Shows
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 74 - Bridie JacksonThis week’s episode is with Bridie Jackson who is a musician, composer and creative practitioner based here in the North East. It was lovely to talk to Bridie about her process of uncovering personal stories and her approach to co-production with communities as well as what inspires her when she’s writing her music.
2022-05-1759 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 73 - Si BeckwithThis week we talk to Si Beckwith who is a stand up comic and is involved in Felt Nowt, a community interest company which is run by comedians for comedy fans. He tells us a bit more about what’s involved in the interview. He is also involved in a new North East based podcast in collaboration with Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums which looks explores the heritage of North East comedy and some of the forgotten faces and untold stories of North East comedians.
2022-05-031h 14
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 72 - Kelly CoatesFor our 40th episode in the Northern Guide series we talk to Kelly Coates this week who founded Projects4Change, a youth project based in Cowgate in Newcastle. Projects4Change aims to help provide better opportunities for young people. It’s a bit of under statement to say that young people have had a particularly challenging time over the last few years so we talked a little bit about that, happy (and sad moments) at the project, Betty's hut and what brings Kelly happiness and what it means to her.
2022-04-0550 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 71 - Ed WaughIt was an absolute pleasure to talk to Ed Waugh this week. Ed is a North East playwright who along with his writing partner Trevor Wood has written a number of highly successful plays starting with Good to firm in 2002, to Waiting for Gateaux in 2005, Carrying David and Alf Ramsey Knew my Grandfather. His most recent work is Wor Bella, a story all about the Blyth Spartans football player Bella Reay and the WW1 Munitionettes.
2022-03-151h 00
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 70 - Adam GoldwaterThis week we are joined by Adam Goldwater. Adam talks to us about the importance of sense of place to his happiness and wellbeing. We talk about how as a child he used to ask his dad “Can we go somewhere old?” and how that love of exploring old buildings and sites across the region has continued into adulthood.
2022-03-071h 01
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 69 - Rod ClementsThis week we talk to a Northern legend; Rod Clements. Rod is best known as a member of Lindisfarne. He wrote their first hit, "Meet me on the Corner" (which won him an Ivor Novello Award!). He has also released some amazing solo work over the years as well as having played with a number of other Folk music greats. He's a Northern chap having been born and raised in North Shields, he's a generally all round decent, intelligent, articulate and brilliant human being.
2022-03-0154 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 68 - Chris OrdThis week’s episode is with Chris Ord. Chris talks about his love of brass bands and playing music which brings him a great deal of happiness but we also talk about his writing. His novels are dark, atmospheric and inspired by Northumberland. He talks to us about how the process of writing brings him happiness and how he goes about writing his stories.
2022-02-221h 02
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 67 - Emma Pattison and Debra ForthThis week’s episode is with Emma Pattison and Debra Forth who run Live Well CIC based in Sacriston in County Durham. At their Live Well Centre they deliver all sorts of activities to help support children and adults with their emotional, physical, social and personal wellbeing. We had a great chat about wellbeing, living your best life and how it’s important to take time out for yourself for your own physical and mental wellbeing.
2022-02-0849 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 66 - Clif EversClif Evers provides another fascinating discussion around Blue space and wellbeing for this weeks episode. Clif works at Newcastle University in the School for Arts and Culture with a particular interest in coastal communities. He talks to us about the importance of blue space to our wellbeing but also how some communities feel that enjoyment in the coast and what it has to offer is out of their reach.
2022-02-0157 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 65 - Andy HaddonThis week’s interview is with Andy Haddon who runs Big River Bakery, a social enterprise based in Shieldfield in the East End of Newcastle. A great chat about the background to how the bakery getting started, why it’s such an important part of the community in Shieldfield and the impact of getting involved in the Hairy Bikers recent Go North series.
2022-01-2537 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 64 - Sara BrysonThis week we talk to the brilliant Sara Bryson. Sara works as a Community Organiser for Citizen’s UK providing training and support to communities who want to bring about change and social justice. She told me about some of the campaigns she’s been working on including the Living Wage campaign and others around poverty and hate crime.
2022-01-1852 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 63 - Sarah SuttonSarah Sutton works at Whitley Bay Big Local which is a community venue in North Tyneside offering a range of different activities and services for the local community. We talked about what’s been happening at Whitley Bay Big Local recently including their own Action for Happiness sessions. Sarah also talks about where she personally finds happiness and what it means to her.
2022-01-1143 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 62 - Festive round upIt's the end of the year episode! Alex, Chris and Kath look back on the project so far and talk about some of their best bits from all the episodes so far. Do you have a favourite episode or moment so far? We'd love to hear from you.
2021-12-1449 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 61 - Jordan BlythThis week we talk to Jordan Blyth. Jordan is our other crucial member of the podcast production team. He works with Emma from last week on this podcast making sure each episode sounds fabulous. We had a really good chat about what it’s been like working on the podcast, his working life and things that bring him happiness.
2021-11-3051 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 60 - Emma MillenOur interviewee this week has been working super hard behind the scenes on this podcast and is one of our producers, Emma Millen. Alongside her co-pilot Jordan Blyth, they both make us all sound good and sort pull all the audio pieces together to make the finished podcast episode each week. Emma is passionate about radio and sound, people and cats!
2021-11-2345 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 59 - Alfie JoeyAlfie Joey who is probably best known for presenting on BBC Radio Newcastle talks to us this week on the podcast. He is also known for his stand up comedy and more recently for his art work which he rediscovered again and which helps with his mental health and wellbeing. Lots of fascinating discussion points in this episode around happiness and what it means to Alfie.
2021-11-1655 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 58 - Alison StenningThis week we talk to Professor Alison Stenning based at Newcastle University. Chris and Alison talk about the importance of place, places that mean something to us and places that make us happy and why. They also talk about neighbourhoods, street, why playing out is important and her work with Play Meet Street North Tyneside.
2021-11-0953 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 57 - Lucy and Paul HullLucy and Paul Hull run a fabulous place in Spanish City in Whitely Bay called For the Love of the North which is small business supporting other small businesses and the local community. They talk about finding happiness in their work and their passion for the North East region and how they think they have the best location for a shop in the whole of the UK!
2021-11-0249 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 56 - Carol MoxamWe talk to Dr Carol Moxam this week who is a speech and language therapist and lecturer at Newcastle University. She talks to Chris about language and communication, students and wellbeing and building self belief in others. She talks about how she enjoys sharing and exchanging knowledge through her lecturing and how happiness is a feeling and not a material thing.
2021-10-2650 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 55 - Tim CrookThis week we talk to Tim Crook who is a Trustee for the Friends of Gosforth Central Park. Green spaces have been particularly valuable for all of us, especially over the last year or so. Tim talks to Chris about what he's been doing with his retirement and what it takes to keep our parks looking beautiful for us all to enjoy.
2021-10-1949 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 54 - Mandi CresswellThis week we talk to Mandi Cresswell who is the Chief Officer of Meadow Well Connected in North Tyneside. Mandi talks to us about her varied career path and how she now finds happiness working at Meadow Well Connected. She also talks to us about positive intelligence as well as how a building a heart of a community had to adapt it’s delivery processes during the pandemic.
2021-10-1257 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 53 - Kylea LittleKylea Little, Keeper of History at Discovery Museums talks to us this week. She talks to us about what being a curator means and why it’s important to collect things for the collection now for the future. We talk about the happiness and contentment that people get from donating things to the museum collections and some of the things she's been collecting recently. We also talk about being a working parent, rediscovering old children's book favourites and how appreciating the small things in life is the key to happiness for her.
2021-10-0555 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 52 - Steve LoweThis week we talk to Steve Lowe who is an ecologist, archaeologist and generally all round lover of the great outdoors. In this episode he talks about the importance of nature to wellbeing, learning to say no and the importance of connecting with others and how that impacts on our overall mental health and that sometimes those dirty dishes can wait for another day.
2021-09-281h 01
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 51 - Craig HeapThis week we talk to retired Commonwealth and Olympic athlete Craig Heap. He had some really interesting on views on happiness and how gymnastics has been such a huge part of his life since he was a young boy. Craig talks his motivation for helping others and his enthusiasm for sport and it’s positive impact on wellbeing and looking for the positivity in the face of adversity.
2021-09-1453 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 50 - Habib RahmanThis week we talk to the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Habib Rahman who has made history by being the first Black and Minority Ethnic Lord Mayor in the civic job’s 800 year history. We talk about all sorts of things including his journey to the UK from Bangladesh and what that was like as a young boy, his passion for the North East region, what it’s like being the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and what happiness looks like for him.
2021-09-071h 06
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 49 - Anne WilsonWith the 40th anniversary run of the Great North Run less than two weeks away we thought a running inspired episode would be appropriate as we return after our summer break. This week we have Anne Wilson who some of you might have seen on the route of the Great North Run dressed as Minnie Mouse. She is part of a very exclusive group called the All Runs Club made up of a small number of people who have run every single Great North Run since the first one in 1981. Anne shares some of her memories of the Great...
2021-08-3154 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 48 - Dan PyeThis week we talk to Dan Pye who finds happiness in immersive experiences which might explain why he loves working amongst the stars at Kielder Observatory. He is also in his happy place in his recording booth using his voice to portray characters in video games, TV adverts and continuity reels as well as the importance of accents to identity.
2021-08-0343 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 47 - Mark Taylor-GreggMark Taylor-Gregg talks to us this week. Based in North Shields he is a volunteer crew member of Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat Station. He is also an artist, he sails himself and is a dedicated family man. Mark talks to us about his love of being an artist and the connection with and legacy of his late father. He also talks about happiness in relation to his progression between careers and the courage and self knowledge needed to that. A fascinating discussion not to be missed!
2021-07-2756 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 46 - Nikita KaurThis week we talk to the fabulous Nikita Kaur who works at the Angelou Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne working with children and young people as their Children and Young Person’s Domestic Violence Advocate. She talks about the importance of play and that you’re never old to try something new. Nikita talks to us about her love of aerial, the coast and watching and discussing movies with others.
2021-07-2050 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Forty Five - Anne IqbalThis week Anne Iqbal from the Angelou Centre shares a moving and surprising story of growth and insight. She talks to us about her life growing up in Kenya and her journey to the UK and how she came to be in Tyneside, a place she now calls home. Anne talks about the happy community environment in which she grew up in as well as how she first recognised what unhappiness felt like and how it affected her.
2021-07-131h 02
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 44 - Pearl SaddingtonThis week we talk to Pearl Saddington who is well known within the heritage sector, spending time at some of our heritage venues like Bede's World and the Old Low Light on North Shields Fish Quay. She is currently working with the National Trust based at Gibside working with volunteers and community projects. Pearl talks to us about how she has come to appreciate green spaces and the value of taking time away from your desk as well as the importance of not being afraid to say "hello" to a stranger.
2021-07-0640 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 43 - Faye MacCalmanThis week we speak to Faye MacCalman who is a musician and composer. She writes for and leads the band Archipelago and has collaborated with a number of other North East bands and musicians including The Unthanks and Maximo Park. Faye talks to Chris about where the need to create music comes from and the happiness that it gives and why music in the community is so important.
2021-06-2956 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 42 - Geoff MillerWe talk to Geoff Miller this week, Dean of Newcastle. The conversation covers two distinct areas of happiness. One is partly about the work of Newcastle Cathedral itself and Geoff's own interpretations of happiness. He also tells us all about the exciting and current restoration work being done at Newcastle Cathedral which is heading towards completion.
2021-06-2255 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 41 - Tom CaulkerThis week we talk to Tom Caulker, who ran the famous Trent House pub for 25 years and founded World Headquarters in 1993. Tom gives a fascinating insight into what happiness (and unhappiness) means to him and how he tries to achieve it. Tom also talks about the importance of World Headquarters' multiracial & inclusive ethos and the hugely successful anti-racist Unity Festival that he was involved in establishing and why is was so important for it to take place.
2021-06-1552 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 40 - Zoë MurtaghAnother great episode this week with Zoë Murtagh who talks to us this week about what happiness means to her. A fascinating discussion about the colours and smells she associated with happiness as well as how the different aspects of her working life brings her joy from working with young carers to delivering freelance workshops.
2021-06-0849 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 39 - Amanda GerryThis week we talk to Amanda Gerry who is lead Regeneration Officer for the Churches Conservation Trust. She talks to us about all sorts of things including Zoom Free Fridays, the joy of campervanning, the importance of good friends and family and the happiness she gets from working with a brilliant team in her work.
2021-06-0156 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 38 - Chris JewittChris Jewitt talks to us this week about all things food related. Chris is founder and CEO of a community interest company called Food and Drink North East. He talks to us about his love his food and why it's important to him. The value of storytelling in the food industry and why food memories are so special.
2021-05-251h 06
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 37 - Zahra RavenscroftThis week we talk to Zahra Ravenscroft who is involved in coastal restoration work with the Environment Agency. Zahra talks to us about some of the great new environmental projects taking place around the North East including the Wild Oyster project that’s been set up in Blyth and Sunderland. Zahra also talks about the research being done into the link between blue space and wellbeing as well as her discovery of sea swimming and her love of living in the city and access to cultural events.
2021-05-1857 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 36 - Michael CunliffeThis week we talk to Michael Cunliffe who is an artist who specialises in Dark Art. In this episode he talks to us about how the process of painting brings him happiness as well as his work at North Tyneside Art Studio. The Art Studio is a place which supports people with mental health issues so the conversation also includes a fascinating discussion about how art can be used to maintain positive mental health.
2021-05-1154 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 35 - Liz LuffThis week we talk to Liz Luff who has been involved in the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation since it started back in 2008. Liz talks about the amazing work the Foundation does including some of the moving stories of its fundraisers. We also talked the personal motivation for her to be involved in its work. We also talk about Liz's love of Italy and a border terrier nicknamed "Maggie Mayhem".
2021-05-0458 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 34 - Robin FryThis week we talk to Robin Fry, CEO of VODA which is the Voluntary Organisations Development Agency for North Tyneside. We talk about his love of film and music making as well as VODA's response to the Covid pandemic, supporting volunteers and the local communities over the last 12 months, including helping people with food and prescription deliveries and befriending opportunities.
2021-04-2758 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode 33 - Jack LoweFor the last 6 years, Jack Lowe has been travelling round the UK and the Republic of Ireland in a decommissioned ambulance dark room called Neena documenting every RNLI lifeboat station using glass plate photography. He talks to Alex about achieving "level contentment", and the importance of family, community, kayaking and social media amongst many other things.
2021-04-201h 04
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Thirty Two - The TeamIt's our last Geordie Guide to Happiness episode in it's current season, but we'll say more about that during the episode. We’ve picked some of our favourite bits from our episodes from 2021 which we’d like to share again. The team have a good old chat about what the project has meant for us over the last year or so.
2021-03-0947 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Thirty One - Ashley Lowe and Azeem AhmadIn this week's episode we talk to Ashley and Azeem from Newcastle United Foundation. They talk to Alex about their Be a Game Changer campaign. They talk about the power of football and how it can be utilised to help support people experiencing mental health issues. They also chat about their own personal experiences around mental health as well as what happiness means to them and what they do to maintain positive mental wellbeing.
2021-03-0246 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Thirty - Ste DunnIn this week's episode we talk to Ste Dunn (pronouns he/him) who fills us in on plans for this year's Northern Pride event as well as the importance of LGBTQ+ History month. He also talks to us about happiness means to him including a very special tattoo which reminds him about some of his happy days.
2021-02-2354 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Nine - Chris BarnardWe continue the Ouseburn theme this week with an interview with Chris Barnard who is Chief Officer at the Ouseburn Trust. He talks to Kath about the positive work/life balance he has experienced during lockdown as well has his love of the great outdoors. His passion for the Ouseburn also shines through as he tells us all about what makes the place unique.
2021-02-1644 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Eight - John CoburnThis week's episode is a great interview between Dominic and John Coburn. John is Creative Director at Seven Stories the National Centre for Children's Book. He's also played in a few bands and is well known on the Newcastle music scene. They talk about all sorts of different things including walking through graveyards, audio recordings and kids telling jokes!
2021-02-0950 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Seven - Alison Flanagan WoodIn this week's episode Alex talks to Alison Flanagan Wood, Arts Development Officer at Newcastle City Council. They chat about the importance of arts and culture to the wellbeing of Newcastle communities as well as the things that bring Alison happiness, including setting herself new challenges such as sea swimming and playing contact sports like camogie and roller derby.
2021-02-0257 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Six - Iain WatsonIain Watson is Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, responsible for overseeing the management of a collection of nine museums and galleries across Tyneside as well as the Archives for Tyne and Wear. In this episode Iain reflects on the many happy moments in his career in museums and heritage as well as the role museums play in enabling people to experience a range of emotions when they visit. He also talks about his own sources of personal happiness including spending time with family, time on the beach, and walking the family dog.
2021-01-2641 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Five - Val McLeanVal is a multi talented actor, scriptwriter, director and teacher who has influenced the theatre experience of many people in the North East and beyond during her long career. At heart she sees herself as a wife and mother. Listen as she reflects on the happiness and strength she gets from being part of a loving family and the challenges of being a working mother in the acting profession.
2021-01-1949 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Four - Andy ClarkIn this week's episode, Kath talks to Andy Clark who is an oral historian and a relative newcomer to the city. Andy talks about how happiness doesn't have to be prescriptive and it can depend on your mood and how a box of Quality Street can make all the difference! Andy also talks about how cooking, cleaning and playing in a pipe band bring him happiness.
2021-01-1247 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Three - Dan JacksonIt's our first episode of 2021 and we're talking to Dan Jackson, author of "The Northumbrians: North-East England and Its people". Dan talks about how he finds happiness in gardening, football, facts and research and the process of writing. As well as, of course, his love of history and the North East.
2021-01-0557 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty Two - The End of Year PartyA slightly different format for this week's episode. The podcast team share a drink (or two) as we celebrate the project so far and look back at some of the episodes and interviewees we have talked to so far about happiness. Do you have a favourite episode or moment so far? We'd love to hear from you!
2020-12-0854 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty One - Cath DarlingCath Darling is an occupational therapist and writer. She also runs a small skincare business inspired by her son's experience of eczema. She talks to Kath about happiness in the palliative care sector. They discuss her experiences working with people at end of life and the importance of spending time with the people you love.
2020-12-0139 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twenty - Miles Wallis-ClarkeMiles Wallis-Clarke has been the head teacher at Hotspur Primary School in Heaton for the last fifteen years. He is about to embark on a new adventure in the new year with his husband Gary. In this episode he talks about his passion for singing, the importance of relationships to his happiness and some of the stand out moments for him during his time at Hotspur.
2020-11-2451 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Nineteen - Bill CorcoranBill Corcoran was involved in setting up the NUFC foodbank to help support the work of the West End food bank. He is also involved in the Tyneside Irish Centre. In this episode he talks about how the foodbank was started, the importance of dignity, mindfulness, time to yourself and why Newcastle is such a great place to live.
2020-11-1753 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Eighteen - Sharuna SagarSharuna works for the BBC and is a presenter and reporter here in the North East. She covers all sorts of subjects and her specialist subject is Art and Culture. In this episode she talks about many thanks that bring her joy from making her films for work, important family time and diagnosing a culinary disaster to enjoying a good cup of tea. She also talks about how practicing gratitude throughout the day helps you reflect on your life in a positive way.
2020-11-1053 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Seventeen - First Step ParticipantsIn this special episode we talk to participants from First Step about happiness following their involvement in some of our happiness workshops. First Step works with women from all over the world who have made Newcastle their home. We hope you enjoy listening to Lynne, Huda, Mervat, Vera, Sophie and Jasmin telling us what happiness means to them.
2020-11-031h 08
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Sixteen - Andrea CarterAndrea, lead producer at D6 Culture in Transit shares her thoughts on happiness after a challenging time during the lockdown period. She talks about retrospective happiness, some excellent book recommendations through to camping with her children, circuit training and weightlifting.
2020-10-2746 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Fifteen - Libby MorrisonPhD student Libby Morrison talks to us about the Politics of Happiness module at Newcastle University, the pressures on students and their mental health as well as happiness in the care sector and her experiences of caring for both her parents.
2020-10-2059 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Fourteen - Michelle JonesMichelle is an entrepreneur and business owner running her own wedding business here in the North East. She talks to Chris about what it's like helping people plan for their wedding day, the power of a simple smile and the importance of community in her life.
2020-10-1355 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Thirteen - Chi OnwurahChi Onwurah is a British Member of Parliament representing Newcastle upon Tyne Central and is also Shadow Minister Digital, Science & Technology. In this episode we talk about how Chi finds happiness working with people, the cows on the Town Moor and doing "important science" as a child at the kitchen sink!
2020-10-0642 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Twelve - Clare MatthewsClare Matthews is finding happiness and contentment after a life of mental health distress and psychiatric diagnoses. Transgender, autistic, and with a complex dissociative disorder, she has learned the benefits of radical self acceptance only since moving to Newcastle. A keen walker and sometimes writer and performer, she has spent the last few years recovering, building for the future and finding satisfaction each day. Clare has learned that some impossible things turn out to be possible. Many others do not and that is okay. She's also a Sudoku genius and adores sharing the contrasting beauty of numbers and nature.
2020-09-2245 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Eleven - Annie RigbyAnnie Rigby is a theatre director based in Newcastle. She is the Artistic Director of Unfolding Theatre. They make big-hearted theatre that delights in bringing people together. Annie loves darts, music and cooking. She loves laughter with friends. She thinks one of the best things about Geordies is how much effort we put into making other people laugh.
2020-09-1557 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Ten - Steve DraytonSteve Drayton, also known as Mr Drayton, his showbiz alter ego - has worked in light entertainment most of his born days. In more recent times Mr Drayton has worked for the BBC whilst also finding time to play records to people with his 'Mr Drayton's Record Player' events. In this episode Steve talks to Alex about stand up comedy and performing, working on the Radio 4 listening project, back street finds and slowing down.
2020-09-0853 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Nine - Charlotte CrossleyCharlotte is an avid list maker and second hand shopper. She loves cooking and making use of those random ingredients in the back of the cupboard. When she's not doing that she gets happiness from cycling, playing roller derby and working for a small North East based social mobility charity supporting young people.
2020-09-0158 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Eight - Elaine SlaterElaine is CEO of Tyneside Womens Health which is a charity which supports the mental health and emotional wellbeing of women. Elaine talks to Alex about walking her dogs in the rain, dinosaur hospitals and water gun fights.
2020-08-2546 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Seven - Sid SmithSid Smith has been a professional freelance writer for over 25 years. In this episode he talks to Dominic about maintaining a good balance, his writing process, the happiest musician he has interviewed and hanging out in record shops.
2020-08-1854 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Six - Lucy FenwickLucy and Chris, both cycling fanatics talk about getting on two wheels out into the Northumberland countryside, family and working with all sorts of people through her community engagement work.
2020-08-1144 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Five - Jo CundallJo shares stories of the importance of the sea to her and outdoor swimming and also how her work brings her happiness as Senior Advisor for Culture at the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
2020-08-0443 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Four - Paul KellPaul Kell AKA Kellvis is the lead singer and Elvis impersonator frontman of Elvana - the Elvis fronted Nirvana tribute who hail from the North East. Last year was a record year for them playing Download and Glastonbury. Alex and Paul talking about performing on stage, happiness, fake tans and hanging Elvis’ jumpsuits on the washing line.
2020-07-2857 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Three - Mark StuttMark has always had a love of nature and the outdoors which he combines in his job as A Forest School Leader. He is also partial to a pint in a nice pub and loves VW campervans. In this episode Mark and Alex talk about their shared love of VW campervans, camping and being outdoors and the happiness that that brings.
2020-07-2142 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode Two - Ann CleevesChris talks to local resident, the author and creator of Vera and Shetland Ann Cleeves. Chris and Ann talk about where happiness comes from and how it impacts on her writing process.
2020-07-1439 min
The Northern Guide to HappinessEpisode One - What is the Geordie Guide to Happiness?We kickstart our podcast series with a conversation between Chris Thomson and Alex Henry from Curiosity Creative CIC. We talk about what the Geordie Guide to Happiness is, our hopes and dreams for the project, what it means to be an adopted Geordie as well as where our happy places in Newcastle are and what we do to help maintain positive wellbeing.
2020-07-0345 min