Alison Grade - Author, Consultant, Mentor and Trainer

Alison Grade is the fourth generation of her family to work in media. She has been a professional freelancer all her career. 

Writing in The Guardian Mark Lawson described her as being one of the most influential people in TV when, as a schoolgirl, she persuaded her father to repeat Neighbours at 5:35pm so she and her friends wouldn’t miss it.  

Alison describes her key skill as transforming creative concepts into a business reality. She accomplishes this with the films she produces, the creative entrepreneurs she mentors, SMEs she advises and in her book, The Freelance Bible (Penguin).  

Alison has formal academic training (INSEAD MBA) as well as being an entrepreneur who has established her own businesses. She has worked at senior level in many media companies - predominantly in international television and film production, rights management and strategy.

Currently Alison owns Mission Accomplished, a consultancy offering training, mentoring and strategic advice to start-ups and established SMEs in the Creative Industries. As a Nesta accredited Creative Enterprise trainer and mentor Alison has delivered international programmes in association with the British Council.

During her career, Alison has produced over 7,000 minutes of film and television productions on both high and low budgets. Her non-media experience includes founding Girls Angels, a motorcycle training school that specialised in training women.

Websites: https://www.mission.guru + https://alisongrade.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongrade

Freelancer Bible: http://styin.me/the-freelancer-bible

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alisongrade

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freelancebible

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freelancebible

First Steps into Film and TV https://hopin.com/events/first-steps-into-film-and-tv

Guardian masterclass - https://membership.theguardian.com/event/how-to-be-a-great-freelancer-a-practical-workshop-with-alison-grade-153476912577

Pia Prana Muggerud - Coach, Trainer, Holistic Counsellor and Author

Pia Prana Muggerud is a Women’s Personal Mastery and Leadership Coach, a Holistic Counsellor and Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release Practitioner. he draws on a rich background of therapeutic trainings and experience in spiritual studies, awareness training, and meditation. Her work is about being real. So every step, becomes about coming closer to realizing and standing in your own truth and share it in love, courage and dignity. She is also a Learning Love teacher, work which brings awareness and acceptance to the wounds carried from childhood, that affect our adult lives and relationships.

She offers individual work, as well as groups as a Coach and Counsellor. She leads women's circles, she facilitates Awakening of Love, and the transformative process Path of Love.

Pia has worked as a Coach since 2002, working with senior leaders from around Asia. She has had the privilege of coaching 1000s of people, from more than 15 different countries when she served as a senior mentor in the training programs of Life & Business Strategist Tony Robbins. Pia has worked with many large multi-national companies supporting the rise of leadership presence in the workplace.

Mission:

Her work is about being real and creating personal freedom. So every step, becomes about coming closer to realizing and standing in your own truth and share it in love, courage and dignity. Her purpose is to create a learning space where people feel seen and heard in a way that opens up to a more authentic self expression.

Pia is also an enthusiastic advocate for women’s empowerment. She would love nothing more than to see women embracing their true authentic voice and speak up about what they most want to share with the world!

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piamuggerud
Website: http://www.co-pia.com
Facebook Biz: https://www.facebook.com/RISECoachingTraining
Facebook private group for women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RISETheEvolvingWomensCollective​
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachPia​​
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/piaprana​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piaprana​​
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCmTKkrT48kGpABptmBB1IA
Book: She Rises For Tomorrow: https://tinyurl.com/r4v9s7c7​​

Marijana Dragojevic - Mind-Body-Nutrition Coach

After many years of working in a bank, earning what most would consider good money, but not enjoying a moment there, I have finally built up the courage to say no to work I hated and began my search for a career, that is fulfilling and meaningful.

It started by looking for answers to my own health and weight issues.

The following 2 decades led me down countless avenues, some by choice and some by chance. No matter how many changes I made in my personal and professional life there seemed to be one constant - my interest in food and health.

These 2 worlds collided in a bad way during my first pregnancy when I gained 70 pounds! I didn’t just gain weight, I became unhealthy. In search of answers and help, naturally I turned to my doctors and to traditional medicine. Years went by bouncing from specialist to specialist, without seeing any results.

At the same time, I began exploring the healing power of food. I made a lot of improvements to my health by changing my diet. However, studying nutrition, I found a lot of contradictory information that made me confused, not sure whom to believe. It took me a while to realise that there is no “one size fits all” solution. It was a process of trial and error. Over time I’ve learned to listen to the feedback from my body. In my experience, changing my relationship with food was so much more powerful than I could imagine and I knew there was much more to learn.

This led me to discover the Institute for the Psychology of Eating and in turn this gave me the opportunity to consolidate everything I learnt over the years.

The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when, at the start of 2019, I discovered that I have insulin resistance. My research into this problem led me to finding out about keto.

At first, I didn’t know much, if anything about keto, but for some reason I had a negative opinion of it. I remember first hearing about keto and thinking; I wouldn’t and couldn’t even eat like that. I also remember feeling that this was going to be another trendy diet here today and gone tomorrow.

My opinion started to change when I began reading about reversing the causes of insulin resistance from some of the leading functional doctors in the field today.

The amazing work of people such as Dr. Anna Cabeca and her book ‘The Hormone Fix’ and Dr. Will Cole’s ‘Ketotarian’ started to open my eyes to the possibilities. I wasn’t quite sold that easily but now I was listening, so with nothing to lose I decided to put their ideas into practise using myself and my insulin resistance as the test subject.

As you can imagine I was blown away by the results and the ease with which my body became keto adapted. Just as impressive as the health benefits was the speed with which the weight came off, I wasn’t obese to begin with but I was starting to believe that my slight excess in weight was just part of being a woman in her 60s, I was wrong!

I was all in! I ordered a bunch of books on keto and quickly enrolled in a course with one of the leading names in the game, Dr. Berg.

Now that I am a certified keto coach I can say something truly amazing; my clients are reporting the same amazing experiences as me!

Website: www.greenmindfulketo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenmindfulketo
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/ketoforbusypeopleover40
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marijana-dragojevic-849b7b39

Franco DeMori - Business Growth Leadership Coach

Discover the principles to get into the zone that gives you the powerful insights you need for business growth - WHENEVER YOU NEED THEM - not just walking the dog at the weekend, sat on a far flung beach or taking a morning shower. 

• In the moment you need them

• No matter how busy you are

• And with NOTHING NEW TO LEARN

HAS YOUR STRATEGY FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOST MOMENTUM?
Your ability to get in the zone and access the insights you need whenever you need them is THE #1 competitive advantage in the growth of your business. And hardly anyone’s cottoned onto this. Yet! 

We work with entrepreneur-owners and senior directors to create an on-demand insight culture, that greatly increases business growth. In less time, with less mental effort, with NOTHING NEW TO LEARN and in a way that has you be at your best every day.

WHAT DO YOU NEED HELP WITH? 

• Business Growth Leadership

• Peak Performance Mentorship 

• Executive Leadership Coaching 

• Peak Performance Team Building 

• Business Growth Insights

• Peak Performance Coaching

WHAT DO WE OFFER? 

THE FREE VIDEO MINI-SERIES
Get access to the leaders’ guide to how to get in the zone whenever you need to. It's the engine room behind accelerated business growth – the essential framework for how it can drive remarkable results for your business in much less time.

THE TRAINING
Join me for a ‘no pitch’ private training and discover how you can use in the zone principles to start increasing the revenue and profit of your existing systems and strategy. With nothing new to learn.

THE PROGRAMME
Contact me to find out about our Peak Performance Business Growth Programme that uses your existing systems more powerfully for more revenue, in less time and with less mental effort. And also with nothing new to learn!

WANT TO KNOW MORE? 
Phone: +44 330 223 1542
Email: franco@demorivida.pro
LinkedIn: /linkedin.com/in/business-growth-leadership-coaching
Instagram: /instagram.com/franco.demori

Michael de Groot - Interviews with BBC Hereford and Worcester

I’m a Dutchman and I’m hugely passionate about storytelling.

My quest is to enable small business owners become better storytellers and share engaging stories about themselves and their businesses.

I do this through my own small business, Staying Alive UK, where we enjoy producing visually impactful cartoons and animation campaigns, engaging audiences and giving them a unique insight into an organisation’s story and value proposition. One of our future aims is to deliver these stories via Augmented Reality (AR) too. In addition we also deliver the ‘Share Your Story’ Storytelling Workshops online to help business owners develop their own story blueprint.

I am the host and producer of the ‘Share Your Story’ Podcast, where I invite small business owners to share their own stories with the aim of inspiring new and existing business owners.

In my personal time, I’m a student of Taiko Drumming, Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation and Minimalism. Just my own way of developing a more meaningful life.

Michael de Groot
Chief Storyteller at Staying Alive UK

Website: /stayingaliveuk.com
LinkedIn: /linkedin.com/in/stayingaliveuk
Twitter: /twitter.com/stayingaliveuk
Facebook: /facebook.com/stayingaliveuk
Instagram: /instagram.com/stayingaliveuk
YouTube: /youtube.com/c/MichaeldeGroot
Podcast: /pod.link/shareyourstory
Book an interview: /zoom.as.me/podcast

Karen Gee - Life and Business Coach, Childrens Author, Samaritan

After a career spanning 34 years in banking Karen took voluntary redundancy to begin a new life!

Today Karen runs a successful coaching business, is the author of the Dodger Dog book series, with 15 books published with more to come! Dodger is a real dodger who works as a pet therapy dog in the NHS and care homes. His books are also in schools and libraries where Dodger visits and they inform and educate young children, with all stories behaviour and values based content!

Dodger is on a mission and this is their story!

Karen's passion is people development. She offers a wide range of coaching, workshops and presentations which are all specially designed to motivate and inspire you and your team, guaranteed to give your business a boost. During her working career, she has spent 34 years working in a range of businesses and sectors. With that wealth of personal experience, she has learnt exactly what works and what doesn’t, and she would love to share that knowledge with you. She has successfully managed various sized teams, consistently meeting challenging objectives, across income, customer service, risk and people management.

Website: https://www.geedevelopment.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geekaren

Dodger: https://www.dodgerdog.co.uk | https://www.instagram.com/ilovedodgerdog | https://www.facebook.com/Ilovedodgerdog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.gee.923 | https://www.facebook.com/GeeDevelopment

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeeDevelopment

Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dodgerdog

In the media:

https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/31/dodger-the-staffy-is-every-pensioners-best-friend-11912205/

https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/news/dodger-dog-has-switched-therapy-work-for-fundraising-8055
https://youtu.be/CQCt0PhV-Qg

Marlene Lowe - Importer of African Furniture, Communications Fanatic and Podcast Host

Marlene runs African Safari Furniture Ltd, UK Retailers for The African Touch, handcrafted all-hardwood furniture. They design functional furniture as art. Their master-craftsmen hand build and finish these creations from the finest African hardwoods, natural leather and solid brass into affordable, beautiful pieces that will uplift your space and last for generations.

Marlene also hosts 2 podcasts. The first one is The Wild Adventures Podcast, which is all about sharing people’s stories. Traditionally, myths, stories and legends were passed down from generation to generation around a camp fire. I have always been fascinated with the idea of collecting stories and sharing them with the world. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has someone that would benefit and be inspired by your story. This podcast is to show how everyone can find adventure in their life – because life in an of itself is an adventure. So this podcast is my camp fire. It’s where I invite guests to share stories about themselves and their experiences – to pass on their stories to generations to come and to tribes all over the world.

The second podcast is the Institute of Directors’ - ‘Leaders in Business’. A podcast where you get to know the personalities behind business through one-to-one interviews. Marlene speaks with Directors from all over the United Kingdom about their careers and businesses. Sharing knowledge and insight into how their businesses survive and thrive.

Podcasts:
The Wild Adventures Podcast: https://pod.link/1513590160 | instagram.com/wildadventurespodcast
Leaders in business: https://pod.link/1531004878
Website: https://www.thewanderingwildling.co.uk | https://africansafarifurniture.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemarlenelowe
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WanderingLowe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingwildling
Medium: https://wanderinglowe.medium.com

Sarah Clarke - Media Strategist, Founder Dufferin Media

I have been working in digital marketing since 2003.  I am a mother, wife, entrepreneur, sister, and volunteer.

I am passionate about social media, branding, and marketing. I love to learn about my clients businesses, their goals and challenges and help them achieve their goals and overcome their challenges.

My mission – to help business owners succeed using the powerful tools of digital marketing.

I started in the online marketing field in 2003. I have worked in many areas of online advertising, by 2008 I found my true passion in Social Media Marketing, and in 2012 launched Dufferin Media.

My knowledge base has expanded and I have experience and skills in branding, website development, SEO, pr, and more. 

I am also a passionate volunteer for the Orangeville Food Bank.

Website: http://sarahclarke.biz and https://www.dufferinmedia.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-clarke-2b782153

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahclarkebiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahclarkebiz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sclarkeoville and https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElevateChat

Anthea - Spring's Calling - Culture Central

Saturday 20 March 2021

Spring’s Calling is the latest in the series of regional online events co-ordinated by the West Midlands Culture Response Unit, and marks one year since the country went into its first lockdown.

The event will be made up of 3-5 minute audio artworks, including spoken word, podcasts, music and singing – from artists and organisations across the region.

Coinciding with the Spring Equinox on Saturday 20 March, the event focuses on nature, spring, outdoors, reflection, restarting and growth; as the cultural sector looks ahead to returning to live events, re-opening venues and welcoming back audiences.

To enjoy the event, audiences should search for the hashtag #SpringsCalling across social media channels from 20 March.

Audio artworks will be available to listen to across Apple Podcasts and Soundcloud, along with captioned versions on YouTube.

--

I interviewed Anthea who is 79 years old and lives in Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire. She shares her experience through the UK’s Lockdown and her shielding. I felt it was an appropriate reflection on the past 12 months since we went into Lockdown and to hear a short story by someone who was significantly affected.

Please feel free to share widely.

~ Michael

http://styin.me/youtube-springs-calling

https://soundcloud.com/culture-central/sets/springs-calling

---

YouTube playlist below:

Culture Central is sector support organisation and collective voice for Arts and Culture in the region. We drive strategy with an ambitious, inclusive and relevant vision for the role of the arts and artists in society. Culture Central advocates for the sector, acting as a catalyst to generate radical new approaches to investment and sustainability and brokering cross-sector collaborations and partnerships. 

We work with the sector to develop audiences, provide and promote opportunities for learning, build networks and nurture employment opportunities and share expertise from the talented, diverse communities in the region.

Clint Pulver - Keynote Speaker, Author and The Undercover Millennial

Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award Winning Keynote Speaker and Author, professional drummer, but most importantly, a loving father to his two beautiful daughters. A former private pilot turned generational workforce expert, Clint has dedicated his professional career as the Undercover Millennial TM, uncovering the secrets to what leaders are doing right.

In his new book, I LOVE IT HERE, Clint pulls back the curtain to reveal the research and unscripted truths of the 10,000+ employees he has interviewed undercover – which unveils the reasons for their lasting loyalty – and what triggers them to head for the exit door. Full of actionable strategies and proven methods to diminish employee turnover and skyrocket retention. I LOVE IT HERE shares the magic behind how extraordinary leaders create companies their people never want to leave.

“Clint's dedication and work as The Undercover Millennial offers a one of a kind perspective that will transform leadership for years to come. This is the book your employees want you to read.”
~ Dr. John C. Maxwell- Leadership Expert - The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.

"Clint offers an insider's peek into what your organisation’s team members think, feel, and need in a way that is both eye- opening and empowering. This book offers a plan to reduce attrition, elevate engagement, cultivate creativity and collaboration, and build an organization as good as the people in it.”
~ Daniel H. Pink

Website: https://clintpulver.com

Amazon: I love it here (USA) | I love it here (UK)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintpulver

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintpulver

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/clintpulver

Natasha Jones - Employment Lawyer and Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador

Natasha Jones was called to be a lawyer to help others following her study of human nature in psychology and as a result of her lifelong intrigue in what makes people 'tick'. After being in the masculine energy of 'success' during her time as a lawyer over a twenty-year period, she observed that those she worked and socialised with were in the typically 'man's world' of law and business. After observing the terrible effect that life-changing events can incur on people, Natasha began to see more clearly and closely the struggle to grieve and come to terms with the 'rug being pulled from under' a person. Increasingly, she begun to empathise with individuals-typically men-who seemed to never allow themselves to develop self-love/nurturing skills. From there, she began a journey of passion to inspire resilience and help people-including clients, friends, and husbands of friends-to find the tools to cope with devastating events in their lives.

Website: http://effectivelaw.co.uk

LinkedIn : http://linkedin.com/in/natashajones

Amazon: http://styin.me/mandemic

A Tale of a Man who didn’t like to be told What to do!

Alan Bates - Stage Hypnotist and Hypnotherapist

Alan Bates is a Comedy stage Hypnotist and is the current Chairman of the Federation of Ethical Stage Hypnotists, F.E.S.H and a full member of British Equity.

Based in the United Kingdom, Alan has been spellbinding audiences with his Hypnosis Shows on Television and in Theatre worldwide for several years.

In his early years Alan found work as a DJ / Presenter in England and then went to work in the Caribbean aboard a Cruise Liner as a Casino Manager.

Alan’s early fascination with hypnosis prompted him to study psychology and on his return to England he soon developed his own show combining comedy with hypnosis.

Alan Bates regularly appears on TV and TVM’s Xarabank in Malta which is enjoying immense success with ‘High Viewer’ ratings. The TV concept is a fusion of humour and real phobias and psychological problems with live audience participation where positive life changing results are witnessed on air. Please see a sample link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t24EyGtXElE

Alan is a true Master of the Art and in addition he specialises in ‘Stop Smoking’ and Weight Loss’ he has also enjoyed huge therapeutic success with the mind’s ability to cure serious phobias and psychological issues.

Samples of TV appearances include, the Graham Norton Show, RTE the Saturday Night Show, UTV World Movies, RTM Malaysia, PBS and TVM Malta.

In addition to TV, Alan has performed live shows in the following countries; Bahrain,

Doha, Dubai, East Africa, Egypt, Sri-Lanka, Europe, India, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States. The highlight of his overseas tours to date was an invitation to perform for the Royal Family of Brunei

Live performance Theatre venues have included the Pavilion Theatre Worthing, Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, the Beck Theatre Middlesex, Theatre 7 Shrewsbury, Floral Pavilion New Brighton, Benidorm Palace Spain, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and King Georges Hall Blackburn.

Alan has published 5 books, Wide Awake, Confessions of a Hypnotist, True Ghost Stories, Trade Secrets and UFO’s It’s Time to Wake Up which are available via Amazon in paperback and kindle.

Website: https://alanbateshypnotherapy.tv 

Books: https://alanbateshypnotherapy.tv/books-sales

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-bates-318a041a/

Andrew Dee - Spirit Medium, Psychic & Life Coach

Andrew Dee is a natural born psychic, spirit medium, author, teacher and unbelievably, a retired British military officer with many years’ experience travelling the world. Following on from his radio shows and as a presenter with Psychic TV in the UK; 

Andrew uses every bit of his previous experience, his intuitive abilities as well as his connection with his spiritual guides to inspire his global clients to achieve their life’s ambitions. He has trained extensively at the Arthur Findley College in England with with world-renowned tutors and now offers his skills to his own students, both here in the US and UK. 

Website: www.andrewdee.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mediumandrewdee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediumandrewdee

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AndrewDeemedium

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediumandrewdee