Mikhail Tomosov is the head of the LGBTQIA+ Network in Russia and he was in Hong Kong as a guest of the Human Dignity Festival, organised by Planet Ally. Mikhail talks to us about growing up in Russia without any sex education or gay role models in the media, and how difficult that was for him as a gay teen. He shares his parents unspoken acceptance of his sexuality and the love and support he and his partner have from them. Unfortunately, repression and victimisation are prolific, and Mikhail h...
Jan 26, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Jules talks to Dr Anastasia Belkova about the amazing projects that she has been running in Hong Kong. She discusses Goodin.HK and how she helps people find what they need to be happy. Wake Up and Roar, where she creates workshops and events to help people find their inner happiness and peace. She explores issues such as heartbreak, meditation, yoga, tantra, innocent addictions, dealing with a crisis and sexual shame. Anastasia chats to us about spiritual shopping and how we can bypass the pract...
Jan 19, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Australian Psychologist and author, Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg is an eminent resource for teenagers and their parents, and has fascinating insights on the lives and workings of adolescent minds that comes from decades of research and practice. He is prolific in the field of adolescent psychology, and has written books, writes articles and speaks around the world on topics of parenting, technology and mental health, adolescent development and adolescent suicide. He offers some useful tips for parents...
Jan 13, 2018•22 min•Season 1Ep. 20
'India by the Bay' is a Festival of India in Hong Kong from the 2nd to the 9th of February 2018. Jules chats to the organisers of this festival, Lakshmi Laroia and Sonali Laul and they share their excitement about 'India by the Bay', which encompasses music, dance, film, literature, theatre, art, food, Family Day and much more. It is a celebration of the vast and varied diverse cultures of India with a focus on the arts, food and family. There is a combination of traditional and cutting edge con...
Jan 05, 2018•36 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Kay Ross discusses her "Playground of Possibilities" card deck and how we can use the cards to observe the limiting thoughts, beliefs and stories that we have going on in our heads and how we can break these old patterns by choosing new stories and approaches. She discusses the value of improvisation in our lives and how it enhances team work, leadership skills and creativity. Improvisation skills can assist us to have nimble responsiveness to change and cope with the unexpected. Kay encourages ...
Dec 29, 2017•51 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Henrik Hoeg talks to us about his love of poetry and his passion for Peel Street Poetry open mic events, where he not only reads poems but also is the MC. Over the past eleven years, Peel Street Poetry has evolved into a group of international poets from all walks of life, who write and read poetry at the open mic sessions in Hong Kong. Henrik shares how his interest in poetry began in high school with passionate teachers who inspired him with their creative teaching methods. We explore how poet...
Dec 23, 2017•39 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Ariadna Peretz, a matchmaker from Maitre D’ate, talks to us about the difficulties of dating in Hong Kong. She gives advice on deal breakers in relationships and why we might need to rethink them. Ariadna discusses coping with rejection, flirting skills, icebreakers for first dates and why ghosting is a no no…….mostly. She explains her role as a matchmaker and how matchmaking can work for many people. We explore how the landscape of dating has evolved since the creation of smart phones and datin...
Dec 16, 2017•54 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Preeti Sharma grew up in India and when her father died, she found herself on the streets with her mother and four siblings. Preeti had to do her homework under the street lights and this is when she developed her love of studying. Eventually, she left India for Hong Kong where she met her husband. She had two children but things began to go awry and she found herself facing life as a single mother. She shares her struggles with mental health issues and the pressures of being a single mum withou...
Dec 09, 2017•42 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Matt Friedman from the Mekong Club talks about his important role in combating human trafficking and modern day slavery. He explains the differences between sex slavery and slave labour and talks in depth about this epidemic that is on the increase globally. He shares his own family's experience with human trafficking and how this impacted him as a young boy. He reveals many shocking stories from his experiences working with NGOs in India, Nepal, Thailand, USA and Hong Kong. He shares personal s...
Dec 02, 2017•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 14
Kamoga Hassan is the founder of the Queer Kampala International Film Festival (QUEERKIFF), the first and only LGBTIQ festival in Uganda, where homosexuality is illegal. Kamoga is a human rights activist and he is passionate about making a difference in a country where people can be driven out of their homes, arrested or even killed for their sexuality. Kamoga talks about his life as a gay man in Uganda and the way that he uses film to tackle social justice issues and raise awareness in the hope ...
Nov 25, 2017•45 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Robert discusses growing up in South Africa and coming to terms with his sexuality as an adult in Hong Kong. He shares his coming out story and the reactions of his family to this news. Robert is now happily married and a father of a two year old boy, which is one of the greatest joys in his life. He reveals the challenges that he and his husband face as a gay couple with a son living in Hong Kong and also the many positive aspects of his life. We also explore ways to support young people who ma...
Nov 18, 2017•35 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Jane discusses her experiences with domestic violence as a self confessed serial dater in her younger years. She talks about the social isolation from family and friends, the abuse, manipulation, power and control she suffered through at the hands of her two consecutive partners. She was dazzled by the money and high life the men offered her in Hong Kong and found herself in abusive relationships, where she could not break free. Jules also discusses her own personal experiences in her 20's. Both...
Nov 11, 2017•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Jane Engelmann talks to us about how she formed a choir comprised of women domestic helpers in Hong Kong, The Unsung Heroes. She gives us an insight into the lives of these women and some of the many sacrifices they have made to work as foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Many of the women have left friends and family behind in their home countries to work 12 hours a day, 6 days a week to support their families. We learn about the creation of their signature song "I Wish I Could Kiss You Good...
Nov 11, 2017•41 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Neerja Sujanani and Deepa Nainani from Plus Group International talk to us about how they started out in business, their secrets to success and give advice to people who are just venturing into the business world. Both women give us an insight into their family culture and traditions and how that impacted their lives and the expectations of them when they were young. Its inspiring to hear about their passion for business, their incredible accomplishments whilst they discuss the challenges that t...
Oct 28, 2017•43 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Alison Oliver from Integrate Hong Kong talks about her work as a counsellor. She explores the concepts of giving space, building resilience and wellbeing. She advises us how we can help young people who are struggling and ways to initiate conversations. She describes the role social media plays in mental health issues and importance of growing a positive mind set and how to go about that. http://www.integratehk.hk/our-team/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network:...
Oct 21, 2017•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Karina Calver describes her troubled childhood as the daughter of Sindhi parents in Hong Kong. She explores the repeated trauma of a father who over stepped the boundaries and a mother who chose not to see. She had to internalize and normalize what happened to her to enable her to function in the family and find her way in life. This is her story. A listener note: This podcast may be distressing to some people as the topic of incest is discussed. Samaritans Hong Kong: 24 hour hotline: 28960000 H...
Oct 11, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Author Ritu Hemnani talks to us about her children's book "Gope and Meera- A Migration Story", a beautiful heartwarming story about a cherished homeland that is left behind and why the Sindhi Community is scattered across the world today. It is a captivating tale of tragic loss and determined hope. Ritu gives us an insight into her family background and the evolution of the book. A wonderful interview with a talented author who is passionate about her culture and her work. www.rituhemnani.com Ho...
Oct 08, 2017•25 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Sky Siu from Kely Support Group talks to us about the vital role that the NGO plays in supporting Hong Kong youth between the ages of 14 and 24. Their programs and services focus on knowledge, resistance and harm reduction around drug and alcohol misuse. Using a positive youth development approach, with a priority of understanding young peoples perspectives, Kely Support Group equip young people with key life skills and resilience as they face various challenges growing up in Hong Kong. www.kely...
Oct 01, 2017•46 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Sonia Samtani from All About You Wellness Centre talks to us about coping with life's struggles. She discusses many very interesting topics including hypnotherapy, past life regression, healing your inner child, sports enhancement, chakra healing, affirmations, spiritual mentoring and public speaking. An informative and insightful discussion that can help with both healing and self development. Contact Sonia on her website http://www.allaboutyoucentre.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: j...
Sep 24, 2017•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Neha Lata shares her life story with us. She talks about being forced into an arranged marriage and how this affected her self-esteem and self-worth. She took steps to do what was best for her and meditation and mindfulness was a huge key in finding her way to a life she loves. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/julesha...
Sep 14, 2017•31 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Dating and relationships coach, Valentina Tudose talks to us about the work that she does with people to help them to become successful in the dating world. She also works with couples, whether they are in a happy relationship and want to make it stronger and more exciting, or with couples who are struggling and need support. Valentina is a charismatic and warm person who loves what she does for a living. Anyone listening to this show will gain some insight to further their relationship or datin...
Sep 10, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Jules Hannaford interviews Canadian Doula, Christina Kimont about her work as a Doula in Macau and Hong Kong. Christina is a birth companion who shares her extensive knowledge and insights into pregnancy, birth and motherhood. She also shares her own personal birthing stories. Christina gives advice to expecting parents and she has some very wise words of wisdom to impart. Contact Christina via her webpage. https://macaubirthdoula.wordpress.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannafo...
Sep 02, 2017•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1
