ALL EARS is a regular London event that brings together an eclectic mix of passionate and inspiring individuals to share their true stories with you.
Aged 24, Alastair Humphreys left England to cycle round the world. His journey along the length of the Earth’s three great landmasses (Africa, the Americas, Eurasia) took more than 4 years to complete, calling in at 60 countries and covering 46,000 miles. He has written three books about the adventure.
Alex McBride is a criminal barrister. He is the author of "Defending the Guilty" in which he explains how and why barristers defend people who they know are guilty. At All Ears, he used a murder to reveal why the British justice system works in the way it does. Alex has written a column for Prospect magazine and contributed to the Guardian and the New Statesman. "Defending the Guilty" was a Book of the Week on Radio 4 in 2010.
Amisha Ghadiali is a creative activist for positive social change, a designer, a campaigner, an entrepreneur and a writer. The motivation running through her work is for us to to live in a more connected and optimistic world, but to have fun whilst we are working towards that. In early 2010 with the election looming in the UK, Amisha set up the Think Act Vote Campaign, to inspire us to think positively about the future and understand how what we do on a daily basis shapes our world.
Becky explained that all entrepreneurs, including her as a brothel owner, need to think about profit & loss, staff motivation and customer satisfaction.
Ben is the founder of Bright One, the first volunteer-run communications agency for the third sector, which he runs in his spare time. At just 25 years old, Ben's story of setting up the agency and working with incredible charitable organisations was inspiring to say the least.
Bill Callaghan, Beefeater at The Tower of London, captivated us with his cheeky tales and unknown facts about The Tower.
BJ brought the house down with his captivating tales of Death Cigarettes and his passion for making things happen.
Danny Bartlett shared his passion and drive behind his campaign Hand's Up Who's Bored, working with young people to create positive change in the UK
Deborah is a stand up comic, screenwriter and Director at The Spontaneity Shop. Her story was an entertaining and insightful look at how to have unbelievable charisma and use it to your advantage
While working on her PhD, Dr Kate Hardy worked for five years with AMMAR, the female sex workers' union in Argentina. Kate will tell the story of the unfolding phenomenon in a country of the South, where sex work is an increasingly important element of economic survival for individuals, households and nation-states. She will focus on the everyday lives of street sex workers, the strategies they have employed to overcome marginalisation and the resilience and bravery they have shown in doing so.
Emma Sayle is one of the world's leading ‘sextrepreneurs’ and was voted 71st in Time Out's 2005 top movers & shakers, topping Madonna’s 74th position. She has made her name as a top upmarket adult party organiser and adult PR; representing clients from Erotica to Ron Jeremy to Cynthia Payne.
Gaylene shared the story of how she transformed her life into the kind of life that make her happy, made her feel alive, and shared interesting creative tips with the audience to help them make their lifechange dreams a reality.
Harry Shaw shared his personal story of drug addiction and rehabilitation. Harry's book, 'Confronting Demons' is an unmissable read.
Last year, former Deloitte Consultant, John Williams, was declared a guru by The Times as his first book Screw Work Let's Play (How to do what you love and get paid for it) hit the self-help bestseller list. At All Ears, John will lift the veil on the strange world of the self-improvement industry, explain why all gurus are messed up (and why it's essential that they are) and how you too can become a guru (or at least discover your life's purpose).
Justin is preparing to attempt the longest unsupported polar journey in history. However, 11 years ago Justin was involved in a near fatal car accident that left him unable to walk or talk. Justin talked about his personal journey of rehabilitation and his determination to face an beat another challenge - nature's harshest environments, the Arctic and Antarctic.
Kevin told the story of how his family has built an orphanage in Kenya and how they've changed the lives of 50 (and counting) young children, taking them from the unloved streets into a welcoming home where they can develop and grow.
Lisa was a senior marketer at Coca-Cola, she was a passenger on the Kings Cross tube when the terrorist bomb went off.
Luke and Roberto shared the story of 'Fight For Peace' and how it has helped transform the lives of many including Roberto who grew up in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and has gone on to become Brazil's national boxing champion. He is also the face of "Luta" the new fight wear and lifestyle clothing line set up as a social enterprise by the inspiring Luke.
Madam Becky Adams has spent the last 20 years running brothels in the Home Counties. Convent educated, her story of middle class prostitution, police harrasement and fleeing the Uk to pick walnuts in France is both witty and thought provoking. The truth really is stranger than fiction.
The Ministry of Stories is an organisation dedicated to the creation of stories by a new storytelling generation. Created by Dave Eggers and Nínive Calegari, the Ministry encourages children aged 8-18 to write creative stories and develop their skills.
Nicci Mack doesn't identify as the gender assigned to her at birth. A few years ago Nicci burst out of the cupboard, dropped a dress size and is now providing a unique perspective on living in the gender hinterland. Her story is of malicious intent but is also one of love and support.
Nick talked about his new experimental documentary NORMAL which explores four lives of migrant sex workers.
Noel 'Razor' Smith shared his story of spending 33 of his 49 years incarcerated for armed robbery, with 58 criminal convictions to his name. His story of how he changed his life, taught himself to read in prison and a discovered of his extraordinary talent for writing was truly captivating.
Roman Krznaric, a founding faculty member at the School of Life, spoke about the six kinds of love in Ancient Greece and how they have changed his life. Roman's new book, The Wonderbox: Curious Histories of How to Live is out on 5 January 2012
Sean talked about how he founded Falling Whistles, an organisation which is fighting for peace in Congo, and how it helps local Congolese people build their strength to live the better lives they deserve
Steve shared his personal journey through life and how his choices got him to where he is now with his successful company Connectwell.
Sue Scott-Horne, Islington born and bred, shared her personal story that led her to invent a library of educational ‘talking tools’ to help teenagers recognise their own choices.
Susie shared her adventures of cycling round the world to raise awareness of solar power for the charity, SolarAid
Toks told the story of Catch 22, an organisation he passionately started to help young people make it in the media world. He praised mentoring after having had the privilege of having great people around him as he was setting the business up.
Vijay Jagun shared his powerful and emotional story of being homeless on London's streets and his ongoing struggle to gain residency.
Must say, @faitharella and Sarah have created a really great monthly storytelling event @allearsevents - I spoke there last night.
John Williams, author of 'Screw Work Let's Play'