United in Words
Hosted by Antonia Malim.
Produced by Antonia and Guy Malim.
What does 'defund the police' means? And what is it like to be an Afro-Latina woman running for office in the US? These are some of the topics Aura covers so passionately during our chat. Aura Vasquez is a community leader and an activist in Los Angeles, where she was once elected to sit on the board of her local council. She uses her voice to tackle social, environmental and community issues. Aura encourages discourses around racism, police brutality and identity, to keep educating oneself and to keep growing.
Mickey is a film maker and story teller who is born and bred in Los Angeles from Brazilian Lebanese parents. He lives in Downtown, in the thick of it all. His passion in life is to capture life in a genuine, without sensationalizing - letting the world and its story unfold. With the recent Black Lives Matter protest and riots across America triggered by the horrific and disgusting violence against George Floyd, I wanted to speak to Mickey about capturing this moment in history, with the hope of sharing this incredibly important and poignant movement with those who couldn’t be there in person.
Lee Curtiss is a pioneering techno and house music producer, DJ, songwriter, record label owner, father and just the loveliest man. We talk about the long lasting effects of the pandemic on the music industry and how is own life took at 180. Lee’s quarantine playlist: Blood Orange Tame Impala Roosevelt Metronomy Benoit & Sergio Ric Ocasek Eagles Prince
Henry is a prolific and fabulously creative artist and sculptor living in London. He runs two studios and has a big team around him, so isolating alone has actually been a welcome break for him and has helped alleviate his anxiety. Being away from his studios has allowed him to experiment with solo techniques and processes he wouldn’t normally explore.
Alice Fox-Pitt is a presenter on the ITV Racing channel in the UK. She’s a true force on and off camera, being the only woman to have ridden both Badminton Horse Trials and over the Grand National course at Aintree. Alice is a mum of 4 and lives in Dorset with her husband William where they run Fox-Pitt Eventing. Her observations on how the pandemic is effecting the equestrian world are as informed and insightful as can be. Alice is my older cousin and someone I have always admired, so it felt like an honor for me to interview her… I was actually more nervous than I thought I would be!
Although we have never met, I was really moved by Yasmine’s story. An artist from Chicago and from Yemeni background, her work is deeply personal and truly evocative. Covid-19 hit as her exhibition was about to open. I hope talking about it today has somewhat captured the elements of her show and I cannot wait to see it in person when museums reopen again. A video of Yasmine’s show, “Soft Powers”, currently installed at the Arab American National Museum, can be seen on Yasmine’s website.
Connie is dear friend and someone who is full of wisdom and words! I wanted to speak to Connie, because as a psychotherapist, she has insight into how the state of quarantine has affected our state of mind as individuals and as a collective. At the end of our conversation, Connie recites one of her beautiful poems and you will get to feel her wit and warmth. She’s also the first person I will ring once music festivals are back on
Jamie is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of one the most stunningly beautiful magazines and creative agencies So It Goes. Jamie is a brilliant photographer, a talent scout - he literally knows who the next big things is before anyone else, he has the most divine creative eye which makes him a leading cultural curator! Pre existing health issues mean his quarantine has been more extreme than others. He’s the hardest worker I know and a good friend.
Gala is an actress and co-founded a theatre and film production company called Platform Presents, she is a lightening bolt of creativity and convector for others. Last weekend, in the midst of quarantine, Platform Presents co-produced a live theatre show, streamed over the internet and watched by more people than can fit into any theatre in England and it actually worked. So I HAD to speak to Gala about how she pulled this off! Gala won’t be coming to LA soon and I won’t be going to London, so having a cup of tea and a chin wag with her this morning was a real treat.
Gigi is a young paramedic living in London. As the public sentiment has quite rightly shifted to regards these healthcare workers as society’s heroes whilst thrusted into almost war time circumstances, I wanted to talk with Gigi to get her frontline perspective. This conversation is really special for me because Gigi is my youngest cousin who is doing really big and important things with her life.
Mickey Curbishley has worked in the live music industry for over 30 years, now one of the most threatened industries because of Covid-19. He’s currently President of Solotech, supplying audio and visualsfor concerts and festivals. He’s worked with The Eagles, Bon Jovi, Prince, Madonna, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. As you will see from our conversation, Mickey is the most charitable person, I also know him to be a devoted husband - he is honestly one of the kindest people I know… listen to find out his story and when we will all finally be able to stomp and boogie in a field again! Mickey has raised over $40,000 supplying 200,000 masks for the food banks across Los Angeles.
Susanne founded and runs Jermyn Street Design in London. She lives between Gloucestershire and London wither her husband Andrew and dogs Rummage and Boogie. For the last 30 years they have seen designing and dressing corporate wear for the Body Shop, Ascot Racecourse, Ocado, Kensington Palace, the Eurostar and more! An ex model, a badass business woman and is married to my father in law. Her business has had to pivot to now suit a new way of working and living.