In this episode, Paolo and Paul hit the road to sit down with Jenny Molloy, the best-selling author of Hackney Child and This Isn’t Love.

In the first part of a two-episode special, we talk about the events detailed in Hackney Child. At just nine years old, Jenny, along with her two brothers, went to the Stoke Newington police station and asked to be taken into care after an angry mob attacked their family home. The mob’s fury was sparked by the revelation that Jenny’s mother had been working as a prostitute, and one of her clients was a neighbour’s husband.

Although Jenny escaped the neglect of her alcoholic parents and the severe poverty they faced, life in care still brought its own set of challenges. However, as Jenny shares, the caring staff and social workers who saw something good in her became her saviours during this turbulent time.

This conversation is one of resilience, survival, and the joy found in small moments of happiness.

For more information:
Click on the link to buy Jenny's books.
Follow Jenny on Instagram.

Credits:
Produced by Simon Wady
Filmed by Adrian Tanner, Many Hands Productions
Theme music by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

Thank you for listening.

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Keep up-to-date on guests, future episodes and other news on our website, including all our social platforms.

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May we all shine on.

This week, Paolo and Paul sit down with Mark Riddell MBE, the government’s National Adviser for Care Leavers, for a deeply personal conversation about how his time in the Scottish care system shapes his work to improve the lives of young people transitioning out of care.

From his childhood with an alcoholic father and the painful loss of his mother, Mark shares the emotional story that led him into the care system. A love for music and Mod culture provided some escape, but he ultimately succumbed to peer pressure and became involved in glue-sniffing.

He pushed his care staff to their breaking point, and after a chaotic weekend that nearly landed him in jail, he was ready to be moved to yet another home. But when the care manager arrived, instead of sending him away, he told Mark, “This is your home, and you’re staying. We’ll just replace the windows and doors.”

That moment became a turning point for Mark.

As Mark says: "Even for a normal 16-year-old, to face the world on their own at such an age is hard and terrifying and it is much worse for care leaver children. The feeling of abandonment, low self-esteem and trust issues make them more likely to take the wrong path leading to self-destruction." Out of eight kids in one of the care homes Mark stayed at only four are still alive. This is why he felt the system had to change.

What follows is a remarkable journey of self-discovery, via Sylvester Stallone – and now meeting the original Cappuccino Kid – and how this led him to become a passionate advocate for change, and why he’s determined to prevent the same struggles from impacting future generations of care leavers.

So, order a cappuccino, sit back and enjoy our latest episode. It is a classic reminder that we all shine on.

For more information:

• Follow the links to buy Mark’s books The Cornflake Kid and The Cappuccino Kid.
• Follow Mark on X

Produced by Simon Wady.
Recorded at the Tileyard Studios, with thanks to Andres Albert.
Theme music by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band.

Thank you for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like and subscribe...and tell a friend.

Keep up-to-date on guests, future episodes and other news on our website, including all our social platforms.

Watch episodes on our YouTube page.

May we all shine on.

In this episode of But We All Shine On, hosts Paolo and Paul invite you to join them at De Amicis as they reflect on the first month of the show.

With their signature blend of honesty, humour, and insight, they look back on their conversations with two incredible guests: Dr Jim Goddard and Pauline Black.

Paolo and Paul dive deep into the themes that emerged from these interviews, touching on issues of identity, race, and acceptance - and Paul's inability to have a Bowie haircut. They discuss how these themes have shaped their own lives and explore the powerful moments from the first two episodes that resonated with them.

And yes, Skoggies shoes make another appearance – because you can’t beat a pair of Skoggies!

So, grab a seat at the table and join Paolo and Paul as they continue to talk about what it means to shine on.

Join the conversation! Email your thoughts, reflections, or questions to: contact@butweallshineon.com.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoyed this episode!

Due to technical issues on the day, we apologise for the camerawork and audio quality not meeting our usual standards during the first half of the podcast.

Thank you for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like and subscribe...and tell a friend.

Keep up-to-date on guests, future episodes and other news on our website, including all our social platforms.

Watch episodes on our YouTube page.

May we all shine on.