Still I Rise Podcast
Still I Rise Podcast
Podcast Description
The Still I Rise Diversity Storytelling Podcast amplifies underrepresented voices through authentic conversations and personal stories. Each episode explores race, identity, culture, and allyship—challenging biases and fostering empathy. Perfect for educators, parents, and changemakers seeking practical insights and inspiring narratives that drive diversity, equity, and belonging. 🌍 Listen, learn, rise.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on themes of race, identity, culture, and allyship, with episodes like exploring toxic masculinity with Uju Asika and conversations about Irish identity featuring personal stories that challenge societal biases and promote empathy.
The Still I Rise Diversity Storytelling Podcast amplifies underrepresented voices through authentic conversations and personal stories. Each episode explores race, identity, culture, and allyship—challenging biases and fostering empathy. Perfect for educators, parents, and changemakers seeking practical insights and inspiring narratives that drive diversity, equity, and belonging. 🌍 Listen, learn, rise.
This week we are joined by Sam Langley Swain, award-winning children’s author and founder of Owlet Press, to explore representation, inclusive publishing, and the power of storytelling to create change.
Sam shares his journey from a working-class background to becoming a self-published author, publisher, and advocate for inclusive children’s literature. Together, Orla and Sam discuss why representation matters in books for children, the barriers faced by LGBTQ+ authors and marginalised voices in publishing, and how small independent publishers are often the ones taking the biggest creative risks.
This episode dives into:
- Inclusive children’s books and why representation matters
- LGBTQ+ visibility in publishing and education
- Neurodiversity, adoption, single-parent families, and belonging
- Writing from lived experience and authentic storytelling
- Climate themes in children’s literature
- The realities of running a purpose-led publishing house
- Book bans, censorship, and the future of inclusive publishing
Sam also speaks candidly about his much-loved book Where Björn Belongs, writing autistic and neurodivergent characters with care, and how children’s books can foster empathy, understanding, and belonging in classrooms and homes.
This conversation is essential listening for:
Educators • Parents • Writers • Publishers • Diversity & inclusion practitioners • Anyone passionate about children’s books, storytelling, and social impact.
🎧 Listen now and be part of the conversation.
📚 Support independent publishers by buying books directly or from your local bookshop.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the podcast.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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