WHAT I'VE LEARNT

What I've Learnt - Jonah Platt

As a surreal time in history with confluent sources of rage towards Jews enveloping so many western countries a NYC mayoral race turning into a global media war with nyc home to one of the biggest Jewish populations in the world, yet the biggest hit series in streaming right now is “Nobody Wants This” about an orthodox Rabbi falling in love with a non Jewish woman .. it’s as if the world has gone mad literally - so Jonah Platt Broadway actor, singer, musician, writer, producer, director, lyricist, composer, podcaster “Being Jewish With Jonah Platt” is the perfect guest to explore this extraordinary time in Jewish and global history ..  From an early age, Judaism, entertainment, and the arts have been the corner  stones of Jonah Platt’s life. Raised in Los Angeles by award-winning producer Marc Platt and Jewish philanthropist Julie Platt, Jonah grew up with a deep sense of Jewish identity, creativity, and advocacy. Whether performing for his family or attending Jewish day schools and summer camps, he was immersed in his heritage, which set the stage for his future path. Jonah attended the University of Pennsylvania before kicking off a career as a television writer. This eventually led to a lengthy career as a Broadway actor. He soon became known for his performance as Fiyero in Wicked on Broadway, Horst in Neil Patrick Harris’ Coupled, Woof in Hair at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Kristen Bell, and acting in the Oscar-nominated Being the Ricardos, among many other roles. A pivotal career and life-changing moment came for Jonah in 2023 after the devastating Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians. Jonah saw how polarized the conversation around Jewish identity had become, particularly in Hollywood and the media. Determined to make a difference, he started speaking out publicly and using his platform to reshape perceptions, and began speaking publicly. This eventually led him to start his most meaningful project yet—his podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. The podcast explores the rich spectrum of Jewish identity. It has featured prominent guests like Congressman Ritchie Torres, Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg, Emmy winner Patricia Heaton, Tony nominee Josh Gad, Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, and CNN’s Van Jones. Jonah is producing his first feature film, The Mensch, in which he will co-star alongside Ginnifer Goodwin. He is also a sought-after singer and musician, an award-winning vocal arranger, a director of improv and theater, and is currently co-writing the musical adaptation of Lois Lowry’s best-selling novel The Giver. Jonah is highly sought after by the media and professional speaking opportunities nationally and internationally. Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/ [https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/] Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/ [https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id1535563304] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk [https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk] Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850]

What I've Learnt - Robert Kenn

Life is like the ocean. It can be calm or still, and rough or rigid, but in the end, it is always beautiful.” Gerry Lopez   We’ve all been there: Exhausted by one of life’s waves, or maybe it’s turned into a rip. We struggle to keep afloat. Crippled by the fear of the unknown. Hesitant to dive in. Author of 🌊🌊Wisdom from the Ocean, Robert Kenn found many parallels between living his life and what he has learned from the most powerful place of all – the ocean.  Robert has interviewed surfers across Australia, from Curl Curl to Maroubra, to write this beautiful book that contains real and relatable strategies that helped these surfers shift from merely surviving to thriving in life.🌊🌊 Each chapter is based on a conversation Robert had with a different surfer. Whether it’s relationship dilemmas, mental health struggles or making major life decisions, the book imparts the wisdom these surfers have learnt from the sea that they can apply to life. Loved my interview with this wise authentic author capturing the essence of lessons learnt including 🌊Don’t drown battling: When faced with a challenge, don’t panic - consider a change in direction, go with the flow whilst waiting for help. 🌊Mastery and fear: Never create excuses saying you’re learning to master something first. Own your fears and mistakes and enjoy the art of trying, failing and trying again. Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/ [https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/] Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/ [https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id1535563304] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk [https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk] Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850]

What I've Learnt - Tammy Kanat and Sidra Moshinsky

TAMMY KANAT  Fibre Artist with  Sidra Moshinsky  Director and CEO of the Jewish Museum of Australia  Well I know this next guest very well she’s my talented sister and artist Tammy Kanat  I’ve watched her dedicate herself to evolving her craft and blossoming into a fibre artist whose beautiful pieces adorn many homes including mine! Tammy is a Melbourne-based fibre artist whose practice is driven by curiosity, intuition, and a deep sense of experimentation. Her work unfolds as an evolving narrative, shaped by colour, movement, and emotion. Using custom hand-formed copper looms, including her signature circular frames, Kanat pushes beyond the traditional boundaries of tapestry, creating intricate compositions that move fluidly between geometric and organic forms. Her style is deeply contemplative, drawing from her internal world and guided by a rhythmic, meditative process. I’d also like to welcome Sidra Moshinsky Director and CEO of the Jewish Museum of Australia where Tammy’s latest exhibition Circle of Her is featured. Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/ [https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/] Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/ [https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id1535563304] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk [https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk] Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850]

Beyond Words - Kieron Bryan

Kieron A. Bryan is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and writer who transformed a 25-year prison sentence into a foundation for success. During his time in prison, Kieron read over 250 non-fiction books across history, philosophy, economics, and science. He earned a first-class Business degree, organised motivational events, invited charities inside, delivered speeches, and created programmes to help others use their time constructively. He also learned forex trading, studied every book on blockchain available before 2021, and wrote a children’s book teaching chess — later becoming the first author in the world to sell its characters as NFTs. Since his release, Kieron has completed a Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, spoken at universities, charities, and the House of Lords, and built a diverse portfolio of ventures. These include a consultancy business, a record label, an events company, and a nursery business, as well as inventing eco-technology through his Step Green project. He also founded the WhatBox Think Tank and continues to expand his business ecosystem, now employing a growing team. Looking ahead, Kieron will begin his PhD next year, focusing on how AI and blockchain can be harnessed to tackle recidivism. His story is proof that rebellion is not about breaking systems but excelling within them, turning barriers into stepping stones for innovation and leadership. delivered a workshop I first wrote during my 16-year sentence - Best Way to ride an Ostrich. It detailed the practical steps, transformative realisations, key concepts, and paradigm shifts that shaped my mentality, aided my evolution, and laid the foundation for my transition. What once existed only as hope and strategy is now a reality I can share with others. From surviving to thriving - this journey continues. Thank you to everyone You have an incredible story tell our listeners about your journey  making education in prison more valuable than dead-end jobs with no future. About giving people inside real options. Real hope. Change starts with the conversations that matter. Reimagining Further Education's Role in Justice I've been privileged to contribute to a UCL Grand Challenge of Justice & Equality research project exploring how Further Education (FE) colleges can play a transformative role in supporting people leaving prison and others in the justice system. Through a series of co-creation workshops, we brought together organisations across education, criminal justice, and the third sector- Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/ [https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/] Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/ [https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id1535563304] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk [https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk] Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850]

What I've Learnt - Poppy King

POPPY KING   Poppy King was just 19 years old she started her own lipstick company in Melbourne Australia where she was born.   Frustrated with the lipsticks on the market none of which spoke to her modern vintage sensibility she was looking for something chic and more like the 1940s idea of lipstick, rich and matte. She was also looking for a different kind of marketing when it came to lip, lipsticks where each shade told a story. After finding a factory to produce her dream lipsticks, putting together a business plan and finding an investor, her first lipsticks that she released where a collection of seven shades named after each of the Seven Deadly Sins under the brand name Poppy.   Her story and her lipsticks garnered huge attention in Australia and even internationally before the days of the internet, she was able to go viral through her unique approach to everything she had done. Within a year she was selling in stores such as Barneys New York, Harvey Nichols, Space NK and more.    In 2002 exactly a decade after launching her brand name and company was sold to Estee Lauder Corporation and she was relocated to New York City to take up a Vice Presidential role within the organization to bring her unique ideas to their brands.      With the success of that she decided to leave her role at Lipstick Queen so she would be free to take on more projects and innovations in lip and other categories for both her own ventures and in collaboration with others. After a global pandemic when masks were mandatory she took time out to use her lipsticks to paint and sculpt with and her first show as a lipstick artist launched in 2023!    Now she’s back in business and not a moment too soon as the beauty world is on fire with new channels via social media for the type of magical innovation that has always been Poppy’s specialty. She will be launching her latestcreations under her own brand Poppy King as well as some exciting special projects taking lip color into the 21 stcentury with each lipstick telling a story and igniting the imagination   Poppy has been known to say that her business idol is none other than Willy Wonka himself and that she has modeled her career on being the Willy Wonka of lipsticks  Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/ [https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/] Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/ [https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330 [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id1535563304] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk [https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk] Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850]