1st November 2024
Backstage with Backup
E6: Erica Basniki - Recovery Is Not A Bad Word

Guest: Erica Basniki is a writer who specialises in brand language, tone of voice, and content strategy. She trained as an audio engineer, and then had a career as an audio industry journalist. She is also a passionate mental health and recovery advocate.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and is proud to be able to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: Erica and Sarah discuss Erica’s personal experience of alcohol addiction and recovery, her ongoing journey with mental health issues, and her desire to help normalise these by promoting industry-wide discussion.

Episode key topics + chapter markers:
2:46 – Erica and Sarah discuss the importance of medical help to recover from alcohol addiction.

5:39 – Erica talks about how her identity revolved around her ability to drink, starting at the age of 19 and her denial that she had a problem.

8:53 – Erica discusses how genetics, trauma and mental health issues affect a person’s predisposition to alcoholism, how she used alcohol as a coping mechanism.

12:05 – Erica relays how, once she reached her mid-30s, there was no denying she had a serious problem, but that she didn’t know what to do about it.

15:10 – Erica talks about the first steps on her journey to recovery.

19:50 – Erica explains how the process of recovery means changing your mind, in the most literal sense, her resistance to asking for help, how it’s not possible to do that alone, how she found a sense of community through organisations that is essential to recovery.

26:00 – Erica emphasises how a dependence on alcohol isn’t a choice, how it’s not the fault of the person going through it. She explains how grateful to be where she is now, and what organisations in the industry like Music Support and Roadies in Recovery are helping the industry.

Music Support: Addiction & Recovery Awareness Workshop
Roadies In Recovery: Backup Resources lists weekly sessions and joining info under 'Support Groups'

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
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• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BackupCharity

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Friday 13th September 2024
Backstage with Backup
E5: Talking About Neurodiversity

Guests:
Phil Wright: An award-winning Senior Mix and Spatial Engineer, Phil trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Initially working at Sound By Design Ltd, he formed Phil Wright Sound in 2012, producing productions around the globe. He mixes live show recordings at his home studio and also collaborates on product development and design. He teaches on the Theatre Technology course at Guildhall School and was a member of the Executive Board at the ASD.

Jess Allan: Having worked in the industry for over 25yrs in various roles, Jess is Backup ‘s Charity Coordinator. She is passionate about supporting the freelance community, especially in regard to mental health and wellbeing.
Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and is proud to help spread the word about the great work Backup does.

In this conversation: The challenges and advantages of being neurodiverse are discussed, how Phil navigates working in the touring industry, and how mental and physical health can be protected through openness and changing attitudes

Episode key topics + chapter markers:
*Profanity warning
2:28 – Phil talks about his early ADHD diagnosis and how he discovered he was autistic

4:00 – Phil's experiences since he has been more open and honest about his diagnosis particularly with younger crew members

5:00 – Jess highlights the importance of industry awareness. Phil notes that creative people can also be neurodiverse, how and why the industry appeals to them and the challenges they face

9:20 – Phil and Jess discuss changing attitudes, how panels like the Neurodiversity panel at PLASA can help the younger industry cohort and their employers, and how he’s mentored ASD students using his real-life experiences

16:28 – Phil discusses how honesty about how a tour schedule was unhealthy for his mental and physical health, helped change the regime and the need for healthier touring

20:16 – Phil talks about how his autism diagnosis meant he stopped masking and can voice his concerns

Useful resources and links:
Neurodiversity Week resource hub

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backup-tech-charity/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BackupCharity

...

Guest: Piers Shepperd is director of international technical production practice, Wonder Works. His three-decade career has spanned design, production management, audio, lighting, automation and the development of cutting-edge manufacturing. He has been involved in over twelve Olympic Ceremonies, helped build the largest ever World Expo site in Dubai and can name both Her Majesty the Queen and Queen the rock band as clients.

He is also a Trustee of Backup and became Backup Chair in 2022. He is an expert in managing multiple stakeholders, mindfully guiding talented teams through a myriad of obstacles to deliver work in sometimes challenging environments, all of which he brings to his role at Backup.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and is proud to be able to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: Sarah talks with Piers about his role in Backup as Chair, current needs of the industry, how Backup looks after recipients and the role Backup plays in supporting education on issues that effect the industry.

Episode key topics + chapter markers :
2:58 –Piers talks about his history with Backup and how and why he got involved in the first instance.

4:15 – The changes Piers has seen in the intervening years and how Backup has adapted.

7:10 – Current needs of the industry; increasing need for help with mental health, pressures people are facing.

9:12 – Sarah asks Piers if there are any plans he has in mind for the coming months. Piers talks about listening to recipients to make sure the process is managed and follow up care is put in place along with other initiatives that mean Backup is there to help ahead of a time, heading of problems before they become crises.

12:07 – Sarah and Piers talk about the need for education on current issues, both within Backup itself and the industry in general.

15:00 – Piers highlights the fact that change doesn’t happen overnight and the need for long term programmes to ensure that change happens to ensure people’s welfare, including training people as Mental Health First Aiders.

17:30 – How enabling people to g

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backup-tech-charity/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BackupCharity

...