WHAT SAY YOU? with GAVIN MCLEOD-VALENTINE

In this week’s episode I talk with international tastemaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist, India Hicks.

Raised in England, India grew up within extraordinary circumstances. Her own father, David Hicks, was an icon in Interior Design, creating a kaleidoscope of color with his signature geometric prints. India’s mother, The Lady Pamela Mountbatten, is an extraordinary woman herself, who served as both bridesmaid and Lady-in-Waiting to Her Majesty, The Queen.

In 1981, at the request of her godfather, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, India appeared in front of a television audience of over 1 billion people, in her role as bridesmaid to then Lady Diana Spencer.

For the past twenty-five years India has lived a life on her own terms, choosing to live and raise her five children with her partner, David on the tiny Harbour Island, often described as the ‘crown jewel’ of the Bahamas.

Just like her father, India is a decidedly creative person and has produced successful partnerships and business ventures in both interior and product design and written several design-focused books on her island life and British heritage.

In my former life as a luxury publicist I had the great fortune of working with India when she launched an eponymous lifestyle brand six years ago, offering artisanal collections that also provided business opportunities to other women looking to run their own business on their terms and in their own time.

In today’s episode we discuss the lessons learned in building and subsequently closing that business, the personal impact of life in lockdown, her decision to marry her partner after 25 years and touch on family life, vaccinations, her newest book, “An Entertaining Story,” and most importantly India’s dedicated work with The Global Empowerment Mission and Harbour Island Food Bank.

For Royalty lovers we even touch on the Netflix show, ‘The Crown,’ who’s fourth season portrayed the shocking and traumatic assassination of India’s grandfather, Earl Mountbatten of Burma at the hands of the I.R.A.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did making it.

In this week’s episode, iconic hairstylist Garren opens up to me about starting his career at the age of thirteen, meeting his husband Tom and working with such iconic photographers as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Steven Meisel.

We chart the monumental moments in Garren's career as he tells me all about transforming supermodels from Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Brooke Shields to global superstars Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian, with his singular visionary style.

Milica Kastner is an accomplished actress and successful producer and the bravest person I know.

From an outside perspective she has lived what appears to be a charmed life. She is the daughter of the renowned Hollywood Producer, the late Elliott Kastner, famed for such movies as "Where Eagles Dare," and "The Missouri Breaks," and Tessa Kennedy, the esteemed Interior Designer, who has been responsible for transforming some of the world's most important public spaces and private homes.

Despite feeling full of energy and completely healthy, Milica found herself diagnosed shockingly with two forms of concurrent stage 4 cancer. With an iron-will, an open-heart and a radiant spirit, Milica has faced down this disease with grace, dignity and courage. She is an inspiration and an absolute warrior.

This week I present our open, frank and honest conversation that we had back in August. Milica discusses her journey, her illness and finding her authenticity in the process. It is my honour to share our discussion and an utter privilege to present Milica's story to you all.

Oscar-winning Hollywood legend Susan Sarandon chats with me about arguably the most important role of her life - that of a social & political activist.

In this pre-election special we take a deeper look at my guests prominent involvement in social and political activism, discuss the key issues we should really be paying attention to and the ways in which we can all get more informed and involved to make America not great for a few but great for us all.

We discuss politics in America, the dangers of corporate news media, the need for a third political party, Donald Trump and the upcoming U.S. Election.

Monica Berg is a leading-spiritual teacher and self-described "Change Junkie," who has authored the two best-selling books - 'Fear is Not an Option,' and 'Rethink Love,' and serves as the Co-Director of The Kabbalah Centre International.

In this episode Monica Berg discusses the principles of Kabbalah, conscious-living, shame, change, love, and walking through fear.

Where to find Monica:

Instagram: @monicaberg74

Twitter: @monicaberg74

Website: https://rethinklife.today/

Amanda Porta has become the leading breast implant Illness (BII) advocate and explant liaison in the United States. In this week's episode she shares her 7 year struggle of debilitating illness linked to her breast implants. Amanda talks openly and honestly about this condition that appears to effect millions of women globally, with little acknowledgment from the medical community. Join us as we discuss Amanda's personal story, symptoms and her pursuit to regaining her health while arming women with the resources and tools to take their well-being back into their own hands.

Where to find Amanda and more information on BII:

Instagram: @explantliaison, @breastteam

Website: www.explantliaison.com, www.kevinbrennermd.com/about/our-breast-team/

Beauty Entrepreneur and industry maverick, Tova Borgnine shares her unique and inspiring story of fortitude, gut-instinct and determination. The widow of the late Hollywood icon, Ernest Borgnine defied expectation and redefined the role of the “Hollywood Wife,” by launching TOVA Beverly Hills, a multi-million-dollar beauty business. The first beauty leader to recognize the business potential of television shopping, TOVA was the first beauty brand to be sold on QVC. 30 years later and with over 11 million bottles of her cult-favorite perfume TOVA Signature sold, Tova looks back on her pioneering career, sharing insights and lessons that she has learned throughout her three decades of success. On a personal note, growing up in rural Scotland, Tova Borgnine was the biggest influence on my own career, inspiring my love of beauty, skincare and fine fragrance at 14 years old. It is my honor to share with you the journey of my mentor and my friend.

Where to find Tova:

Instagram: @tovaborgnine

Facebook: Tova Beverly Hills

Website: www.beautybytova.com, www.qvc.com, www.qvcuk.com

At the age of twenty-six, following the birth of her first child, Shiva Rose was told she had only one year left to live after being diagnosed with three forms of auto-immune disease. Refusing to become a pawn in the medical system, she sought-out a holistic approach to heal her mind, body and spirit. Free today from those illnesses, in large part due to her own investigation into alternative medicine, Shiva joins us to discuss simple actionable steps to kick-start your own wellness journey.

Where to find Shiva:

Instagram: @localrose

Twitter: @TheLocalRose

Website: www.shivarose.com

Blog: www.thelocalrose.com

Multi-award-winning journalist, producer, director, influencer and diversity advocate, Dr. Ateh Jewel discusses the reality of being a woman of colour and raising a bi-racial family in Britain today. Ateh reflects on the impact it has had on her own career aspirations and daily experiences and shares her passion for the beauty industry and the simple steps we can all take to affect positive change.

Where to find Dr. Ateh Jewel

• Instagram: @atehjewel

• Twitter: @atehjewel

• Website: www.jeweltonesbeauty.com