James Dakin's Uplifting Conversations

James's guest Samantha Dark is an actress, businesswoman, mother and abuse survivor. An inspirational lady who lives in London, now also an author through her diaries she kept about her traumatic personal life experience. Her book: "What Morning Knows"

Anthony is an explorer, storyteller and pioneer.  He has lived with Maasai tribes in Kenya and with schools and businesses around the world.  Helping people build on purpose, and passionate about effective education systems.

Amanda is a cancer survivor, lost both parents when young, children were abducted, she was fired from two jobs in one year.Retrained as a Coach, leaving Senior Asset Management to support women and created the "Powershift System".

Mike Underall lives in Vancouver.  He writes a regular column "Closing The Gap", writes for men. and encourages men to recognise gender equality and look honestly at how they can benefit from how they treat women.  He also consults on women-led businesses.

James sits down with Lorenzo Payman, born in Afghanistan, raised in Vietnam, and now a Canadian expat. Lorenzo recounts his family’s escape from Afghanistan as a child, travelling on foot after a family betrayal left them without passports and forced them to evade Communist soldiers.Now a podcast producer, Lorenzo works with people who have incredible stories and helps others launch their own podcasts. He shares how this work gave his life meaning — and ultimately saved it.

In this episode, James sits down with Minnie, a remarkable 21-year-old writer and creator of The Feminine Urge, an internationally recognised blog that has captured the attention of readers worldwide.Minnie shares the story behind building her platform, the passion that fuels her writing, and the empowering message she hopes to spread through her work. She talks candidly about the pride she takes in her achievements, as well as the overwhelmingly positive response she’s received from her growing community of readers.The conversation explores how Minnie embraces both strength and softness—proving that it’s possible to be firm, ambitious, and driven, while still celebrating femininity and authenticity. James and Minnie dive into her latest writing on growing pains, unpacking the physical and emotional challenges of early adulthood, and how these experiences shape identity, resilience, and creativity.This inspiring episode is for anyone navigating the transition into adulthood, searching for their voice, or simply curious about how one young woman is redefining ambition, femininity, and success on her own terms.

In this episode, James is joined by Sarah Frances McCormick—an accomplished writer, speaker, and storyteller based in Carolina.Sarah Frances has built her work around honesty, vulnerability, and the belief that sharing personal experiences can spark connection, healing, and inspiration in others. Through her writing and public speaking, she explores life’s challenges with raw openness, transforming moments of struggle into stories of hope and resilience.James describes Sarah Frances as “brave,” a word she fully embraces. She reflects on what bravery means to her—not as the absence of fear, but as the willingness to speak truthfully, even when it’s uncomfortable. Their conversation explores the power of storytelling, how lived experience can become a tool for empowering others, and why courage often looks quieter, and more personal, than we expect.This episode is for listeners who appreciate authenticity, who value the art of storytelling, and who want to be reminded that sharing our truths can be one of the most powerful ways to inspire change.

In this episode of the podcast, John Michael, a talented American writer, joins James for a candid and thought-provoking conversation. John opens up about his personal journey living with schizophrenia, sharing the challenges, insights, and moments of resilience that have shaped his life and creative work. In this heartfelt discussion, we explore how his experiences have influenced his writing, the misconceptions surrounding mental health, and what it means to navigate the world with a unique perspective.

In this powerful and inspiring episode, James Dakin sits down with Talia Fox — a dynamic author, acclaimed speaker, and fearless trailblazer — to explore her extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to the highest levels of leadership.Raised in Las Vegas in a struggling family, Talia began supporting her father's small business at just eight years old, stepping in to help with tasks he couldn’t manage due to his inability to read. This early responsibility shaped her resilience, work ethic, and fierce sense of purpose.Talia shares how these formative experiences laid the foundation for a ground breaking career that led her to helm a major company, secure critical contracts with the Federal Government, and work directly with the White House. Her story is one of grit, transformation, and breaking barriers — especially for women and underrepresented voices in leadership.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or simply someone who values stories of perseverance and vision, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and a powerful reminder that your starting point does not determine your destination.

This week James is joined by Paul Gotel, a transformational coach, speaker, and author whose journey from worldly adventurer to spiritual guide is nothing short of inspiring.With decades of experience traveling the globe and diving deep into the human experience, Paul shares powerful insights on living with purpose, aligning with your truth, and embracing the present moment. He and James explore what it really means to be authentic, how to break free from limiting beliefs, and why the answers we seek are often already within us.This conversation is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and reconnect—with yourself and with what truly matters. Whether you're on a path of personal growth or simply curious about how to live more consciously, Paul's wisdom will leave you feeling grounded and inspired.

In this month’s episode, James sits down with Baiba Ziga, a globally experienced professional originally from Latvia. Having lived and worked in 15 different countries, Baiba brings a rich and well-rounded perspective on cultures, communities, and educational systems from around the world.Despite her international journey, Baiba remains deeply connected to her Latvian roots. She is passionately dedicated to transforming Latvia’s education system, which she believes is currently in crisis. Drawing on her global insights, Baiba is committed to introducing innovative practices and fresh ideas that can help build a more inclusive and effective learning environment back home.Beyond her work in Latvia, Baiba is also keen to foster meaningful relationships with community-based organisations in England. She views collaboration as essential to lasting change and is eager to share knowledge, build partnerships, and work alongside others who are equally committed to educational reform and community empowerment.

In this episode, James sits down with Ozge Koca, a headhunted immigrant whose journey from Türkiye to the UK has been nothing short of remarkable. Now a British citizen, Ozge is dedicated to enhancing happiness in both customers and employees. As the founder of a pioneering startup, she developed innovative software to measure happiness levels, a breakthrough that led to her company being the first from Turkey to be invited to expand to the UK by the British government. Alongside her entrepreneurial success, Ozge is also a talented stand-up comedian, blending humor with her mission to promote positivity in both business and life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on innovation, happiness, and the power of laughter!

In this episode, James speaks with Ronen Olshansky, a successful business leader whose journey from Russian immigrant to entrepreneur is truly inspiring. Born in Israel to Ukrainian parents, Ronen’s diverse background has shaped his leadership style. Having lived in London, raised in Miami, and now based in Los Angeles, he brings a global perspective to his work. Fluent in multiple languages, Ronen excels at connecting with professionals from various cultures.Throughout his career, Ronen has focused on helping individuals and organizations strengthen their networks through authenticity and openness. He emphasizes the value of transparency in building meaningful business relationships. His commitment to empowering others and fostering trust makes him a true leader in the business community. This episode offers valuable insights on the power of networking and creating genuine connections in professional settings.