What if honest conversations could reshape our society's biggest challenges?

In this episode of Lou Brown Talks, I’m joined by Miriam Cates, a former MP born in Sheffield, now advocating for family policies and social justice. Miriam shares her journey from local councillor to MP, discussing falling birth rates in Western culture, the 'Lost Boys' report from the Centre for Social Justice, and the need for open-minded political dialogue.

Key Moments

- Addressing Birth Rates: Explore policies supporting families to counter declining fertility trends.

- Supporting Young Men: Identify ways to tackle the 'lost boys' crisis through education and mental health initiatives.

- Fostering Dialogue: Stay open to opposing views to find common ground in politics and society.

We delve into Miriam's motivations, her work on family hubs, and the importance of challenging assumptions while keeping an open mind. Miriam's passion inspires us to speak up and drive positive change, proving one voice can spark societal shifts.

Lou Brown Talks is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Could partnerships be the key to changing schools for the better? In this episode of Lou Brown Talks, I sit down and chat with Christina Astin, an educator, physicist, and leadership coach who was a founder-Chair of the Schools Together Group now the Schools Partnership Alliance charity, and who I first met when we were both teaching. She shares how her journey from the classroom to consulting led to a framework that helps schools make partnerships actually work, aligning them with big-picture goals. We talk about her drive to inspire kids through science and leadership, rooted in her experience as a female physicist breaking barriers.

Christina’s stories from King’s School, Canterbury and beyond show how she’s tackled government doubts and built collaborations that lift student ambitions. We get into why measuring impact matters, how to spark curiosity in girls for STEM, and why coaching is her next big move to create change.

Find out more at astinconsulting.com/partnerships.

Lou Brown Talks is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What does it mean to connect across generations in a divided Britain? In this episode of Lou Brown Talks, I sit down with Magdalene, whose life from a post-war childhood to a 50-year cross-cultural marriage brings a rich perspective to our conversation. We dive into the British Seven Segments framework, exploring how age shapes our values on freedom, multiculturalism, and trust, revealing how generational lenses shift our views and spark unexpected connections.

Magdalene’s NHS stories and global family roots push us to question outdated traditions and embrace a wider worldview. We uncover how the framework highlights generational divides and shared hopes, proving open conversations can bridge gaps and remind us we’re more alike than we think.

View the British Seven Segments quiz.

Lou Brown Talks is produced by Urban Podcasts.