Best Helen and Valerie Podcasts (2024)

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Episode #126 with Valérie Osouf 43:25

1d ago43:25

43:25

On today's episode, documentary filmmaker Valérie Osouf talks about her role as co-curator on 'Tigritudes'- a Pan-African cycle of 128 films from 42 countries produced between 1956 and 2023. Valérie discusses the relevance of Tigritudes, the lack of respect and knowledge towards Pan-African cinema. We discuss issues surrounding heritage, the legacy…

1
Episode #125 with Christiana Ajilore 1:07:12

7d ago1:07:12

1:07:12

*Trigger warning*: Due to the nature of Christiana's job as a lawyer, sensitive issues come up in the conversation that some listeners may find disturbing. In today's episode, I talk with lawyer and entrepreneur Christiana Ajilore. Christiana discusses why she took up the profession of law and the field she specialises in. She shares the challenges…

1
Episode #124 with Helen Dewdney 26:28

15d ago26:28

26:28

On today's episode, I chat with Consumer Rights champion Helen Dewdney, otherwise known as 'The Complaining Cow'. Helen talks about the importance of understanding your rights as a consumer especially within the UK, topical consumer issues and why it's important for companies to invest in customer services. Helen discusses how local council budget …

1
Episode #123 with Sathnam Sanghera 58:26

22d ago58:26

58:26

In today's episode, I'm in conversation with The Sunday Times bestselling author Sathnam Sanghera. We discuss his new book 'Empireworld', and his other books including 'Empireland' and 'Stolen History'. We discuss the British Empire, it's history and the painful legacy of colonialism. The topics of racism, language, patriotism, identity & heritage …

1
Singles 1:33:14

26d ago1:33:14

1:33:14

Welcome to Debbie Country, where Cameron Crowe is the next Martin Scorceez and the podcast hosts are admittedly pretty biased in their fervent -- albeit grungy and nostalgic -- love of the 1992 romantic comedy Singles. Reach out in the Falling in Love Montage Podcast group on Facebook if you want to be an early investor in our musical adaptation (d…

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Episode #122 with Paul Thompson 56:28

29d ago56:28

56:28

"There was something about the instrument that always spoke to me (being a shy person) because it was like the most important instrument on stage, but not the instrument that anybody noticed. You weren't as visible as the drummer. You weren't as flashy as the guitar player. And yet everything you do on the bass affects everything else. And you're k…

1
Episode #121 with Kate Verity Wilson 1:00:07

1M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

My guest on today's episode is Kate Verity Wilson, an ex-film producer who runs the anti-discrimination and workplace culture app 'Call It!'. Kate talks about the challenges and limited options for many creatives within the film industry, including the lack of diversity and inclusivity and harassment of genders. We also chat about her experiences o…

1
Episode #120 with Remel London 1:01:09

2M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

"I grew up seeing people on TV and being like, wow, that's amazing, I would love to do that! And it was also the excitement of seeing a black person on TV. I literally heard my mum be like 'Oh, I need to call my sisters. I need to make sure they're watching. There's a black person on TV, 6pm tonight!' And it's like...it was such an amazing feeling …

1
Episode #119 with Micallar Walker 45:45

2M ago45:45

45:45

"I can speak from a marketing perspective, and one of the things that's really helpful for us is that the author wants to be front and centre of the campaign. It's really helpful if the author is prepared to come out and meet the audience, whether it's through Q&A's or panels, doing little video snippets for social media. Those little things are re…

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How Stella Got Her Groove Back 1:17:52

2M ago1:17:52

1:17:52

Cohost Helen has gotten her own groove mostly back after having to skip March, and we are finally here with 1998's How Stella Got Her Groove Back. We haven't covered an adaptation of a work by the iconic and complicated Terry McMillan since we talked Waiting to Exhale in episode six, so if you yourself were waiting until now to exhale, we hope you'…

1
Episode #118 with Grant Miller 48:40

2M ago48:40

48:40

"And what ZSL and other senior NGOs do is we do conservation by consent. So the indigenous people, the local communities, it's their country, it's their forest, they have those rights. So we do it by consent and actually it's a really mature way to talk about it because there's a huge amount of old knowledge within that community about how it's bee…

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Episode #117 with Kunle Falodun 47:14

3M ago47:14

47:14

On today's episode, I chat with Kunle Falodun, Vice President Distribution & Networks, Africa at Sony Pictures Television. Kunle shares stories about his upbringing in Nigeria including his NYSC stint and how he started his career in media. We talk about the content creation within the visual sphere, the reality behind distribution to wider markets…

1
Re-Patreon M.A.S.H 31:30

3M ago31:30

31:30

It's March y'all, officially Spring, so in honor of that, we're going to spring a surprise on you and switch up our regularly scheduled programing. We're looking forward to discussing the 1998 McMillan classic How Stella Got Her Groove Back, but in the interim, please enjoy a throwback from August 2019 when we were on our beloved podcast network, F…

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Episode #116 with Maria Motúnráyo Adébísí 50:21

3M ago50:21

50:21

"I really wanted to create a magical world that would again bring these beings to attention and bring some respect to the fact because I think like, whatever religion they have, they can appreciate the sophistication of that system, you know what I mean? Most Italians are Christian, right? But they don't denounce their old gods. They would respect …

1
Episode #115 with Amani Simpson 55:02

4M ago55:02

55:02

*Content/Trigger Warning: This episode contains issues relating to knife crime & violence.* "It's really important (for young people to be intentional with what they plan to do with themselves). A digital project I'm working on now is really geared towards doing that and empowering young people through their phones to, as you said, kind of find tha…

1
Episode #114 with Crazy Gin's Paramjit & Bruce Nagra 1:06:06

4M ago1:06:06

1:06:06

"Western chefs use Indian spices from different regions and they'll call it a British cuisine with these spices , but they're the clever ones but we can't be clever because we just know how to make curry? And so, that's not true. Why can't we do this with drinks? Why can't that stereotype change? And no, it's not a curry in a bottle; it's depth and…

1
Valentine's Day 1:27:49

4M ago1:27:49

1:27:49

Leap year only comes around every four years, and this year -- our 8th anniversary -- marks the second leap year we've experienced as a podcast. We couldn't think of a better time to finally bring you an enthusiastic discussion of the oft-mentioned 2010 rom-com Leap Year -- but we didn't do that. Instead, we're here with an enraged dialog about the…

1
Episode #113 with Ellen E Jones 46:48

4M ago46:48

46:48

On today's episode, my guest is broadcaster and journalist Ellen E. Jones. Ellen talks about her new book 'Screen Deep: How film and TV can solve racism and save the world', and we delve into issues including how racial identity is constructed through the visual mediums of film and tv, issues surrounding representation, narratives and identity. Ell…

1
Episode #112 with Hamid Ibrahim 1:13:53

4M ago1:13:53

1:13:53

"...so we just came together ( with Tolu Olowofoyeku & Olufikayo 'Ziki' Adeola). The goals were close enough where we all wanted really good African storytelling, so that's the main umbrella (for forming 'Kugali'). But in terms of going into the nuance of it from my point of view, I really wanted the quality to be absolutely good, because Africa ha…

1
Episode #111 with SUKKI 1:00:34

4M ago1:00:34

1:00:34

" 'I SEE HER' is my first film, and it was a response to seeing the spike of cases of women and girls post-pandemic. During the pandemic, the cases of abuse in women and girls rose to 25%-33% higher. It was so bad that they coined the pandemic 'The Shadow Pandemic'. Post-pandemic cases rose by 8%. There was another pandemic going on that people wer…

1
Episode #110 with Mahryah Shain 46:21

5M ago46:21

46:21

"There's tons of reasons why people lose hair, there's a lot. There's hormonal changes, medication, illness, diet, environment, but the overall reason is genetics. Here's how the genetic factor works: when your body breaks down the male hormone testosterone, it creates a by-product called 'DHT'. Now, these DHTs are generally excreted through your b…

1
Episode #109 with Lucy Clarke 37:19

5M ago37:19

37:19

'It was a hard journey because for those five years I was earning nothing from writing, and it also feels quite a grandiose thing to suggest to your friends that "I'm going to be a writer, I want to be an author of published books!", so kept I kept it fairly on the down-low; like it wasn't a secret, but I wasn't out there publicing the fact that i …

1
The Notebook 1:36:44

5M ago1:36:44

1:36:44

It's the 20th anniversary of the beloved film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's The Notebook, and that means we and our podcast are really old, and that means it's time to finally cover this movie. Join us as we ascend the figurative ferris wheel that is this 2004 romance. Do our pants get pulled down? Do we fall in love? Has this metaphor already wo…

1
Episode #108 with Kemi Lawson 47:37

5M ago47:37

47:37

"People (economists)have put together a number of lost earnings, looking at the interest value of money, and it comes into the trillions; we're talking of a profound amount. And so....it's not like anyone is expecting a country to transfer a Trillion pounds next week, but that shouldn't put you off reparations but it's getting the conversation star…

1
Episode #107 with T A P E Collective 57:10

5M ago57:10

57:10

"I think in terms of expectations, we (T A P E Collective) are just very, very honest. What we have found...is that there really is a disconnect between a filmmaker's idea and it reaching audiences. I think people really don't understand how distribution, exhibition and production work...and that is something that I think we're quite good at trying…

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Episode #106 with Carl & Karla (Two's a Duo) 1:08:11

6M ago1:08:11

1:08:11

*Content Warning: This episode contains issues relating to substance abuse, knife crime, violence & trauma.* "...I had to just walk away...It was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made because it was the only time that Carl actually had to go out and get it out of his system and work on himself, for himself." In today's episode I chat wi…

1
Episode #105 with Kish Hirani 1:01:44

6M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

In today's episode I chat with CTO | Technical & Creative Leader Kish Hirani. Kish talks about how he's love for Mathematics and how that led to his start in his career within the games industry. We delve into his time while he worked at Sony Playstation, and what that experience has taught him. Kish talks about his advocacy for underrepresented et…

1
The Christmas House 1:10:41

6M ago1:10:41

1:10:41

For a podcast that has never covered a Hallmark movie in its 7+ years of existence, our fans sure love to throw Hallmark holiday movie memes and articles our way. Now it's our turn -- see how much you like it* when we throw Hallmark holiday movie content at you, haha! Yes, for this holidaymonth, we are talking about the holly-jolly, gay-appareled, …

1
Legally Blonde (w/ Vanessa Riley) 1:43:11

7M ago1:43:11

1:43:11

Aristotle and Holland Taylor once said, "The law is reason, free from passion." Valerie and Helen once said, "Oh man, we really should cover Legally Blonde at some point." And six or so years later, here we are -- covering 2001's beloved Legally Blonde with long-overdue repeat guest, beloved Vanessa Riley from The Square Roots Podcast. Habeas corpu…

1
Episode #104 with Antonello Mirone 48:15

7M ago48:15

48:15

On today's episode, I chat with Antonello Mirone, a Stonemason, Fresco painter and Historian. He shares his love of the craft and why he got into the business. Antonello also talks about the differences in stones and what his preferred material to work with is; why the stonemasonry is a dying industry, especially in Italy and why council cuts are l…

1
Episode #103 with Warda Mohamed 49:36

7M ago49:36

49:36

In today's episode, I talk to filmmaker and story teller Warda Mohamed about her debut narrative short film 'Muna'. Warda also talks about her Somali heritage, language & identity and what it means to be British Somali. We also discuss classic films from the 1980s and focus on a particular film that she would love to adapt for the stage, and whom s…

1
Episode #102 with Comfort Emmanuel 40:55

7M ago40:55

40:55

On today's episode I chat with filmmaker & writer, Comfort Emmanuel. Comfort shares why her passion for writing and filmmaking got her into the industry, and the challenges in getting her vision to a wider audience. We discuss how her corporate background has given her a grounded reality, and balancing realities and expectations when it comes to ma…

1
Episode #101 with Eron Mibo 44:08

8M ago44:08

44:08

On today's episode I have an interesting conversation about all things cocktails with mixologist and entrepreneur Eron Mibo. Eron shares with us how her interest in the hospitality industry led her to start a career with beverages. We talk about ingredients, thriving businesses in her neighbourhood, the lack of women of the Global Majority within t…

1
Episode 100 2:51

8M ago2:51

2:51

Today's episode is a very short thank you to all the listeners of The Swinging Palm Trees podcast, and a special thank you to all my guests who have taken the time to have a chat with me and share their lived experiences and quotes that inspire them. Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a…

1
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (w/ Tracy Tanoff) 1:52:48

8M ago1:52:48

1:52:48

To round out our whirlwind 2023 sampling of various Bennet and Darcy types (a Darcuterie, if you will), we've brought back our bestie and official Austen correspondent Tracy Tanoff for the third time/adaptation this year. Spooky month brings us to our likely last Pride and Prejudice for the foreseeable future -- the 2016 action-comedy-horror-chick-…

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Episode #99 with David Martinez Flores 1:00:23

8M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

In this episode, I talk with David Martinez Flores about his love for film and heritage. David shares the positive influence his family has had on him for his appreciation for film, especially from his mother. We talk about his pride of being Mexican, and the importance of heritage and storytelling. David also talks about his advocacy for represent…

1
Episode 98 Jerry Mannikarote 54:54

8M ago54:54

54:54

On today's episode I chat with Jerry Mannikarote. He shares with us his lived experiences over the years that includes being a physician and sleep technologist. As sleep is an area that fascinates me, Jerry breaks down the importance of understanding sleep, and discusses sleep disorders including insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome & Obstructive Sleep …

1
Episode 97 with Abigail & Donna Otchere of SiSTEM UK 53:52

9M ago53:52

53:52

On today's episode, I chat with sisters Donna and Abigail Otchere, a Mechanical Engineer and Biomedical Scientist respectively. We talk about their interest in the sciences and why they created SiSTEM, a non-profit organisation connecting women and Sciences. The sisters talk about what science means to them, the importance of encouraging children t…

1
Episode #96 with Dr Anna Scarnà 52:44

9M ago52:44

52:44

On today's episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Psychologist, university lecturer and author, Dr Anna Scarnà. Anna talks about her career and her passion for words and language, including bilingualism and language acquisition. We talk about her co-authored book with Robert Ingersoll entitled 'Primatology, Ethics and Trauma: The Oklahoma Chi…

1
Episode #95 with Gloria Stanley 52:22

9M ago52:22

52:22

On today's episode I talk with songwriter and singer Gloria Stanley. Ms Stanley shares her joy for singing, her compositions and how she discovered herself. She discusses her love for all things music, and also her passion for the city of Macon, Georgia. We also talk about the importance of her faith & belief, why she describes her charity work as …

1
Episode #94 with Holly Bruce 43:28

10M ago43:28

43:28

On today's episode I chat with the Scottish Green Party Councillor Holly Bruce. We look at why she sees herself as an activist first, and why she got into politics from a career in law. Holly discusses her role as an councillor within the community; her role in passing a motion at Glasgow City Council, making Glasgow 'UK's first feminist city' maki…

1
Barbie 1:39:47

10M ago1:39:47

1:39:47

We waited a long time to see our oldest friend grace the silver screen and make it pink, but Barbie is here now, and we are glad to be able to bring our OK-maybe-not-as-objective-as-they-could-be thoughts to you in this, the year of our Lord*, 2023. *Greta Gerwig

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