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Welcome to Crossroads Podcast UK, a new kind of podcast - providing entertainment. Our shows are available wherever you get your pods, Spotify, Apple, Acast, you name it, we're on there. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email, or on the form on our Contact Page. Check out our list of episodes. All our podcasts are live on streamyard ....we don't believe in recordings. I believe when you interview a guest you need a face to face interview, and also people watching can leave questions.One of the major keys to a successful and a long lasting podcast is dedication, passion, and good listener interaction. When it comes to our show, we are creative in making fun, new features that will keep you entertained and want you to recommend the podcast to others. We work day and night to ensure the shows are professional. For many years Stephen Beer was afraid to go out of his front door; frightened to leave his home for fear of what people would say about his weight. He regularly faced physical and verbal abuse when he walked down the street, which left him feeling suicidal. Stephen says, "I am regularly mocked and abused because of my weight. From name calling to being spat on ...it is horrible and most people don't realise how much it hurts. Unless you've been through it yourself, people don't understand the impact of discrimination."
Stephen has experienced a number of health issues over the years. His most recent trip to the hospital after suffering a heart attack left him feeling demoralised with the health service. He was left waiting for treatment because he was told he wouldn't fit in any of the beds and the hospital had to order to a suitable bed for him. He says, "Much of my experience with doctors and hospitals has left me feeling like some staff are against me. There is a stigma that because of my weight I'm no good. There aren’t chairs available that I can sit on in the doctor’s waiting room or the right sized beds available in the hospital. There can be little understanding of the issues that people with obesity regularly face." Stephen is determined not to give up. He is now an obesity campaigner, running a Facebook group to support other people with obesity and travelling the country.
Steve watched a film called The Greatest Showman, then this happened:
1. Only you can make the most out of your life. P.T. Barnum's story is a rag-to-riches one. Barnum and his father were tailors for the Hallett family, and he had eyes for the daughter, Charity. When she is sent to finishing school, Barnum is sure to stay connected and through letters, the two are reunited and eventually marry. This was just the start of Barnum proving that you have the power to make the most out of your life. If you look closely throughout the rest of the movie, you can see how this was a common idea throughout his adulthood as well.
2. You have to take risks. Barnum took a risky bet to take out a large loan from the bank when he bought the Barnum's American Museum. He also took a huge risk, and often faced criticism when he created a show centered on "freaks." Not only did Barnum takes risks, but so did Phillip Carlyle when he decided to join the venture. This musical shows that some risks will hurt you, but if you don't you could just be stuck in the same old life.
3. You'll face criticism. Every character faced some sort of criticism. The "freaks" were laughed at for their oddities, Phillip Carlyle was frowned upon by his parents after joining the circus, and Barnum was denounced for creating the circus. This musical proved you will be criticized whether it's the way you look, the people you are associated with, or the actions you take. The show also showed that how you take that criticism and turn it around shows true strength and persistence. With that attitude it'll take you further than those who put you down.
4. The only thing that stands between you and happiness is yourself. The songs "This Is Me" and "Rewrite the Stars" were perfect examples of how the characters were not happy, but realized that they were the ones limiting themselves. There will always be criticism, and events that we cannot change, but at the end of the day, our happiness comes from within and how we think of ourselves.
5. We are humans and make mistakes. P.T. Barnum made some choices against his better judgement and got immensely wrapped up in his show business. Although he left his family for some time to travel with Jenny Lind, which ends terribly in a scandal, Charity eventually comes to forgive Barnum. Charity's response shows that mistakes happen and we will get hurt, but with time we can cool down and learn to forgive. We are humans and make mistakes, but we can't let it keep us from living the life we deserve, accepting people's disabities, race and colour is life - we can't design this world we can only try to love it .
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Midlands Arts Centre - MAC, Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, United Kingdom