaders in their field. As well as that, Mark spends his time talking to groups, helping amputees, changing people's perceptions and influencing the way that we all look at life changing experiences. His motto is Stand out and stand proud and I was honoured to be able to interview Mark recently, via zoom, during the lockdown. If ever there was an example of overcoming adversity and of adopting a can-do attitude to business and life in general, Mark is it.  Enjoy and marvel!

June's episode of The Influencers with Chris Jones  talks to the wonderful Mandy Powell, an ex Welsh International hockey player, who left a very successful career in the pharmaceutical world, to start, along with her business partner Kelly Davies, the Goodwash company, a company that not only makes and sells luxury wash products for humans and dogs, but who ploughs the profits back into the community, addressing various social issues. And no matter what she says, Mandy is a true influencer and a real entrepreneur.

Like me, Mandy is a big dog lover and along with Maisy and Dilys, she lives in Barry, South Wales. Unfortunately, when we recorded our fabulous interview, once again over zoom (so forgive any audio glitches at times), my dog, Jack the border terrier, decided to bark at the postman! 😂 Apologies! Enjoy June's podcast and check out the fabulous Goodwash products on www.goodwash.co.uk

And don't forget, you can enjoy all episodes of the podcast anytime, on various podcast platforms, including the Google podcast app and Spotify.

Recording interviews is a somewhat different process and experience these days, but I am very pleased to announce that my next podcast is with the CEO of the homeless charity, Llamau, Frances Beecher. Frances has devoted her life and career to helping the many people who are the victims of homelessness and domestic abuse and during these difficult and troubling times, this wonderful interview, recorded over the Zoom app (how many of you had actually heard of it a few weeks ago?), is very apt and current and timely. We talk about the causes, the reasons and the perceptions relating to homelessness in general and Frances is a wonderful and passionate advocate. I hope you enjoy this month's podcast and remember, nobody actually WANTS to be homeless! Be kind!

Diolch

chris

The second episode of The Influencers, with Future Generations Minister in Wales, Sophie Howe, had to be cancelled, for obvious reasons. Or should I say postponed, because we will re-arrange...sometime, when all this is over!

So as a 'stand-in' who better to have as my guest that welsh actor, activist and influencer Michael Sheen! Recorded recently for my Swansea Sound radio show, at the Cardiff School of Journalism, and arranged by PR and events company Working Word. A slightly shorter podcast this time, but well worth a listen! I will post another shorter interview, with another guest and influencer later in the month.......and then? Who knows!?

Enjoy!!

And look after yourself and others!

The first in a series of monthly podcasts with Chris Jones. Honest and informal interviews with people from all walks of life who are changing, shaping and influencing our daily lives. This month, the influencer is Rachel Williams, who suffered 18 years of domestic and coercive abuse, was shot and beaten and endured tragic personal loss, but who has re-built her life and is now devoting her time to raising awareness of domestic abuse, changing policy and attitudes, and influencing politicians, police forces, charities and the general public. An honest and sometimes incredulous account of her life as a victim, this brave interview was recorded at the Celtic Manor resort in Newport, South Wales.