Ayanna Lloyd Banwo Does What She Does

🗣️🗣️My guest for Episode 12 📣📣 The bestest writer and my bonfide AYANNA LLOYD BANWO  ❤️ In the final episode of 'I Do What I Do,' I talk to my bonafide (most would call her my bestie, but bonafide is deeper than that), Ayanna Lloyd Banwo aka Yanns (for me). Yanns is one of the best writers out of our island, and we talk like we always do, with heart, truth, inside moments, and connection. We talk about Ayanna's journey from her storytelling roots in Trinidad (our home) to becoming an multi-award winning published author, based in England. Her debut novel 'When We Were Birds,' Ayanna shares the inspirations that fuelled her writing - her rich family history and experiences. We explore themes of creative inheritance, the nuances of the publishing industry, and the significance of finding one's community, splashed with our childhood memories and the challenges faced in her career. As always, “I Do What I Do”, treats our listeners to an intimate portrait  of one of my friends -  of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling. CHAPTERS 00:00 Hello!  00:49 Meet Ayanna Lloyd Banwo 01:12 Childhood Memories and Friendship 02:54 Rum, Sneakers, and Writing 05:00 The Journey of 'When We Were Birds' 07:54 The Creative Process and Inspirations 12:17 Audiobooks vs. Traditional Reading 15:34 Family Influence and Storytelling 37:17 Navigating Success and Recognition 44:17 Navigating the Narrative 44:43 The Role of Catharsis in Writing 45:11 Inheritance and Inspiration 46:30 Dreams and Symbolism 47:41 Balancing Messages and Stories 48:11 Phases of Life and Love 49:28 Planning and Surprises 55:46 The Writing Journey 01:01:58 Advice for Aspiring Writers 01:12:34 Challenges in the Publishing Industry 01:17:06 Lipton Tea Time 01:26:36 Thank you to all my guests on my first season of “I Do What I Do”. MEET 👋🏾 AYANNA LLOYD BANWO a writer from Trinidad and Tobago. Her debut novel When We Were Birds (LOVED IT!!) was the 2023 winner of the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, the Author’s Club Best First Novel Award, theGoldsboro Books Glass Bell Award, and the American Book Award; shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize, the McKitterick Prize and named one of the UKObserver’s Best Debuts and The Economist’s Best Books of 2022. Her short fiction and non-fiction have been published in Moko Magazine, Small Axe and PREE, among others and shortlisted for the Small Axe Literary Competition and the Wasafiri New Writing Prize. She is the 2023 winner of the Eccles Centre & Hay Festival Writer’s Award and has been named one of one of ten Rising Stars in UK Writing by The National Centre for Writing and The British Council. Mostly importantly, she is my bonafide and my always friend. I can’t wait for her 2nd novel.  CONNECT w/ Ayanna 🤝🏾🤝 @ayalloydbanwo (Instagram) WE TALKED 💎 Our fathers influence  💎 Audiobook love 💎 Bad Caribbean accents  💎 How your family raises you 💎 The writing process 💎 Love Island - the Real Great Britain 💎 What are you given to walk through this world.  💎 It’s not an ad (but it is an ad) for Norwich CHECK OUT 🔎 When We Were Birds  💳BUY When We Were Birds 🔎 Brian Lara 400 🔎 Sam Selvon 🔎 Linton Kwesi Johnson  🔎 Break biche 🔎 Ramajay & all other Trini patois words 🔎 Lord Kitchener Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do. ❤️ #IDoWhatIDoPod #WhatIsMustIs #CreativeLeaders #SquigglyCareers #ForgeYourOwnPath #PositiveImpact #Creative #Learner #Entrepreneur #Technology #FollowYourJoy #Create #Intention #Artist

🗣️🗣️My guest for Episode 11 📣📣 The stunningly talented SHELLEY MAXWELL  ❤️ In this episode of 'I Do What I Do,' I have the pleasure of talking my longtime friend, the extremely talented and sought after Dancer, Movement Director, Choreographer and Writer, Shelly Maxwell. We dig into her world of movement, her impactful work in theater, film, and TV, in the multiple productions that have been blessed to have Shelley’s touch. We talk about the intricacies of movement direction, the challenges of balancing creative vision with collaboration, and bringing yourself into the room and creating equitable spaces. As always, this episode is a rich exploration of creativity and the resilience required to forge a path in the performing arts. CHAPTERS 00:00 Hello 👋🏾 00:35 Meet Shelley (I call her Bells) 01:18 Shelley's Impressive Career Highlights 05:46 Understanding the Role of a Movement Director 07:30 The Importance of Intimacy Direction 09:28 Shelley's Jamaican Roots and Cultural Impact 14:16 Navigating Creative Spaces and Challenges 22:14 The Collaborative Process in Theatre and Film 36:29 The Reality of Rehearsals and Previews 40:50 Navigating Emotional States in Creative Processes 41:17 The Subjectivity of Reviews 42:54 The Importance of Audience Connection 43:55 Learning from Criticism 46:56 Always stay learning 48:17 Capturing Inspiration 53:38 Balancing Passion and Practicality 01:00:02 Choosing the life that makes you happy 01:08:42 What Will Shelley Do 01:11:22 Lipton Tea Time MEET 👋🏾 Shelley Maxwell (I call her ‘Bells’) is a Choreographer, Movement Director, and Intimacy Professional working across Theatre, Film and Television. Shelley has been nominated for a whatsonstage award for her work on “Get Up Stand Up” (The Bob Marley musical)  and in 2019 won the inaugural Black British Theatre award for her work as choreographer on “Equus” at the Trafalgar Studios. ‘Bells’ was born and raised in Kingston Jamaica where she trained as a dancer and budding choreographer.  Before hanging up her dance shoes Shelley was a performer in Disney’s London production of “The Lion King”  and various Dance companies both in Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Her recent work slate includes the sold out play “Shifters”, “Macbeth” starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo and the ITV television series Joan which is currently airing in the UK. Shelley was the sequence Choreographer on Disney’s “The Marvels” and recently completed choreography for a long running series for Netflix, currently in post production. She holds a MA in Choreography from the Laban Dance Conservatoire and whenever time allows, spends her time pursuing her other passion - writing. CONNECT w/ Shelley Maxwell 🤝🏾🤝 www.shelleymaxwell.com @maxwell_shelley (instagram) WE TALKED  💎 You’re only as good as your last job 💎 Coining the title - Movement Choreographer 💎 Movement Director vs Choreographer 💎 Intimacy Director  💎 Being the Black Caribbean Female in the room 💎 Compromise for the work, not yourself 💎 Navigating different environments on every job CHECK OUT 🔎 Equus 🔎 Secret Life of Bees 🔎 Get up, Stand up (the Musical) 🔎 Crystal Pite - Betroffenheit   🔎 Sadler’s Wells  🔎 Akram Khan  🔎 Akram Khan’s Giselle Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do. ❤️ #IDoWhatIDoPod #WhatIsMustIs #CreativeLeaders #SquigglyCareers #ForgeYourOwnPath #PositiveImpact #Creative #Learner #Entrepreneur #Technology #FollowYourJoy #Create #Intention #Artist

🗣️🗣️My guest for Episode 10 📣📣 The supreme and immutable JONATHAN ANDREW HUME ❤️ In this week’s episode of 'I Do What I Do,' I spend time with one of my favourite people, Jonathan Andrew Hume, aka Drew. Drew is a West End actor known for his role as Simba in 'The Lion King’, Kevin J in ‘Come From Away’ And Nicely Nicely Johnson in ‘Guys & Dolls’. As expected, and typical of our conversations, we talked about all aspects of his life, from starting out to how he keeps himself healthy onstage after 25 years, lessons learned from influential mentors like Thea Barnes, and finding balance. All this and juggling a thriving voiceover artist gig as well. A supremely talented, beautiful, selfless soul. Being his friends makes me a better person. Love you, Dude. Thanks for joining me.  And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (a beautiful coincidence as has been our 20-something year friendship - that this releases on his birthday) CHAPTERS 00:00 Hello 👋🏾' 01:03 Meet Jonathan Andrew Hume 01:39 Jonathan's Journey in the West End 05:50 Early Beginnings and First Auditions 12:32 Landing the Role in The Lion King 23:31 Maintaining a Career in Theatre 30:15 Voiceover Work and Personal Insights 33:35 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Dance 35:32 Voiceover: A Natural Talent 36:58 The Challenge of Doing Less 41:30 The Importance of Constructive Feedback 46:10 Remembering Thea Barnes 50:58 Navigating the Modern Entertainment Industry 52:40 The Power of Social Media in Theatre 56:18 Reflecting on Friendship and Career 58:25 Lipton Team Time 01:02:49 Love You, Dude. MEET 👋🏾 JONATHAN ANDREW HUME  (aka Drew) A versatile West End star renowned for his captivating performances and distinctive voice. From the grand stage of the Lyceum Theatre in The Lion King to the intimate setting of the Menier Chocolate Factory in The Third Man, Drew has consistently captivated audiences with his talent and charisma, and beautiful soul that shine through onstage. His recent success in Come from Away earned him a well-deserved nomination for Best British Actor in a Musical at the Black British Theatre Awards. Beyond the stage, Drew had done some cool shit, with roles in films like Mary Poppins Returns and voiceover work for popular series like Dee and Friends in Oz and audiobooks by acclaimed authors. Drew continues to expand his diverse and excellent career in UK theatre, film and voiceover worlds. CONNECT w/ JONATHAN ANDREW HUME 🤝🏾🤝 @mrhume (instagram) THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT 💎 Finding his love of musicals 💎 First West End audition 💎 Train or Do the thing   💎 Enjoying the discipline of learning 💎 Voice Over Artistry 💎 Not doing too much 💎  Balancing family life with unsociable theatre work hours  THINGS TO CHECK OUT 🔎 Thea Barnes 🔎 Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre 🔎 Shaun Escoffery 🔎 Come From Away 🔎 The Lion King  Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do. ❤️

🗣️🗣️My guest for Episode 9 📣📣 The stunningly talented MANON DAVE  ❤️ In this episode of 'I Do What I Do,' I catch up with my very difficult to pin down friend, Manon Dave and we delve into his journey - a Creative Technologist, Product Designer, and Musician he has worked with high-profile names like Idris Elba and will.i.am. As always our conversation is wide-ranging covering Manon's career from school to ad tech to to music production, and his pivotal move to Berlin for Native Instruments, and his perfecting his integrative approach that blends creativity with technology. We discuss balancing numerous roles, the evolving significance of AI, and making 'cool shit.'. CHAPTERS 00:00 Hello 00:41 Catching Up with Manon Dave 01:15 The Journey of 'I Do What I Do' 02:05 Manon's Career Highlights 04:16 The Impact of Creative Work 08:54 Personal Reflections and Relationships 14:56 From Archaeology to Music 18:20 The Role of Curiosity and Passion 21:38 Navigating Career Transitions 30:15 Understanding Key Roles in Tech and Creativity 38:26 The Power of Collaboration 42:47 The Future of AI in Creativity 43:26 The Value of Human Creativity in the Age of AI 43:54 The Rise of Prompt Engineering 44:42 The Shift from Technical Skills to Imagination 46:47 The Ethical Concerns of AI 48:37 The Importance of Guardrails in Technology 53:33 Balancing Work and Family Life 56:40 The Need for Personal Well-being 59:22 The Role of Consumption in Creativity 01:04:35 The Balance of Gut, Brain, and Grit in Career 01:12:08 What Will Manon Dave do? 01:14:24 Lipton Tea Time MEET MANON DAVE 👋🏾 Manon is a good human, my friend and makes cool shit. His official career life looks like this ... an award-winning creative engineer and producer, developing transformative global AI experiences across multiple sectors and industries. A frequent collaborator with artists and brands such as will.i.am, Idris Elba, LVMH and Google, Manon is currently featured as the ‘face of’ Apple Wallet following his development of the Mindvalley app .  Manon and will.i.am recently built Sound Drive in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, a revolutionary AI experience, transforming driving into a real-time musical performance. Working with Framestore and Che Lingo, Manon produced original music for the Refugee Olympic Team. Combining live footage and generative AI to produce a graphic-novel-style showcase of the athletes which was showcased at Cannes Lions and the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The dude is recognised for game changing product innovations, including ROLI’s Seaboard and BLOCKS and Native Instruments’ MASCHINE. His passion for education is reflected in his ambassadorship at A.R. Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory in India, as well as launching a scholarship at the Royal College of Music, created in tribute to his daughter Maia, to empower young women to pursue careers in music. And there's more, he has won prestigious innovation and design awards, including CES Best of Innovation and iF Design Awards. He has contributed to five of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions list. He dives into using the transformative power of technology to produce more inclusive experiences. Demonstrating AI as a force for creativity and social good. CONNECT w/ Manon 🤝🏾🤝 @manondave (instagram) WE TALKED ABOUT… 💎 Follow your interests 💎 My Space was a dream maker 💎 You can only connect the dots backwards  💎 The Writers strike of 2007/2008  💎 Balancing the creative and the technical  💎 Finding like-minded folks, who enjoy the things you do to work with 💎 AI and opening creativity  💎 Making Cool Shit, can be lonely at times. THINGS TO CHECK OUT 🔎 Royal Northern College for Music - Maia Scholarship 🔎 Steve Octave 🔎 Heroes (TV series) 🔎 Framestore 🔎 Mindvalley 🔎 Ché Lingo 🔎 Olympic Refugee Team Track  🔎 Death In Paradise Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do. ❤️

🗣️🗣️My guest for Episode 8 📣📣 The talented loving and best brother & father NICHOLAI LA BARRIE  ❤️ Director. Musician. Storyteller In this episode of 'I Do What I Do', I talk to my longtime friend who is really family, Nicholai La Barrie, a multifaceted creative professional who has spent 24 years in the UK after growing up in Trinidad and Tobago. Nicholai shares his journey from being part of Lilliput Theatre to becoming a theater director, filmmaker, musician, and storyteller in London. We delve into his feelings of being 'othered', his experiences in the arts, and the inspirations drawn from his background. Our discussion covers the socio-political climate, the emotional depth in Nicholai's work, and the practical challenges of directing. Nicholai's passion for storytelling, research-driven approach to creativity, and aspirations to leave a positive impact are highlighted throughout the conversation. Laugh with us, Drink with us, Talk about all the things with us.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Hello 👋🏾 00:51 Meet Nicholai La Barrie 01:34 Nicholai's Life 06:51 The Impact of Lilliput Theatre 15:01 Journey to the UK 18:58 Directing and Creative Process 34:44 Current Influences and Future Projects 37:22 Exploring Life's Uncertainties 37:51 Generational Reflections and Human Inaction 38:57 Balancing Joy and Sorrow 43:14 Creating Magic on Stage 52:06 The Challenges of the Arts Industry 58:24 Lipton Tea Time  MEET 👋🏾 Nicholai La Barrie Director. Musician. Storyteller.  Nicholai La Barrie is a Trinidadian, and proud alumni of The Lilliput Theatre in Trinidad. He is a father, a brother, a son, a devoted boyfriend (really more like husband), and my chosen family. He fills his days as a director and a musician. Beyond being a prolific song writier and making music, he is a freelance Director as well as the Associate Director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and has been a MOBO Fellow, and the Head of Youth Arts  and Resident Youth Director at The Ovalhouse Theatre. His work includes: God of Carnage; Jack and the Beanstalk,(at the Lyric Hammersmith), Romeo & Juliet (Manchester Royal Exchange); Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (as Resident Director, Australia & previously West End), and Two Strangers Carry a Cake (West End). He’s an all round beautiful good soul.  CONNECT w/ Nicholai La Barrie 🤝🏾🤝 @nicholailabarrie (instagram) WE TALKED… 💎 Being ‘othered’ living in the UK 💎 First loves 💎 Trinidad Theatre 💎 Why you make the work 💎 The balance of life  💎 The Greed in Theatre 💎 Making Theatre 💎 The state of the World THINGS TO CHECK OUT Meiling Lilliput Theatre Noble Douglas Peter Minshall Mas Camp Pub Pierrot Grenade Midnight Robber Traditional Trinidad Mas Characters Panto at The Lyric in Hammersmith Buster Keaton   Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do. ❤️ #IDoWhatIDoPod #WhatIsMustIs #CreativeLeaders #SquigglyCareers #ForgeYourOwnPath #PositiveImpact #Creative #Learner #Entrepreneur #Technology #FollowYourJoy #Create #Intention #Artist

🗣️🗣️My guest for Episode 7 ✅✅ The powerhouse TANIA RAHMAN  ❤️ Founder, Investor and Samosa Queen. This week on 'I Do What I Do,'I got the chance to snag a chat with Tania Rahman, a Founder, Investor, and Restaurateur. They discuss their serendipitous meeting, Tania's diverse career journey from tech recruitment at Stack Overflow to founding the Indian street food restaurant, Chit Chaat Chai, in Wandsworth to a VC who leans into supporting underrepresented founders. We delve into the challenges of business and life - learnings from running a restaurant, navigating pandemic pivots, and dealing with difficult business partnerships. Tania shares how her cultural background influenced her approach to business and why she transitioned into venture capital to support underrepresented founders and we reflect on inclusive INvestor requirement strategies As always we end with 'Lipton Tea Time', and dig a little deeper in what makes Tania, Tania.  00:00 Hello! 00:32 Meeting Tania Rahman: A Serendipitous Connection 01:48 Tania's Career Journey: From Stack Overflow to Restaurateur 05:07 The Challenges and Rewards of Running a Restaurant 07:07 Cultural Identity and the Birth of Chit Chaat Chai 18:29 Navigating Business Partnerships and Lessons Learned 23:53 Surviving the Pandemic: Pivoting and Thriving 27:30 Navigating the Pandemic: Personal Experiences 28:38 Transitioning from Restaurant to Venture Capital 29:18 Challenges in the Restaurant Industry 30:23 The Concept of Dark Kitchens 31:14 Pursuing an MBA and Career Reflections 33:09 Choosing Venture Capital 34:01 Addressing Bias in Venture Capital 36:16 The Importance of Inclusive Investment 44:44 Personal Insights and Reflections 46:55 Lipton Tea Time MEET 👋🏾 Tania Rahman is a Founder, Investor and Samosa Queen, as an accomplished business leader and media personality with a diverse career spanning venture capital, hospitality, and television. She founded Chit Chaat Chai, an award-winning restaurant celebrated in South London, earning her several entrepreneurial accolades. As an investment manager at Foresight Group and former Sales Team Lead at Stack Overflow, Tania has a strong foundation in both tech and finance. She's also a trustee for Hatch Enterprise UK and a TV presenter with Channel S Television, where she advocates for underrepresented entrepreneurs and hosts industry-focused discussions. She has fearlessly pursued her passions and plans to focus on empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Tania's unique blend of business acumen, creativity, and social impact makes her a true inspirational, petite but mighty, powerhouse. Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do. ❤️ #IDoWhatIDoPod #WhatIsMustIs #CreativeLeaders #SquigglyCareers #ForgeYourOwnPath #PositiveImpact #Creative #Learner #Entrepreneur #Technology #FollowYourJoy #Create #Intention  #Investor #Restaurateur #Founder #SamosaQueen #FollowYourGut

🗣️My guest for Episode 6 The stunningly talented JOLADÉ OLUSANYA  ❤️ An Artist About Us. 🙏🏾 His tagline says it all! In this episode of 'I Do What I Do,' I talk to multifaceted artist, Joladé Olusanya, we discuss his journey heavily influenced by his Nigerian heritage and Christian faith. Our conversation explores the complexities of tradition within the church, the transformative power of art and music in shaping Black identity, and the role of community in creative and spiritual development. Joladé reflects on navigating commercial and authentic work. Our rich conversation goes into career reflections, cultural insights from amazing places like Gambia, Jamaica and Albuquerque, New Mexico and his connection and lessons from reading and putting his words to paper. Joladé knows that his faith and authenticity in good business, and must be of community service, and supporting young people's potential through mentoring and encouragement. CHAPTERS 00:00 Hello! 00:32 Meet Joladé: The Visual Storyteller 01:49 Spirituality and Personal Journey 06:15 Childhood and Artistic Influence 13:36 Corporate Gigs and Creative Projects 18:34 Reflecting on the Past and Future 27:20 Travel and Cultural Experiences 34:15 Reggae is good for the soul 35:38 Balancing Creativity and Business 36:13 Closing Down the Company 37:41 Finding Peace in Purpose 38:49 The Importance of Community 39:13 Serving and Giving Back 41:59 Navigating Career and Faith 48:45 Guiding the Next Generation 55:06 Reflecting on Success and Future Goals 58:08 Lipton Tea Time MEET 👋🏾 Joladé Olusanya is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, poet, and soon-to-be author whose work spans the globe. Based in London, his projects—whether through film, photography, or poetry—focus on telling authentic, human stories that explore identity, resilience, and underrepresented voices. He’s directed films and documentaries for platforms like Warner Bros, FIFA+, and Canon, with work that stretches across the UK, Africa, and the U.S. His photography captures raw moments from everyday life, while his poetry has been performed at major venues and published internationally. Currently working on his debut book, set for release in late 2024/early 2025, Joladé thrives on global collaboration, always seeking to inspire change through powerful storytelling across different mediums. Check out his most recent work, mandem | Black Britain Unspoken, a Warner Bros. Discovery (@wbd ) and Wall to Wall production in association with @bythekin CONNECT w/ Joladé @joladeo (instagram) & www.jolade.com THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT 🎶 Got till It’s Gone - Janet Jackson 📖 Somebody Give This Heary a Pen, Sophie Takahashi 🎥 Give This Heart A Pen by Sophie Thakur - Canon camera campaign 📖 The Prayer of Jabez 📖 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - John Mark Comer ✍🏾 Writerz and Scribez Arts Charity CIC 🙌🏾  The Amos Bursary Conversations with extraordinary ordinary people about what they do, how they do and why they do. ❤️

In this episode of 'I Do What I Do,' I interview Eric Collins, CEO and Co-Founder of Impact X Capital, Serial Entrepreneur, Author, TV Presenter. Eric shares his inspiring thoughts on the importance of having a purpose to the significant challenges in raising funds and navigating a tough economic environment. Eric shares insights from his diverse roles as an entrepreneur, TV presenter, and author, highlighting the value of perseverance, honesty in feedback, and recognizing opportunities. The episode also delves into the competitive nature of innovation, the importance of networking, and the process behind his book 'We Don't Need Permission.' This episode explores the essence of being an entrepreneur, highlighting the necessity of embracing a bit of madness and enduring hard work without immediate rewards. It underscores the importance of being a disruptor, making sacrifices, and wisely evaluating advice from experienced individuals while staying committed to one's own path. With reflections on personal resilience, the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, and heartfelt acknowledgments, this conversation offers a rich tapestry of experiences and lessons for innovators and disruptors alike. CHAPTERS 00:00 Hello! 00:30 Meet Eric Collins: Investor,Serial Entrepreneur, Author and TV Presenter 01:58 Eric's Journey and Purpose 04:52 Navigating Challenges and Temptations 08:16 Insights on Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship 19:58 The Birth of 'We Don't Need Permission' 26:15 Evaluating Startups: Using Marshmallow & Pace (now Flyr) as examples 31:14 Pivoting During a Crisis: The Resilience of Entrepreneurs 32:43 The Importance of Networking 41:23 The Role of Technique in Success 44:37 Artificial Intelligence: Past, Present, and Future 48:39 Lipton Tea Time THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT… Impact X Capital The Cider House Rules Notes Of A Native Son Booker T. Washington Ursula Burns - 'Where You Are Is Not Who You Are' Jason Pinto -  I am lucky to have Jason on this podcast as well. Here is his episode MEET: ERIC COLLINS 👋🏾 Eric is an investor, serial entrepreneur, technology executive, and award-winning author of *We Don't Need Permission: How Black Business Can Change Our World*. As CEO and Co-Founder of Impact X Capital Partners, he empowers underrepresented entrepreneurs. Eric has been a C-suite executive at four fast-growth companies that exited to firms like Microsoft, Medtronic, and Digital Turbine.  In 2018, he co-founded Impact X, which launched its second fund in 2023 and has over 50 investments, including the UK unicorn Marshmallow. Featured in major outlets like Bloomberg, CNN, and The Guardian, Eric is a sought-after speaker and advocate for diversity in business. Beyond his career, The Arts and uplifting folks are important to Eric, it is part of his DNA. Eric serves on the boards of UnLtd Foundation and Autograph ABP, and is involved in the arts through projects like Philomela's Chorus. He also supports The Prince’s Trust and Audi as a brand ambassador, and is affiliated with the Dorchester Collection’s Legend Series. 🔗 CONNECT with Eric Eric D. Collins (LinkedIn) , @eric_dcollins (Instagram) & @EricDCollins (Twitter / X) https://www.impactxcapital.com/

This week, I’m sharing my long-time friend and colleague, Arthur Kyeyune ❤️. Arthur shares his fascinating career journey from being a Professional Dancer, Actor, And Singer To Becoming An Osteopath And Academic. We explore his life experiences and reflect on the challenges and rewards of his diverse career paths, and the importance of embracing one's uniqueness. We delve into the philosophical aspects of finding purpose, the dynamics of being a Black professional in predominantly white spaces, and the pivotal role of authenticity and ‘your angels’ in your career. Arthur shares insights into his new role as an Osteopath, his motivation for teaching, and the impact of mindfulness and spirituality in maintaining his professional and personal equilibrium. 00:00 Hello! 👋🏾 00:38 Meet Arthur Kyeyune: The Doc 01:02 Journey from Dance to Osteopathy 03:22 Reflecting on Identity and Career 07:22 Lessons from a Life in the Arts 10:42 Transition to Teaching and Osteopathy 27:39 The Philosophy of Osteopathy 40:20 Starting Osteo Arke: The Journey Begins 41:22 Understanding Osteopathy: Types and Specializations 43:15 Teaching and Lecturing: An Accidental Path 46:16 Special Clinics and Community Impact 47:21 Mission and Vision of Osteo Arke 50:55 Navigating White Spaces: Challenges and Experiences 57:21 Daily Life and Intuition in Practice 59:33 Advice for Aspiring Osteopaths 01:01:56 Overcoming Health Challenges: Personal Stories 01:14:38 Lipton Tea Time MEET MY GUEST 👋🏾 Arthur Kyeyune is a dedicated Osteopath with a passion for helping patients achieve optimal health and well-being. With a distinguished academic background, including a Master's degree in Osteopathy with a focus on clinical excellence, Arthur has honed his skills through years of practice in various settings, from NHS general practices to prestigious private clinics. Arthur’s journey to Osteopath starts as a Professional Dancer, Actor and Singer who trod the boards on many global stages, and found his new career, because of his nature to expand on the joy he finds in the things he encounters.  As a dedicated clinician, Arthur is committed to staying at the forefront of his field. He has lectured at renowned institutions, conducted research, and his stellar reputation earned him the 2023 Rising Star Award Recipient of the Institute of Osteopathy. His expertise extends beyond traditional osteopathic techniques, encompassing sports massage, radial shockwave therapy, and diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound. Join us as we delve into Arthur's inspiring journey, exploring his experiences, insights, and his intentional approach to life.  🤝 👋 Connect with Arthur : Instagram  @osteo.arke & Facebook @Osteo ARKE

I, Zara Bartels, sit down with my friend and brilliant mind, Jason Pinto, a prominent entrepreneur, and always engineer. Jason shares what makes his journey unique with his Caribbean multicultural roots, educational pursuits at MIT & Cambridge, and diverse career trajectory culminating in the co-founding of the tech company, Pace, ultimately merging with Flyr. Jason gives us invaluable insights on balancing heart and intellect in leadership, the role of grit, customer understanding, and the culture of startups, adaptability, and intellectual horsepower, blending technical expertise with empathetic leadership. As always we end with ‘Lipton Tea Time'. This is a good one.  OH! and when you get to it CORRECTION: Did the googling -  and it wasn’t Wendell Pierce’s character in The Wire that is known for “ssshhhhiiittt” it was the character ‘Senator Clay Davis’ played by Isiah Whitlock Jr. MEET MY GUEST … Jason Pinto. An Engineer. Scientist. Investor. Builder. Lover Of All Things Tech. Is a Trinidadian-Jamaican and exited co-founder and COO of Pace, an industry-leading commercial operating system for the hospitality industry acquired by Flyr in 2022.  Prior to co-founding Pace, Jason was a partner at Amadeus Capital, a leading European technology venture capital firm. Earlier he was a key member of the technology and product team at E Ink Corporation, the company that created the electronic ink technology behind the Amazon Kindle eReader. Jason holds advanced degrees in Physics and engineering and consequently spends his free time thinking about the future of AI and dreaming of beaches and better weather. You can reach out to Jason on LinkedIn, Instagram & X (formerly Twitter) @JsnPints THINGS I WANT TO REMEMBER HE SAID: (paraphrased) Spend more time with customers and understanding the customer journey and challenges. Fundraising is essentially a sales exercise - manage that pipeline, read the situation, read the people and get a sense of whether your momentum is moving to a yes. One of the best things an entrepreneur can do is generate optionality for any situation you have. Intellectual horsepower balanced with human connection -  being able to read people, be empathetic, connect to different spaces. PEOPLE AND THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT Flyr acquires Pace E-ink  Deep Mind  Lee Sodol vs AlphaGo  Jens Munch  John-Paul ClarkeChapters 00:40 Meet Jason Pinto: Engineer, Scientist, and More 04:29 The Journey to MIT and Beyond 06:15 Venturing into the Startup World 13:16 The Birth of Pace and Dynamic Pricing 30:38 A Chance Meeting and Building Connections 37:59 Navigating the Pandemic: A Test of Grit and Resilience 40:06 The Harsh Realities of Cost-Cutting 41:03 Supporting Employees Through Tough Times 43:41 Personal Struggles and Family Support 46:16 Emerging Stronger: Lessons Learned 50:26 The Role of a Founder and COO 53:08 Fundraising and Strategic Decisions 01:00:15 The Decision to Sell: Weighing Options 01:04:16 Reflecting on Success: The Importance of Grit and Luck 01:09:53 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections 01:11:22 Lipton Tea Time