Lex Gillette is a blind Paralympics champion in the long jump category. Lex talked to Aleks about the challenge of adjusting to his circumstances at such a young age, the encouragement he received from his mother to maintain his independence, and about an inspirational pastor whose YouTube videos help him keep focus on his training and his writing.

Martha Lane-Fox is an entrepreneur and internet activist. Martha talked to Aleks about having success in the early days of the internet, how she helped two different Prime Ministers set a benchmark for government digital services, and about a female tech trailblazer who had to change her name to Stevie to get her CV read.

Ytasha Womack is an award-winning author, filmmaker, independent scholar, and dance therapist. Ytasha talked to Aleks about her early love of dance, libraries and the movie The Wiz…and about the icon who inspired her scholarship and art.

Roman talks to Aleks about his upbringing, about how a group of people he went to college with turned out to be some of the most talented people working in radio today, and about the surprising punk rock inspiration behind Radiotopia.

Lemn Sissay is a multi-award winning poet, performer, and chancellor at the University of Manchester. Lemn spoke to us about growing up with a foster family that rejected him, spending his teens in children’s homes, then realising at the age of 18 his entire life was a lie. He also spoke about a giant who gave him strength and inspiration throughout.