ted Learning Podcast

In our latest podcast we are delighted to be joined by Diane Ricketts and we'll be exploring her lived experiences of being a black woman in 2024 and what Black History Month means to her. 

We explore the impact of microaggressions and hear Diane recount a story from over 30 years ago that still triggers her today.  She also talks about the need for black men to be ‘actors’ to ensure they aren’t seen as angry and the constant challenge of being seen as aggressive when she is being confident or assertive.  Plus she talks about the continued obsession with her hair and how this is a common theme for black women.

About Diane Ricketts

Diane has worked for over 44 years in both the corporate and educational space, now retired she supports both her parents. 

About Justin Smith-Essex

Justin is the Group MD of Squaricle Group & the founder of ted Learning. He specialises in designing and delivering training in customer service, equality and diversity, management fundamentals, team building & presentation skills. He is passionate about engaging learning and using drama to put people on the receiving end of an experience. 

https://www.tedlearning.co.uk

In our latest podcast we are delighted to be joined by Justine and Chris and we'll be exploring their lived experiences from both an educational and work perspective.  We explore what we mean by neurodivergent and the conditions this covers.  Chris and Justine talk about some of the assumptions and judgements that people make about autistic and neurodivergent people and how this impacts the way you can be treated in work and education.  We also explore how we can be more understanding, accommodating and compassionate towards people who are neurodivergent, and the positive steps that can take place in Education but not always within the workplace.  Both our guests give first hand positive experiences and talk through how they felt when they were formally diagnosed as neurodivergent. 

 About Chris Bonello

Chris Bonello is an autistic advocate, award winning writer and international speaker, also a novelist and special needs tutor. In 2015, he launched Autistic Not Weird, to share his insights from both a personal and professional perspective.

About Justine Baylis 

Justine Baylis is a recent graduate from the University of Arts London, where she studied fashion, PR and communications. She's passionate about advocating for neurodivergent individuals and her final year project was dedicated to this part of her identity, centred around her own business idea to better support Neurodivergent staff.

About Justin Smith-Essex

Justin is the Group MD of Squaricle Group & the founder of ted Learning. He specialises in designing and delivering training in customer service, equality and diversity, management fundamentals, team building & presentation skills. He is passionate about engaging learning and using drama to put people on the receiving end of an experience. 

https://www.tedlearning.co.uk

In the latest of our series on lived experiences and to celebrate Black History Month, Justin from ted Learning speaks to Dani Moseley and Leon Wander, two black actors, who work for ted Learning. 

We discuss their lived experiences growing up black in the UK, and what Black History Month means to them.  We hear first hand some of the challenges they have faced and overcome and why there is still work to be done to create a truly inclusive culture within the UK

About Dani Moseley

Dani Moseley recently starred in the BBC/Showtime comedy series, Dreaming Whilst Black and is due to appear soon in the hit C4 Comedy Big Boys and is a highly talented and versatile actor in both tv, film and theatre.  She is also one of the lead script writers at ted Learning.

About Leon Wander

Leon Wander has been an actor writer and director for over 15 years, and is very involved in immersive theatre and also works extensively with young people from under-represented groups.

About Justin Smith-Essex

Justin is the Group MD of Squaricle Group & the founder of ted Learning. He specialises in designing and delivering training in customer service, equality and diversity, management fundamentals, team building & presentation skills. He is passionate about engaging learning and using drama to put people on the receiving end of an experience. 

https://www.tedlearning.co.uk

In our latest ted Learning 'lived experiences' podcast, Justin from ted speaks to Simon Pinnell and Dave Bracher from the Spinal Injuries Association about their lived experience of being wheelchair users.  

We find out what caused their spinal injuries and how it affected them both in the early days of becoming wheelchair users. We also explore the daily challenges they both face in accessing services and environments that non-disabled people don't have to grapple with, how the heart of UK Government isn't wheelchair friendly and the message this might be sending out to the wider business world, and how non-disabled people can be better allies.

About Spinal Injuries Association

Every four hours, a person's life is changed when they sustain a spinal cord injury. The aim of the Spinal Injuries Association is to be the go-to place for everyone affected by spinal cord injury (SCI), so that we can quickly connect them to the vast network of people, organisations and services they need.

Both Simon and Dave work full-time at the Spinal Injuries Association, an amazing charity that supports people affected by spinal injuries in rebuilding their lives. www.spinal.co.uk

About Simon Pinnell 

A van hit Simon Pinnell in 2010 as he crossed the road, resulting in a T8 injury, which put him into a wheelchair. He is the Advocacy Manager at the Spinal Injuries Association

About Dave Bracher

Dave Bracher was rushed to hospital in 2012, where he ended up in a coma before suffering locked-in syndrome after suffering a rare combination of Guillain Barre Syndrome and ADEM, which attacked his nervous system, leaving him paralysed from the waist down. Dave is the Head of People & Operations at the Spinal Injuries Association. 

About Justin Smith-Essex

Justin is the Group MD of Squaricle Group & the founder of ted Learning. He specialises in designing and delivering training in customer service, equality and diversity, management fundamentals, team building & presentation skills. He is passionate about engaging learning and using drama to put people on the receiving end of an experience. 

https://www.tedlearning.co.uk

ted Learning is committed to helping organisations become more inclusive places to work, enabling people to be their authentic selves at work, each and every day. In the first in our series on 'lived experiences'  Ben Pechey talks to Justin from ted about their lived experience of being non-binary, what it means for them, some of the challenges and battles they face in going about their life, and their hopes for the future.

About Ben Pechey

Welcome to the latest episode of the ted Learning Podcast, "Resolving Conflict." where we join Justin Smith-Essex, founder of ted Learning, and Paul Hargreaves, a renowned facilitator, coach accredited by ILM Level 5, and a specialist in behavioural change and conflict management.

Conflict is an inevitable part of any workplace. It can stem from a myriad of sources - differing personalities, opposing views, or even simple miscommunication. Left unchecked, these conflicts can disrupt productivity, cultivate a negative environment, and hamper growth.

In this episode, Justin and Paul deep dive into the root causes of workplace conflicts. With their combined knowledge and experiences, they shed light on strategies that can be employed to manage and resolve these conflicts effectively, enhancing the overall work environment and promoting healthy, productive interactions.

Expect a captivating discussion filled with real-life anecdotes, practical tips, and insights that delve into the psychology behind conflict. So whether you're a manager seeking to foster a more harmonious work environment or an employee trying to navigate workplace tension, this episode is packed with valuable information that can help transform the way you view and handle conflict.

Join us for an empowering journey towards a more cohesive and conflict-free workspace.

About Paul Hargreaves 

Paul is one of our very experienced trainers, and he strives to make all learning as personal as possible. He is a facilitator, coach (ILM level 5) and actor specialising in behavioural change.

Paul lives in the Cotswolds where he enjoys open water swimming, canoeing, cycling and walking the dog, Fern, with his wife Jayne. He goes to the gym with his three sons who keep him on track with his least favourite gym activity – weights!

In this ted Learning podcast, Justin from ted Learning speaks to management and leadership coach, Paul Hargreaves on the value of coaching in the workplace.  They discuss the advantages of moving from ‘tell’ to ‘coach’, the wider business benefits and the roles and responsibilities of both the coach and the coachee. 

In this ted Learning podcast, Justin Smith-Essex speaks to Sarah H Gordon, our recruitment expert and lead on our Consciously Inclusive recruitment course, about the approach employers should be taking to create more inclusive recruitment processes from how the advert and job spec are written, all the way through the interview and onboarding.  There are also useful tips for anyone applying for a role and things to consider, especially when the interview is conducted virtually.

As many organisations have shifted their working environments to a hybrid format, they now face the challenge of holding collaborative meetings remotely. While initially, we may have had some enthusiasm for the idea of virtual meetings, over time, it has become increasingly difficult to keep meeting attendees engaged. This can lead to feelings of disconnection and dissatisfaction with virtual communication methods leaving your team feeling less productive than before. However, there are ways that you can overcome these challenges and create an effective space in which your virtual meetings will be successful.

In this podcast, Justin Smith-Essex  CEO of ted Learning and Jon Stokes discuss various tools and strategies that you need to consider when trying to ensure your team is getting the most out of their virtual conversations!

In this podcast about well-being, Justin Smith-Essex talks to Claire Morton and Jules Kelly  about the impact of burnout at work and how well-being programmes can provide long-term benefits for your employees and your organisation.

Claire Morton is one of the UK’s most sought-after transformational leadership and well-being consultants and a multiple award-winning, number 1 best-selling author. With over 20 years of consulting experience in the private and public sector, Claire is an expert in meditation, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, yoga and well-being care and a fully qualified yoga teacher, alongside her work as a Master NLP practitioner and leadership development specialist.

Jules Kelly is Your Human Compass®. She is an experienced holistic leadership, growth and success consultant. She has over 30 years of experience within the Corporate World and has also experienced burnout, to the point of becoming classified as disabled.

Justin Smith-Essex is CEO of ted Learning a specialist in delivering workplace mental health and wellbeing training programmes to support employees & businesses. ted Learning has a range of practical and engaging courses designed to raise awareness and equip your employees and managers with the ability to better manage their own wellbeing and to provide support to colleagues who are showing signs of poor mental health.

When it comes to having conversations that are meaningful, courageous and honest in the workplace, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It takes courage to tackle tough topics in a professional setting, especially when you know that a difficult conversation can possibly disrupt the harmony of your team or workplace. In this ted's latest podcast, Justin Smith-Essex and Katherine Mount discuss brave conversations and communication skills

In this ted Learning podcast Louise and her sister Jocelyn talk about Windrush and its impact on those people who lived here.

The Windrush Generation were invited to Britain to help rebuild the economy that had been weakened by World War Two.  Some found employment easily, whereas others came up against racism and bigotry. Many immigrants who came to Britain from skilled jobs in the Caribbean could not find the kind of work they specialised in for a variety of reasons

In 2018, the Windrush Scandal became headline news with numerous cases of wrongful detentions and deportations of these migratory pioneers, who were invited by the British government to live and work. This scandal prompted widespread condemnation but more importantly, a conscious drive to honour the contributions of the Windrush generation who have become the face of the dynamic global hub, which is modern Britain.

About Louise Chandler

Louise is a Broadcaster media and communications specialist with over 20 years of experience working in the media, marketing, and PR industry. She began her career as a journalist, reporter, and broadcaster on TV and Radio, writing articles for print and online media for BBC, Commercial brands, and services.

About Jocelyn Chandler-Hawkins

Jocelyn is an event’s organiser, film maker and producer. She is passionate about inspiring, supporting and empowering diverse communities, businesses and creative projects to connect and grow. Jocelyn has a wealth of experience in a range of areas including education, project management, marketing and film making & producing

Black History Month is a recognition of the heritage, culture, and achievements of Black Britons. With the theme ‘Time for Change: Action not Words,’ Black History Month 2022 focuses on amplifying Black voices, allyship and activism, and sharing the stories and diverse legacies of Black people in the UK. In this ted Learning podcast, Louise Chandler and her sister Jocelyn Chandler-Hawkins talk about what inspires them, to mark Black History Month.  They talk about how they finally feel their presence in UK literature by way of characterisation and many more black authors appearing in mainstream bookstores.

About Louise Chandler

Louise is a Broadcaster media and communications specialist with over 20 years of experience working in the media, marketing, and PR industry. She began her career as a journalist, reporter, and broadcaster on TV and Radio, writing articles for print and online media for BBC, Commercial brands, and services.

About Jocelyn Chandler-Hawkins

Jocelyn is an event’s organiser, film maker and producer. She is passionate about inspiring, supporting and empowering diverse communities, businesses and creative projects to connect and grow. Jocelyn has a wealth of experience in a range of areas including education, project management, marketing and film making & producing

In this ted Learning podcast,  Louise Chandler and her sister Jocelyn Chandler-Hawkins talk about what inspires them, to mark Black History Month. In this edition, they talk about the inspiring story of their Mum, widowed at an early age, who went on to raise a large family and become a pastor. Also stories of others who came over to the UK to help provide vital work that keeps our communities ticking.

About Louise Chandler

Louise is a Broadcaster media and communications specialist with over 20 years’ experience working in the media, marketing, and PR industry. She began her career as a journalist, reporter, and broadcaster on TV and Radio, writing articles for print and online media for BBC, Commercial brands, and services.

in this ted Learning podcast, Justin from ted Learning speaks with Giancarlo Gaglione about his personal experience of losing someone to suicide and the importance of men being more open about their mental health in the workplace.  We also explore what companies and employers can do to make vulnerability at work a more acceptable thing.