The Greaterverse

What does a world with limitless joy look like?Step into the studio at Arthouse Unlimited. This week, I sit down with Becky, the founder of the Arthouse Unlimited studio supporting 60 neurodivergent adults with high support needs.Inside the studio, artists are given space, coaching, and creative freedom to develop their own styles, from bold humour to completely unfiltered self-expression, and their work is spectacular. It is full of colour, personality and joy. Their work is turned into products, sold in a shop, and in some cases, run as their own collections.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Becky built a studio centred on creativity, dignity, and purposeWhy individual expression matters, and how each artist’s unique style shines throughHow art is creating real opportunities, independence and self-confidenceThe role of inclusion in building a society where everyone feels valuedWhy joy can come from the most unexpected placesNew episodes every Tuesday.Episode Resources:Arthouse Unlimited → https://arthouseunlimited.org/Instagram → @arthouseunlimitedGreaterverseInstagram → @thegreaterverseYouTube →⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@thegreaterverse⁠TikTok →⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreaterverse⁠

He’s been lowered into a volcano, immersed in the Amazon, and filmed ants in the Sahara. This is what life in the world’s most extreme environments really looks like.In this episode, filmmaker Nick Shoolingin-Jordan shares stories from behind the scenes of major productions, working alongside Sir David Attenborough, Morgan Freeman and Will Smith, and what those experiences have taught him about nature, resilience and our planet.New episodes every TuesdayIn this conversation, you’ll hear:What it’s really like filming in some of the most challenging conditions on Earth and creating worlds like The DinosaursThe surprising ways nature adapts, from desert ants to life in the rainforestWhy connection to community and nature is important, and the role filming plays in telling that storyHow Nick broke into filmmaking, and why you should never give upEpisode resources:Follow, share and listen to more episodes here:⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

What if something as small as a handmade heart could change someone’s day...or even their life?In this episode of The Greaterverse, Anne-Marie Kruk speaks with Sarah De Jonge, the founder of a grassroots kindness initiative that began with one simple idea: sew 1,000 small felt hearts and give them to people to bring a little bit more kindness into their lives.What started as a personal creative project has since grown into a global movement. Today, more than one million pocket hearts have been shared around the world in hospitals, schools, community groups and moments when people needed a reminder that someone cared.From grief and loss to hope and human connection, this episode explores how small acts can create powerful ripple effects far beyond what we imagine.Because sometimes the smallest gestures carry the greatest meaning.New episodes every TuesdayIn this episode, you’ll learn:How a simple idea turned into a global movementWhy kindness is contagious — and the science behind itThe powerful ripple effect of small gesturesHow creativity can help people navigate grief and hardshipWhy compassion for others often starts with compassion for ourselvesEpisode resources:1,000 Hearts - hearts.com.auInstagram: @1000_heartsFollow, share and listen to more episodes here:⁠https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

600 million views. One comedian. A powerful purpose.In this episode of The Greaterverse, Anne-Marie Kruk speaks with Jake Lambert, comedian and host of “Had Worst Mondays” podcast, whose sharp observational humour and candid storytelling have captivated audiences across the world. From turning his experience with epilepsy into powerful and relatable comedy, to achieving over six million views on his very first TikTok post, Jake shares how humour can transform life’s challenges into moments of connection and joy.Jake reflects on his journey into comedy, the artists who inspired him, including Harry Hill and the late Sean Lock, and the surreal moment he discovered that Jerry Seinfeld and his wife are fans of his work. In this conversation you will learn:The story behind his first viral TikTok, which reached over six million views.How Jake uses comedy to navigate and raise awareness of epilepsy.The comedians who inspired him, including Harry Hill and Sean Lock.What it was like discovering that Jerry Seinfeld is a fanIncredible people. Incredible things.New episodes every Tuesday.Episode resources:Jake LambertSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UUxkpG8wLVtHdx8S4aSqNWebsite: jakelambertcomedy.com⁠Insta: instagram.com/jakelambertcomedyYouTube: www.youtube.com/@jakelambertcomedyTikTok: @jakelambertcomedyFollow, share and listen to more of The Greaterverse episodes here: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse⁠

Rescuing a 40-tonne whale isn’t simple, but someone has to do it.This week, I sit down with Pip Jacobs from ORRCA, the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans, otherwise know as marine mammals. From whales and dolphins to seals and dugongs. The organisation has spent over 40 years rescuing, rehabilitating and protecting marine life across Australia powered by a network of more than 1,200 volunteers.From complex whale disentanglements to rare wildlife encounters (including the kind that require calling the police), this is a conversation that blends science, conservation, and extraordinary human stories.In this episode, you’ll hear:How a small group of volunteers grew into a 1,200+ strong rescue networkWhat it really takes to rescue a 40-tonne whaleThe incredible diversity of marine life, from humpbacks to leopard sealsThe story of a rare albino whaleWhy community is at the heart of every successful rescueHow moments like this can restore faith in humanityEpisode resources:ORRCA- orrca.org.au, Instagram: @orrcaaustraliaFollow, share and listen to more The Greaterverse episodes here:https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

What if even the hardest days held a rainbow?Every night in hospital, Molly Croft’s parents asked her one simple question:“What was your rainbow today?”It meant finding just one thing, however small, that made her smile.In this episode of The Greaterverse, Molly shares how that daily practice of gratitude became the foundation for something extraordinary.Today, she has helped raise over $2m for children's charities and sarcoma research, with $1.4m raised through the Tie Dye Project bringing colour, hope and community into a space that can often feel dark.This is a story about courage. About people power. About choosing light even when life is unimaginably hard.We talk about:Finding your life’s passion at 12Turning adversity into actionCommunity, leadership and Molly’s ArmyHolding grief and gratitude at the same timeWhy looking for one rainbow each day changes everythingThis is a story about courage. About people power. About choosing light even when life is unimaginably hard.New episodes every Tuesday.Episode resources:The Tie Dye Project: https://tiedyeproject.com/, Instagram: thetiedyeproject_Molly Croft: mollycroft_Follow, share and listen to more episodes here:https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

AI. Robotics. Accessible education. And what happens when your robot gets arrested.In this powerful episode of The Greaterverse, Anne-Marie Kruk is joined by Norah Kimathi, founder of Zerobionic, a groundbreaking social enterprise using robotics and AI to make STEM education accessible to hearing-impaired students across Africa and beyond.What began as a seven-hour classroom struggle, discovering there were no signs for complex STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) terminology, became a full humanoid robot that converts spoken language into sign, instantly.From sustainable robotics to empowering half a million students, this episode is a reminder that innovation is most powerful when it provides access and inclusion.In this conversation you will learn:How a seven-hour classroom frustration sparked a global innovationHow AI translates complex STEM subjectsinto sign language in real timeHow Zero Bionic builds robots from recycledplastic while creating green jobsNorah’s perspective on AI, robotics, and the future of ZerobionicHow to deal with unruly robotsNew episodes every Tuesday.Episode resources:Zerobionic: https://www.zerobionicafrica.com/Follow, share and listen to more episodes here:https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

When bushfires tore through Australia, Mogo Wildlife Park found itself directly in the path.In this bonus clip, Zookeeper Chad shares what it was really like being on the ground from the moment they realised they couldn’t leave, to the impossible reality of protecting animals that simply couldn’t be evacuated.With rhinos, giraffes and lions to care for, the team made a decision few would ever have to face.This is a story of instinct, responsibility, and an extraordinary group of people who stayed when everything around them was burning.

A lion cub. A newborn gorilla fighting for life. And the man who showed up when it mattered most.In this extraordinary episode of The Greaterverse, Anne-Marie Kruk sits down with Zookeeper Chad, Managing Director of three Australian wildlife parks: Mogo Wildlife Park, Featherdale Wildlife Park and Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, to explore what it really means to dedicate your life to animals.Chad shares how a chance decision at 17 to “find a job with animals” turned into a 29-year career in conservation, education and leadership. From honing chef knife skills that unexpectedly prepared him to feed zoo animals, to becoming a trusted voice in wildlife media, his journey is anything but ordinary.At the heart of this conversation are two remarkable stories.When a lion cub named Maji lost her mother at birth, Chad stepped in raising her from “day dot” while ensuring she would still grow into a true lioness. And when a newborn gorilla, Kaius, was critically ill and rejected in the chaos of a traumatic birth, Chad became his round-the-clock caregiver, feeding him every two hours, sleeping beside him, and guiding him through the thousands of tiny steps needed to reunite him with his family.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to care for creatures weighing 200 kilos… or how you raise a lion in your home without turning her into a house cat… this episode is for you.This episode explores:The profound bond between humans and animalsWhat raising a lion and a gorilla taught Chad about love, boundaries and identityWhy hyenas deserve better PR (and how The Lion King got it wrong)The intelligence of animals and why we still underestimate itThe responsibility we hold as humans to protect habitats while still building our own futuresIt’s a story of resilience, conservation, humility and joy and a powerful reminder that when we listen closely, animals have far more to teach us than we realise.New episodes every Tuesday.Zookeeper Chad - Instagram: zookeeper_chadFollow, share and listen to more episodes herehttps://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

Waste not want not. The things we throw away can hold extraordinary potential.In this latest episode of The Greaterverse, Anne-Marie Kruk is joined by Anna Brightman, co-founder of UpCircle Beauty, to explore how discarded coffee grounds became the foundation of a global skincare brand now stocked in over 55 countries.What began with one simple question in a local café “what happens to all the used coffee grounds?”,  evolved into a pioneering beauty company built on upcycling, circular economy principles and radical positivity. Alongside her brother and co-founder Will, Anna has transformed by-products from primarily the food and drinks industry, into high-performing, award-winning products.But this conversation goes far beyond sustainable ingredients. It’s about challenging an industry that often profits from insecurity, creating products that feel inclusive and empowering, and placing responsibility with brands, not consumers, when it comes to ethical and environmental impact.From Forbes recognition to breakthrough product launches and the realities of scaling without compromising values, Anna shares a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to build a mission-led brand that’s both genuinely effective and genuinely good for the world.You may never look at your morning coffee the same way again.New episodes every TuesdayIn this episode, you’ll learn:How one café conversation sparked the idea behind UpCircle BeautyHow UpCircle’s product development works, and what it takes to turn “waste ingredients” into skincare and haircare with real benefitsHow positivity became a deliberate part of their positioningWhat it’s like building a family-run business with your siblingEpisode resources:UpCircle Beauty - https://upcirclebeauty.com/, Instagram: @upcirclebeautyFollow, share and listen to more episodes here:https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

In this episode of The Greaterverse, I’m joined by one of my favourite humans Pinky Lilani CBE DL: community builder, diversity advocate, and a living reminder that kindness isn’t “soft”… it’s powerful.From Calcutta to the UK, Pinky shares how curiosity, courage and a deeply people-first philosophy helped her build a life rooted in connection. Through platforms like the Women of the Future Awards, she has spent decades championing women across industries, cultures and generations, creating spaces where talent is recognised and futures are shaped.As we approach International Women’s Day on 8 March, and this year’s theme“Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” , this conversation feels especially timely. It’s about opening doors, expanding your tribe, lifting others as you rise, and planting seeds for a future we may never personally see.If this episode leaves you feeling a little brighter, please follow the show, share it with someone who needs a reminder that good people exist and tell me in the comments: Who have you met that made you believe in kindness again?In this conversation, you’ll learn:How Pinky built community from scratch in a new countryWhy kindness is a superpowerWhat it takes to build real networks with connection and authenticityHer best advice: keep learning, ask boldly, and never give upIncredible people. Incredible things.New episodes every Tuesday.Episode resources:Pinky Lilani:⁠⁠⁠https://womenofthefuture.co.uk/Follow, share and listen to more episodes here⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse⁠

A short loving kindness meditation to help you reset, reconnect, and cultivate compassion, for yourself and for others.This guided practice is a bonus from Episode 3 of The Greaterverse.May you be safe. May you be well.

What if meditation isn’t about stopping your thoughts — but learning how to observe them?This episode is deeply personal.I’m speaking with Toby McGuire not only because he has over 30 years of experience teaching meditation, but because his work supported me through one of the most difficult periods of my life.During a time marked by trauma and feeling overwhelmed, meditation became a way to steady myself. To live in the moment. To look forward to the future.It didn’t erase what happened but it changed how I carried it.In this conversation, Toby shares how a simple daily practice helped him move from anxiety and depression to a life of calm, clarity and service — and how meditation is less about becoming someone new, and more about gently letting go.If you’re navigating a challenging chapter or searching for steadiness in uncertain moments, this conversation may offer something grounded and practical.New episodes every Tuesday.Episode resources:Toby Maguire 7 week mindfulness course: https://www.tobymaguire.com/7-week-mindfulness-meditation-courseInstagram → @thegreaterverseYouTube → ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thegreaterverse⁠TikTok → ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreaterverse⁠

Education can change the direction of a life.In this powerful episode of The Greaterverse, Anne-Marie Kruk is joined by Meike, co-founder of Alsama Project, and Afraa, one of its extraordinary students, speaking from the Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon.Set against the harsh realities of displacement, poverty and conflict, this conversation explores how Alsama is transforming the lives of Syrian refugee children, taking teenagers who were once illiterate and supporting them to become university-ready in just over five years. Through education, creativity, sport and an unwavering belief in young people’s potential, Alsama is proving what’s possible even in the most challenging circumstances.Afraa’s story is a living example of that transformation: from a shy, illiterate girl whose future felt already decided, to a confident spokesperson, tour guide, debater and aspiring international development leader.This is a story of courage, mindset shifts, and the extraordinary ability of young people to rise when they are finally given the tools and opportunities to do so.In this conversation you'll learn:How the Alsama Project is redefining what’s possible for refugee educationWhat it takes to move young people from illiteracy to university readinessAfraa’s personal journey of confidence, voice and leadershipWhy mindset and belief are as powerful as formal educationHow creativity and sport play a role in healing and growthWhat real, long-term impact looks like in humanitarian workNew episodes every TuesdayEpisode Resources:Alsama Project: https://alsamaproject.com/Follow, share and listen to more episodes here:https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

Koalas are currently endangered in Australia, but this episode is a story of hope for the future.In this conversation, we explore the vital work of Koala Conservation Australia through the eyes of Dr Kate Farquharson, who leads the groundbreaking Wild Koala Breeding Program, born in the aftermath of the 2019–2020 bushfires.From a GoFundMe campaign that set out to raise $25,000 and went on to raise more than $8 million, to the science and care behind breeding koalas for a wild future, this episode shows what can happen when people come together for a common cause.In this conversation you will learn:How a $25,000 campaign went viral and raised over $8 millionWhy koala habitats are under increasing threatWhat koalas are really like (yes, they have personalities)How Dr Kate’s career journey led from Tasmanian devils to koalasWhy koalas sleep 18–20 hours a dayEpisode Resources:Koala Conservation Australia - https://koalaconservationaustralia.org.au/, Instagram: @portmacquariekoalahospitalFollow, share and listen to more episodes here:https://linktr.ee/thegreaterverse

Welcome to The Greaterverse, a podcast about incredible people doing incredible things to make our universe a greater place.In this short introductory episode, host Anne-Marie Kruk shares why she created the podcast, what you can expect from future episodes, and the idea at the heart of The Greaterverse: that even in a world full of heavy news, there are people focused on making things better and their stories deserve the spotlight.From conservation and creativity to purpose-led entrepreneurs and everyday acts of impact, The Greaterverse is about hope and possibility, and the power we all have to shape a better future.If you’re looking for a little more light, inspiration, and perspective in your week you’re in the right place.