Batting the Breeze

If you ever seriously considered a career as a TV Anchor, you had better listen to this episode first. Elizabeth Pearson Garr has been there.  After growing up at Stanford and studying at Harvard, she ventured out to the wilds of Billings, Montana to become a TV anchor for KULR-8, an NBC affiliate.  Within a few hours of her first day, the noon anchor went off sick and Elizabeth was reading the news - for the first time!  Spoiler alert: it didn’t all go to plan.  Listen in to a hilarious day in the life of a local TV Anchor - more clamour than glamour.

Show Notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-tv-anchor

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 WARNING: Today’s episode contains adult themes, specifically sex trafficking and human trafficking, so please take that into account.
 
 Amanda Blackwood is a gem.  She’s fun. She’s full of life. She’s also a survivor of human trafficking. Amanda engages in a raw and intimate conversation about her experiences of forced drug prescriptions as a child, subsequent sexual abuse by strangers and relatives, and repeated trafficking by men she thought she could trust.
 
 Amanda talks about her multiple escapes and discusses how she successfully turned her life around to find happiness and dedicate her life to raising awareness about human trafficking and helping others recover.

Show notes:   https://www.battingthebreeze.com/inhuman-trafficking

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In 1958, Sir Patrick Hine was part of a team of elite RAF pilots, the Black Arrows, who broke the world record for an aerobatic display manoeuvre that has never been equalled - and might never be.  The Black Arrows performed a 22-plane loop twice in front of a euphoric Farnborough Air Show crowd.  Sir Patrick later became Air Chief Marshal of the RAF and Joint Command of the British Forces in the 1990 Gulf War, but looks back at that 1958 feat with great pride and considers it one of his proudest career moments.

Head over to https://www.battingthebreeze.com/twenty-two-black-arrows to see actual footage of the 1958 world record-breaking 22-plane loop by the Black Arrows!

All audio extracts of the Black Arrows Hawker Hunters in the episode are from a live recording captured in a wonderful film named "The Story of the Black Arrows" provided courtesy of Ian Stark at VIT Media.

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The America's Cup - the pinnacle of professional sailing and one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in international sport. The 2003 America's Cup: 10 teams, 1 winner. What was it like to be a competitor in one of these elite teams? Simon Fry has experienced the thrills and spills, the highs, the lows, the fierce rivalries and the extreme physical demands of the sport first-hand.  Originating in1851, when the schooner "America" triumphed in a race around the Isle of Wight, the America's Cup has since become a symbol of sporting excellence and innovation.  Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to capture the imagination of sailors, spectators and investors. Simon talks with passion about the America's Cup's rich history and his part in it.

Show Notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/battling-the-breeze-in-the-2003-americas-cup

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Do you pride yourself on your infallible memory? Well think again. Memories about ourselves and the events of our lives are nurtured by our Autobiographic Memory and, shockingly, it turns out that it is unreliable by design. Our story centres on Brian Williams, America's one-time No. 1 news anchor.  He reported from the front line in 2003 at the start of the Iraq War when the Americans were hunting down weapons of mass destruction.  He braved Chinook helicopter missions within firing distance of enemy lines and returned to America a hero.

Twelve years later, it all came crashing down.  We find out why with some help from Dr Andrew Dunn, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University,  with specific research interests in perception, developmental psychology and memory.   We discover what really happened to Brian Williams and reveal the wonder of Autobiographic Memory, its fallibility and its role in helping us to flourish as social animals.

Show Notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/grounded-by-an-autobiographic-memory

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Documentaries such as Blue Planet and The Great Reef have brought new wonder and awareness into our living rooms. Former Royal Navy underwater bomb disposal expert turned submarine pilot Mark Taylor now explores the planet's oceans as an integral part of the subsea documentary filmmaking community.  He has seen eels dip into lakes 750 metres under the ocean, witnessed mud volcanoes on the sea floor and come face to face with a giant squid 10 metres long with eyes the size of basketballs.  He also spent many hours submersed with his childhood hero, Sir David Attenborough, filming for Blue Planet II and describes the comraderie and lifelong bond that resulted from it.

Show notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/our-blue-planet-up-close-and-personal

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In October 1988, the Hong Kong police executed Operation Clinker and achieved the largest ever drug haul in Hong Kong history.  Bill Renwick was undercover with the team of four who heroically overcame two of the drug syndicate on a ketch somewhere on the edge of the South China Sea. Think of The French Connection meets Popeye with a sprinkling of Keystone Kops, and you have all the ingredients for this fabulous story.

Check out show notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/operation-clinker

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Can you imagine a silence so intense that brushing your teeth could be painful? Argentinian-born Nico Marino is a traveller.  It’s in his roots. Having travelled on his bicycle across Europe, Asia and Africa, he decided to settle in Australia. To get to know his new homeland, he decided to go for a bike ride - from West to East - Perth to Sydney - right across the heart of the Australian Outback.  An Outback Odyssey. He experienced a heightened awareness of the emotions we take for granted - fear, wonder, solitude and silence. 

Check out the show notes: https://www.battingthebreeze.com/outback-odyssey

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It's 1968. The Vietnam War is at its fiercest. Robin Bartlett is a platoon leader with the U.S. 1st Air Cavalry Division.  Robin’s platoon is deployed on regular helicopter combat assaults, sometimes twice a day.  Getting into the Landing Zone is perilous - so is getting out.  Robin recounts the day when his helicopter had ascended to 1500 feet,  received gunfire and then moments later, the engine cut out.  What followed was pure terror.

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/vietnam-war-helicopters-and-history

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Rebecca Bratspies, New York environmental and human rights lawyer, shared with me the extraordinary and inspirational life story of Jackie Robinson, the first black player in US Major League Baseball, back on April 15 1947, after crossing the Baseball Color Line. Having written "Naming Gotham - The Villains, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York's Place Names", Rebecca was able to share stories of many other characters who have been commemorated on New York bridges, tunnels, parkways, boulevards and parks. But why did they commemorate the rogues as well as the heroes? 

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/beyond-the-baseball-color-line

Thanks to Scott Beckwith for his fantastic song "Mercy" used throughout this episode. 
Mercy (Scott Beckwith - American Bandwagon, track 04) By Parking Lot Music is licensed under a  Creative Commons License.

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Forced to escape from a war-torn Sri Lanka with his family and move to London, Pradeep Kumar Sachitharan experienced a life of crime as a London teenager before his love for weightlifting gave him discipline and prospects.  After a chance discovery of the benefits of qualifications, Pradeep embarked on an educational whirlwind through six universities leading to vice president of a biotech worth $1.6 billion.  After a chance meeting in a Suzhou hotel in China, things got even better.

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/chronicles-of-a-serial-dropout

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Today was a quickie just to let you know that Batting the Breeze is taking a short break. But don't worry; behind the scenes, everything is still going strong. I'm busy lining up amazing guests to share their experiences with you and putting the final touches on our long-awaited weekly newsletter. This breather gives me a chance to reflect on what's working, gather feedback, and make improvements. I'd love to hear from you, so drop me an email at steve@BattingtheBreeze.com with your thoughts and suggestions.  A huge thanks to our incredible guests for trusting me with their stories, and a big shout-out to you for supporting the show. Before we return, could you do me a favour? Head over to Apple Podcasts or your preferred platform and leave a review with a few words (yes, that's what the algorithms like!). Let's spread the word and share these amazing stories with more people. Thank you so much! Take care, and I'll be back very soon.

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/podcast-pyjamas

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During the Vietnam War, a group of courageous women embarked on an extraordinary mission to uplift the spirits of American troops stationed far away from their loved ones. The Donut Dollies. With unwavering bravery, they ventured into war zones armed only with warm smiles. Their story often goes unheard, but not for my guest today, Penni Evans, who left college at the end of December 1969 to find herself in Vietnam by the March of 1970. She was 22.

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/donut-dollies

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At 22, Brad, an Aussie thrill-seeker, invited his family to watch his first skydiving experience. It was nearly his last. The thrill turned to panic as the first parachute failed to open.  Then the unthinkable happened and panic became terror. The reserve parachute also failed to open. Brad and his instructor were plummeting to earth at terminal velocity. 

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/parachute-roulette 

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Jazz musician Rick DellaRatta witnessed the 9/11 attacks from a rooftop in New York City. While watching the unfolding tragedy in front of him, he was inspired to write a poem which later became known as "Jazz for Peace”. Rick didn’t realise it at the time, but Jazz for Peace would become a worldwide movement promoting peace, garnering international recognition and support, most notably from Barack Obama and the United Nations who acknowledged its impact.  Rick shares memories of this extraordinary journey.

For more information, check out show notes at 

https://www.battingthebreeze.com/jazz-for-peace 

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President John F Kennedy arrived in Dallas, Texas, on November 22nd, 1963, appearing to be in good health; almost exactly three hours later, he left the city in a casket.  Those two facts are the only things most Americans agree upon concerning that tragic weekend. If you think you know who was responsible, you’re in for a surprise. History matures over time. New witnesses come out of the woodwork as the veil of secrecy is steadily lifted. Sara and Katanna found those witnesses - and recorded their testimonies.

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/jfk-and-the-lone-star

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“Opera singing is a civilized version of what you were doing when you were a baby. We scream like a little baby. That's what opera singing is all about.” Simona Mango did clarify that you have to scream the right notes of course! Simona reveals the secrets of being an opera singer, overcoming stage fright and what to do if you forget your lines.  She also explains her unique perspective as an opera singer to help others “free the voice of their soul” as a life coach.

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/freeing-the-voice-of-your-soul

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If you have ever considered how you could reconnect with nature, here’s your answer – through bees.  Have you ever wondered why bees make honey? What does a drone do all day long? Why should we care about the health of our bees? Paula Carnell is a bee consultant and honey sommelier looking to create a buzz about health. She says that bees are Mother Nature’s way of connecting nature with humanity, “What’s happening to the bees is inevitably happening to us as well”. 

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/honeybees-herbalism-and-humans.

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What have a psychiatrist, a psychic medium, a bodyguard, a WWII survivor, a remote settler and a parliamentary candidate got in common? They all feature in today’s episode. The podcast has now passed 25 episodes, so it felt like a great time to look back.  Check out this compilation of the best bits of some of our earlier episodes.

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/curiosity-calls-1/

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"If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." Today I had the privilege to meet one person with autism. Stuart Carlson is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but he is defined by his extraordinary musical ability.  He is a concert violinist and composer. I tried to understand the contradiction between the very earthly challenges that Stuart and his family face every day and the apparent ethereal effortlessness with which he communicates through his violin - I couldn’t.  

For more information, check out show notes at https://www.battingthebreeze.com/symphony-of-a-mind/

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