AFEW Great People Podcast Arts For Essential Workers CIC

Major Nick Alexander from the Australian Army talks of his experience as a professional ballet dancer before joining the military, relating to how the values he held dear in one career could be built upon and has resulted in fuelling his success in another.

Cate Carter talks through her experience of a life in theatre and the arts before joining the Army and bringing what she learned to the fore in a completely different career path that surprisingly has many similarities.

Dr Michael Stanton is a licensed Clinical Health Psychologist and Assistant Professor at California State University, East Bay. Dr. Stanton's research examines how stress affects health behaviors, and his clinical work integrates mindfulness with cognitive behavioral therapy to treat both mental and physical health problems.
 A frequent presenter at both national and international scientific conferences, his articles have been published in such journals as Molecular Psychiatry, American Journal of Public Health, and Harvard Review of Psychiatry. Dr. Stanton is also a guest contributor to several Bay Area TV news stations, where he adds psychology expertise to the analysis of current events. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a focus in Behavioral Medicine from Duke University, completed his postdoctoral training at Stanford University, and received his B.A. from Brown University. 

Sam Wright is an actor who trained at Identity School of Acting and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Her recent theatre credits include Paulina in Winters Tale which toured to Paris, Emma in Mike Bartlett’s contractions at Hen and Chickens Theatre and Carol in new writing Flight of Fancy by James Mannion at the White Bear Theatre. She is a member of Third Person Theatre – a dramatic improv group and over lockdown has performed with them in remote International Dramatic Improv Festival in Texas in September.

Brian Voakes is an actor whose career has taken him on unlikely journey that started at his high school drama club, saw him study Psychology at college and embark on a first career in finance.
As evidence of how it’s not unusual to take many paths in life, Brian found himself in a timely place after emigrating to the UK and being one of the first designers in the country qualified with an IT degree; his second Bachelors degree.
His rare talent was sought after and some 25 years in design and book publishing followed, before Brian’s path has come full circle and today sees him successfully forging a new career in the dramatic arts, having recently completed an acting Diploma at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Dr Kaushik Murali is based in Bengaluru, India, and does amazing community outreach work with @sankaraeyehospitals that has helped over 2 million people in rural India with their eyesight.

In recognition of Dr Murali’s essential work and Diwali, a wonderful Hindu festival which symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance; the afew Great People podcast brings you this uplifting episode where we discuss how millions of rupees won't necessarily bring you happiness.