A Class of Their Own play for change

In this heartfelt episode, Toni Kent shares her powerful journey from challenging beginnings to professional success, navigating family complexities and societal expectations.

Toni reflects on her early life, often playing a pseudo-parenting role with her eldest brother for her four younger siblings—she was even her mum's birthing partner. Despite the struggles and losing her father at a young age, there were lots of moments of joy. A poignant memory is her mom's note that read "good riddance to bad rubbish," which meant "I need you."



Toni opens up about her vulnerabilities, finding solace in great friends who made her feel safe. She helps demystify the corporate world by sharing her background and helping organisations in understanding social mobility better.



She tackles societal judgments and structural inequalities, contrasting her own opportunities with those of a less privileged family member. Toni's career, spanning over 20 years, highlights her resilience and determination, she shares some research she conducted using fiscal study data.



As a young adult, Toni shares that she didn't want children, influenced by her mom's struggles. She was inspired by Lisa Goodchild's episode where Lisa shares "NO" means "next opportunity," aligning with her values and experiences.

Tune in to hear Toni Kent's candid reflections on life, career, and the power of choice and sibling hierarchy. Her story is a testament to resilience, self-awareness, and the relentless pursuit of growth.

Toni #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn



Guest Toni Kenthttps://www.tonikent.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonijkent https://www.instagram.com/toni_j_kent https://www.facebook.com/tonijkent



Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997 Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad Social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast Website:https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha Creative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne Editor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey Sponsor:https://adevinta.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/adevinta

There may not have been a Jon without Laura. Meeting his wife, then girlfriend, was the moment that Jon reshaped his life.



Jon opens up about his disruptive teenage years, admitting he wasn't always a nice person. His relationship with Laura triggered change. He knew he had to change if he wanted their relationship to go anywhere and the disruption needed to stop.



In his younger years Jon and his family were homeless, and Jon shares his story of sleeping in a kitchen. He always knew he was different, constantly searching for a community where he belonged. Pretending to be middle class led to a self-destructive mentality, after meeting Laura they agreed to move and this became a symbolic move away from Southampton.



Jon finds immense pleasure in helping others. He lives aspirationally, deriving happiness from others' success and contributing to it. He emphasises the importance of helping his children and others reach their potential. Laura, his anchor, helps him be more present.



Parenthood doesn't come naturally to Jon, but family is his anchor. He believes life is truly about others. Continuously building self-awareness helps him find opportunities that align with himself and his true purpose.



Join us as Jon shares his journey of self-discovery, the importance of family, and the fulfilment he finds in helping others succeed. It's a story of self-awareness and wanting to be better each day to be the best person and father Jon can be.



Jon #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn



Guest Jon Stannershttps://www.instagram.com/jon_stannershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonstanners



Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997 Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad Social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast Website:https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha Creative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne Editor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey Sponsor:https://adevinta.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/adevinta

Harriet JW dreamed of scoring goals, but life had other plans. At 16, she spent two weeks in a coma—was it because she was in doing something she should, or a misfortunate accident? Waking up felt like a scene from a movie, a white room, with "Mad World" from Donnie Darko playing in the background, leaving her wondering what had happened.

Harriet wears many hats, evolving from a party animal to someone who does things her own way and wants to have a real impact to artist today. She's worked with incredible artists like Bastille, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, and Ed Sheeran, building the Secret Sessions YouTube channel and hosting music events at places like Hospital Club and Soho Farmhouse. When COVID-19 hit, her business pivoted to artist development, helping new talents build their music as a business.

Harriet continued to face new challenge's with her wife’s and her IVF journey. The couple endured 7-9 cycles of failed treatments, a time when Harriet felt completely out of control.

There's a curiosity in Harriet's journey, and I feel like there's more to her story. Perhaps she'll join us again to share more in the future.



From being the life of the party to someone who you would find in the corner of the room in deep conversations equally makes the listener curious. With a background in filmmaking from St Martins and a fine art video pathway, she embraced YouTube early on. Music and visuals have always been her way of connecting with people, evoking emotions and interaction.

She talks about the "achievement trap" always striving for the next big thing.Tune in to hear Harriet’s incredible journey of resilience, transformation, and relentless curiosity.



Harriet #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn



Guest Harriet JWhttps://www.instagram.com/harrietjw https://www.linkedin.com/company/secret-sessionshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/harrietjwhttps://www.youtube.com/@harrietjwBBC interview Harriet and Martin https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0460zml The viral video with Jack https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2PnDc4N200/?igsh=d213Mzhnajl3YThh



Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997 Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad

Social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast Website:https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast



Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha Creative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne Editor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Sponsor:https://adevinta.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/adevinta

Join us for a deeply introspective journey with Jack Villiers as he shares his path from seeking external validation to discovering inner peace and meaning.



Growing up feeling misplaced, Jack sought to fill voids through extreme experiences, leading to burnout and mental breakdowns. However, he discovered that everything he needed was already within him; he just needed to look inward.



Becoming a father at 22 gave Jack a reason to live, but he also grappled with deep-seated beliefs inherited from life without a father. Through men's work and a journey of curiosity, Jack confronted his repressed emotions and expanded his understanding of himself and his needs.



Facing resistance and fear head-on, Jack explored his trauma, childhood struggles, and financial hardships, creating space to process his feelings and move away from a victim mindset. Compassion, understanding, and acceptance became guiding principles, allowing Jack to integrate his past.



In this episode, Jack encourages listeners to trust themselves, accept where they are, and embrace change with the intuition to follow curious questions wherever they may lead. You may start your own journey with judgment, but be open to explore it.



Tune in to be inspired as Jack candidly shares his journey with mental health, self-worth and trauma. While he describes himself as a work in progress, he has created positive change in his life.

Jack #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn



Guest Jack Villiershttps://www.instagram.com/@jack.villiers_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackvilliers https://www.jackvilliers.com https://www.humanwork.life



Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997 Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad Social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast Website:https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha Creative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne Editor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey Sponsor:https://adevinta.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/adevinta

A deep and personal conversation with Alex Ayin where he unravels a journey he hasn't previously shared. Alex found validation through sports, a thread that weaves throughout.



In parts, our conversation evolves into a coaching session, delving deeper into Alex's identity. We explore his struggles with fitting into school, navigating his mixed heritage, and managing overt racism. Alex had to stop playing Rugby in his teens due to an injury, where he started Water Polo.



Inspiration for Alex stems from his grandfathers — one a WWII survivor and the stories he shared, the other who bravely moved the family from Africa to the UK. Yet, Alex's path to success wasn't linear. Despite starting on a very prestigious graduate scheme at Virgin, he dropped out of the programme to the disbelief of his family.



This is a very reflective conversation where he shares he stopped drinking, leaving Social Chain and questions his identity and type of person he wants to be. He shares a concept of diversification of identity - you as a human aren't classified as just one thing.



Alex shares his journey and the values and beliefs from family first, outworking the competition reframing negative experiences and finally the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, a lesson passed down from both his parents and as a United fan how the legendary football manager Alex Ferguson did.



For Alex, sport isn't just about physical activity; they're integral to the fabric of his life. Tune in to hear this reflective and honest conversation.



Alex #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn



Guest Alex Ayin https://www.instagram.com/Alex__Ayin https://twitter.com/Alex__Ayinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in//alex-ayinhttps://www.eliteteamtalks.com



Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997 Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad Social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast Website:https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha Creative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne Editor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey Sponsor:https://adevinta.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/adevinta

Experience the captivating strength of Buleza as she shares her remarkable story of growing up during the Kosovo war and finding hope amidst adversity.Despite the challenges of war, Buleza found solace in unexpected places, learning German by watching Japanese cartoons for example.

Reflecting on her childhood, Buleza emphasises the importance of family and community, highlighting the vibrant connections that sustained her through difficult times. While the backdrop of war may seem dark, Buleza reminds us that moments of brightness and warmth still existed.

Amidst the turmoil, Buleza pursued education diligently, attending her evening shift at school and having to be independent during the day while her parents and brother were at work and school respectively. Meanwhile, her father's role as a political journalist provided unique insights into the unfolding crisis. She vividly recalls hearing her father on the radio as she watches the first bomb in the horizon from her window, she felt safe in that moment, although in hindsight she and her family were in a very dangerous situation.

She shares her experiences of fleeing Kosovo, false promises, being a refugee and much more. Amidst uncertainty, Buleza's admiration for her mother's strength and resourcefulness shone through as she navigated their family's journey to safety.Buleza expresses gratitude for the kindness and support they received from NGOs, international organisations, and compassionate individuals during their time of need. Despite the fear and trauma, she highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the inherent goodness that emerges even in the darkest of times.

Tune in to hear Buleza's inspiring experience of surviving a war, the importance of human connection and the strength we find within ourselves.

Buleza #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn



Guest Buleza Kocihttps://www.instagram.com/buleza.k https://www.instagram.com/drym.healthhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/buleza-kocihttps://www.drym.health



Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-class-of-their-own/id1732288997 Watch on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcast/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Apq2pSbmvytPjABrlidpN?si=4d62eba56abb45ad Social mediaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aclassoftheirownpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclassoftheirownpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aclassoftheirownpodcast Website:https://www.playforchange.co.uk/aclassoftheirownpodcast Host: Mira Magechahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha Creative Director: Alex Paynehttps://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne Editor: Josh Partridgehttps://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker Music: Jay Witsey https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey Sponsor:https://adevinta.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/adevinta