The Swinging Palm Trees Podcast

On today's episode I'm in conversation with director, screenwriter and producer Miguel Faus and talk about his debut feature film "Calladita" ('The Quiet Maid'), the first European film that was funded via an NFT crowdfund that Miguel started.  Naturally, Miguel and I talk about NFTs and the community,  talk about the challenges he faced with funding and how Film Director Steven Soderbergh got involved. Miguel also discusses the film directors who have influenced him and of course, he shares the quote that continually inspires him.

Miguel Faus is a screenwriter, director, and producer from Barcelona.  "Calladita" is based on a short film of the same title that Miguel made in 2020, which premiered at Palm Springs Shortfest and Malaga Film Festival, and was acquired by HBO Max. During development, the project was selected at DAMA Aid and at Jim Cummings' Short to Feature Lab.

His previous short film, "The Death of Don Quixote" (2018), won the Melies d'Argent for Best European Short Film at the Sitges Film Festival, and screened at many other festivals around the world.

In 2021, Variety named Faus as one of ten "Spanish filmmakers to watch."

 He graduated with distinction from the MA Filmmaking at the London Film School, and before that, he was a Film Critic in Spain, specializing in interviewing directors such as Pawel Pawlikowski, Olivier Assayas, Ulrich Seidl, Francois Ozon, Terence Davies, Whit Stillman, Isaki Lacuesta, Pedro Costa and Albert Serra.

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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 actress and creator Zai Sylla.  Zai shares how she started on her career path as a content creator, her immense interest in Black stories and lived experiences via the medium of books, film and TV, and the importance of reaching a wider audience in sharing these stories.  During the course of our chat, We also go in-depth about why the film 'Wicked' has had such a profound effect on her, and what being a strong independent Black woman means to Zai.  We talk also about reclaiming one's power, issues of mental health not only as a creator but also within Black communities; African Pantheons and Gods; her unique heritage, who makes the better Jollof rice, and of course, she shares the quote that continually inspires her. 

Zai is an actress and creator who splits her time between London, New York, and occasionally LA. With a large audience of almost half a million people across Instagram, TikTok, and Threads, Zai is known for her standout recommendations on Black led stories across books, tv shows and movies, creating content that inspires and connects. She’s partnered with brands like P&G at the NAACP Image Awards and obtained a UK-wide TikTok billboard campaign spotlighting Black authors. Her recent film credits include The Kitchen, produced by Daniel Kaluuya.

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 have the honour of chatting to the talented animator, director and screenwriter Neeraja Raj.  We geek out over all things animation including Studio Ghibli, 'Wallace & Gromit', Stop-motion animation legend Ray Harryhausen, and anime.

Amongst other things, Neeraja shares which animation inspired her on her career path, her Malayali heritage and how other other cultures have had a profound influence on her.  We talk about why she believes the importance of telling the right story, creating strong female roles, mental health within the industry, imposter syndrome, and the challenges she encounters

Neeraja also discusses the projects that she has worked on including 'The Girl Who Built a Rocket', commissioned by WaterAid; 'She Creates Change'- a Nonprofit film series for gender equality. We also talk about her time working at Aardman Productions, a series development with Disney, and her personal projects like 'Meow or Never', which is a personal favourite of mine.  

Neeraja Raj is a director, screenwriter & animator based in London. She has featured on Variety’s 'Top 10 Animators to Watch, 2022' list and is a 'Forbes 30 Under 30 - Entertainment' honoree of 2023. With over 7 years of diverse artistic experience, she excels in creatively directing projects with a focus on exceptional craftsmanship and execution.

For more about Neeraja and her work, please check her website:

https://www.neerajaraj.com/

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 have the pleasure of talking to the hosts of The HIV podcast, Jess and Sarah.  The ladies talk about their individual careers before embarking on their current path working together at a HIV support organization for 16 years and continue to do so.  They share how The HIV Podcast came into fruition and why it is important to continually educate people about HIV.  In the course of our conversation, we talk about the difference between HIV and Aids; stigmas and misconceptions, peoples' reactions to having a HIV diagnosis and the importance of dispelling myths.  We also talk about what 'undetectable = untransmittable' means, the difference between 'PrEP and PEP',  what an 'undetectable viral load' and 'Elite Controller' means.  Sarah and Jess also talk about HIV within communities, what the Government should do about funding and awareness, and we also go off on a slight tangent and talk about other health issues.  And of course, the ladies share the quotes that continually inspire them.

The HIV Podcast is a multi award nominated, weekly podcast listened to in 179 countries.  It is a podcast where talking about HIV is done in the same way we talk about weekend plans.  You will laugh, smile and feel good and learn something. Ironically what makes The HIV Podcast so radical, is just how ‘normal’ it is.  Normalising HIV is the only way we are going to reduce HIV stigma. 

You can find the HIV podcast on all major podcast platforms and you can follow them on Tiktok and Instagram @TheHIVPodcast

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'm in conversation with Structural Engineer Zainab Adigun.  Zainab shares how her early love for buildings put her on her career path, talks about the mindset of an engineer,  her passion for calculations, problem solving and redoing modules, the importance of Net Zero and sustainability, and the excitement her role gives her.  She discusses the challenges she faces as a Black woman from the naysayers, how she deals with imposter syndrome, the importance of educating the youth and her advocacy for STEM.  Zainab also talks about her faith, what being Yorùbá means to her, and of course, she shares the quote that continually inspires her.

Zainab Adigun, a Senior Structural Engineer at Carbon Clean, is making a significant impact in the construction and engineering industries. With a passion for sustainability and a dedication to innovation, Zainab plays a crucial role in a company that is mitigating the impact of climate change through innovative modular carbon capture solutions. 

Zainab volunteers as a board member for the Association for Black and Ethnic Minority Engineers (AFBE) where she is the team leader for the Making Engineering Hot which works with young people from black and other ethnic minority groups to expose them to careers in engineering. Recently, Zainab was listed as one of 100 Finalists for the Top Women in Engineering 2022 Awards as recognition of her contribution in encouraging females to consider a career in engineering. She won the CN & NCE Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering awards in 2022. Zainab has also recently won the Institution of Engineering and Technology( IET) Women’s Engineering Society (WES) Prize Award in 2023.  She is also a member of the IET, and the prize is awarded to an inspiring engineer working in the UK, who is able to engage and encourage young people’s involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 

Zainab loves structures around the world and explores different structures as a structural engineering presenter and contributor and has been featured on BBC News, National Geographic Channel and the Science Channel . From pyramids in Cairo, Egypt and enormous German Bunkers in Calais, France to large residential development projects in the UK. Zainab wants to know all about it and take you on the journey of exploring them with her.

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'm in conversation with Social Media Strategist Kadisha Kaur-Singh.  Kadisha draws on her expertise and advises on how to grow one's platform, why being able to hit certain metrics is important, and the relevance of being part of an online community.  

Kadisha also answers a few of my questions including whether everything is a numbers game; the many pressures content creators face to maintain followers, the dangers of short attention spans, the evolving of social language, and mental health .

Kadisha also shares stories about her unique mixed heritage and identity, music and of course, the quote that continually inspires her.

Kadisha is an experienced Social media manager and copywriter, with roles including being the Head of Content & Strategy for an App company and also a Social Media Manager at a well known Social Media Platform.

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!

Music Producer Coryell Hyatt is the latest guest on the podcast. Coryell talks about how he started off within the music industry and his journey ever since.  We discuss what his creative process is like, popular music today and why artists and musicians are adapting for certain target audiences, especially with today's social media. The conversation also puts a spotlight on copyright & IP, the educating and development of a new generation of artists, the many challenges within the industry,  and the ulterior motives of digital platforms.

Coryell also talks about his musical collaboration with Grammy Award winner Julian Marley, how important his faith is to him, his heritage and family and of course, Coryell shares the quote that continually inspires him.

Coryell 'Footsteps' Hyatt is an international multi-genre Music producer(and Artist) from London and Co-Founder of F and F Music Studios.  Coryell collaborates with various music artists and musicians, and has also worked with media brands such as BBC, JD SPORTS, SBTV, CREP PROTECT.  He is also a studio engineer and a Voiceover Artist for KISS FM.

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!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and in today's episode I have a chat with Tonye-Faloughi-Ekezie, author and founder of Simone's Oasis Foundation.  Tonye shares with us the story of her daughter, Simone, who has Down's Syndrome, and the journey it has taken her and the family on.  Tonye talks about why it was important for her to create an educational and creative platform for black and African children to bring an awareness of Special Needs, representation, inclusivity and empowerment.  

Tonye also discusses the many challenges that she has had to face including issues of cultural stigmas within the community, colonised mindset, and rejections.  Despite all this, she reveals how important her faith is to her, why motherhood is the best role she has, and of course, she shares the quote that continually inspires her.

Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie is a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur, and a passionate
advocate based in Lagos, Nigeria. She and her husband are proud parents to
two children, Ugo and Simone. Her advocacy journey took flight when her
daughter, Simone, was diagnosed late with Down syndrome, resulting in heart
complications during infancy. Simone’s recovery became a catalyst for Tonye's
unwavering commitment to special needs advocacy.
Drawing from her successful career as a TV and film producer, Tonye
recognized a significant lack of representation for black and African children,
particularly those with special needs. This realization spurred her to create
"Ugo and Sim Sim," the world’s first picture book series featuring a black main
character with Down syndrome. She is also the author of Nigeria's pioneering
baby board book, "Ugo and Sim Sim: Fruits and Vegetables."
Fueled by her fervour, Tonye founded the Simone’s Oasis Foundation, an
organization that merges creativity with advocacy to reshape societal views on
special needs and neurodiversity. The foundation uses storytelling and artistic
expression to challenge norms and showcase the potential of every child,
regardless of their abilities. Their advocacy spans books, music, music videos,
animation, podcasts, and documentaries.
Tonye is a founding member of the Association of Children’s Authors and
Illustrators of Nigeria and actively contributes to the Creative Industries
Development Bill committee under the office of the Presidency. Her dedication
has made her a sought-after panelist, consultant, facilitator, and speaker on
creative arts and education, animation, parenting, early intervention, and
special needs advocacy.
In addition, Tonye co-produced and co-hosted two podcasts: "Special Mums
Africa: Real Talk on Special Needs Parenting" and the award-nominated
"Represented – Storybooks and More for African Kids," co-hosted with her
son, Ugo.
Currently, Tonye is developing several new children's books with Ouida
Publishing.
Her leadership and impact have been recognized globally, with her selection
for the American Express Leadership Academy, which highlights outstanding
non-profit leaders. This acknowledgment fortifies her dedication to nurturing
purposeful leadership, resilience, and innovation within the non-profit sector.

Connect with Simone’s Oasis on all social media platforms, including
YouTube, @simonesoasis.

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 Sangeetha Kowsik , founder and creator of Ihsanishan Design.  Sangeetha talks about her role as the serving Hindu Chaplain at NYU/Columbia, the importance of her faith and why she is affectionately called 'The Puja Queen';  and furthering interfaith dialogue.

We talk about her career as a designer, including her role as the previous Head Designer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, being a trained Arab/Islamic calligrapher and the influences that inspire her work.

Sangeetha and I also discuss the importance of representation and normalisation, dismantling stigmas and stereotypes, why she is a proud Tamil American and South Asian Indian, cultural inheritance, music, and of course, she shares a quote that continually inspires her.

You can learn more about Sangeetha and her work at Ihsanishan.

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 have a chat with Film and TV Editor Radek Sienski.  Radek shares how he started his career within the industry and what he's learnt thus far.  He talks about the importance of a good edit, what attributes are needed to be an effective editor and the importance of a good working relationship with the director on the project.  Radek also talks about other projects he's worked on including 'First Dates', 'The Write-Offs',  'Man vs Bee', and 'Save Our Squad with David Beckham'. 

We also discuss his favourite genre to work on, fanboy over Jackie Chan films; what James Bond film he would like to re-edit; and of course, Radek shares a couple of quotes that continually inspires him.

Radek Sienski is a BAFTA-nominated editor whose work includes 'Save our Squad with David Beckham', and Apple TV's 'Slow Horses'. 

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!