In this moving and eye-opening episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, Nikki Giant sits down with Ryan Wood and Julie Jones from Invisible Walls, a not-for-profit organisation in Wales working with children and families when a parent is in prison.

Ryan and Julie share how Invisible Walls was born from a desire to keep families connected, and why something as simple as a school report shared across prison walls can change the course of a child’s life. With honesty and compassion, they describe the stigma and silence that often surrounds parental imprisonment, and how schools, communities, and even school inspectors are beginning to shift their approach to these hidden children.

From quilts stitched with love to school discos raising funds, to ground-breaking parent–teacher sessions held inside prison, this conversation shines a light on the golden thread of family belonging—and the small, human actions that ripple into systems change.

This episode is a reminder that dignity, connection, and compassion can break down walls we cannot see—and open new pathways for children to thrive.

🌀 Topics covered:

• The founding of Invisible Walls and its mission to support families
• How trauma-informed training helps schools respond with empathy, not judgement
• Parent–teacher meetings inside prisons—centring children in the conversation
• The “golden thread” of family ties and why it reduces reoffending
• Stories of community love, from handmade quilts to grassroots fundraising
• Shifting systems: how prisons, schools, and inspectors are beginning to change

Whether you’re an educator, changemaker, or simply someone who believes in the power of kindness, this conversation will inspire you to see the invisible — and remember that every child deserves to feel seen, safe, and connected.

💡Learn more:

• Visit the Invisible Walls website
• Follow Invisible Walls on Facebook
• Learn more about the Lord Farmer review mentioned in the show
• Visit the Project Linus website, providing support to children in need

In this deeply moving episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, Nikki Giant is joined by spoken word poet, author, hip-hop artist, and creative practitioner Duke Al. Known for his raw, honest storytelling and lyrical brilliance, Duke opens up about how poetry became his lifeline while navigating OCD, intrusive thoughts, and later, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Together, they explore the transformative power of creative expression, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the beauty that can arise from suffering. Duke also shares his spiritual journey and how reconnecting with faith has shaped his perspective on pain, purpose, and resilience.

This is an episode about vulnerability, perseverance, and the choices we make in our darkest moments. Duke's voice is one of truth and light - a testament to the healing power of words.

🔸 Featured Topics:

• Creativity as therapy and connection
• Finding purpose through adversity
• The role of faith and free will
• Using poetry for social and personal change

📕 Duke’s poetry collection: Imagine We Traded Bodies with Sheep (2025)

🔗 Learn more about Duke: DUKE AL | Spoken Word Poet, Author & Hip Hop Artist

🔗Visit The Spark Movement website

📲Follow Duke on Instagram: @dukealpoetry

✨Follow The Spark Movement: @lightaspark.movement

Calling all changemakers! We’re back with season 3 of the Spark Changemakers Podcast, the show for people who want to change the world, leading with passion and purpose.

Hosted by Nikki Giant, founder of The Spark Movement, our third season brings a whole host of changemakers from across the globe to inspire you to find your Spark. If you feel a call to do something meaningful in life, and you want your work to also be your joy, then this show is for you.

New episodes will drop every Friday at 8am GMT, starting Friday 29th August, with guests joining Nikki from the USA, UK, New Zealand, and beyond, all with one common goal: to leave the world better than they found it.

In this season, guests will include:

• Duke Al, poet, author and hip-hop artist, who shares how poetry became his lifeline while navigating OCD.
• Shannon McDougall, principal of a small rural school in New Zealand with a mighty vision; one that centres human presence over performance.
• Claire Watson, teacher turned entrepreneur, who shares her powerful journey from burnout and breast cancer to personal transformation and soul purpose
• Ryan and Julie from Invisible Walls, a not-for-profit organisation working with prisons and schools to ensure incarcerated fathers can maintain a relationship with their children.

Join Nikki and a community of 'ordinary extraordinary' individuals who are ready to spark change and leave a lasting impact on the world.

Subscribe Now!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and share it with others who are passionate about creating change. Learn more at https://thesparkmovement.com/#podcast

In this powerful episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with the inspiring Jo Berry, founder of Building Bridges for Peace. Jo’s life was forever changed when her father, Sir Anthony Berry, was killed in the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton in 1984. Rather than succumbing to hatred, she made the remarkable decision to seek understanding, eventually meeting with Patrick Magee, the man responsible for planting the bomb.

Jo shares her incredible journey of peacebuilding, her work in conflict resolution, and how empathy and dialogue have the power to heal even the deepest wounds. She discusses the importance of listening, self-forgiveness, and how we can all play a role in ending cycles of violence and revenge.

Tune in to hear Jo’s profound insights on the power of human connection, the role of young people as changemakers, and her mission to create a world rooted in understanding and compassion.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Jo turned personal tragedy into a mission for peace
• Her meeting with Patrick Magee and their ongoing work together
• The power of empathy in breaking down barriers
• Engaging young people in changemaking and peacebuilding
• The role of forgiveness and understanding in conflict resolution

Connect with Jo Berry:

🌍Learn more about Building Bridges for Peace: Website

📢Follow Jo on LinkedIn: Jo Berry

👉Follow Building Bridges for Peace on social media: Facebook and X (Twitter)

In this episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with Clayton Planter, founder of Street2Boardroom, an innovative organisation transforming street hustle into legitimate business skills.

Clayton shares his journey growing up in a disadvantaged community, recognising the untapped entrepreneurial talent in street culture, and creating opportunities for people to transition from the streets to successful business ventures.

We dive into:

✔️The inspiration behind Street2Boardroom

✔️Breaking down barriers for underrepresented entrepreneurs

✔️How corporate and street business skills are more alike than you think

✔️The power of authenticity and self-belief in business

🔗 Connect with Clayton Planter:

• Website: www.street2boardroom.com
• LinkedIn: Clayton Planter
• Instagram: @streettoboardroom

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to find your entrepreneurial hustle, by being your authentic self.

In this powerful episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant speaks with Dan Newman, founder of Baldilocks, an inspiring movement helping people reclaim their confidence and sense of self after experiencing hair loss.

Dan shares his deeply personal journey — from navigating alopecia after trauma to creating a supportive community that transforms hair loss into empowerment. Through wellness experiences, compassionate education, and advocacy, Baldilocks is redefining how we view self-image and resilience.

Together, Nikki and Dan explore:

• The emotional and psychological impact of hair loss
• The role of humor, community, and self-acceptance in healing
• How social and cultural expectations shape our perception of beauty
• The work Baldilocks is doing to support individuals through barbershop experiences, spa days, and workplace advocacy
• Dan’s inspiring journey from adversity to changemaking

This conversation is a reminder that confidence comes from within—and that by supporting each other, we can truly make a difference.

Connect with Dan & Baldilocks:

🌍 Website: https://www.baldilocks.me/

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baldilocks.me/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baldilocks.me

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!

Content warning: Molly shares her experiences with mental health challenges, specifically an eating disorder, in this episode.

In this inspiring episode of The Spark Changemakers Podcast, host Nikki Giant sits down with Molly Leonard, the founder of Craft With Me. At just 26 years old, Molly has transformed her passion for crafting into a powerful tool for mindfulness, healing, and community connection.

Molly shares her deeply personal journey, from battling mental health challenges and spending years in and out of eating disorder units to discovering the therapeutic power of crafting. She talks about how a simple love for creating helped her find purpose, sparked meaningful conversations in hospital wards, and eventually led to her starting Craft With Me — a not-for-profit that delivers mindful craft workshops to people of all ages.

Tune in to hear:

• The impact of creativity on mental wellbeing
• The importance of self-expression and being our authentic selves
• How Molly’s resilience led her to become a King’s Trust Young Ambassador and a recipient of the prestigious Pride of Britain Award.

Listen now for a moving conversation about overcoming adversity, finding joy in small moments, and using creativity to make a real difference in the world.

Connect with Molly

• Website: https://craftwithme.co.uk/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftwithmecic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftWithMeCIC

Enjoy The Spark Changemakers Podcast? Subscribe to never miss an episode.

In this deeply moving episode of Spark Changemakers, host Nikki Giant sits down with Stefan Wissenbach — bestselling author, keynote speaker, and founder of the Magic Future Foundation. Stefan shares his powerful journey of turning personal tragedy into a global mission to build 100 schools in the world’s poorest communities.

After the sudden loss of his son, Oli, Stefan and his family channelled their grief into purpose, creating lasting impact through education. Their foundation has already built over 27 schools, with many more in progress. Stefan discusses the power of vision, purpose, and values, the importance of collaboration, and how anyone can make a meaningful difference in the world.

🎧 Listen in as we discuss:

✔️How tragedy shaped the mission behind the Magic Future Foundation

✔️The impact of education on breaking the cycle of poverty

✔️The power of vision, courage, and taking action in the face of adversity

✔️How you can get involved in building a school or supporting the initiative

📌 Get Involved:

• Learn more about the Magic Future Foundation: www.oliverwissenbach.com
• Get a copy of Oli’s book: Sam Leaper’s Little Book of Wisdom
• Join the 30 in 30 team challenge to help build a school: https://oliverwissenbach.com/30in30
• Follow Stefan on LinkedIn: Stefan Wissenbach
• Read the book Stefan mentioned, Free to Focus

👉 Share this episode with a friend and help us spread the word!