Women's Business – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode I speak to the inimitable Laura Belbin, better known as Knee Deep in Life on Instagram. Laura is an author, podcaster, and standup comedian who has used comedy to find light in the darkest of times. This conversation covers it all - from her early career experiences, her journey through therapy, dealing with childhood trauma, and how she discovered her true calling in comedy and completely reimagined and restarted her life. Laura shares the impact of her viral moments online, the challenges of being an influencer, and how she balances humor with raw honesty. This is an insightful and heartfelt story, full of self-reflection and moments of humour, moments of clarity, and moments of total openness. A must listen. 

Find Laura on Instagram here 

Join me on Instagram here 

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This episode is supported by April & White, a brand built on a passion to fuel the imagination of children everywhere, not least with their beautiful bespoke letters from Father Christmas for your little ones. 

Sonia the founder approaches every product with an eye for beauty and detail to really keep the magic alive for your little believers, applying calligraphy by hand so that every letter and envelope is unique, personalised, and magical.

Alongside her letters from Santa Sonia has a glorious selection of stocking fillers to make your kids' Christmas even more special, from beautifully boxed reindeer food to North Pole chocolate pennies and reindeer bells and even a magical memory journal to capture the sparkle and wonder of their Christmas.

Order your letters from father Christmas by 5th December to be sure to receive them in time for the big day, and check out aprilandwhite.co.uk to shop now. Magic awaits.

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 

In this episode I speak to Dani Pearce, founder of the globally successful footwear brand Merry People. We start with Dani's early memories of farm life in Australia, her journey through various jobs, and the idea she had that led to her launching her brand. Dani shares how she navigated her company's growth, including securing her first factory in China, selling at farmer's markets, and transitioning to e-commerce. We also delve deep into her personal life, discussing the impact of motherhood on her career, her husband becoming the primary caregiver for their kids, and the importance of maintaining kindness and authenticity as a leader. Tune in for a candid conversation about resilience, growth, and staying true to oneself in business.

Find Merry People online here 

Find Merry People on Instagram here 

Join the conversation with me on Instagram here 

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This episode is supported by April & White, a brand built on a passion to fuel the imagination of children everywhere, not least with their beautiful bespoke letters from Father Christmas for your little ones.

Sonia the founder approaches every product with an eye for beauty and detail to really keep the magic alive for your little believers, applying calligraphy by hand so that every letter and envelope is unique, personalised, and magical.

Alongside her letters from Santa Sonia has a glorious selection of stocking fillers to make your kids' Christmas even more special, from beautifully boxed reindeer food to North Pole chocolate pennies and reindeer bells and even a magical memory journal to capture the sparkle and wonder of their Christmas.

Order your letters from father Christmas by 5th December to be sure to receive them in time for the big day, and check out aprilandwhite.co.uk to shop now. Magic awaits. 

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Episode Highlights

The question this week is from me! I wanted Drew to speak honestly about his perspective on becoming a parent, and everything that entailed in terms of work, home, and finding his way as a dad. We talk about the transition to parenthood, the struggles of finding our roles, and the importance of male allyship. Drew opens up about the feelings of being undervalued at home, adjusting expectations, and the societal conditioning that affects our views on household responsibilities. We also discuss the mental load of unpaid labour, the benefits of shared responsibilities, and the significance of having open, honest conversations. This episode is a deep dive into the dynamics of modern parenting and the journey towards creating a more balanced and happy relationship.

In this episode on the theme of 'sustain' I speak to Claire Hill, a self-belief and business coach, about sustaining our mindset during summer. Claire shares her go-to mantras, the importance of self-belief, and practical strategies to balance business and family life. We discuss tackling self-doubt, the importance of setting boundaries, and defining our own version of success. Claire also dives into how to handle procrastination and the significance of rest versus resisting growth. For more insights and to join us at the Wilder:LIVE this October. 

Find Claire's website here

Find Claire on Instagram here 

Find out more about Wilder:LIVE here 

In this episode our listener question is all about how to get your husband to notice dust when he seems immune to dust. In other words... how to get him to get involved in the unpaid labour at home. We talk bout how we tackle the invisible labour and ingrained gender roles in our household, as well as sharing practical steps for dividing tasks, overcoming traditional expectations, and breaking down the mental load. This episode covers writing down tasks, having open conversations, and the importance of mutual respect. We also reflect on personal experiences, the impact of modeling behavior for our kids, and the role that positive feedback plays in making lasting changes. Whether you're managing household chores or parenting duties, this episode offers helpful insights for creating a more balanced and collaborative home life.

In this episode of Women's Business, I speak to Emma Zangs, a movement teacher and choreography and public speaking coach. Emma shares insights on the importance of movement for staying grounded and coping with the chaos of summer, especially for those juggling parenting and work. She discusses the role of dance in connecting with our bodies and emphasises the value of playful movement practices. We also delve into the benefits of public speaking through body awareness and the empowering concept of clowning to embrace silliness and reduce anxiety. Emma offers practical tips and simple movement exercises to help reconnect with ourselves and sustain energy throughout the summer.

Find Emma on Instagram here

Find Emma's website here

Join me on Instagram here 

In this first episode of The Better Halves Project Drew and I are diving into a listener question: how to even start these conversations at home with a partner who rolls their eyes at the mere mention of allyship. 

We share our personal journey and practical advice, emphasising open dialogue, setting boundaries for conversations, and the importance of mutual respect. This candid conversation aims to inspire meaningful discussions in your home about gender equality and respect.

If you enjoyed this conversation please join the conversation on Instagram here. 

In this first of my Summer Survival Series I speak to Katie Skelton, former guest of the full pod, and an email marketing expert, about the importance of sustaining visibility and sales even during the summer slowdown. We discuss the concept of selling as a commitment to yourself, how to build and maintain a consistent writing habit, and the significant impact of genuine human connections on business success. Katie also shares her non-negotiables that help keep her business thriving and her strategies for balancing work with quality family time during the holidays. We wrap up with practical tips on how to stay engaged with your audience while taking a well-deserved break. If you enjoyed Katie's insights and want to meet more incredible women sharing their expertise, don't forget to book your tickets to my Wilder:LIVE event this October! Tickets available here

Find Katie's website here

Find out more about me and The Wilder Collective here 

It's a family affair this week, as in the last full episode before the summer break I'm interviewing my sister, Katie Elliott (AKA HR Katie) about her career journey, juggling work-life balance, and navigating the challenges of ambition and family life. We discuss her experience in HR, starting her own business, and the impact of her recent breakup on her professional and personal life. Katie shares her insights on the importance of knowing oneself, the role of unpaid labour, and how she found her balance between career and motherhood. Tune in for an honest and heartfelt conversation filled with laughter and valuable advice for anyone looking to manage their own work-life balance.

Find Katie on Instagram here

Find Katie's website here 

Don't forget to join the conversation with me on Instagram here

This is the last week to pre-order my limited edition stationery collection here 

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 

*Trigger warning: sexual assault 

In this episode, I speak to Lu Featherstone, the vibrant and inspiring personality better known as 'Lu in LuLand' on Instagram. We dive into Lu's colorful and bold life journey from growing up as a vicar's daughter, serving in the Armed Forces, to moving to America and undergoing a transformative self-love revolution following her divorce. Lu candidly shares her struggles and triumphs, including dealing with postnatal depression, financial troubles, a self-diagnosed ADHD, and the powerful shift towards embracing authenticity and building community. We also explore her role as a confidence coach, and her ambitions with the Self-Love Revolution Bus. Be prepared for an emotional and deeply honest conversation that sheds light on the importance of resilience, community, and finding your purpose.

Find Lu on Instagram here

Find Lu's website and more information about her Self-Love Revolution tour here

Don't forget to join the conversation with me on Instragram here

And shop my limited edition stationery collection here 

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