Welcome to Inclusion Bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging and societal transformation. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a world? Remember, everyone not only belongs, but thrives. You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo and share storeys that resonate deep within. Ready to dive in. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too.

Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show. So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with Inclusion Bites.

And today is episode 206 with the title Creativity Loves Difference. And I have the absolute honour and privilege to welcome Fredrick Harron. Fredrick is a global creativity explorer and author who has spent two decades uncovering how diverse cultures unlock human potential and fuel innovation. When I asked Frederick to describe his superpower, he said that it is seeing creativity as a global language that thrives, where every perspective is genuinely included. Hello, Frederic. Welcome to the show.

Well, hello. I'm super excited for this conversation.

Yes, we met six, seven years ago at a Professional Speaking association conference in the uk in Coventry or somewhere. Somewhere obscure like that?

No, in Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham. Nottingham Forest, that was it, yes. I remember your keynote. It was absolutely inspiring. And you did a deconstruction of a keynote you'd given to a, I think a 2,000 seater audience. It was a awe inspiring.

No, no, no, it was 400,000 people watching because it was cast, video cast around the world for 400,000 people. It was 10,000 people in the audience, but it was 400,000 people watching.

Wow, that's almost like broadcast TV, isn't it? That's more than most news channels get. That's incredible. So when we first met, you were based out in the Far east, in Singapore, and you repatriated back to your home country of Sweden, is that right?

Yeah, I spent. I moved to Asia in 2005 and I moved back during the pandemic. So I had about 20 years in Asia and now we're based in the archipelago of Sweden.

Beautiful. It's beautiful. I mean, the skies, the sun, the atmosphere. It's a better experience, isn't it?

It's a special. Archipelagos are not that common in the world, actually. So yes, it's a very special place. I love it.

Yeah. And you actually own an island and that must be even more special.

I actually own two islands to be business.

Two islands, okay.

Yes. I used to own three islands, but now I only own two. But it sounds very excessive for anyone except if you live in Sweden. It's a fun fact. Sweden has 25% of all the islands in the world. We have 265,000 islands in Sweden. So if you ever dream of owning an island, it's actually quite easy to get. While in Sweden it's not easy to get the ones I have because it's extremely close to this capital.

It's actually part of the capital. If you dream of an island, you buy one in a far in lake somewhere in Sweden. Only 8% of the islands in Sweden are inhibited. So 92% have no one living on them. So please come and, you know, join me as an island owner.

So I'm guessing that creates its own problem around utilities, waste, water, electric, Internet, those kind of things.

We are off grid. I've been off grid since 1999. All our panels. I have my own fully, how do you say, confined. I like. Basically I turn my waste into compost. I make my own water. It's.

It's super cool.

Wow. So you are planning for a future, a dystopian future where you need to cut yourself off.

I am very. If. If the shit hits the fan. We are more prepared than most. Definitely. Unfortunately, island is very small, so we can't grow all our food. Otherwise we're quite self resilient. Water and energy self producing.

That makes you very like independent. I like to compare it to.

What.