Initial Step

James Taylor
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Welcome to Initial Step! On this channel, we bring you short, engaging conversational interviews where we talk with talented individuals from the creative sector, focusing especially on those who have risen from low socioeconomic or working-class backgrounds. Our aim? To shine a light on the barriers that often exist when trying to break into creative roles. But more importantly, to showcase inspiring stories of how these challenges can be overcome. Join us as we explore the journeys of remarkable people, learn about their struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. Because no matter where you start, breaking into the creative sector is possible, and we’re here to prove it. Make sure to subscribe to avoid missing any episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. A Life Between Systems: Care, Education and Employment - Marisa's Journey

    10 DE FEV.

    A Life Between Systems: Care, Education and Employment - Marisa's Journey

    In this conversation, Marisa shares her journey growing up in foster care in Essex, shaped by instability, addiction and the justice system. She reflects on how receiving funding to attend a convent boarding school exposed her to a world far removed from her roots, forcing her to adapt, blend in, and develop confidence in formal environments, while quietly carrying the stigma of being in care. Marisa talks candidly about the pressure to attend university, the belief that it was the only route to success, and the reality of dropping out with debt and no degree. She opens up about how these experiences, alongside caring responsibilities for her mother, led her into mental health work before eventually stepping away to protect herself. Her career in recruitment became a turning point. Drawing on empathy shaped by lived experience, Marisa championed people from working-class and disadvantaged backgrounds, sometimes taking risks others wouldn’t. From helping someone sleeping rough into employment, to later working with charities and leading DEI initiatives, she found purpose in creating access and opportunity for others. Marisa reflects on how organisations are beginning to take social mobility more seriously, while still often failing to understand the complexity behind people’s backgrounds. She also shares what it meant to finally hear her experiences reflected in conversations around class and why she wouldn’t change her roots, seeing them as central to who she is and how she supports others today. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds! 👍 Like if you enjoyed Marisa's journey! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Marisa! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow Marisa: - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-lloyd-certrp-46677069/ Thanks for listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #Trauma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h3min
  2. Lifting the lid at the BBC on Newsnight - David's story of class within the BBC

    14 DE JAN.

    Lifting the lid at the BBC on Newsnight - David's story of class within the BBC

    In this episode, veteran graphic designer David Chaudoir draws on over 30 years in the media industry to speak candidly about class, culture, and power inside major institutions like the BBC. David reflects on a controversial moment involving a doctored Newsnight clip linked to the Insurrection on January 6th 2021. An incident that pushed him to publicly question media integrity and editorial bias. From there, the conversation widens into a deeper critique of how a dominant middle-class worldview within media limits diversity of thought and marginalises working-class voices. We explore how ideas of “working class” have shifted over time, the role education plays in class mobility, and why trades, apprenticeships, and alternative pathways deserve equal respect. Above all, David argues for resilience, hard work, and genuine diversity of opinion as essential ingredients for a healthier, more representative media landscape. This is an honest, challenging conversation about class, credibility, and who gets to shape the national conversation. Key Takeaways - David Chaudoir has over 30 years’ experience working in media and graphic design - A doctored Newsnight clip raised serious concerns about editorial integrity - Media organisations are dominated by a narrow middle-class perspective - Working-class voices are often marginalised in mainstream discourse - The BBC has become increasingly disconnected from everyday audiences - Class distinctions are harder to define, but still deeply influential - Education should value trades and apprenticeships alongside academia - Diversity of thought matters as much as diversity of background - Hard work and resilience remain essential to success - Background should never define potential 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds! 👍 Like this if you enjoyed David's story! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for David! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow David - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-chaudoir/ - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/motionoldboy/ Thanks for listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #bbc #newsnight #whistleblower Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h
  3. Championing Young People from Working-Class Backgrounds - Samuel Conley

    15/12/2025

    Championing Young People from Working-Class Backgrounds - Samuel Conley

    In this episode, I get to speak with with Sam Conley, Youth Empowerment Lead at Poplar HARCA, to unpack what it really means to grow up working class in the UK today. From the stigma and stereotypes young people are up against, to the massive role social media plays in shaping their aspirations, Sam brings frontline experience, honesty, and hope to the conversation. They explore why class still feels like a “taboo” topic, how organisations can bridge opportunity gaps, and what it takes to empower the next generation to thrive. Sam also sheds light on life in Tower Hamlets, one of the most deprived boroughs in the country and why understanding the lived experiences of working-class youth is key to genuine change. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds! 👍 Like this if you enjoyed! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Samuel! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow Samuel: - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-conley-0722b0a6/ Thanks for listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #canarywharf #youthempowerment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47min
  4. From Full-Time Carer to the Gaming Industry | Ashleigh’s Working-Class Journey

    13/11/2025

    From Full-Time Carer to the Gaming Industry | Ashleigh’s Working-Class Journey

    Ashleigh grew up in Leicester in a working-class, single-parent household, caring full-time for his disabled mother from his teens into his twenties. While his brothers moved on, Ashleigh took on the responsibility of assisted living care. A commitment that shaped his life, his opportunities, and his sense of purpose. Despite limited options and financial struggles, he started volunteering remotely in the gaming industry. A move that opened the door to a professional career in hosting game services, onboarding influencers, and building brand partnerships. His journey from council estate to business development shows the resilience, guilt, and determination behind breaking class barriers. In this episode, Ashleigh reflects on: - Growing up in a tight-knit but changing council estate community - Balancing care responsibilities with career ambitions - Moving on from his working-class roots while staying grounded - The lack of working-class representation in the gaming world - How education and remote work shaped his opportunities 👉 This is more than a career story, it’s about navigating identity, class, and care while building a new future. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds! 👍 Like this if you enjoyed Ashleigh's journey! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Ashleigh! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow Ashleigh - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-laywood/ - Twitter / X - @bashtonnn Thanks for listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #WorkingClassStories #GamingIndustry #SocialMobility #ClassAndCare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h5min
  5. From Yeovil to London: Ryan’s Journey Through Class and Creativity

    07/10/2025

    From Yeovil to London: Ryan’s Journey Through Class and Creativity

    In this episode, we meet Ryan, who grew up in the small town of Yeovil, Somerset, a traditionally working-class area hit hard by the 2008 crash. After his parents lost their business, they rebuilt their lives through hands-on work. His dad as a plumber and his mum as a cleaner, instilling in Ryan the value of resilience and humility. Although strong academically, Ryan was drawn to creativity, inspired by his dad’s love of music. This passion led him to study the arts at university, a move that opened doors to opportunities far beyond his hometown. Through a university placement, Ryan landed his first teaching role in London, marking a major step away from small-town life and into the creative sector. Despite his success, Ryan remains grounded in his working-class roots. He speaks openly about class divides, the challenges of navigating professional hierarchies, and the need for more support for students from similar backgrounds. Today, he uses his experience to mentor and guide young people, offering the advice he wishes he’d had. 🔹 Topics covered: - Growing up working class in rural England - How the 2008 crash shaped his family’s future - Creativity as a route out of limitation - Navigating seniority and workplace culture - Giving back through mentoring and advice 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds! 👍 Like this if you enjoyed Ryan's journey! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Ryan! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow Ryan - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancallard/ - Website - http://ryancallard.co.uk/ Grant Funds: - https://www.ukgamesfund.com/ - https://tranzfuser.com/ Also here is an additional bonus clip in case you wanted to watch some of his grandads famous West Country Yap - https://youtu.be/WjTIFkWJctY?t=243 Thanks for listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #WorkingClassStories #SocialMobility #Education #CreativeJourney #InspiringStories #FromYeovilToLondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h3min
  6. From Youth Hostels to Urban Planning – Mert’s Journey

    29/08/2025

    From Youth Hostels to Urban Planning – Mert’s Journey

    In this episode, we hear from Mert, Research and Engagement Lead at Urban Symbiotics. Mert’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and finding purpose through community. Growing up in a council estate in Walthamstow to immigrant parents, Mert faced challenges from an early age, from overcrowded housing to being homeless at 16 after coming out as gay. Despite these struggles, he juggled multiple jobs, leaned on the support of friends, and secured a bursary that opened the doors to higher education. His passion for giving back and improving communities eventually led him to Urban Symbiotics, where his final year project caught the company’s attention and landed him his role. Now, he works to bridge the gap between local communities and urban planning, bringing a fresh perspective rooted in lived experience. Mert reflects on: - Navigating working-class identity and social mobility - Overcoming family struggles and homelessness - How education and opportunity shaped his path - The pros and cons of living in London - Why he defines working class as perseverance and community Mert’s journey shows how determination and community can open doors, even in the face of systemic barriers. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds! 👍 Like if you enjoyed Mert's journey! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Mert! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow Mert: - LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/mert-yildiz-5578b91a8 - Urban Symbiotics - https://urbansymbiotics.com/ - Urban Symbiotics LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/company/urban-symbiotics Thanks for Listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #homelessness #urbanplanning #researchandengagement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51min
  7. From Council Estate to Keynote Speaker: Toni's Story

    07/08/2025

    From Council Estate to Keynote Speaker: Toni's Story

    In this powerful episode, we hear from Toni, a keynote speaker and social mobility advocate who grew up on a council estate in Basingstoke. Her early life was shaped by grief, limited opportunity, and the pressure to contribute financially instead of pursuing her creative dreams. Starting in a fruit and veg shop, Toni thought that was as far as she could go, until a job at Reed Recruitment transformed her path. That role taught her life skills, built her confidence, and ultimately set her on a journey that led to working at Microsoft, all without a degree. Toni now speaks at corporate events, bringing raw honesty and lived experience to the topic of social mobility. She’s one of the few working-class women on the keynote circuit and uses her platform to challenge assumptions around class, access, and merit. In this episode we cover: - Breaking into corporate without a degree - Class, creativity & the limits placed on working-class talent - What’s really happening with DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in the workplace - The power of networks, both good and bad - Why location still locks people out of opportunity - How Toni built The Common Good Network to support upward mobility Toni reminds us that moving on doesn’t mean forgetting your roots and that tenacity, curiosity, and directness can get you through doors that seem shut. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socio-economic backgrounds! 👍 Like this if you enjoyed Toni's journey! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Toni! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow Toni Kent - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonijkent/ - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_tonikent_/ - Website - https://thecommongood.network/ Thanks for listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #SocialMobility #WorkingClassVoices #Microsoft #DEI #KeynoteSpeaker #ClassInTheWorkplace #CommonGoodNetwork #UpwardMobility #NoDegreeNoProblem #WomenInLeadership #CouncilEstateToCorporate #keynotespeaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55min
  8. Opting out of exams to gaining a PhD: Matts Journey

    07/07/2025

    Opting out of exams to gaining a PhD: Matts Journey

    Growing up on a council estate in Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham, Matt left school with no GCSEs, apart from an A* in PE. Never seen as a high achiever, just one of the kids that got lost in the middle, his journey took a dramatic turn after witnessing the loss of his father. That moment became the catalyst for change. From night school to earning a PhD, while cleaning to fund his studies, Matt carved a path into academia, becoming a research scientist focused on aging. Rooted in working-class values, he’s now helping the next generation of students see what’s possible when you back yourself. In this conversation, we cover: - Growing up working-class in Chelmsley Wood and being “lost in the middle” at school - How grief and personal experience shaped his research interests - Going from no GCSEs to earning a PhD through night school and self-belief - Navigating academia as a working-class individual - The challenges of class bias and microaggressions in professional spaces - Why resilience, community, and risk-taking were key to his journey - How he now mentors students from similar backgrounds - His thoughts on systemic change in education and the role of universities in DEI - Staying grounded and instilling working-class values in his own children 🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds! 👍 Like this video if you enjoyed Matts journey! 🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Matt! Follow Us: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/ - Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial - Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198 - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9 - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep Follow Matt - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-hill-3870701a1/ Thanks for listening! #initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #workingclassculture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37min
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Sobre

Welcome to Initial Step! On this channel, we bring you short, engaging conversational interviews where we talk with talented individuals from the creative sector, focusing especially on those who have risen from low socioeconomic or working-class backgrounds. Our aim? To shine a light on the barriers that often exist when trying to break into creative roles. But more importantly, to showcase inspiring stories of how these challenges can be overcome. Join us as we explore the journeys of remarkable people, learn about their struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. Because no matter where you start, breaking into the creative sector is possible, and we’re here to prove it. Make sure to subscribe to avoid missing any episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Informações

  • Criado por
    James Taylor
  • Anos de atividade
    2024 - 2026
  • Episódios
    19
  • Classificação
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © James Taylor
  • Site do podcast
    Initial Step