Explore every episode of the podcast Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why You’re Always Busy but Nothing Important Gets Done | 27 Oct 2026 | 00:44:21 | |
Amy Kelly is a reinvention coach, speaker and podcast host helping women create lives that feel more like their own. But in this live coaching session, she is the one in the hot seat. Amy is busy, ambitious and full of ideas: coaching clients, creating content, growing a podcast and stepping into speaking. Yet underneath all that activity, she is struggling to make space for the work that genuinely excites her - and feels trapped by the pressure to keep doing what she thinks she should do. Together, we unpack the guilt of stepping away from social media, the exhaustion of trying to do everything, and why being constantly busy does not always mean you are moving towards the life you really want. If you are always switched on but the things that matter most keep being pushed aside, this conversation will help you pause, get clear on your priorities and put your energy where it can make the biggest difference. --- 🎧 Listening on Apple Podcasts? You can watch the full episode too - just tap ‘Turn Video On’ in the player 👀 --- Need a safe space to talk? If this conversation has brought something up for you, I offer a free 30-minute discovery call. It is a chance for us to talk through what you are carrying, explore what support might help, and see whether coaching feels right for you. Book your free call with me here. --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| DJ Sam Divine: The Addiction and Depression I Hid Behind My Dream Life | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:56:08 | |
DJ Sam Divine had the dream home, dream car and a career she had worked for her entire life. But behind the scenes, she was battling drug addiction, depression and the pressure to keep going when no one knew how much she was struggling. In this episode, Sam sits down with me to share the life she hid for years: taking drugs alone, pretending she was fine, dragging herself to gigs, and eventually reaching the point where she knew she needed help. She speaks candidly about grief, rehab, sobriety, faith and learning to DJ sober - and why recovery has brought her more confidence, joy and purpose than she ever thought possible. Sam also reveals exclusive news about her next career choice. --- 🎧 Listening on Apple Podcasts? You can watch the full episode too - just tap ‘Turn Video On’ in the player 👀 --- Need a safe space to talk? If this conversation has brought something up for you, I offer a free 30-minute discovery call. It is a chance for us to talk through what you are carrying, explore what support might help, and see whether coaching feels right for you. Book your free call with me here. --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Was Going to Wait Until Tuesday to Share This. I Didn’t. | 19 Oct 2026 | 00:00:56 | |
DJ Sam Divine had her dream home, her dream car and her career - but no one knew she was hiding addiction. Tomorrow, she tells me about depression, rehab and the moment she decided: “I cannot wake up feeling like this any longer.” Follow Real Women’s Stories to listen the full episode. --- 🎧 Listening on Apple Podcasts? You can watch the full episode too - just tap ‘Turn Video On’ in the player 👀 --- Need a safe space to talk? If this conversation has brought something up for you, I offer a free 30-minute discovery call. It is a chance for us to talk through what you are carrying, explore what support might help, and see whether coaching feels right for you. Book your free call with me here. --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to Make a Decision When Every Choice Has Consequences | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:24:07 | |
In this coaching episode, I share the deeply personal story of knowing my first marriage was no longer healthy for me, while fearing the consequences of becoming a single mum. I explore why waiting for certainty can keep us stuck, and how trying to avoid a difficult decision can sometimes cost us more in the long run. If you are facing a crossroads - in a relationship, career, friendship or family situation - this conversation will help you recognise what you can and cannot control, trust your instincts and take the next step, even when there is no easy answer. --- 🎧 Listening on Apple Podcasts? You can watch the full episode too - just tap ‘Turn Video On’ in the player 👀 --- Need a safe space to talk? If this conversation has brought something up for you, I offer a free 30-minute discovery call. It is a chance for us to talk through what you are carrying, explore what support might help, and see whether coaching feels right for you. Book your free call with me here. --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to Build Confidence When You’re Afraid to Be Seen | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:36:30 | |
In this live coaching session, Lisa Quait speaks with Lara Giusti, Head Chef & Product at Veloforte. Lara is comfortable talking about the products she has helped create, teaching others and sharing the purpose behind the brand. But being visible as the person behind that success - on camera, in meetings or in a room full of peers - brings a very different kind of pressure. Together, Lisa and Lara explore why it can be so hard to recognise our own achievements, the fear of feeling like an impostor, and how we can start building confidence without having to become louder or someone we are not. They discuss the power of celebrating your wins, remembering the journey that brought you here, and creating a simple mantra for the moments when self-doubt takes over. If you know you are capable but struggle to believe you deserve to be seen, this conversation is for you. To explore 1-to-1 coaching with Lisa, click here. --- Need a safe space to talk? If this conversation has brought something up for you, I offer a free 30-minute discovery call. It is a chance for us to talk through what you are carrying, explore what support might help, and see whether coaching feels right for you. Book your free call with me here. --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to Let Go of What You’ve Been Carrying Alone, with Andrea McLean | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:41:46 | |
Broadcaster and author Andrea McLean knows what it is like to look as though you have everything, while privately carrying fear, financial pressure and shame. In this honest conversation, the former Loose Women host shares why telling her own story became the starting point for Between Us - an anonymous project where people can share the things they have never felt able to say out loud. We talk about why it can feel so hard to open up, the unexpected relief of putting your feelings into words, and how reading someone else’s story can remind you that you are not the only one. If there is something you have been carrying alone, this episode is a reminder that you do not have to have all the answers before you take the first small step towards letting it go. --- Find Andrea and her work:
--- Need a safe space to talk? If this conversation has brought something up for you, I offer a free 30-minute discovery call. It is a chance for us to talk through what you are carrying, explore what support might help, and see whether coaching feels right for you. Book your free call with me here. --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How to Stop One Comment Ruling Your Life | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:12:02 | |
A comment someone made years ago can stay with you far longer than they ever intended. In this episode, I share the words I heard growing up that made me question my voice, hold myself back and gradually become a quieter version of myself. I explore how those old labels can shape the way we show up in our relationships, careers and everyday lives - often without us even realising it. If you have ever wondered when you stopped trusting yourself, or whether you are living as the person you truly want to be, this is a chance to reflect on where those patterns began and start finding your way back to yourself. --- Discover transformational coaching with me --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Coaching Session: Why Childhood Labels Still Fuel Your Overthinking | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:10:26 | |
Were you given a label as a child that has stayed with you ever since? Perhaps you were told you were too loud, too much, or that you said the wrong thing - and now you find yourself replaying conversations, holding back in meetings or questioning your own instincts. In this coaching session, I share how old labels can quietly fuel overthinking and shape the way we show up in our relationships, careers and everyday lives. I’ll help you explore where those thoughts may have come from, how to challenge the negative narrative they create, and start reconnecting with the person you were before you learned to doubt yourself. --- Discover transformational coaching with me --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Coaching Session: Why You Stay Quiet and Don’t Speak Up in a Room Full of People | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:07:53 | |
If you have ever wanted to speak up but found yourself staying quiet, this coaching session is for you. I explore why speaking out can feel so risky - even when something does not sit right - and why this is often about more than confidence. From worrying about the fallout to fearing how others may see you, I look at the hidden reasons we tolerate behaviour that crosses our boundaries. I’ll also help you recognise when you are dismissing your own instincts and begin setting boundaries in a way that feels clear, calm and non-confrontational. --- Discover transformational coaching with me --- Connect with me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Here’s How to Stop Tolerating What No Longer Feels Right | 06 Aug 2026 | 00:02:37 | |
What are you currently putting up with that, deep down, you know isn’t right? In this short episode, I explore the things we learn to tolerate and normalise - even when they no longer feel right or fit who we’ve become. Through a series of powerful questions, I invite you to pause, reflect and recognise what may need to change. Whether it means setting a boundary, speaking up or walking away, change begins when you finally see what you’re no longer willing to accept. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why Women Feel Guilty for Choosing Themselves | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:40:58 | |
Why do so many women find it easier to care for everyone else than to choose themselves? In this episode, Lisa speaks with wellness podcaster and retreat curator Alexandra Simms about guilt, burnout, people-pleasing and the hidden cost of constantly putting yourself last. Alexandra shares her personal journey through depression, caring responsibilities, recurrent miscarriage, emotional eating and breast cancer - and explains why her diagnosis became the moment she could no longer ignore what her body had been trying to tell her. Together, Lisa and Alexandra explore why successful, capable women often struggle to rest, step away from their responsibilities or spend time and money on their own wellbeing. They also discuss the fear that can come with slowing down, particularly when being busy has become part of your identity. Alexandra shares simple ways to calm an overwhelmed nervous system, including breathwork, grounding, time in nature and creating small moments of pause within everyday life. This is an honest conversation about self-sacrifice, emotional exhaustion and learning to choose yourself before your body forces you to stop. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Zoe Ball Gave Me Confidence When My Book Launch Flopped | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:08:13 | |
After a disappointing book launch left Maddy Alexander-Grout feeling like a failure, an unexpected message from Zoe Ball helped her find her confidence again. In this mini episode, Maddy opens up about grief, losing herself and rebuilding her life around her values. We also discuss why community matters, how to recognise when life is becoming too much and why we shouldn’t have to reach rock bottom before asking for support. Listen to the previous episode for my full conversation with Maddy. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| My Spending Addiction Left Me £40,000 in Debt by Age 23 - Then I Made the Same Mistake Again | 28 Jul 2026 | ||
Maddy Alexander-Grout was £40,000 in debt by the age of 23 after developing a spending addiction. After paying it all off and building a successful business, she found herself £65,000 in debt all over again. In this episode, Maddy shares how undiagnosed ADHD, impulsive spending and a personal guarantee contributed to her financial struggles, the devastating collapse of her business and the nervous breakdown that followed. She also opens up about her experiences of motherhood, postpartum psychosis and receiving diagnoses of ADHD and autism later in life. Maddy explains how understanding her brain helped her make sense of her past, rebuild her life, clear her debts and create a six-figure business. This is an honest conversation about money, neurodiversity, failure and finding the resilience to start again. Maddy’s book, Mad About Money: Managing Finances (and Life) with ADHD, is an unfiltered and practical guide to understanding your brain, managing money and navigating life as a neurodivergent person. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What Really Happens When You Get An MBE At Windsor Castle | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:05:16 | |
You won't believe what really happens when you’re invited to Windsor Castle to receive an MBE. In this bonus episode, Lucy McCarraher shares the surreal story of receiving the letter she initially feared might be a tax demand, before discovering she was being recognised with an MBE. From arriving at Windsor Castle with her family to learning exactly how to approach Prince William, where to bow and how many steps to take backwards, Lucy takes us behind the scenes of an experience very few people ever get to have. You can hear Lucy’s full interview in the previous episode of Real Women’s Stories. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| My Life Fell Apart At 40 - Then I Reinvented Everything | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:38:49 | |
At 40, Lucy McCarraher MBE’s life seemed to fall apart. Her marriage ended, her father died, a new business failed and she found herself having to start again. But that wasn’t the end of Lucy’s story. It was another reinvention. In this episode, Lucy joins me to talk about the many different lives she has lived - from working in television in Australia and raising a family, to rebuilding her career, becoming an author and publisher, and eventually stepping into her current role as Publisher at Forbes Books. We talk about starting again when life doesn’t go to plan, why success doesn’t have to happen when you’re young, and how every experience - even the ones that feel like failures at the time - can lead you somewhere unexpected. Lucy also shares why she believes women often reinvent themselves throughout their lives, the importance of finding the confidence to put yourself forward, and why sometimes the biggest opportunities arrive when you stop trying to force what comes next. A conversation about resilience, self-belief and proving that it is never too late to begin another chapter. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| My Husband Took On More Childcare While I Built My Business - Here’s Why It Works | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:04:56 | |
In this mini episode, Liv Parkes explains how she and her husband created a partnership that allowed her to pursue her ambition while he took on more of the childcare. She shares why their different attitudes towards work complement each other, how they divide family responsibilities and what their sons are learning from seeing both parents contribute equally. Liv also opens up about the guilt that can come with long working days, missing school pick-ups and wondering whether her children understand why she works so hard. Listen to the previous episode to hear Liv’s complete story. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Closed My Business, Took On Debt And Started Again With Two Young Children | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:42:15 | |
This is a story about resilience, motherhood and having the courage to begin again. In this episode, I’m joined by Liv Parkes, Founder and CEO of AI styling platform Persi. After more than 15 years working with brands including Reiss, House of Fraser, Monica Vinader and Missoma, Liv decided to build something of her own. She shares the reality of closing her first business, losing investment and starting again with no income and two young children to support. We talk about selling leftover jumpers to cover costs, pitching to investors shortly after giving birth and questioning whether pursuing her ambition was putting too much pressure on her family. Liv also opens up about working-mum guilt, being judged for how she dressed and why she refused to make herself smaller to fit into the business world. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Here's What It Was Really Like Working On The Generation Game In The 90s | 09 Jul 2026 | ||
In this Brucie bonus episode, I’m chatting to Sandi Birch about what it was really like working behind the scenes on The Generation Game in the 90s. From swapping vodka and Evian bottles during a studio drinking game, to accidentally causing a BBC evacuation over a cake left under her car, Sandi shares the kind of chaotic, hilarious and nostalgic TV stories you simply couldn’t make up. A lighter, behind-the-scenes bonus from our conversation - full of old-school telly memories, studio madness and the moments that made Sandi realise these stories needed writing down. Listen to my full conversation with Sandi in the previous episode. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Two Policemen Knocked On My Door… Then I Had To Rebuild My Life | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:42:25 | |
This is a conversation about loss, resilience, hope, and learning how to live again after the unimaginable. Three weeks before her wedding, Sandi Birch opened the door to two police officers - and in that moment, her whole life changed. Her partner Griff had been killed in a car crash on his way to work, leaving Sandi suddenly widowed, a single mum to their six-month-old baby, and facing a future she had never imagined. In this deeply moving episode, Sandi shares the shock of that day, the grief that followed, and the reality of trying to survive when everything you had planned disappears overnight. She opens up about burnout, loneliness, financial pressure, and the brave steps she took to rebuild her life - including walking through the corridors of the BBC with her baby, asking for help when she had nowhere else to turn. Now, 25 years later, Sandi has found purpose in helping others through grief, trauma and emotional pain through her work in Pranic Therapy. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| We Were Building Businesses In Dubai When The Drone Attacks Started… Here’s What We Learnt About Ourselves | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:28:56 | |
This is a conversation about Dubai, business, resilience - and what we learn about ourselves when life does not go to plan. When we recorded our mini-series in Dubai, the energy was high. Businesses were growing, opportunities were opening up, and our guests were building bold new lives in the UAE. Then, just days later, the drone attacks started. In this final episode, Maria, Sara and Amber come back together to talk honestly about what life has been like since - from cancelled bookings and disrupted businesses, to sleepless nights, uncertainty, resilience and the reality of trying to keep going when everything around you suddenly changes. They share how the attacks impacted their work, their mindset, their communities and their plans for the future, while reflecting on what this period taught them about courage, adaptability and the strength it takes to keep building when the world feels uncertain. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Was Betrayed By A Friend While Building A Business In Dubai… Here’s How I Rebuilt Myself | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:37:53 | |
If you’ve ever been hurt by someone you trusted, doubted your own judgement, or wondered how to rebuild after being knocked down, Amber’s story is a powerful reminder that painful chapters can still lead you somewhere stronger. In this episode of Real Women’s Stories, I sit down with Amber Proctor, founder of Hen And The City, a Dubai-based hen party planning brand helping brides celebrate in style. Amber moved to Dubai with ambition, drive and a vision to build something of her own. But while creating a women’s community with a friend, she experienced a painful business betrayal that left her heartbroken, guarded and questioning whether she even wanted to stay in Dubai. Amber opens up about what happened when friendship and business collided, how she discovered boundaries the hard way, and why she now refuses to let betrayal stop her from building the future she wants. This is a conversation about female friendship, trust, resilience, entrepreneurship, starting again abroad, and learning how to protect yourself without losing who you are. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Was Mocked For Starting A Car Wash Business In Dubai… Here's Why I’m Having The Last Laugh | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:29:58 | |
If you’ve ever felt stuck, underestimated, or laughed at for wanting more from your life, this episode is for you. In this episode of Real Women’s Stories, I sit down with Maria Pruna, a Romanian-born entrepreneur who left corporate life behind, moved to Dubai, and built a car wash business in one of the most male-dominated industries. After going through a divorce and starting again, Maria decided to bet on herself. With no traditional business background, she helped build and sell her first car wash in Belgium before moving to the UAE, where she has since grown two businesses from scratch. But the journey hasn’t been easy. Maria opens up about being rejected, underestimated, and even laughed at during a networking event when she proudly shared what she was building. Instead of letting that moment break her confidence, she turned it into fuel - and her story went viral. This conversation is about rebuilding your life, taking up space, starting again, and refusing to let other people’s opinions decide what you are capable of. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Felt Stuck In The UK… Here’s The Truth About Starting Again In Dubai | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:37:09 | |
Formula 1 Racing was the dream Sara Essa could see from the grandstand - but getting there meant completely rebuilding her life. After feeling stuck, low and unfulfilled in the UK, Sara moved back to Dubai determined to start again. What followed was not the glossy expat success story people often imagine. It was loneliness, financial pressure, grief, weight loss, self-belief, and the brutal reality of chasing a career in sports presenting. In this episode, I speak to Sara Essa about leaving the UK, building a new life in Dubai, losing 35kg, creating a women-in-sport community, and finally getting the Formula 1 opportunity she had been working towards. But just as her dream started becoming real, life tested her in a way she never expected. This is a conversation about ambition, reinvention, resilience, and the truth about starting again when no one else can do it for you. This episode was recorded in February 2026. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Didn't Realise How Much I Was Tolerating... Until I Started Setting Boundaries | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:12:11 | |
How many times have you stayed quiet to keep the peace? Maybe you've laughed something off. Bitten your tongue. Ignored a comment that didn't sit right. Or convinced yourself it wasn't worth saying anything because speaking up felt more uncomfortable than staying silent. In this coaching episode, I explore the hidden ways we tolerate behaviour that doesn't align with our values, and why so many women find themselves shrinking in certain situations, even when they know something doesn't feel right. This isn't really about confidence. It's about boundaries. It's about trusting your instincts, recognising what you've been accepting for far too long, and deciding what you will no longer tolerate. If you've ever left a conversation wishing you'd said something, this episode is for you. It might just change the way you show up in the room. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why I Refuse To Fit In Or F**k Off As The Only Woman In The Room | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:29:16 | |
For years, Helen Masters worked in environments where she was the only woman in the room. From the high-pressure world of corporate sales to professional football, she found herself surrounded by cultures built on power, performance and fitting in. But while others played the game, Helen refused to compromise who she was. This is a conversation about resilience, loyalty, identity and the courage to stand your ground when the easier option would be to stay quiet. Because sometimes the hardest thing you can do is refuse to become someone else. In this episode:
--- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why We Replay Conversations In Our Heads | 28 May 2026 | 00:15:34 | |
In this episode, I explore the difference between healthy reflection and destructive overthinking - and how the stories we create in our own minds can quietly damage our confidence, relationships and sense of self. After rerecording an entire podcast episode I believed had gone terribly wrong, I realised something important: the version in my head wasn’t the reality at all. This is a powerful conversation about self-awareness, inner dialogue, confidence and learning to trust yourself again. Because sometimes the harshest judgement we face… is our own. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Looked Confident On Married At First Sight… But I Was Struggling | 26 May 2026 | 00:31:57 | |
Millions watched Leah Tyrer on Married At First Sight and saw someone calm, confident and emotionally strong. But behind the scenes, she was masking anxiety, struggling privately and slowly losing herself. In this honest conversation, Leah opens up about the emotional pressure of reality TV, feeling misunderstood in relationships, late neurodivergence diagnosis, people pleasing and the moment she realised she’d spent years protecting herself instead of truly being herself. She also reveals what viewers don’t see off camera, how filming affected her mentally, and why watching the show back completely changed the way she saw herself. This isn’t just a conversation about reality TV. It’s a conversation about identity, confidence, emotional overwhelm and what happens when you finally stop pretending you’re okay. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How To Stop Overthinking What People Think Of You | 21 May 2026 | 00:23:55 | |
Do you constantly replay conversations in your head? Worry you said the wrong thing? Or feel like you’ve spent years trying not to be “too much”? In this coaching episode, I’m unpacking how the labels we’re given as children and young adults can quietly shape the way we think, behave and show up in the world for years afterwards. I share how being told I was “too outspoken” and had “a big mouth” slowly changed my confidence, my decisions and even the direction of my life - without me fully realising it at the time. We explore:
This episode is designed to help you reflect on the thoughts, stories and identities you may still be carrying - and start reconnecting with who you really are underneath the overthinking. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Was Called “Thick and Lazy” at 7… Now I Help Shape Netflix Dramas. Here’s What My Teachers Missed | 19 May 2026 | 00:34:49 | |
If you’ve ever felt underestimated, behind in life, or like your brain works differently to everybody else, this episode is for you. At school, Clinical Psychologist Dr Lucy Shoolbred was told she was “thick and lazy”. She couldn’t read properly, felt constantly underestimated, and genuinely believed she wasn’t clever enough to succeed. Years later, she’s working behind some of the biggest TV dramas in the world - including the Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning Netflix series Adolescence. But this episode isn’t just about success. It’s about what happens when a child grows up believing the labels adults gave them. In this conversation, Lucy reveals:
Lucy also mentions the incredible work being done by Made By Dyslexia - a charity helping people better understand dyslexic thinking and why different brains should never be underestimated. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Real Reason So Many Women Over 40 Feel Lost | 14 May 2026 | 00:21:39 | |
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt unsure of the woman staring back at you, this episode will leave you reflecting on where that feeling really began. Many women over 40 reach a point where they quietly wonder… how did I end up feeling so disconnected from myself? In this deeply personal solo episode, I reflect on the comments, expectations and life experiences that slowly shaped who I became - and how, over time, I started shrinking parts of myself just to fit in, feel accepted and avoid judgment. From being labelled “too outspoken” as a child to realising how much outside noise had influenced my confidence, relationships and choices, this episode explores the hidden reasons so many women begin to feel lost in midlife. But this conversation isn’t about blame or reinventing yourself. It’s about understanding how years of conditioning, people-pleasing and self-doubt can slowly pull us away from who we truly are - and how awareness is the first step back. In this episode, we explore:
--- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why Women Sabotage Other Women and Themselves | 12 May 2026 | 00:39:26 | |
If you've ever felt like you had to make yourself smaller to be accepted, this episode is for you. For years, Sophie Jane Lee looked like she had it all together. A successful career. A beautiful home. Ambition. Status. Achievement. But behind the scenes, she was battling addiction, toxic relationships, deep shame, and a painful belief that she was never truly good enough. In this powerful conversation, Lisa sits down with brand strategist, journalist and author Sophie Jane Lee to unpack the truth about internalised misogyny - and the subtle ways women are conditioned to shrink themselves, compete with one another, stay “palatable”, and abandon who they really are. Together, they explore:
Sophie also opens up about the life-changing moment that forced her to confront the truth about herself - and the journey that inspired her book, Beyond Palatable. This is an honest, challenging and deeply important conversation about identity, conditioning, confidence, and what it really means to reclaim your voice as a woman. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why So Many of Us Women Don’t Recognise Ourselves Anymore | 07 May 2026 | 00:21:32 | |
If you’ve been feeling exhausted, emotionally disconnected, overwhelmed or like life has made you smaller, this episode is for you. Somewhere along the way, I stopped recognising who I was. I became everything to everyone else - showing up, holding everything together, carrying the load, constantly rushing through life - until one day I realised how disconnected I’d become from myself. In this honest coaching episode, I talk about the quiet ways we lose our identity through overwhelm, routine and always putting other people first. I share the questions that helped me reconnect with myself, alongside a powerful realisation that changed the way I see my life: Maybe we don’t need to reinvent ourselves… maybe we just need to remember who we are again. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Thought My Life Was Falling Apart… But It Was the Breakthrough I Needed | 05 May 2026 | 00:30:30 | |
What happens when everything you thought was secure… disappears overnight? In this episode, I sit down with Lisa-Marie Elkhadraoui - founder of Design Boss Diary - to unpack the moment her world shifted completely, and how what felt like a breakdown became the breakthrough that changed everything. From losing financial security with an 18-month-old child, to rebuilding her life, identity and business from the ground up… Lisa-Marie shares the reality behind resilience - not the polished version, but what it actually looks like when you’re in it. We talk about:
Today, Lisa-Marie mentors women to build profitable, sustainable businesses through a blend of strategy and mindset - but this conversation is about how she got there, and what it really took. If you’ve ever felt like life is falling apart… this episode might help you see it differently. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why Do We Have So Many Regrets After 40? | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:17:04 | |
Take this 3-minute quiz to understand why you keep going round in circles in life, and get your free personalised workbook. *** If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake at night, thinking about the things you haven’t done yet… this episode is for you. After a recent conversation, I couldn’t stop thinking about one powerful truth: it’s not the things we’ve done that stay with us - it’s the things we never tried. In this episode, I’m asking you one simple but uncomfortable question: What is the one thing you keep putting off? Because for so many women 40+, it’s not a lack of ability holding you back - it’s the decisions you keep delaying. The conversations you haven’t had. The changes you’ve been avoiding. The version of yourself you keep saying “one day” to. We talk about:
And most importantly, why it’s not too late to change direction. This isn’t about huge, dramatic life changes. It’s about being honest with yourself… and finally taking that first step. Because you don’t want to look back and ask, “what if?” --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Spent 25 Years Controlling Tabloid Headlines - Here’s the Confidence Mistake Women Keep Making | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:32:55 | |
Real Women’s Stories is back for Season 11. If you’ve ever questioned your confidence, held back in a meeting, or felt like you don’t quite belong - this episode will change how you see it. After 25 years controlling tabloid headlines and managing reputations at the highest level of PR, co-founder of Factotum, Beverley Kaye shares the confidence mistake she sees women make again and again - and how it quietly holds them back. In this conversation, you’ll learn:
This isn’t surface-level advice. It’s a practical shift in perspective from someone who operates at the top - and knows what actually makes people succeed. If you’re ready to stop doubting yourself and start thinking differently about your value, this episode is for you. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Real Women’s Stories Is Changing - This Is What’s Next | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:01:08 | |
Season 11 marks a new chapter - with a full visual refresh, studio-recorded conversations, and high-quality video episodes now available alongside the audio experience. But the reason to listen hasn’t changed. This is where you hear the stories most women never say out loud - and recognise parts of your own life in them. Hosted by accredited transformational coach Lisa Quait, each episode gives you something to take with you - whether that’s clarity, perspective, reassurance, or the confidence to make a change in your own life. From single motherhood to blended families, from burnout to rebuilding, from feeling lost to starting again - these are real experiences, shared honestly, without filters. If you’ve ever questioned where you are, who you’ve become, or what comes next - this is for you. Season 11 begins Tuesday 28th April. Follow now and experience it from the very start. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A £50,000 Ultimatum - What It Taught Me About Holding My Ground | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:13:32 | |
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck between two choices, or unsure whether to push or let go - this episode is for you. £50,000. That’s what we were asked to drop from the value of our home… just hours before exchange. In this episode, I take you inside one of the most intense weeks I’ve ever experienced - a collapsing chain, two mortgages, and a decision that could have changed everything. But what unfolded next forced me to stop, breathe, and come back to what really matters. Because in the middle of all the stress, the pressure, and the uncertainty… something happened that completely shifted my perspective on control, letting go, and trusting the process. This isn’t just a story about moving house. It’s about holding your ground, knowing your values, and learning when to surrender what you can’t control. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck between two choices, or unsure whether to push or let go - this episode is for you. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Nearly Died in Thailand: Here’s What It Taught Me About Trusting My Instinct | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:16:48 | |
In this episode, I share a story I haven’t spoken about in years. At 24, I found myself alone in Thailand, caught in a situation that didn’t feel right from the start. Every part of me was telling me something was off… and I ignored it. What followed was a chain of events that led me into a second situation where I nearly lost my life. But this isn’t just a story about what happened. It’s about what I realised after. Because when I look back, my instinct didn’t fail me - I just didn’t trust it. We talk about:
This episode is a reminder that you already have what you need. You just need to listen to it. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Was 5,000 Miles From Home, Burnt Out and Overwhelmed - Here’s What I Learned | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:10:13 | |
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or unsure of your next step… this episode is for you. Ahead of the new season of Real Women’s Stories… I wanted to share something a little more personal. After a few weeks away from uploading, this is a bonus episode I felt I needed to record. I was completely burnt out. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. And instead of stopping, I did something that didn’t make logical sense - I got on a plane and flew 5,000 miles to Dubai to meet three women I’d only ever spoken to online. I nearly didn’t make it through that first night. I questioned everything. But what happened next reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. In this episode, I’m sharing:
The Dubai interviews will be coming soon, but for now, I wanted to give you a glimpse into what this journey meant - and why these stories matter. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why Do We Stop Taking Risks After 40? | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:14:54 | |
When we’re younger, we tend to say yes to opportunities without overthinking them. We experiment, we take risks, and we trust that things will somehow work out. But somewhere along the way, many of us start playing it safe. In this coaching episode, I reflect on why that happens - and the moment I realised I might be doing it myself. Is it responsibility? Fear of getting it wrong? Or the stories we tell ourselves about what we should and shouldn’t do after a certain age? If you’ve ever found yourself hesitating over an opportunity, second-guessing a decision, or wondering whether it’s “too late” to try something new, this episode is for you. Because maybe the curiosity and courage you had in your 20s hasn’t disappeared…maybe it’s just been buried under caution. So let me ask you one simple question: If you were 27 again… what would you do next? --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Ran Away for a Mamma Mia Summer - Then Started Again From Scratch | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:40:10 | |
At 27, Laura England walked away from everything - a long-term relationship, her business, and the life she thought she was building - and ran off for a “Mamma Mia summer” working on cruise ships in Greece. What looked like escape became something much bigger. In this episode, Laura shares how she rose into senior roles at sea, only to walk away again - this time signing a 12-month lease with no clients and no safety net, determined to rebuild from scratch on her own terms. We talk about pivoting at any age, detaching self-worth from career, navigating comparison, and finding the courage to begin again - even when it feels reckless. If you’ve ever questioned your direction or wondered whether it’s too late to change, this conversation will remind you: your life isn’t written in permanent marker. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| This Is Your Sign: Stop Trying to Be Who You Were | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:10:12 | |
What if the reason you feel stuck right now… is because you’re trying to get back to who you used to be? After speaking to Talia about her accident and the moment her life completely changed, I kept thinking about something she said: she wasn’t meant to be that person before. This is who she’s meant to be now. And it made me reflect on my own life - and on so many of the women I work with. We think resilience means rebuilding what we had. We think strength means getting “back to normal.” But what if it doesn’t? In this coaching episode, I’m asking you to stop trying to return to an old version of yourself. Instead, I want you to consider who you could become because of what’s happened. If you’re feeling derailed, stuck, in transition, questioning your job, your direction, your purpose - this episode is for you. I’ll share the mindset shift I see time and time again in the women who create real change. And I’ll ask you the reflective questions that might just help you take one small, intentional step forward this week. Because maybe this isn’t about going back. Maybe this is your moment to reinvent. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Had to Learn to Walk Again at 25 - Here’s What It Taught Me | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:32:38 | |
At just 25, Talia Lazarus faced the unthinkable - a life-altering accident that nearly took her life and left her having to learn to walk again. What followed wasn’t just recovery - it was a complete reinvention of who she thought she was and what she wanted out of life. In this deeply personal episode of Real Women’s Stories, Talia shares the raw, unfiltered truth about pain, identity, and transformation. We go beyond the physical injury to explore the emotional wreckage that followed: the panic attacks, the grief for the person she used to be, and the moment she realised that surviving wasn’t enough. Rather than returning to her old life, Talia chose something radically different. She burned her old world to the ground - not out of anger, but out of clarity - and started again with a mission to help others do the same. Through her work with her I Got Back Up podcast, Talia now supports people rebuilding after trauma, teaching them what she had to learn the hard way: resilience isn’t about bouncing back - it’s about rising up with purpose. Join us for a story of survival, reinvention, identity rediscovery, and the courage it takes to walk into a life you never thought possible. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What “Just Keep Going” Cost Me - And What I’d Do Differently | 19 Feb 2026 | 00:14:47 | |
In the last episode, I shared what was happening to me physically - the pain, the fear, and why I felt unable to stop, even when my body was forcing me to. In this coaching episode, I reflect on what that mindset of “just keep going” really cost me - not just in health, but in how I viewed strength, resilience, and success. This is a conversation for anyone who feels trapped between listening to their body and fearing what will happen if they step back. If stopping feels like failure… if rest feels risky… if pushing on feels like the only option - this episode is for you. I share what I’d do differently now, the questions I wish I’d asked sooner, and how redefining resilience changed everything. You don’t need to change anything today. But you might start noticing what your body has been trying to tell you. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Living With Chronic Pain at 50: The Women’s Toilet Taboo We’re Still Not Talking About | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:30:38 | |
Chronic pain doesn’t always come with visible symptoms - and for many women, it’s hidden behind silence and shame. In this episode, I share my personal experience of living with debilitating pain caused by a widely misunderstood and rarely discussed health condition. What followed were months of fear, isolation and being told it was “all in my head”. Joined by specialist clinician Ellie Bradshaw from The Functional Gut Clinic, this conversation explores why women are still reluctant to talk about toilet health, how stress and pain become trapped in the body, and why speaking up can be the first step towards recovery. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, embarrassed, or alone with your health, this episode is for you. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Before You Say You’ve ‘Done the Work’… Ask Yourself This | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:12:45 | |
You might say you’ve “done the work” - but how do you really know? In this episode, we explore the one question that reveals whether healing has actually happened… or whether you’re still sitting in the story. After recording the last conversation, something stood out immediately: it wasn’t what was shared, but how it was shared. No charge. No reactivity. No need to convince. Just calm, grounded self-awareness. This episode unpacks:
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve genuinely moved on - or whether you’ve simply learned to explain your past better - this conversation will land. This is for anyone on a self-development journey who wants honesty over affirmations, depth over surface-level tools, and real growth over quick fixes. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Nobody Tells You This About Being Bullied as a Child - It Can Make or Break You as an Adult | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:28:19 | |
Nobody tells you that being bullied as a child doesn’t just hurt in the moment - it can quietly shape who you become as an adult. In this episode, Jess Levy shares her raw and deeply honest experience of growing up with bullying, and how the emotional impact followed her long after school ended - affecting her confidence, relationships, self-belief and sense of belonging well into adulthood. She opens up about how unresolved trauma can either hold you back or become the catalyst for profound personal growth, and why confronting her past was a turning point in finally reclaiming her power. Now an entrepreneur of nine years, founder of a global wellness business, and creator of the Level Up Ladies community, Jess reflects on how those early experiences shaped her drive, her boundaries, and her determination to build spaces where women feel seen, supported and capable of more. This is a conversation about resilience, self-awareness, and the uncomfortable truth that childhood bullying doesn’t disappear with time - but how you respond to it can ultimately make or break your adult life. If you’ve ever felt held back by experiences you thought you’d moved on from, this episode will resonate deeply. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why “Just Be Strong” Is the Worst Advice You’ll Ever Get | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:06:51 | |
“Just be strong” is the phrase we hear when we’re struggling, grieving, or facing change. But i share why that message can feel hollow - and sometimes even damaging. Through personal reflection and real stories from my work with women, I explore why pushing through isn’t always the answer, and how flexibility, reflection and emotional awareness often carry us further than brute resilience ever could. This is a gentle but powerful episode for anyone who feels tired of trying to hold it all together. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| I Went Through Burnout, Body Dysmorphia and Single Parenthood - Then Built My Dream Business | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:32:17 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Karla Osborne, founder of KO Hair, to explore her journey through burnout, body dysmorphia and single parenthood - and how those experiences ultimately led her to build a business on her own terms. Karla shares what it was really like to lose her sense of identity, struggle with body image, and juggle ambition with parenting, while trying to stay afloat emotionally and financially. We talk openly about career reinvention, rebuilding confidence, and the uncomfortable reality of starting again when life doesn’t go to plan. This conversation is about more than business. It’s about resilience, self-belief, and learning to let go of who you were so you can become who you actually want to be. Whether you’re navigating burnout, questioning your career, or feeling stuck in a version of life that no longer fits, this episode will remind you that reinvention isn’t just possible - it’s often the beginning of something better. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Do I Have ADHD? Or Is This Just How My Brain Works? | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:14:04 | |
I’ve always been known as “Lisa miles an hour”. The chatterbox. The over-thinker. The one who’s told to quieten down, slow down, be less. But what if none of that is actually a problem? In this episode, I question everything I thought I knew about myself - from neurodiversity and ADHD to why I left the corporate world and stopped caring what people think. This isn’t about getting a diagnosis. It’s about realising that the very traits I tried to suppress for years might actually be my biggest strength. --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||