Imagine going through your emails at work when suddenly you get a call from a distressed mother whose son has been held by Syrian Authorities and likely tortured for receiving money from a foreign bank account. His mum’s bank account. Who is currently a refugee in the UK.

This is what a normal day can look like for Colette, Founder and CEO of Conversation Over Borders. An organisation that works to connect forcibly displaced people with the wider community to cut through isolation and ensure everyone has equal voice, rights and opportunities. Colette started Conversation Over Borders (COB) at the age of 23 in 2020 by helping connect refugees with English teaches.

In this episode, Colette goes back to the beginning, sharing the origin of COB and how it has grown and expanded - having recently reached 20,000 hours of English lessons! We dive into what it was like being a CEO at such a young and how she navigated the space without an existing network. As well as the importance of staying close to the community you are serving so you are always responding to their needs.

Topics covered include:

• Founding an organisation at age 23
• Learning to accept help from others
• Setting boundaries and the emotional impact of working in the charity sector
• Fake it till you make it and learning on the job
• The power in hearing someone’s story to break down barriers and prejudice
• Responding to the needs of those you are serving
• The current refugee crisis and danger of the narrative in the media

The film discussed at the end of the episode is ‘The Swimmers’.

Hear members of the COB community share their story and watch ‘Prisoner of Hope’ here - https://www.conversationoverborders.org/our-voices

Find more information about COB here where there are a number of ways to get involved - https://www.conversationoverborders.org

Freeing a man wrongfully committed of murder after he has already served 5 years in prison, confronted with continuous rape, murder, child abuse cases, navigating the male dominated career of a barrister experiencing sexism and imposter syndrome along the way - these are only a few of the topics covered with this episode’s guest, Tana Adkin KC. A highly respected criminal barrister appointed to the King’s Counsel in 2017, Deputy Head of Chambers at 15NBS Barristers Chambers, and former chair of the Criminal Bar Association.

Tana is an inspiration to all, recognised for her contributions to the legal field and exemplary skills in persuasion, cross-examination, and negotiation.

So, join Talullah for this insightful conversation with Tana as they discuss the reality of being a criminal barrister, and the challenges faced and skills needed to uphold integrity in the justice system. Having recently attended the Global Women’s Forum and joined the Batonnières du Monde, a group of female international Bar leaders who are working together to address gender inequality, Tana also delves into the current global landscape for women, the need to address gender inequality and importance of women taking up leadership roles.

Topics covered include:

• Coping with a role in which you are continuously faced with traumatic and high-pressure cases
• Navigating imposter syndrome and sexism throughout your career
• The reality of representing someone who is guilty
• The power of language and overcoming fear of public speaking
• Negotiating with people who don’t want to negotiate
• Becoming a feminist after never having previously considered it
• The need for quotas when merit alone isn’t enough
• Women stepping into leadership and getting a seat at the table

The book discussed at the end of the episode is ‘Women All on Fire’ by Alison Plowden.

You can find out more about Tana here - https://15nbs.com/portfolio/tana-adkin-kc/

Imagine putting your blood, sweat, and tears into your start-up and then having a contractor try to take ownership of your App, or being taken to a champagne bar to be told someone wants to buy your product and if you say no, they will take the idea anyway and steal your market audience.

This is only a few of the challenges Nazia Anwar has faced, founder of Social Blox, a platform for small non-profits and community groups to help them connect, grow, and generate revenue.

Join Talullah for this incredible conversation with Nazia as they peak behind the curtain of what it is like to be a female founder, discuss how Social Blox first began, and the highs and lows along the way.

As an absolutely relentless founder, oozing passion, and pushing down any barrier standing in her way, while juggling being a single mum and experiencing countless experiences of sexism, Talullah wanted to bring you this conversation to share in Nazia's wisdom and courage.

Topics covered include:

• Accidentally starting a business to solve a problem
• Trusting your gut when something feels wrong
• Dealing with investors who don’t align with your vision
• Leadership styles and why we need diversity in the C-Suite
• How to get out of a slump and back to yourself
• Managing being a single mum as a founder
• Publishing your first book

Find Nazia’s book and more here – https://www.naziaanwar.com/

Learn more about Social Blox here - https://www.socialblox.uk/