The Swinging Palm Trees Podcast

On today's episode, I'm in conversation with actor, producer and creative entrepreneur Vishakha Singh talking about cinema, creativity, taking unconventional paths and finding stories worth telling. She shares with me how she got into acting and why she transitioned into producing, the challenges of being a working woman within the industry, social inequalities and being an empath.  We talk about her latest project, the recently nominated International Emmy for the series 'Real Kashmir Football Club' of which she is the Executive Producer, and why she was interested in telling their story to a wider audience.  

Vishakha also talks about classic films, and also shares the words that have continually shaped her mindset. 

'Real Kashmir Football Club' can be streamed on Sony Liv.

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Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with Sean and Nancy Vu, a husband-and-wife team behind M&S Construction Group, a design-build contracting firm serving homeowners across the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. They share how they started in the industry, the challenges they meet head on, bespoke requirements and importance of maintaining clientele retention.  They also talk about their Vietnamese heritage, their immigrant experience and why they chose to settle in Canada.  The ongoing US-Canadian tariff war also comes up in the conversation and Nancy & Sean chat how it affects the industry and wider market. 

For more information about M&S Construction Group, you can check out their website.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I chat with tech enthusiast and generalist Sonney Patel.  The topics we discuss include the rise of Artificial intelligence, its many hidden dangers, digital surveillance, mathematics, equations and intentionality.  Sonney also chats about why gardening and cooking is important to him, what life has taught him so far, and he shares the words that have shaped his mindset. 

Sonney Patel has been a software engineer for the past 10 years.  He studied Mathematics at University, found a love for computer programming which led to it becoming his career. He has an interest in understanding the intersection of humanity and the advent of AI while noticing his own role evolving, thus reflecting on his sense of purpose and soul searching.

You can reach out to Sonney on instagram at @sonneypatel.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I am deep-diving as a newbie to all things Warhammer 40k with one of the hosts of Worhammer Podcast, Dan.  Dan breaks down what 40k is all about including the lore, the tabletop gameplay and what the miniatures are all about, and the fandom.  We discuss the different factions, terms such as 'Grimdark' and go all in about the Horus Heresy.   We also chat about how popular culture has been influenced by WH40k, how anyone can get into the game and the upcoming film and television adaptations.  Dan also helps how WH40k has helped him through trying times, and he shares the quote that has shaped his mindset. 

If you're interested in Warhammer 40k, you can hear Dan's Worhammer podcast here.

"The Emperor protects!"

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode, I am in conversation with Dunsi Bolarinwa, a Cancer pharmacist.  Dunsi shares how she started her career within her field, and what she has learned so far.  She discusses a variety of issues including Myeloma and the Black community, dispelling cancer myths and the importance of reliable knowledge in a world of social media and misinformation.  She talks about her concerns about the role of pharmacists in the future and healthcare in the UK.  We also chat about our Yorùbá heritage, the importance of her faith, and of course, Dunsi shares the words that shape her mindset.

Dunsi Bolarinwa is a Senior Haematology Pharmacist with over a decade of experience in cancer services across both NHS and private settings. She holds an MSc in Clinical Oncology and is a non-medical prescriber. Her work spans oncology and haematology, including the EMMBRAce project, which tackles the barriers patients face in accessing novel therapies like bispecifics — with the goal of making advanced treatments equitably available across the UK.  She is passionate about improving cancer care through education, research, and innovation.  

Dunsi can be reached on social media via https://linktr.ee/haempharm

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

In today's episode, I chat with Farha Jamadar, a Senior Chartered Global Management Accountant & Account Technician.  Farha talks about her career path,  why she enjoys numbers, and what's in her work tool box.  Farha also discusses the challenges she has faced, the importance of having basic accountancy as part of the school curriculum, the importance of apprenticeships, and what humbles her within finance.  We also chat about her faith, overcoming imposter syndrome, her charity work, her love for football and she shares the words that continually inspire her. 

Farha Jamadar is a finance leader, mentor, and change-maker who has built her career through resilience, ambition, and a determination to challenge the traditional image of leadership within finance. As an Asian woman in a space where there are still very few people who look like her at senior level — and where she definitely does not fit the stereotype of your “typical accountant” — she brings honesty, humour, commercial insight, and authenticity to conversations around leadership, transformation, and career growth. From rebuilding finance functions to influencing at board level, Farha is passionate about showing the next generation that you do not have to change who you are to lead successfully.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with Ọmọ́tọ́lá Sodeinde Adéníyì,  a Cultural Connoisseur for all things about the Yorùbá tribe within Nigeria and across the world.  We talk about the language and the tonal system, including the power behind words and what an 'Oríkì' means;  the traditions within the Yorùbá culture & the challenges it faces within the 21st Century and beyond; identity, mental health & wellbeing, pride in one's heritage.  Ọmọ́tọ́lá also shares the words that shapes his mindset.

Ọmọ́tọ́lá Sodeinde Adéníyì aka Larhny is a Lagos based Yorùbá culture promoter and the creator of 'Talojẹbi ', a content platform dedicated to educating the world about Yoruba culture, history and tradition. Through short form videos across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, he brings some of the most fascinating and often forgotten aspects of Yorùbá identity to life for a generation that is still finding its connection to its roots. 

For Ọmọ́tọ́lá, this work is deeply personal rooted in a belief that culture is not just something you inherit, it is something you have a responsibility to protect.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with Hilary Salzman, a business storytelling consultant, keynote speaker and author specialising in helping female founders and leaders find and use their real story. Hilary talks about the importance of uncovering and vocalising women's stories, the reoccurring themes and underlying issues that women face including inequality & sexual assault, and her encounters with internet trolls and mansplaining. Hilary also shares how her career started, the challenges and triumphs she has encountered within her personal life, and the words that continually inspire her. 

Hilary Salzman is a business storytelling consultant, closing the gap between women’s truth and what they say without cost.

She's the author of 'The Roar of Her Story' (shortlisted for Business Book Awards 2025) and founder of She Roars Club, an accountability community for women founders.  She spent 20 years in corporate marketing at major tech brands before launching her storytelling consultancy.

Hilary doesn't teach women to be louder or more polished. She shows them how to use their real experiences, even the messy bits, to build genuine connections, build a successful business and take up the space they truly deserve.

You can find out more about Hilary via her website, Instagram and Substack.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode, I'm in conversation with Dr. Ravishankar Chamarajnagar, talking about most things Computing.  Ravi chats about his career in IT thus far, including cyber security and cryptology.  We discuss Artificial Intelligence and look at its pros & cons including its adoption; Crypto and its relevance, and the importance of analytical thinking.  Ravi also shares his experiences as an Indian immigrant to the U.S, South Asians within the tech industry, what the Bamboo ceiling is, and whom he would like to solve puzzles with. 

Dr. Ravishankar Chamarajnagar is the CEO of BRACKT AI, providing real-time compliance analysis across multiple jurisdictions. He formerly served as Chief Product Officer at AppViewX, as R&D/Internet of Things Senior Director at VMware, and as Senior Director of Product Management at AirWatch by VMware.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I'm in conversation with Eposi Litombo Litumbe and talking about her upcoming hand painted graphic novel 'Serpents in the Sand',  which is part of her 'Songs of the Sahara' project that is inspired by the historical legend of Sundiata Keita of Mali, and showcasing the history from Western regions in Africa through a fictional historical narrative. 

Eposi discusses the genesis behind the project including her team;  her immense love for storytelling and what she believes the challenges are when sharing stories from Africa. Eposi also shares her knowledge about the kingdoms of the time including the Wagadou (Ghana) empire;  We talk about cultural wealth and literacy from Africa, the importance of oral storytellers and the damages and impact of colonialism to the art form.  

Eposi also shares with us her heritage, lived experiences, and of course, words that have continually shaped her. 

'SERPENT IN THE SAND' is the first of a series of GRAPHIC NOVELS that are part of the 'SONGS OF THE SAHARA' Project.  Please support it by signing up and pre-ordering copies at Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/songsofthesahara/songs-of-the-sahara

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!