Element Talks, Warsaw: insights from the founders – turning a sideline into a career – creating a vital European design event
In April 2017 I was kindly asked to speak at Element Talks, Warsaw. Now in its fourth year, it was founded by two students Paula Kacprzak and Olga Rafalska...
‘An open mic night changed my life’ – Manchester poet Tony Walsh on carving a career from a sideline
I’m not sure if Tony Walsh was a household name in the UK or not before he delivered his poem This Is The Place at a remembrance service the day after the...
Hip Hop hooray: self-innovation lessons from a culture busting movement
On this day back in 1973 Hip Hop was born and it has continued to innovate music, fashion and our culture ever since. It became more than a way for...
Summer with a Roman Emperor; an introduction to Stoic Philosophy
“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it – Epictetus.” Part of my summer reading this year has focused on Stoic Philosophy. It’s a school of thought that dates back to the...
Poem: Stoic 101
Stoic 101 What did you expect that the winds would howl around all others and leave you unruffled Or for the Suns Ray’s to travel light-years to warm you and...
Creativity vs Criticism: Filmmaker Kevin Smith has an inspiring philosophy
“More often than not, a hero’s most epic battle is the one you never see; it’s the battle that goes on within him or herself.” – Kevin Smith I recently...
Empathy Canvas: A tool for problem solvers, collaborators and influencers
What is the Empathy Canvas for? Empathy is the currency of all change. Without taking the time to walk in the shoes of the people we are trying to affect,...
Poem: To Be
This is a poem inspired by the work above from Canadian artist, Steve Smith. To Be by Steven Thomas You next to me gentle breeze the ebb and flow of...
Altitude training: an analogy for self-improvement
There are times when we have to dig in, to find a way to get through ‘it’. It may be starting a new job or balancing study with a demanding...
Humble persistence: Accepting the lessons of our elders
Last weekend we celebrated the passing of My Grandfather who was 95. I use the word ‘celebrate’ as there was so much to rejoice in, given his long life. On...