The-Rehumanisation-Station

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In this episode, I vibe with our Valiant Viber, Bambi French. Bambi was born in Northwest London (Camden) and now lives in Durham (Chester-le-street).  Bambi works for a Supported Employment Service run by Durham County Council - the service is called Durham Enable and they support people 18+ who identify with disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health needs find and maintain meaningful paid employment.

In part 1 we vibe around Bambi’s story, where her faith, resiliency and partner (Tim) have been at the centre of her experiences, specifically living with Stargardt disease – i.e., a genetic eye condition that causes progressive central vision loss.

Please like, subscribe and vibe with The Rehumanisation Station. 

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Welcome to the start of the Free Flow Convo series, where Vibers and I discuss issues related to social justice. In this episode, Dr. Maja and I vibe around her new work on selective allyship and the challenges we face in academic institutions. Ultimately, therapisin' - F&V dictionary -  thyself and working in harmony with others, even through conflict, has transformative results. 

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In this episode, I speak with our laid-back Viber James Rowlands. James an Assistant Professor in Sociology at Durham University. Before joining Durham, James was a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Westminster. James completed his ESRC-funded doctoral research at the University of Sussex in 2023. His thesis investigated Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs), a system for reviewing domestic homicides and domestic abuse-related deaths by suicide, which were first introduced in England and Wales in 2011 and are now known as Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews.

Before completing a PhD, he originally trained as a Social Worker and then became an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA), working in frontline roles with victims and survivors and also perpetrators of domestic abuse. James also worked in a variety of leadership and policy roles in the domestic abuse sector.

Vibe with James and I to understand his story and how his research around Femicide and domestic abuse-related reviews flips the script by utilising holistic preventions.

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The collaborative praxis series is back for season 2! In this episode, I vibe with our anti-racist viber Ray Addai. Ray is a man of Ghanian heritage who is Black British and born in Newcastle. He is the anti-racist practice lead in social work at the Durham County council. We vibe about Ray’s background (e.g., raising a dual-heritage child), his definitions of racism, White privilege and anti-racism in social work. Specifically, the ways in which the racism in social work script is around problematising Black global majority – as with Gypsy and Roma Traveler - culture in the Northeast of England. Moreover, the best ways to flip this script is by challenging Eurocentric methods and embracing indigenous and anti-racist methods that promote opportunities for reconnecting communities and developing mutual understanding so we can all be empowered.

Please tune in to this enlightening episode.  

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In this episode, I vibe with our altruistic viber, Charlie Jones. My big brother was born and raised in Katy, Texas. Graduated from the University of Houston where he also played Basketball (Division 1). He has been a teacher and coach for 17 years. Of those 17 years, he has been a head coach for 10. Fella is currently the head basketball coach at Katy Jordan high School. In 10 years, he has won 2 district titles, been to three regional tournaments, and been to one state championship. Fella has been married for 14 years to his wife and my sis n love DeeDee Jones who is also a teacher and a coach. They have 2 children, Charlie and Jaia. 

Charlie offers us insight on how to navigate life and basketball. Specifically, utilising strengths-based strategies to give his family and players as a chance to rehumanise authentically. This is by challenging the normative script that becomes a barrier to young player’s progression in sports i.e., parents pressuring and at times disempowering them and coaches. 

Please tune in and vibe with us on coaching, parenting, and rehumanisation in sport.

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In this episode I speak with Paul Elderkin. Paul was born in Durham England and is a breathwork coach and wellness entrepreneur specialising in stress, anxiety, trauma, and grief. Paul studied and competed in basketball professionally at Durham University, going from div3 to the BBL. In 2014, Paul moved to Melbourne Australia to continue playing basketball. Paul then transitioned into corporate life as a project manager in software engineering. After dealing with the traumatic experience of losing his partner to suicide, Paul Spent years focusing on recovery, mental health and the impacts of trauma, using breathwork and personal growth to heal.

Furthermore, with two businesses focusing on science- and trauma-informed approaches, he helps people regulate their nervous systems, build resilience, and heal through breathwork. He is also the founder of a white-label wellness app supporting purpose-driven businesses to build community and impact.

Please tune in and vibe with Paul and I on breathwork and wellness in society and sport.

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In this episode, I speak with our multifaceted sport Viber Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby. Harriet majored in International Affairs and German with a minor in Africana Studies, while competing as an NCAA Division One student athlete. After graduating Harriet knew she hadn’t finished with education and returned to the UK to achieve her dream of being a student at Durham and further pursue both her academic and athletic goals.

Harriet’s M.A. in International Relations from Durham, along with her international upbringing, gave her the confidence to pursue a career overseas in the field of Education while also playing professional basketball. Currently, she plays for Durham Palatinates and Team Great Britain.

Please tune in and vibe with Harriet and I on how (i) a successful basketball career, (ii) a diverse lived experience and (iii) appreciating the moments in life, instil confidence and appreciation over time. 

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In this episode, I speak with our Bubbly Viber, Dr. Evita Otigbah. Evita received her PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at King's College London and is a professional powerlifting athlete who recently won the Western European Championships in the U57 class. In our conversation, we discuss how Evita navigates life as a woman who is of dual-ancestry descent, dyslexic and overcomes worrying about the expectations of others. With the support of family and mentors, Evita implicitly offers us an essential tool - i.e., loving thyself - to navigate our complex world.

Tune in to vibe wit us and hear Evita's story.

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Robin Walker, also known as ‘The Black History Man’, is an educator considered to be the UK’s most pre-eminent African history scholar. Robin has been teaching and lecturing in African World Studies, Egyptology and Black History in adult education, universities and at conferences for nearly three decades. He is also a best-selling author with over 16 books to his name.

Robin is also part of the comprehensive programme ‘The Black Secret Education Project’, which is about ‘Quietly Empowering the People’. Robin leads this amazing course, and their mission and intentions are to engage, enlighten and empower people across the world by shattering the illusion that Africa is just a cultural backwater, and that Black people have contributed nothing to world culture

In this episode special Robin and I speak about Black History and culture. Specifically, the ways in which society has been programmed to believe Black Africans have contributed little to society and education. Vibe with Robin and I to flip the script on the ways in which African history is everyone’s history, and more importantly the foundations of what we know today.

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In this episode, I speak with our train harder Viber Drew Lasker. Drew, a husband, father son and business owner! And that’s not all, a retired professional basketball player who had a successful 16 year career starring for the Plymouth Raiders and Newcastle Eagles. Since retiring Drew has transitioned into a highly sought after public speaker, with expertise in a wide range of sports and leadership development topics. He has also worked as a broadcaster and analyst for Sky Sports over the last 4 years and now he is a Lead Commentator for the Super League Basketball on DAZN.

Whilst juggling his busy family life and media career Drew also runs 21 Media and TrainHarder 21 which he started in 2007. You can find out more at 21media.org or drewlasker.com

Drew and I vibe around his culturally diverse background growing up in Germany, moving to Texas, playing college basketball in Cali, to then playing professionally for almost two decades in England. We further reveal how his diverse lived experiences relate to representation in sports commentating, and the importance of giving other people opportunities, because there is enough food for everyone to eat! 

Please tune in and vibe with Drew and I on Opportunities & Belongingness in sport.

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