The Northern Guide to Happiness

Episode Twenty Four - Andy Clark

In this week's episode, Kath talks to Andy Clark who is an oral historian and a relative newcomer to the city. Andy talks about how happiness doesn't have to be prescriptive and it can depend on your mood and how a box of Quality Street can make all the difference! Andy also talks about how cooking, cleaning and playing in a pipe band bring him happiness.

Episode Twenty Three - Dan Jackson

It's our first episode of 2021 and we're talking to Dan Jackson, author of "The Northumbrians: North-East England and Its people". Dan talks about how he finds happiness in gardening, football, facts and research and the process of writing. As well as, of course, his love of history and the North East.  

Episode Twenty Two - The End of Year Party

A slightly different format for this week's episode. The podcast team share a drink (or two) as we celebrate the project so far and look back at some of the episodes and interviewees we have talked to so far about happiness. Do you have a favourite episode or moment so far? We'd love to hear from you!

Episode Twenty One - Cath Darling

Cath Darling is an occupational therapist and writer. She also runs a small skincare business inspired by her son's experience of eczema. She talks to Kath about happiness in the palliative care sector. They discuss her experiences working with people at end of life and the importance of spending time with the people you love.

Episode Twenty - Miles Wallis-Clarke

Miles Wallis-Clarke has been the head teacher at Hotspur Primary School in Heaton for the last fifteen years. He is about to embark on a new adventure in the new year with his husband Gary. In this episode he talks about his passion for singing, the importance of relationships to his happiness and some of the stand out moments for him during his time at Hotspur.

Episode Nineteen - Bill Corcoran

Bill Corcoran was involved in setting up the NUFC foodbank to help support the work of the West End food bank. He is also involved in the Tyneside Irish Centre. In this episode he talks about how the foodbank was started, the importance of dignity, mindfulness, time to yourself and why Newcastle is such a great place to live. 

Episode Eighteen - Sharuna Sagar

Sharuna works for the BBC and is a presenter and reporter here in the North East. She covers all sorts of subjects and her specialist subject is Art and Culture. In this episode she talks about many thanks that bring her joy from making her films for work, important family time and diagnosing a culinary disaster to enjoying a good cup of tea. She also talks about how practicing gratitude throughout the day helps you reflect on your life in a positive way. 

Episode Seventeen - First Step Participants

In this special episode we talk to participants from First Step about happiness following their involvement in some of our happiness workshops. First Step works with women from all over the world who have made Newcastle their home. We hope you enjoy listening to Lynne, Huda, Mervat, Vera, Sophie and Jasmin telling us what happiness means to them. 

Episode Sixteen - Andrea Carter

Andrea, lead producer at D6 Culture in Transit shares her thoughts on happiness after a challenging time during the lockdown period. She talks about retrospective happiness, some excellent book recommendations through to camping with her children, circuit training and weightlifting.

Episode Fifteen - Libby Morrison

PhD student Libby Morrison talks to us about the Politics of Happiness module at Newcastle University, the pressures on students and their mental health as well as happiness in the care sector and her experiences of caring for both her parents.