Send Me A Text Message

In this episode of The Danifesto Podcast, I'm joined by Jodi Whitehouse, founder and CEO of Caring Matters Now, a UK charity supporting people and families affected by Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN), a rare condition that causes large birthmarks and can sometimes lead to serious health complications.

Born in Liverpool with CMN covering much of her body, Jodi grew up facing stares, judgement and isolation. She underwent over 30 operations during her childhood, missed years of school and spent much of her early life not fully understanding her condition.

But what started as an incredibly difficult childhood eventually became something much bigger.

At just 16 years old, Jodi began helping other families affected by CMN, which eventually led to the creation of Caring Matters Now. Today, the charity supports over 900 families, raises awareness of visible differences and helps fund pioneering medical research.

We talk about what it was really like growing up looking different, how she dealt with people's reactions, the impact of her childhood experiences, her Christian faith and the moment she realised that being different wasn't something she needed to hide.

We also discuss the incredible work behind Caring Matters Now, the progress being made in CMN research and why Jodi believes everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.

It's an honest and inspiring conversation about acceptance, resilience, faith and turning personal challenges into something that can change other people's lives.

A massive thank you to Jodi for coming on the podcast and sharing her story.

Find out more about Caring Matters Now or support their work:
https://www.caringmattersnow.co.uk/

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, follow and share the podcast.

The Danifesto Podcast
Real talk. Real life. No filter.

#TheDanifestoPodcast #JodiWhitehouse #CaringMattersNow #CMN #VisibleDifference #Liverpool #Podcast

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

What does it really mean to belong somewhere? And can you have faith while still having doubts?

In this episode of The Danifesto Podcast, I'm joined by Chris Hayes from Heart Liverpool for an open and honest conversation about faith, family, mental health, inclusion and finding somewhere you truly feel accepted.

Chris shares his journey from growing up in Oklahoma, USA, to living in Prague and eventually making Liverpool his home. We talk about how his faith has shaped his life, the challenges he's faced along the way, dealing with anxiety and depression, and why he believes it's completely normal to question what you believe.

We also explore the story behind Heart Liverpool, a community café that's about much more than coffee. It's somewhere people can meet, build friendships, explore faith and feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or circumstances.

As someone who's autistic, I share why Heart Liverpool is one of the places where I genuinely feel comfortable and accepted. We discuss neurodiversity, the importance of inclusion, sensory-friendly environments and why having somewhere you can simply be yourself makes such a difference.

We also talk about the challenges of building a community, the importance of not judging people before getting to know them, and what's next for Heart Liverpool.

Whether you're religious, questioning your faith, or simply interested in hearing someone's story, this episode is about something we can all relate to: finding acceptance, building connections and having somewhere we feel we belong.

The Danifesto Podcast is all about real conversations, real experiences and discussing the things that actually matter, from ADHD and autism to mental health, growing up, Liverpool and everything in between.

Real talk. Real life. No filter.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.

Send Me A Text Message

Dan is joined by Kanika, founder of Beetroot Consultant, for a wide-ranging conversation about challenging broken systems and creating better ways to work.

They explore how technology can support people without replacing human connection, the opportunities and risks of AI, and why doing things differently requires courage and intention. Kanika and Dan also share their personal experiences of ADHD, medication, creativity and navigating systems that are not always designed with neurodivergent people in mind.

Along the way, they discuss digital trust, medical anxiety, entrepreneurship, 3D printing and the podcast recording they lost the first time around.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Danifesto. If this episode meant something to you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs that little push to back themselves. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for behind the scenes clips and updates. If you want early episodes and bonus content, you can join The Danifesto Plus through my Buzzsprout page. Your support helps me keep growing this and bringing bigger conversations to the mic.