In this special episode, Lisa Morton revisits one of the most powerful conversations from the podcast to date — her 2022 interview with Figen Murray OBE.

Figen practises kindness and teaches resilience in an effort to build a safer, more united society — one rooted in trust, respect, and compassion. After losing her son Martyn Hett in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, she gave up her career as a therapist to study counter-terrorism and speak to young people about the dangers of online radicalisation.

Originally recorded ahead of the fifth anniversary of the attack, Figen shares a deeply personal account of that harrowing night and the difficult months that followed. She reflects on the power of forgiveness, the need to understand those who’ve been led astray, and how small, everyday acts of kindness can have a monumental impact on our communities.

Now, in 2025 Figen has had a very busy 3 years and she tells Lisa about the journey she’s made since that first conversation — including the landmark achievement of Martyn’s Law receiving Royal Assent, you’ll hear what that means for everyone going to live events in the future and how the legislation will keep the public safe.

She speaks powerfully about the need for improved security at public venues, what it’s really like to work with government, raise public awareness, and ensure that no other family has to endure the same pain. This episode is a moving reminder of the enduring legacy of Martyn Hett and how the spirit of Manchester continues to drive unity, resilience, and change.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further.

Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.

"Peace is an ongoing journey; it never ends."

What motivates somebody to tackle Manchester’s biggest problems?

Professor Erinma Bell MBE joins host Lisa Morton to share what drove her to create change at a time when the city region was being called ‘Gunchester’ and the values that have kept her on that mission for the past 25 years.

Erinma is a peace activist, community leader, and councillor for Manchester City Council.

In the late 1990s, Erinma was part of a community group in Moss Side that was intent on making a change. But when her friend was shot in front of her, she knew that change needed to happen faster.

From grassroots activism to national recognition, Erinma went on to help set up Carisma, a conflict resolution and community cohesion charity leading initiatives that courageously tackle the pressing issues of gun and gang crime. Erinma shares her personal reflections on the significance of family values, the strength of community support, and the essential need for young people to feel a genuine sense of belonging in their environments.

Her story is one of resilience, compassion, and unwavering determination, reminding us all of the power of activism in the face of adversity.

You’ll hear Lisa delve into Erinma’s commitment to creating a safer environment for the next generation, the ongoing pursuit of peace in Manchester’s communities and the vital role you can play in creating a brighter future for the next generation.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Erinma

Via her website

Via LinkedIn

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further.

Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.

"If you want something, you can't sit there and wait for someone to put it in your hand for you."

In this episode, Lisa sat down with Victoria Braddock, the Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, Lisa heard how she and her team are putting Manchester’s brand on the global stage.

Victoria shares what it was like growing up in Manchester, offering ‘backies’ into town on her brother's bike as a kid, her career journey from Wimpy burger as a teenager to joining ‘Marketing Manchester’ over 20 years ago, find out what has made her ambitious to stay!

From major international campaigns to the power of local stories, Victoria reveals what she’s learnt from positioning Manchester as a must-visit destination for tourists, businesses, and investors alike. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or a proud Mancunian, this episode will give you an insider’s look at how strategic storytelling fuels the city’s growth.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Victoria:

On LinkedIn

On Marketing Manchester's LinkedIn

Via Marketing Mancheter's Website

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further.

Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.