Podcast

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The gap between the rich and the poor, the North and the South is greater than ever before. And yet, the North has a rich history of world-changing industry and innovation.

So, what’s happened? How have we got here and what are we going to do about it?

On This is the North, we explore these questions.

With expert guests, including academics, local business people, and charity leaders, we discuss why the poverty gap matters and what we can do about it.

Hosted by Alison Dunn, charity Chief Executive and dedicated social justice advocate, This Is The North is a podcast that comes from the North, is about the North, and celebrates our creativity – past, present and future.

We’ll ask how can we all use our influence to create a better future for the North…

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Business, Legacy, and Innovation

A Conversation with Charlie Hoult

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In this compelling episode, Alison delves into the heart of Northern entrepreneurship with Charlie Hoult, a visionary fourth-generation businessman whose family legacy has helped shape the North East’s business landscape.

As the driving force behind Hoult’s Yard Business Centre, Charlie embodies the transformative spirit of modern entrepreneurship while honouring the rich industrial heritage of his family’s century-old enterprise, which began with Maling’s Pottery.

Through intimate conversation, Charlie unveils the delicate balance of preserving family legacy while embracing innovation and change. His journey from traditional industry to creating a dynamic business hub reflects the broader evolution of the North’s economy. The discussion explores how Hoults Yard has adapted to modern workplace demands, pioneering hybrid work solutions and fostering a vibrant community of entrepreneurs. Charlie’s involvement with the National Innovation Centre for Data demonstrates his commitment to positioning the North East at the forefront of technological advancement.

This episode transcends typical business discourse by examining the intersection of family values, entrepreneurial spirit, and regional development. Charlie’s insights into community-building offer a blueprint for sustainable economic growth in the North. His story exemplifies how traditional business wisdom, when combined with forward-thinking innovation, can create lasting positive change in our communities and challenge the systemic barriers facing Northern development.

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Gambling with Lives

James Grimes on Addiction, Advocacy, and Systemic Reform

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In this compelling episode, Alison speaks with James Grimes, Head of Prevention at Gambling with Lives, about the devastating and often-overlooked crisis of gambling addiction. This epidemic has claimed countless lives and continues to disproportionately harm communities in the North of England.

James shares his deeply personal journey, charting a path from despair to redemption, and exposes how a seemingly innocuous pastime can spiral into a life-altering compulsion. Together, they unpack the societal and systemic forces that allow gambling harms to persist—from the legacy of the 2005 Gambling Act to the alarming rise of youth gambling. They also highlight the powerful work of Gambling with Lives, a charity founded by bereaved families advocating for reform and offering support to those affected.

This episode dives into the ethical and social dimensions of gambling-related harms, drawing parallels to Big Tobacco and spotlighting the urgent need for systemic change. Through initiatives like The Big Step campaign and grassroots recovery programmes, James and Alison reveal a hopeful path forward—a way to reclaim lives and challenge an industry that profits from vulnerability.

This isn’t just a conversation about addiction; it’s a wake-up call. It’s a rallying cry for communities, leaders, and policymakers to confront entrenched systems, rethink the way we address gambling harms, and fight for a future where no one is left behind.

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Exploring Worlds Through Words

A Conversation with Anne Cleeves

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In this episode, Alison had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Ann Cleeves, best known for her globally acclaimed crime fiction. Their conversation covered her journey from an avid library-goer to an award-winning author, and her commitment to the communities she writes about.

Ann’s work captures not only the suspense of crime and mystery but also the underlying social issues, empathy, and resilience found in real life.

They delve into Ann’s early life, the variety of jobs that shaped her perspective, and her pathway to publication. She shared insights into the importance of authentic settings, drawing on her love for the North East and how it plays a pivotal role in her stories.

Ann’s novels, like Raven Black, and her recent bestseller, The Dark Wives, explore complex characters and themes that resonate far beyond the page, touching on real societal issues.