In this episode inclusion and belonging specialist, Sarah Barley McMullen, previously a lecturer and the Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Derby University, joins Alex to look at the complex landscape of identity, discrimination, and the power of unity. And being able to legitimately challenge without fear of an aggressive response. We tackle the critical distinctions between true inclusivity and mere lip service … and when exactly did ‘woke’ become weaponised?

Why, when talking about gender and sexuality, do people think they have free rein over what they can say and how they can say it? Without filter? When did the importance of empathy and respect towards every individual's unique journey get to be so downgraded?

Sarah talks about her own thriving community in Belper, Derbyshire, and how Belper Pride is supported visibly and openly, promoting kindness and understanding - an uplifting testament to the strength of compassion. And on a personal level – how she has learned that positive dialogue and honest conversation is the best way to deal with the negative and the hostile. The overall message is to be kinder to ourselves and the people around us and to reflect every day on just how to do things better.

And with that, we come to the end of our first series of Eden PResents. We hope that you have enjoyed listening as much as we have enjoyed making these episodes. We have met some truly inspirational, funny and fascinating people and have had a fantastic response – thank you for listening and your amazing comments. Alex and the team at Eden Podcasting Services will be back soon with Series 2, but in the meantime if you want some help in the planning and producing your own podcast series – please get in touch at ⁠Eden Podcasting Services.

Stand Up Comedy. Taboo Topics or Fair Game?

This episode explores (amongst other and many things) how comedy has changed over the years. Are there lines that cannot be crossed? is pushing the envelope still acceptable? What happens when a superfan crosses the line and what happens when heckles go too far?

Ever wondered about the laughs and pitfalls of stand-up comedy? Join me, Alex Canner, as I chat with razor sharp comedian and actor, Pauline Daniels, who has decades of time on the mic, and newer comedian Ben Turner, who also happens to work in PR!

We shed light on the resilience and adaptability required to keep audiences in stitches, even as cultural sensitivities shift. Pauline describes her pioneering journey from songstress to stand-up, challenging the status quo in a field once ruled by men, while Ben keeps us in the present with his observations on comedy's unchanging core amid evolving expectations.

We don't shy away from the edgy topics—navigating the blurry lines between what's hilarious and what's off-limits. The art of comedy is dissected, from the anticipatory buzz before a punchline lands to the nuances of audience-comedian dynamics. You'll hear firsthand how venues curate the acts that grace their stages and the way comedians have to bob and weave through the sea of public opinion. Plus, we examine the rise of digital platforms and how they're changing the game for both veteran jokesters and the next generation of comics.

Prepare for a rollercoaster of revelations as Pauline and Ben share their personal comedy escapades, from the euphoric highs of live gigs to the lows of dealing with joke theft and heckling. The episode peels back the curtain on stand-up, providing an intimate peek at what it takes to make it in this exhilarating, yet unforgiving, craft.

Eden PResents is brought to you by ⁠Eden Podcasting Services.

To mark International Women’s Day, we have a very special Eden PResents podcast episode to share with you.

Our two guests this week are Stephanie Sirr MBE, Chief Executive of the world-renowned Nottingham Playhouse, an important producing theatre, and Lucy Askew, new Chief Executive of Broadway in Nottingham, iconic cinema and cultural centre.

Two passionate, influential, dedicated and remarkable women, our very own Arts Guardians, just sharing a conversation about the arts, its impact, new productions, support for new writers and film makers and so much more.

They guide us through the celebratory tides of Nottingham Playhouse's 60th anniversary and the creative currents that flow through Broadway Cinema. Our journey begins with their shared wisdom on fostering inclusive careers in the arts and navigating the challenges that theatres and cinemas face in a dynamic landscape. We also raise a toast to the pioneering stage premiere of "Minority Report" and delve into the unique ways these institutions are crafting a love for the arts within the community.

The conversation also confronts the effects of gentrification on the arts, emphasising the necessity of keeping cultural encounters within reach for every stratum of society.

Lastly, we dissect the critical themes of access and representation in the arts, as Stephanie and Lucy shed light on the industry's prevailing challenges. From the balance of blockbusters with niche stories to the impact of the pandemic on artistic expression and audience engagement, their insights are as stirring as they are enlightening.

This is a do not miss opportunity.

Eden PResents is brought to you by ⁠Eden Podcasting Services.