LEPHYR PODCAST: Recent Episodes
Lucy Stephens
Welcome to LEPHYR, the podcast that brings you the real stories of people that flow to and from the coast. Hosted by Lucy Stephens.
I'm excited to introduce my final guest of series 2, the brilliant Ayo Akinwolere. Ayo is an experienced broadcaster and host for a range of sports, entertainment, and factual programs but I sit down with him to chat through his world record swims from his Blue Peter days and his goals of amplifying diverse voices in the swimming community and industry as a whole. Enjoy the inspiring energy Ayo brings!
@ayoakinwolere
I'm honoured to introduce my next guest, legendary longboarder and founder of Kassia+Surf, Kassia Meador. Kassia has become synonymous with style & grace in modern longboarding and in 2011, after ranking 2nd in the WSL women's longboard tour, the New York Times crowned her the "Queen of noseriding". Kassia is a lover of life, people & the planet. She has revolutionised women's wetsuits with her brand Kassia+Surf. You'll hear that she's an extremely positive person and her infectious energy left me feeling slightly high. Enjoy this conversation.
@kassiasurf
www.kassiasurf.com
I'm pleased to introduce my next guest, the awesome Lyndsay McLaren. Lyndsay is a Marketing Director and Founder of East London-based women's skate community, Neighbourhood Skate Club. Neighbourhood aims to empower through voice, movement and of course, skateboarding.
I chat to Lyndsay about her journey in the world of action sports so far and the importance of why Neighbourhood creates and inclusive and accessible space to breed connection & confidence for all within skate culture. The community has been rapidly growing and it's been amazing to watch this story unfold.
@lynders
@neighbourhoodskateclub
I'm honoured to introduce my next guest, Joe Taylor. Joe is the Founder & CEO of The Wave Project, a surf therapy charity who harnesses the power of the ocean to improve the mental health of children and young people. With over 6,000 volunteers across the UK, I sit down with Joe to discuss the impact the charity has on so many people's lives.
www.waveproject.co.uk
@waveprojectuk
Next up we have the talented and super chilled, Zoe Morton. Zoe is a contemporary jewellery designer whose style and sustainable ethos captures the essence of adventure. She is inspired by the environment around her and it was great to catch up as she just gets back in from her daily morning dip! Enjoy.
@zmjewellery
www.zmorton.com
I'm so pleased to welcome my next guest, champion of like-minded souls, Demi Taylor. Demi is the director of the London Surf Film Festival, co-author of numerous surf & travel books and co-founder of Approaching Lines Agency. I sit down to chat to Demi ahead of the much anticipated 10th (!) anniversary of the film festival and we discuss her story and what it takes to curate a line up of film that celebrates surf culture today - enjoy!
@londonsurffilmfest
@approachinglines
@imaybesurfing
www.londonsurffilmfestival.com
I can't believe how fast this year is going (!) Next up is a good friend, the awesome Charlotte Holmes. Charlotte is a yoga teacher (Head of Yoga at Virgin Active), lifestyle model & water baby. Having grown up by the sea, Charlotte discusses her journey so far and her balanced relationship with the bustle of city life vs ocean dips. She's a kind soul and brings a lot of positive energy to any environment. Enjoy our conversation!
@misscharholmes
I'm honoured to introduce my next guest, Alex Proba. Alex is a true creative visionary and has a wealth of experience through experimental projects for some of the world's biggest brands. Founded in 2013, Studio Proba is a Brooklyn & Portland based multidisciplinary design studio focusing on brand design, art direction, product design, illustration and murals. Her style is recognised around the world and I honestly really enjoyed picking the brain of someone who inspires me day-to-day.
@alexproba
www.studioproba.com
Next up is the brilliant Gemma Harrison, co-founder of legendary female motorcycle collective, VC London.
Back in 2015, three friends started VC London as a grass roots approach to help other woman start riding. Since then, they have grown into a global community of like-minded people through events, talks, brand collaborations, meet ups, workshops and of course… CAMP VC. Enjoy this conversation with Gemma as she talks about the VC journey and their organic development. It proves that if you stick to your authentic self and enjoy the ride, good stuff happens!
www.vclondon.co.uk
@vc_london // @camp_vc
Hey everybody!
Welcome back to LEPHYR, the podcast that brings you the real stories of people that flow to and from the coast. It’s been a little while since I last recorded an interview. I started this project as a way of catching up with friends old and new… in real life, but this past year had other plans! However, with our new found love of Zoom (!) I decided just to crack on and speak to these awesome people and tell their stories.
So here we are, thanks for sticking around and welcome to series 2 :)
(apologies in advance for any sound blips, tech hey?!)
First up, we have the awesome Clara Jonas. She’s an Illustrator and Graphic Designer who currently resides in Cornwall. Clara is a humble soul, and it’s been amazing to see her visual journey progress over these past few years. She has a really stylised aesthetic and she takes inspiration from lots of different realms. Enjoy this conversation.
@clara.m.jonas
www.clarajonas-creative.co.uk
I know things have changed a lot recently and I hope you're all keeping well. I felt it was important to share stories from the people in our community who continue to inspire us.
I'm stoked to be introducing my next guest, Peter Hamblin - a multi-talented Film Director and Founder of Emmy Award winning Production company Hamblin Imagery. I met Peter back in 2016 when we worked together during the launch of his film 'Let's Be Frank', a visceral journey into the unseen and unknown world of big wave surfer Frank Solomon. It wasn't your average surf film and the creative mind of Peter, and team, bring to life a different perspective. Since then, Peter has been working on a variety of projects including his upcoming film with legendary pro surfer, Carissa Moore (watch this space!). Peter is a super nice guy with a brilliantly creative mind so enjoy our conversation...
www.hamblinimagery.com
@hamblinimagery // @peter.h.hamblin
I’m truly excited to welcome my next guest, Skipper, Ocean Advocate and Founder of eXXpedition, Emily Penn. Emily is dedicated to studying environmental challenges in the most remote parts of our planet. She is a true leader and has spoken publicly on these issues on the global stage, including TedX. With numerous explorations at the helm of impactful projects collecting data, Emily also runs eXXpedition, as series of all women sailing voyages to raise awareness of, and solutions for, the impact of single use plastic and toxins.
I think you’re going to enjoy listening to a snippet of Emily’s inspirational journey so far! “To make the unseen, seen” - Emily Penn
www.emilypenn.co.uk // www.exxpedition.com
@missemilypenn // @exxpedition_
I recently caught up with Photographer & Director, Oli Hillyer-Riley at his London home. Oli was in the middle of prep work for his upcoming photo book launch called 'No Wahala' (meaning 'no worries' in Nigerian), a photographic journey into the lives of the young surf community of Tarkwa Bay, Nigeria.
This personal project stemmed from a trip with pro Surfer Dylan Graves and his 'Weird Waves' series with Vans where Oli was completely captured by the spirit of the community. The children and teenagers had little but the ocean and the connection between the two was unparalleled, from sharing the few surfboards left from visiting surfers to just treading water he found their happiness was something to admire. No Wahala documents this connection and the project aims to help raise funds for the whole community. In this interview, Oli discusses his own journey as well as this project in depth along with the help of his little cat Leo! Enjoy...
At the end of 2019, I caught up with Ocean Photographer, Meg Hemsworth. Meg is pure joy to be around. Her positivity and determination has been inspiring since the day I met her and it's been a real pleasure to watch Meg, her photo style and her career (so far!) develop and bloom. Meg has already been involved in some brilliant projects and I think you're going to enjoy listening to someone who's enthusiasm for her craft is infectious. This one is a great insight into life in the water as an Ocean Photographer. Enjoy!
"I admire surfing and the industry, more than I can explain. That's why I love creating imagery that goes along with these things because I feel it's my part to play in an industry I love"
At the end of 2019, I caught up with the super talented Nina Brooke at her London gallery show. She's a surfer, a traveller and an abstract aerial painter whose work is truly stunning. She captures a beautiful essence of coastal scenarios with a bold colour palette, influenced by beachside Cornish dwellings to vibrant Caribbean shores. We'll be discussing her journey with a medium she loves and how the coast is always a place she'll call home. Enjoy Nina's soothing conversation.
Welcome to LEPHYR, the podcast that brings you the real stories of people that flow to and from the coast. My name is Lucy Stephens, and I'm the Founder of LEPHYR. I've always loved to hear the unique stories of people's journeys. Through my line of work I've been lucky enough to meet some really inspiring people, all with a deep love of the ocean. My aim is to bring their stories to life and hear how they bring positive awareness to the beautiful world around us.
We're back, next up I'm chatting to the awesome Josh Exell who is a Photographer, Film Maker & Director. With some seriously impactful projects and shoots from around the world under his belt, Josh entwines his complete love of adventure and nature. He continuously explores the relationship between people and their environment, and the impact culture has on landscapes. Enjoy this conversation.
Welcome to LEPHYR, the podcast that brings you the real stories of people that flow to and from the coast. My name is Lucy Stephens, and I'm the Founder of LEPHYR. I've always loved to hear the unique stories of people's journeys. Through my line of work I've been lucky enough to meet some really inspiring people, all with a deep love of the ocean. My aim is to bring their stories to life and hear how they bring positive awareness to the beautiful world around us.
To start off the show, I'm chatting to a close friend of mine Kat Pither. Kat is the awesome Founder and CEO of eco-conscious yoga lifestyle brand, Yogi Bare. Here, we discuss her journey so far from finding the power of yoga and embracing a community to slow consumption.
Kat is one of the kindest, most modest people I know and having worked with her over the last year or so I've noticed the deep connections she makes with her friends and the whole Yogi Bare community. Her positive attitude is truly inspiriting and I think you're going to enjoy her authentic approach in this conversation.
"We've created a world on top of this world and when I'm near the ocean I feel like I'm back in the real world" - Kat Pither