In this episode of Conversations to Connect, I sat down with Gustavo Rodrigues, Capoeirista and Tour Guide who grew up in Rocinha, Brazil’s largest favela, in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro. Gustavo is an integral member of Acorda Capoeira, a transformative social project that has thrived in the heart of Rocinha for over two decades. Founded in 2004 by Mestre Manel, Acorda Capoeira is a social project that empowers young people, children & adults through the art of Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art blending music, dance, and combat with deep African roots.

Capoeira is a symbol of resistance and resilience, originally developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil as a way to disguise combat training as dance, preserving their heritage while resisting oppression. In this conversation, Gustavo shares insights from his role as a tour guide in Rocinha, we discuss the incredible sense of community within the favela, and the powerful impact of the Acorda Capoeira project. We discuss some of the ways that people in Rocinha work together to make the favela a thriving community, from filling the streets and trees with art, to the Capoeira community coming together to support neighbours and friends during the pandemic. I learnt so much about what makes a community special and connected from my time in Rocinha and from training Capoeira with Acorda Capoeira and I hope you enjoy this episode.

Thank you so much Gustavo for taking me around Rocinha. If you are visiting Rio, Gustavo is the best tour guide! This is the first episode on Rocinha & Acorda Capoeira but I will be releasing a documentary shortly, so stay tuned.

To find out more information about Gustavo Rodrigues and his tours, check out his instagram below:

Instagram: @brazilian_real_tour

You can also find information about Acorda Capoeira here:

Instagram: AcordaCapoeira

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley-Walker

Instagram: Fenellaphoebe

TikTok: ConversationsToConnect

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, I am joined by Sarah Taylor, Research and Evaluation Manager at the Prison Radio Association (PRA). Founded in 2006, PRA is a UK charity that operates National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station dedicated to individuals in prison. Broadcasting 24/7, National Prison Radio plays a crucial role in supporting incarcerated individuals, contributing to efforts to reduce reoffending. PRA’s team of radio professionals collaborates with prisoners to create inspirational, informative programs that engage listeners in meaningful activities and discussions, ultimately enhancing their chances of living crime-free lives. PRA also produces several podcasts available on major platforms. Their flagship show, Life After Prison, is hosted by Zak and Jules, who both have personal experience of the criminal justice system, to support and inspire people both inside and outside of prison. Other recent PRA podcasts include Hold or Fold, focused on gambling harm and recovery, Outside In, entirely created by individuals trained at National Prison Radio, and Money Mondays, where the hosts discuss financial topics for those inside and outside of prison.

In this conversation, we delve into Sarah’s insights gained from her role as Research and Evaluation Manager, as she has travelled the country interviewing prisoners about their experiences and the impact of radio. We discuss the range of programs offered by National Prison Radio that are accessible to inmates across the UK. Sarah and I also explore the profound isolation and loneliness that many prisoners face, as well as the creativity that can flourish in these environments. We discuss how National Prison Radio fosters connections between prisoners and the outside world, emphasising the importance of these relationships, the role of inspiring role models, and the ongoing efforts to combat the stigma of incarceration. We look at Life After Prison, National Prison Radio's award-winning podcast that inspires listeners and provides valuable guidance for those navigating life after incarceration. This was such an enlightening discussion about the remarkable work the Prison Radio Association is doing to build connections, inspire hope, and drive positive change for individuals both inside and outside of prison.

To find out more information about Prison Radio Association, you can check out the links below:

Instagram: @prisonradiouk

Website: https://prison.radio

Linkedin: Prison Radio Association

You can also find some information about their podcasts here:

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley-Walker

Instagram: Fenellaphoebe

TikTok: ConversationsToConnect

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode I am joined by Cormac Russell, a social explorer, author and a much sought-after speaker. He is the Founding Director of Nurture Development and a member of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, at DePaul University, Chicago. Over the last 25 years, Cormac’s work has demonstrated an enduring impact in 35 countries around the world. He has trained communities, agencies, NGOs and governments in ABCD and other community-based approaches in Africa, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe and North America. His most recent books are The Connected Community- Discovering the Health, Wealth, and Power of Neighborhoods (Coauthor John McKnight); Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2022, and Rekindling Democracy – A Professional’s Guide to Working in Citizen Space; Cascade Books, 2020.

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of grassroots community building, diving into inspiring stories from Cormac's work and his book. Together, we unpack how to reignite active citizenship and make practical, meaningful changes in your neighbourhood. Cormac sheds light on the harm caused by top-down approaches that focus on symptoms rather than root causes, and how holistic, community-driven solutions can shift the narrative—whether it’s about health, safety, or aging well. We discuss the dangers of viewing communities through a lens of problems instead of strengths, and the immense potential in collective action to bring about lasting change. Throughout the conversation, Cormac emphasises the value of seeing people not as needy but as needed, and how fostering this shift can bring real benefits to both individuals and communities. It was such an insightful and enriching conversation, where despite having a set plan, we went off-script in the best possible way exploring Cormac's deep knowledge and passion for community building. I hope you enjoy and take away as much wisdom from this conversation as I did.

To find out more about Cormac Russell and his work you can visit his website, check out his books and his podcast:

Website: https://communityrenewal.learnworlds.com/

The Connected Community: https://theconnected.community/

Rekindling Democracy: https://wipfandstock.com/9781725253636/rekindling-democracy/

The Connected Community Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-connected-community/id1719985969

Cormac’s TEDx talk can be viewed here

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley-Walker

Instagram: fenellaphoebe

TikTok: ConversationsToConnect

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.