LIFITV Episode 5: Tasha Ghouri and Ash Palmisciano on being unapologetically you

Being yourself sounds simple. But between social media, school, work and everyone else’s expectations, it can feel harder than ever to know who that actually is, let alone be it out loud.

On Friday 9 October, LIFI Futures brought How to be unapologetically you? to the Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse, a free event for schools and colleges. Shanequa Paris hosted Tasha Ghouri, Ash Palmisciano, Dr Radha Modgil and Stevie Ward. For Ash it was a full-circle moment: a couple of years ago, he came to LIFI as an audience member.

Tasha and Ash joined us for Episode 5 of LIFITV, to talk about the young people they met, coming home to Yorkshire and the talk they wish they’d heard at that age.

What is LIFITV?

LIFITV is our behind-the-scenes series from Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2026, filmed in a pop-up studio at Leeds Playhouse throughout festival week. They’re short, unpolished conversations with our speakers and hosts, often moments after they’ve come off stage.

Episode 5 is out now on the LIFI YouTube channel, with more episodes to come over the next few weeks.