Yolanda speaks with Ben Butler, a Childcare Paralegal and newly graduated Barrister about why the surrogacy laws here in the UK have a lot of room for improvement. __________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Ben Butler Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with Sarah Jones, a board member at SurrogacyUK who has been a surrogate five times! They speak on what it's actually like to be a surrogate, the misconceptions and why the laws around surrogacy have a lot of room for improvement.  ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Sarah Jones: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjsuk/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with clinical psychologist Dr Haben Ghezai and trainee clinical psychologist Candice Williams about what makes a psychologist, the issues with TV psychologists and if therapy is for everyone. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Haben: https://www.instagram.com/drhaben_ghezai/?hl=en Candice: https://twitter.com/Cand_45 Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

TW: Domestic abuse, mental health. Yolanda speaks with the Worlds 3rd Strongest Woman, the incredible Sam Tayloe. Sam is also a domestic violence survivor and advocates against DV. For this episode, Yolanda and Sam talk about how domestic abuse exists within LGBTQ+ relationships too and how this doesn't get discussed enough.  ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Sam Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/sam_taylor_welsh_strongwoman/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

TW: Abuse, suicide, mental health. Yolanda speaks with Maisha Sumah, a domestic violence survivor and award-winning public speaker who advocates against domestic abuse. We had some recording issues with this episode, but do not be put off. Maisha's story is harrowing but very important.  ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Maisha Sumah: https://www.instagram.com/maishasumah__/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with Paxton Smith a reproductive rights activist, speaker, and musician from Texas, USA. Paxton went viral when she decided to use her valedictorian speech at the University of Texas, to speak against Texas’ SB8 bill. Together they talk about what on earth is actually going on in Texas right now and how the Heartbeat Act is affecting women. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Paxton Smith: https://www.instagram.com/paxtonasmith/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with Dafina Malovska who after surviving Stage 2 womb cancer has become a campaigner on a mission to improve women's health in the UK. This is her enlightening story.  ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Dafina Malovska: https://www.instagram.com/checkmeupuk/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with finance journalist Kalpana Fitzpatrick about how to be a smart spender, what a pension is, how to get a good credit score and the importance of setting good examples for children. For the sake of our mention health, speaking about money should not be a taboo topic. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Kalpana Fitzpatrick: https://www.instagram.com/kalpanafitz/  Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with Benash Nazmeen a Specialist Cultural Liaison Midwife, working towards addressing health inequalities within maternity services. Benash is also the Co-Chair of Birthrights, the only UK organisation dedicated to improving women and birthing peoples experience of pregnancy and childbirth by promoting respect for human rights. Together, they talk about how to reduce harm and promote compassion understanding in maternal healthcare. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Benash Nazmeen | https://twitter.com/birthrightsorg | https://www.instagram.com/birthrightsorg/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with Trainee Clinical Psychologist Candice Williams about the inequalities in maternal health for black women and birthing people. We're keen to help spread the word about her Doctoral Research into perinatal inequalities for black mothers in the UK. To find out more and to contribute, take a listen to the episode and then contact Candice via her Twitter or Instagram below.  ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Candice Williams | https://www.instagram.com/dclinperinatal_research/ | @DClin_Perinatal Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with Danny Price, a content creator and social commentator, about debates, listening and cancel culture. You may recognise Danny's voice from our previous pod on conspiracy theories! As always with Danny, expect strong language.  ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest: Danny Price | https://www.instagram.com/dannyfuckingprice/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

TW: Suicide, mental health. Yolanda speaks with Josselin Grossi, a telephone volunteer at the Samaritans’ Croydon Branch to discuss her experience working as a volunteer. Samaritans is a registered charity that provides emotional support to anyone in times of emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Samaritans is a free, 24-hour service. you can call them any time on 116 123. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, the quickest way to get help is to call an ambulance on 999.  The Samaritans website is an incredible resource full of mental health tips, explainer videos and support for those supporting others. We recommend reading their articles to get a better understanding of the health crisis the UK is facing right now. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: www.instagram.com/yokics Guest:Samaritans | www.instagram.com/samaritanscharity Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

We're back for another season! This time, our theme is 'Shit You Should Care About'. For this first episode, Yolanda speaks with environmental researcher at the University College London, climate change comedian, podcaster and author of the book 'Hot Mess: What on earth can we do about climate change?', Dr Matt Winning. We highly recommend Matt's TEDx talk! Together, Yolanda and Matt explore how the climate crisis is a people problem, rather than a planet problem. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: https://www.instagram.com/yokics/ Guest: Matt Winning: https://www.instagram.com/mattywin85/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver Production Assistants: Paige Walters & Sian Monforte --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks with Sarah Graham, health journalist and Founder of the blog 'Hysterical Women'  about the gender bias in medicine and health. Make sure to check out her incredible (trans inclusive) blog, Hysterical Women here: https://hystericalwomen.co.uk/ ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: https://www.instagram.com/yokics/ Guest: Sarah Graham: https://twitter.com/SarahGraham7 Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

In this special bonus episode, Yolanda speaks with filmmaker Maxine Trump about her incredible film, ‘To Kid or Not To Kid’. Maxine gives away as much as she can without sharing any spoilers! Watch the film here: https://www.tokidornottokid.com/ ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: https://www.instagram.com/yokics/ Guest: Maxine Trump: https://www.instagram.com/maxinetrump_childfreedirector/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks to Alessia Cesana and Maxine Page, two journalists who discuss their decision to live child-free. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: https://www.instagram.com/yokics/ Guest: Alessia Cesana and Maxine Page: https://twitter.com/maxinepage Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks to author, comedian and podcaster Samantha Baines about what it really means to be a womxn in 2021. Make sure you check out Samantha’s podcast, The Divorce Club: https://spoti.fi/3vPAoJg ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: https://www.instagram.com/yokics/ Guest: Samantha Baines: https://www.instagram.com/samanthabaines/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

This week we revisit our online event series ‘We Need To Talk About Mental Health’ which we hosted back in November. For Men’s Health Week, we’ve picked our favourite bits from two of the talks that covered all things body image, the concept of masculinity, mental health, men’s wellness and so much more. If you like what you hear, these talks in full plus the rest of this event series is available for free over on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/35sHmZH Thanks so much to our incredible guest. Full line up: ‘The Pressure to Be Buff' - Dr Russell Delderfield and Laurence Fountain 'Are You Man Enough? The Crisis Of Masculinity' hosted by Danny Price, featuring Alexis Caught, Ash Bhardwaj and Nathaniel Pamah. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks to writer and TikToker Emily Haswell about age gaps in relationships, exactly why men date teens and why it’s not ok. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: https://www.instagram.com/yokics/ Guest: Emily Haswell: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyisunemployed Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message

Yolanda speaks to public speaker and content creator Ceecee Jacobsen about her experience as the first trans person in her entire country. ___________________ Speak On is an event series, podcast and panel show that explores culture, society and wellbeing. Please rate, review, like, share and subscribe and connect to Speak On’s social media channels. Speak On Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakon_ | #SpeakOn Presented & Created by Yolanda Copes-Stepney: https://www.instagram.com/yokics/ Guest: Ceecee Jacobsen https://www.instagram.com/ceeceejacobsen/ Producer: Abigail Weaver: www.instagram.com/_abigailweaver --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakon/message