Explore every episode of the podcast The Rise and Hive

This week’s Question of the Week is all about choosing your domestic discomfort. Would you rather have sand permanently lodged between your toes or crumbs lurking in your bed? Both are regular occurrences for Liane, so she’s well placed to partake in this debate.

We revisit last week’s question about going to the gym on holiday, and it turns out most of our listeners are absolutely horrified that anyone would even consider working out while away. Many were shocked to find that hotels even had gyms. An outrageous concept for our listeners, with the priority being very much booze and buffet. 🍹🍳

The cave sagas continue, with listener Chris officially stepping into the role of legal counsel (we clearly need professional help), and we hear from Lisa, who shares the truly traumatic tale of our worst nightmare - an 11-hour flight with diarrhoea. ✈️🚽

It’s another week of important questions, questionable disclosures and absolutely no shortage of opinions.

Get involved. We promise it’s safer than an 11-hour flight with Lisa’s digestive system. 😂🐝

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Trigger warning: This episode includes open and honest conversations about addiction, alcohol, drugs, gambling and recovery. Please take care while listening.

We’re joined by the brilliant Paul Merson, as we pull back the curtain to meet the human behind the success.

Paul opens up about his journey to recovery from alcohol, drugs and gambling, the tools in his toolbox that help him live one day at a time, and how he now uses his story to help others.

It’s an honest conversation about recovery, self-awareness and finding ways to keep moving forward. 

We also have a shocking revelation about Paul’s thoughts on M&S chocolate-coated custard creams, he puts himself forward for Braggers Corner (we LOVE to see it!) and, as always, we finish with gratitude.

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Is hitting the gym on holiday a winning move or an absolute holiday crime? 🏋️☀️

Is squeezing in a workout a luxury, a bit of you time, and a way to feel good? Or is this the most outrageous thing you’ve ever heard because holidays are for relaxing, eating everything in sight and doing absolutely bugger all?

We’re debating whether holiday gym-goers are winners or losers, and we want to know where you stand. Are you team fitness or team sun lounger?

We revisit last week’s question and some listeners have been making a few personal disclosures 👀. Meanwhile, the indoors versus outdoors debate rumbles on, with Melissa convinced she’s finally found a loophole.

Get involved and tell us your verdict. No judgement here… well, maybe a little. 😂🐝

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What happens when you stop talking yourself out of asking for the things you want and start being a bit more big, bold and brave?

As us Northerners say, shy bairns get nowt! We reflect on how life can change when you bite the bullet, put yourself out there and ask. Because if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no. We know it’s tempting to protect ourselves from the sting of rejection, but when we’ve found the courage to ask, the answer has often been YES. So what might be possible if you stopped assuming the answer would be no before you’ve even asked the question?

In breaking news, Liane has a new nail shape AND colour. Call the police! 🚨 We have a bonanza Braggers Corner, celebrating some fabulous people, and as always, we finish with gratitude.

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This week’s Question of the Week sounds like an easy win. Two days of food poisoning or three weeks with a cold? After Melissa’s brutal three-week cold (which, let’s be honest, was hard on everyone 😂), we thought we knew the answer. Then Liane started introducing scenarios involving being struck down when you’re out in the wild, and suddenly things weren’t quite so straightforward.

We revisit last week’s cup debate, with one important public service announcement: please stop using Melissa’s cup in the office. We’ve got more thoughts on gravy and the correct way to deploy it with a Yorkshire pudding, and we’re still exploring alternatives to living in a cave through Melissa’s cult.

As always, we want your opinions, your arguments and your questionable life choices. Get involved and let us know what you’d choose!

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This week we’re girl crushing on Michelle Keegan and her new TV series, but it sparks a bigger conversation about why confident, attractive women can make some people uncomfortable. Why is a woman who knows her worth so often labelled “full of herself”? Where’s the line between confidence and arrogance, and when did celebrating our own strengths become something we feel the need to apologise for? We’re talking about getting curious when someone else’s confidence triggers a reaction in us, because feelings can be useful data if we’re willing to explore them. We’ve also got a challenge for the Hive: get comfortable with being uncomfortable, practise accepting compliments without batting them away, and notice what comes up when another woman owns her brilliance. 

In Glory of the Ordinary, Melissa has officially made the switch to non-bio laundry detergent and is now recommending castor oil for practically everything. Naturally, we’re back in our own Braggers Corner, celebrating ourselves and the things we’re proud of, before finishing with gratitude.

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This week we’re getting to the bottom of a very important question: have you got a favourite cup? What makes it the one? The shape, the size, the handle, the weight? And do you have different cups for different occasions? Liane is left genuinely shocked to discover that Melissa is choosing to drink from a glass latte cup of her own free will.

We also revisit the great gravy debate. Nobody has admitted to liking it thin, but we know they’re out there. And Melissa remains determined to live her best life outdoors, despite mounting evidence that her dream of outdoor living may be scuppered by the 2007 smoking ban. Who knew a Question of the Week could raise so many legal and crockery-related issues?

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This week we’re talking about the spaces we choose to be part of and the people we meet in them. Melissa debriefs from her yoga retreat in Ibiza, and we both reflect on the Breath & Bloom day retreat we recently attended closer to home. Different spaces, same reminder of the power of connection and community, and of how every person has a story you know nothing about. Experiences like these always get us thinking about the spaces we want to join, the spaces we want to create and the kind of hive we want to build. 

Then, in Glory of the Ordinary, Liane becomes the victim of peer pressure and is now sporting a darker red nail colour than her usual shade. She is not happy about it. At all. And we have a full-on Braggers Corner bonanza, celebrating loads of brilliant people doing brilliant things and, as always, finish with gratitude.

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This week’s Question of the Week is a very serious matter: thick or thin? We’re talking gravy, obviously, and we are firmly, unapologetically in the THICK camp. We’re taking a punt that the majority of you are too, because… who wants thin gravy?

We revisit last week’s inside or outside debate and Melissa has been giving it far more thought than anyone reasonably should. If you’ve chosen outdoor living for the rest of your life, how exactly are you styling your hair, having a bath and making a Yorkshire pudding? Melissa has somehow covered all the bases and, in the process, appears to have convinced herself she could start a cult. Stay safe out there, folks. 😂

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This week we’re talking about one of the unexpected gifts of our daily podcast: having the space to properly finish a thought. No interruptions, no reading into facial expressions, no second-guessing what the other person might be thinking and no censoring ourselves halfway through saying what we actually mean. And for anyone who hates a voice note, we need to clear something up. This isn’t a form of communication. It’s journaling with a friend who listens, reflects, challenges and offers another perspective.

We also go back to where Glory of the Ordinary began, with one very important question: what is the optimum temperature for a beverage?

Melissa is still poorly and pining for Christopher, we celebrate some brilliant Braggers Corner moments and, as always, finish with gratitude.

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This week’s Question of the Week is a serious one… if you could live inside or outside for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

Melissa, a fully fledged fresh-air lover, is all about outdoor living. Obviously, she’s already started trying to bend the rules because apparently living outside comes with terms and conditions. Call the police!

Liane, meanwhile, is veering firmly towards indoors because COLD. Unless hot weather can be guaranteed, in which case the negotiations are open.

We also revisit last week’s very important shower debate: which way do you face? Turns out, it very much depends on whether you’re washing your hair.

And then things take a slightly more criminal turn when Nicola calls the Hive Hotline with a BIG confession involving a £300 wool coat from M&S.

Hopefully this episode won’t lead to any arrests. 🐝🚔

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This week we’re pulling back the curtain on what happens when the person who is usually holding everyone else up suddenly doesn’t have the capacity to hold herself up. After a tough Great North Run, Melissa found herself unwell, struggling and unable to be the motivator, energiser and cheerleader she’s always been. For the first time in 11 Great North Runs, it really knocked her confidence and brought up that familiar “I’m not good enough” feeling, which followed her through the week and even made her question the podcast. We talk about the ripple effect of what we’re creating and how we’ll never truly know how far a conversation, a voice note or a daily podcast can travel or the waves it might make. We reflect on how our daily podcast gives us space to journal, process and make sense of the stuff going on in our heads.

We also found out we weren’t shortlisted for the Independent Podcast Awards (this time!), but we’re putting ourselves firmly in Braggers Corner for being big, bold and brave enough to go for it anyway.

Glory of the Ordinary brings us hugs and kisses on text messages and a fellow supporter of Melissa’s legendary Toast Tower. And, as always, we finish with gratitude.

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This week’s Question of the Week is a shower-based dilemma: do you face towards the shower or away from it? And, as it turns out, it very much depends on whether there’s a hair wash involved. Liane and Melissa are both firmly in the hybrid camp, with plenty of switching around. We revisit last week’s icks and uncover some unexpected disclosures involving vapes, Crocs, Lycra and noise… plus, because apparently we can’t help ourselves, we continue to give ourselves the ick. Just another perfectly normal conversation in the Hive.

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This week we’re talking about how we can be same same, but different. Rooted together, growing in different directions. We share the same core values, but our lives have taken very different paths, and that’s exactly where some of the magic happens. Our daily podcast gives us a chance to stop, reflect and see things from a different perspective, and we’re realising more and more how much that matters. The magic is in the mix. 

Liane is back from a week in Skiathos and, unsurprisingly, we’re a little rusty. It may not be our finest work, but it’s very much us. There are driving abroad sagas, an update to the Universal Hotel Scoring System, and a brand new scoring system for hire cars. Plus Braggers Corner and gratitude, as always.

We’re moving on from last week’s Ick List and getting into the real deal… actual icks. Those little moments, habits or behaviours that can instantly change how you see someone. Including the slightly more painful category of all: giving yourself the ick. We confess to a few restaurant faux pas that have made us question our own behaviour, while poor Liam finds himself firmly in the spotlight for some questionable holiday outfit choices. 👀

We also revisit last week’s irrational dislikes, with the Hive Hotline bringing plenty of input from you lot. Because apparently velvet, cotton wool and egg whites were only the beginning.

So, what’s your actual ick? We want to know. 😂

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This week is a proper Rise and Hive love-in as we’re joined by the brilliant Kylie Dixon, MBE! 💛

Liane shares how Kylie played a pivotal role in the development of The Rise and Hive Podcast following a coaching session that helped set some pretty significant wheels in motion.

We talk about Kylie’s own evolution, peeling back the layers, discovering the environments where she truly shines and giving herself permission to lean into her weird and wonderful. We pull back the curtain on the anchors that keep Kylie grounded and safe, before Kylie fully embraces the Rise and Hive craic and joins us for discussions involving maggots, strap-ons, bonk-ons and wide-ons.

A big conversation about becoming more yourself, wrapped up in a lot of laughter, connection and some very questionable pit yacker vocabulary.

We revisit last week’s superstition debate and discover that Melissa may actually be the fourth emergency service. Whenever she sees an emergency services vehicle, she performs a cross and sends her best wishes. Lives saved? Possibly. Scientific evidence? Absolutely not.

We hear more of your wonderfully specific superstitions and quirks, from refusing to cut nails on a Sunday, to odd numbers apparently causing fires, and mysterious sequences that must be followed to keep you on an even keel.

Then onto this week’s question: what’s your irrational dislike?

We’re talking textures, tastes and sounds that make your whole body say NO. Velvet? Cotton wool? Chalk on a board? Egg whites? There’s no logic required and absolutely no judgement. Well… maybe a little.

Send us your irrational dislikes and let us know what makes you go full-body ick. 😂

It’s been an emotional time for Melissa as her son Christopher turns 18 and she starts to prepare for the very real reality of him leaving for university. There are big milestones, big feelings and plenty of moments that have caught her by surprise. It gets us talking about how often we’re taught to gloss over the hard stuff, keep going and put on a brave face rather than actually feeling what’s there. Melissa is determined to break that cycle and give herself permission to feel it all.

In the Glory of the Ordinary, Melissa’s electric toothbrush has finally kicked the bucket, so she turns to Liane for some very important toothbrush guidance. Listener Ann is playing catch-up after the school holidays and is horrified to discover that Melissa has gone on the water meter.

We celebrate some fabulous women doing big, bold, brave things in Braggers Corner and, as always, finish with gratitude. 💛

This week’s question comes from listener Chris, who wants to know: is there something you do for luck that you think is completely normal, but other people might find a little bit odd? Are you a believer in old wives’ tales, superstitions and lucky rituals, or do you think it’s all nonsense?

Melissa is firmly in the believer camp, saluting magpies and picking up pennies whenever she finds them. Liane, meanwhile, has absolutely nothing. No rituals. No lucky charms. Not even a quick nod to a passing magpie.

We also revisit last week’s question about where the line sits between complimentary and criminal, and it turns out you lot are taking considerably more from hotel rooms than a few miniature toiletries. Frankly, you’re a bunch of raging kleptomaniacs. Liane then has her own confession to make, revealing a history of accidentally stealing from Asda. Please don’t ban her.

As always, we’re asking the questions you might not admit to answering in public. 🐦🍀😂

⚠️ Warning: There is swearing in this episode.

This week we’re joined by Hannah F#cking Holt, speaker, coach and breathwork practitioner. Hannah has spent August challenging herself to show up, put herself out there and say yes to the opportunities that scare her a little. And it’s already paying off. She’s applied to TEDx because, in her words, she’s going to be on that stage. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, right?

We pull back the curtain on the moments when Hannah has felt doubt and insecurity, what she does to check in with herself, and the power of actually feeling your feelings rather than trying to push them away. It’s a conversation about self-trust, taking the shot and backing yourself before you have all the evidence.

And, naturally, we get Hannah involved in the ongoing bin saga, where she delivers the shocking news that Dorset has had food waste bins for SIX YEARS. Six. Years. We’re still processing this.

Hannah puts herself firmly in Braggers Corner and, as a fully fledged Gratitude Queen, has absolutely no trouble joining us for our favourite way to finish the episode.

This week we're checking into the hotel and asking a very important question... where exactly is the line between complimentary and criminal?

What’s fair game to take from your hotel room? Tea, coffee, biscuits, toiletries? And what about the dressing gown? Surely nobody genuinely thinks that belongs in your suitcase... do they?

We also revisit last week's emoji debate and discover there is still a lot to learn about how people are using these tiny little symbols. Melissa's son Christopher even joins us on the Hive Hotline to reveal just how thrilled he was to tune in and discover the details of his mam's sexting emoji habits. Turns out he does listen!

As always, we're asking the questions you probably shouldn't ask at the dinner table. 🏨😂

This week we're reflecting on the joy of women coming together without ego, competition or the need to prove anything. After a lovely catch-up with an old work colleague, we're celebrating the glory of being a secure woman in your 40s who can genuinely champion other women, dress for happiness and still experience the girlhood joy of messaging your pals before an event to ask... "what are you wearing?" At the risk of sounding 12, obviously.

Elsewhere, Melissa has exciting Glory of the Ordinary news in the form of a new deodorant scent, while Liane is still fuming that Melissa forgot to bring the giant leek they both acquired from Kylie's allotment. And in Stardust and Soil, Melissa attempts to drag Liane out of the soil by sprinkling crystal stardust over her at a crystal and new moon event. Liane, it should be noted, did not have a neutral face.

We celebrate some brilliant humans in Braggers Corner and, as always, finish with gratitude.

Secure women. Happy outfits. Crystal stardust. And one missing giant leek.

This week we're asking a question that says more about you than you might think... what's your favourite emoji?

Are you loyal to a classic 😂? Throwing hearts around like confetti? Or are you one of those people using a 👍 and completely unaware that some people consider it the rudest response known to mankind?

We also revisit last week's question about bedtime cuddles and can confirm that Kylie might have been right... they do seem to be largely a thing of the movies. Some of you enjoy a little pre-sleep cuddle, but once it's time for actual sleeping, it's strictly back to your own side of the bed.

And because we're nothing if not committed to getting to the bottom of the important questions, we also bring in a fact check on the mythical swimming pool dye that supposedly exposes anyone who wees in the water. Is it real, or have we all been living in fear for nothing?

As always, we're tackling the big issues. One emoji at a time. 😂👍❤️

This week we're talking about miscommunication, assumptions and the simple fact that, despite what we might expect, none of us are actually mind readers. When Melissa changed the podcast recording plans without telling Liane, we both made our own assumptions and a minor misunderstanding became a reminder of just how often miscommunication happens when we don't simply say what we mean.

There was also cheesecake drama, with Liane still fuming after Melissa promised to bring some and forgot. A chance encounter with Jolly John while we were out taking photos got us reflecting on the power of being open to conversations and connections, and where a simple hello might lead.

In the Glory of the Ordinary, Melissa discovers she's completely missed the memo that the bottle recycling bins have disappeared and bottles now belong in the blue recycling. We celebrate some brilliant humans in Braggers Corner and, as always, finish with gratitude.

Assumptions. Cheesecake. Unexpected connections. And one very confused recycling system.

This week's question comes from listener Kylie, who has a theory... bedtime cuddles are purely a Hollywood invention and nobody is actually doing it in real life. For Kylie, it's a hard no. No nightly snuggling, no romantic falling asleep in each other's arms, thank you very much.

But what about you? Are bedtime cuddles a genuine part of your evening routine, a fleeting moment before someone rolls over and steals the duvet, or are you firmly in Kylie's camp?

We also revisit last week's shower debate and the results are in... 99.9% of you are weeing in the shower. And frankly, the overwhelming theme is efficiency. Why make two trips when you can get the job done while you're already in there?

As always, we're asking the questions you didn't know you needed answering. 🛏️🚿😂

This week we're talking about the different seasons of life we're all moving through and how strange it can feel when the people around you seem to be in completely different chapters. We unpack society's obsession with the life checklist: house, marriage, kids, career... and how easy it is to convince yourself you're somehow behind if your life doesn't follow the expected timeline. Spoiler alert: you're not. You're exactly where you are, and there is no one-size-fits-all route through life.

Melissa is also riding the energy of the Lions Gate Portal, ready to sprinkle her stardust into Liane's soil, while Glory of the Ordinary delivers another major milestone: Melissa has a water meter. We celebrate Linzi and Mel in Braggers Corner and, as always, finish with gratitude.

Different seasons. Different timelines. No one is behind. 💛

This week's question comes from listener Lisa, and it's safe to say she's not messing about when it comes to efficiency.

She wants to know... do you wee in the shower?

Lisa admits she's fully embraced the art of multitasking. Since getting a new bathroom (and no longer having a shower over the bath), she's not only weeing in the shower but brushing her teeth at the same time. Peak efficiency... or too far?

We also revisit last week's swimming stroke debate, and the results are in. Breaststroke takes the gold medal by a country mile, with most of you admitting it's less about technique and more about keeping your hair dry.

As always, what starts as a simple question quickly spirals into a conversation you never thought you'd be having.

Get in touch with your verdict... no judgement (well... maybe a little). 🚿😂

This week we’re talking about the power of your environment and how the right people and places can completely change how you show up.

Some environments make you question yourself, play small and shrink. Others make you feel seen, supported and able to shine. We reflect on our different holiday styles and how there isn’t a “right” way to spend your time, only the way that fills your cup. From lazy beach days to exploring every corner, it’s all about finding your groove, creating routines and building habits that help you become your best self.

Elsewhere, Maggotgate continues. The food waste bins are keeping us humble, we’ve uncovered even more maggot-related facts than anyone ever asked for, and the saga shows no signs of ending.

We celebrate the brilliant Kay and Siobhan in Braggers Corner (and yes, we allow ourselves a little celebration too) and, as always, finish with gratitude.

This week we’re making a splash and asking one very important question…

What’s your signature swimming stroke?

Are you a graceful breaststroker, determined to keep your hair dry at all costs? A committed front crawler with no concern for preserving your make-up? Or are you one of the elite few confidently knocking out a butterfly like you’re heading for Olympic qualification?

We also take a nostalgic trip back to school swimming lessons, reminiscing about the dreaded verruca sock, the glamour of a swimming hat and all the questionable memories that came with a trip to the local baths.

Plus, we revisit last week’s beige buffet debate and hear your brilliant voice notes on the Hive Hotline. It turns out you’ve got some very strong opinions about pastry, sandwiches and party food.

As always, what starts as a simple question quickly goes off the deep end. 🏊

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This week we’re reflecting on what we’ve learned about ourselves over the last seven days and the uncomfortable truth that every new level seems to bring a new devil.

From Melissa’s relationship with time, to Liane’s people-pleasing tendencies, money mindset and how easily an innocent challenge can be interpreted as something much bigger, we explore the self-awareness that comes from noticing our patterns instead of being ruled by them.

Over in the Glory of the Ordinary, disaster strikes as a power cut leaves Liane without hot water, hair styling appliances and, most tragically, a freezer full of food destined for the bin. Safe to say the food waste caddy has never been so full.

Braggers Corner is bursting this week as we celebrate some incredible wins from our community, before finishing, as always, with gratitude.

Because growth isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about recognising your patterns, learning from them, and taking the next step anyway.

Would you be thrilled or furious to arrive at a beige buffet?

Sausage rolls, cocktail sausages, quiche, sandwiches… are you all in, or secretly hoping someone’s brought something a bit more exciting? We unpack the holy trinity of pastry, butter and mayo, while Liane campaigns (once again) for a buffet that’s a little more veggie-friendly.

We also revisit last week’s condiment debate and discover one thing is abundantly clear… you’re a nation of mayo lovers. Most of you are keeping it safely in the fridge, and many of you are proudly using it as the dip for absolutely everything.

As always, what starts as a simple question quickly turns into a full-blown investigation into our eating habits.

Pull up a paper plate… this one’s a buffet of opinions. 🥪🥐🥔

This week we’re joined by our very first guest, Camila Horner from Prosperous Horizons.

Cam shares the inspiration behind her new programme, The Art of the Possible, and together we explore what it really takes to step into something bigger than yourself. We also pull back the curtain on the stories we often tell ourselves about people who seem to have it all together. Confident. Successful. Ambitious. Accomplished. The truth? Even Cam has experienced imposter syndrome, self-doubt and moments of wondering if she was good enough. Because she’s human. Just like the rest of us.

There’s also a landmark moment in the Glory of the Ordinary as Melissa finally receives her long-awaited food waste bin (the saga is over… or is it?). Amazing Ann takes centre stage in Braggers Corner with an inspiring story, and as always, we finish with gratitude.

A conversation about possibility, courage and remembering that the people you admire are often feeling many of the same things you are.

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This week we're diving into the important stuff... your condiments.

Are they living in the fridge, or are they happily residing in the cupboard? Is ketchup allowed out? What about brown sauce? Mayo is surely non-negotiable... isn't it?

We also want to know your condiment of choice. Are you drowning your food in sauce, or are you a bit of a dry lover? There are no wrong answers... although there may be some questionable ones.

We also revisit last week's tea or coffee debate, with listeners sharing their thoughts via our WhatsApp voice notes. From die-hard tea drinkers to loyal coffee lovers, you're proving once again that everyone has an opinion when it comes to the everyday.

Got something to add? We'd love to hear from you. Send us a voice note on 07466 324579 and you might just feature in a future episode.

Short, saucy and guaranteed to leave you checking the back of your ketchup bottle.

This week we’re talking about what happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment and start saying yes to the opportunities in front of you.

From unexpected connections to exciting conversations, we’ve had one of those weeks where everything seemed to flow. It got us reflecting on a simple truth: you can. Because when you commit to taking the first step, it’s amazing how often the world seems to meet you halfway. Where attention goes, energy flows.

Elsewhere, there are significant developments in the ongoing bin saga. Liane has finally been able to deploy her strap-on (to secure the bin lid, before anyone gets carried away), while Melissa has manifested maggots after talking about them this week.

We also celebrate our brilliant new producer, Limitless Liam, in Braggers Corner, and, as always, finish with gratitude.

Connection. Courage. A few maggots. And the reminder that maybe… you can.

This week we revisit last week's debate about taking your shoes off on a plane... and specifically those of you who claim you've never ventured to the toilet barefoot. We're not entirely convinced. We smell a rat.

Then onto this week's important question...

Are you a tea person or a coffee person? Or are you bucking the trend completely with a fruit tea or a hot chocolate? Do your drinks change depending on the time of day, or are you loyal to one hot beverage from morning to night?

Liane also makes a confession that may divide the nation... she's a die-hard fan of instant coffee. Specifically, a good old Nescafé Gold Blend. No shame, no fancy coffee machine, just pure NGB loyalty.

As always, what starts as a simple question ends up revealing far more about our personalities than we'd ever intended.

Pop the kettle on... this one's a good one. ☕

This week we're riding the high from our strategy planning day, which got us reflecting on just how far we've come. We listened back to some of our very first episodes and were reminded exactly where this all began.

So, we're revisiting our first ever episode and the reason The Rise and Hive exists: to create a hive built on connection that gives people the courage to believe that they can.

Of course, no episode would be complete without a bin update. We've now discovered Scotland's very own Bin Ambassador, who appears to have a direct hotline to the Chief Bin Officer at the council. Frankly, we're impressed and slightly jealous.

We also celebrate some brilliant humans in Bragger’s Corner and, as always, finish with gratitude.

Connection. Courage. Community. And bins, obviously.

This week we revisit last week's supermarket personality debate and discover that you're a wonderfully eclectic bunch. From the supermarket Shirley Bassey’s gliding elegantly through the aisles, to the Michael Schumacher’s treating Aldi like a Formula 1 circuit, and the Martin Lewis money saver’s meticulously comparing price per sheet, there really is a shopping style for everyone.

Then onto this week's important question...

Are you taking your shoes off on a flight?

Is it perfectly acceptable once you're settled in for the journey, or should shoes remain firmly on from take-off to landing? And if you are taking them off, are you committing the ultimate travel crime and making a trip to the loo barefoot?

As always, what starts as a simple question quickly turns into a full investigation. Fasten your seatbelts... this one's a bumpy ride.

This week we’re talking about the magic that happens when you put yourself out there and find your people. Melissa is still riding the high from a weekend at Manifest, where she experienced the surreal joy of being recognised from the podcast and was reminded that your vibe really does attract your tribe. We also unpack our first experience of being trolled and what it means when not everyone is your cup of tea. Meanwhile, Liane returns from Mallorca with a fresh new rating system for restaurants and hotels (TripAdvisor, we’re available). We celebrate some brilliant humans in Braggers Corner, share the Glory of the Ordinary and, as always, finish with gratitude. Connection, courage, community and questionable hotel reviews… just another week at The Rise and Hive.

This week we revisit last week’s holiday unpacking debate and are pleased to report that most people are firmly in the unpack-on-arrival camp, albeit with varying levels of organisation.

Liane also discovers that she and Ed share an almost identical approach to holiday protocol, leading to the conclusion that they could quite happily become travel buddies.

Then onto this week’s important question…

What’s your supermarket personality?

Are you calmly browsing the aisles, comparing prices and calculating the cost per sheet of toilet roll?

Or are you treating the supermarket like an episode of Supermarket Sweep, flying through the aisles with the energy of a Tasmanian devil and absolutely no intention of stopping to compare anything?

Liane admits she’s the person holding everyone up while she works out which option represents the best value, much to the frustration of anyone shopping with her.

Meanwhile, Melissa’s approach can best be described as “grab first, think later.”

As always, what starts as a simple question reveals far more about us than we’d like.

Short, snappy and likely to expose your shopping habits.

This week, Liane and Melissa have their first official tiff.

The cause? Instagram captions.

Don’t worry, we work through it on the podcast, and we’re pleased to report that our friendship remains intact.

We also dive into a conversation about your invisible reputation and how easy it is to underestimate the impact you can have on another person.

A kind word.

An encouraging message.

A conversation you barely remember.

You never really know what someone is carrying, what they’ll take from that interaction, or how far the effect of it might travel.

Because when you positively impact one person, that impact rarely stops there. It ripples outwards. They show up differently for their family, friends, colleagues and communities. The effect reaches people you’ll never meet and places you’ll never see.

It’s a reminder that the smallest actions can often have the biggest consequences, and that we all have far more influence than we realise.

Elsewhere, in Glory of the Ordinary, the bin saga continues.

Melissa is still waiting for her food waste bin, while reports are emerging of bin wagons attempting to collect bins that hadn’t even been delivered yet. 

We celebrate some brilliant people in Braggers Corner, and finish as always with gratitude.

Friendship. Ripples. Reputation. And a developing bin scandal.

Just another week at The Rise and Hive. 💛

This week we revisit last week’s Yorkshire pudding debate and can confirm what we suspected all along…

Everyone loves a Yorkshire pudding.

There was plenty of appreciation for the frozen variety, but let’s be honest, they’re no substitute for the real thing. Crispy, homemade and taking up far too much room on the plate.

Then onto this week’s important question…

What’s your approach to unpacking when you arrive on holiday?

Are you straight into the wardrobe, organising your outfits by day and settling in immediately? Or are you living out of a suitcase until the very last minute?

Both Liane and Melissa are firm believers in unpacking as soon as they arrive. Why spend a week rummaging through a suitcase?

And if you’re not unpacking at all, we have one pressing question…

Where are you putting your dirty knickers?

As always, what starts as a simple question quickly spirals into a full investigation.

Short, snappy and surprisingly revealing.

This week we’re riding the high from an incredible in-person event that left us reflecting on why we started this journey in the first place.

We talk about the power of connection, the magic that happens when people come together, and what it means to create spaces where people feel seen, heard and encouraged to take a step towards the things they really want.

Which is quite fitting, because in a moment of being big, bold and brave, we spotted an opportunity and asked Paul Merson if he’d come on the podcast.

And he said yes.

Cue a mad dash as we scrambled to look professional, set up an official email address, and convince ourselves we absolutely belong in these conversations.

One of this week’s biggest takeaways?

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

Ask for what you want. The worst someone can say is no. Sometimes they surprise you and say yes.

Elsewhere, there are further developments in the ongoing bin saga. The new food waste collections have officially begun and, in a dramatic turn of events, Liane’s bin went missing on day one. The role of Bin Ambassador has never been more demanding.

We celebrate some brilliant wins in Braggers Corner, share the Glory of the Ordinary, and finish as always with gratitude.

Connection. Courage. Community. And a missing bin.

Just another week at The Rise and Hive. 💛

This week we’re tackling a very important question…

What’s your stance on Yorkshire puddings?

Are they reserved exclusively for a traditional roast beef dinner, or are they welcome alongside any roast? Do they belong on a Christmas dinner? How many are you having? And perhaps most importantly… are you team crispy bottom or team stodgy?

As expected, we have strong opinions.

We also revisit last week’s potato debate, where the people have spoken and roast potatoes have emerged as the clear winner. Quite right too.

And in a surprising subplot, we hear how broadcaster Liz Kershaw became unexpectedly invested in Liam’s salt consumption during a recent holiday, leading to some serious questions about acceptable seasoning levels.

Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and unsolicited salt commentary.

Just another normal week at The Rise and Hive.

Short, snappy and guaranteed to make you hungry.

This week we’re riding the high that comes from being around people who are doing brave things.

You know the feeling. Hearing someone’s exciting plans, celebrating their wins, watching them take a leap, and somehow finding yourself feeling a little braver too.

We talk about the positive ripple effect of connection and why courage can be contagious.

We also share the story behind the name The Rise and Hive Podcast and where it all began. Bringing together Northern Rise and The Hive Within, our mission has always been simple:

Creating a hive built on connection that gives people the courage to rise into their true selves.

Elsewhere, there is an urgent update on the food waste bins. Some residents have become a little overexcited and started putting them out ahead of schedule, forcing the council to intervene on social media. Naturally, Liane has accepted her unofficial role as Bin Ambassador and self-proclaimed Champion of the Bins.

Braggers Corner shines a spotlight on Cam and the launch of her new business, including the badass photoshoot she’s booked as she steps boldly into this next chapter.

Connection. Courage. Community. Compost caddies.

And as always, we finish with gratitude.

This week we revisit last week’s ear cleaning debate and can confirm… despite all official advice, absolutely everyone is still using cotton buds. Mostly on a wet ear.

Then onto this week’s important question…

What’s your favourite type of potato?

Because for us, potatoes are an elite food group. Roasties, mash, chips, waffles, dauphinoise… we support all potato activity in this house.

The only issue?

Liane would like you to keep your butter to yourself.

We get into our potato rankings, the versatility of the humble spud, and why no one can really be trusted if they “don’t like potatoes.”

Short, carby and deeply important listening.

This week we’re talking about comparison and how easy it is to look at where someone else is in their chapter while completely forgetting the blood, sweat, tears, failures and setbacks it probably took to get there.

Because most of the time, we’re comparing ourselves to someone else’s highlight reel… not the full story.

We also have some big news, we’re applying for the Independent Podcast Awards 👀

A very real example of taking our own advice and going for it before we feel “big enough” or established enough. Big, brave, bold moves and all that.

Elsewhere, there’s exciting bin chat as the new food waste bins finally arrive, because we know this is the sort of update our listeners have come to expect from us now.

Real life, mindset shifts, courage, compost caddies and as always… gratitude.

This week we revisit last week’s shoes on or off debate and somehow end up on an important side quest… should dogs be allowed on beds?

For us, it’s a hard yes.

Then onto this week’s Question of the Week…

How are you actually cleaning your ears?

Because if you’re not using cotton buds for ears… what exactly are you using them for?

We unpack the great cotton bud confusion, our questionable habits, and somehow end up taking a sharp turn into a completely unverified history lesson involving a man, a feather, and making himself vomit through his ears.

Do not quote us on any of this.

Short, chaotic, lightly educational and absolutely not medically endorsed.

This week we’re talking about the reality of having a wobble… and how easy it is to get pulled into negative self talk when life feels heavy.

We both share some of the challenges we’ve faced over the last week and the importance of recognising what’s actually happening before disappearing down the spiral. Sometimes the answer is tapping into your toolbox, using the things that help you re-regulate, reset and move through the feeling instead of getting stuck in it.

We also get into our frustration with the media and the way women are so often treated as easy targets. After the recent backlash around Jemma and Stacey Solomon’s  PR trip to Miami, we unpack why tearing women down continues to be such low hanging fruit.

There’s also a conversation around deep listening after we realise there have been a few very real moments on the podcast where we absolutely were not listening to each other properly… and yes, apologies were required.

Elsewhere, Liane gives an important update on the new toothbrush situation, and Melissa delivers genuinely groundbreaking news… she has cleaned her AirPods.

As always, we finish with gratitude.

This week’s Question of the Week gets unexpectedly divisive…

Shoes on or off in the house?

What about house shoes?

Is that technically the role of a Croc?

What if you’re just nipping to the bin?

And are you actually enforcing these rules with visitors… or quietly judging them afterwards?

We also ask the important question, does the rule only apply if you’ve got carpets?

Plus, we revisit last week’s crisp debate and the nation remains split. Potato crisps are strong contenders, but can anything really beat the flavour of a maize-based crisp?

And finally… Melissa’s “no chocolate for Lent” situation needed revisiting, with some questionable bending of the rules that absolutely needs unpacking.

Short, snappy, and guaranteed to make you look at your hallway differently.

This week we’ve both been on our travels again, Melissa headed to Manchester to see Tame Impala, while Liane took on the glitter, glamour and intensity of the Open World Schools Championships at Blackpool Tower.

Somewhere between concerts, dance competitions and filling the car up with fuel, we found ourselves reflecting on what it actually means to feel rich in life, and how much of that comes down to being values aligned rather than chasing material things.

There’s also a strong Glory of the Ordinary section this week, featuring Liane’s electric toothbrush giving up on life, the emotional rollercoaster of nearly losing the electric blanket too, and a genuinely concerning moment involving what appeared to be skid-marked knickers… which thankfully turned out to be fake tan.

A false alarm, but an important one nonetheless.

Real life, small joys, slight chaos and the usual gratitude to finish.