Welcome to Initial Step!
On this channel, we bring you short, engaging conversational interviews where we talk with talented individuals from the creative sector, focusing especially on those who have risen from low socioeconomic or working-class backgrounds.
Our aim? To shine a light on the barriers that often exist when trying to break into creative roles. But more importantly, to showcase inspiring stories of how these challenges can be overcome. Join us as we explore the journeys of remarkable people, learn about their struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. Because no matter where you start, breaking into the creative sector is possible, and we’re here to prove it.
Make sure to subscribe to avoid missing any episode!
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She Went From Child Actor to Casting Director - Here's What Class Cost Her | Gabrielle Foulsham
Gabrielle Foulsham takes us through her journey from child actor to casting professional and educator, unpacking the real challenges working class creatives face in the industry. From financial barriers to social mobility and industry bias, Gabrielle shares what it actually takes to break in and stay in. The creative world when you don't come from money or connections.
We talk about:
- The hidden costs of pursuing a creative career
- How networking shapes who gets opportunities (and who doesn't)
- Why drama schools and training can be geographically and financially out of reach
- What real industry change could look like
- The power of community and mentorship for newcomers
"Being working class in a creative industry is not having doors open for you."
If you're navigating class barriers in your own career, this one's for you.
🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds!
👍 Like this if you enjoyed Gabrielle's journey!
🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Gabrielle!
Follow Us:
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/
- Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial
- Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9
- Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep
Follow Gabrielle
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cre8percent/
Thanks for watching!
#initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #cre8percent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Aug 2026
From Council Estate to Creative Success: Curtis James' Journey
In this episode of Initial Step, we sit down with Curtis James. Media creator, community activist, and co-founder of Class Divide. We trace his journey from growing up on a council estate in Brighton to building a platform that's tackling systemic inequality head-on.
Curtis opens up about the barriers he faced early on, the moments that shaped his resilience, and how those experiences pushed him toward using media as a tool for change. We dig into his work with Class Divide, exploring how the organisation is challenging entrenched inequalities in education. Why access, representation, and community support matter so much for people from working-class backgrounds.
This conversation is about more than one person's story. It's a look at how lived experience can become the foundation for real, lasting change and what it takes to keep pushing forward when the odds aren't stacked in your favour.
In this episode:
- Growing up on a Brighton council estate
- The path into media and community activism
- Founding and building Class Divide
- Tackling inequality in education and the arts
- The role of community support in personal resilience
🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds!
👍 Like this if you enjoyed Curtis' journey!
🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Curtis
Follow Us:
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/
- Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9
- Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep
Follow Curtis James
- Instagram -
Curtis - @oswald808
Class Divide - @divideclass
- Website - https://www.wearefieldwork.com/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtisjames/
Image Credit - Alma Haser
https://almahaser.com/
https://www.instagram.com/almahaser/?hl=en
Thanks for listening!
#initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #ClassDivide #WorkingClassVoices #CommunityActivism #Brighton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Jul 2026
Class, Mental Health & Therapy: A Conversation with Nell (Class Therapy)
In this insightful conversation, Nell, creator of Class Therapy. Explores the intersections of class, mental health, and therapy. We dig into why working-class experiences are so often overlooked in mainstream mental health spaces, the real barriers that keep people from accessing support, and the innovative approaches Nell is championing to make therapy more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Whether you're a mental health professional, someone navigating therapy access issues, or simply interested in how class shapes our emotional lives, this conversation offers valuable perspective on building a more equitable mental health landscape.
In this episode:
🔹 Why working-class experiences are often invisible in therapy spaces
🔹 The structural and financial barriers to mental health support
🔹 Practical, innovative approaches to inclusive therapy
🔹 What Class Therapy is doing differently
🔔 Subscribe for more inspirational stories and insights into those from working class and low socioeconomic backgrounds!
👍 Like this if you enjoyed Nell's journey!
🗣️ Comment below with your thoughts and questions for Nell!
Follow Us:
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/initialstep.co.uk/
- Twitter - https://x.com/step_initial
- Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/initial-step/id1758128198
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZizcM5a2HEQKcaAPToysk?si=79fb1e8a830a4ec9
- Linktree - https://linktr.ee/initialstep
Follow Nell
- Instagram - @class.therapy
- Instagram - @nellashtherapy
- Substack - https://classtherapy.substack.com/
Thanks for listening!
#initialstep #workingclass #lowsocioeconomicbackground #creativeindustry #TVandFilm #Advertising #PRandMarketing #CreativeJourney #CareerInspiration #anyonecanachievesuccess #classtherapy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100
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