Neil Bonner was filming a documentary about piracy off a small island in Indonesia when he and a female colleague were arrested by the authorities and questioned about what they were doing. They were held for more than five months in an Indonesian prison. They were accused and threatened with charges including being a threat to national security, which carries up to 12 years in prison. In the end, after months in detention they were convicted of not having correct visas and sentenced to two-and-...
Nov 10, 2021•55 min
In this episode I am speaking with Peguy Kato who devastatingly lost her son in an incident where he was stabbed 11 times. Peguy has made it her mission to provide support to families who have gone through similar experiences in honor of her son. This led to her setting up the All Champions charity which aims to prevent and protect people of all ages from knife and other serious youth violence by working towards the rehabilitation of young people engaged in knife crime and other serious youth vi...
Oct 19, 2021•58 min
This episode is in collaboration with the Longford Trust who provide financial and mentoring support to young serving and ex-prisoners. The Longford scholarship assists in giving them a second chance to pursue a degree at university. Up until now all of my guest interviews have been recorded remotely thanks to Covid, but on this occasion I was able to meet Sean in person. After gaining qualifications to earn his place at the University of Leeds, Sean’s life became problematic when he couldn’t se...
Oct 13, 2021•25 min
This episode is in collaboration with the Longford Trust, who provide financial and mentoring support to young serving and ex-prisoner. It gives a second chance to pursue degrees at university. The Longford Scholarships were first awarded in 2004 and have supported more than 300 young serving and ex-prisoners. In this episode I am speaking with Victoria Ebun, who was arrested at 18 before she had the chance to finish sixth form. Alongside studying a degree in psychology, Victoria works with St G...
Oct 05, 2021•39 min
Jason Flom is an American music industry executive and CEO of Lava Records, Lava Music Publishing, and Lava Media. He previously served as Chairman and CEO at Atlantic Records, Virgin Records and Capitol Music Group. He is personally responsible for launching acts such as Kid Rock, Katy Perry, Lorde, and Greta Van Fleet. He has been described as one of the most successful record men of the past 20 years. But Flom is also a leading philanthropist who has long championed various political and soci...
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Thomas Duncan Bell is a truly inspiring mental health campaigner and speaker. Growing up in an extremely volatile environment, Thomas has fought adversity and fear since he was old enough to remember it. He’s battled drug and alcohol addictions and destructive relationships in the past and is now the primary mental health champion in the UK’s Institute of Directors. Suffering from an extreme form of Bipolar disorder, Thomas has successfully turned his life around in order to help other people. K...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 4 min
In this episode I’m speaking with Junior Smart who was arrested in his mid twenties for possession of several kilograms of crack cocaine. Junior was left homeless after his mother died of a stroke, causing him to go into depression and become suicidal, planning to kill himself. On that day, an officer slid an envelope under the door of his cell containing photos of past family get-togethers. Junior said the photos snapped him back to reality and saved his life. He then seeked help from the Liste...
Sep 14, 2021•57 min
WARNING: This story contains details some listeners may find distressing. Clare Topcu and her young son were the victims of a burglary and vicious attack by a group of young men who broke into her farmhouse by removing roof slates and climbing into her home through the roof. Both she and her young son were beaten and bound with tape before the burglars made their escape. It was a terrifying ordeal they are still affected by today. When one of the burglars was arrested and imprisoned Clare agreed...
Sep 07, 2021•52 min
After being caught attempting to smuggle cocaine from St lucia to Canada, Emily O’Brien was sentenced to four years in a federal prison. Determined to make the best out of a negative situation, she created Comeback Snacks while serving her sentence: a company that was inspired by her fellow inmates’ love for popcorn and their specific flavouring choices for the snack. By being able to map out a new life for herself while still incarcerated, Emily is now passionate about inspiring others to turn ...
Aug 31, 2021•52 min
On this Episode Raphael answers questions sent to him by listeners. The questions range from how dangerous it is hosting the Netflix series Inside The World's Toughest Prisons to what were the challenges smuggling diamonds as an undercover investigative journalist. Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 25, 2021•35 min
The host Raphael is on a short holiday break in Spain so was unable to record an in depth chat with a guest. So, recording from under a duvet and pillows in a hotel room, in this episode Raphael shares his own story on how he started his career from a chance meeting with a senior editor at the BBC. Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 17, 2021•13 min
British born actor Jessica Allain left her family and home in London to take a chance in LA. Her move was hard and at times desperate but it started to prove successful. She appears in the Netflix hit The Laundromat, alongside Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas, a film directed by award winning director Steven Soderbergh. Yet, as a black female actor she is still having to endure shocking comments from casting directors about the tone of her skin colour. JESSICA ALLAIN (@jessicaallain) • Instagram...
Aug 10, 2021•52 min
Falling in love with a prisoner who will never be free is not the typical fantasy of most women growing up. However, love knows no limits. When Laynara and Aaron Howerton fell in love, they knew it would change both of their lives forever. Aaron has joined us previously for two episodes, discussing his life in prison. Now we hear from his fiancee on the outside - Laynara - about the harsh realities of dating an inmate. Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 03, 2021•51 min
Jeff Korzenik is Chief Investment Strategist for one of America’s largest banks. This man is responsible for the investment strategy and the allocation of over $40 billion in assets. His insights into the economy, markets, manufacturing, and the workforce is invaluable. His book Untapped Talent is the first of it’s kind to inform and inspire business leaders to broaden their hiring to this population. The book identifies the challenges and opportunities in hiring people who have been marginalize...
Jul 27, 2021•51 min
Aaron Johnson is passionate about diverting young offenders away from a life of crime because he is all too familiar with what it’s like to be criminalised. He works for Divert, a Metropolitan Police custody programme designed to help get young offenders into work or education. The project has helped change the path young offenders find themselves on by offering them alternatives. Aaron is one of the custody intervention coaches who meets the offender inside a police custody cell. It is critical...
Jul 20, 2021•59 min
Life changing experiences can make you the person you become. That’s Andy Chaggars story. He was caught up in one of the world's most lethal natural disasters, a Tsunami. It swept through Thailand causing major damage and killing over 5000 people, including 2,000 foreign tourists. One of those was Andy’s partner. Andy Chaggar’s story is incredible, full of resilience and determination. The humanitarian work that he's done since his own experience is telling of the type of character he is. If you...
Jul 13, 2021•53 min
Warning: Please be aware that this episode contains details of sexual violence and abuse that you may find distressing. Rotherham in the UK is known for the gangs of men who abused, raped and even impregnated young girls. Their secrets came crashing down when a few brave girls stood up and told their story to the press, and the police. Sammy Woodhouse is one of these brave women. After years of coercion and manipulation by an older gang member, Sammy was left with her life in pieces. She became ...
Jul 06, 2021•54 min
Warning: Please be aware that this episode contains details of sexual violence and self harm that you may find distressing. Also be aware that this episode contains explicit language. My Second Chance podcast guest booker, Tegan Parsons, shares her own story. It’s a reminder that no matter how much you think you might know someone, or things about that someone, you never really do. Her descriptive details of being groomed and raped, when she was a teenager, is horrific. These are not comfortable...
Jun 29, 2021•46 min
Once upon a time, when I was a teenager I wouldn't give a police officer the time of day. Now, things have changed and I find myself supporting one of their initiatives that is aimed at diverting young adults away from a life of violence and crime. Speaking with Chief Inspector Jack Rowlands of the Metropolitan Police on my podcast about his project Divert is insightful and groundbreaking. He is a man who wants to give people a second chance in life from the moment they find themselves in a poli...
Jun 22, 2021•1 hr 23 min
For many, the Manchester Arena Islamic terrorist attacker, that took place on May 22nd 2017, was both shocking and devastating. More so for the 22 victims who lost their lives, and those who barely survived with their lives. Two of these survivors were Martin Hibbert and his 13 year old daughter Eve. Martin was left with 22 pieces of bomb shrapnel in his body, and paralysed from the waist down. Eve was struck in the head with a bolt. Somehow they both survived. Martin has used his incredible str...
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Today, Joey Barnett is an inspiration to many, guiding others away from drugs and crime; a life he once knew too well. Joey unwillingly traded most of his young life for a prison sentence, after a spree of bank robberies which allowed him to afford his expensive crack cocaine addiction. Through embracing faith, Joey found a way out. Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 08, 2021•1 hr 5 min
A follow-up episode to Episode 31: Musical Murderer. From inside Monroe Correctional Facility, Aaron Howerton talks of hope and the future, despite being given a life sentence without the possibility of parole at just 19 years old. Howerton talks about finding love from his 6-by-9-foot cell, injustice and the criminal justice system in America. Aaron sheds light on life on the inside. Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 01, 2021•55 min
At just 19 years of age, Markie Dell was sex traficked by someone she believed was her friend. After being made to strip and have sex for money, she eventually was able to run away - in 8 inch heels - and start a new life for herself. However, trauma like that never leaves, and knowing that it continues to happen to women all over the world doesn’t make it any easier. Markie shines a light on how women can become vulnerable to trafficking, and the dark realities of sex work. A story of true brav...
May 25, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Although knife crime remains a serious issue, incidents are falling here in the UK. That is, to some extent, to do with those who share their experience. Stuart Newton is one of those individuals. He was brought back to life from the brink of death after being stabbed numerous times in an unprovoked knife attack. He wants people to know what it feels like to be stabbed, and how it affects a victim. Knife crime is committed by the young and old. It affects people from black, white and asian and e...
May 18, 2021•59 min
With a series of traumatic events in her past, Jessica Impiazzi manages to find the silver linings in each, and push herself forward. Known for her appearances on the reality TV shows ‘Ex On The Beach’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, she has also been in the spotlight for her modelling work, her marriage to a famous rugby player, and now her true passion - acting. www.wearehoi.com Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 11, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Gregory David Roberts was once Australia’s Most Wanted Man. The armed robber escaped from prison, fled to India and joined the Indian Mafia. On a smuggling trip to Germany he was caught and extradited back to Australia to serve out the rest of this 19 year sentence. While in prison he wrote the bestselling novel Shantaram, which is based on his own life experiences. From his home in Jamaica we talk about his journey of redemption, discovery and his spiritual devotion. www.gregorydavidroberts.com...
May 04, 2021•1 hr 6 min
A woman working in a men’s prison. From marriage proposals to stolen washing machines.. Lucy has seen it all in her work. Looking after ex offenders and those being released. Life can be difficult for those entering a new world after being locked up, but Lucy and her team are aiming to make that transition a lot smoother. The power of consistent support and slow progress is changing the lives of many, with Lucy and her colleagues at the helm. Like the rest of the world, prisons are also being af...
Apr 27, 2021•52 min
Dr Rupy Aujla joins us in discussing overall health and wellbeing, and the ways in which our food choices can affect both our physical and mental health. Dr Rupy was diagnosed with a heart condition, which led him down a path of discovery. This discovery went on to launch The Doctor’s Kitchen and in turn gave Dr Rupy’s body a second chance. https://thedoctorskitchen.com/ Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 20, 2021•57 min
Please be aware before listening to this episode, that there are in-depth talks of sexual assault, rape and other sensitive topics. Dr Jessica Taylor has become an expert in her field of victim support, specifically looking at women who have experienced rape and sexual assault. Her work has helped many, and in this episode she gives a true insight into the problems that survivors face on a daily basis. Despite having two teen pregnancies, one of which was a result of a rape, Dr Taylor managed to...
Apr 13, 2021•1 hr 11 min
Natalie Queiroz, a survivor of one of the most appallingly brutal attacks imaginable. After being stabbed more than 20 times by her partner when she was eight months pregnant, she has rebuilt her life and inspired people with her courage and refusal to be bowed by her trauma. Natalie and her baby survived - but not without life-changing physical and emotional damage. This episode is a truly moving reminder that a life can be pieced back together, no matter how bad the damage. LINKS: https://uk.l...
Apr 06, 2021•1 hr 22 min
