Episodes
Published 01/20/21
This week Hannah Whittingham, the producer of The Resilience Sessions speaks to presenters Alice Driver, founder of the Making Generation R programme, and Stewart Harris, veteran and Making Generation R speaker. As well as picking out their most poignant and memorable moments from the series, they chat about the Making Generation R programme behind The Resilience Sessions, the impact telling his story has had on Stewart, and about the work of Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity who fund the...
Published 01/20/21
In a remastered episode from series 1, Carol Vorderman, television personality and businesswoman, talks with Si Harmer, a former combat medical technician in the British Army, who lost both legs in Afghanistan. Carol and Si discuss their struggles, motivations and how they have cultivated  resilience in their own lives. They talk about the importance of gratitude and positivity, how to navigate the complex world of social media, and reflect on how their children bring richness to their...
Published 01/14/21
Josh's story will have you gripped - with acceptance and determination to adapt and overcome at its heart, he takes you through his journey of being blown up by an IED aged just 24. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project. For more information...
Published 01/12/21
We talk to Chief Fire Officer and psychologist Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, and veteran and cyclist Josh Boggi, who lost both his legs and an arm in an IED explosion serving in Afghanistan. We discuss identity, refusing to be pigeon-holed, experiencing homelessness, human error, dark humour, and Invictus Games medals. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by...
Published 01/12/21
In a remastered episode from series 1, Jonny Benjamin, mental health campaigner and author, talks with Stewart Harris, who was serving with 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb left him with brain damage, partial sight loss and partial hearing loss. Jonny and Stewart share their stories and experiences of mental health challenges up to and beyond the moments that both men tried to end their own lives. They share the many things they are grateful for, celebrate...
Published 01/07/21
Al's story is one of pure grit and determination. Following a motorbike accident, Al was left paralysed from the waist down, he then contracted septicaemia and had to spend a year in a hospital bed. Even his doctor told him - "you're going to have to dig deep to get through this." The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans...
Published 01/06/21
We talk to former SAS leader and SAS: Who Dares Wins man, Billy Billingham MBE , and veteran and pilot Al Krol, who was left paralysed from the waist down following a motorbike accident. With this dynamic duo we talked about endurance, self-belief, determination, family, and the importance of always going 'a little bit further'. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is...
Published 01/06/21
In a remastered episode from series 1, Michael Caines, celebrity chef and hotelier, talks with Mark Ormrod, who was serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan when he sustained life-changing injuries and became the UK’s first triple-amputee to survive that conflict. Mark and Michael, who lost an arm in a road traffic accident early in his career, discuss the immediate impact of their injuries and the journey towards recovery and rehabilitation. Both men reflect on the importance of...
Published 12/31/20
Stephan lost his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. A father to 4 children, he is determined to live life to the fullest! Here is his story. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project. For more information on our Making Generation R speakers,...
Published 12/29/20
We talk to singer and comedienne Judith Owen, and veteran Stephan Van Niekerk, who lost his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Together we chatted about childhood instability, the power of music, laughing, mental health, and the importance of asking for help. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is...
Published 12/29/20
In a remastered episode from series 1, Vick Hope, radio and television presenter, talks with Shaun Stocker BEM, who was serving with the British Army in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED at the age of just 19. Vick and Shaun discuss their upbringings, families and how both went abroad at the age of 19 to have experiences that would change their lives in very different ways. Vick speaks about growing up mixed-race in Newcastle, of getting into Cambridge University, and why she has been...
Published 12/24/20
Jack's story is filled with positivity and gratitude. He was just 22 and on his second tour of Afghanistan when he was flung 10ft into the air by a bomb. His injuries were extensive and was in a month-long coma as medics stabilised his wounds after amputating both legs above the knee. Jack is passionate about using his experiences to inspire others to find ways of not spiralling downwards, but to look up and look forward in life. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making...
Published 12/22/20
We talk to former NASA astronaut and Commander of the ISS Steve Swanson, and veteran Jack Cummings, who lost his legs after an IED explosion in Afghanistan. With this extraordinary duo we chatted about hard work, the importance of failure, fitness for mental health, “striving for mediocrity”, and the shifts in perspective enormous life events can bring. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across...
Published 12/22/20
In a remastered episode from series 1, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former Paralympic athlete and crossbench Peer, talks with Nerys Pearce, who served with the British Army before becoming paralysed from the chest down while back in the UK. Tanni and Nerys discuss their upbringings, shared Welsh roots, and their mutual love of and commitment to sport. They talk about the everyday prejudice they can experience as wheelchair users, as well as the humour and resilience they have employed to...
Published 12/17/20
Mat's story is one of defying all odds. Hear how he faced his incredible recovery journey after losing his leg in a motorbike accident.  The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R - a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The Drive Project. For more information on our Making Generation R speakers, to watch...
Published 12/15/20
We talk to Kriss Akabusi, Olympian and owner of the best laugh in show biz, and to veteran and free-runner Mat Armitage, who lost his leg following a motorbike accident. We discussed childhood experiences, stealing dinghies, magical thinking, determination, squaddie humour, and the wider impact of the ability to emotionally disconnect. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series...
Published 12/15/20
In a remastered episode from series 1, Ray Winstone, legendary actor, talks with Ken Bellringer, who was serving with the British Army in Afghanistan when he sustained life-changing injuries in an IED blast. Ray and Ken discuss the values and experiences that have shaped them and where they have found resilience and strength when they have needed it. They talk candidly about some of life's harder moments, and how they hope they can inspire others to open up and talk with those around them....
Published 12/10/20
Swifty's story will take you on a journey - from Northern Ireland in 1992 where he was injured by a coffee jar bomb and lost both his legs above the knee... to Colorado where just last year he was developing the world's first pair of 3D printed, suspended snowboard bindings for double above-knee amputees. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma,...
Published 12/09/20
We talk to broadcaster and author Emily Dean, and veteran Darren Swift, who lost both his legs after a coffee jar bomb explosion serving in Northern Ireland. Together we discussed unconventional childhoods, forming a sense of self, dealing with grief, making people laugh, and the clarity of life that can be found around death. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is...
Published 12/09/20
We're back! The Resilience Sessions is back for a second series, featuring a stellar line up of guests from Emily Dean and Kriss Akabusi to former NASA Astronaut Steve Swanson, and featuring 6 inspiring veterans. This series is presented by Alice Driver and Blesma veteran, Stewart Harris and drops from 9th December.  The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you...
Published 12/05/20
Ken was serving as an Ammunition Technician in the British Army when a fellow soldier became trapped on an IED. In trying to save his friend, Ken sustained life-changing injuries in the blast. Here he tells his story. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by Simon Harmer and The...
Published 05/07/19
Ray Winstone, legendary actor, talks with Ken Bellringer, who was serving with the British Army in Afghanistan when he sustained life-changing injuries in an IED blast.  Ray and Ken discuss the values and experiences that have shaped them and where they have found resilience and strength when they have needed it. They talk candidly about some of life's harder moments, and how they hope they can inspire others to open up and talk with those around them. Both men talk about the importance of...
Published 05/07/19
Shaun was aged just 19 and was 6 days from ending a tour of Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED. He lost both his legs above the knee, his left eye, the vision in his right eye and suffered various other injuries. Here, he tells his story. The Resilience Sessions has been inspired by Making Generation R – a campaign which aims to create a generation of resilient people across the U.K. The series is brought to you by Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and is based on an original idea by...
Published 04/30/19
Vick Hope, radio and television presenter, talks with Shaun Stocker BEM, who was serving with the British Army in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED at the age of just 19.  Vick and Shaun discuss their upbringings, families and how both went abroad at the age of 19 to have experiences that would change their lives in very different ways. Vick speaks about growing up mixed-race in Newcastle, of getting into Cambridge University, and why she has been motivated to pursue humanitarian causes....
Published 04/30/19