Upfront Discussions Pod

Episode 008 DJ Mikey Dee joins the team for an enlightening and candid discussion about life, growing up during middle to late 70s, early 80s, music, culture, community radio stations and his annual birthday celebration.   

This is another one of our highly anticipated interviews and one which will leave you with lots of food for thought while reminiscing on your past childhood.

Episode 007 Twin P'z [the founders of Twinsane Fitness] joins the team for an enlightening and candid discussion about their journey from music production, being part of S-Squad, acting in 1 Day movie and starting Twinsane Fitness. Twin P'z brings us into their world from childhood to adulthood; detailing the ups and downs of life, growing up without a father, music, sports and education.   

This is another highly anticipated interview and one which will leave you with lots of food for thought while reminiscing on the history of Birmingham culture during the late 90s and early 2000s.

Episode 001 [Part 1] | An insightful, honest, open, candid and enlightening discussion with a Birmingham UK based fitness instructor [Ezra Taylor].   

Ezra explains the power of creativity and building ACE Fitness from nothing to something. Ezra discusses having a dream and making the dream a reality. Reflecting back on the early 80s and 90s and as a young person growing up; describing early influences of Rastafari Culture, reasoning and asking questions about life. The power of thinking outside the box, changing his diet which became a big part of those early conversations.   

Ezra discusses the power of knowing thyself, self reliance which was some of the early concepts which stuck to him. This enabled Ezra to better understand himself. Ezra discusses that the main conversations people will have are those which we have with ourselves.   

Part 1 is a highly motivating and inspiring discussion; look out for part 2 coming soon.

Upfront Discussion Podcast Special [Celebrating International Women's Day 2021]   

We generate real insightful discussions with people from all walks of life and industries such as performing arts, sports, education, politics and business through in-depth and up-front interviews. A platform for you to gain an understanding on how individuals navigated through life and what it took to succeed in their chosen profession.  

Episode 006 Yasmin Blackwood [the founder of I am my sister] joins the team for a enlightening and candid discussion about her journey covering topics such as working as a prison officer, adverse childhood experiences, how the shooting of her cousin and uncle impacted on her; grandfather passing away, mental health and her traumatic encounter with mental health services.   

Yasmin truly demonstrates women empowerment and discusses being the founder of a C.I.C focused on addressing the invisibility of black girls and women within debates, policies and services around mental health, violence and other social issues. Yasmin invites us inter her world where she is causing a storm kicking down doors and shaking tables in her pursue to influence policy makers while create a sense sisterhood amongst women based on shared experiences and mutual support.       

This is yet another one of our highly anticipated interviews and one which will leave you with lots of food for thought while reminiscing on the challenges faced by women due to the lack of a safe space as well as support which often results in women suffering in silence.

We engage with people from all walks of life and industries such as performing arts, sports, education, politics and business through in-depth and up-front interviews. A platform for you to gain an understanding on how individuals navigated through life and what it took to succeed in their chosen profession.  

Episode 005 DanMan [a multi talanted individual and a member of S-Squad] joins the team for a enlightening and candid discussion about his journey navigating through Inner-City Birmingham.   DanMan discusses the birth of S-Squad and his anxieties performing, graphic designing, videography and using his voice to spread important messages through spoken word and poetry. DanMan discusses the community and youth of today compared to how it was back in the late 80s/early 90s.   We discuss mental health in the black community; black anxiety as well as explore why black men shy away from opening up about their mental health.   This is another one of our highly anticipated interviews and one which will leave you with lots of food for thought.

Episode 004 - Part 1 - with Ganzi an individual who grew up in B6 Aston Birmingham and was at the heart of community radio, sound systems and played as a DJ  in multiple  venues joins the team for an enlightening and candid discussion about his journey growing up in Aston and the ups and downs of the music industry.   

Ganzi brings us into his world from childhood to adulthood; detailing the ups and downs, music, sports and interaction with individuals which resulted in life threatening situations.   

This is yet another one of our highly anticipated interviews and one which will leave you with lots of food for thought while reminiscing on the history of Birmingham culture; from sound systems, community radio stations and the iconic "Blues House Parties" during the 80s and 90s.

Episode 003 we ask the question "who's really helping our youths in jails". [A practitioners perspective]   

This week Daniel Rochester joins us for an enlightening and candid discussion about his journey from Hockley to signing a professional football contract to then becoming a director of multiple agencies. Daniel discusses his time playing professional football, racism and experiencing a cultural shock when leaving Hockley and heading to Stoke at the age of 16.   

We also explore the criminal justice system and the lack of presence from community leaders. Daniel details the harsh reality of young offender institutes as well as the obstacles he faced when setting up alternative provision schools in Birmingham.   This is yet another thought provoking discussion which will leave you with lots of food for thought.

Episode 002 Tanayah Sam [the author of "After Hardship Comes Ease"] joins the team for a enlightnening and candid discussion about his journey from gang member to the founder of Tanayah Sam Associates (TSA) which is a non-profit organisation with a mission to use a unique approach and respond to the shortcomings in the criminal justice system and the belief system of offenders. Tanayah brings us into his world from childhood to adulthood; detailing the ups and downs, music, sports, interaction with the criminal justice system and finding faith.    This is one of our highly anticipated interviews and one which will leave you with lots of food for thought while reminiscing on the history of Birmingham culture; from sound systems, community radio stations and the iconic Handsworth Carnival during the 80s and 90s.

Episode 001 [Part 2] further expands on Ezra's journey and is another deep, insightful, honest, open, candid and enlightening discussion with a Birmingham UK based fitness instructor [Ezra Taylor].   Part two of our highly anticipated interview with Ezra premiers explores areas such as his style of training, the early days of ACE Fitness which started with the Saturday run and workout. 

Thought his journey Ezra started questioning himself and became serious about his health. The importance of following your passion, what makes you happy and successful. Ezra also discusses the importance of winning the day.