From Firestarter to Baker: The Journey from Tyneside to Shanghai and back

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Big River Rising

Big River Bakery

11 episodes

4 days ago

A journey of more than five decades from Tyneside to Shanghai and back for Andy Haddon has led to the realisation that creating a kinder way of living and doing business is needed but will only come by reaching out and enriching the diverse communities and relationships in which change will flourish. It is the bedrock upon which societal change depends. Through conversations with many partners on the relevance of the deep and broad work of Big River Bakery this podcast series shares insights on how to achieve systemic change through a place-based approach relevant to policy makers and others.

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Non-Profit

Business

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From Firestarter to Baker: The Journey from Tyneside to Shanghai and back

Big River Rising

36 minutes 51 seconds

8 months ago

From Firestarter to Baker: The Journey from Tyneside to Shanghai and back

Title: Big River Bakery – The Backstory

In this episode, Andy Haddon and Gail Lawler share the origins of Big River Bakery and its mission as a community-driven social enterprise. Andy reflects on his journey, from growing up in the North East with values of community and creativity to navigating a corporate career that left him unfulfilled. Key moments include:

Childhood Influences: Andy discusses his grandparents’ and parents legacy, his adventurous upbringing, and his early entrepreneurial ventures like the Robin Hood Gang, which charity which raised funds for community projects in India.

Corporate Career and Realizations: Andy recounts his experiences in high-pressure corporate logistics across the UK, Germany, and China. Feeling disconnected from corporate values, he reached a turning point in Shanghai, realizing the need for work aligned with his purpose.

Transition to Purposeful Work: Andy shares how near-death experiences and personal tragedies prompted him to prioritize action over fear of failure. He returned to the North East, pursuing his vision of community-oriented work, ultimately leading to the creation of Big River Bakery.

Community and Social Impact: Highlighting the importance of creativity and collaboration, Andy emphasizes the bakery's focus on employing neurodiverse individuals, fostering inclusivity, and addressing climate change through sustainable practices.

The episode concludes with a preview of the next podcast, which will explore Andy's journey to rebuilding his sense of purpose and the trials leading to the bakery's creation.

Support Local Communities: Visit Big River Bakery or similar community-driven initiatives to contribute to local social enterprises and sustainable practices.

Engage with the Podcast: Subscribe and tune in to the next episode to hear about Andy’s journey to finding fulfillment and how Big River Bakery came to life.

Embrace Action: Take inspiration from Andy’s story to pursue your own purpose-driven goals, no matter the obstacles. Start small, take action, and learn by doing!

If you have enjoyed this podcast and would like to donate to Big River Bakery project here

Find out more about us at www.bigriverbakery.com