The day I met CHRISTOPHER McMINN, HEADMASTER of St Marks Hall’s Nursery, he was in the middle of a meditation and breath-work session with a class before their Nativity play. It calmed them down immediately; at three and four years old, he was teaching them to self-regulate – something many adults haven’t yet mastered. To have a conversation with Christopher is to have a conversation with someone fully present, connected and warm. He is a thinker and empath – he has a lot to say about a lot of things. Even after our interview had finished, the gems of stories and advice didn’t end – in some ways they became more interesting. After two decades of teaching and guiding children, he has graduated to guiding and coaching parents. He speaks about the challenges of teaching adults, and the importance of boys learning ballet. Words, Rachel Byrne

There exists an (un)holy trinity; capitalism, aggressive marketing on social media, and over-consumption, which leads to an acceleration in the effects of climate change. An internal battle many people face is exposure to these mixed messages – a manipulation to buy more – contradicting to a feed of news stories documenting our planets unravelling due to global warming. Content creation and online marketing is how many people make a living today. Artist EVE ALLEN talks about the impact this cognitive dissonance is having on us, and how she manages to sit with it and work in this industry, knowing that there isn’t a straightforward solution. WORDS, RACHEL BYRNE

I attended the first in-person team meet-up for founder Ying Ying Li’s sustainable events consultancy start-up ‘THE POSITIVE EVENT’. I was beyond impressed. Before I arrived, I received a text explaining my most environmentally friendly travel options from my location—bike being the best option and the tube taking second place. I chose the tube—my bike is in Scotland 🙁 and I was travelling with photography equipment. Because of this, I was given a chrome cosmetics container that I could fill and reuse, which Ying Ying explained was a gesture to ‘unofficially offset my carbon footprint’. The attention to detail is unrivalled. Read my interview with Ying Ying here.

I talk to Jake Pearce, the seventeen-year-old founder with four years of business experience under his belt. He talks about starting his first business at thirteen, the benefits of failure and the importance of having purpose in our life. Words, Rachel Byrne

The starting pistol has fired and she is off to a fighting start. London-based photographer, Tess Priya Washburn is embarking on a career in photography. I find out about her journey so far, and how growing up with a mixed cultural background has influenced her approach to life and her work. Words, Rachel Byrne.

We recently photographed Rosy Khalastchy of Beauchamp Estates; London-based, luxury real estate specialist. An authority in her field, with a wealth of experience, it made sense to ask her for business advice. What is the one piece of business advice she’d pass on? Read on to find out. Words, Rachel Byrne.

I speak to RACHEL ARTHUR, founder of BOOM SALOON; a print publication and creative studio with a focus on democratising creativity for good. She speaks about Boom’s recent project which supports those affected by dementia. She also explains the cultural shift in mindset she has seen in regards to helping others over the past five years. A beautiful example of caring for others being central to a business’s DNA. Words, Rachel Byrne

DIGITAL MARKETING and Social-Media Strategist LAURIE WANG shares her advice on why it’s import to build your audience outside social media platforms, why creating boundaries is necessary when using social media for business and the thing that inspires her most about her job. Words, Rachel Byrne

Thoughts for a new year. A reminder of our natural creative advantage and why it is wise to nurture and make use of this valuable gift in both life and business. Words, Rachel Byrne

Meet Scott, a copywriter with an obsession with words and how we use them. He explains copyrighting, its influence in our every day lives, as well as showing us how we can use its principles to our advantage… and why sometimes, the fancy word just isn’t the best one to use.

Journalist and political columnist at the Financial Times, Janan Ganesh answers some quick-fire questions on what he enjoys most about his job and the challenges he faces, as well as sharing the advice that helped him early on in his career.

The 101 on how to take a more professional looking portrait of yourself at home. Welcome to the world of portrait photography, where the nuanced of changes can make a big difference. Words, Rachel Byrne.

SUSTAINABILITY LEAD and REGIONAL DIRECTOR at engineering consultancy firm DSSR, FIONA WILLIAMSON gives us an insight into her world of structural engineering, offering her take on how we can begin to live more considered lives; from better engineering buildings, to the importance of making small changes everyday in our lives. Words, Rachel Byrne

I speak to RACHEL MASON about her role as SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST at sustainable engineering consultancy firm DSSR. She explains financial benefits of sustainable engineering, as well as the beauty of keeping an open mind. Words, Rachel Byrne

We were commissioned by Able2 – BT’s Disability People Network – to take a series of environmental images that better reflect employees of all abilities utilising the space of their new headquarters based in London – One Braham. I reflect on the care and responsibility woven into the buildings design. Words, Rachel Byrne

In 2016, accountant Enoch Adeyemi founded what has now become Black Professionals Scotland – a platform that provides networking opportunities and professional support to black professionals, making it easier to break into and advance in their careers. In 2020, courtesy of the Black Lives Matter movement, George Floyd’s killing and COVID, his organisation grew exponentially. Adeyemi talks adapting to his organisations growth, and the beauty of creating businesses that solve problems.

In the crowded working world, we often spend time with people, and in environments that we wouldn’t normally choose to. The musing of a quote that’s over a century old could pose a remedy to this challenge; as it looks at the importance of becoming more influential in our own lives. Words, Rachel Byrne.

In an interview that felt like a guided meditation, actor and yoga teacher HARRIET MACMASTERS-GREEN explains how to use mindfulness to tackle our brains – often overwhelming abundance of thoughts. As well as explaining the importance of accepting our dark side, and the advice she’d give to her sixteen-year-old self.

I explore the trite, yet eternally relevant topic of ‘the avoidance of failure’, reflecting on my own experience, as well as the latent dangers present in making decisions that are led by fear of failure – both those conscious and unconscious. Words, Rachel Byrne.

London native and editor at ROULEUR magazine, ANDY McGRATH, took some moments to converse with LAPORTRA, detailing his career beginnings with The Daily Peloton, to his obsession with making every issue of Rouleur perfect. Discover below his thoughts on the importance of truthful journalism in the present culture of fake news. Words, Rachel Byrne

Not all portrait studios are created equally; I observe the differences between poor and skilled portrait photography; educating you on how to discern between both and avoid paying for the bad. Words, Rachel Byrne.

Classical musician and soprano Alexandra Shrinivas boasts a repertoire of violin, clarinet and piano in her musical arsenal. Here, she ponders the art of appreciating where we are at every stage of our career and the unforeseen perils of perfecting one’s vocal technique. Words, Rachel Byrne.

Born in Holland and grown up around the world, on account of his father’s diplomatic vocation, Jasper has lived South Africa, Kenya, Brazil, Thailand, before going on to study and settle in Scotland. In this short fire Q&A, I learn about Shadowbreak International—the company he has co-founded, and his views on perspective—a gift his early peripatetic life has blessed him.

A member of the Scottish green party at 16, and the youngest ever MSP at 21— at 25 he’s still fighting. Here he explains how gender, climate change and poverty are all interrelated, and why recycling is not at the top of his agenda.