The Northern Guide to Happiness

Episode Fourteen - Michelle Jones

Michelle is an entrepreneur and business owner running her own wedding business here in the North East. She talks to Chris about what it's like helping people plan for their wedding day, the power of a simple smile and the importance of community in her life. 

Episode Thirteen - Chi Onwurah

Chi Onwurah is a British Member of Parliament representing Newcastle upon Tyne Central and is also Shadow Minister Digital, Science & Technology. In this episode we talk about how Chi finds happiness working with people, the cows on the Town Moor and doing "important science" as a child at the kitchen sink! 

Episode Twelve - Clare Matthews

Clare Matthews is finding happiness and contentment after a life of mental health distress and psychiatric diagnoses.  Transgender, autistic, and with a complex dissociative disorder, she has learned the benefits of radical self acceptance only since moving to Newcastle.  A keen walker and sometimes writer and performer, she has spent the last few years recovering, building for the future and finding satisfaction each day.  Clare has learned that some impossible things turn out to be possible.  Many others do not and that is okay.  She's also a Sudoku genius and adores sharing the contrasting beauty of numbers and nature.

Episode Eleven - Annie Rigby

Annie Rigby is a theatre director based in Newcastle. She is the Artistic Director of Unfolding Theatre. They make big-hearted theatre that delights in bringing people together. Annie loves darts, music and cooking. She loves laughter with friends. She thinks one of the best things about Geordies is how much effort we put into making other people laugh.

Episode Ten - Steve Drayton

Steve Drayton, also known as Mr Drayton, his showbiz alter ego - has worked in light entertainment most of his born days. In more recent times Mr Drayton has worked for the BBC whilst also finding time to play records to people with his 'Mr Drayton's Record Player' events. In this episode Steve talks to Alex about stand up comedy and performing, working on the Radio 4 listening project, back street finds and slowing down. 

Episode Nine - Charlotte Crossley

Charlotte is an avid list maker and second hand shopper. She loves cooking and making use of those random ingredients in the back of the cupboard. When she's not doing that she gets happiness from cycling, playing roller derby and working for a small North East based social mobility charity supporting young people. 

Episode Eight - Elaine Slater

Elaine is CEO of Tyneside Womens Health which is a charity which supports the mental health and emotional wellbeing of women. Elaine talks to Alex about walking her dogs in the rain, dinosaur hospitals and water gun fights.

Episode Seven - Sid Smith

Sid Smith has been a professional freelance writer for over 25 years. In this episode he talks to Dominic about maintaining a good balance, his writing process, the happiest musician he has interviewed and hanging out in record shops. 

Episode Six - Lucy Fenwick

Lucy and Chris, both cycling fanatics talk about getting on two wheels out into the Northumberland countryside, family and working with all sorts of people through her community engagement work.

Episode Five - Jo Cundall

Jo shares stories of the importance of the sea to her and outdoor swimming and also how her work brings her happiness as Senior Advisor for Culture at the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.