Heart-Shaped Decisions with Graham Frost

Graham Frost was introduced to walking as a recreational activity when he was in his late 20s. Listen as he explains his passion for getting outside and just walking.

Welcome back to the Heart-Shaped Decisions podcast. If you have never listened before, welcome! I have decided to start the podcast again - her is a short introduction to it, and I'll be back very soon with more.

Sam Brook and Graham have quite a bit in common, as they were both born and raised in strict religions, and left them behind when they were still quite young. Sam now helps other people to be happier through The Happiness Club https://happiness-club.co.uk/ This is an incredible story, and I got the impression that there is much more, so we may well do a second interview.

Graham met Vaibhav during the coronavirus epidemic through the Professional Speaking Association of which they are both members. In this interview, Graham and Vaibhav discuss their lives and how they have made Heart-Shaped Decisions, especially in the area of their careers and work. You can find out more about Vaibhav here https://www.havemorecourage.com/

Tammy's personal history, academic achievements & work experience have driven her to champion the importance of effective, achievable solutions to prevent abuse and harm. Tammy leads with passion and commitment. She recognises the importance of championing for change whilst also delivering operational solutions. Tammy is Founder and Director of Taye Training, a socially focused company that delivers Safeguarding connected training and consultancy to key working services (ie Police, Charity, NHS). Tammy used the learning from Taye to develop the methodology and quality standard Training 4 Influence, her book Transform Your Training is an Amazon bestseller. The methodology is brought alive in a flagship Train the Trainer programme and vibrant community. Tammy believes passionately that any training or consultancy should be delivered by an expert, tailored to the delegates needs, engaging in delivery and fundamentally values-led. Tammy is also a Lay member on the House of Commons Committee for Standards, assessing and adjudicating complaints made about MP's. She has spent her career championing for change and is leading a mission to help people be the best they can be, thus enabling them to have the skills, motivation, and emotional resilience to deliver the very best services. Watch Tammy's original story in her TEDx talk To connect with Tammy Join her Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2319831878105722/ Linked in https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayetraining/ Twitter @tammybanksy Read the Book Transform your Training Listen to our free podcasts For more information visit www.tayetraining.org.uk www.training4influence.co.uk

Graham strongly recommends that you listen to this episode if you are interested in how emotions make us react to different situations in life.  Naomi Trentham's journey through working with young people in a lot of different areas and finding something unique, based on her own experience, where she can help others, makes for fascinating listening.  You can find Naomi on LinkedIn and the MItos Global website is at mitos.work

Jo-Anne is a practising psychotherapist and businesswoman with an interest in doing things from the heart, which fits very well with Graham's Heart-Shaped Decisions. There are also other connections that you will find if you give this episode a listen! You can find Jo-Anne on LinkedIn or her website is at https://www.joanne.ie

Kay Reeve has an extraordinary story, and is an extraordinary woman. Do you understand your own emotions, and do you try to understand the emotions of other people? I think most of us would like to understand this area of our lives better - and so we need to listen to Kay and read her book, which I can personally recommend.  Once you have listened to the interview, you can find out more about Kay here https://www.kayreeve.co.uk You should also read her book 'Brain Unchained' which is available from Amazon across the world or direct from Kay's website. 

Fabienne Vailes is an educator who is making a difference. Listen as Fabienne and Graham discuss their experiences of and thoughts on education, bringing Heart-Shaped Decisions in at every possible opportunity! Fabienne is the author of two books and will be writing a third. She will be taking a career break from September to focus on her Flourishing Education business www.flourishingeducation.co.uk and to help her son transition into secondary education. You can find Fabienne on LinkedIn and on Twitter @flourishingHE You will also find Fabienne's podcast here https://anchor.fm/flourishingeducation

The Heart-Shaped Decisions podcast has been on a break for a week or two, after over a year of weekly episodes. Graham explains the reasons for the break, and shares a few thoughts on the experiences of the past year or so. You can contact Graham at graham@grahamfrost.com or on 07766 916317.

Julie speaks to Graham about her early life and education and how it inspired her to use her life to make a positive difference to young people's education and the way schools are run. A thoroughly inspiring listen. You can find out more about Julie and her work at www.schoolomegasolutions.co.uk

Warren King used to be a drug dealer, now he's about to start studying at the London School of Economics. He also speaks in schools about the dangers of being lured into drug dealing. A fascinating chat with an inspiring guy. You can find Warren on Twitter @SpeakerWarren

Graham didn't know much about Andy before this interview. Andy is a fellow helper of people, listen to hear his story, including teaching, football coaching. Olympic torch bearing, and a politely refused MBE.  Andy is currently working as a PE teacher in Qatar. 

Steve Girling now wants to help other people with gambling addictions after serving a prison sentence for robbing his employer to fund his addiction. One of the most inspiring stories it has been my pleasure to hear on the Heart-Shaped Decisions podcast. You can find out more about the work Steve is doing now at www.stevegirling.com

Graham has had the pleasure of getting to know Andy Griffiths over the past few months. Andy loves to help others achieve their potential and has an amazing story himself too.  If you are interested in working with Andy after listening to this episode, or you would just like to have a chat with him, his website is at www.callerytree.co.uk, you can email him at calleryltd@gmail.com or find him on LinkedIn

David Robson is founder of Inspire EHC , a business that is out to make a difference for specialist provision in education.  David and Graham are both passionate about making a difference for young people in education and the conversation covers  David's thoughts on this.  If you would like to find out more about what David is doing, you can find him on LinkedIn or Twitter @InspireEhc inspireehc.co.uk

I recently met Lee through a mutual connection and I'm very pleased that I did.  Lee has lived experience of homelessness and drug abuse - one of the most inspiring stories I've heard and a really unassuming guy!

Graham has known Julie for a while and recently read her book 'Leading from the Back'.  Julie is a no-nonsense East Ender with a big heart who is also a successful coach and mentor. She's been on the telly and everything.  Listen and be moved!

Graham met the inspiring young woman that is Hannah Walton on LinkedIn and was immediately drawn to her because of her story and the fact that she wants to help others who do not fit into mainstream education.  This is a great listen, especially for anyone who still thinks everyone should be treated the same!

Just when you think you have heard all the inspiring stories that you ever wanted to hear, along comes another one that knocks your socks off.  Ash Williams is 19 years of age and has started a CIC called Raising Youth. Listen and be inspired by his story of why he did it.  You can find out more about what Ash and the team are doing at Raising Youth here https://www.raisingyouth.co.uk/

Andrew is a people development specialist who started his career as a design engineer. He worked for an internationally renowned company for 26 years and then made the Heart-Shaped Decision to do something different. 

It is said that everyone has a story. Graham seems to attract people with touching and unusual stories. Steven Dolby's story is unique. Touching , honest and inspiring. 

Neya Iqbal is a young woman who is passionate about making a difference in the world of education. She is currently working at a  Sixth Form College in Luton.  Listen as Neya tells Graham about her passion for education and where it came from! You can find Neya on LinkedIn

Another inspiring talk with Tom Breakwell who is starting out as a Religious Studies teacher and talks about what inspired him to go into teaching and how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting his career in 2021. A very positive interview.  You can follow Tom on Twitter at breakwell_tom

Vinette started her teaching career in Jamaica and is now Assistant Head of a school in the U.K. She talks to Graham about her fascinating and inspiring career and her thoughts on present day education.  You can find Vinette on Facebook. 

Listen as Tom tells Graham the fascinating story of how he got into teaching and helps young people express themselves through art and drama. You can find Tom on Twitter @OtherCubed

Another inspiring story about someone who helps young people express themselves through music and sound. Graham's first ever chat with a music production specialist! 

SJ is someone who felt a calling to go into education - a true Heart-Shaped Decision. Another inspiring person who is helping the next generation with their development.

I don't know if I have ever met anyone more enthusiastic about the work she does with young people, Shelly was a joy to speak with. 

Debby is on a journey from dinner lady to PhD, but there is so much more to it than that. This is an inspiring listen for sure.  You can find Debby on LinkedIn if you would like to contact her. 

Starting out as a scientist, Diana went into teaching almost accidentally, and has a brilliant story.  She now coaches women and head teachers on leadership, and Diana certainly has the experience and back story to do that.  A fascinating and inspiring woman. You can find Diana on LinkedIn or @diana_osagie on Twitter

Former footballer Stu Evans talks to Graham about his journey from football to being Head of a Pupil Referral Unit, and coping with educating young people and leading a team in a pandemic. You can find Stu on LinkedIn

Graham asked TJ to appear on the Heart-Shaped Decisions podcast because TJ has a podcast too, and has met many great teachers.  Listen for an insight into what motivated TJ to go into educational recruitment and what keeps him passionate about education. 

I loved interviewing Tracy, she radiates joy and obviously totally enjoys what she does.  Tracy is an assistant headteacher at King Edward VI School for Girls in Birmingham - you can find her on Twitter at Miss_Goodyear  and her blog is at www.thelearningaddict.co.uk I was inspired by this interview and I know you will be too. 

Dr Victoria Carr is headteacher of a primary school in Cheshire and a TEDx speaker. Listen and be inspired by this woman who really doesn't realise how special she is. You will probably want to go and work with her, I know I did!

Deb Holland is Assistant Principal and responsible for Community Engagement at Pingle Academy in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. I met Deb when I spoke at her school early in 2020, and was inspired by her enthusiasm for her job and the young people she helps to educate.  This is an inspiring listen! If you would like to contact Deb, please email her d.holland.pingle@deferrerstrust.com

Not one to be deterred by a mixture of health issues that would make most of us give up, Fee is a complete inspiration. If you need a lift, listen to this great woman who is a fantastic example of someone who just never gives up!

Paula and Graham have known each other for ten years, during which they have both gone through a lot of changes! Here Paula speaks very frankly about her life over the past few years and how she finds herself on a path that was very much not planned. 

The circumstances of 2020 have allowed me to connect with a lot of really interesting people that I probably would never have met in a 'normal' year. Chris Willsdon is one of those people. You will get so many insights from listening to this episode. It's one of my favourites. 

Two great people from Birmingham who had less than great starts in life and are trying to help others. I'm really impressed with and supportive of Emily and Dave, two friends who are both trying to make a difference. 

Judeline (Jude) Nicholas has been a Facebook friend for several years. We don't know how we know each other, but we are glad we do. Our conversation is about equality, diversity and so much more. We could have talked for so much longer!

J'enna has a compelling story, but we will talk about that another time.  If you are interested in finding out about how to better communicate with those who are deaf or have hearing difficulties, this will be a great listen for you.  I recommend listening anyway, because I learned a lot from speaking with J'enna. 

The conversation starts in the 1960s when both Robert and Graham failed their 11+ exams and didn't go to the schools that their parents had planned for them. It goes on like a river, flowing hither and thither, and hopefully entertaining and educating you!

Another of my wonderful LinkedIn connections, Krista has worked in HR and Learning and Development for a few years, as I have.  This is really a discussion about how companies are run and how people sometimes get it spectacularly right and often get it terribly wrong when it comes to the people who work for them. 

This rather lovely session was part me interviewing Yehudis and part her interviewing me.  Connect with this lady, she is going to be a bit of a star in the marketing world, and her heart is in the right place!

Louise Anne is one of Graham's new friends in the West Midlands. Here she tells her fascinating story of how she has triumphed over a challenging upbringing and finally followed her heart into a helping profession. 

David is a photographer I know from Wolverhampton. As well as being an extraordinarily talented photographer, he has also got am amazing story, and I'm honoured that he chose to share it with me on the Heart-Shaped Decisions podcast. 

Graham met Maria in Ireland through Toastmasters a few years ago and here they catch up on Maria's fascinating work in the realm of storytelling. Some great insights here and Maria will be back for another chat in the future. 

Alex Williams has recently launched a new career as a professional speaker and is a finalist in the Professional Speaking Association Speaker Factor competition in October 2020.  An amazing story and a very motivational listen, I'm sure you will agree. 

Grace and Graham met by accident when Grace thought I was someone else and connected with me on LinkedIn.  It turned out we had quite a bit in common, and this led to a podcast interview, which is going out deliberately on World Mental Health Day 2020.  Grace is an inspiring young woman and I am pleased to have been able to provide this opportunity for her to speak. 

Graham and Jo Dodds met when they were both involved with the Engage for Success employee engagement movement and recently re-connected through social media. Here Jo speaks about her life and career, and what prompted her to set up her latest business.