The Canvas for Change

Chantal Miller & Island Girls Rock

In this conversation, Chantal Miller discusses with Ruth Rogers the inception and growth of Island Girls Rock, a community aimed at empowering Caribbean women and girls that launched at Ruth's community cafe, The Canvas, in 2015. She shares stories of the impact of their events, the organic growth of the organisation, and the importance of community engagement. Chantal emphasises the need for physical spaces for connection and healing, reflecting on the historical context of the Caribbean diaspora, highlighting the significance of mentorship, wellness, and storytelling in fostering a supportive community. Follow Island Girls Rock: https://www.instagram.com/igr_love IGR website: https://islandgirlsrock.com/ IGR podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0K6aPBfVMOrvlaAAfWvO10 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Canvas and Its Impact 10:10 The Birth of Island Girls Rock 18:56 The Evolution of Island Girls Rock 28:19 Future Aspirations and Expansion Plans 30:49 Creating a Network of Supportive Cafes 35:55 The Role of Island Girls Rock in Reconnection 38:11 Childhood Memories and the Power of Food ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Dave & Ems Cornthwaite and The YES Tribe

Founder of The Canvas Ruth Rogers speaks with Dave and Emma Cornthwaite, the founders of the YES Tribe, a community focused on positivity, adventure, and personal growth. They discuss the origins of the YES Tribe, which began with a simple camping invitation, that then developed at Ruth's cafe The Canvas, and has blossomed into a thriving community. The chat explores the evolution of their events, the creation of the YES Bus and camping and community space Big Sky Hideaways, and the transformative impact of their community on individuals' lives. Dave and Ems emphasise the importance of creating spaces for connection and the power of saying 'yes' to new experiences. The YES Tribe website: https://sayyesmore.com/ Big Sky Hideaway: https://bigskyhideaway.com/ and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigskyoasis/ and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigskyhideaway Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Country featuring Dave and Ems: https://bigskyhideaway.com/benfogle Dave's website: https://davecornthwaite.com/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davecorn/ Ems' Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaremboCrafts Ems' book recommendation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_the_Crawdads_Sing Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Canvas Podcast and Its Mission 02:29 The Birth of the Yes Tribe 05:03 Creating Community Through Adventure 08:00 The Evolution of Yes Tribe Events 10:58 The Role of the Canvas in the Yes Tribe's Journey 13:23 Building the Yes Bus and Big Sky Hideaways 16:20 Impact Stories from the Yes Tribe Community 18:45 The Power of Positivity and Community 23:32 Creating a Positive Community Atmosphere 28:09 The Evolution of the Yes Tribe 33:10 Future Plans and Community Engagement 37:59 Reflections on Family and Legacy ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Laurence McCahill & the Happy Startup School

Ruth Rogers interviews Laurence McCahill, co-founder of the Happy Startup School, which aims to redefine entrepreneurship by prioritising purpose and happiness over just profit. Laurence shares the journey of creating a community-focused business that challenges traditional business norms, emphasising the importance of connection and support among entrepreneurs. Reflecting on the evolution of their initiatives, and the role of blogging in building their philosophy, Laurence reveals the impact of their events on fostering a sense of belonging among like-minded individuals. The Happy Startup School's website: https://thehappystartupschool.com/ Follow Happy Startup on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happystartups/ Happy Startups on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyStartupSchool/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ellis Ballard & Bobbie Mills: Just Friends

Ruth Rogers speaks with Ellis Ballard and Bobbie Mills, founding members of the comedy improv group Just Friends that ran for just over a year from February 2019 to March 2020. They discuss the origins of their group, the significance of The Canvas as a creative space in London, and the journey of their improv classes. The conversation also touches on the challenges of running a comedy night, the impact of COVID-19 on performance spaces, and the joy of improvisation and community. Check out True Story LDN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truestoryldn [https://www.instagram.com/truestoryldn] Follow Ellis on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellis.ballard [https://www.instagram.com/ellis.ballard] Bobbie's book recommendation: Braiding Sweetgrass [https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/316088/braiding-sweetgrass-by-kimmerer-robin-wall/9780141991955] Chapters 01:15 The Birth of Just Friends Comedy Group 08:58 The Impact of Improv Classes 14:13 Finding a Home at the Canvas 17:06 Creating a Unique Comedy Experience 17:22 Creating a Safe Space for Socializing 19:21 The Joy of the First Night 23:31 Sustaining a Regular Night 29:20 The Impact of COVID on Performance Spaces 36:07 The Loss of Community Spaces ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Arti Lal and Inner Space

Ruth Rogers shares warm memories with Arti Lal, the coordinator of Inner Space, a Brahma Kumaris meditation and development centre in Covent Garden, central London that ran free Tuesday Talks at Ruth's community cafe, The Canvas, from 2015-2020. Together, they discuss the importance of community, the evolution of Inner Space, and the impact of meditation on well-being. Arti shares insights on how Inner Space has adapted to serve the community, especially post-pandemic, and emphasises the need for more spaces that foster connection and support. The conversation highlights the power of volunteers, the challenges faced in the current climate, and the shared human experience that brings people together. Experience Inner Space for yourself, wherever you are: https://www.innerspace.org.uk/ Chapters 02:23 The Role of Inner Space in Community Wellbeing 05:13 The Evolution of Inner Space and Its Philosophy 08:06 Challenges and Successes in Community Engagement 10:39 The Shift in Meditation Acceptance Over Time 13:12 Post-Pandemic Reflections and Community Needs 14:46 Creating Spaces for Connection and Healing 16:40 The Importance of Volunteer Energy 19:34 Reimagining Community Spaces Post-Pandemic 22:26 The Future of Community Engagement 25:05 Finding Joy in Community and Connection 27:36 Final Thoughts and Happy Places ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.