The Convex Conversation

Wim Warrior Belinda Raphael takes Helen through Wim’s Method, culminating in a 2-min ice bath!

Wim Hof Instructor Belinda Raphael explains the many health benefits and compelling science behind the famous Wim Hof Method, and shares stories from a recent expedition to Poland with The Iceman himself.
 
Belinda discovered cold-water therapy accidentally after she was left suffering chronic pain following a severe attack by a patient in her role as a critical care nurse practitioner.  
 
Now she’s one of Wim’s 900 Warriors, teaching breath work and mindset techniques to increase cold water exposure and allow people to feel the invigorating and life affirming advantages.  
 
Wim Hof has set more than two dozen world records for extreme temperature exposure – both in freezing cold and blistering heat – but his mission is to pass on the what he's learnt so millions can experience the health benefits. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Entrepreneur Jimi Daodu on building the first human centric Metaverse

The Metaverse is predicted to be a fast growing trillion-dollar industry by 2030, but how much do we know about it or understand how it might enrich our lives?
 
Vault Hill Founder/CEO Jimi Daodu and his team are building the first human centric virtual world designed to enhance human experiences. 
 
Jimi takes us on a fascinating journey from his offices in Dubai through the endless exciting possibilities the Metaverse has to offer and explains how we can be part of this 3D phenomenon.
 
Helen and Jimi discuss everything from the virtual property boom to how it can be used for education, work, entertainment, climate change and they explore the measures needed to keep us safe.
 

BAFTA winner & former Met Police officer Gamal ‘G’ Turawa on his story - The Black Cop

The Black Cop – winner of Best British Short Film at last year’s BAFTAs – is the story of Gamal ‘G’ Turawa’s life - growing up with a white foster family in Kent, abuse by his biological parents and his experiences in the Metropolitan Police.
 
Despite the racism he suffered in the force, including having his face painted white by fellow officers, ‘G’ is proud to have served 25 years in the Met. He explains to Helen how he tried to fit in, desperately wished he was white, and concealed the fact he’s gay.
 
G now speaks all over the world, including to police forces, to help people own their story, find a sense of belonging and embrace who they are. The Black Cop was made  by film-maker Cherish Oteka and can be watched on You Tube. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

One boat, four rowers, 2,800 miles at sea, raising £100K for Mind

Theresa Patricios - Head of Investments for Convex Insurance - and life-long friend Cam Parker talk about the mental and physical challenges of their upcoming 2,800-mile row across the Pacific, raising funds for mental health charity Mind. 
 
As part of an organised race, their four-man team – Pacific Discovery 2023 – estimate spending 40 days at sea, rowing in two-hour slots, and carrying out research for the Convex Seascape Survey. Their ambition - to become the first re-insurance team to tackle an ocean.
 
Theresa has been drawn to the sea since she was a child growing up in Johannesburg and Cam is an accomplished free diver with the same passion for the ocean and an Atlantic row under his belt. 
 
 

John Hajdu MBE shares his harrowing story of survival during the Holocaust in Hungary

“Seeing John hold his bear made it really hit home that he was just a child when he was facing the Holocaust in Hungary” Rankin
Holocaust Survivor John Hajdu describes life as a small boy in Budapest as Jews were rounded up & killed, and his parents taken to concentration/labour camps in World War 2.
He describes the fear of hiding in a dark cupboard as four-year-old, surviving in a cramped ghetto with little food and dead bodies on the streets, being forced to wear a Yellow Star, and finally escaping Hungary through a minefield with just his teddy bear & clothes given to him in Vienna.
John, now 85, finds it’s desperately painful watching history repeat itself in Ukraine.
He was honoured to be photographed recently by Rankin who said: “John’s bear is a tangible reminder that the stories we are telling happened in recent history and we must learn from these events – for a better future.” 
* Photographs by Rankin
 
 

Independent economist, IFS Director and Times columnist Paul Johnson on Britain’s economy

Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies / economist Paul Johnson explores the state of Britain’s economy and explains what’s needed for recovery and vital economic growth.
 
Paul – who writes a column for The Times newspaper – says the absolute priority is for inflation, currently at a 40-year high, to come down and be under control, and explains how trade-offs are essential.
 
He's a regular on programmes like Today on BBC Radio 4 and made front page headlines when he predicted Liz Truss’s economic pledges as she fought to become Prime Minister would crash the public finances, which they did in her Autumn mini budget.

Light Artist Chris Levine on the honour and pressure of creating the first holographic portraits of The Queen

Light Artist Chris Levine takes us behind the scenes on his sittings at Buckingham Palace to create the first holographic portraits of The Queen and explains how Her Majesty embraced his innovative and complex techniques.
 
‘Lightness of Being’ - which captures the Queen with her eyes closed wearing the Diadem she wore to her Coronation – and ‘Equanimity’ hang in London’s National Portrait Gallery.
 
Meditation informs Chris’s work - the Queen told him gardening at Balmoral was hers. He talks about being the wild card for the shoot; how he was allowed to choose what Her Majesty wore and their private audiences afterwards to look through the work.
 
He also reveals the Dalai Lama chuckled a lot as he posed for a rare portrait to mark his 80th birthday; recounts talking holograms with David Bowie in a chance conversation as the rock icon left the dry cleaners and hints at an upcoming major light project at Stonehenge.
 
 
 
 
 

Professional climber Hazel Findlay on the extreme challenges she thrives on

Hazel Findlay has been climbing for 27 of her 33 years. She tells Helen how tackling the most difficult, vertical, steep rocks is what motivates her most and shares her joy of sleeping in a makeshift hammock hanging from a sheer rock face.
 
On a recent expedition to Greenland, Hazel made two ‘first ascents’, climbing massive walls that no one has ever conquered, and explains how much harder it is to stay focussed in sub-zero temperatures and snow storms, with painful bare hands and frozen feet.
 
Inspired by the mental & psychological challenges of her very physical sport, Hazel has set up a coaching business - Strong Mind - to help other athletes overcome their fears and limitations – lessons she says are valuable for life in general.
 
Images by Jon Griffith and Cameron Maier 
Footage by Max Montgomery 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yeoman Warder Andy Merry on life at The Tower of London

More people have been to space than have been Yeoman Warders at The Tower of London - a role created by King Henry V11 after the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. 
 
Former Royal Marine Commando Andy Merry talks about the Yeoman Warders’ role in modern day history, giving us a behind the scenes look at guarding Her Majesty The Queen as she lay in state; their involvement in the proclamation of King Charles 111, and in the upcoming Coronation. 
 
From his home in the shadow of The Crown Jewels, Andy shares some of the lesser-known stories and tales from the iconic Royal palace and fortress’s thousand-year history and invites Helen to witness the Ceremony of the Keys which has taken place every night at The Tower for the last 700 years.
 
Andy also talks about tackling Mont Blanc after his MS diagnosis.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mindset Coach Kamran Bedi on how to create our own anxiety antidote

In our first podcast of 2023, Mindset Coach Kamran Bedi talks about how to deal with the overwhelming feelings many people have as a new year dawns, and how to achieve a positive mindset and live more in the present.
 
Kamran – author of The Anxiety Antidote & Your Mind is Your Home – tells Helen that now is a good time to take a look at our minds and shares positive tips on how to start.
 
He also reflects on the struggles he had with his own mental health in his twenties when there wasn’t as much help available and reveals the tools he uses to live a happy, content life.  
 
 
 

Margo Marrone - co-founder of The Organic Pharmacy - shares her successful business journey

Entrepreneur and pioneer Margo Marrone reveals how she grew her business from a shop in London’s Kings Road 20 years ago - at a time when there was a lot of scepticism about ‘organic’ - into a global brand with a presence in more than 40 countries.
 
Margo – a pharmacist, homeopath, yogi and shaman - has dedicated her life to healing and finding natural ways to promote wellness of the mind, body and skin. 
 
Her passion started as a young child growing up in Iran, inspired by the vibrant bazaars and remedies her mum and grandmother used. She qualified first as a pharmacist before exploring the world of homeopathy and the science behind a more natural approach.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Physical Disability Rugby League player Sam Zeller on being part of England’s World Cup wining team

Sam Zeller shares the story behind lifting the first ever World Cup for Physical Disability Rugby League for England, beating New Zealand 42-10 in a tough game to become champions.
Sam - a 23-year-old claims adjuster at Convex - says the England team's focus is now on getting more exposure for the game to ensure more people are able to play.
The England side is made up of players with cerebral palsy, brain injuries, missing limbs and so on, but Sam - who was born without a right hand - says the split makes the team special. He talks about training under former England full-back Shaun Briscoe, the commitment of Australian comedian/player Adam Hills to the sport and the pride his parents felt watching the game. 
 
 
 
 

Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Manish Raval on saving sight around the world on the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital

Consultant anaesthetist Dr Manish Raval of Moorfield’s Eye Hospital reflects on 11 years volunteering for Orbis, travelling to places like Peru, Zambia and Mongolia to work on surgeries on board their state-of-the-art Flying Eye Hospital and in the community.
 
Manish explains that 1.1 billion people have some sight loss yet 90% is avoidable. Orbis - a non profit organisation - empowers local medics in developing countries with the skills and resources to fight blindness on their own, teaching surgeries and techniques.
 
Manish specialises in paediatric anaesthesia and takes us round the world with examples of the charity's work.
 
In Ethiopia Orbis is heavily involved in eradicating trachoma – a bacterial infection which is the leading preventable cause of blindness. In Bangladesh volunteers teach cataract procedures and in Vietnam, where diabetes is a big problem, diabetic retinopathy surgery.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Helen joins Haircuts4Homeless Founder Stewart Roberts MBE at work in a London church

It’s Friday night at St Columba’s Church in London’s Knightsbridge. Helen joins Haircuts4Homeless founder Stewart Roberts at work and chats to some of those who turn up for a free cut and warm meal.
 
Stewart started offering homeless people haircuts eight years ago. He now has 600 volunteers who have given more than 40,000 cuts all over the UK and Ireland, and the charity is proud that Game of Thrones star Lena Headey is an ambassador.
 
Hear Me, See Me - a beautiful book of black and white portraits of Haircuts4Homeless guests shot by Jack Eames – is on sale to help raise funds so the work can continue. Stewart says: “It might be ‘just a haircut’ but it’s the kindness shown that makes a homeless person know people care.”
 
Portraits by Jack Eames
 

Prof Callum Roberts on how the Convex Seascape Survey could reveal the ocean as our greatest climate ally

As COP27 approaches, Callum Roberts - Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Exeter - talks about the Convex Seascape Survey, an ambitious five-year scientific research programme to fathom out how the ocean could be a vital asset in slowing planetary warming.
 
The seabed is the ultimate sink for carbon emissions but has been overlooked and undervalued because of insufficient and inconclusive data.
 
Working with BLUE Marine Foundation, scientists will gather and analyse accurate data to quantify how healthy seascapes thriving with life can absorb carbon, in a project which has never been more critical.

Adam Kingl gives us an insight into how to attract, motivate & retain Gen Y

Globally renowned business expert Adam Kingl talks to Helen about the three generations in today’s workforce - baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y
 
By 2025, it’s estimated Gen Y will make up 75% of the global workforce but a typical Gen Y doesn’t tend to stay in a job long-term.
 
Adam explains the paradigms and events which have led to the creation of a generation who demand a better work-life balance; more flexibility; positive career development; commitment to a more sustainable world and strong team culture.
 
We discuss reverse mentoring, side hustles, digital natives, Gen Z and the importance of assessing the health of a company through the lens of a sociologist – by observing behaviours.
 

Tusk’s first ever Conservation Award winner on brokering peace with feuding tribes in Kenya

As Hampton Court Palace prepares to host the 10th Tusk Conservation Awards, Helen is in Northern Kenya with the awards' partner/co-creators Ninety One to meet their first ever winner, Tom Lalampaa.
 
Tom - CEO of the North Rangelands Trust - explains how he’s found success brokering peace with feuding tribes in Northern Kenya using a conservancy method to ensure communities, wildlife and the habitat can thrive together.
 
Tom tells Helen about life in the Samburu Tribe, growing up with nomadic parents and 16 siblings, and reflects on what it meant to receive his award in London from Tusk’s royal patron HRH William, the Prince of Wales.
 
 
 

MoneySavingExpert.com Deputy Editor Helen Saxon with tips on how to cope with the cost of living crisis

As the UK’s cost of living crisis deepens, Helen meets the Deputy Editor of MoneySavingExpert.com - Helen Saxon - for advice on what we can all do to survive the coming months.
 
With energy rates soaring, as well as food, broadband, council tax and fuel going up in a way we haven’t seen since the 1970s, Helen shares her expertise and offers some practical advice.
 
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis started the business 20 years ago when a discount email to friends took off. Martin and his MSE team have gone on to help millions of people cut costs, find great deals, beat the system and fight their corner.

Inside ’007 Elements’ as we celebrate 60 years of James Bond

60 years ago Sean Connery uttered those immortal words “Bond, James Bond” when Dr No premiered in October 1962.
 
As the franchise celebrates the milestone with a focus on the iconic music scores, Helen talks to Neal Callow - Art Director of the last five Bond films starring Daniel Craig – and Austrian entrepreneur Jakob Falkner – the man behind the world’s first permanent Bond installation.
 
Neal and Jakob created ‘007 Elements’ 3,000m above sea level inside a glacier in Solden in the Austrian Alps where the most dramatic chase scenes from Spectre were filmed at Ice Q.
 
Neal gives an insight into what it’s like being part of the Bond family, the pleasure of working with Daniel Craig and explains why designing Elements to pay homage to the music, films, gadgets, action-scenes, characters and locations with Jakob was so special.
 
Music from Bond 25 - played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comedian Emily Wilson on performing her X-Factor one-woman show at The Fringe

Fresh from performing 25 one-woman shows at the Fringe, New York comedian Emily Wilson talks to Helen about her “life-changing” experience in Edinburgh.
In the show, written by Emily and Sam Blumenfeld, Emily shares the humiliating story of being a finalist on The X Factor USA when she was just 15, performing in front of Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and the other judges.
Through hysterical, self-deprecating stand-up, archive footage and original songs, Emily transports audiences back to 2011 and the embarrassing moments of her rollercoaster journey through boot camp to the finals and - boy - do we share her pain!
FIXED will be in London at the Soho Theatre January 12th through the 21st.
 
 
 

Instagram inspiration @betsiatthemarsden explains how sharing her cancer journey has helped her and others

Ten-year-old Betsi Rose Powley tells Helen that sharing her battle with Ewing Sarcoma - a rare form of cancer - with 70,000+ followers on Instagram has kept her positive through gruelling chemo & radiotherapy, and made her happy she's helped others cope with with their treatment. 
 
In her first podcast, Betsi says making short films from her hospital bed at The Royal Marden kept her going, gave her the confidence to talk to other young cancer patients for support and sparked the idea for a unique project to help other poorly children.
 
She’s raised more than £23,000 so she can design pyjamas with special areas for tubes & ports so PJs no longer get cut up during treatment and has started her own label BAM Wear - Betsi And Monkey.  Follow @betsiatthemarsden 
 
 
 
 

Behind the scenes of the ‘Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight’ expedition with pilot Matt Jones

Pilot and founder of Spitfires.com Matt Jones shares extraordinary stories with Helen from his record-breaking and risky circumnavigation of the globe in G-IRTY - a beautifully restored 1943 Mk IX Silver Spitfire.
Matt and his team flew 22,138 nautical miles around the world in just four months, crossing deserts, red mountains, barren areas of Russia, fields of ice and stunning cobalt lakes - climbing “a pilot’s Everest”.
They aspired to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the iconic single-engine aircraft, honouring its role in history, and succeeded.  A stunning documentary of the expedition is out soon.
 

Education Conservationist Ephantus Mugo on his work at Lewa Conservancy in Kenya

This week Helen visits a small primary school in Ntumbiri in Northern Kenya to meet Ephantus Mugo - winner of Disney's Conservation Hero Award 2020 - to find out and experience how children are learning the value of conservation to improve their lives. 
Ephantus explains the challenges rural communities in Kenya face and how, in his role as Conservation Education Programme Coordinator for Lewa Conservancy, he’s helping them to solve those challenges and co-exist in harmony with the beautiful endangered species who share the land.  
Ephantus grew up in the coffee producing area of Mount Kenya seeing nothing more than squirrels (!) in terms of wildlife. He tells Helen what drives him to make a difference and talks about the success of the Next Generation of Conservationists project pupils took part in with families from investment firm Ninety One. 
 

Author Sarah Pinborough on Netflix success with psychological thriller Behind Her Eyes

Stephen King described Sarah Pinborough’s psychological thriller Behind Her Eyes as ‘bloody brilliant’. Netflix snapped it up and made it into a hugely successful six-part series in record time
The ending - #wtfthatending - trended on social media and the book, like many of Sarah’s others, shot to the top of best-sellers lists all over the world.
Sarah talks us through what happened, how her mum fell asleep when it aired, how the ending of all her books has to be written first, and teases her new thriller Insomnia which is also being adapted for TV. 
 

Helen joins Team Ninety One as they take part in Tusk’s Lewa Safari Marathon in Kenya

This week I’m in Northern Kenya with an 11-person team from investment firm Ninety One to document their unique experience taking part in Tusk's annual marathon through the beautiful Lewa Wildlife Conservancy alongside some of the world’s most endangered species.
The corporate team raised money for Tusk and visited incredible projects funded by the conservation charity, including schools, to see first-hand the difference the fundraising makes. 
More than £6 million has been raised since the marathon began 22 years ago, helping save the black rhino population from the brink of extinction, protecting critically endangered Grevy's zebra, and providing healthcare, water, education programmes, and much more. 
Find out how Emily, Steph, Ethan, Sheena and Marius from Ninety One’s London and Cape Town offices got on in the African Bush competing in one of the world's most challenging marathons and the impact the trip had on them all.
 

Jules Lockett shares life at the heart of London Ambulance Service Emergency Operations Centre

London’s Ambulance Service is the busiest in the world, receiving around seven thousand 999 calls a day.
Jules Lockett shares stories from her 21 years at the heart of the Emergency Operations Centre - as a call-handler, trainer & now EOC General Manager – and reveals her pride in wearing the NHS/Ambulance uniform.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Jules talks about 50 years of Pride and how London Ambulance Service supports LGBT, ensuring staff can be themselves and feel supported. Jules is Co-Chair of the LAS LGBT Network.

Sir Jackie Stewart OBE shares more stories from his incredible F1 career

In part two of our special, F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart explains the dangers of emotion & how he managed to remove that emotion before a race by forcing himself to read despite having severe dyslexia.
The former three-times World Champion talks about how dangerous racing was in the sixties & seventies, his crash at Spa in 1966 and the safety measures he fought hard to bring in, even though it didn’t make him popular.
Sir Jackie, who remains one of motor sport’s greatest ambassadors, reveals how he started the champagne spraying tradition on the podium by accident & chats about today's star Lewis Hamilton. 
 

F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart OBE on his lifelong passion for motorsport

In part one of our two-part special, former three-times World Champion Sir Jackie shares stories from his heyday in racing – the close bond with other F1 drivers & their families, the excitement, glamour & adrenalin but also the incredible dangers & sadness of losing friends on the track.
Jackie’s beloved wife of 60 years, Helen, was his stopwatch, timing his laps to the millisecond with unwavering accuracy. Lady Stewart is suffering from dementia and Jackie talks about how he’s using the sharpness & speed of motorsport to inspire the finest young PhDs in the world to find a cure.
Some of those PhDs will be attending the Sir Jackie Stewart Classic in Scotland, an event to help raise funds for his charity, Race Against Dementia.

Mindset & Performance Coach Simon Jeffries on positive change

Simon Jeffries, co-founder of The Natural Edge, explains how mindset is a skillset & the path to long-term happiness begins & ends with our minds.
Drawing from his own personal experiences, including eight years & three tours as a Special Forces soldier, Simon shares some simple tips for making positive change, starting the journey to turn our potential into peak performance.
If you’ve plateaued, hit a wall, or feel frustrated with life, then Simon’s words will resonate & hopefully help you see how a change of mindset is key & there for everyone.   
 
 
 

Backstage with broadcasters Whispering Bob Harris & Danny Baker

Led Zeppelin’s frontman Robert Plant is to thank for two of the nation’s most loved & respected broadcasters hitting the road to share extraordinary stories from a combined 100 years in the music business.
Bob Harris & Danny Baker have been touring Britain with ‘Harris and Baker’s Backstage Pass’ recounting tales from the most seminal moments in music history featuring icons like David Bowie, Marc Bolan, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Van Morrison, The Beatles & many more greats.
Helen secures her own backstage pass and catches up with Bob & Danny in their dressing room at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London. 
 

Academic Neurologist Dr Dennis Chan shares his work on the early detection of Alzheimer’s

To mark Dementia Action Week, Dr Dennis Chan from UCL reveals the ground-breaking work he & research colleagues are doing to detect Alzheimer’s disease - one of the biggest causes of dementia - years, even decades, before symptoms like memory loss show.
Dr Chan explains how Virtual Reality is useful in testing & how everyday digital data like our heart rates, sleep patterns & breathing patterns gathered on smart devices can be crunched to identify ‘fingerprints’ which allow the earliest signs of diseases like Alzheimer’s to be detected.
EDoN – Early Detection of Neurodegenerative diseases – is an ambitious global project, spearheaded by Alzheimer’s Research UK. It’s hoped this kind of big data will help scientists like Dennis make faster breakthroughs, enabling them to test new preventions and treatments.

Isle of Barra Oysters was founded with “a handful of spat, and a head full of dreams”.

Helen travels to the southern tip of the Western Isles to learn everything there is to know about one of life’s great delicacies & what it’s like to be an oyster farmer in one of the most beautiful, remote places in the Outer Hebrides.
Gerard MacDonald founded the company after a visit to France & the realisation that the cold pristine waters of the Atlantic could offer the perfect habitat. Landing on a white sandy beach in a small aircraft, Helen discovers Gerry’s work is not for the faint-hearted!

Olympic gold medallist Dame Flora Duffy on making history for Bermuda

Triathlete Dame Flora Duffy dreamt of winning the Olympics from the age of seven when she started competing in triathlons in Bermuda where she was born & spent her childhood.  
Fast-forward to Tokyo 2020, and the 34-year-old won gold in typhoon conditions – finishing her cycle, swim & run more than a minute clear of Britain’s silver medallist Georgia Taylor-Brown.
Flora gives Helen an insight into the mindset of an Olympic champion, the pressure she felt as favourite in Japan, her brutal training regime and how she has her sights set on defending her Commonwealth title this year & her Olympic title at Paris 2024.
 

Actor Vicky McClure shares her determination to shine a light on dementia

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure introduces us to her Dementia Choir, subject of a third series on BBC1 this autumn.
She explains how science has proved the positive impact music has on those living with dementia, something she sees when she’s with the choir members and experienced with her nonna Iris, who died of dementia.
Vicky also reveals how she uses music to help her prepare for roles in dramas like Trigger Point; chats about an incredible decade in Line of Duty, and the first film she's made with her production company -  Build Your Own Films - in her home town of Nottingham.
 

Best-selling author & broadcaster Tim Marshall gives context to the war in Ukraine

After 24 years as a correspondent, Foreign Affairs Editor & Diplomatic Editor at Sky News, award-winning journalist Tim Marshall has used his experiences to write best-selling books using maps of crucial regions to explain the geo-political strategies of world powers. 
Tim - who is commentating on the situation in Ukraine and writing for publications like The New Statesman - explains why he thinks this conflict is the best example in the world of geography being a determining factor.
He tells Helen there's been an outpouring of need for context in what he describes as a 'watershed moment' in our history - from both a detailed level on the ground and a bird's-eye view of why this is happening and the deep background & history to it all.

Helen meets TikTok star The Hebridean Baker on the Isle of Seil

Coinneach Macleod, who comes from a small crofting settlement on the remote island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, reveals how he’s unexpectedly become known to millions all over the world as The Hebridean Baker.
Coinneach’s unique blend of delicious recipes & fascinating stories from the Scottish Islands, music, stunning scenery, culinary secrets from his Aunt Bellag (93) & Gaelic in his one-minute baking films has attracted more than 17 million views on TikTok.
The fact the videos went viral have led to publication of a beautiful cookery book - featuring a “wee slice” of the Hebridean life Coinneach's so proud to share - numerous TV appearances & an upcoming book tour of America.

Helen chats to actor Neil Morrissey about almost everything!

Actor Neil Morrissey was catapulted to fame in Men Behaving Badly & has been on our screens for the last four decades, in drama & comedy. 
The Good Karma Hospital star tells Helen about growing up in children's homes from the age of ten, being taken away from his parents, and how acting saved him. 
He also explains what it was like being a household name through the phone hacking years, talks about his pub, brewing his own Morrissey Blonde, new projects with broadcaster Sara Cox & Richard Osman & his love of relaxing in the middle of nowhere in France.

Helen discusses the Ukrainian refugee crisis with the founder of Indigo Volunteers

The Ukrainian refugee crisis is the fastest growing in Europe since the second world war & could last years, with more than 2 million people already abandoning their homes following Russia’s invasion.
Founder & CEO of Indigo Volunteers Holly Penalver talks about her charity’s role at the Ukranian borders, the extraordinary international response & the need for the UK to urgently issue more visas.
Holly and her teams work in the field in countries like Serbia, Bosnia & Greece long after the headlines are over, coordinating the grassroots refugee response and matching volunteers to organisations which provide vital support.
She says the current momentum for Ukraine is unlikely to be sustained therefore explains the need to pace ourselves for the mid- to long-term humanitarian crisis.
 
 

Afghan news presenter Shabnam Dawran on standing up to the Taliban

To mark International Women's day, we hear from Shabnam Dawran – a national news presenter from Afghanistan – who made headlines all over the world for standing up to the Taliban in Kabul when she was refused entry to her TV studios in the first few days of the new regime. 
 
The 26-year-old was forced to flee her home country a few months ago after being threatened at gun point & sharing her story on social media.
 
With support from Convex, Shabnam is building a new life in the UK with her younger brother and sister but dreams of returning to her family in Afghanistan in safer times & resuming her career as a national news anchor. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Melanie Sykes shares her relief at being diagnosed with autism

Broadcaster & editor-in-chief of The Frank Magazine Melanie Sykes speaks openly to Helen about her recent discovery she’s autistic & her new-found determination to speak out & help others.
 
Melanie has embraced her diagnosis at the age of 51 & says she’s looking at life through a different lens, unpicking and making sense of some of the past.
 
Melanie also talks passionately about the magazine she founded; her love of creating, interviewing, elevating & inspiring others, and a life-changing trip to India to connect with her family’s roots.  

Entrepreneur Alessandro Savelli shares the story of creating Pasta Evangelists

As a young boy, Alessandro Savelli grew up in Genoa in Italy enjoying pasta made by his grandmother. When he wanted to start a brand from scratch, he came up with the idea for Pasta Evangelists, offering hand-made fresh pasta and the ingredients for delicious sauces delivered through the letterbox.
 
Alex and his partner Finn pitched on Dragons Den two years ago for £75,000 of investment but were turned down. They humbly listened to the Dragons’ advice but continued with their plans and sold a major stake in their company last year for £40 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Screenwriter Allan Scott shares his 30-year journey to get The Queen’s Gambit to our screens

Netflix say The Queen's Gambit has broken all records for the most watched limited series, with 62 million households gripped by their seven-part drama. But the story behind it is just as fascinating.
 
Co-creator & executive producer Allan Scott bought the rights to the Walter Tevis book in the eighties & tells Helen the trials & tribulations behind trying to get studios interested in the story of orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon. Chess being the blocker. 
 
Allan, who brought us iconic films like Don’t Look Now starring Donald Sutherland & Julie Christie and the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, jokes he thought he was hallucinating when he watched the first episode air from his hospital bed!
 

Helen chats to ARTAH founder & nutritional therapist Rhian Stephenson

As well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions fade & over-ambitious goals for a new body start to slip, wellness guru Rhian Stephenson explains the power of food and how to feel good & energised all year round.
 
Rhian is a nutritional therapist & naturopath who gave up her role as CEO of Psycle London to create her own wellness company, ARTAH out of her passion to help and inspire people to enjoy optimal health.
 
As a child Rhian suffered unexplained respiratory illnesses & skin conditions which were only resolved when, aged 17, a naturopath discovered she was allergic to a protein in milk.
 
 

Actor Peter Wight on his upcoming BBC drama & film Cyrano

British actor Peter Wight tells Helen about filming the upcoming BBC drama The Reckoning, based on the life of disgraced entertainer Jimmy Savile. He also chats about working with Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage on Cyrano which is out at cinemas now.
 
Peter, who has graced our screens & performed on stage for five decades, shares stories of working with legendary film director Mike Leigh; brushing shoulders with Hollywood’s Brad Pitt & Kiera Knightley & explains what drove him as a teenager to become one of Britain’s finest theatre actors.

Film writer/director & mentor Fredi Nwaka talks about his new comedy

Fredi Nwaka’s latest film, On the Other Foot, about a white racist cabbie who find himself stuck in a black body for 72 hours is comedic as well as thought-provoking. 
 
Fredi looks back on growing up as the only black child in the seaside town of Deal in Kent; reflects on his time in a notorious London gang and explains how he draws on his experiences to mentor young offenders & gang members to help steer them away from a life of crime.
 
The award-winning writer & rapper works in schools, prisons and in America with Crips & Bloods gang members.

Simson Uri-Khob talks about his life saving black rhinos in Namibia

Simson Uri-Khob is CEO of Save the Rhino Trust Namibia & this year’s winner of Prince William's Tusk Lifetime Award for Conservation in Africa.
 
He explains why he’s dedicated his life to protecting the world’s last free-roaming black rhino population in the desert from poachers & preserving their habitat with the vital help of local communities and leading conservation charity Tusk.
 
Simson also recalls taking the Duke of Cambridge rhino tracking in Namibia’s Kunene region & their joy at finally seeing one for 30 seconds after hours of trekking!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Helen chats to brand strategist & FLEX author Annie Auerbach

Annie Auerbach explains how learning to flex in our work & home lives, being rebellious & reinventing the rules, helps to create a smarter, happier life.
 
Annie is the co-founder of trends & cultural insights agency Starling and an expert in the future of work.
 
Her book on living & working on our own terms was written before the pandemic & has been critically acclaimed by the FT, Sunday Times Style, Stella & many more publications. Discover how Annie's findings can help you. 
 

Post COP26, Helen talks to California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection

Born in the UK to American parents, Jared Blumenfeld is one of America’s most innovative environmental leaders. He attended COP26 in Glasgow & gives us his take on what was achieved at the UN’s climate change summit as well as talking about the progress being made in California & the extreme weather America’s largest state is experiencing.
 
Jared believes we’ve gone beyond the precipice with climate change & that big business needs to be held more accountable for its actions. He also describes his extraordinary one-man 2,662-mile trek from Mexico to Canada, across searing deserts & rugged mountain ranges, on the stunning Pacific Crest Trail. 
 
 
 

Helen chats to master jewellery artist Sabine Roemer

Sabine knew at the age of 15 she wanted to design jewellery & work for herself. She shares fascinating stories of making a bracelet for Morgan Freeman for the Oscars; a golden corset for Angelina Jolie for the Maleficent 2 red carpet & reflects on precious time she spent with former South African President Nelson Mandela.
 
Sabine explains how she helped women in Botswana make a living, teaching them to make more sophisticated jewellery from ostrich eggshells & talks about the importance of giving back after surviving a terrifying cloud burst & devastating floods in India which destroyed entire villages & mountainsides.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Triple amputee & Pride of Britain winner Mark Ormrod MBE shares his incredible story

This year’s Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year & Royal Marines Veteran Mark Ormrod tells Helen how his life was devastated in a split second in the early hours of Christmas Eve 2007. He stepped on & triggered an improvised explosive device on routine foot patrol in Afghanistan. He was just 24 & lost both legs & his right arm.
 
Mark has raised more than £600,000 to help other veterans & a film is being made of his inspirational story based on his book, Man Down.
 
He shares how, with the unwavering support of friends & family, he came back from suicidal thoughts, changing his mindset to become an 11-times medal winner at the Invictus Games, a peak performance coach & motivational speaker.