Stay ConnectedEach week we dive deep to hear stories and tips from some of the most inspirational people in the world to help inspire you to make a positive change in your life.
On this episode I am joined by Paula Akpan, co-founder of the I’m Tired Project and also the UK’s first Black Girl Festival.
We discuss her career path and journey from university, the exact moment she realised that she’d made her mum proud, the importance and influence of Black Panther, her biggest inspirations, why she’s following her passions rather than a specific career path and more.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment!
Follow Paula:
IG: @paulaakpan
Twitter: @paulaakpan
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Some topics we discuss:
the idea and creation of Black Girl Festival
the inspiration behind the I'm Tired project
the exact moment she realised that she had made her mum proud
dealing with negative comments online
what feminism means to her
the importance of not changing yourself to try and avoid stereotypes
not letting your opinions affect others wellbeing
the influence of Black Panther
"If you're waiting for someone to come and help you or save you, you're just wasting time"
After some incredible In Focus sessions over the past weeks, I'm back with a solo round and discussing why you shouldn't let you past struggles and experiences hold you back. I know I've certainly done it myself, but now is the time to take ownership and control of your life.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment. And be sure to share it with a friend who needs to hear this!
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
On this episode I am joined by poet Hussain Manawer to hear about the amazing work he does in spreading awareness of mental health issues.
Hussain has dedicated his artistry to sharing stories and experiences with Mental Health. Having recently lost his mother, he has an EP on the way dedicated to the learnings she passed onto him. He also holds the Guiness World Record for the largest Mental Health lesson, when he got over 500 students in a room to educate them on depression, suicide and more.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment!
Follow Hussain:
IG: @hussains_house
Twitter: @HussainsHouse
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Some topics we discuss:
why mental health is so important to him
his passion for music
becoming a poet
dealing with his mother's death
setting up the largest ever mental health lesson
keeping a group of close friends
best advice he's ever been given
signing a record deal
his interpretation of the Dreamer's Disease
"Stop using 'how do I start' as an excuse for putting in the work"
On this very special In Focus session I am joined by none other than Gary Vaynerchuk. I was very grateful to get the opportunity and some time to record with such a huge inspiration on me.
And it's even more exciting to be able to provide you guys with some of his incredible no-nonsense advice. On this session I pick his brains on the best methods to start implementing your ideas and goals, what his struggles are and what platform he would recommend you to start building your own brand on.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment. And be sure to share it with a friend who needs to hear this!
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Follow Gary:
IG/Twitter: @GaryVee
On this episode I am joined by Vicky Grout - the UK music photographer of the moment - to hear about her journey so far.
For someone who is just 21, Vicky has already achieved a lot in a short period of time so we take it right back to hear how she first got into photography, why you are better off not being a perfectionist, being a woman in a male-dominated industry, wanting to help educate the youth, dealing with online trolls, advice for budding photographers and more!
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment!
Follow Vicky:
IG: @VickyGrout
Twitter: @VickyGrout
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Some topics we discuss:
When she first picked up a camera
Preferring film over digital photography
How social media has helped build her career
Being a woman in a male dominated industry
Her fear of the state of our society today
Why she believes in the butterfly effect
Dealing with haters online
Wanting to break out from solely music photography
Wanting to help educate the youth
Making sure she’s the right person for the job and not being exploitative
"I think it's really important to set goals and write them down"
Ciara returns for the 4th and final part of her In Focus takeover and we're discussing all aspects of building your own business and the steps she took to set up her fitness classes and brand. Plus she has some tips for anyone who is looking to start their own company.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment. And be sure to share it with a friend who needs to hear this!
Follow Ciara:
IG: @CiaraLondon
Twitter: @ciaralondonfit
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Some topics we discuss:
Andy Leek is the man behind @notestostrangers page on Instagram - an incredible idea where he leaves positive & inspirational notes around the UK for people to discover and post on their own Instagram accounts.
With a history in Advertising and experiencing some mental health issues, Andy talks us through his journey and his biggest learnings and why he's so passionate about sharing love and inspiration in the world. There's also an amazing story involving a ebay, a blank canvas, a flight to Vegas, Llamas and painting a dog, but you'll have to listen to the full episode to find out the details.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment!
Follow Notes to Strangers:
IG: @notestostrangers
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Some topics we discuss:
"It's important for women to support other women"
Ciara returns for part 3 of her In Focus co-host and this week we discuss all things female empowerment and why 2018 is due to be the year of the woman!
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment. And be sure to share it with a friend who needs to hear this!
Follow Ciara:
IG: @CiaraLondon
Twitter: @ciaralondonfit
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Some topics we discuss:
The sexualisation of women
Hope we break the 'lad' mentality
Seeing women as equals
How women can lift up other women
The #metoo movement
Oprah's incredible speech
What women in power can do to empower other women
Choosing to work with only women
A very open conversation with Natasha Benjamin, founder of Free Your Mind - an organisation to help support children who have experienced domestic violence. She's also a self care coach, mental health expert and has written and released two books, so she's a pretty busy lady!
Natasha speaks about her experiences dealing with Anxiety, discovering she had experienced domestic violence as a child and even gets me to open up about my own experiences with anxiety - something I've not touched on on the podcast before.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment!
Follow Natasha:
IG: @natashakbenjamin
Twitter: @tashakbenjamin
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
Some topics we discuss:
"If you're relationships are as tight as they are meant to be, if you win, they win"
Ciara is back for part 2 of her In Focus co-host and this week we have a very juicy chat about relationships & love and why you should pick your relationships wisely - both friendships and lovers.
If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review or comment. And be sure to share it with a friend who needs to hear this!
Follow Ciara:
IG: @CiaraLondon
Twitter: @ciaralondonfit
Follow Dreamer’s Disease:
IG: @the_dreamersdisease / @iamalexmanzi
Twitter: @dreamerspod / @iamalexmanzi
Soundcloud: @thedreamersdisease
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