Tales to Inspire

Krish Patel
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Tales to Inspire Podcast aims to bring you stories to amaze and inspire you. Sharing the experiences of people from all walks of life who've overcome huge challenges, Krish Patel will bring you weekly stories to encourage you to chase your dreams, and never give up.

  1. Rich Jones: From Burnout and Homelessness to Living with Hope

    5d ago

    Rich Jones: From Burnout and Homelessness to Living with Hope

    What happens when you lose everything you thought defined you? In this powerful episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, Rich Jones shares his remarkable journey through burnout, mental health challenges, homelessness, identity loss and ultimately finding hope. Having spent more than 20 years working in the charity and social impact sector, Rich dedicated his life to helping others. Yet behind the professional success, he was struggling with his own wellbeing. Following a period of breakdown, relationship challenges and homelessness, Rich reached a crossroads that would change the course of his life forever. In this honest conversation with host Krish Patel, Rich reflects on mental health, resilience, recovery, self-worth, compassion and the importance of discovering who you are beyond job titles, achievements and labels. Together they explore: • Mental health and burnout recovery • Homelessness and hidden struggles • Identity, purpose and self-worth • Compassion, empathy and human connection • Lived experience and systems change • Building a life rooted in hope and wellbeing Rich now describes himself as "living in the reality of hope" and offers a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult life becomes, recovery is possible. Whether you're navigating your own challenges, supporting someone else, or interested in stories of resilience and personal growth, this episode is filled with insight, honesty and inspiration. Connect with Rich: www.richjones.net Find out more about Tales to Inspire: www.talestoinspire.com

    36 min

  2. Jun 4

    Mental Health, Recovery and the Power of Hope With Rich jones (Bite Size)

    What does it mean to move beyond surviving and start truly living? In this powerful Bite Size episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, Rich Jones shares his deeply personal journey through mental health challenges, burnout, stigma and recovery. Having experienced some of life's darkest moments, including reaching the brink of suicide, Rich speaks candidly about what helped him find hope and why he now describes himself as "living in the reality of hope." Together, Rich and host Krish Patel explore the barriers that still prevent people from speaking openly about their mental health, particularly men, and discuss why creating safe, non-judgemental spaces for honest conversations is so important. The conversation also examines the role of lived experience, the importance of recognising people as experts by experience, and how communities, charities and wider systems can better support wellbeing and recovery. This episode is a powerful reminder that while everyone's journey is different, hope is possible, support matters, and wellness is something we can all work towards. Key themes discussed: • Mental health and burnout • Suicide awareness and recovery • Men's mental health • The power of hope • Wellness and wellbeing • Lived experience and expertise • Breaking stigma • Community and systems change If this conversation resonates with you, please share it with someone who may benefit from hearing Rich's story. Tales to Inspire exists to amplify lived experiences that inspire positive change in individuals, communities and the systems in which we live. Resources: https://www.samaritans.org/

    15 min

  3. May 28

    Is Sustainability Only for the Privileged?

    What does sustainability really mean in today's world? In this thought provoking episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, we explore the realities, misconceptions and deeper conversations surrounding sustainability, climate change and the systems we live within. Featuring powerful reflections from Hannah Cox, Adam Bastock and Bea Thackeray, this episode looks beyond headlines and guilt driven narratives to ask bigger questions: • Is sustainability only for the privileged? • Why do so many people feel disconnected from climate conversations? • How do businesses create truly sustainable cultures? • Can we build systems that support both people and planet? • Why does the current messaging around climate often push people away rather than bring them together? Through honest discussion, lived experience and practical insight, this episode explores sustainability not just as an environmental issue, but as a social, cultural and economic one too. From single use plastics and consumer culture, to burnout in workplaces, capitalism, climate messaging and behaviour change, this conversation challenges us to think differently about the future we are helping to create. This is not about perfection. It is about participation. It is about better conversations. And it is about recognising that small actions, systems thinking and storytelling all matter. 🎙️ Featured Conversations: • Sustainable design and consumer behaviour • Ethical business and workplace sustainability • Climate communication and culture change • Financial sustainability for businesses • The psychology of guilt, fear and action • Why systems matter more than individual blame 💬 If this episode resonated with you, please like, comment and subscribe to support more real life stories that inspire change. Please visit our website for more inspiring stories: https://talestoinspire.com/

    29 min

  4. May 21

    Creating a Legacy Through Service with Sital Raja Arjan MBE (Deep Dive)

    In this heartfelt Deep Dive episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, Krish Patel sits down with Sital Raja - Arjan MBE for a moving conversation about kindness, community and what it truly means to give back. Awarded an MBE for Services to Bolton, Sital reflects on her family's journey arriving in the UK from Uganda, growing up in Little Lever and helping build one of Bolton's most loved family businesses. But at the heart of this conversation is something much deeper than business success. This episode explores the power of community spirit, supporting one another and creating spaces where people feel welcomed, valued and cared for. Sital shares emotional stories from her charity work supporting homeless communities, the lessons passed down through family generations and why kindness should never be underestimated. One particularly powerful moment involving a homeless man with no shoes became a defining experience that changed her perspective forever. This is an inspiring and deeply human conversation about compassion, service, belonging and the legacy we leave behind through the way we treat others. If you enjoy conversations centred around community, humanity and real life inspiration, this is an episode you will not want to miss. Resources: https://talestoinspire.com/ https://www.homelessaid.co.uk/ https://bootoutevents.co.uk/

    32 min

  5. May 14

    Changing Lives Through Community Support with Sital Raja - Arjan MBE (Bite Size)

    In this heartfelt Bite Size episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, Sital Raja-Arjan shares her powerful journey through charity work, community leadership and supporting vulnerable people across Bolton and Greater Manchester. From helping Homeless Aid UK provide food for over 100 people every night, to supporting conversations around breast cancer awareness through Boot Out Breast Cancer, Sital reflects on the importance of compassion, representation and creating spaces where people feel seen and supported. Throughout the conversation, Sital discusses the realities of homelessness, barriers facing community organisations, the stigma surrounding cancer within Asian communities and why volunteering can have such a life changing impact both for those receiving support and those giving it. This inspiring episode is a reminder that meaningful change often starts with ordinary people choosing to care. Topics discussed include: • Homelessness and poverty in Bolton • Community organisations and social impact • Breast cancer awareness in Asian communities • Volunteering and charity work • Mental health and human connection • Supporting vulnerable people • Grassroots community action • The power of kindness and compassion If you enjoy authentic conversations focused on lived experience, resilience and positive social change, make sure to follow the Tales to Inspire Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms. Resources: https://talestoinspire.com/ https://www.homelessaid.co.uk/ https://bootoutevents.co.uk/

    15 min

  6. May 7

    Understanding Inequality | Stories That Inspire Change

    In this deeply reflective episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, we explore what it truly means to support marginalised communities, through the lens of lived experience. Drawing on powerful insights from past conversations, Krish Patel brings together the voices of three incredible individuals:Yatin Mistry, Alex Winstanley, and Jenny Van Mputu Dakosta, each sharing their perspective on inequality, identity, and systemic barriers. From understanding how marginalisation is shaped by prejudice and societal structures, to hearing first-hand the realities faced by refugees navigating life without access or support, this episode offers an honest and thought-provoking look at the world around us. At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful truth: meaningful change begins when we listen. Krish reflects on three key lessons: Marginalisation is systemic, not individual Lived experience is essential for meaningful change Dialogue is the bridge to understanding This episode is not just about awareness, it's about action. It's about choosing empathy, creating space for others, and recognising the role we all play in shaping a more inclusive society. Resources: https://www.happysmilestraining.co.uk/

    30 min

  7. Apr 30

    From Rock Bottom to Changing Lives | Maura Jackson's Story (Deep Dive)

    In this Deep Dive episode of the Tales to Inspire Podcast, we sit down with Maura Jackson, Former Chief Executive of Backup North West, for an honest, eye-opening conversation about youth homelessness, resilience, and what it truly means to lead with purpose. Maura's journey is anything but conventional. From growing up in a challenging household and becoming a teenage mother, to leading one of the UK's most impactful youth homelessness charities, her story is one of determination, compassion, and unwavering belief in people. Across this episode, Maura shares the realities facing young people today, from family breakdowns and mental health challenges to exploitation and homelessness and challenges the damaging stereotypes often attached to them. We also explore: • What young people really need from society • The hidden impact of domestic abuse and homelessness • The realities of leadership in the charity sector • Why self-care is essential (and often ignored) • How Maura accidentally became a comedian later in life Please visit our website for more inspiring stories: https://talestoinspire.com/ Resources: https://backup-charity.org.uk/

    1h 4m

  8. Apr 23

    The Reality of Running a Charity Today with Maura Jackson (Bite Size)

    In this our 200th episode Krish Patel sits down with Maura Jackson, a highly experienced leader in the charity sector with over 30 years in social care, including more than a decade working in homelessness. This honest and insightful conversation explores the growing challenges facing charities today. From shrinking funding pots to increasing demand, Maura shares what it really takes to sustain services that support vulnerable communities. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at the pressures of leadership in the sector, describing the constant "plate spinning" required to keep organisations running. With funding becoming more competitive and less predictable, charities are often forced to do more with less, while navigating complex commissioning processes and evolving funding criteria. Maura also reflects on the impact of sector growth, questioning whether increased competition is driving innovation or creating duplication and inefficiency. Through powerful analogies and real-world experience, this episode highlights the resilience required to lead in uncertain times. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in social impact, leadership, and the realities behind running a charity today. Resources: https://backup-charity.org.uk/

    15 min
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Trailer

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About

The Tales to Inspire Podcast aims to bring you stories to amaze and inspire you. Sharing the experiences of people from all walks of life who've overcome huge challenges, Krish Patel will bring you weekly stories to encourage you to chase your dreams, and never give up.

Information

  • Creator
    Krish Patel
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    211
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Tales to Inspire