Episode 049: Neftalie Williams - Bridging The Gaps

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.com I’ve had some pretty progressive guests on this show. But I think this week’s guest, Neftalie Williams, might just be the most visionary of the lot. Just check the list of accomplishments that make up one of the most impressive CVs in skateboarding. He is the first lecturer of skateboarding business, media and culture at USC; a PhD candidate at the University of Waikato in New Zealand; a pioneer of the concept of skateboard diplomacy, which he worked on with the US Star Department; Chairman of Cuba Skate; team manager at Citystars skateboarding: the list goes on. What’s the common thread between each of these diverse interests? For Neftalie, the key is bridging gaps, understanding ecosystems and gatekeepers, connecting communities, and owning the conversation about skateboarding. And it’s here that the full depth and sheer generosity of Neftalie’s vision becomes apparent. We caught up at the recent Pushing Boarders event in London at the end of May 2018 and had one of the most enjoyable conversations I’ve had yet on the podcast. Some big, weighty themes in this one, from a man with a passionate, generous vision of the transformative power of skateboarding. Skateboarding has always handled this level of discourse, but as skate culture becomes ever more incorporated into popular culture, viewpoints like Neftalie are going to become more important than ever. Hope you enjoy this one. Thanks as usual to Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune.