“You’ve got to believe in yourself”

Charlie Morrison shares his story of growing up in a mining community, working in the pits, and finding purpose during one of the most difficult periods in UK industrial history.

From the 1984 miners’ strike to helping build the Auchengeich memorial, Charlie reflects on hardship, resilience, and the power of community. What started as a way to stay active during the strike became a lasting legacy, bringing people together decades later.  

He speaks openly about generational change, pride in working-class identity, and why it’s so important to keep these stories alive for the future.

This is a story about struggle, purpose, and not forgetting where you come from.

“If we don’t fight, we’ll never win”

Willie is an ex-miner and lifelong trade unionist. He shares his journey from a stubborn 16-year-old entering the pits against his parents’ wishes to becoming a fierce advocate for workers’ rights. 

Growing up in a small mining community, where the job of hardship, danger and deep camaraderie were all what drew him to the lifestyle as a young lad.

Willie reflects on the realities of life underground, parents conflict, the fight for fair wages, the mining conditions, and the lasting impact of the industry on both people and place. 

A powerful conversation driven by class pride, unity and Willie’s belief that working people need to stand together.

“We don’t need the greed”

Hugh story is rooted in working-class values, community, and a lifelong fight against injustice. From growing up in a large family to working in pubs and the post office, Hugh found his voice early, standing up for fairness in the workplace and becoming a trade union representative driven by equality and collective strength.  

His journey took him from local activism to Westminster, where he served as an MP, determined to represent ordinary people in a system he believes often feels disconnected from real life. He reflects openly on the realities of politics, the compromises, frustrations, and pressures, alongside the personal toll it can take on both individuals and their families.

Beyond politics, Hugh shares a deeply personal mission: preserving the legacy of the Auchengeich mining disaster. Through his book, he brings to light the untold stories of the 47 men who lost their lives, and the generations of families left behind. What began as curiosity became a responsibility, to ensure these lives, and the community they shaped, are never forgotten.

Hugh’s message is simple, use your voice, stand against injustice, and never lose sight of what truly matters. The people.

“I remember getting home and just crying a lot”

Jenny Todd is best know for competing in Strongwoman. A self professed tom boy, being a skinny kid from an all girls school, to bouncing on the doors of a nightclub and coming off steroids. Now a Personal Training Coach to some of the world’s best in the strong woman community, Jenny’s journey is unique to say the least.

"That was the end of his life, for painting his name on a train"

Frank Styles is best know for his mural artwork in and around Sunderland. Starting out his journey finding anything to graffiti, steeling paint cans, avoiding police, he knew that he needed to change his path. Listen to Frank explain how his mind sees the world and the passion for what he does. On a continuous journey exploring the purpose of his work and how is always evolving. Frank’s story will certainly relate to many other artists and creatives around the world.

“I know I care deeply about other people”

Having experienced the lack of support for his own mental health experiences, Jame set up Space North East, a men’s mental health group in Sunderland to create a place for people suffering with depression, anxiety and loneliness. His willingness to care for others has set a new purpose for James, which is having a huge effect on the community where he lives. Listen to James talk about his own journey, from suicidal tendencies, being lost, overcoming adversity for a greater purpose. Wise words, with an outstanding insight into understanding people on a very personal level.

“I have a duty to be able to share this”

A great upbringing, supportive family and regular life, Steve opens up to tell his story of a life self harming. Managing everyday life with a secret he kept from everyone took a toll and he recently made some big changes to his life due to implications of planning his own suicide. This episode shows that anyone can be walking around with underlying issues that nobody knows about, even if you have a life that would be considered “normal”. Steve is a true advocate to community and helping others, which he does on a daily basis as his job helping to keep people fit and healthy.

“I just didn’t want to lose my hair”

Kim opens up about her journey through breast cancer, how it changed her life and the personal struggles she found affected her in ways which surprised her.

Finding the lack of local support for cancer sufferers, Kim set up her own company, Together We Can, support group in Sunderland.

“The reason I have purpose in my life, is the reason I am happy"

Shane has set up his own evening support group Not a Statistic, like many people, due to the lack of out of hours groups available within the area. His path is different as he used to work in the NHS doing what he does in his own company. 

Listen to Shane’s story, which is one of seeking purpose and the importance of that. Like many, his life has been up and down, good and bad, but he has always sought out a solution for the problems he has faced, and on reflection is a better man for that lived experience. Now his mission is to help others.

"I want my kids to see what's possible"

Paul is a motivational speaker and performance coach from the North East of England, known for his direct, no-nonsense approach to mindset, business growth, and personal development.

His honest, no BS approach has helped many men become better versions of themselves.

I sit down with Paul to share his journey from addiction, self destruction, online trolling, to his wife that saved his life, his family and his high energy and passion for life. 

I hope this will be an opportunity to show a side of Paul that many may not have seen. 

Who he really is.

"Naivety is Achievity"

Ryan Riley BEM is a British food writer, author, and the founder of Life Kitchen, a multi-award-winning initiative that provides free cookery classes for people living with cancer.

Inspired by the loss of his mother, I sit and talk all about Ryan's journey, his positive perspective on life. From being a carer, winning money, travelling, moving to London all without a plan, he then set up his business with his best friend Kim, not understanding what and how it would work. 

Ryan has had the most extreme of ups and downs, fame, celebrity, health issues, success and loss.

Nothing has fazed him, and he always seems to see the better side of life.

A true inspiration.