Do you feel that modern-day pageants are embracing diversity and social change more than ever?

In this episode, we catch up with beauty queen Lauren Jennings, who has been competing in various pageants for three years. From receiving BBC press coverage to meeting singer Gareth Gates, her success in pageantry led to an array of exciting experiences and opportunities. We also explore the misconceptions surrounding pageantry and what really goes on behind the scenes.

Lauren is a proud ambassador for the charity ADHD UK and uses her platform to raise awareness of ADHD and support the neurodiverse community through her inspiring initiatives. She also speaks candidly about her experience of living with ADHD, including how she felt after receiving her diagnosis in her mid-twenties.

Follow Lauren on Instagram: @the_adhd_queen_

Do you feel like the future of diversity and inclusion in gaming is bright?

Join us as we catch up with Twitch streamer, Sim racer and F1 content creator MiyukiPanda on tackling toxicity within gaming culture and how to create more inclusive spaces for all types of players.

This episode discusses how female gamers face online harassment by looking at statistics and MiyukiPanda sharing her own experience with receiving negative comments on platforms. We also look at the fun side of gaming with some Pokémon nostalgia and how playing video games should simply just be about having fun.

Our host and guest also bond over their shared Filipino heritage and talk about representation within the world of F1, how seeing the trailer for Forgotten Island made them emotional, and their thoughts on the recent popularity of ube.

Follow MiyukiPanda on Instagram: @miyukipanda_

Check out her Twitch page: twitch.tv/miyukipanda

What happens when motorsport, charity, and personal stories of resilience come together?

In this episode, we dive into the story behind Racing Awareness For — a charity endurance karting series created to bring the motorsport community and corporate teams together to raise meaningful funds for important causes.

Our host is joined by James, or “Monty” (founder of Racing Awareness For), alongside Josh Hill and Miyukipanda, who are championing different rounds of the 2026 championship in support of charities including ADHD UK, Cancer Research UK, and the National Autistic Society.

The discussion also touches on the concept of intersectionality, how identities and experiences can overlap, and why understanding these perspectives is key to creating more inclusive environments — both in sport and in everyday life.

Along the way, the conversation highlights how events like Racing Awareness aren’t just about racing for a trophy — they’re about building communities, raising awareness, and creating real impact through shared passions.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

03:00 Racing Awareness For 2026 Championship

07:43 Josh championing ADHD UK

09:15 Assessments and waiting for ADHD diagnosis

14:29 Understanding ADHD

17:59 Josh wanting to get diagnosed

23:00 Motorsports through a neurodiverse lens

33:00 Miyuki Panda Raising money for Cancer Research UK

39:00 Cancer research breakthroughs

41:00 Living at intersections

45:10 Neurodiversity umbrella

51:08 James on intersectionality

56:00 Formula 1 and media representation

01:00:10 Women in racing

01:10:16 Kindness in one word outro

Racing Awareness For 2026 dates:

Round 1: 4th April at Daytona Motorsport Sandown

Round 2: 15th August at Silverstone

Round 3: 17th October at Rye House

For more information on Racing Awareness For, follow @racingmont on Instagram.

Instagram guest handles: Josh @joshhillracing, James @jjmonty91and Sheryl @miyukipanda_

What’s your relationship like with nature?

This is a question podcast host Marion always asks her guests on her award-winning show, Black Earth Podcast. She also does some amazing work in earth care and is a board member of Global Greengrants Fund UK.

We talked about our beautiful planet and some of the things we could all do to help make it a better place. Some deep dives include the aftermath of natural disasters and how reparations could attain climate justice for poor nations, particularly for those living in the global south.

Our host also finds out about an act of kindness one can do for the planet, which involves a sharing economy concept to help minimise mass consumption.

Follow Black Earth Podcast on Instagram: @blackearthpodcast

Black Earth Podcast is available on all podcast platforms

Check out: https://www.blackearthpodcast.com

What are some of the cultural values you bring into your profession?

Eiji and Charisse are nurses who work in the UK but are originally from the Philippines. We chatted about their journeys on what made them decide to move away from home and some of the joys and challenges they each experienced. Besides asking what kindness means to them, other discussion points include societal stigmas for male nurses, cultural identity and the mass recognition Filipino nurses received during COVID.

Our host also looks back at how she was once looked after by a Filipina nurse on a family trip and reminisces of a Filipino dish that she associates with comfort.

What are some of the things you do to spread good vibes?

Whether she’s having inspiring conversations as a podcast host or creating feel-good beats from her DJ decks, Claire Squires is all about channelling positive vibes as the founder of HIGHA.

During our very wholesome chat, we discuss the concept of “going higher” and how to achieve your fullest potential through personal practices and mindset shifts. Manifestation is something we look into as well and how it’s become quite the buzzword in recent years.

Claire also explains the difference between chasing and attracting energy and why “energy auditing” can be a good idea. We also find out what kindness means to her.

Follow HIGHA on Instagram: @higha__

HIGHA Podcast is available on all podcast platforms

HIGHA tracks and mixes available on SoundCloud

What makes you feel accepted or understood by new people that you meet?

Born and bred Jersey Channel Islander James was diagnosed with autism over 25 years ago. During our chat, he reveals how people have had misconceptions of him by implying that “he doesn’t look autistic” and how it’s better just to simply take him at face value as “Monty”, how he’s often referred to by friends and family.

We also talk about how he was once followed around by an ITV camera crew, how labels have evolved over the years and why demonstrating empathy at workplaces can help people with neurodiverse needs thrive in their job.

Oh, and Nicolas Hamilton (yes, brother of Lewis) once showed up to an exciting racing charity event that he hosted in aid of the National Autistic Society.

Follow James on Instagram: @jjmonty91 and @racingmont

*Please note that James is not employed by the National Autistic Society*

It’s our final mini episode of the season! We look back on some of the discussion points from last week’s chat with Marion about earth care, including how humans should be showing kindness to other species around them. Our host also expresses her gratitude to every guest and supporter of the show.