#97: From Hustle To Harmony and Finding (and Defining) Wholeness with Dr Mandy Lehto
In this episode I speak to Dr. Mandy Lehto, a coach, writer, speaker, and podcaster who helps driven leaders and overachievers slow down and redefine success. I loved this conversation and felt like I needed to make notes and listen back repeatedly! We delve into Mandy's fascinating journey from growing up on a farm with a strong work ethic to her career in investment banking, where the constant hustle led to eventual burnout. We cover topics including the myth of 'more,' the significance of rest, and the pursuit of true purpose. We are really challenging definitions of certain concepts and going deep on how to redefine them meaningfully, with exercises to help listeners do this work for themselves. Mandy offers insightful advice on how to balance ambition with self-care and redefine our relationships with success. This episode will resonate deeply with anyone struggling with perfectionism or the relentless pursuit of achievement. Find Mandy on Instagram here Find Mandy's website here The person Mandy shouted out was Kasia Urbaniak and you can find her on Insta here or online here Join the conversation with me on Instagram here and to find out more about The Wilder Collective and The Confidence Project please head here.Â
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#96: When Rejection Leads to Success: A Creative's Journey with Katie Chappell
In this episode, I speak to Katie Chappell, a talented illustrator specialising in live event illustration and co-founder of The Good Ship Illustration. We discuss her early experiences with work and the first rejection thst left her reeling and questioning her path, and then her journey back to creativity, and her fascinating career path. Katie shares her innovative approach to handling rejection through a 'no thank yous' challenge, which not only desensitised her to rejection but also helped her create a pricing mindset that has transformed her business. We delve into those pricing strategies and how her mindset shifts have influenced her business decisions. Katie also talks about her community initiatives and the importance of being adaptable and willing to experiment in business. This is an insightful conversation on creativity, resilience, and the power of saying yes - AND no. Find Katie on Instagram here Find Katie's website here The woman Katie shouted out was Denise Duffield-Thomas. Find her work here Don't forget to join me on Instagram here ----------- This episode is supported by April & White, a brand built on a passion to fuel the imagination of children everywhere, not least with their beautiful bespoke letters from Father Christmas for your little ones. Sonia the founder approaches every product with an eye for beauty and detail to really keep the magic alive for your little believers, applying calligraphy by hand so that every letter and envelope is unique, personalised, and magical. Alongside her letters from Santa Sonia has a glorious selection of stocking fillers to make your kids' Christmas even more special, from beautifully boxed reindeer food to North Pole chocolate pennies and reindeer bells and even a magical memory journal to capture the sparkle and wonder of their Christmas. Order your letters from father Christmas by 5th December to be sure to receive them in time for the big day, and check out aprilandwhite.co.uk to shop now. Magic awaits. ----------- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 01:21 Meet Katie Chappell 02:44 Katie's Early Work Experiences 05:16 Navigating Career Challenges and Discovering Illustration 11:48 Building a Freelance Career and Overcoming Setbacks 24:29 The Impact of Rejection and Embracing Challenges 29:31 Embracing Rejection: The Numbers Game 30:00 Applying the Rejection Challenge to Real Life 30:54 Pricing Strategies for Women in Business 32:33 The Importance of Incremental Upgrades 33:39 Building a Strong Online Presence 36:04 Balancing Creativity and Business 40:20 The Value of Community and Collaboration 42:45 Navigating Social Media as a Creative 45:52 Learning Business Skills as a Creative 54:19 Final Thoughts and Advice Â
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#95 Good Girl Economics Explored: Pricing, Perception, and Profit for Female Founders
In this special episode of Women's Business, I speak to Leila Ainge, my brilliant co-conspirator in our recent research project 'Good Girl Economics: The Price of Playing Nice.' This conversation is a review of our research: why do it, why now, the trends we discovered, and what we've both learned and will be implementing off the back of this research - particularly around pricing and perception. Join us as we uncover why women find it challenging to discuss profit, the impact of internalised misogyny, and how we can shift our mindset to embrace sustainable success. Leila's background in psychology enriches our conversation, making this a must-listen for women navigating their entrepreneurial journeys. Â
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#94 Women's Wellness and Work-Life Balance: Insights from writer and cancer survivor Rosamund Dean
In this week's episode I speak to Rosamund Dean, a journalist, author, and writer of the Substack 'Well, Well, Well.' Rosamund shares her journey from her early career as an entertainment journalist to navigating the overwhelm of the wellness industry following her breast cancer diagnosis and recovery. We discuss how her definition of success has changed, the pressures of motherhood, and the future-proofing of her body post-cancer. Rosamund also talks about her transition to freelance work, the joys and challenges of the Substack platform, and the importance of maintaining a healthful balance in life. Find Rosamund on Instagram here Read Rosamund's Substack here Join the conversation with me on Instagram here ------------ This episode is supported by April & White, a brand built on a passion to fuel the imagination of children everywhere, not least with their beautiful bespoke letters from Father Christmas for your little ones. Sonia the founder approaches every product with an eye for beauty and detail to really keep the magic alive for your little believers, applying calligraphy by hand so that every letter and envelope is unique, personalised, and magical. Alongside her letters from Santa Sonia has a glorious selection of stocking fillers to make your kids' Christmas even more special, from beautifully boxed reindeer food to North Pole chocolate pennies and reindeer bells and even a magical memory journal to capture the sparkle and wonder of their Christmas. Order your letters from father Christmas by 5th December to be sure to receive them in time for the big day, and check out aprilandwhite.co.uk to shop now. Magic awaits. Â
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#93: Knee Deep In Life, Healing and Humour with Laura Belbin
In this episode I speak to the inimitable Laura Belbin, better known as Knee Deep in Life on Instagram. Laura is an author, podcaster, and standup comedian who has used comedy to find light in the darkest of times. This conversation covers it all - from her early career experiences, her journey through therapy, dealing with childhood trauma, and how she discovered her true calling in comedy and completely reimagined and restarted her life. Laura shares the impact of her viral moments online, the challenges of being an influencer, and how she balances humor with raw honesty. This is an insightful and heartfelt story, full of self-reflection and moments of humour, moments of clarity, and moments of total openness. A must listen. Find Laura on Instagram here Join me on Instagram here -------------- This episode is supported by April & White, a brand built on a passion to fuel the imagination of children everywhere, not least with their beautiful bespoke letters from Father Christmas for your little ones. Sonia the founder approaches every product with an eye for beauty and detail to really keep the magic alive for your little believers, applying calligraphy by hand so that every letter and envelope is unique, personalised, and magical. Alongside her letters from Santa Sonia has a glorious selection of stocking fillers to make your kids' Christmas even more special, from beautifully boxed reindeer food to North Pole chocolate pennies and reindeer bells and even a magical memory journal to capture the sparkle and wonder of their Christmas. Order your letters from father Christmas by 5th December to be sure to receive them in time for the big day, and check out aprilandwhite.co.uk to shop now. Magic awaits. --------- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 01:24 Meet Laura Belbin: Knee Deep in Life 02:50 Laura's Early Life and Career Aspirations 04:34 Navigating Adulthood and Early Career 14:42 The Birth of Knee Deep in Life 18:35 Going Viral and Its Aftermath 19:30 Comedy as a Coping Mechanism 20:36 Therapy and Self-Discovery 38:39 Challenges of Content Creation 44:09 Authenticity and Online Presence 45:30 Handling Online Criticism 47:12 Personal Growth and Boundaries 49:58 Parenting and Personal Struggles 54:06 The Journey of Self-Discovery 58:58 Motherhood and Real-Life Challenges 01:03:21 The Importance of Compassion 01:06:48 Embracing Imperfection 01:23:26 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
Nicky Denson-Elliott talks to a host of women about their career paths, from early memories of work through careers advice (or lack of it), and first jobs, up to present day. With all their insight and learnings along the way, these conversations are designed to both inspire and empower women in their own career journeys.