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The Convex Conversation

Inspirational life-stories with journalist Helen Fospero.

As a journalist, l’ve reported on and presented a wide-range of TV programmes and continue to meet incredible people – a podcast series offered a fantastic new challenge with no shortage of ideas for guests. With such a simple brief to work with, I knew I could introduce a natural mix of inspirational people, business leaders, celebrities and find a home for those without necessarily a high profile but with interesting lives worthy of airtime.

  • #154 – Tom Meades

    Published November 27, 2023

    Gomi – Turning Plastic Waste into Beautiful Products It’s shocking to learn that two million plastic bags are used every minute and a truckload of plastic is dumped into our ocean every 60 seconds. Gomi – Japanese for trash – is the name of a young design studio in Brighton who are making stunning bespoke…

  • #153 – Merlin Hanbury-Tenison

    Published November 13, 2023

    Healing in Cabilla’s Ancient Temperate Rainforest Against the backdrop of an ancient temperate rainforest at Cabilla on Bodmin Moor, a high-flying couple – both deeply affected by mental illness – have dramatically changed their lives and turned to the restorative powers of nature to help them and others heal.  Merlin Hanbury-Tenison served as a British…

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  • #152 – Harry Dennis and Gavin Parker

    Published November 5, 2023

    Waterhaul – Transforming Harmful Ocean Plastic into Sunglasses Frustrated by abandoned fishing nets – known as ‘ghost gear’ – dumped on their local Cornish beaches and coastline, marine biologists & keen surfers Harry Dennis and Gavin Parker searched for a sustainable solution.  They discovered the very properties which make discarded fishing gear such a threat…

  • #151 – Dr Jack Kreindler

    Published October 29, 2023

    Physician & explorer Dr Jack Kreindler on putting more life into our years Recently back from a scientific study to the South Pole, health tech entrepreneur Dr Jack Kreindler talks about his life in emergency and high-altitude medicine and how we can put more life into our years. Jack says he thinks of health as…

  • #150 – Judith Tebbutt

    Published October 22, 2023

    Judith Tebbutt’s kidnap story of hope, resilience & survival Jude Tebbutt was on holiday in Kenya with her husband David in 2011 when she was snatched in the dead of night by Somali pirates wielding AK47s.  Unbeknown to Jude at the time, the gunmen murdered her husband that night and held her for ransom in…

  • #149 – Dawa Geljen Sherpa

    Published October 15, 2023

    Dawa Geljen Sherpa on Classrooms in the Clouds Expert mountain guide Dawa Geljen Sherpa grew up in a big family in Lukla in Nepal – known as The Gateway to Everest. As a young boy he worked hard tending his parents’ livestock with no access to school until he ran away from home aged ten…

  • #148 – Oli France

    Published October 8, 2023

    The Ultimate Seven Challenge with adventurer Oli France Oli France is back home in Wigan after completing the first of seven extraordinary expeditions – to travel under his own steam from the lowest to the highest point of every continent – an extreme challenge which has been five years in the planning. He’s just cycled…

  • #147 – Mark De-Lisser

    Published October 1, 2023

    Mark De-Lisser – Connecting the World Through Song If you watched the King’s Coronation Concert, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee music extravaganza, or were one of the millions tuned in to Prince Harry’s wedding, you’ll have heard some of choir director Mark De-Lisser’s arrangements. Mark puts bespoke choirs together for major events, liaising with artists like…

  • #146 – Olly Williams & Suzi Winstanley

    Published September 24, 2023

    Artists Olly & Suzi’s Expeditions in the Wild Interacting with Endangered Species Olly Williams and Suzi Winstanley – known simply as Olly and Suzi – have travelled the world together tracking, painting, sketching and photographing endangered species in the wild. Their unique method of creating their art has led to powerful interactions and encounters with bears…

  • #145 – Dalia Stasevska

    Published September 17, 2023

    Conductor Dalia Stasevska Using Her Profile to Help Ukraine Acclaimed Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska opened this year’s prestigious First Night of the Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall and went straight to Glyndebourne for a run of Benjamin Britten’s iconic A Midsummer Night’s Dream. But in-between her high-profile musical appearances, Dalia – who was born…

  • #144 – Theresa Patricios & Cam Parker

    Published September 10, 2023

    The Power of Mindset on the World’s Toughest Row Find out how Theresa Patricios, Head of Investments at Convex, and Cam Parker from Swiss Re overcame extreme mental and physical challenges to complete the World’s Toughest Row in record time.    The Pacific Discovery 2023 four-strong team rowed 2,800 miles in just 34 days, 8…

  • #143 – John McCarthy

    Published September 3, 2023

    John McCarthy CBE on his role at Hostage International with Sir Terry Waite Journalist John McCarthy was held hostage in Lebanon for more than five years. Now, three decades on, he’s helping others in similar situations through his role as Patron of Hostage International. The charity was originally founded by John’s former cellmate and great…

  • #142 – Geoff Marshall

    Published July 23, 2023

    YouTuber Geoff Marshall shares his YouTube success YouTube star Geoff Marshall reveals how and why he started making great quality, informative, interesting, fun transport films which have attracted more than 82 million views on his channel and are appreciated by his 314,000 plus subscribers. Geoff travelled to all 2,563 trains in the UK followed by…

  • #141 – Jon Culshaw – 2/2

    Published July 16, 2023

    Impressionist Jon Culshaw on playing long-form characters like David Bowie Dr Who celebrates 60 years in November with special new episodes featuring former Time Lord David Tennant and Catherine Tate, and the release of an audio book voiced by impressionist Jon Culshaw in which the third and fourth Doctors meet and work together. A life-long…