Gary served in the military and the British Transport Police. He was a frontline worker in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings and is haunted by some of the tragic things he has seen as part of his job. As mentioned in the podcast, here is the link for the charity that Gary runs. https://www.ptsd999.org.uk/ Claudia Winkleman and Professor Tanya Byron identify struggles faced by real-life parents and family members by inviting them in and hearing their story, in a one-time unscripted session...

For the final episode of the season, Ian meets William Carter, a remarkable student from South London who is refusing to let the barriers presented by severe dyslexia and dyspraxia stand in the way of the highest academic success.  William struggled at school so much that he didn’t learn to read until he was 13 years old. He went on to achieve record breaking exam results, a first class degree and a PhD scholarship at the University of Berkeley in California.  He’s had to fight for...

Leomie Anderson is an International Model, Spokesperson and Entrepreneur and on her podcast, she asks major names the questions that others are afraid to ask. Unapologetically different, Leomie created her brand LAPP to amplify the voices of young women across the world. On Role Model, you will hear her real conversation with big stars that will inspire you to follow your dreams. Role Model is a Somethin' Else production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Jawahir ‘JJ’ Roble, a football referee blazing a trail on the pitch.  JJ is one of the few female, Muslim referees in the country, and though still in her 20s she hopes the strides she’s making today will inspire other young women to follow in her footsteps. A Somethin' Else production.

Ian meets Tilly Lockey, a teenager testing the prosthetics of the future. Tilly, 15, lost both her hands as a baby after beating Meningitis. Frustrated by the prosthetics available to children, Tilly and her mum Sarah went on a journey to challenge this. At age 9, she became the first child in the UK to be fitted with a hero arm - a bionic prosthesis with life changing possibilities. Today she’s busy co-designing the prosthetics of the future, helping manufacturers to meet the changing...

There’s a saying. If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together. For DJ and poet Charlie Dark, these are words to live by. In 2007 Charlie founded Run Dem Crew - a running crew for people who don’t typically consider themselves runners. It’s been a lifeline for its members, who’ve not only found fitness but made lifelong friends. In just over 10 years, the collective that Charlie started to fight his way through depression, has members from all walks of life and has...

Meet Lizzie Carr, an environmentalist and adventurer going the distance to keep our waterways clean. After surviving cancer Lizzie took up paddle boarding to support her recovery.  But while out on the waterways she made a shocking discovery that would change the course of her life. Find our how a paddle board enthusiast initiated a global movement against single use culture in this episode of Everyday People. To learn more about Planet Patrol and Lizzie’s latest adventures head to...

Meet Gary Crosby and Janine Irons, a couple mentoring the artists of the future. Together they founded Tomorrow’s Warriors, an organisation devoted to nurturing aspiring jazz musicians.  Over the past three decades, they’ve supported thousands of artists on their journey to becoming professional musicians - never once charging a penny for their time or expertise. Today their alumni are some of the most exciting names in British Jazz. To learn more about Tomorrow’s Warriors and to...

What does it take to care for some of Britain’s most vulnerable children? This week Ian meets Andy Hider, a devoted foster parent who has taken in more than 150 children, over three decades. Andy says she grew her heart and her home to accommodate some of society’s most vulnerable kids, and she did this work while raising her three biological children as a single parent. In 2020 after 38 years, Andy retired from fostering.  That same year, she was recognised for her services to...

How did a socially anxious young man go from a bag of nerves in the classroom to one of Britain’s best new teachers? Today Ian is in conversation with Abed Ahmed, an inspirational teacher from Birmingham who defied the odds to make it in his dream career. To keep up with Abed’s journey in teaching, follow him at, @stammer_teacher on Twitter. To learn more about stammering and to access help and support head here or here. A Somethin' Else production.

How did a socially anxious young man go from a bag of nerves in the classroom to one of Britain’s best new teachers? Today Ian is in conversation with Abed Ahmed, an inspirational teacher from Birmingham who defied the odds to make it in his dream career. To keep up with Abed’s journey in teaching, follow him at, @stammer_teacher on Twitter. To learn more about stammering and to access help and support head here or here. A Somethin' Else production.

What would the world look like if we took the time to truly “see” each other? In this episode Ian meets Jodi Ann Bickley, a performance poet spreading a message of kindness, one handwritten letter at a time. Jodi Ann started One Million Lovely Letters during a debilitating bout of chronic illness. Today she writes to strangers from all over the world from her home in Birmingham. To find out more about One Million Lovely Letters, head here, and follow Jodi at @jodiannbickley A Somethin' Else...

What would the world look like if we took the time to truly “see” each other? In this episode Ian meets Jodi Ann Bickley, a performance poet spreading a message of kindness, one handwritten letter at a time. Jodi Ann started One Million Lovely Letters during a debilitating bout of chronic illness. Today she writes to strangers from all over the world from her home in Birmingham. To find out more about One Million Lovely Letters, head here, and follow Jodi at @jodiannbickley A Somethin'...

How do you carry on when you’ve lost everything? Today Ian meets Munira Mahmoud, a mother-of-two and survivor of Grenfell Towers who found an unexpected roadmap to move forward after disaster. Munira’s passion for cooking carried her through dark times. Months after the fire, she founded the Hubb Community Kitchen - a space for survivors to prepare meals, process grief and exchange stories. After surviving one crisis, the women of the Hubb Kitchen sprang into action again, this time...

How do you carry on when you’ve lost everything? Today Ian meets Munira Mahmoud, a mother-of-two and survivor of Grenfell Towers who found an unexpected roadmap to move forward after disaster. Munira’s passion for cooking carried her through dark times. Months after the fire, she founded the Hubb Community Kitchen - a space for survivors to prepare meals, process grief and exchange stories. After surviving one crisis, the women of the Hubb Kitchen sprang into action again, this time...

In January 2020, Mel Tait was faced with every parent’s worst nightmare. Her 25-year-old son Jordan had been assaulted, and within hours she would have to turn off his life support. Whilst at his bedside and contemplating how to honour his life, Mel made a decision that would impact the lives of seven desperately ill people. She speaks to Ian about her son Jordan Sinnott, a kind-hearted footballer, who died two weeks shy of his 26th birthday. Been touched by Jordan’s story? Head to:...