The Words That Matter

This episode has been recorded as part of the Essex Book Festival, which this year has #wordsmatter as its theme. It is the final show in a trilogy being aired in August and features conversations with people who are doing amazing work in the community of Essex.

First, I talk with Lora Aziz and we share a love of Kahlil Gibran's work, The Prophet. Specifically, we explore the meaning that one of his most cherished poems, ‘On Children’, holds for both of us.

Next, it's Luisa De Marco, who returns to share how the old saying "Sticks and Stones" couldn't be further from the truth. 

And finally, I speak with Mike Adams as we discover not all words that matter need to be in the dictionary!

I hope you find each of these conversations inspiring in some way and look forward to bringing you more next time.

This is the second in a series of three episodes recorded as part of the Essex Book Festival, which this year has #wordsmatter as its theme. It features conversations with three people who are doing amazing work in and for the community of Essex.

First, it's Keep it 100 founder, Luisa De Marco, who shares how one set of words in a short conversation changed her life. We then discuss her inspirational work with professionals, helping them use language that empowers vulnerable young people.

Next, Mike Adams returns from the last show to share a specific word that has great meaning in the work he does with his organisation, Purple.

Finally, I speak with Amelia Clapham, the founder of Ace Music Therapy, who gives us the well-known phrase "Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining" and shares the meaning those words have for her.

I hope you find each of these conversations inspiring in some way and look forward to bringing you more, next time on The Words That Matter.

This episode has been recorded as part of the Essex Book Festival, which this year has #wordsmatter as its theme. It is the first in a short series of three shows being aired in August and features conversations with people who are doing amazing work in the community in Essex.

First, I talk with Pat Gaudin one of the trustees at the Essex Book Festival. Pat shares her thoughts on the word 'communication' and the power of storytelling.

Next, it's Thomas Musau, who shares his unwavering belief in the potential of people and the power of the words 'serve, believe'.

Finally, I speak with Mike Adams as he shares the significance of the Meat Loaf album Bat Out of Hell and how it has shaped who he is today.

I hope you find each of these conversations inspiring in some way and look forward to bringing you more next time.

Today's show shines a light on three sets of words that matter, brought to us by three very different people.

First up, one of our favourite guests Sarah Hughes shares words from the Bodyrox song "Yeah Yeah". These lyrics help to reinforce Sarah's sense of self-worth and her determination to be powerful as a person.

Then we welcome back Sathish Rajamani who brings words from his Indian culture - "arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached". Originating from Indian Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda, Sathish goes on to bring a different perspective to each part of this powerful quote.

Finally, Julie Hayward brings us a lighter quote from T.H. White with is as relevant today as when it was written - "The Destiny of Man is to unite, not to divide. If you keep on dividing you end up as a collection of monkeys throwing nuts at each other out of separate trees."

I hope you enjoy these words and they matter to you, too.

Today's show is dedicated to one great conversation with my guest Charles Collins, exploring his own words and why they matter.

Charles is the best-selling author of the LifeCraft book series, producer of the companion Making A Masterpiece of Your Life podcast, and the publisher of Life Masterpiece Journal.

In the course of our conversation, Charles reveals the time tested practise of 'craftsmanship', handed down over the centuries by master craftsmen and craftswomen across the world, as the key to unlocking the universal principles of excellence of execution. 

Listen as we share thoughts on life's purpose, self-esteem and attempt to answer that age-old question, "what are you going to do when you grow up?"

Three more conversations with guests sharing words that matter to them.

A returning guest first, Karen Christensen, bringing us words from her favourite book, To Kill a Mockingbird by the American author Harper Lee. The quote Karen has chosen is "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." and we discuss how this is specifically relevant in today's world. 

Next, it's a new guest, fellow coach and co-host of the popular podcast, The Mind Takeaway, Peter Griffiths. In this episode, Peter gives us the lyrics from a song called Wait For Now/Leave The World by the band The Cinematic Orchestra: 

Finally, it's Sarah Hughes, one of our favourite guests who returns for a third show. This time, Sarah shares lyrics from the song You Don't Know Me from the band Armand Van Helden. These lyrics have particular resonance with Sarah and reflect her value of non-judgement.

I hope you enjoy each of these short conversations and the words matter to you, too.

Three more conversations with guests sharing words that matter to them.

Firstly, IT Leader & Business Coach, Sathish Rajamani, who shares the impact teachers have had on him and Steven Covey's words "Begin With The End in Mind."

Next, it's a returning guest, founder of emergentthinkers.com and pirate, Felicity Healey-Benson. In this episode, Felicity shares words from Bohemian-Austrian poet and novelist, Rainer Maria Rilke: "love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them."

Finally, a philosophical one with the disruptor at The Disruptive Innovator, Bill McAllister-Lovatt. He brings you thoughts inspired by the words of James Joyce: "mistakes are volitional and are the portals of discovery." It's a fascinating conversation that meanders through many questions that man has pondered for all time. 

I hope you enjoy each of these conversations and the words matter to you, too.

Another episode dedicated to just one, great conversation. 

This time with a new guest, Paula Wilkinson, who moved to Spain a few years ago and has recently been asking the question: "what is home?"

For Paula, inspiration has come from the Netflix hit series, Pose, and in particular the song lyrics:

"When I think of home

Listen as the conversation reveals the importance of love and family to where home is. 

Sit back, listen in and see how these words matter to you, too.

PS Keep listening as Paula introduces me to Seanchaís towards the end.

This show departs from the normal format and is dedicated to just one, very interesting conversation with a returning guest.

In Episode 1, Neelam Sharma spoke about the impact Janet Jackson's song Control has had on her relationship with choice. The theme continues into this episode, where Neelam shares her love of the Rocky Balboa quote: 

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”

Listen as Neelam shares how this one quote inspired her and gave her great strength to deal with bereavement.

I hope these words matter to you, too.

Another set of great conversations with my guests, all sharing words that matter to them.

Up first this time is Allan Mackintosh, one of the most generous men I have met. Allan shares his love of Scottish poetry in this piece from Robert Burns: A Man's A Man. Listen as he shares how this wonderful poem reinforced his key value of equality at the age of 7, that has stayed with him throughout his life.

Then we welcome back Jackie Arnold who shares another great song from the Beatles: Let It Be.  Jackie shares how the words from this famous song resonate as much today as it did in the sixties, and how we should be pulling together more than ever.

Finally, another returning guest, Bryan Dobson who shares the quote from Maya Angelou: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Enjoy listening and I hope these words matter to you, too.