Conversations with Agents of Change

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd speaks with peacebuilder and community leader Charmain Jones about growing up during the Troubles, the power of relationships, and why real change happens through human connection. From rural women’s leadership to trauma‑informed peacebuilding, this conversation explores the quiet ripples that transform communities — one relationship at a time.Find more about this episode here.

What happens when silence at work costs women their confidence — and organisations their best talent?Izchel Boyd speaks with menopause workplace advocate Siobhan Kearney about lived experience, leadership responsibility, and why menopause belongs in the strategic business conversation. Honest, hopeful, and long overdue.Read more about this episode here.

Confidence coach Margaret Kelly joins Izy Boyd to share her journey of reclaiming her voice, redefining self‑worth, and becoming an agent of change. A powerful conversation about mindset, boundaries, and living a life that truly aligns.Read the article here

How do you build the future of batteries outside Asia?In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izy Boyd sits down with Kieren Hall, CEO of Avocet Battery Materials, to explore the unseen world behind battery manufacturing, precision materials, and local supply chains. From ultra‑thin copper foil to deep‑tech innovation, this conversation reveals what it really takes to turn material science into impact.

Contemporary and Mexican folk dancer Mayte Segura joins Izy Boyd to tell the story of a late-blooming dance career that became a mission: teaching, choreographing and building Mexican Dance Belfast to bring culture, wellbeing and community to Northern Ireland. Mayte reflects on starting dance at 23, training and touring, teaching babies to adults, the realities of funding and fair pay for artists, and the joy of sharing Mexican traditions with diverse performers and audiences.Highlights:• How dance transformed Mayte’s life after a science background.• Building inclusive classes and a company with no prior dance experience required.• Practical challenges for dancers: pay, professional standards, and performance needs.• Upcoming shows and community projects across Belfast, Cork and London.From the episode:“I started dancing later in life at twenty three… she opened my mind. Open my soul, open my body, everything for me.”“We don't ask for any dance previous dance training. We provide the training. You provide the beauty of yourselves.”Listen if you want: inspiration to try something new, a deeper look at how arts build community, or practical insight into what dancers need to thrive.Subscribe for more Conversations with Agents of Change and check the episode notes for links to Mayte’s classes, performances and social channels.Read the full article

“So I am a proud and worried father of two. I am an engaged citizen and a longtime academic activist, that tries to use my privilege as an academic.”In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izy Boyd speaks with Professor John Barry — a leading voice in green political economy, former co‑chair of the Belfast Climate Commission and a long‑time academic activist. John explains how his working‑class roots, anti‑colonial lens and decades in the academy shaped a radical, evidence‑based case for post‑growth, post‑carbon, post‑capitalist change, and why climate action must be rooted in social justice.What you’ll hearWhy teaching is activism: how pedagogy that centres lived experience builds political power.Practical climate wins: why insulating homes in Belfast beats flashy tech for cutting emissions and tackling energy poverty.A politics for working people: connecting cost‑of‑living concerns to climate policy and building a working‑class green agenda.Hope and strategy: impatience, resilience, and the relay‑race view of multi‑generational change.Tune in for a clear, urgent and humane conversation about how knowledge, courage and collective action can reshape our economy and everyday life.Read our full article about this episode at https://agentsofchange.io/impatient-for-real-change-john-barry-on-post-growth-politics/

Jacqueline Gibson, director at International Synergies NI, explains how industrial symbiosis turns other people’s waste into local resources—saving money, cutting carbon, and strengthening supply chains. Hear practical stories from workshops that unlocked £14 million in potential savings and learn how simple matchmaking between businesses sparks creativity and resilience.“We believe that there's no such thing as a waste, but waste is actually just a resource in the wrong place.”“We've saved over fifty million tonnes of CO2 reduction.” — Jacqueline GibsonListen to the full episode on Conversations with Agents of Change to hear the full workshop stories, real business wins, and Jacqueline’s personal journey into sustainability.Take actionLearn more about Jacqueline’s work: https://international-synergies.com/Connect with Jacqueline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinegibson/Read about the episode on our website https://agentsofchange.io/jacqueline-gibson-on-industrial-symbiosis/

What if the key to ending gender bias starts in our homes — in the tiny, everyday moments we barely notice? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd sits down with feminist author, DEI trainer, speaker, and whole‑person leadership coach Virginia Méndez Mason. Together, they explore how gender stereotypes shape childhood, why consent begins long before the teenage years, and how discomfort can become a powerful catalyst for personal and systemic change. Virginia shares her journey from a successful corporate career to becoming one of the most compelling voices in gender equality today. We dive into parenting, masculinity, organisational culture, and what a truly liberated, inclusive future could look like. If you're a parent, educator, leader — or simply someone who believes in a more equitable world — this episode will stay with you.And while you explore Virginia’s work, don’t miss:Her Substack: https://virginiamendez.substack.com/The Feminist Shop: https://thefeministshop.com/Her coaching & speaking: https://www.virginiamendezm.com/Let's keep reshaping the world, one conversation at a time. Find out more about Agents of Change: https://agentsofchange.io/About your hostI’m Izchel (Izy) Boyd — digital strategist, community builder, storyteller, and your Agents of Change Champion. On this podcast, we look beyond titles and achievements to uncover the real journeys behind meaningful impact. If you believe business can be a force for good and that one voice can spark a movement, you’re in the right place.

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, I sit with Dr Yesenia Jauregui Sanchez, a research fellow at Queen's University of Belfast, whose is helping to design optical and photonic instruments by developing non-invasive computational imaging techniques. She tells us about her journey from Physics to Optics, from Mexico, then Spain, Exeter and to Belfast and the importance of female role models in Science. Don't miss this episode...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd sits down with award‑winning digital marketer, community builder, and cancer survivor Esther Ocampo — a woman reshaping what marketing can and should be.From moving across continents and building a bilingual agency from scratch, to navigating illness, rebuilding confidence, and redefining what “success” looks like, Esther’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and human‑centered marketing.Read the story

Too often, International Women’s Day is reduced to a symbolic celebration — flowers, compliments, and social media posts about how wonderful women are. But the day was never meant to be just that.International Women’s Day is about recognising the impact of women in society and the world. It is about celebrating women everywhere — the progress we have made, the strength we carry, and the future we continue to shape. At the same time, it is also a moment to acknowledge how much work still remains.One of the most powerful moments of the rally was the speech delivered by former Irish president Mary Robinson.I want to share it with you. Read the full story here

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, I sit down with Ronan Bradley, Northern Ireland Site Lead and Principal Engineer at Ocula Technologies, to explore one of the biggest questions shaping our future: How can we embrace the power of AI while reducing its environmental footprint?We dive into:the shift from AI as infrastructure to AI as real‑world impacthow agentic systems are transforming e‑commercethe hidden energy cost of the digital worldNorthern Ireland’s rising role as a global tech hubwhy collaboration across tech, academia, impact and industry matters more than everwhat young people entering AI need to know right nowRonan shares powerful insights on responsible innovation, the democratization of AI, and how regions like Northern Ireland can lead the next wave of transformation.If you care about the future of technology, sustainability, and meaningful impact, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Read the full article

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd is joined by Janet Schofield, CEO of CAN, the Compass Advocacy Network, user-led charity based in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. This conversation is about power, who holds it, who is heard, and what happens when leadership genuinely centres the people it exists to serve. Janet leads with a simple but radical principle: "nothing about us, without us", and under her leadership, CAN has become a powerful example of how small organisations create big impact by supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental ill-health to gain skills, confidence, work experience, and real control over their lives. CAN has a whole system of programmes from age eight up to eighty three, where they're supporting individuals on their journey through life by making sure that there will be then in the future provision for those young children when they come into adult services.

In this episode, Dr Erika Servin Zamora — veterinary scientist, educator, and one of the world’s leading voices in axolotl conservation. From the mystical origins of Mexico’s iconic Ambystoma mexicanum to pioneering breakthroughs in cryopreservation, Dr Servin Zamora is reshaping what conservation can look like. She takes us inside her work restoring fragile habitats, freezing genetic material to safeguard future biodiversity, and creating accessible resources so families, vets, and curious young minds can care for these extraordinary animals responsibly.This is an inspiring look at science with heart: the quiet, foundational work that transforms entire systems. If you’ve ever wondered how one person, one species, or one small act can change the world, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izchel Boyd sits down with Ola Sobieraj — community organiser, immigration advisor, and relentless advocate for migrant rights.Ola shares her journey from being one of the only Polish migrants in rural Northern Ireland to becoming a powerful voice for EU citizens navigating complex, often hostile systems. Together, we explore what access to justice really looks like in everyday life, why migrant‑led organising is essential, and how small acts of courage can transform fear into agency.This conversation shines a light on the invisible emotional labour behind immigration processes, the power of community, and the quiet, persistent work that shifts systems from the ground up. If you care about dignity, belonging, and building a fairer society, this episode will stay with you long after you finish listening.

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd sits down with Sharon Galway — a woman who has turned personal adversity into profound purpose. With over 30 years in financial services and a deeply human approach to trust and estate planning, Sharon is reshaping how we talk about money, legacy, and preparing for the future.From navigating divorce and rebuilding confidence, to guiding families through some of their most vulnerable conversations, Sharon brings empathy, honesty, and clarity to a subject many of us avoid. Together, Izy and Sharon explore:Why legacy planning is really about values, identity, and care — not fearHow women can reclaim financial confidence and independenceThe quiet but transformative power of clear communicationWhat it means to build a life — and a future — with intentionHow small acts of support can spark meaningful social changeSharon’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and choosing growth — even when the path feels uncertain. This conversation will leave you inspired to reflect on your own legacy, your own choices, and the power you hold to shape your future.If you've ever thought “estate planning isn’t for people like me,” this episode will change that.

What really helps us stay steady when life speeds up?In this episode, we sit down with Doug Strycharczyk, CEO of AQR International and one of the world’s leading voices on mental toughness, to explore the invisible inner capacities that shape how we respond to pressure, uncertainty, and opportunity.Drawing on decades of research across business, education, sport, and social mobility, Doug explains why performance isn’t just about behaviour or skills, but about our default mental responses and how we’re wired to face challenge .If you care about building resilience, confidence, and sustainable performance—for yourself or others—this conversation will shift how you think about human potential.Tune in and start developing the inner skills that power real change.

What if the problem isn’t how people learn — but how systems are designed?In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd is joined by Dr John Kelly, founder of Fingerprint Learning, to explore how brain science and upstream thinking can reshape education, leadership, and innovation.Drawing on insights from neuroscience, John challenges deficit-based models that label people as underachievers or failures. Instead, he reveals how entrepreneurial and innovative thinkers often thrive through action, pattern-spotting, and experimentation — and why traditional systems frequently fail to recognise these strengths. This conversation is a powerful reminder that real change doesn’t start by fixing people — it starts by redesigning the systems around them.Tune in for a thoughtful, human exploration of brain diversity, leadership, and what it means to be an Agent of Change.

What if the biggest climate solutions aren’t in the sky… but beneath our feet?In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, I’m joined by Allistair Wilkinson, Sustainable Materials Expert at CDE Group — working inside one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world to help transform it.We talk cement decarbonisation, circular economy solutions, and why changing how we build might be one of the most powerful climate actions we can take.If you care about the future of our planet — and the foundations, it’s built on — this conversation is for you.

Dr Jonny Bloomfield — high performance coach, sports scientist and TEDx speaker — shares on this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, how wellbeing is the foundation of sustainable performance and leadership.Drawing on his experience in elite sport, workplace wellbeing and men’s mental health, Jonny explores why prevention matters, how leaders shape culture through behaviour, and what it means to perform without burning out. He also reflects on masculinity, fatherhood, resilience and redefining success beyond productivity.A must-listen for leaders, coaches and anyone interested in high performance, wellbeing and meaningful change.

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, Izchel Boyd is joined by resilience and mindset coach Valerie Crozier-Nicholl, founder of Kaleidoscope VCN.Valerie shares her powerful journey from burnout and serious health challenges to creating the EMBRACE programme — a compassionate, practical approach to emotional wellbeing. Together, they explore what mindset work really means (beyond positive thinking), how resilience is built gently over time, and why slowing down can be an act of leadership rather than failure.This conversation touches on women’s wellbeing, emotional regulation, community impact, and how personal healing creates ripple effects far beyond ourselves.Listen in for a thoughtful, honest conversation about courage, compassion, and sustainable change.

This is the heart of being an Agent of Change: an ongoing rhythm of inner development that fuels outer transformation.It’s not reserved for the extraordinary. It’s a path available to anyone willing to look inward, reach outward, and move forward with intention.Because in a world calling for change, the greatest contribution we can offer isn’t just what we do—it’s who we choose to become.https://agentsofchange.io/becoming-an-agent-of-change-a-journey-through-the-inner-development-goals/

In this episode, we’re taking a slightly different route. Instead of spotlighting a contemporary changemaker, we’re going back in time to reflect on the legacy of one of history’s most powerful Agents of Change: Benito Juárez, the first Indigenous president of Mexico in the mid-19th century, and widely recognized as a transformative Agent of Change—both in Mexican history and in the broader context of democratic reform and social justice. 

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, we sit down with Yogiraj Jakkal, an extraordinary emerging innovator whose ideas are already reshaping how we think about climate impact, entrepreneurship, and global responsibility.Recorded following his standout success at the What’s the Big Idea? Awards — a competition organised by Queen’s Students’ Union and sponsored by Ormeau Business Park and Kainos — Yogiraj reflects on a moment that marked a major milestone in his journey. At the awards, he was recognised with three top honours:🏆 Best Climate Impact Idea🏆 Best Idea from an International Student🏆 Best Overall IdeaIn our conversation, Yogiraj shares the story behind his award-winning idea, the values that drive his work, and what it means to create solutions with both local relevance and global impact. We explore the challenges faced by international students entering the innovation space, the responsibility of young entrepreneurs in the climate era, and how bold ideas can move from concept to real-world change.This episode is a powerful reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person willing to ask a better question, and brave enough to act on it.

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, we dive into the inspiring story behind Stendhal Festival with its founder, Ross Parkhill. What started as a dream in a field has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated independent festivals. Ross shares the challenges and triumphs of building a cultural movement from the ground up, the values that shaped its evolution, and how sustainability and community remain at the heart of its future. Discover how Ross embodies the spirit of an agent of change—turning vision into reality and creating a lasting impact on music, people, and place.

Conversations with Agents of Change is a thought-provoking podcast series celebrating the visionaries shaping our world for the better. Through honest, inspiring, and deeply human conversations, we meet the artists, organisers, innovators, and community leaders driving positive transformation across culture, sustainability, and social impact.Each episode dives into the stories behind the change — exploring how creativity, courage, and collaboration spark movements that challenge the status quo. From festival fields to grassroots projects, from local action to global ideas, these are the voices redefining what change looks like today.Whether you’re a dreamer, a doer, or simply curious about how individuals turn passion into purpose, Conversations with Agents of Change invites you to listen, reflect, and be inspired to play your part in staging the change.Produced by The Change Impact Group