Lucy explained why frustration with traditional industry events led to UN//Scene, and why she wanted to create something that moved beyond familiar speakers, corporate-approved conversations and sales pitches. James and Kenya shared why the event's mix of new perspectives, practical ideas and genuine participation creates a very different experience, and why accessibility and diversity have been built into it from the beginning.
Why Lucy Verby created UN//Scene after becoming frustrated with the lack of genuinely fresh thinking and new voices at traditional industry events.
Why Lucy believes the industry needs to find "the faces that are going to be the headliners of tomorrow" and give them somewhere to develop their ideas and experience on stage.
Why Kenya Peters believes industry events can become too focused on familiar conversations, and what happens when people are encouraged to talk about the subjects and ideas they genuinely care about.
Why UN//Scene refuses sales pitches and panels, and instead asks speakers to bring their most creative and exciting thinking.
How the event is built around three principles: pragmatism, positivity and participation.
Why speakers are encouraged to leave people with something tangible they can actually take away and use.
How this year's sessions cover everything from neurodivergence and magic to toxic leadership, matrescence, community, respectful rejection, queer advertising and creativity.
Why James Latham came away from the first UN//Scene feeling "more nourished" and with new ideas and conversations he could take into his work.
How feedback from the first event led to more structured networking designed to help people connect without simply leading with their job titles.
Why the organisers want both new entrants and senior industry decision-makers in the room, so the people attending have the ability to create meaningful change.
Why speakers are encouraged to stay, watch other sessions and become part of the audience rather than disappearing after their own talk.
How every penny generated by the event goes to charity.
Why Kenya believes that "no matter where you are in your career, there's going to be something that you can take from it".
How UN//Scene has built diversity into the event from the ground up by deliberately looking for ideas and speakers in different places.
Why Lucy rejects the idea that it is difficult to find diverse speakers, saying: "We didn't find it difficult because we just fished in the right places."
Lucy's thanks to Craft Media, this year's UN//Scene sponsor, and why having a sponsor whose values align with the event matters to the team.
Why the team believes UN//Scene ultimately works because alongside the learning, networking and industry impact, as Lucy puts it, "it's just a really good day of exciting stuff."
The episode publication date is not stated in the transcript material available to me, so I have not invented one.
