Positive Negative

Ep16| "The solutions need to be structural" - Dr Sara Reis, Women's Budget Group

Josh speaks with Dr Sara Reis, Head of Research & Policy for the Women's Budget Group (WBG). They discuss the impacts the lockdown has had, is having and will continue to have on women. Episode Links Dr Sara Reis: Twitter Women's Budget Group: Website | Twitter The blog that Josh stumbled across was Personal debt is a feminist issue on the Brave New Europe website. The WBG also produce a weekly newsletter providing updates on the gendered impact of Covid-19.  The briefings Sara sent us ...

Bonus | “It’s about the years and years and years of being stood on and stamped on” - Black Lives Matter Protest in Cardiff

Today we hear from the voices from the crowd at the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Cardiff's Bute Park on Saturday, June 6th 2020. Black Lives Matter is an international human rights movement which began in 2013 with the #BlackLivesMatter in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer and has been active ever since. The killing of George Floyd on May 25th sparked international protests, such as the one held in Cardiff. In this episode, Laurence took a microphone,...

Ep15| "It's amazing that we're having to issue guidelines about face masks" - Melissa Lee, Aerospace Project Manager & Pole Dance Instructor

In this episode, Laurence chats to Melissa Lee, an Aerospace Project Manager and award-winning pole dancer and instructor. They discuss life in lockdown just as restrictions begin to ease, as well as adjustments Melissa has had to make by working and teaching from home. Episode recorded on May 26th. Episode Links Melissa on Instagram: @melee.x Watch: Dancing for NHS Charities Together Donate: Dancing for NHS Charities Together This article from The Independent highlights further the issu...

Ep15| "It's amazing that we're having to issue guidelines about facemarks" - Melissa Lee, Aerospace Project Manager & Pole Dance Instructor

In this episode, Laurence chats to Melissa Lee, an Aerospace Project Manager and award-winning pole dancer and instructor. They discuss life in lockdown just as restrictions begin to ease, as well as adjustments Melissa has had to make by working and teaching from home. Episode recorded on May 26th. Episode Links Melissa on Instagram: @melee.x Watch: Dancing for NHS Charities Together Donate: Dancing for NHS Charities Together This article from The Independent highlights further the issu...

Ep14| "There's power when we work together" - Kirsty Haigh, Social Justice Activist & Chef

Josh talks to social justice activist and chef, Kirsty Haigh. She's currently working for Edinburgh's Food For Good Coalition, who've - to date - cooked around 30,000 meals for the people of Edinburgh (the "second cash richest city in the UK", at £16.9bn in 2017 figures). They also talk about the need for a better work-life balance, zero-hours contracts, changes to the food system and a positive side effect of the lockdown; that men are talking more about their feelings and mental health. ...

Ep13| "I feel it's going to shape the future in a very positive way" - Godwin Josiah, The Critics Company, Nigeria

In today's episode Laurence speaks with Godwin Josiah, one member of The Critics Company; a group of young filmmakers in Nigeria. Last year they gained global recognition for their work on the short film Z: The Beginning which went viral mainly due to the skills they showed in creating visual effects on a very low budget. Laurence and Godwin discuss filmmaking and the effects Covid-19 is having on Nigera. This interview was recorded on April 26th. Episode Links  The Critics on YouT...

Ep12| "The planet will not keep going if we don't make changes" - Kelly Edney, Owner & Managing Director of The Dust Dolly

Josh speaks with Kelly Edney, Owner and Managing Director of The Dust Dolly, to find out the impact that the pandemic and lockdown has had on her as a small business owner and employee of 10. As well as the financial and administrative hoops, she also talks about the challenges of being in the process of moving house, the community spirit that's inspired her...and a surprise Victoria Sponge! Episode Links The Dust Dolly website. The Dust Dolly Facebook. Positive Negative Links Website ...

Ep11| "Every day I wonder, if today was the day I contracted Covid-19" - Dr Katherine Witter, NHS Psychiatrist

In episode 11 of Positive Negative, Laurence speaks with Dr Katherine Witter a trainee psychiatrist working in Saint Albans. Katherine is working on the front line with Covid-19 patients, they discuss this and the mental health implications for those coming out of a serious viral infection and those that aren't getting support through their usual networks. They also discuss family life and the effects the current situation is having on her two young children and her husband. Episode Links ...

Ep10| "To have all your income taken away from you is terrifying" - Andrew Walmsley, Photographer

In episode 10 of Positive Negative Laurence is joined by professional photographer Andrew Walmsley. They discuss his work and how, as a freelancer, he is adjusting to life in lockdown and dealing with having all his income virtually stopping overnight. Episode Links  Andrews Website Andrews Instagram Walms Wild Andrews Instagram Ginger Snaps Media Andrews Twitter  Andrews Facebook Positive Negative Links Website Twitter Facebook   YouTube Join in the discussion by using #posnega...

Ep9| "What kind of people do we want them to be?" - James, Secondary School PE Teacher

In our ninth episode, Josh speaks with his friend James, a Secondary School PE Teacher, to find out how he's adjusting to teaching and working from home and what effect he hopes all of this might have on the direction that Education takes in the future. Recorded on April 29th. Positive Negative Links Website Twitter Facebook   YouTube Join in the discussion by using #posnegative Special thanks to Artwork by George Hall @geogeohall Animations by Emily Turvey @digeoproductions About ...

Ep8| "I think the whole fitness industry will change" - Vicki Landi, VLM Fitness

In this episode of Positive Negative, Laurence speaks with Vicki Landi from VLM fitness. They discuss the changes Vicki has had to make to her job in order to still support her clients, juggling home life while working and what impact COVID-19 will have on the future of fitness, even if social distancing continues even if lockdown restrictions are eased.  Recorded on May 6th Links for this Episode  Vicki's Website: vlmfitness.com VLM Fitness on Instagram: @vlmfitness Vicki's Twitter: @V...

Ep7| "Every day at school is about much, much more" - Penny Rabiger, Educationalist

In his next conversation, Josh speaks with Educationalist, Penny Rabiger who he met at a Global Citizenship conference for educators run by Highland One World in Inverness. She was the guest speaker alongside Lisa Williams of the Edinburgh Carribean Association. Recorded on Friday 1st May. Links for this Episode Penny is Director of Engagement at Lyfta Co-founder of BAMEEd Network She mentions Runnymede's Our Migration Story The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (aka SDGs or 'Global ...

Ep6| "We need to rethink how we're going to interact with nature" - Cyprian Ogoti, Environmental Journalist & Activist

In this episode of Positive Negative Laurence speaks with Cyprian Ogoti an environmental journalist and activist from Niarobi, Kenya. Laurence met Cyprian last year at an environmental conference and wanted to catch up with him to discuss how he and his family were coping during the COVID-19 pandemic and to learn about the similarities and differences of lockdown life for someone living in Niarobi. Recorded on 26th April. Links for this Episode Instagram: @ecomazingira Documentary Tra...

Ep5| "I lost an emotional connection to music" Simon Tucker, Music Journalist & DJ

Our next guest is Music Journalist, DJ and friend, Simon Tucker. We've both known Si for almost 20 years since meeting at Uni in Wales. In this conversation he talks about Tangled Parrot, the independent record shop where he works, his love for radio and how he’s adjusting to the challenges of homeschooling a 7 year old! Recorded on April 16th, he also talks about his sobriety during the lockdown and his hopes for the future. Links for this Episode Tangled Parrot Twitter | Facebook Ho...

Ep5| "I lost an emotional connection to music" - Simon Tucker, Music Journalist & DJ

Our next guest is Music Journalist, DJ and friend, Simon Tucker. We've both known Si for almost 20 years since meeting at Uni in Wales. In this conversation he talks about Tangled Parrot, the independent record shop where he works, his love for radio and how he’s adjusting to the challenges of homeschooling a 7 year old! Recorded on April 16th, he also talks about his sobriety during the lockdown and his hopes for the future. Links for this Episode Tangled Parrot Twitter | Facebook Ho...

Ep4| "It wouldn’t take much for the virus to get in and wipe out a whole population" Lucy Radford - Sumatran Orungatan Society (SOS)

In Laurence's next conversation, he speaks with friend and former collaegue Lucy Radford, Engagement Manager for the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS). She explains the impact that the pandemic has had on their work in both the UK and Indonesia - including how their forest patrols (which help to protect Orangutans from illegal activities) have been put on hold, due to social distancing related measures for staff in Indonesia. Recorded on April 8th, she also talks about the potential for Ora...

Ep4| "It wouldn’t take much for the virus to get in and wipe out a whole population" Lucy Radford, Sumatran Orungatan Society (SOS)

In Laurence's next conversation, he speaks with friend and former collaegue Lucy Radford, Engagement Manager for the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS). She explains the impact that the pandemic has had on their work in both the UK and Indonesia - including how their forest patrols (which help to protect Orangutans from illegal activities) have been put on hold, due to social distancing related measures for staff in Indonesia. Recorded on April 8th, she also talks about the potential for Ora...

Ep4| "It wouldn’t take much for the virus to get in and wipe out a whole population" - Lucy Radford, Sumatran Orungatan Society (SOS)

In Laurence's next conversation, he speaks with friend and former collaegue Lucy Radford, Engagement Manager for the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS). She explains the impact that the pandemic has had on their work in both the UK and Indonesia - including how their forest patrols (which help to protect Orangutans from illegal activities) have been put on hold, due to social distancing related measures for staff in Indonesia. Recorded on April 8th, she also talks about the potential for Ora...

Ep3| "We're seeing in real-life, in real terms, what matters" - Anna Myers, Whistleblowing International Network

For Josh's second conversation, and our third episode, he spoke with Anna Myers, Executive Director of WIN, the Whistleblowing International Network. Recorded on Good Friday, she tells us about her career as a lawyer and in the field of whistleblowing, before going on to discuss the pandemic and her hopes for the future. Links for this Episode - Formerly Public Concern At Work, Anna worked for Protect, who aim to "make whistleblowing work for individuals, organisations and society." - The...

Ep2| "We've had to push forward" - Lee Allen, Occupational Therapist

Our second episode is a conversation between Laurence and Lee Allen, an NHS Occupational Therapist. They talk about mental health and the surprising effect the lockdown is having for some of Lee's patients. Links for this Episode - NHS Mental health & staying at home - Mental Health UK Managing your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak - SAMH Looking after your mental health in challenging times Positive Negative Links Website Twitter Facebook   YouTube Join in the discussio...

Ep1| “The kindness of people will always win through” - Cathi Bertin, Befrienders

In our first episode, Josh speaks to Cathi Bertin, the Projector Director for Befrienders; a voluntary organisation which has been working with children and young people and their families in Argyll and Bute since 1989. Links for this Episode Befrienders website Befrienders Facebook page Positive Negative Links Website Twitter Facebook   YouTube Join in the discussion by using #posnegative Special thanks to Artwork by George Hall @geogeohall Animations by Emily Turvey @digeoproduc...

Ep1 “The kindness of people will always win through” - Cathi Bertin, Befrienders

In our first episode, Josh speaks to Cathi Bertin, the Projector Director for Befrienders; a voluntary organisation which has been working with children and young people and their families in Argyll and Bute since 1989. Links for this Episode http://www.befriendersforchildren.co.uk Positive Negative Links www.postivenegativepodcast.com www.twitter.com/posnegative https://www.facebook.com/positivenegativepodcast/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7icfonWw_nloTOSVGkvUAg  Join in the d...

Trailer| 1st Episode out Easter Monday!

Positive Negative Links https://www.positivenegativepodcast.com www.twitter.com/posnegative https://www.facebook.com/positivenegativepodcast/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7icfonWw_nloTOSVGkvUAg  Join in the discussion by using #posnegative Special thanks to Artwork by George Hall @geogeohall Animations by Emily Turvey @digeoproductions About Us Positive Negative creates discussion with a wide range of people around the same set of questions, building a picture of how a certai...

1st Episode out Easter Monday!

Bonus| Clap for Key Workers

Our first episode is on the way shortly. While you're waiting here's how the Clap For Key Worker's sounded in Glasgow, whilst out for some daily exercise, with bagpipes, horns...and even the blackbirds joined in! Positive Negative Links https://www.positivenegativepodcast.com www.twitter.com/posnegative https://www.facebook.com/positivenegativepodcast/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7icfonWw_nloTOSVGkvUAg  Join in the discussion by using #posnegative Special thanks to Artwork by ...

Clap for Key Workers

Our first episode is on the way shortly. While you're waiting here's how the Clap For Key Worker's sounded in Glasgow, whilst out for some daily exercise, with bagpipes, horns...and even the blackbirds joined in!

Birds

Our first episode is on the way. Here's some calming bird song while we get everything set-up... SUBSCRIBE to make sure you don't miss the first episode!