GENERAL INTERVIEW

Navigating Now returns for two bonus episodes!

Published on August 28, 2024

Navigating Now… from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a podcast by young people, for young people. It follows a group of recent and current Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants, aged between 14-24 years, as they explore the big questions they have about life.

The podcast is a collaboration between the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants and production and promotion company, Mags Creative. It launched in July 2023 and published eight episodes spanning subjects such as social media, mental health, relationships, and the environment and now the show is back for two bonus episodes, releasing today, focusing on a range of issues from the cost of living crisis and the pressures of becoming an adult to global issues and how to know what news to trust.

Hannah Russell and Faith Russell from Mags Creative commented about the new bonus episodes:

“These two new episodes of Navigating Now provide a unique opportunity to hear from young people during a time of significant political change in the UK and around the world. From the episode topics, to the podcast theme music and narration, these episodes have been driven by young people’s thoughts, opinions, ideas and talents. We feel very privileged to have been trusted to raise the volume on young people’s voices at a time when they need to be heard more than ever. A few months ago, the podcast trailer was being played in parliament at an event marking the publication of major new research published by The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – the themes of which, informed Navigating Now. This was a particularly proud production moment for the show and an example of the real-world impact we hope the podcast will have.”

Photograph: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award / Jonny Sanders

Each episode is narrated by Elsie (16) and hosted by three different young people. We spoke to Elsie in August last year to get her thoughts on the podcast and this time we’re speaking to two of the young hosts – Craig (22) from Ascot and Abiya (15) from Lisburn, Northern Ireland about the two new bonus episodes…

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and these new bonus episodes?

Craig: I’m Craig, I’m 22, I’m from Ascot, and have recently graduated from Loughborough University in Mathematics and Sports Science. After completing my DofE Gold Award in 2020, I supported the DofE locally before getting involved as a host on Navigating Now. On these bonus episodes, myself and Abi, alongside other young people, discuss key issues affecting young people in the UK today, including the cost-of-living crisis and trust in the media.

Abiya: My name is Abi, I’m 15, I live in Northern Ireland, in Lisburn. This is my first time being involved in podcasting and I’m so excited for other young people to hear our thoughts and for it to spark their own discussions.

Were you interested in podcasting before you got involved with Navigating Now?

Abiya: I had actually never thought about podcasting before as I’m someone who needs to see rather than hear. So since I didn’t think podcasts would appeal to me, I never really considered it before Navigating Now.

When we were recording the episodes I really enjoyed how much we were encouraged to voice our thoughts confidently. I can sometimes struggle with this, especially when my opinion may be different to other people’s. Now I am hoping to and trying to continue speaking with confidence no matter whether other people will agree or disagree with me.

Craig: I have always had a fascination with the production process of podcasts, especially with their growth in popularity over the last decade – so being behind one of the microphones and meeting everyone involved was eye opening. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process.

Photograph: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award / Jonny Sanders

Do you have any favourite podcasts that you listen to?

Abiya: Yes, my friend recently told me about this wonderful podcast called Christ with Coffee on Ice which is a Christian podcast that for me as a Christian is really encouraging to listen to.

Craig: In the twelve months proceeding the release of Navigating Now series one, I have listened to the Modern Wisdom podcast with Chris Williamson. It provides life lessons established through the host’s desire for self-improvement and reflection – drawing similarities to the voicenotes heard in Navigating Now and how we as hosts can take the pieces of advice given in our own lives, as Chris Williamson does in his. Having had successful guests such as Dr Jordan Peterson, Gary Vaynerchuk, and David Goggins on the Modern Wisdom podcast, all of whom I look up to in their own respect, I have been engrossed in discovering new outlooks on life, and how I can use this knowledge going forward – a concept I am lucky to have had first hand experience of when appearing on Navigating Now.

What have you learned about podcasting through hosting Navigating Now?

Abiya: That it’s okay to make mistakes. When you’ve got an awesome team behind the scenes, who are cheering you on, you don’t have to be perfect. You just need to say what you want to say, in the way that you want to say it. And if that means trying once or twice – just go for it.

Craig: How many people it takes to turn podcasts from dreams to reality! There is an unbelievable team behind the Navigating Now podcast – from creative producers to social media experts, there are lots of unsung heroes bringing the podcast to life that you don’t necessarily appreciate as a listener. The recording days were full on with lots to cram in to get everything the team needed, and I can’t wait for you to hear what has been produced!

Photograph: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award / Jonny Sanders

Are there any particular moments in the podcast that mean the most to you?

Abiya: It’s all so precious to me because it’s the result of more than two or three months of calls and research. To see it all put together is unreal.

Craig: I would say discussing the cost-of-living crisis alongside Katrina and Abi resonated with me. As a recent graduate, the prospect of trying to get on the housing ladder, whilst trying to pay the eye-watering student debt attached to going to university, is daunting. Being able to discuss a topic I was so passionate about, with two others at different stages of life, was really valuable.

I also can’t not mention working alongside such incredible individuals throughout the process, as this meant a lot to me.

Has working on Navigating Now made you more likely to start your own podcast one day?

Craig: With the abundance of podcasts now, I don’t know if I’d have what it takes to compete against the competition! I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the podcast though, having been fortunate to speak on the first series and again on the bonus episodes. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Abiya: Not right now, I’m only 15 and I’ve got my whole life ahead of me! But I loved recording the bonus episodes, and I’d be much more likely to get involved if I ever got the opportunity to do something like this again.

What advice would you offer to other young people who want to get involved in podcasting?

Abiya: Go for it! If it feels right, if it seems like something you would enjoy, try it and see. And if it doesn’t float your boat that’s okay. Don’t ever give yourself the chance to regret not trying it.

Craig: Trust me an “Oops” is better than a “What if?”. I’d much rather look back on experiences acknowledging that they may not have had the desired outcome – than regret and wonder what could have been if I wasn’t so caught up about what other people might think. I’d recommend other young people to just go for it – grasp every opportunity presented to you and never be too shy to ask questions about something you have a passion for. It could lead to paths you never imagined were possible.

Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Abiya: Navigating Now is possibly one of the best podcasts you could listen to. There are some really good pieces of advice from both the celebrities and the young people which could positively impact your life.

I personally really enjoyed listening to Navigating Now, even before I was invited to be a host on one of the episodes. It’s an inspiring and fun podcast where young people can share their thoughts on big ideas that would usually be dismissed or discouraged if they tried to speak out about them. Navigating Now gives young people hope that their thoughts still matter.

Craig: Listen to our podcast! On a more professional note, I am excited to find out what you think of it. It was a joy to be a part of the process, and I hope that is conveyed in the finished product.