This Is A Token with Alex Monroe

As an extra special Father’s Day episode, Alex (and his daughter Connie) are delighted to introduce the super talented and charming craftspeople and ceramic experts Chris and Freya Bramble-Carter onto ‘This Is A Token.’

Chris has been a feature in the crafts world for a long time, and has taken his love of ceramics and teaching the art form to so many different communities, including teaching inmates at some of the UK’s bigger prisons. Although Alex and Chris have never met, their paths often intertwine as they talk through their careers in the arts world.

After studying a fine art degree, Freya felt inspired by her Dad’s eclectic journey in the crafts space to make her own ceramics. Known specifically for her skill in glazing and organic shapes, Freya’s popularity has grown immensely in recent years, and has even seen her participate as a guest judge on popular reality show, ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ on Channel 4.

Settle in and listen for a friendly chat between Chris and Freya with Alex as their shared collection of jewellery pieces often hold their mark from days by the clay wheel and childhood joy from happy shared memories going to Claire’s Accessories, Kilburn High Road and Topshop! It’s a heartwarming one.

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Freya and Chris:

You can follow Freya on Instagram here

You can read Chris and Freya’s article with Ceramics Review here

You can find Chris’s website here

You can find Freya’s website here

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our next episode of ‘This is a Token’, Alex is joined by his current favourite actor Charlotte Spencer.

Charlotte and Alex talk through her deep love of acting which started in childhood. Coming from humble beginnings, her parents have always supported her dream, which has given her the opportunity of performing both on the West End stage with another ‘This is a Token’ guest, Carrie Hope Fletcher as a child, and most recently on our screens as the formidable and uncompromising Nicki Jennings in the very popular series ‘The Gold’ on the BBC detailing*on the Brink’s-Mat Robbery.

Settle down and listen to Charlotte and Alex discuss her fantastically varied career so far, and how Charlotte’s performance have even inspired Alex for our upcoming collections. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled -  *hint, hint*.

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Charlotte:

You can watch ‘The Gold’ here

You can see Charlotte’s filmography here

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: This special episode of This Is A Token is an open conversation between Alex and his daughter Connie about experiences of anxiety and mental health with mention of suicide.

To mark Mental Heath Awareness Week from 15th - 21st May Alex and Connie have come together to record this special episode.

Here are some useful links for further reading discussed by Alex and Connie:

For more information on Mental Heath Awareness Week: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

For suggestions on how to help cope with feelings of anxiety: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week/what-can-we-do-cope-feelings-anxiety

For more information on mental health: www.mind.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our latest episode of ‘This is a Token’ podcast, Alex is joined by the multi-talented and super engaging Rosie Viva.

Rarely do we have a guest who is so aligned with Alex’s world. A depth of experience in the fashion industry, passionate about talking about all things mental health as well as being a jewellery designer in her own right, Rosie and Alex have so much in common.

Rosie and Alex talk through her experiences growing up as a fashion model, as well how her diagnosis of Type 1 Bipolar led to her powerful new documentary with Channel 4, ‘Modelling, Mania and Me’. Within the documentary, Rosie shares deeply personal footage of her treatment after an intense mental health break down. It shows how she has been able to build a meaningful life, navigate relationships and flourish in her career in the hopes that her story, with the backing of close friends such as singer songwriter Dua Lipa, will inspire others who might be facing the same challenges.

Settle down with a cup of peppermint tea (a personal favourite of Rosie’s) and listen to both Rosie and Alex have a positive conversation about all of this, as well how her natural creativity has enabled her to co-found her own brilliantly quirky jewellery for her popular brand, ‘Covert Jewellery’ in 2020.

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Rosie:

You can follow Rosie on Instagram here

You can follow Rosie’s brand, ‘Covert Jewellery’ here

You can watch Rosie’s Documentary, ‘ Modelling, Mania and Me’ on Channel 4 Youtube Documentaries Page

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex is so happy to introduce our latest, ‘This is a Token’ podcast episode with the brilliant Esme Young.

After starting her fashion journey at the illustrious Central St Martins, Esme co-founded the iconic shop ‘Swanky Modes. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, her designs featured in some of the biggest publications at the time including, Vogue, The Face and Honey magazine.

Esme and Alex talk about her love of both teaching at her beloved Central St Martins, and now judging on the hugely popular reality series, ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’.

Listen in for a brilliant chat between Alex and Esme as her collection of jewellery pieces are as bold and impactful as her extraordinarily colourful career. This is a memorable one.

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Esme:

You can follow Esme on Instagram here 

You see the latest series of The Great British Sewing Bee here

Here’s a link to Esme’s novel here:, ‘Behind the Seams’

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex is thrilled to introduce our latest, ‘This is a Token’ podcast episode with the brilliant Cariad Lloyd.

After a varied path both on and off screen, Cariad is now well known for her hugely successful podcast, ‘Grief Cast’, where she and her guests discuss grief in a friendly and approachable way. She has a natural warmth when talking about a subject that is often tough to tackle.

Cariad and Alex talk in depth about her new book, ‘You Are Not Alone’, which details her own journey with grieving those she’s lost; and how jewellery pieces can be a great transitional object (Cariad’s fabulous term) for bringing someone they love back to the foreground of their thoughts. 

Listen in for a kind chat between Alex and Cariad as they delve into the stories behind some of her most treasured jewellery pieces. It’s a really heartwarming listen.

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Cariad:

You can follow Cariad on Instagram here and on Twitter here

You can also follow Cariad on via Grief Cast Instagram here

You can listen to Cariad’s podcast here

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex is delighted to introduce our latest ‘This is a Token’ podcast episode with the fabulous Ruby Beales.

After a varied and interesting path throughout the fashion industry, Ruby worked hard to become the Jewellery Buying Manager at London’s most exclusive and eccentric department store, Liberty London.

Ruby and Alex talk through their similarities growing up in the rural countryside and how they were both drawn to the fashion world through the joys of her brilliantly eclectic collection of antique jewellery treasures. 

Settle in for a friendly chat between Alex and Ruby as we’re sure you’re curious what a Jewellery Buyer would personally pick to have in her own jewellery box… and spoiler alert, it’s a lot of good stuff!

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Ruby:

You can follow Ruby on Instagram and LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/rubybeales/?hl=en and https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-beales-747a3a9/

You can follow Liberty London here: https://www.instagram.com/libertylondon/

More information of Wedgwood Pottery:

https://www.worldofwedgwood.com/

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex is thrilled to introduce our latest ‘This is a Token’ podcast episode with the multi-talented and brilliant Basma Khalifa.

After starting as a stylist in the fashion industry, Basma’s career evolved into documentary and film making based on her own experience growing up with mixed and varied cultural influences. Basma and Alex talk through their views on how race and gender are often portrayed within the media. They discuss in depth her debut documentary, ‘Inside the Real Saudi Arabia: Why I Had to Leave’ for the BBC and how much of a wild but incredible journey it was for her and her contributors.

Snuggle up with a cup of tea and listen in as Alex and Basma cover all this, and deep dive into the incredible stories behind Basma’s beautiful personal collection of jewellery. It’s truly a treasure trove from start to finish.

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Basma:

You can follow Basma on Instagram and Twitter @basmakhalifa.

You can watch ‘Inside the Real Saudi Arabia: Why I Had to Leave’ BBC Documentary Clip here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfKuGQeCsRY

Visit her website: www.basmakhalifa.com

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are absolutely delighted to introduce our latest ‘This is a Token’ podcast episode, where Alex is joined by the wonderful Alice Vincent @noughticulture.

After starting her career as a journalist, Alice has evolved into writing her own novels, including her latest book, ‘Why Women Grow’. Within the novel Alice tackles her personal journey towards motherhood, and details her deep love of all things gardening. She has continued these conversations on her own podcast, with the same name, which features incredible guests including Margaret Howell and Poppy Okotcha.

Settle in as Alex and Alice have so much in common, from their shared love of South-East London, to their mutual enthusiasm for bikes and even some stories about Alice’s most treasured jewellery pieces thrown in - it’s a great listen.

You can follow Alice on social media @noughticulture.

Her book, ‘Why Women Grow’ is available now: www.waterstones.com/book/why-women-grow/alice-vincent/9781838855437

You can listen to Alice's podcast, 'Why Women Grow' on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-women-grow/id1659885168

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our latest episode of ‘This is a Token’ podcast, Alex is joined by the brilliantly talented and all around lovely Carrie Hope Fletcher.

The super clever and multi-faceted Carrie made her West End debut at the tender age of nine and has had a glittering career on and off stage ever since, starring in iconic shows such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Misérables, War of the Worlds, and Heathers, to name but a few.

Take a walk down memory lane with Carrie and Alex as they discuss her eclectic selection of rings each representing a colourful life on the West End stage, her recent engagement, and her true passion of telling and sharing stories with others. 

Also for all cat fans, there’s even a mention of Carrie’s beloved cat Edgar too!

Here are some useful links for further reading on topics discussed by Alex and Carrie:

Tickets for Carrie’s Solo Tour: www.atgtickets.com/shows/carrie-hope-fletcher/

Follow her on Instagram @carriehopefletcher

Watch her on YouTube www.youtube.com/carrie

Check out what she is getting up to at www.carriehopefletcher.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.