
Here's Hoping with Jayda G
Here’s Hoping, hosted by Grammy nominate music producer and DJ Jayda G is a podcast that explores the theme of hope, when we need it, how we find it and why we still have reasons to feel it. We explore guests’ personal journeys with hope, how they’ve formed and navigated the three pillars of having hope - goals, agency and pathway. An environmental toxicologist scientist as well, Jayda recently released her first documentary Blue Carbon on CNN and identified the need to dive further into the theme of hope, with this podcast coming at a time when it is needed most. In the series, Jayda will be speaking to a range of amazing guests, from sustainable fashion pioneers, Ocean conservation scientists, community-focused Grime artists, to people living on the frontlines of climate change, her own family and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Aug 16, 2024 • 13min
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Willow Defebaugh
In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible queer and climate activist, and co-founder of Atmos, Willow Defebaugh - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramJayda GWillow DefebaughMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 14, 2024 • 50min
Transitioning & Deep Ecology with Willow Defebaugh
Willow shares why she feels the answer to positive change is love and reminding people that we love the earth is a crucial part of fighting climate change. She talks about how love and admiration of nature is at the of her beautiful publication, atmos’ ethos. Willow also shares how the ever changing dynamic of nature gave her strength to transition herself and also shares the ways in which nature is queer. With that, Willow shares how queer activism overlaps with climate activism and how they are both grounded in challenging the status quo, and why she practices spiritual ecology and allow nature’s wisdom to help guide her through life. Follow Willow Defebaugh Follow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guestAtmos instagram Willow Defebaugh is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Atmos, a climate and culture magazine that tells stories about the environment through a lens of creativity. She is the author of The Overview, a deep ecology newsletter and book. She is a lifelong student of nature and graduated with a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Teen Vogue,V Magazine, Interview, i-D, BBC, The Guardian, them, New York Magazine, and more. She lives in Brooklyn on unceded Lenape territory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 9, 2024 • 14min
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Michaël Brun
In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible grammy-winning Haitian producer & DJ, Michaël Brun - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramJayda GMichaël BrunMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 7, 2024 • 48min
Uplifting Haitian Diaspora with Michaël Brun
In this beautiful conversation, Michaël shares with Jayda his experience of growing up in Haiti and how his Caribbean culture has influenced his music and approach to collaboration. They talk about the importance of creating opportunities for community and connection for the Caribbean diaspora and how important enjoying one’s culture and music is to a sense of self and actualised personal identity. Michaël shares why he founded his event series BAYO and how his love of Haiti and celebrating Haiti culture is both behind the parties he throws but also the important Philanthropy he does, from both supporting Haitian communities impacted by local disasters to investing in local culture and arts. Jayda also talks with Michaël about his journey from studying medicine to quitting and pursuing music full-time and the importance of mentors in supporting your journey to what you are meant for in life. This was such a rich and uplifting conversation!Follow Michaël Brun Follow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guestBAYO tour instagramBAYO tour Michaël Brun is a grammy-winning Haitian producer & DJ, with a sound that is heavily Caribbean influenced with a global outlook. he has collaborated with an amazing array of international artists including J Balvin, Becky G, to Oxlade, Mr Eazi, to Lolo Zouaï & John Legend! Michael is also deeply committed to his roots and platforming Haitian and Caribbean artists, and founded the incredible sell-out event series BAYO, which brings together and celebrates the Haitian and Carribean diaspora. What started off as a block party in New York now tours around the world. Michael is also a philanthropist, supporting communities in Haiti and is always using his platform to shine a spotlight on Haitian culture, talent and creativity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 2, 2024 • 7min
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Cosmo Sheldrake
In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia discuss this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the incredible multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, live improviser, and field recordist, Cosmo Sheldrake - what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramJayda GCosmo SheldrakeMia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 31, 2024 • 50min
Listening to Nature with Cosmo Sheldrake
In this episode, Jayda and Cosmo talk about how they interweave their music with their love and fascination with nature. Cosmo also shares his role in campaigning for the publishing rights of nature, for nature to earn from the music it is featured in. We hear Jayda and Cosmo discuss why giving nature legal rights like this is essential in preserving and protecting the living world. Cosmo also shares his thoughts around artists donating parts of their profits and why looking to fungi, appreciating how interconnected we all are, plants and humans, is what gives him a sense of hope. Follow Cosmo SheldrakeFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guestCosmo Sheldrake WebsiteCosmo is a UK-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, live improviser, and field recordist. His music ranges widely from celebratory anthems to soulful elegies to riotous party numbers, to sparse electronic production, to haunting polyphonic songs that have grown out of field recordings of birds, whales, fish, frogs, and fungi, and more. Running through all his work is a belief that the living world is a noisy and musical place with the power to change how we think, feel, and imagine. Together with his human and non-human collaborators, Cosmo creates music that speaks to the urgency and possibility of our times. Cosmo has toured internationally with sold-out headline shows across North America, Europe, and Japan. He has composed music for both film and theatre and, in 2015, ran a community choir in Brighton, UK. Cosmo’s song Come Along was featured in a high-profile global Apple commercial, resulting in the track charting at number 39 on the US Digital Songs chart. In 2020, his song Birthday Suit became a top trend on TikTok and currently has over 60 million streams on platforms with over 1 million video uploads using the track. In 2020, he released Wake Up Calls on his label Tardigrade Records, featuring tracks composed entirely from recordings of endangered British birds. In 2023, Cosmo released Wild Wet World, an EP that is an homage to the ocean. His new album, Eye to the Earwill be released in April 2024. See his Linktree for shows, merch, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 26, 2024 • 13min
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Stephanie Yeboah
In Here's Thinking, Jayda and her producer Mia chat about this week's episode! We share our thoughts on our episode with the brilliant content creator, author, presenter, freelance writer, public speaker, plus-size model, and body image and self-love advocate, Stephanie Yeboah, what we loved, what we learnt and what we’re taking away from her guest for hope.If you haven’t listened to the latest episode, make sure you go do that first! Then come back and debrief with us…Follow us on InstagramJayda GStephanie Yeboah Mia Zur-SzpiroHere's Hoping Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 24, 2024 • 44min
Unapologetically Fat with Stephanie Yeboah
In this powerful conversation Stephanie shares her journey with body image, body positivity and fat acceptance with Jayda. They share the importance of visibility of marginalised bodies and how seeing people who look like you, directly impacts your relationship with your body, and in turn, your mental health. Stephanie discusses the roots of the body positivity movement, started by Black and fat American women, but how over the years this movement has been co-opted by capitalism and it’s true inclusivity has been lost. Steph shares how embracing the word fat has been her response to reclaiming that power and Jayda and her discuss why having proper plus size fashion options is so important for self actualisation. Follow Stephanie YeboahFollow Jayda GFollow Here's Hoping PodcastMore on our guestStephanie Yeboah WebsiteFattily Ever After Book Gratitude Affirmations For The BodySteph is a multi-award-winning content creator, author, presenter, freelance writer, public speaker, plus-size model, and body image and self-love advocate, with over 15 years of experience writing and creating content about plus-size fashion, beauty/skincare, travel, lifestyle and pop culture.In 2020, Steph released her debut non-fiction novel ‘Fattily Ever After: A Fat Black Girl’s Guide to Living Life Unapologetically‘, which became an Amazon bestseller in its first week of publication. In the same year, she became the first British plus-size black woman to grace the cover of Glamour Magazine UK and has featured on the lives of Sky News, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio London, LBC, ITV News and MTV UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 19, 2024 • 12min
BONUS: Here's Thinking x Alice Aedy
Alice Aedy, a talented documentary director and co-founder, joins the discussion with insights on climate activism and the journey towards authentic storytelling. The conversation navigates the tension between progress and perfection, especially in creative fields affected by imposter syndrome. Aedy shares her take on the essential role of local voices in documentaries and the need to champion diverse narratives in Western media. The hosts reflect on how community support enhances storytelling while tackling the industry's funding disparities.

13 snips
Jul 17, 2024 • 50min
Storytelling Activism with Alice Aedy
Alice Aedy, an award-winning documentary maker and co-founder of Earthrise, shares her passion for storytelling focused on the climate crisis and human rights. She discusses her commitment to supporting female filmmakers and the importance of building trust with local storytellers, especially in the Global South. Aedy highlights the need for inclusivity in climate narratives and emphasizes the role of passion over perfection in activism. The conversation also touches on empowering women's perspectives in filmmaking and the emotive power of music in driving social change.