Access to Inspiration
Access to Inspiration is a not-for-profit podcast dedicated to uplifting and motivating listeners through compelling conversations with extraordinary individuals.The show features guests from more than 30 countries who have pushed boundaries, explored the unknown, and made significant impacts in their respective areas. Topics range from business and adventure, to the arts and social change.Each episode delves into the personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs of these inspiring figures, offering valuable insights and actionable advice.The Access to Inspiration podcast is more than just a series of interviews; it is a catalyst to inspire change within people across the globe.Through t...
Celebrating 150 Episodes: Reflections and Insights from Access to Inspiration
In this special bonus episode, Pierre Heistein, who was guest in episode 91 takes the host's chair alongside co-founders Sue Stockdale and Clive Steeper. They celebrate reaching 150 episodes by reflecting on the conversations with guests, lessons learned, and the common threads that bind these stories together. Pierre delves into the origins of the podcast, what does it mean to be inspirational, and how the show has impacted Sue and Clive and their listeners. Together they discuss how the podcast has influenced their perspectives about life and work, and how they look to the future for taking the next steps of development.
150. Kris Tompkins: Conservation, Leadership and Legacy
In this landmark 150th episode, Sue Stockdale talks to Kris Tompkins, one of the world's most prolific conservation philanthropists. Kris shares a powerful, personal perspective on what drives her and urges listeners to ditch the myth of individual powerlessness: “The excuse that ‘I’m just one person’ - that’s the weakest, nonsensical excuse there is. One person, it does matter.”
In the conversation, Tompkins reflects on how her business experience helped shape a vision for nature conservation at scale, highlighting themes of risk-taking, leadership, and the power of direct engagement. She reminds us that the gritty, uncomfortable days in natur...
149. Alice Morrison: Exploring Africa and Arabia
Sue Stockdale talks to Alice Morrison, an adventurer, author, and TV presenter. Alice has journeyed across deserts, trekked through mountains, and immersed herself in diverse cultures from Morocco to Saudi Arabia. Alice shares her experiences of resilience, discovery, and connection, including surviving the Moroccan earthquake, navigating Saudi Arabia on foot, and the joy of storytelling. Alice discusses her passion for adventure, the importance of cultural understanding, and why she believes exploration is about more than just physical endurance.
About Alice Morrison
Alice Morrison is an adventurer, TV presenter, and writer known for her bold expeditions...
148. Ed Ley-Wilson: Exploring the mind and the sea
Sue Stockdale speaks to adventurer, author, and deep thinker Ed Ley-Wilson. Ed shares insights from his life exploring both the outdoors and the mind. From kayaking the rugged west coast of Scotland to reflecting on resilience, solitude, and the power of slowing down, Ed reveals how adventure - whether on land, sea, or within ourselves shapes our engagement with the world.
About Ed Ley-Wilson
Ed has over thirty years of working and engaging with business, community, educational, social and environmental issues throughout the Highlands of Scotland. He has undertaken long self-supported kayaking journeys in Norway a...
147. Zara Lachlan: One Woman’s Journey Rowing Across an Ocean
Sue Stockdale welcomes Zara Lachlan, who shares her extraordinary experience of rowing solo across the Atlantic from mainland Europe to South America, covering over 3,500 nautical miles in 97 days. Despite overcoming many challenges as well as mental and physical hurdles during her voyage, Zara highlights the importance of resilience, self-belief, and the power of support from loved ones.
About Zara Lachlan
Zara Lachlan is a 21-year-old physics student at Loughborough University who is joining the army in September 2025 as a technical officer. She has competed internationally in cycling and rowing which she started at 16 at Welbeck...
146. Rosemary Hoskins: Developing Skills for an Uncertain Future
Sue Stockdale talks to Rosemary Hoskins, a learning and development expert, about navigating uncertainty in careers, personal growth, and leadership. Rosemary shares her journey from graduating during a recession to building a diverse career and offers insights on the importance of critical thinking, adaptability, and peer learning. The conversation emphasizes the value of evaluating risks, asking 'what if' questions, and creating plans to manage the unknown. Rosemary also talks about her unique personal experiences, including bringing a polo pony from Argentina and building her own ecohouse illustrating the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone to explore opportunities.
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145. Anil Damle: Epic Road Trips
Sue Stockdale interviews Anil Damle, a passionate nature and wildlife enthusiast from India, about his epic road trips across the continents of Africa, Latin America, and Australia. Anil shares his experiences of overcoming logistical challenges, the importance of teamwork, and the unexpected kindness of strangers. They delve into his journey's practicalities, including vehicle maintenance and adapting to different terrains and the personal growth that comes from embarking on such ambitious travels.
About Anil Damle
Anil Damle is a renowned film producer, author, and tourism pioneer. He comes from a distinguished lineage in filmmaking...
144. Jayshree Seth: From STEM to Storytelling: making science relatable
Sue Stockdale interviews Jayshree Seth, who was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science, communicate its benefits and the importance of STEM fields to drive innovation.
About Jayshree Seth
Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and currently holds 80 patents for a variety of innovations, with several additional pending. She joined 3M in 1993 after an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York. She is a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from her alma mat...
143. Astrid Vargas: Saving Species, Regenerating Landscapes, and Inspiring Action
Sue Stockdale interviews trailblazing conservationist Astrid Vargas in episode 143 of the Access to Inspiration podcast. Astrid shares her journey from childhood fascination with nature to leading efforts in bringing species like the Iberian lynx back from the brink of extinction. They discuss the importance of inspiration, systemic thinking, and community engagement in conservation, and delve into the 'four returns' model for landscape restoration developed by Common Land. Astrid emphasises the role of art, celebration, and collective action in fostering a sustainable future, offering insights and encouragement for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the planet.
...
142. Ricky Ellcock: Defying Limits- from Cricket Pitch to Cockpit
Sue Stockdale interviews Ricky Ellcock, a man who defied significant challenges to excel in two remarkable careers: professional cricket and aviation. Raised in impoverished conditions in Barbados, Ricky's journey saw him overcoming racial and socio-economic barriers. His ingenuity as a child, along with his resilience in facing career-ending injuries, led him to become Virgin Atlantic's first Black 747 captain. Ricky shares his experiences of culture shock at an elite English boarding school, fighting through debilitating injuries, battling depression, and ultimately redefining success. His story is one of humour, humility, and relentless determination to achieve one's dreams, and serves as a powerful...
2024 A Year in Review: Highlights and Favourite Episodes
Host Sue Stockdale reflects on an incredible year filled with growth and achievement and co-founder Clive Steeper and Sound Editor Matias de Ezcurra reflect on the episode has the greatest impact on each of them.
Listeners are invited to revisit highlights, key insights, and memorable moments from the year, including a reminder of practical tips on embracing failure, fostering openness within teams and using intuition. This episode serves as a celebration of our inspiring guests and the insights gained from them.
Timestamps
00:00:25 - Celebrating Achievements
00:02:14 - Clive's Favourite Episode
00:05:14 - Matias...
141. Christoph Quarch: Why philosophy is relevant in today’s world
Sue Stockdale interviews philosopher Dr. Christoph Quarch, exploring his definition of philosophy and its relevance in today's world. Christoph shares his personal journey toward philosophy, his academic path, and the importance of meaningful conversation as a means for individual and collective transformation. They reflect on the significance of inspiration and spirit in fostering innovation and organisational change, as well as delving into the need for slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and embracing open-mindedness as keys to living a more fulfilling life.
About Dr. Christoph Quarch
Dr. Christoph Quarch is a philosopher and bestselling author of...
140. Pamela Bisson: Empowering youth through media arts
Sue Stockdale talks to Paméla Bisson from Quebec City, who is a media arts advocate and the founder of Le Machin Club - a nonprofit dedicated to engaging children aged 9 to 13 in creative projects like short films, podcasts, and a weekly radio show. Through Le Machin Club, Pamela strives to empower children and foster a more conscious and aware generation in Quebec City's vibrant cultural landscape. Pamela recounts her journey from a summer camp counsellor to establishing her organisation and her mission to spark curiosity and empathy within young people. She shares her challenges, achievements, and transformative experiences in p...
139. Keith Sharpe: How to become a better version of yourself
Keith Sharpe, Head of Coaching and Leadership Development for the GB Cycling team talks to Sue Stockdale about his work helping athletes and coaches to be better tomorrow, by supporting them today. Keith explains how to create a high performance environment by role modelling curiosity, kindness and humility, and why playfulness and concise communication are key elements of success.
About Keith Sharpe
Keith has worked in elite sport for 24 years, gaining a wide range of experiences supporting athletes and coaches in Olympic, Paralympic and Professional sports. He is currently Head of Coaching and L...
138. Renato Granieri: Capturing nature from behind the lens
Award-winning photographer Renato Granieri discusses with host Sue Stockdale his transformation from a corporate career to becoming an wildlife and travel photographer. Born in Sardinia and settled in the UK, Granieri shares how a trip to the Faroe Islands sparked his passion for photography at the age of 40 and the pivotal role his partner, a travel journalist, played in his career switch. Granieri emphasises the importance of patience, visualisation, and planning in capturing stunning wildlife images and describes the diverse global locales he explores from Antarctica to the jungles of Africa. He also shares his insights on using new technologies...
137. Agnese Spona: Exploring the future of learning design
Sue Stockdale talks to learning designer Agnese Spona about the process of creating learning experiences. Agnese shares her frustrations with traditional education systems and the barriers to scaling individualised learning. The conversation concludes with thoughts on how to inspire better human interactions and curiosity within educational contexts, considering the rapidly evolving landscape influenced by AI and technology.
About Agnese Spona
Agnese Spona is a professional with a passion for empowering individuals and organisations through transformative learning experiences. Agnese is founder of Ness, a learning design and facilitation practice focused on fostering growth and positive change. S...
136. Mark Fletcher: Creating an eSports team
Sue Stockdale speaks with Mark Fletcher, the owner of Altitude Esports, about what led him to forming and leading an esports racing team. Mark shares his deep-rooted passion for racing, influenced by his father's racing background and their combined foray into model car racing. He explains how the team was founded from personal loss and a desire to create a community. The conversation also touches on Mark's engagement with Sports 2000 racing, integrating his virtual racing skills into real-world mechanics, and the supportive family-like environment within the racing community.
About Mark Fletcher
Mark Fletcher is 36 years...
135. Eveline van den Heuvel: Embracing Intuition and Creativity
Sue Stockdale talks to Eveline van den Heuvel about her fascinating life journey and academic background in cognitive neuroscience and health psychology. Eveline delves deep into the importance of questioning everything, connecting with people, and harnessing intuition and creativity in both personal and professional life, highlighting its significance in today’s world driven by technology and artificial intelligence.
About Eveline van den Heuvel
Eveline's genius is to help others pave the way into the unknown by creating a bridge between the pragmatic, transactional world and the ethereal creative space of imagination. She holds a Masters in...
134. David Smith: High performance, health and humility
In this episode 134, previous guest from episode 87 Dr Sarah Gilchrist introduces her guest, David Smith MBE, a former Paralympic rower with an impressive sports background. David shares his journey from winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, to facing the reality of paralysis and living with challenging medical issues. David stresses the significance of staying connected to the current moment as a key element of success and a fulfilling life. He introduces the concept of "being where your feet are," emphasising the value of focusing on the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the...
133. Shoko Doherty: Inspiring global citizenship
Host Sue Stockdale interviews Shoko Doherty, CEO of Celtic English Academy, who originally hails from Japan and now resides in Wales. Shoko shares her experiences of cultural differences between Japan and Wales after moving 20 years ago, highlighting aspects of respect and societal values.
Shoko also describes how they embrace cultural differences and foster a multicultural environment with the students to lead to positive experiences for both students and staff and contribute to building a more inclusive and harmonious society.
About Shoko Doherty
Shoko Doherty is the CEO of Celtic English Academy, an English...
132. Cobe Williams: Street Life, Second Chances and Saving Lives
Sue Stockdale talks to Cobe Williams, the Director of U.S. programming for Cure Violence Global, as he reflects on his upbringing in Chicago, his exposure to street and gang life, and the impact of violence in his community. From childhood memories of block parties to the absence of a father figure leading him to the streets, Kobe shares poignant moments that shaped his life and perspective on the importance of addressing violence in communities. Learn how Cobe turned his life around to focus on community work, relationships, violence prevention, and the impact of the Cure Violence Global model.
131. Maritza Lopez: From corporate leader to eco entrepreneur
Manuela Gil who was a guest on episode 73 returns to introduce Maritza Lopez, a former corporate professional turned eco-entrepreneur from Colombia. Maritza, the CEO of MyEcoHome is working on regenerating the Earth through bio-products extracted from Colombian forests, and explains the importance of maintaining forests for sustainability, creating value from forests, preserving biodiversity, and developing productive forests for future generations. Maritza also explains why she changed career at age 40 as well as addressing why she wants to preserve tropical dry forests in Colombia.
About Maritza Lopez
Maritza is an executive with over 15 years of experience...
130. Urs Koenig: Leading with radical humility
Sue Stockdale talks to Urs Koenig about his insights and experiences from his time serving as a peacekeeper, shedding light on the importance of humility in leadership in a demanding and high-stakes environment. Koenig explains the concept of 'radical humility' which he describes as the ability to be a bad ass leader and a good human at the same time.
About Urs Koenig
Urs is a former United Nations military peacekeeper and NATO military peacekeeping commander, a highly accomplished ultra-endurance champion, a widely published professor, bestselling author, and a seasoned executive coach and keynote speaker...
129. Dana Frank: Building legacy through real estate
In episode 129 Sue Stockdale talks to Dana Frank, who shares the story of her family business, TD Frank Family Properties. Dana explains the origins of the business dating back to 1950 and how determination and hard work laid the foundation for a successful business that continues to thrive today. Learn about the legacy of resilience and entrepreneurship that shaped TD Frank Family Properties over the years. Dana also talks about her book Get Up And Get On It, where she reveals the formula for creating generational wealth based on human experience that everyone can relate to.
Find out mo...
128. Ricardo Brito: From Burnout to Breakthrough - Reinventing your Career
In this episode host Sue Stockdale talks to Ricardo Brito about his journey of experiencing burnout and how it led him to a pivotal moment of realisation. Ricardo reflects on the challenging work environment, dissatisfaction with the tech world, and the breaking point that made him reassess his path.
About Ricardo Brito
Ricardo Brito is a career and life coach helping people pave their way to personal and professional fulfilling balance through what he calls the PATH Method. Ricardo’s journey began back in 2021, when deeply entrenched in the corporate tech world as a UX des...
Preview of Series 18
Sue Stockdale previews upcoming Series 18 and describes the typical diversity and range of guests that appear on the podcast.
In Series 18 there will be a guest hosted episode and another featuring a guest recommended to us by a previous podcast guest.
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Read our latest Impact Report
Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra
Launching our Impact Report 2024
In this bonus episode of the Access to Inspiration podcast, host Sue Stockdale announces the release of the 2024 Impact Report, highlighting the podcast's achievements and how it creates a social impact. Listeners share their love for the inspiring conversations and the hidden gems found in each episode.
Read the Impact Report on the website
Notable key points from the report are:
Guest Inspiration: 81% of guests felt inspired to participate in another podcast after their experience with Access to Inspiration.Positive Feedback: Guests have praised the professional and empat...
127. Monique Maissan: Recycling plastic waste into textiles
Sue Stockdale talks to Monique Maissan, CEO of Waste2Wear about her entrepreneurial journey to manufacture textiles from recycled plastic bottles. Monique saw an opportunity to make a positive impact in the textile industry, one of the most polluting industries in the world, and pivoted her business to focus on this. Monique emphasises the importance of seeing waste as a valuable source and viewing it not as a problem to be disposed of, but as a resource that can be repurposed and reused, so that we can shift towards a more sustainable and circular economy.
About Monique M...
126. Sofia Heinonen: Rewilding Argentina and beyond
Sue Stockdale talks to Sofia Heinonen, Executive Director of Rewilding Argentina. Sofia shares her journey from a young girl fascinated by the natural world to leading significant conservation efforts in Argentina and beyond. She discusses her initial work in national parks and how her encounter with conservationists Doug and Kris Tompkins profoundly influenced her perspective, shifting her focus from merely protecting land to actively restoring and rewilding ecosystems.
About Sofia Heinonen
Sofía Heinonen was born and raised in Buenos Aires where she trained as a biologist. An activist by nature, she has spent more t...
125. Jeremy Fish and Lucy Constable Fernandez: The Enduring Impact of Raleigh International
Sue Stockdale explores the transformative power of Raleigh International expeditions with Lucy Constable Fernandez and Jeremy Fish. Since the organisation was launched in 1978 by Colonel John Blashford-Snell, more than 50,000 individuals have participated in expeditions around the world. Sue discovers the impact that it has had, and how the organisation has adapted to continue offering life-enhancing journeys for young people today.
About Jeremy Fish and Lucy Constable Fernandez
Jeremy participated as a venturer to Indonesia in 1987; and to Guyana in 1988 as a volunteer manager. He was a Raleigh Board member for seven years including three as Vi...
124. Neil Wightwick: Transforming lives through nature's classroom
In episode 124 we delve into the world of outdoor education with Neil Wightwick, a leading figure in driving national policy in Scotland to make outdoor education accessible to all. Discover how outdoor environments can become powerful classrooms and how physical challenges can foster growth and curiosity in students. Neil shares his passion for varied outdoor activities and recounts his own experiences, such as rowing across the Atlantic, which taught him the importance of resilience and the power of nature. Neil also discusses with host, Sue Stockdale his work in enabling young people to engage with the outdoors, particularly those from...
123. Danielle McDonough: The power of mindset on athletic performance
In episode 123 we explore the world of sports and mindset mastery with Danielle McDonough, a former professional ice hockey player turned mindset coach. Danielle shares her journey from the ice rink to coaching, emphasising the importance of overcoming self-doubt to achieve peak performance. Host Sue Stockdale talks to Danielle about athlete psychology, imposter syndrome, and practical strategies for reshaping our thinking in challenging situations.
About Danielle McDonough
Danielle McDonough started skating at age 4 and playing hockey at age 5, and later received a BA in Sociology from Providence College while on full athletic scholarship for...
122. Roderick Aitken: Sourcing sustainable timber
In episode 122, host Sue Stockdale explores the delicate balance between commerce and conservation in the world of forestry with guest Roderick Aitken. As a fifth-generation family business in Scotland importing tropical wood, Roddy shares insights on sustainable practices and the collective responsibility we have towards the planet, discusses the importance of protecting precious ecosystems while meeting the demand for exotic woods.
About Roderick Aitken
Roderick has a degree in forest management from The University of Aberdeen. He has spent one year working in Malaysia’s forest and sawmilling sectors, then two years with BSW timber in...
121. Arild Nydegger Øvre-Eide and Gyrid Dahl: Embracing Change and Tradition in Norwegian Farming
In this episode host Sue Stockdale talks to Arild Nydegger Øvre-Eide and Gyrid Dahl, from Øvre-Eide farm in Bergen, Norway. Arild, the fifth-generation owner of a small farm, discusses his decision to become a farmer and how his father's support played a role in his journey. Gyrid who works at the farm explains what motivated her to change career from being a hairdresser to learning how to run a farm. The episode also explores Arild's surprising role as a teacher in a local prison and why tradition is important in communities.
Find out more about Øvre-Eide Far...
120. Robert Thirsk: From medicine to Mars - Insights from over 200 days in space
In this guest-hosted episode Clive Steeper from episode 1 talks to engineer, physician, and former astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk about the preparation and training needed for astronauts to operate effectively on space missions, and how these skills are also relevant for leadership more generally.
Robert reflects on training for astronauts, non-technical skills in space missions, adapting back to life on Earth, providing healthcare on deep space missions, AI-enabled technologies for space exploration, and the benefits of the space programme for society.
About Dr. Robert Thirsk
Dr. Robert Thirsk was born and raised in western...
119. Reanne Olivier: Empowering African Youth
In podcast episode 119, Reanne Olivier, co-founder of Africa Matters Initiative talks to Sue Stockdale about how her first journey to South Africa was sparked by her parents' curiosity and exploration of the continent. This led her to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa, and ultimately shape her passion for making a difference.
By immersing herself in the diverse cultures and communities of Africa, Reanne gained a deeper understanding of the continent and its people, allowing her to build relationships, learn from others, and collaborate to create an initiative that is empowering African youth.
About Reanne O...
118. Kate Leeming: From Africa to Australia: Exploring the world by bicycle
In episode 118 Sue Stockdale interviews Australian adventurer Kate Leeming. Kate has cycled almost 100,000km completing major journeys around the world. She became the first person to cycle an unbroken line from Africa's most westerly to its most easterly point. Sue explores the motivations behind Kate's adventures and the impact she aims to make through her expeditions. The episode also covers topics such as education for sustainable development, the role of women in community development, and the physical and mental benefits of cycling.
About Kate Leeming
As an explorer/adventurer, Kate has cycled almost 100,000km on...
117. Sue Stockdale: Building trust and psychological safety
In episode 117 former guest Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim (episode 49) talks to Sue Stockdale. Sue discusses her experiences as an adventurer and athlete, focusing on her expedition to the Magnetic North Pole. She talks about her initial curiosity and decision to apply for the expedition, as well as the challenges she faced in raising funds and preparing physically and mentally. The conversation also explores themes of building safety within a team, curiosity and resilience.
About Sue Stockdale
Sue Stockdale is an adventurer, coach, author, and TEDx speaker. In 1996, Sue became the first British woman to reach...
116. Bruce Parker: The opportunity that was too good to be true
This episode explores the concept of sliding doors moments and emphasises the importance of trusting oneself and finding stillness and clarity in life. Host Sue Stockdale interviews singer and entertainer Bruce Parker. They discuss Bruce's love for soul and Motown music, which he grew up with in Inglewood, Los Angeles. Bruce shares his experiences of touring in China and encountering a dangerous situation with the Chinese triads.
About Bruce Parker
Bruce Parker is known as The California Soul Man, and has enthralled audiences around the world, working with legendary music icons such as Chaka Khan...
115. Georgina Bark: Exploring the craft of dry stone walling
Sue Stockdale speaks with Georgina Bark, also known as Bo, a dry stone waller. Bo shares her journey of leaving an office job behind to pursue a career outdoors and why she enjoys her work. Bo emphasises that problem-solving is a crucial aspect of her job, both in building walls and repairing them and offers advice to listeners, encouraging them to pursue their passions.
Georgina Bark is based in Gloucestershire and an Advanced Certificate holder and member of the Dry Stone Walling Association.
Key Quotes
"You can use hammer on Cotswold stone and...
