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Season 1 (Pilot)
From February 2022 to February 2023
After pandemic lockdowns between 2020 and 2022, I was desperate to find ways to spark inspiration for learning and opportunity in my children. I began by recording interviews with people in my circle who I found inspirational, with a long range view to turn those conversations into learning tools for my children who had been adversely affected.
However, there was a sudden change in our domestic circumstances... divorce, and our family was split up. That's when Season 2 was born.
(For additional behind the scenes material of how SparkHub manifested brand wise, please watch "credits")
Season 1 Episodes


Ep#25 - Jop Wielens
Sparking love in math and coding Jop is a bit of a renaissance man. Where others see threats, he sees opportunities - for him, and his children. This conversation explores the opportunities that sparking a love of math and coding in children can land; today, and tomorrow. Chosen quote: “2+2 is 4, minus 1 that's 3. Quick Maths” — Big Shaq (Man's not Hot) Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spoti
Kieran Grantham


Ep#24 - Eugene Reisch
The power (and watch outs) of gaming Eugene has been in the children’s entertainment space for decades, primarily focused on design and gaming. Eugene is also a parent, and in this conversation we explore the power (and potential pitfalls) of gaming, potential addiction and how to think about designing a future with our kids. Chosen quote: “We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing” — George Bernard Shaw Listen now: Original music created by
Allan Wills


Ep#23 - Lirun Rabinowitz
Discovering superpowers, without tech Lirun Rabinowitz is an emerging technology lawyer. Nevertheless, Lirun and his wife want their four daughters to grow up feeling they have superpowers, but screens and other tech are not part of that trajectory. At least, not yet. We go deep on the potential and pitfalls of children having too much tech while growing up. Chosen quote: “One life” (spoken in a French accent) -- Lirun’s cousin Listen now: Original music created by composer X
Allan Wills


Ep#22 - Amanda Yardley
The power of sports to change lives Amanda Yardley is mother to two energetic girls and a professional physio therapist. Sport runs deep with Amanda, and in this episode we discuss how sparking an interest in sports at a young age pays big dividends in adulthood; for stress, anxiety, body image, avoiding drugs, and much much more. Chosen quote: "Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate " -- Anon Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaot
Allan Wills


Ep#21 - Dino Burbidge
How and why to learn everything Dino Burbidge is the Head of #Innovation at SKY... among many other things. Our conversation explores Dino's path to where (and who) he is, starting as a child who simply had to learn everything and never specialise, to being prepared for armageddon, to how (and why) children today should do the same to pay big dividends in adulthood. Chosen quotes: "If you are the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room" -- Unknown Also: "Yes" --
Allan Wills


Ep#20 - Brad Wendes
How to achieve anything you put your mind to! Brad Wendes is the founder of Team Kinetix - professional #parkour, #freerunning and #acrobatics teams. Our conversation explores Brad's tough start in life, develops into a story of wild travel and #adventure, with many twists and turns, and lands back where he started: teaching kids that they can achieve anything they put their mind to. Chosen quote: "If you bring positive change to the life of just one child in your lifetime, y
Allan Wills


Ep#19 - Inner Circle update: New hub live
Go behind the wizard’s curtain. A personal “inner circle” update from Allan Wills. In this update, Allan talks about the new hub that just launched, upcoming guests and starting to produce shorts for those ... short... on time. Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
Allan Wills


Ep#18 - Maurice Wheeler
The Metaverse: Friend or Foe? Maurice Wheeler is a well established strategic market researcher, specialising in the family niche. Our conversation goes deep on many tech-related topics, notably the Metaverse (what is was, what it is, what it can turn into) and specifically where the opportunities and threats lie for children and parents alike. Chosen quote: “How are you choosing to feel today?" - Coach Mike Peg Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Lea
Allan Wills


Ep#17 - Martin Patterson
Hands On History. Welcome to a business that literally puts #history into your hands. Hands On History founder Martin Patterson started his business by accident, and then the demand flood came. We cover history from all aspects, and how there is nothing better in learning (and paying off future opportunities) then getting your hands on it. Chosen quote: “We get our hands really dirty into history" -- Martin Patterson Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi
Allan Wills


Ep#16 - Caroline Clarke
“Roadtrip" education in Australia. Mother-of-four Caroline took her boys (Aged three to 12) out of school with the ambition to travel around Australia for six months, and educate them on the road. That turned in 22 months and a world tour. In this episode we dive into that journey; education of the road, and the pros and cons of undertaking such an odyssey with children. Chosen quote: “When people show you who they are the first time, believe them" -- Maya Angelou Listen now:
Allan Wills


Ep#15 - Inner Circle update Summer 2022
Go behind the wizard’s curtain. A personal “inner circle” update from Allan Wills, cofounder of SparkHub. A review of why we’re doing SparkHub, how the podcast has gone, and what the plans for the future are - starting this fall. Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
Allan Wills


Ep#14 - Ceylin Kolsal Sarper
Journey of a global educator. A fascinating journey with an unlikely educator who taught all around the world. We dive into insights from different classrooms around the world to hybrid classrooms to social bullying, coping strategies, how to balance tech and analogue for maximum effect. Chosen quote: “Believe you can and you are halfway there.” - Theodore Roosevelt Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast pl
Allan Wills


Ep#13 - Simon Atkinson
Illuminating exploration of how Capoeira can inspire. An illuminating conversation with Simon Atkinson about the power of Capoeira - from Simon’s early life to decades later becoming a master with students. Chosen quote:“ Capoeira is a riddle and there is no answer.” - Capoeira student Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music WATCH SHORTS Excerpts f
Allan Wills


Ep#12 - Maxine Clarke
The Power of Storytelling. A conversation with poet and author Maxine Clarke. Through a fascinating path and series of events, Maxine has spent years crafting (and honing) stories for adults and children alike to help them find windows and mirrors to their identity, and hope and confidence within the wider world. Maxine's work has made its way to syllabus and as plays, with ambition to go much bigger. Chosen quote: “An artist’s duty - as far as I’m concerned - is to reflect t
Allan Wills


Ep#11 - Dan “The Piano Man” Ribbits
Music: a skill for life. A fascinating conversation with "Dan The Piano Man" about how learning music in childhood can spark massive opportunities in other fields, and pay dividends in adulthood. Chosen quote: “And you can tell everybody that this is your song…” (from Your Song) — Elton John Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music WATCH SHORTS Exce
Allan Wills


Ep#10 - Avril McDonald Part 2
Follow up with FEEL BRAVE creator Avril McDonald. We talk about FEEL BRAVE in a world full of anxiety from a global pandemic, terrorist and school shootings and war. Five years after our original discussion, the world has changed, and FEEL BRAVE has grown to help parents and children reframe tough narratives through inspired story telling. Chosen quote: “You don’t have to have the answers, you just have to have the conversations because when we can talk about or ’name’ a feel
Allan Wills


Ep#9 - Inner Circle update
Go behind the wizard’s curtain. A personal “inner circle” update from Allan Wills, cofounder of SparkHub. Allan talks about the ambition and raison-d’etre for SparkHub, the story behind the idea, what is going on behind the scenes of this podcast, and how you can join our inner circle (if that's of interest). Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music
Allan Wills


Ep#8 - Jenna Cains
In collaboration with the Chatham Green Environmental Education Project. A discussion with Forest School teacher Jenna Cains about learning through nature. Chosen quote: "The best classroom and the richest classroom is roofed only by the sky" - Margaret MC Millan RELATED MATERIALS: VISIT: Chatham Green Environmental Education Project official website: https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/chatham-green-school-project/ Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi.
Allan Wills


Ep#7 - Joseph Coelho
Part of a collaboration with Empathy Labs. In collaboration with Empathy Labs, an interview with Joseph Coelho who highlights why empathy is a key skill in life. Chosen quote: "You can only understand people if you feel them in yourself" - John Steinbeck RELATED MATERIALS: VISIT: Joseph Coelho official website: https://www.thepoetryofjosephcoelho.com/ VISIT: Empathy Labs official website: https://www.empathylab.uk/ Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi.
Allan Wills


Ep#6 - Malorie Blackman
Part of a collaboration with Empathy Labs. In collaboration with Empathy Labs, an interview with Malorie Blackman who highlights why empathy is a key skill in life. Chosen quote: "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Theresa RELATED MATERIALS: VISIT: Malorie Blackman official website: https://www.malorieblackman.co.uk/ VISIT: Empathy Labs official website: https://www.empathylab.uk/ Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn mo
Allan Wills


Ep#5 - Maddie Moate
Three rapid fire questions with Maddie Moate. Interview with Maddie Moate about creativity in education, and her philosophy of "stay curious". Chosen quote: "Stay curious" - Maddie Moate RELATED MATERIALS: VISIT: Maddie Moate official website: https://www.maddiemoate.com/ Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music WATCH: Short video version of this po
Allan Wills


Ep#4 - The Rex Factor
Conversation with the Rex Factor podcast. Conversation with Graham and Ali, founders of the Rex Factor podcast, reviewing all the kings & queens of England & Scotland. A fascinating journey that started as a conversation a decade ago and now has branched into new ways to learn about history and royal personalities. Chosen quote: "I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a kind of England too" - Elizabeth I quote
Allan Wills


Ep#3 - Syreeta Fonso
Syreeta's daughter Ayana discovers her outdoor voice. We speak with Syreeta Fonso about her daughter Ayana's journey to the theatrical stages of London's West End. To find that opportunity, Syreeta had to follow her instinct 18 month previous. Ayana was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and attending an expensive, acacadmically-led school where using her "outdoor" in class and the hallway was discouraged. Syreeta transferred Ayana to a diverse state school, and then bega
Allan Wills


Ep#2 - Avril McDonald
Interview and a reading with FEEL BRAVE creator Avril McDonald. Conversation with Avril McDonald about her FEEL BRAVE journey and to help children overcome big emotions and anxiety through stories. Chosen quote: "More than ever before, our world needs more mindfulness, more compassion and more action!" - Avril McDonald, Creator of Feel Brave Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple
Allan Wills


Ep#1 - Moggy Hercules
How to build a school founded on creativity. Interview with Mog Hercules about why she founded Dallington School in London - dedicated to a curriculum of creativity driven learning. Chosen quote: "Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status." - Sir Ken Robinson Listen now: Original music created by composer Xiaotian Shi. Learn more. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amaz
Allan Wills
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