Navigating the Creative Industry with Precious

Welcome to Season 8 of The Student Guide! In our first episode, we sit down with Precious, a BAFTA Young Presenter and journalism student, to discuss her incredible journey in the creative industry. Precious shares her experience of winning the BAFTA Young Presenter award, her faith's influence on her career, and valuable insights into the role of young voices in public conversations. Join us as we dive into mental health awareness, networking in creative spaces, and the transformative power of seeking God's will. Don't miss this inspiring start to a new season!

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Chapters

• 0:00 A Surprising Journey Begins
• 0:38 Welcome to Season Eight
• 1:20 Introducing Precious
• 6:24 The BAFTA Young Presenter Programme
• 29:34 Navigating Mental Health
• 36:24 The Influence of Social Media on Content Creation
• 36:50 Unique Interview Approaches and Career Ladder
• 38:44 Encouraging Young People to Take Initiative
• 40:15 The Power of Simple Equipment in Content Creation
• 41:38 Looking Forward: Future Plans and Rebranding
• 42:53 The Importance of Networking and Mentorship
• 52:59 The Origin Story of Pick Up the Mic Podcast
• 1:02:36 Advice for Young Creatives and Final Thoughts

Transcript

 It was more so God let Your will be done. So I remember I was sitting on my stairs and I was like, oh God, like if this is for me, let it be for me. And then two weeks later they emailed me saying, I'm like one of the nine finals. I was like, wait,  I don't think I was actually gonna get into this thing. It was just, just wanted to see what would happen.

And then we got invited into the B headquarters and then, yeah, we interviewed Jar, which was the winner in 2022.  And then they were like deciding and then they called me and said, I won the competition for my category 15 to 18. I believe it was. Yeah. Literally. Yeah, it was just, yeah. 

Hey, hello everyone. Hope you're doing well. Hope you can last yourselves. Welcome to the new season, uh, of the Student Guide. As you can see, uh, we are back with season eight. Uh, we are going strong aiming for that Nice a hundred episodes, which, uh, sees becoming quicker than we thought it would. Uh. Maybe even possibly before our fifth anniversary, which is, uh, I'll pick up Mike, which is wild to think.

Um, but as you know, we bring on incredible speakers, incredible people doing incredible work onto this podcast, and we have incredible guests lined up for you this season. Uh, we're gonna start off with our first guest of Season eight, who has an incredible story. Uh, I don't wanna spoil it because, uh, there's so much to unpack.

So instead, as you know, I don't like doing an introduction. So I'm gonna hand over to our guest speaker today. Precious, thank you for coming on. Thank you. Could we know a bit more about you and what you do? Thank 

you for having me. So my name is Precious and I'm a Beth Young presenter and journalism student.

Perfect. Thank you very much. Um, and yes, it is incredible to see your journey. Uh, there is a lot to unpack because you have, uh, I, I mean, I don't know your age, I'm assuming that we're similar ages, but you have done a lot of incredible things as a young person. Um. And we will, we will be diving into that in just a short moment.

Yes. Uh, we're gonna go into, uh, our favorite segment that you guys will remember from, uh, I think it started in the last season, which is the 44 words, uh, which is from, I'm sorry, four. Four questions, which is from the founder of 44 Words. Amanda. Uh, and she picks an, uh, creative question for us to learn more about our guests, whether they are within the creative industries or not.

Uh, and Amanda's question to you, precious,  some May say's a difficult one. Okay.  But, uh, how would your creative process change if you were forced to work anonymously without receiving any recognition or credit for the work that you do?  

Wow.  So how would it change? Mm-hmm. If I didn't get credit for anything?

I did. Yeah. Do you know what's funny? I was reading something today. Mm-hmm. Because I'm Christian. Mm-hmm. And it talks about how like, um.  I think it was my friend's story. He must have posted it. And you know, in the Bible it talks about how like farmers, they work really hard and like in the kingdom of God, you're meant to work really hard.

But in this world, farmers don't get recognition for what they do. They're often just like, oh yeah, they bring things into the store, but we don't know who like planted something. But it's like in the kingdom of God, you're still meant to work hard regardless. Like Jesus, he never wanted credit, he just served people.

So from a Christian point of view, I'd say I would still work the same. Mm. But then I guess that comes down to my flesh and how I, how my flesh wants to be perceived, verse my spirit. Mm. So yeah, I'd say it's something I'd work on in terms of working hard. 'cause I know as humans we all wanna be in the limelight, but being in the limelight is not always great. 

So Yeah, a hundred percent. Uh, and yeah, thank you for that. I agree. Like also as, um. As a, as a Christian, I completely get what you're saying. Uh, I thought I might be talking about this t-shirt today, so I'm glad you you did that. This wasn't planned by the way. Uh, but uh, so I have this t-shirt on and you can see Yeah, I was gonna 

ask you like, where do you, uh, 

so this is from a Christian artist called Forrest Frank.

He has a song I, a friend. Yeah. It's got a song called Your Always Better. Yeah. Um, and I won't do it now 'cause uh, it's, but it's on the back. Yeah. Uh, but the, the chorus goes, um, Lord, I need you now more than ever. Won't you put my heart back together? I search the world till my head hurts and only to find out that you are way's better.

Yeah. 

Uh, and I think, like you said there, that's one of the reasons why I love, uh, a, what I do, pick up the mic. But like you said, not always like getting recognition for stuff because Alexia as Christians, particularly like we are taught, like there is. True power that comes from like, doing stuff and not necessarily soothing recognition.

And knowing that like even, you know, whether it's at work, your personal life, uh, with friends, like when you do stuff, um, even if others don't notice the work that you do, it's always around for me, what's powerful is remind remembering that like God sees what you do. Exactly. And um, you know, there's like, uh, like, uh, my dad actually spoke about this recently and was, uh, gave, so for my birth, my dad always gave me a Bible verse.

Yeah. Uh, and like recently he gave me, it's Romans eight 19 and it basically says like, creation waits for the manifestation or like the revealing of like the children of God. Yeah. And he was saying it's, you know, sometimes it's like that you might be, you know, putting in a lot of work you might, like you said, you're not getting recognition or you feel like it's all not necessarily leading anywhere.

Yeah. But he said like, just wait until like God reveals or like that revelation of like the incredible work that you've done. 

Yeah. 

Um, and yeah, I think like you said there, it's really powerful to just like see that come to life. Uh, which is why I wear this all, like why I got the shirt. 'cause for me it's a reminder that like you might think.

Like doing this or like going God's way isn't necessarily leading you anywhere. 

Exactly. 

Um, but yeah, it just reminder that his way's better. 

Yeah. And then even just remind me of a verse that is one of my favorite verse is Colossians 3 23 and it says, whatever you do work willingly as if you're doing it for the Lord rather than for people.

Because then when you have that mindset, it's like, no matter what I do, even if I'm cooking, I'm gonna do it the best 'cause it's for God and it's not for men. So yeah. Good. It's really, really good. 

And I think, like you said, like linking it even to the farmer like analogy, it's really key. 'cause even  like Jesus talks about parables and I, I'm not gonna lie, I won't, I don't remember where it is,  but it is, he talks about like this whole important thing that like, you know.

Um, with like the whole idea of like sowing seeds and like, like you said, like with farmers, it's like farming as a process Yeah. Is a long term thing because you'll be like watering the ground, you'll be fertilizing it and you might not necessarily see anything grow for like weeks or months. Exactly. Um, but it's, it is, to me it, like you said, it's a whole idea of, like you said, like with the credit of like the credit or like getting recognition for your work is you might be working on stuff for like months or even years.

Yeah. You might not, you might feel that no one's seeing it or recognizing it, but then lo and behold, like  the 

fruits comes out. Yeah. 

Yeah. Um, so thank you very much for that. Uh, we're gonna get started with our first question of the recording, which, uh, is an, is an important one and a celebratory one. Yeah.

Because, uh, you are. A BAFTA winner. 

Yes. 

Yes. Uh, so I would like to know, uh, could we first know a bit more about, uh, the BAFTA Young Presenter Program and the competition? Yeah. Uh, what inspired you to apply, but then also how did it feel when you were selected as their young presenter? 

Okay. So the BAFTA Young Presenters Program is basically a program for children from underrepresented, um, backgrounds or children that wanna get into the industry, but don't necessarily have the tools or like the access to get into it.

So that's what it's about. And they offer opportunities to work on the red carpet interview celebrities. Journalists, people in the industry and just have an opportunity to work in that space for a year. But then because of Beta's relationship with young people, we often like get to spend time with them and like we get to have opportunities after the year's done.

So like, I won the competition in 2023, but now it's 2025 and I still am doing stuff with Vata. So yeah, it's really, really good. 

Yeah, that's really incredible. Yeah. And how did it feel like being selected? Mm-hmm. I'm sure like organization like BAFTA is, uh, maybe not wild wide recognize, but at least within the UK it's like, it must get a lot of applications.

Yeah. To be, to not only be shortlisted, but to be selected and to be able to be a part of this program. How did that feel? 

So it felt really, really good. I remember you asked me what inspired me. Mm-hmm. So it was actually my best friend. Oh, okay. It was a random day. She's like, oh, precious sign up to this, um, program, or like, apply to this competition.

Mm-hmm. But then it was like two weeks towards the deadline, so I was like, I don't even know what beta was because. I guess I didn't, there's not many black, black people in that scene, so I didn't really know what be was because my best friend's into film, she knows about Bath. She was like, oh, I applied to this.

And then I saw like some young people I saw Jar Kasi, which won in 2022. And I was like, oh, he's black, so let me, I apply, maybe I'll get,  maybe I'll get in. So then, um, I applied for it, but um, I must have went to church. And the theme was, um, connections, I think it was connections to friendships, something like that.

So I asked people at church, what does, um, friendship mean to you in terms of connection? Did a little vox pops and just went around asking people and then put the video together. Sent it off to Bethal. But I kind of said, I wasn't like, it wasn't a thing where I applied to it and I really wanted it because I didn't really know what to expect.

It was more so, God let your will be done. So I remember I was sitting on my stairs and I was like, oh God, like if this is for me, let it be for me. And then two weeks later they emailed me saying, I'm like, one of the nine finalists. I was like, wait,  I didn't think I, I'm actually gonna get into this thing.

It was just. Just wanted to see what would happen. And then we got invited into the BTA headquarters. And then, yeah, we interviewed jar, which was the winner in 2022.  And then they were like deciding, and then they called me and said, I won the competition for my category 15 to 18, I believe it was. Yeah.

Literally from there. It, it's just, yeah. Amazing. Really? That's 

incredible. Um, we, we can say that. I, I'll, I'll give you the option if you don't wanna say this on camera. Uh, you don't have to. Okay. Uh, who's been your favorite celebrity to interview? 

Ooh, probably Tess Skylar. Okay. He's very, very nice. He was in one piece in Netflix and he's, he's just such a vibe because personally he is like up the roof.

Yeah. He's amazing. So definitely him.  

Okay. And then to follow on from that, who would be your dream celebrity to interview next? 

Dream celebrity. People always ask me this, but it's so weird because, um, being working for Bath, I don't really watch films as much or like really care about. Okay. Care about is a strong word, but I don't really focus on like, celebrities.

So I don't know who I would like really want to interview. I'd probably say maybe Edris Elva because he's one of my favorite actors. Just someone like that. But there's no one that I'm like, oh, I'm dying to interview. I just like to talk to people. Yeah. So whoever it is, I don't really mind. 

Yeah. I have heard, um, I don't interest.

If you watch this and you haven't been in touch, how, how could you? Uh, but I know like my, um, through work, like my manager used to work for like a space that would like do photo shoots and he went in there and apparently like, she was just like, he's the most down to earth. Really? Wow. Yeah. She was just like, basically like, like he's super chill.

Yeah, super nice. Um, she said it was very funny 'cause people in the space were just like, oh, we need to, like, he's a celebrity. Yeah. Like, we need to make sure everything's great. And he was just like, yeah, I just need like. Like, I think it was just like, I just want like hinz baked beans and like toast bread.

Like that's what I need for breakfast. I don't need anything fancy. And yeah. But she said like of all the, like celebrities that came to that space and used it for shoots, he was like the most chill, most respectful, most like down to earth. Um, so yeah, the closest 

I've been to him is I stood next to him.

Oh, wow. Basically I worked at the film awards in 2024, I think. So, yeah, we had to be talent chaperone. So basically when they win their award, we get to take them for their winner's run. Oh. But I didn't get him. I was still Well,  but then because we're working, I can't, oh, we dress. So I just need to like smile.

Just  stand there. But yeah, 

I think that's always a tough thing with like with your, like when you meet celebrities, like through work or people that you really respect through work. Um, 'cause it was the exact same thing with, um, so like with. I think I've said my job here, but I'll keep it quiet for this episode.

But, um, ah, so, um, so I work at Sunset House and like sometimes we do like private views. Uh, so like for me, the coolest one that we did was we did an exhibition called The Missing Thread. So it was looking at like how black British fashion had changed over, like, think from like the seventies till like the, like essentially to like to today.

Mm-hmm. Um, and like that was, I'd only been in the job maybe like three months. Yeah. Uh, but they were just like, yeah, it's private view. And I was like, cool. I've never been to one. Like, let's go. So I get there and then like, like you said, like it was just like, I'm technically I'm not working, but it is my workplace.

And I was like, I can't find boy too much. But I was like, uh, Bernardino Barista was there and it was really great speaking to her. Um, I don't remember the actor's name and I know my sister knows him and she gets on annoyed. 'cause every time I say the story, she, she, she's just like, why.you remember? But, um, you know, the new fresh, you know, the modern, like the most recent Fresh Prince, so not the original one.

Um. That one. Yeah. See the guy who plays Jeffrey? 

I haven't actually watched it. 

Okay. Yeah, I don't, I don't remember what else we've been in, so my apologies. Oh, okay. But yeah, but he was there, so like there was a lot of like uk, like black talent. It was just like really cool. But like you said, I was just like, yeah, I can't just like.

Yeah, 

you 

can't too much. 

You can't, because then yeah, they'll just look at you crazy. 

A hundred percent. Um, but yeah, let's go onto the next question. Okay. Which is looking specifically at young, uh, not young people, sorry, is looking at early experiences. Um, now I'm gonna ask this question and then I'll ask this question.

We're gonna go onto a new segment, which we've, you guys won't know about, but we will be discussing soon. And that has been brought to you by, uh, our amazing, uh, intern. Uh, Alex. Uh, he has a new segment for this season, which we'll be implementing, uh, and we hope you guys will enjoy it. Um, but yeah, the next question is about your early experiences.

Um, and I'd like you to cast your mind back, you know, reflecting on your first red carpet interview Yeah.  With bafta. Um, what did that moment teach you about storytelling and confidence? 

Yeah, I think it definitely taught me to be myself. Mm-hmm. Because I remember like the day before and like in the car going to there, I was kind of like.

Overthinking. Okay. What questions do I need to ask these celebrities? But I think when you just ask them like how they got into the industry, 'cause in the, at the red carpet, what they kind of wanted me to ask them is like, advice for people that wanna get into the industry. Okay. But I think it's more so about just getting to know them on a level where you get to know them, not personally, but somewhat personally, to just see what kind of advice they would give.

So yeah, it was definitely something that I learned. Yeah. And 

I think, like you said, like, uh, that's one thing I've learned through like this is like so many people love to like, share,  uh, some people love to like share their story. Yeah. And like always, especially like if it's like how you got into an industry or like what advice would you give to other people trying to get into it?

Um, 'cause I feel like a lot of people think that like, so, and I, like, I understand not everyone is like. This friendly or it is open, but like a lot of people are interested in saying like, oh yeah, you know, like, I went through this, or I like did this. Or they're like, oh yeah, actually, you know, don't go in this direction.

Because I tried it and it was like super difficult. 

Yeah. Um, 

but people love to share their story and like their experiences. Yeah. So I think, like you said there, it is really key, um, to do that. But also, like you said, confidence in yourself, being confident in like how you show up  to it is really deep.

Yeah. 

And I just remembered something. I remember I interviewed Amber Rose from la Oh wow. Yeah. And then I just complimented her hair and then that's what it made her open up. And I think also asking open-ended questions because when you ask, like you asking me open-end questions if you ask me, I don't know. 

I don't know, just a question. I could even say yes or no. Mm-hmm. But it's learning to ask people questions that will broaden their answers. Mm-hmm. So that's something I learned as well. 

No, a hundred percent. Yeah. I think that that's, like you said, that's a really key like interview, um, skill. And I wouldn't even say just for like interviewing, like people even, like if you go into job interviews, uh, so like one thing I said that my university taught that, um. 

Like, I don't think I necessarily did, but they were just like, always, anytime you go to an interview, just ask people like a question. Yeah. And they were just like, it could be like, so one question I like to ask  a lot of people that I connect with, like on LinkedIn, and maybe we have like an introductory call to just discuss, or even like for jobs, it's like, what do you enjoy about like your role?

Yeah. Um, because it is funny, like every time I've asked it, it's interesting to see different people's reactions. Yeah. Because sometimes people will be like, oh yeah. Like I know specifically like why I love what I do. Mm-hmm. And then for other people, they're just like. Oh, I've actually never really considered like, yeah, yeah.

What do I really love about it? Or like, what's my favorite part of my role? Yeah. Um, but yeah, people, like I said before, they love to talk about like what they, like their experience and stuff like that. Yeah. So I think that's really key. Um, yeah. Before we go onto the next question, uh, we are now going to, and I'll look into the camera to do this, uh, we're going to Treasured Talks, which is our new segment, uh, where we ask our guest speakers, I have no context of this, but they bring in an item that represents them, their story, their brand, and their growth.

Um, so Precious, you are the first guest to do this. Yeah. Uh, so no pressure.  Um, but I'm excited to, what did you bring? Yes. Uh, and how does, why, what would be your relationship with this item? How does this represent you? Okay. 

Should I bring up the item 

first or should I 

say, 

uh, Alex is off camera. I'll let, I'll let you decide.

This was your segment. Do you want the, should, should the item you brought out, or should we hear about it first? 

Let's bring it up first. 

Let's bring it up first. Okay. 

Drum roll.  Uh, it's deep within my bag. It might take a couple seconds. It's quite big as well, actually, so, okay.  

Yeah, let me just, I'm, I'm very excited.

Yeah. There's a lot of suspense. Uh, but yeah, this is, uh, this is something new. We're trying, as you know, we add new things every season, so this is an opportunity for you to learn more about these wonderful guests that we're gonna have on for the next, uh, 10 episodes, including this. Uh, but yes. 

Okay. I don't think this is a surprise Okay.

Because of what we've been speaking about, but I brought my lovely Bible. Oh yeah. It's green. My favorite color,  but yeah. So, what was the question? 

So how does this rep, like what is, why did you bring this item? Okay. And how, why does this, like the item that you would say represent to you? 

Okay. So I'd say I brought this item, 'cause in the Bible it talks about, in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God.

And the word was God. So it represents God and it represents Jesus. Mm-hmm. And I feel like he's been through.  Me throughout my whole journey. So even like from the beginning when I was started doing YouTube, I was even singing videos. Wow. Yeah. Couldn't sing though. This was, I think I was like nine years old and it's still on YouTube, don't find it. 

But yeah, I was singing and I don't know, I've just always been a young girl that's always liked content creative, but I never knew where it would take me. Mm-hmm. But it's like, you know how God sees the beginning and end of our lives and he's the author of our story, so he knew that Vata was gonna come around.

But I remember there was a period in my YouTube career, let's say, that I just thought, oh, like, where's this going? 'cause I'll be doing videos, I'll even be like shamelessly sending it to people, like go watch my video, subscribe. But no one was really, um, people to support, but it wasn't like as much. So then, yeah, when I, I remember sitting on the stairs like I told you, and I was like, God, let your will be done.

Applied for bath, bath came. So it's like, you don't know what God's plans are your life, but there's always something bigger around the corner. So yeah, that's, that's why I brought this. That's perfect. 

Yeah. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Um.  Yeah, I think like actually know, I, I usually am one to waffle and talk about stuff, but I, I feel like I wanna leave actually.

No, I will. The one thing I will say, I think it's really key that you mentioned there, that like, um, yeah, like you said, I guess like we said before, like you starting out on YouTube didn't necessarily know that that would lead to BAFTA and all the opportunities that came afterwards. 

Mm-hmm. 

But like, I guess that's that, and that's what I tell people is the beauty of like your journey Yeah.

Is that you never know. So like people think. I have, like, I grew up doing podcasting or like I had experience with podcasting. I tell people I did not, I did not know a thing about podcasting before. I said I'll pick up the mic. Uh, I barely listened to a podcast or watch podcasts as it is. Um, and even like, to the extent that I tell people, like the only video I had, I run another thing.

So I had a bit of video editing. Yeah. But even to get into video editing, I was just like making like anime music videos for myself. Yeah. So I'd like match music to like anime or like to animation and like cut up and do like, like link it to like fights and all that. And that was just literally just like a passion project.

Yeah. Um, but I tell people, like you said, like if I didn't do that, I wouldn't know how to use video editing software. Exactly. And I wouldn't be able to do like what I'm doing now. Mm-hmm. Um, and it's like you said, it's the beauty of like God's plan because you see, like, you don't see the full picture. He does.

Yeah. And it's sometimes like  taking, taking those moments to like pause, reflect, and see like exactly where that journey could lead you. Um, because yeah, I tell people like, that's why. Like one thing, and I'd say this is like a good piece of advice. Yeah. Actually I spoke about this, uh, on the last season actually.

Okay. Um, which was the, there, uh, so there's this, uh, preacher, his name's Bobby Schule. He's a preacher in America. Mm-hmm. And I watch his, uh, he has a YouTube channel called Al Power. I definitely recommend if you, even if you're not necessarily Christian, there's a lot of useful information that could help you, um, if you want to learn more about Christianity.

Yeah. Um, but he was speaking on like decision making and he was saying that he finds it really interesting that people feel, so he said sometimes, so like you said, with application. So sometimes people will see an application, whether it's a career opportunity, something like the, um, like bat young presenters.

Yeah. Whether it's funding opportunities, job applications, whatever. And he said sometimes people just be like. Oh, I'm going to apply. Yeah. Like, oh, like God tell me in this instance like am not gonna apply. And if I don't hear from you, or they'll be like, oh, you know, I saw this link just pop up. Yeah. So this means this has to be God.

And he was just like, no. Like take a minute to pause and reflect. Mm-hmm. And he said, uh, and it sort to what my dad was saying at the time, my dad was just like, look like, so LA was it last either last year or the year before? I was applying for like a lot of funding stuff and I wasn't getting it. 

Yeah.

And then my dad was just like, well I think what you need to do, instead of just like seeing this and being like, oh, this, whether it's money would be good for pick up the mic or like developing or for some of the things you're applied. He's just like, have you actually like just sat down and been like, God, is this actually like mm-hmm.

Is there a point in me applying for this? And it's not necessarily to say because like, oh, if I, like God does want me to apply for funding competitions. Yeah. But it's to say that like. Like you said about not knowing the full picture. Mm-hmm. I don't necessarily know the full, like, I don't know the full picture.

Mm-hmm. 

Um, and I might have an idea of that. Yeah. But like, I might be spending all this time doing like funding applications when God's saying, actually what you need to do is just like find an organization to partner up with and Exactly. Drive your sales. Um, or even like you said, like God may be saying, oh hey, like, leave YouTube for a bit.

Mm-hmm. And go down the presenter route Yeah. And become a presenter. Mm-hmm. Um, and yeah, it's just like understanding that, because I feel like sometimes people feel, they're like, when, and I'm, that's not to say like when stuff doesn't go your way, that it's necessarily like, because there's always like, I don't know, because you are not necessarily praying or stuff like that, but sometimes it's just an understanding that like, you don't have to make a decision in that moment.

Yeah. And you can just be like, actually, and that was the biggest thing he, like, the biggest takeaway from, um, that was he literally just said like, Hey, um.  If you are ever, if ever someone, someone tells you like, Hey, I need a decision. Like obviously, depending on what it is. Mm-hmm. But you're just like, if I, if someone says, oh, I've got this really cool business deal, I need you to tell me like, in this instant, are you in or are you not?

Yeah. 

Um, he said, no, you, you can turn around and be like, look man, I'm so sorry, but I need a moment to pause, reflect about this. I need to pray about this because this has like huge implications. Mm-hmm. And he said if they turn around and they're like, this is absolutely unaccept this, he was just like, it's not female.

Yeah. If some people can't understand that you, you need, then that's fine. 

Yeah. And it's crazy you say this, 'cause I recently turned on an opportunity that was like to do journalism and the platform is huge and it could like, push me further than I am, but then it just doesn't go, it doesn't align with my morals and like what I stand for.

So I was like, I, I kind of prayed for it, but I didn't. 'cause you know, the one, them ones when it's like. It's blatant. You shouldn't, as a Christian, you just shouldn't be doing stuff like that. So I kind of turned it down and I was like, okay, I'm just gonna trust God because I used to be someone that it's like, I wanna know God's pen for my life now.

Like, tell me now, now, now. But I'm learning to just hold his hand and just see where he's leading me, wherever I go. 

Definitely. And I think like one final thing I'll say before we go back to the, or we go to the next question. Yeah. Is I think for me, like literally like we said there, that like  if, like if, if I, I think sometimes it's like my friend shout.

I always shout out, shout out Samuel, uh, who helped. Like, he was one of the people that started up pick up the money. Okay. Uh, and there's two things that he said that are really relevant to what you just said. Uh, number one was, uh, throughout our full year. So earlier this year we did, celebrated four years to pick up Mike.

It was really great. Congratulations, Patriot. Honestly, I, I tell people everything. I'm surprised, like, not surprised in a bad way. It's more like.  I didn't expect it to be here because when we started, it was one podcast. It was during COVID. Yeah. So everything was online. It was me and two of my friends who were hosting it.

Um, and now it's completely different. Now we're like a creative platform. We've got like 10 to 11 podcasts. We do workshops, mentoring, we're launching a program. Yeah. So for me it's like  I wouldn't have seen, like, I never would've guessed it would've been him. Um, but I think one of the things I mentioned, like,  I don't even know if I said it or he mentioned it to me, but we were talking about like funding and I was just like, oh, you know, uh, so, or he knew that like, I'm not necessarily at a place where like, pick up, Mike is bringing in loads of money and all this.

And I was like, look man. Um, he like, he turned around to me and said like, look like I know pick up the mic isn't necessarily like financially rich or like he's bringing in a lot of wealth at the moment. He said like, look, you've got like a strong community. Mm-hmm. And you've built like all these people.

And to me, like in the moment, I like pause on it and reflect, but even like, like this was months ago, but I still reflect on it because I look back and like even like this episode today, like, we did not know each other 

Yeah. Before, 

like, I reached out to you. Mm-hmm. Um, and I tell him that like, there's so many, for me it's like two things.

There's so many people that I have now met through pick up the mic. That, and especially some of them are like,  we are now good friends. Mm-hmm. And I never would've met them if I wasn't doing pick up the mic. Yeah. But then also it's like I've seen through. Like, I guess, like we said, I sow in the seeds.

It's like I've seen through, whether it's bringing people on the podcast, inviting people to events, collaborating with each other, like how that's then led to growth for of like other things. Yeah. So I've seen, so like one was, um, last year someone who, uh, was on a, uh, one of our panel events that we did, she told me that someone who attended the event basically ended up working for her company.

Oh, wow. Wow. 'cause uh, they were just ended up speaking. She said, oh, we've got this position coming up, you should apply. She applied and got the job. Wow. Um, and it's all these things and I'm just like, yeah. Like if you, and, and I guess that is my second point of, like Samuel was saying, like, sometimes you don't necessarily need to know everything in that moment.

Yeah. Because like you said, if I knew like four years ago that like, this is where pick up the mic would be. Mm-hmm. I probably would be more stressing of like, okay, how am I, like, if this is where it needs to be, I need to have X or Y sorted out. I need to do all of this. 

Yeah. 

But it's like. Hey, actually, if you wait, it's like sometimes amazingly happen.

Exactly. Um, 

like people, I I, I, I also have been, uh, told that I waffle, so I'll No, 

it's fine. I'm even gonna quickly  say something before you move to the next question. Yeah. And what you are doing is inspiring to me even because, um, I had a podcast, but then I was working the McDonald's job, long story short, and I invested all my money into podcasting.

So I went to go book like expensive studios and stuff like that. But then you, the fact that you said pick up the mic wasn't generating money and stuff, but you are utilizing these mics and it's like you have a space, you've got free cameras that are, and like you are stewarding this very, very well. So its really nice to see.

'cause some, like, I'm a perfectionist. I was like to mom, oh, but I need to have a great for costume and I need all of this, but all we need is just a little mic and you can still hundred percent. Prison and it, um, create something great out of that. So a hundred 

percent. Even like, uh, it's funny you mentioned that.

'cause like I was gonna say that with, so even like with the like setup and equipment and stuff, like, people sometimes think that I had this like from the get go. Yeah. Like as soon as it started. No, like when we're recording at home, for the most part, I was literally just using like, uh, like gaming headphones as with a mic.

Uh, and then it was literally like, as I guess my family saw me like doing it more, my brother was just like, Hey, look like I'll just buy you like a mic you can use at home. I was using that for a long time. Yeah. And I guess linking to what you said about like, so I also am a hundred percent I'm perfectionist.

Uh, I told my family for the longest time I wanted to buy a camera. 'cause I was just like, we need to upgrade our cameras and all this. Um, but literally like the camera that I've got now, um, so like one of the cameras, which is actually the camera on you mm-hmm. Uh, so people won't see it. But, um, that camera, so I had heard about that camera.

Mm-hmm. And then this is where, what, what we were saying about like, God's timing is really important because. When, so when we started, so when I first heard about this camera mm-hmm. I was at a coworking space. Yeah. Uh, and they let me, they basically bought the camera. Oh. And then they were just like, Hey, look, uh, as a part of being a member, you're allowed to rent the camera for free.

So I was like, okay, cool. What? I'm gonna do this because I'm gonna use this camera for like, my work. I wanna see if it's actually like, worth it. 

Yeah. And 

then I was using it and I was like, cool. Ah, I really love it. I need to buy it. But then, like you said, I was just like, I work part-time. Mm-hmm. Um, I was just like, oh, do I like, you know, really?

Like, do I jump in? Do I buy it now? This is kind of pricey. Yeah. Things like that. And then I was like, you know what, let's, let's just like see, like, I was like, let's put it in the back of my mind. My sister is very much like, like, like your mom. Like mm-hmm. She was just like, had to slap my wrist and be like, don't, don't purchase yet.

Yeah. Um, but yeah, we got loads of like, paid work in last year, which then meant that, uh, so when it came to like a, what is it called? Black Friday. Mm-hmm. Uh, so there's all these tech deals that this camera was on a discount. And I was like, oh, cool, this camera's on a discount. 

Yeah. 

And I was like, I'm gonna purchase it.

And I did. And I've enjoyed it ever since. Yeah. I use it all the time now. That's good. Um, this ally, like when you said that, like if I had spent like all that time trying to figure out like how I was gonna buy it or if I had bought it, and then I was like, oh my gosh, like, you know, maybe financially mm-hmm.

Put me in a difficult situation. 

Exactly. Yeah. I 

would've been like stressing, but then like you said, I let God lead my hand. We got loads of paid opportunities in Yeah. To the point where when it came to the time to purchase the camera, like most of it was from the work that we did 

Yeah. 

Through that year.

Mm-hmm. And then maybe I only put like a small bit of money that I was like, actually I'll just add a bit extra so we can even get like the next level of this stuff. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Um.  But yeah, I was just like, yeah. And that's why you said like, it's important to trust the process. 

Yeah. That's good. 

Yeah. Um, we're gonna go onto the next question, uh, but before we go into the question, we are going to go to our mic check, which is a factor figure or story related to the conversation that we're having today.

Uh, and this one is focusing specifically on, uh, mental health, uh, which is the focus of our next question. Mm-hmm. So it is, this question is, did you know that, or this fact, sorry, or stat is, did you know that young people aged, uh, 16 to 25 are six times more likely to report mental health issues than adults?

Mm. Um, and the reason why we mention this is because, uh, you know, you covered Children's Mental Health Week. 

Yeah. 

So my question to you would be, how did that experience shape your views on the role of the roles, the role? I feel like this wording isn't right, but how did this, how did that experience shape your views on the role of youth in important public conversation? 

The role of, could you repeat that question? Yeah. 

How did that experience of covering, uh, children's Mental Health Week shape your views on the role? Essentially it's like shape it on.  How did that experience shape your views on how like, young people, the role young people play in important public conversations?

'cause I think a lot of people have seen like, I guess not only the stat, but um, there's young minds as an organization mm-hmm. That do a lot of work talking about like mental health issues that young people are facing. Yeah. We've mentioned 'em before as well. There's, um, mind uk they also talk about like how, whether it's to do with exams, university, there's a lot of, uh, like mental health, young people particularly, uh, is sometimes impacted and is not always, like, there's not a lot of support for 'em sometimes.

Um, but how did covering that, like, uh, children's Mental Health Week, how did it shape your. It's  how did it shape your views on how young people can play important roles in public conversations? 

Yeah, I think it's good that we did it 'cause I did it with Place to be. Mm-hmm. And it was their Children's Mental Health Week and just having a conversation with um, Tess Skyland with Will Gal on Young People's Mental Health.

'cause I think it's a big, big problem. And like you said, the statistics, it's like 16 to 25-year-old, 25 year olds face it. Was it six times? Yeah, six times more likely more. And I, I do think it stems from social media. Mm-hmm. Because even myself, like I would always, I remember before a couple months ago, I was just scrolling on social media too much to the point where it would literally make me, okay, depressed is a strong word, but it was making me very, very sad.

'cause I would see people, even though I've like accomplished beta, I'm still looking at other people's as I'm thinking, oh, I can do so much more. And I feel like it's such a bad place to be in. But I do think that young people need to speak about it more because it's something that we all face and that we all go through behind closed doors.

But no one really wants to talk about it. 'cause I guess people think, oh, I don't wanna seem weak or I don't wanna seem like life is going terribly wrong. But I think people need to remember that social media is a facade and not everything that is on socials is what it seems. Mm-hmm. So, yeah, 

a hundred percent.

And I think, like you said there, that it's like social media does portray mm-hmm. Like the perfect life. 

Yeah. It's not 

only the same that like, I know there are a lot of young people that like hate LinkedIn for the exact reasons because they're like, you know, people are just talking about, oh, I've got a new job.

Yeah. Or I've won this award, I've done all these accomplishments. Mm-hmm. But I also tell people like, um, so like anyone that I know that like says that about LinkedIn and that they don't wanna be on LinkedIn, I sometimes turn around and say like, why don't you just go on there and be like. You know, you are gonna talk about your own, like, personal experience 

Yeah.

On like, 

on LinkedIn. So like, um, you know, I told people that, hey, if you're struggling to find jobs, why don't you do like a LinkedIn post or a video and post on LinkedIn about like, Hey, you know, the job market is not really great at the moment. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. 

Yeah. And I actually woke up this morning and someone posted that he said that the job market isn't good and it got like a lot of likes.

'cause people, the job market isn't good right now. Now not, it's not. And I feel like people need to definitely speak up more, more about things like that, whereas like, oh, oh, I did this award and that award and all of this stuff. So yeah, people definitely need to be a bit more open on their losses and their wins as well.

A 

hundred percent. And I think, uh, like one final thing we'll go to the next one is like, uh, so there's someone that I know who runs like a anime events, uh, company. And then he, I was like, why don't you just post on LinkedIn a bit more? He's like, oh, I don't really think it makes sense. Mm-hmm. Like, 'cause anime like, isn't really, like posting stuff like anime isn't probably great for LinkedIn, but I was just like, that's not true.

Mm-hmm. Like every, like. People like anime. Yeah, people like anime are probably, there's people probably on a, on LinkedIn who like anime. Yeah, 

that's right. Exactly. So 

I was just like, why don't you post it? Um, and it was funny 'cause so we have an anime podcast. We go to anime events and do interviews and stuff like that.

Um, and there's someone that I connected to on LinkedIn, um, he was just like, oh, I find it really like, funny. Mm-hmm. Not in like a, like in a judgmental way, but he was like, it's really funny and cool to see that like, I'm scrolling through LinkedIn and like you said, it's like, oh, my business is doing great.

Yeah. I've got a new job, like,  like all this promotional stuff on LinkedIn. And he said like, and then I just see from you every once in a while. Like, oh hey, like we went to this anime event, we had a cool time, and like, here's some people that you can meet. Mm-hmm. Um, because for him he was just like, it's really nice content to also see like there's stuff outside of just like, work.

Exactly. And it is very refreshing as well because it's like, it's always Hello network, today I did this. Or it's like, you wanna see something new? 

Yeah. Yeah. A hundred percent. Um, and I think that's why like, uh, I tell people like, um. So on my LinkedIn, uh, I knew like it's, it is not great. But also I was just like, I'm gonna do it anyways.

I, so I'm like a massive Spiderman fan. Mm-hmm. So I was just like, oh, it'd be cool to have a show reel. 'cause uh, outside of the soccer pick up mic, I have different skills that I do and I'd love to like showcase that to people. And I was like, I could do like a typical video, like showcasing all my work.

Yeah. I was like, I love, uh, I loved into the Spider Verse and I loved the how each of the Spider-Man are introduced. Yeah. So I was like, cool, I'm going to do my, um, my show reel based around this whole, like how each of the Spider people introduce themselves. Yeah. Um, but it's literally, like we said, like I keep that on LinkedIn 'cause it's like a cool way to be like, oh, hey, this is an interesting way for you to find out about me.

Yeah. And it's not just like a typical, like, this is all the work that I've worked on. It's like, no, I like. I like Spider-Man. Yeah. This is a fun way. Um, and like you can learn about my interests and like my work through this video. That's good. So yeah, we're gonna go on to the next question, uh, which is all about elevating young voices.

And this is around how do you believe young people can use platforms like podcasting or presenting or both to influence conversations going on in the world right now? 

I think, 'cause when I think of podcasts, a lot of people always wanna interview like the big names, but I think it's important that we get just normal people to talk.

'cause then I guess that's where real life experiences come from. Whether that's doing podcasts with friends or maybe even, I don't know why this just came to my head, but like interviewing their teachers if their teachers wanna come on and talk about what they've done. But yeah, things like that. 

Yeah, a hundred percent.

Yeah. I think, like you said, like there is this like, I think like you said, whether it's social probably to be fair, social media. Yeah. Social 

media. 

Um, but there's like this whole focus of like, oh yeah, you have to have like. Big, like influential people on your platforms, whether it's your YouTube channel, your podcast, or like you said, like presenting, you have to only interview like really important people.

Yeah. But I know, like you said, there are people that like just go to, maybe they're in a coworking space. Mm-hmm. They just interview people in their network. Yeah. Uh, there's people that I know that maybe they go to, um,  I don't know, like you said, they do street interviews. Yeah. So they'll just be like, Hey look, I'm gonna interview you on the street.

There is one guy actually that I, uh, I was on the bus when I saw him and I, I'm not gonna go back and Yeah. And tell him. But, um, there's this, I dunno what the guy's name is, but he's on Instagram and he runs this thing called, I dunno if you've seen, it's called Career Ladder.  

Oh, yes,  I have. Yeah. Yeah, I have seen.

Yeah. Um, 

so 

if, if anyone in the audience who doesn't know, uh, I dunno the guy's name, uh, and if I can find his YouTube or like his Instagram handle, I'll put it in the description. Yeah. But he basically has, he has a ladder that he sets up, like on a, like on a street. And he basically invites people to come on and he has two minutes to interview them and he'll be like, Hey, um, so I will, like, you will tell me bits about your job and your role, but I will try and guess your role in two minutes and if I get it right, you know, you have to say it.

And if I get it wrong, you walk away and I have no idea what you do. Yeah. Um, and even like the way he does that, like, it's really interesting because you'll, like, it was cool to learn about different people and even like, like, I guess like in this is more of a bigger, wider societal issue, but like you might see someone who's dressed a bit more casually and you might be like, oh, okay, cool.

So they might have a specific career. Yeah. But then sometimes I'll turn around and be like, actually, like I'm a. I dunno, like I'm a investment banker. Yeah. Um, and I've worked with X number of companies, but it's cool to like see those different, like the different personalities that come through. Yeah. Um, so yeah, I feel like, like you said there, that that's really cool because even that, he's not necessarily going in knowing anyone that he's interviewing.

Yeah. But he's like, oh cool, I want to just like meet new people and connect with them. Mm-hmm. Um, which is really cool because I've 

got a friend called Joshua and he does this very well. Oh, nice. In terms like elevating voices, he has a platform called another question where he just goes out on the road and asks people questions to do with the industry they're in or just how they got into whatever space they're in.

And it's basically to help people and young people network in creative spaces or just any type of space. So it's really, really good. Yeah. I think just young people just go out there and just do it. Like, just if you wanna, if you have an idea to ask people questions in the public, I just ask them. Or if you wanna go out to the streets and ask people what they do, just do it.

'cause you never know who you meet that could help someone. A 

hundred percent. Yeah. And, um, even like, there was, so a previous guest we had on this podcast, uh, called Vanessa. Mm-hmm. So on our, uh, Instagram page, I saw that she had a video, uh, where she interviewed, uh, sir David Attenborough about like, uh, like documentary stuff.

And she ended with like, oh, how, like for any young person who wants to get into making documentary, what would you do? And he was just like, the most powerful thing that you have that I don't is you literally have a camera in your pocket. Yeah. And he was like, why don't you just like, go out and make documentaries about stuff in your life?

So like you said, whether it's like, you know, you make a documentary about your area of London Yeah. Or like you said, even your school. Mm-hmm. Um, if you're in a coworking space, maybe your coworking space, um, you could even really want to do, make a document. It's like a, your, a self-made documentary about yourself.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Um, but he was just like, just go and do that. And then, you know, just showcase to like, like you said, whether it's bafta, D, B, C, all these other organizations that you've like, got that skill because people will look and be like, oh wow. Like you've created like three documentaries that you've published, whether it's on YouTube, whether it's on, you know, if, if you. 

You know, get the opportunity on, uh, like streaming platforms. Yeah. And you've put on like all these documentaries, but like you said, it's just like through having, you know, a camera. Um, and yeah, like you said, I guess links of what we're saying about like the podcasting and like perfection. Like I tell people, you don't need to have all the cool equipment.

Yeah. You don't, yeah. You can just do it like very minimal. Like, uh, the biggest thing that I would say to get, I don't, like, you can buy it on Amazon. Mm-hmm. You can get like USB or like, based on your like phone, you can get like USBC, um, mics that just wirelessly connect. Yeah. So before even getting like these, which were like a bit way more expensive than those mm-hmm.

Um, we were just, I was just like, oh, we go to all these events. I'd love to do interviews at events, but I was just like trying to figure out how to do it. Mm-hmm. And I saw that you could just get these and I was like, okay, these are super expensive now, my budget. But there were ones that were maybe like for. 

20 

pounds. Yeah. 20 pounds. Yeah. And I was like, yeah, these 

are really good. Mm-hmm. Um, it's, it's the same setups are two microphones. It works wirelessly. Yeah. Um, the battery's really good. Mm-hmm. And I was like, yeah, why don't you just like, start with that. Start with that. Yeah. And then once you're like getting that paid working, it's really good.

Even now, like a lot of the older, like I say, old, the equipment that I don't, it's 'cause I've got stuff like this I don't use as much. Yeah. Like my sister said she wanted to get into contemporary. Now you can give that to her. Like, cool. She can have that and she can use it. Um, if there's friends or family that say, Hey Jeffrey, like, I've got an event I'd love to use like on equipment.

Yeah. I'm like, oh cool. I've got this equipment I'm not necessarily using at the moment. Mm-hmm. Feel free to use it. Um, but yeah, people sometimes forget that you don't need to have like the best stuff. 

Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A hundred percent. 

Yeah. Thank you. Um, we're gonna on to the last question. Okay.

Before we go to passing the mic, will you get to ask me, uh, any question, any questions that you would like? Okay. Um, but this is all about looking forward to the future. So what's next for you in media as the first part? And the second part is how are you leveraging your experiences, your current experiences to shape your future path?

Okay. So I used to go by the name of Precious always. Mm. But, um, I've now rebranded to my actual name 'cause why not? Like, I'm gonna go by the name that my parents gave me. Really? Yeah. So, um, it's now Precious Asar and I just, I'm rebranding my YouTube channel in a way of like, like you were saying, a documentary about yourself.

So I'm kind of like documenting my journey of getting into journalism, but also finding out. Who Precious is in terms of who God has designed me to be. So obviously, I don't know Philly yet, but it's all about working that out and bringing people on my journey with that. And I'm also, um, doing a year of abroad soon.

So yeah, I'm going to America to study journalism for a year. So yeah, I'm gonna just see what journalism is like over in the States. I'm part of a John Scofield program, which is basically helping young journalists get into the industry. So I've got a mentor that's also helping me build my rebrand.  My best friend's also helped me with that as well.

'cause she's a RICS so she's very like, here, you need to do this precious. 'cause I'm quite chilled, but she pushes me, which is great. So shout out SHI  and um, yeah, in terms of like the skills I've got from BAFTA and stuff. Of making sure I keep those relationships and those connections that I've made and not being afraid to reach out.

'cause I'm someone that's like, I always feel like if I reach out to someone I'm begging or, but it's like God has given me these people for a reason. So utilizing that and the skills that I have and just putting it into my YouTube channel and growing it. So That's 

incredible. And I think even on that last point that you mentioned, I think that is a key skill that any, I would say anyone.

Mm-hmm. But I would say particularly when you're young, this is something you don't feel confident in. Yeah. But like you said, putting yourself out there. Mm-hmm. Um, because that's something that I've had to sort of deal with Yeah. Teach myself. But, uh, funny, the person, the last mm-hmm. Uh, he is the partner of the program that I do at Summerset House.

Okay. And I spoke to, like I've told him mm-hmm. That from him, I've learned a lot about like.  Putting. So I said when it comes to work, sometimes I'm, because I'm also like a business owner, sometimes I'm like, oh, I can't propose my business for stuff because I'm at my workplace. Mm-hmm. And from him, he was just like, no.

Like you've got  like that creative vision, that mindset. So if you know there are things that you've already done, or like, you know, there are things that your business could do that hey, you know, that we're struggling with. He said, don't feel like you can't, like emotional get is a no. Yeah. Um, but he was just like, why don't you just put yourself out there, do the ask.

Mm-hmm. Um, and usually like I've seen, like, I won't announce it just yet. Mm-hmm. Because, uh, I'll keep that as a surprise. Yeah. Um, but yeah, like stuff has come from that and I was just like, yeah. Like in my head in the mo, 'cause even like afterwards, so we had like a meeting with some, like, as a team, we were like, we had some meetings and I was like, oh, I don't know if I should say it or I shouldn't.

I was like, you know what, I'll just, I'll just send a message afterwards because at least with a message like. It's not as like on the spot. Yeah. It's like tough. But I think even like, just something like that. So if there's like an idea you've got, maybe you, like you said, like you wanna get into presenting your workplace.

Um, or even like, uh, one final thing I say about this is so, uh, so people, and it's funny 'cause uh, on, I dunno when this episode's gonna come out mm-hmm. But there's an episode that we did with this person called Sharon for our Intimate Spotlight podcast. And she, and I think a lot of people when they first meet me have a tendency and don't know like much about what I do or researching.

Um, have a tendency to think that I'm very much like introverted because when I'm at work, I'm not necessarily like.  Oh, I wouldn't say I'm like cold, but I wouldn't, I don't like, like I need to find common ground when us to have a conversation. Um, but yeah, so people get surprised when I do stuff. So like when I was working here, uh, they do a showcase event with the program that I support and I was like, oh, I'd love to host it.

And I'm just like, oh yeah, I don't see why not. Like, oh, and then, um, I dunno if you remembers this mm-hmm. Program, he was like, oh, like I'd love to see, like, they knew I did the podcast. Mm-hmm. Um, but it was that, oh, like if you've got any work. And I was like, yeah, I can send you like the speech I did at my graduation.

Um, and then he was like, yeah, you did the speech at your graduation. I was like, yeah. Um, I kept it as a surprised because it's a secret. Didn't tell anyone it's on YouTube. It's like a four minute video. Me, basically. And I tell people like, that's like, um, that's, that's my claim to fame. Yeah. Was 

it, did it go viral? 

I don't know. It got a lot of news on YouTube and on Insta, on LinkedIn as well, which like threw me off.  But yeah, it was just like a lot of people, even when they found out that like, I did that or like, 'cause I what, I mean I kept a secret, like my family only my, my manager knew. 'cause there were times when I'd have to step away from work 'cause they had like practice sessions.

'cause they wanted to know like roughly what you were gonna say. Mm-hmm. Um, and then my, uh, like my mentor who used to, I used to work with at my university, she also knew because like, she was just like helping me with it. Yeah. It was, to be honest, it was all her ideas. So I told her, you know, I would love to at some stage do a speech at a graduation.

Yeah. She was just like, why don't you just ask if you can do it at your, like the graduations that's coming up. And I was like, I don't know. Mm-hmm. Like you said about putting opportunities out and she was like, I don't know, it may not work. And then like you said, like linking it to God's timing. Mm-hmm.

So we had a new vice chance come in and he was like, oh, I think students should have the opportunity. So it shouldn't just be like the union staff Yeah. That present and do speeches. It should also be some of the, our students. Mm-hmm. So she then told me, oh, I spoke to the person who runs graduation. They, now this is a new thing that's gonna come up.

Mm-hmm. So applied, I applied, I said, roughly what I would talk on. Yeah. And I wrote a graduate, like I was on the tube. Uh, if you've ever been to Brune, you know, the Metropolitan, I never worked. So I was on the tube, it was a long shoe journey home, and I was like, cool, I'm just gonna write out a rough draft of what this speech would be.

And like, whenever it comes up, like, you know,  like I'll be ready for it. Yeah. Not knowing that like two months later I'd be doing it, um, at my university. Yeah. But literally, like we said there, but it was just like I did it. My, uh, my mentor was just like, yeah, don't tell anyone. Like, you know, keep it a secret.

Mm-hmm. And it wasn't because she was just like, oh, I feel like, um, you know what, something might say, oh, marketing or stuff like that. But it was, it was more to do with that. She was just like, I really want you to, 'cause she, especially for my family, she was just like, look. They see you as like the brother, the son.

Mm-hmm. Or they might see you in like a student capacity, but they don't necessarily, like, especially my parents. Mm-hmm. They don't, like, sometimes they watch the podcast. 

Yeah. 

Sometimes. Yeah. It's also, I understand. It's, it's not, they, they're very established in their, so it doesn't necessarily make sense.

Mm-hmm. But, um, yeah, she just like, yeah. They don't necessarily always see you as like a founder. Mm-hmm. As like, like a business owner doing stuff like that. So she said, this is also your opportunity to showcase to them like, Hey, this is who you are. Exactly. Um, and it was funny. Mm-hmm. Because, uh, like, so I walked on stage, I got my certificate, and then they're just like, yeah, Jeffrey free if you walk around with us.

Um, okay. You ready to get back on stage? Um, and my mom could clearly see you was walking on stage. Yeah. So my mom, my sister and my dad were there. Uh, it was hard 'cause my brother, my uh, older brother and my older sister were both there as well. Mm-hmm. And they, uh, so they were watching from home. Okay. But I couldn't tell them to like.

I'm doing a speech, so I was like, oh, oh, you might see something happening. Mm-hmm. Like just if you could just watch it. Mm-hmm. Like, just watch the whole thing. I know you multi team on stage, you might be like, oh, we'll just, and then 

turn it off. Yeah. Yeah. I was like, 

you can mute it, but then you might see me up appear again.

Yeah. There's this award that potentially I could be winning. So, um, so yeah, so, and then all I just noticed is I was waiting on stage. I turned to look at my mom. My mom's looking at me. She's like, what's the on, what's he doing? Yeah. Why's he going back on stage? Mm-hmm. Uh, but I think, um, yeah, I tell people like, that was an incredible experience.

Mm-hmm. Um, my dad, my parents loved coming to my uni, but I think also they loved it 'cause so my dad and I were wearing the same like, uh, Nigerian traditional dress. Yeah. So, uh, so like even after the ceremony when I walked off stage, and I wasn't even with my dad, like people around him or I saw him and just, oh, that was your son in the ceremony.

Like, oh, this was a wonderful,  and I was like, yeah, this is cool.  Yeah. Um, and I guess that whole story mm-hmm. To basically say like, there's, like you said that like, if I didn't. Mention it to my old manager if I didn't like apply for it, if I, had I  been overthinking it? Mm-hmm. Um, like it might not have been as impactful as it was.

Yeah. But I look back on it and even to this day, like sometimes, like you said, like you might be in a comparison track on social media. You might not be necessarily happy with where you are. Yeah. But I use it as a moment to like check in and just be like, look man.  This is something that you did. Exactly.

Yeah. So different problems. 

Mm-hmm. There's something that I'd like to do. I'd like to write like my testimonies or things that, um, I've accomplished by the grace of God so that I don't forget like what I've done, because it's so easy to forget the good things you've done, but as soon as you've done like one bad thing, your world just starts crashing down.

It's like it's never that serious. Hundred percent. 

Um, but yeah. We're now gonna go on to passing the mic. Yes. Close the tablet  to the next bit. Um, but yeah, is your opportunity. Any question? Questions you wanna ask me? Just lemme know. 

Now it's time for me to put on my presenting skills. So, um, no, I'm just really intrigued actually.

'cause you seem like you have a lot of skills and you do a lot. Yeah. So I kind of just wanna know if you could put your role into one sentence, what would it be?  Uh, Ooh. 

Or what 

you do. Uh, I would say, I, Ooh, one sentence. I would say.  I, funny enough, I was thinking about this today. 

Yeah. 

Uh, I would say that I'm essentially a storyteller and a connector. Okay. So I tell stories through the content that we produce mm-hmm. And the people that we interview, like you said, like we ask open-end questions.

Yeah. Also, with the stories that we do, uh, like I said, I'm never like, unless someone wants to discuss a topic that is like, really like either disagrees with, like you said, like what I envision, pick ideas, uh, or our mission, vision and value statements, or if I feel like it's not really like something we cover mm-hmm.

Then that's the only reason why I'd be like, I'm sorry you can't be on the podcast. Yeah. For the most part, I'm very open for people being on the podcast, so I love bringing people on. I tell people, like, every episode to me is really cool. Like, I knew nothing about B'S Young Perspective program, so this is like great to learn about, uh, every episode I'm either learning something new about someone I already know or someone new or like a new career.

Like I've told people. I've learned about like healthcare, I've learned about, um. Tech. Mm-hmm. I've learned about like, in like business investment, all this stuff. And it's not, 'cause like I've, I'm not saying that people can't like go and online any new courses on this, but I was like, Hey, look like this is a natural way that I can learn about subjects.

Mm-hmm. And usually, like I tell people, our podcast tend to not be out anymore because we, we, we, I love just talking to people about what you're doing. Yeah. Mm-hmm. But like I said, it's like learning that, uh, and then I say connector or like community focus because I love connecting people to other people.

Yeah. Um, so most people know anytime I'm at an event, like  I'm usually like networking. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's good. Do you know, like, do you like if I know, so especially like if there are people that I've been like, oh, you two should definitely like, be in touch and talk to each other. Mm-hmm. I'll be like, oh, hey, I'm so sorry.

Like, I would love to introduce you to this person. You doing really cool work and I think you guys can maybe like collaborate. Yeah. And that's usually it. I'll just come in, I'll bring this you together and then I'll just bounce, I would say with the whole conversation. Yeah. Um, but yeah, usually I'm like.

Running around. Yeah. Um, so yeah, I would say that's the best way I  describe the work. 

Okay. That's amazing. So I wanna know how pick up the MIC podcast actually came about and what made you start it with your friend? Yeah. Yeah. 

Um, so it's, uh, all the way back in 2021. Okay. Uh, so, oh, sorry. Not 2021. 2020. So, uh,  we in COVID mm-hmm.

It's COVID restrictions, everything's online. Um, and essentially, uh, someone reached out to me and said, Hey, look, uh, the, at our university, we have, in our street union, we have a, uh, what is it called? The. Well, at the time it was called the BME Officer. Mm-hmm. But now it's called the ba um, officer. Okay. It was a part-time role that like a student could do to basically support students from black, Asian, and minority communities.

Yeah. Uh, basically the global majority. And essentially like, I was like, cool, I'm gonna go for it. I had a manifesto. We couldn't campaign in person because there's a COVID restriction, so it was like a lot of online campaigning, WhatsApping people, DMing people on Instagram. Mm-hmm. Um, and anyway, it was this whole campaign and I was like, Hey, look, like, you know, this is what we want to do all of this stuff.

Mm-hmm. And a lot of the stuff that I wanted to do was like highlighting like resources that the university already has. So, uh, like Bruno specifically has a funding competition. It runs every year with the pot of money that students can apply to get money for. Yeah. Um, mental health services, uh, well, I don't know anymore, but at the time they were free for students to get support so they could get, uh, mental health support.

Uh, it was literally through doing a podcast that I then also found out that, uh, Brunel does, uh, so if someone is neuro, thinks they're neurodiverse, brune can do for free the um. The test to help them figure out like what their neurodiversity is and what support that they need for their studies. Um, they, all these things.

And a lot of the students, I was telling them about this, like, did you know that these things existed? 

Yeah. 

Uh, so yeah, I didn't get elected. And like you said about like God's got a plan. Exactly. Yeah. Um, I was like, ah, cool, I didn't get elected. Uh, this kind of sucks. Mm-hmm. But I was like, yeah, this is a lot of good conversations.

And I was like, there's clearly like an issue here. 'cause there's a huge disconnect between the students that we're working with or like the students of the university and the services that they provide and people aren't necessarily knowing about it. And I was like, yeah. The university might say like, we've got newsletters or like, oh, we've got plaques, or like stuff that says, oh hey, this is it.

Mm-hmm. I was like, let's be honest, most students don't like most people, regardless of being that you're a student or not, don't read emails. Yeah. Most people. Don't, like no students will not really be interested in seeing an email from the university. Yeah. And reading even the whole thing. Uh, so I was like, oh, well why don't we create a platform for people to like learn about these things or have conversations.

So originally it was never gonna be a podcast. It was gonna be a Zoom series and we were all just gonna come on Zoom, like invite like people to come. They could watch and then ask the guest questions. Yeah. Or like ask us as a, like me and my friends questions. 'cause they had helped me with the campaign.

Mm-hmm. And then, uh, as it came to like our first one, I was like, oh, like we are not really getting a lot of interest. And I said, you know what? I think interest isn't necessarily 'cause the idea's bad, but it's just like everything's on Zoom. Yeah. People are having their lectures on Zoom, catching family on Zoom too much.

Like, hey,  like this is a lot. Um, and I also said like, Hey, like let's be honest, um, if we don't go to a lecture on Zoom. We never watched the recording back. Yeah. I said, uh, there were lectures that I didn't attend in person. Mm-hmm. I never, even when it came to exam time, I never watched the recording back.

Yeah. So I was like, even if we do share the recording with people, people won't wanna watch it back. Exactly. 'cause they weren't there. Mm-hmm. They're not really interesting. Mm-hmm. So I said, why don't we, you know, pivot into being a podcast? And they were like, oh, well, how would that work? I was like, I have no clue, but like, I'll look into it.

So we started off as like an audio podcast on Zoom, and we were just recording on Zoom. Uh, we did, uh, one season, 10 episodes of this podcast. So at the time we didn't have a name for it. It was literally just called pick up mic. Okay.  Uh, and we did our first season. First season went well. Uh, I reached out to the, our student union and said, Hey look, we've got this really cool thing.

I'd love for your support. And they agreed to support financially with covering the cost That's and upload it on the platform. Mm-hmm. And I was like, cool. Like, let's keep it going. Uh, my friend Samuel, who I like, I keep chatting out, but I tell, I tell everyone like, the only reason we're on YouTube is because of him.

Yeah. Uh, so he was like, oh, well why didn't we do video? And I was like, I don't know. I don't really know much about YouTube. Mm-hmm. I don't know how to navigate that space. Yeah. And he was like, no, like. We should try it. Like, you know, I've seen that something's really good on YouTube, like, and it's got an audience who will just bring people in.

Exactly. So I was like, cool, let's, let's give it a go. Mm-hmm. Um, and then we did, we recorded on YouTube. We've been recorded on YouTube ever since. Yeah. And that's also the main reason why this podcast is the only one that's on like all listening platforms. Okay. But all of our other podcasts are only on YouTube because we also then saw like the more, we created more podcasts.

Mm-hmm. Everyone loved.  Everyone loves the video podcast. Yeah. But they, like, we still have, and that's not to say like people don't listen to this now. Mm-hmm. But people prefer watching a podcast than viewing it. Yeah. And at the time, like things have now changed, like Spotify now allows you to add videos to your podcast, which is great.

Mm-hmm. But at the time, like that didn't exist. Mm-hmm. So we were just like, actually you know what, it makes sense to just keep this as the only one as a video. Yeah. Like as audio one. 'cause we've had this, like, this has been our podcast from the start. Mm-hmm. But when it comes to other ones, we're just gonna put 'em on YouTube because we see that like people prefer to just, even when we put it on both platforms mm-hmm.

Like you see that people do really prefer to Yeah. 

Engage more. Yeah. 'cause you feel like you are part of the conversation as well. Exactly. A 

hundred percent. Um, yeah. That's the dream. Yes. 

What did you study then at university? 

Uh, people think I studied, I did not do anything media related. Okay. Uh, so I did environmental sciences Oh wow.

For my undergraduate and then sustainability, entrepreneurship and design for my.  

Wow. 

Okay. So yeah, so nothing to do with like media, nothing to do with like, uh, podcasting or marketing, anything like that. So even like I told people, like, now I know how to, like, I wouldn't say I'm a marketing expert mm-hmm.

But like I know about marketing 'cause I have to do it for pickup mind. Exactly. I like star work. Uh, how to edit podcasts and like, like you said, like I, I, I, I'm the type of guy that's like, editing is long. Yeah, exactly. So I try to find good ways to like ease up the process. Mm-hmm. And whether that's using like tools or video editing softwares that can help me, like speed up the process.

Yeah. Like that's why I'm now at stage where I can like get, like sometimes people are surprised 'cause I'll get a video over to them, especially if it's not a busy week, like very quickly. And it's 'cause I've had to optimize the process. Mm-hmm. Because like you said, like before maybe I couldn't necessarily afford to pay software, but now I'm like, actually you know what, this is a good investment.

Yeah. Save you so much time in the long run. That's why I use stuff differently. 

Okay. And I'd say my last question is, if you weren't doing what you are doing now, what profession would you see yourself in? Uh,  

I think, uh, uh, probably more of what I do with my part-time role. Okay. So, um, definitely like something around like community.

Mm-hmm.  Work. Yeah. Um, the reason being is like, so a lot of people get surprised. Like people, even like the, when I was interviewed here, like someone asked me like, oh, why did you, like, why are you applying for this role? 'cause it's, there's very much like a business,  like admin role rather than something like related to the sciences.

Yeah. And I tell people, like, the reason why is because I knew like when I was doing my degree, not that I didn't, I love both my degrees. Yeah. But I knew I never was gonna work in a lab 

because 

Yeah. I don't like lab work. Mm-hmm. I don't like how I found it personally a bit tedious and sometimes a bit boring or the fact that like, you might plan, like you might have a direction for something, you might have done the experiment really well.

All great. And then it turns out that like the result is bad. Yeah. And yeah, sure. People are just like, that's, that's still, you know, good because you can learn from it and stuff like, which I don't disagree with. Yeah. But I was like, I just don't want my work. To like, I'm spending like hours on something.

Mm-hmm. I'm trying to get it done and it's not working and I know that, like, I can't figure out why. Yeah. Uh, but I was, I really do love the community stuff, so even with my degree, um, like we did modules on like how do we work with, uh, like the general public to promote like sustainability or encourage them to, or like teach 'em about environmental issues and stuff like that.

And I was like, oh, A simple way is like through like, so one of my modules for my undergraduate was developing a video, uh, on an environmental issue. So we had to come up with it, design a video, and then answer questions on it. And I was like, yeah, this is cool. Like, doing stuff for community was great.

Yeah. Um, my old manager that I mentioned, I was working with her promoting STEM work for young people. So we'd go to schools around London, well typically really the uk but we spoke mainly on London. Yeah. We'd go around and we'd speak to them and like we'd do workshops with them and I was like, this is really cool.

This is fun. Mm-hmm. So I would say I'd probably be doing something like that. Okay. So it would be like everything, people on environment, tool subjects. Mm-hmm. But through the lens of like, no, I'm not like. Doing the, like, I might research, but I'm not a researcher, environmental scientist by profession. I'm using my degree in the stuff that I've learned to like teach young people or like teaching people about environmental issues and encouraging them to like become passionate about it.

Okay. Thank you. That's really interesting. Thank you very much. 

Um, we're not gonna go onto the next segment. Okay. Uh, which I'll get out the tablet for because we are now going on to mc at the month, which is our organizational individual that does incredible work. Um, and we've kind of spoken about them quite a bit.

As you can imagine, it is the young BAFTA presenters program. Uh, so it supports, uh, emerging presenters like Precious, providing mentorship, presenting opportunities, industry access, uh, and you know, for us at pick up the mic, we see that it exemplifies how structured support can essentially elevate. Uh, young talent in the creative media.

Uh, and you know, even just from hearing the incredible stuff that you're doing, uh, where you're going in a year abroad is, is an incredible opportunity, especially in America with media that that's gonna be, um, transformative. Yeah. Um,  yeah, I would say that's a great space for you to be in. So if you haven't checked out the program, check it out.

If you, if you wanna apply, get an application in, you've heard how it's been amazing for Precious, uh, it could be amazing for you. Uh, and yeah, if you do apply and you do get on, let know in the comments 'cause it'll be cool to know, um, yeah. What you're presenting. Uh. But 

yeah, 

they are empty of the month 

and they've recently announced the new winners.

Nice. Yeah, so, um, I just love how it's like a family because they, they reach out to me and I'm just friends of, like, most of the young presenters. It's literally like a community. So definitely apply for it next year and yeah, just put yourself out there. You never know what could happen. A 

hundred percent.

Yeah. Um, but yeah, we've now come to the very end of the episode. Uh, oh. Well, no, actually not, not the very end just yet. Yeah, because maybe just  because the second last, um, which is on, uh, the takeaway. So, you know, we, you see this as an opportunity for our guest speakers to leave a message to come home to our, our audience.

Sorry, to take home with them as they, you know, leave the episode. Yeah. So what would you say, we've spoken about a lot. Mm-hmm. We've spoken about a lot of cool things that you are working on, that you've done your experience journey. What is a message you love people to go home with? 

Yeah. Whatever you put your mind to, just do it.

Um, and also there's one thing my mom would always say is like, you are not young forever. It kind of scares me 'cause it's true. And like you don't wanna live back and regret, say whatever you see, whatever you feel like doing, just do it. And um, I always talk about God. So if you are not Christian, you give it a try.

You know Jesus loves you. And if you are a Christian, there's a verse in the Bible, um, Matthew 6 33, seek the kingdom verse  and his righteousness and everything will be added onto you. So it's like when you seek God, all the things that you do need, he will give to you, not the things that you want because there's a lot of things you want, but you won't get it.

So whatever you need, God will give it to you as long as you're seeking him. So, yeah.  

And uh, I think one final thing to add to what you just, um.  Even as you said, like, sorry,  just remember the first bit that you said. What was the first click on whatever you do, put 

whatever you put your mind to. I even say it.

I was meant to say whatever you put your mind to, you can do it. 

Yes. Yeah. With that, I feel like it's important to even just remember that like,  yeah, there's, oh, I remember this. Yes. The young people like the, the, if you're not young forever. That was say, um, because I think a lot of people forget. And this is something that is more of a wider conversation that we cannot, well, we can discuss, but I think this could be even a whole episode, is this whole idea of like for young people, opportunities in the creative industries do start to close up as you start to get older.

Yeah. Um, so, you know, first cutoff point, like you said, it's typically like 18, then it's 25, then it's 30. I've now reached a 25 point. Yeah. Uh, so it is rough seeing stuff that you, uh, can't apply for anymore. Um, but yeah, I would say especially if you're a young person and like let's say you are like 15 and you're watching this, I would say just like research all the opportunities you can like apply for, um, because like you said, you're not young forever.

And a lot of these do provide you with like a wide network or a lot of support. Uh, you know, off the top of my head, I know there's Creative Mental Network. They run programs for I think 18 tow,  well, there's one that's 18 to 25. 18 to 27. Those are two programs you can apply for. Uh, I know Roundhouse have a creative studios for 13 to 25 year olds.

They've been on the podcast, check them out. They also have their coworking space, roundhouse Works, which is for 18 to 30 year olds. Um, there's an organization called Fish Tank. They want a residency program for artists and for entrepreneurs. That's a camp for 18 to 30 year olds. Um, some, a house themselves on a program called Upgrade Yourself.

They're doing monthly sessions at the moment for 18 to 30 year olds. So essentially, the point I'm trying to hammer home is there's a lot of stuff, particularly when you're 18 to 30 and if you want, even if you're not, you've graduated, you are not in the creative industries. There's a lot of stuff that can help you get Yeah.

So I would say if you are 21 and you're watching this, you just graduated and you have an interest in the creative industries, or maybe you'll, you studied a creative industry subject and you want to like.  Develop growth, check out these programs. Um, like, uh, organization I would recommend is called the Eric App.

They highlight a lot of opportunities in the creative industries, and they do put, like, if it's for like 18 to 30-year-old, 18 to 25. So download the app. It's completely free. There's loads. Like opportunities, grants, training schemes, part-time and full-time roles, um, content. A lot of our podcasts, especially those that focus on the creative interviews like this one are on there.

Um, so yeah, I would tell people like, 

yeah, get 

involved. Um, 

there's a lot actually. Yeah. For us creatives, it's just about looking. Mm, yeah. 

A hundred percent. Yeah. Um, but yeah, we we're not to the end of episode.  Yeah. It's been amazing speaking to you, precious. Uh, any, well, first off, we give this an opportunity for guests to share how people can connect with them.

Okay. If you've got anything cool, a as we discussed before, I cannot guarantee definitely when this episode will come out. But if you have something cool that you want to spotlight out, spotlight, um, or people should be aware of that you know you are gonna be doing mm-hmm. This is your opportunity to let our audience go.

Okay. 

So, um, yeah, you can find me everywhere. Precious as well. And, um, yeah, I'm gonna bero my year abroad, so make sure you subscribe to Precious as Well's YouTube. And you'll see all of that and Fresh SA on TikTok and Instagram and yeah, just follow me on my journey. Yeah. 

Perfect. Thank you. Um, and thanks to our wonderful audience for coming back from another episode of Pick Up the Mic and the student guide.

If you like this episode, like comment to subscribe is always appreciated. Please make sure you click the notification bell at the bottom of the videos to so you don't miss any of the other  on the pick up the Mic YouTube channel. Um, and if you're listening on any listening platform, make sure you subscribe to, um, if you want to support efforts and receive.

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Uh, then check out Patreon or our channel membership. Uh, those are listed down below. You can join for a price of a coffee. So, you know, one coffee per month you could donate towards, uh, this incredible network that we've got here. Um, and then finally, if you want to learn, if you're interested in sci-fi, fantasy gaming or anime, check out all of those channels, uh, because we have our gaming, uh, channel.

Pick up the controller, our anime channel s of anime, and our sci-fi fantasy channel, the two Macas. Uh, and at this time we're recording, there's been a lot of, uh, sci-fi and fantasy staff. Supermans just released. Uh, today is the 25th, so it's fantastic. Boys and cinemas in the uk. So they will be discussing it.

They will be coming back. It's been a busy period for both Joshua and Morgan, but they will be back with new podcast. Um, but actually, sorry. One final thing. I, I will say, 'cause I, I actually haven't said this on the podcast, which is actually a shame. Um, but it is, it is now is the best opportunity to say it.

Uh, 'cause this is a podcast, as I mentioned, that started all our fruitful efforts. Uh, and yes. Uh, if you follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok, you may have seen that I announced that we are officially an award-winning podcasting network. Uh, so yeah, I think very much. Um, we are, we are now, uh, we won Best Podcast Network 2025 at the Greater London Enterprise Awards.

Uh, there will be an official like press release, uh, in September, but we couldn't have done it without all of you, uh, because uh, someone in our amazing community nominated us for it. Um, so we really appreciate all of your work. But yeah, now we're officially award running podcasting network. So thanks you for all of you for making this incredible journey happen.

We appreciate all of you. But yeah, we're gonna close this chapter of the Student Guide. We'll see you next time. New episode, new guest, new topic. Uh, as a bye from us here. Have a wonderful day.  Perfect. Cool. Thank you very much. That's amazing. Thank you. I like that 

conversation.