share your story

Karen Gee - Life and Business Coach, Childrens Author, Samaritan

Share Your Story Podcast by @stayingaliveuk

After a career spanning 34 years in banking Karen took voluntary redundancy to begin a new life!

Today Karen runs a successful coaching business, is the author of the Dodger Dog book series, with 15 books published with more to come! Dodger is a real dodger who works as a pet therapy dog in the NHS and care homes. His books are also in schools and libraries where Dodger visits and they inform and educate young children, with all stories behaviour and values based content!

Dodger is on a mission and this is their story!

Karen's passion is people development. She offers a wide range of coaching, workshops and presentations which are all specially designed to motivate and inspire you and your team, guaranteed to give your business a boost. During her working career, she has spent 34 years working in a range of businesses and sectors. With that wealth of personal experience, she has learnt exactly what works and what doesn’t, and she would love to share that knowledge with you. She has successfully managed various sized teams, consistently meeting challenging objectives, across income, customer service, risk and people management.

Website: https://www.geedevelopment.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geekaren

Dodger: https://www.dodgerdog.co.uk | https://www.instagram.com/ilovedodgerdog | https://www.facebook.com/Ilovedodgerdog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.gee.923 | https://www.facebook.com/GeeDevelopment

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeeDevelopment

Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dodgerdog

In the media:

https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/31/dodger-the-staffy-is-every-pensioners-best-friend-11912205/

https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/news/dodger-dog-has-switched-therapy-work-for-fundraising-8055
https://youtu.be/CQCt0PhV-Qg

Marlene Lowe - Importer of African Furniture, Communications Fanatic and Podcast Host

 

Marlene runs African Safari Furniture Ltd, UK Retailers for The African Touch, handcrafted all-hardwood furniture. They design functional furniture as art. Their master-craftsmen hand build and finish these creations from the finest African hardwoods, natural leather and solid brass into affordable, beautiful pieces that will uplift your space and last for generations.

Marlene also hosts 2 podcasts. The first one is The Wild Adventures Podcast, which is all about sharing people’s stories. Traditionally, myths, stories and legends were passed down from generation to generation around a camp fire. I have always been fascinated with the idea of collecting stories and sharing them with the world. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has someone that would benefit and be inspired by your story. This podcast is to show how everyone can find adventure in their life – because life in an of itself is an adventure. So this podcast is my camp fire. It’s where I invite guests to share stories about themselves and their experiences – to pass on their stories to generations to come and to tribes all over the world.

The second podcast is the Institute of Directors’ - ‘Leaders in Business’. A podcast where you get to know the personalities behind business through one-to-one interviews. Marlene speaks with Directors from all over the United Kingdom about their careers and businesses. Sharing knowledge and insight into how their businesses survive and thrive.

Podcasts:
The Wild Adventures Podcast: https://pod.link/1513590160 | instagram.com/wildadventurespodcast
Leaders in business: https://pod.link/1531004878
Website: https://www.thewanderingwildling.co.uk | https://africansafarifurniture.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemarlenelowe
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WanderingLowe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingwildling
Medium: https://wanderinglowe.medium.com

Anthea - Spring's Calling - Culture Central

 

Saturday 20 March 2021

Spring’s Calling is the latest in the series of regional online events co-ordinated by the West Midlands Culture Response Unit, and marks one year since the country went into its first lockdown.

The event will be made up of 3-5 minute audio artworks, including spoken word, podcasts, music and singing – from artists and organisations across the region.

Coinciding with the Spring Equinox on Saturday 20 March, the event focuses on nature, spring, outdoors, reflection, restarting and growth; as the cultural sector looks ahead to returning to live events, re-opening venues and welcoming back audiences.

To enjoy the event, audiences should search for the hashtag #SpringsCalling across social media channels from 20 March.

Audio artworks will be available to listen to across Apple Podcasts and Soundcloud, along with captioned versions on YouTube.

--

I interviewed Anthea who is 79 years old and lives in Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire. She shares her experience through the UK’s Lockdown and her shielding. I felt it was an appropriate reflection on the past 12 months since we went into Lockdown and to hear a short story by someone who was significantly affected.

Please feel free to share widely.

~ Michael

http://styin.me/youtube-springs-calling

https://soundcloud.com/culture-central/sets/springs-calling


YouTube playlist below:

Culture Central is sector support organisation and collective voice for Arts and Culture in the region. We drive strategy with an ambitious, inclusive and relevant vision for the role of the arts and artists in society. Culture Central advocates for the sector, acting as a catalyst to generate radical new approaches to investment and sustainability and brokering cross-sector collaborations and partnerships. 

We work with the sector to develop audiences, provide and promote opportunities for learning, build networks and nurture employment opportunities and share expertise from the talented, diverse communities in the region.

Natasha Jones - Employment Lawyer and Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador

Share Your Story Podcast by @stayingaliveuk

Natasha Jones was called to be a lawyer to help others following her study of human nature in psychology and as a result of her lifelong intrigue in what makes people 'tick'. After being in the masculine energy of 'success' during her time as a lawyer over a twenty-year period, she observed that those she worked and socialised with were in the typically 'man's world' of law and business. After observing the terrible effect that life-changing events can incur on people, Natasha began to see more clearly and closely the struggle to grieve and come to terms with the 'rug being pulled from under' a person. Increasingly, she begun to empathise with individuals-typically men-who seemed to never allow themselves to develop self-love/nurturing skills. From there, she began a journey of passion to inspire resilience and help people-including clients, friends, and husbands of friends-to find the tools to cope with devastating events in their lives.

Website: http://effectivelaw.co.uk

LinkedIn : http://linkedin.com/in/natashajones

Amazon: http://styin.me/mandemic

A Tale of a Man who didn’t like to be told What to do!

A Tale of a Man who didn’t like to be told What to do!

Alan Bates - Stage Hypnotist and Hypnotherapist

Share Your Story Podcast by @stayingaliveuk

Alan Bates is a Comedy stage Hypnotist and is the current Chairman of the Federation of Ethical Stage Hypnotists, F.E.S.H and a full member of British Equity.

Based in the United Kingdom, Alan has been spellbinding audiences with his Hypnosis Shows on Television and in Theatre worldwide for several years.

In his early years Alan found work as a DJ / Presenter in England and then went to work in the Caribbean aboard a Cruise Liner as a Casino Manager.

Alan’s early fascination with hypnosis prompted him to study psychology and on his return to England he soon developed his own show combining comedy with hypnosis.

Alan Bates regularly appears on TV and TVM’s Xarabank in Malta which is enjoying immense success with ‘High Viewer’ ratings. The TV concept is a fusion of humour and real phobias and psychological problems with live audience participation where positive life changing results are witnessed on air. Please see a sample link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t24EyGtXElE

Alan is a true Master of the Art and in addition he specialises in ‘Stop Smoking’ and Weight Loss’ he has also enjoyed huge therapeutic success with the mind’s ability to cure serious phobias and psychological issues.

Samples of TV appearances include, the Graham Norton Show, RTE the Saturday Night Show, UTV World Movies, RTM Malaysia, PBS and TVM Malta.

In addition to TV, Alan has performed live shows in the following countries; Bahrain,

Doha, Dubai, East Africa, Egypt, Sri-Lanka, Europe, India, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States. The highlight of his overseas tours to date was an invitation to perform for the Royal Family of Brunei

Live performance Theatre venues have included the Pavilion Theatre Worthing, Royal Court Theatre Liverpool, the Beck Theatre Middlesex, Theatre 7 Shrewsbury, Floral Pavilion New Brighton, Benidorm Palace Spain, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and King Georges Hall Blackburn.

Alan has published 5 books, Wide Awake, Confessions of a Hypnotist, True Ghost Stories, Trade Secrets and UFO’s It’s Time to Wake Up which are available via Amazon in paperback and kindle.

Website: https://alanbateshypnotherapy.tv 

Books: https://alanbateshypnotherapy.tv/books-sales

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-bates-318a041a/

Andrew Dee - Spirit Medium, Psychic & Life Coach

Share Your Story Podcast by @stayingaliveuk

Andrew Dee is a natural born psychic, spirit medium, author, teacher and unbelievably, a retired British military officer with many years’ experience travelling the world. Following on from his radio shows and as a presenter with Psychic TV in the UK; 

Andrew uses every bit of his previous experience, his intuitive abilities as well as his connection with his spiritual guides to inspire his global clients to achieve their life’s ambitions. He has trained extensively at the Arthur Findley College in England with with world-renowned tutors and now offers his skills to his own students, both here in the US and UK. 

Website: www.andrewdee.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mediumandrewdee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediumandrewdee

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AndrewDeemedium

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediumandrewdee

Sean Toomer - Rebel Accountant

Sean founded the company with a big vision of changing the way accountants work, making it easier, slicker and damn cool. He’s taken the company from scratch with no clients at all to hundreds of clients in less than 2 years.

Sean’s job is simple but tough; to make clients absolutely love us. He uses his blunt and to-the-point manner to come up with innovative ways for businesses to see things clearer so they can really start to kick-ass.

Sean likes spending time with his 3 feral children, going to the gym. 

I help the very, very small businesses no one else care's about; that' s my passion in life (I have no hobbies, and hate my kids, so what else am I going to do?).

I do this through my disruptive accountancy firm, Diverso:

  • ONLY true monthly subscription accountancy service (probably)

  • £99pm for small businesses with than £250k turnover, less than 10 employees with free Xero, free Receipt Bank & free Fluidly

  • 48pm for micro businesses, small one-man bands and side hustles

  • UNLIMITED advice and support

  • All year-end accounts and returns

  • directors self assessment

  • directors payroll

  • VAT Returns

  • Free Legal Guidance

  • Free IT Support

  • absolutely no surprise bills

  • response guaranteed in 24 hours

I also help small businesses, for free, set up recurring income, because I'm pretty damn good at that.

Website: https://wearediverso.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seantoomer

Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeAreDiverso

Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diversoaccountants

Janine Regan-Sinclair – The Consciousness Architect, Certified Therapist, Medical Intuitive and International Speaker

Janine Regan-Sinclair – The Consciousness Architect, is a certified Therapist, Medical Intuitive and International Speaker. She is qualified in Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Neuro-linguistic Programming and Energy Realignment. Janine is an Author of 4 books and 35 Self-Help Audio Programs. She specialises in Post-Traumatic Growth, helping people overcome all kinds of trauma, either one to one or with her revolutionary digital audio programs. She has a consulting room at No10 Harley Street, London, UK and offers treatments internationally via Skype/Telephone and runs workshops currently via Zoom.

Janine created the Crystal Ki (pronounced key) healing system in 2003. She is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner and Medical Intuitive. Her testimonials speak for themselves. Known as the Consciousness Architect, she has the ability to help you access higher levels of consciousness, as well as gently releasing trauma memories and fear from the subconscious mind and cell memory. Since childhood, Janine realized she was a service oriented person.  But it wasn’t until she suffered a trauma that turned her world upside down, that her life purpose was made clear. That's when she decided to leave her 18 year long career in Architecture and chose to become a Therapist, Speaker and Writer.

Her system changed the frequency of the energy in and around people, land and buildings, uplifting their mind-set and creating positive change on a personal and global scale. 

In 2012, Janine wrote and produced a documentary about mental health and addiction. She has many goals and in order to support her mission, Janine has written and produced a series of books and an extensive range of self-help audios. She also produced and hosted a radio show called Cosmic Truth, merging science and spirituality. Janine is a visionary, a pioneer in her field, a woman on a mission.

Janine is a transformational speaker who communicates with passion and wisdom to a wide range of people. She has the ability to connect with her audience at a soul level, enlightening their hearts and minds. She inspires the audience to change the way they think, encouraging them to challenge their preconceptions regarding personal lifestyle, well-being and spirituality. Janine has knowledge of many different areas of healing and self-development, merging science with spirituality.

She also gives talks about Transcending Duality, overcoming the forces of Good verses Evil, Light verses Dark and so on. She shares her knowledge of The Cube of Consciousness, a whole new way of looking at higher levels of consciousness in an ever changing world.

Website: https://www.crystalki.com

Audio programs: https://www.crystalki.com/audios or https://vimeo.com/jregansinclair/vod_pages

Messenger: https://www.messenger.com/t/janine.regansinclair

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-regan-sinclair-3a254a21

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janine.regansinclair

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jregansinclair

Testimonial: "Janine Regan Sinclair has given many seminars at The Northstar Crystals Events over the last 5 years. She has spoken on a variety of topics to audiences ranging in size from 60 to 200 people. I have found her presentations to be very professional and undoubtedly the audiences feel the same way as the lecture room fills to capacity on her return visits. She will be speaking again at my future shows." Eric Henderson, Event Organiser, UK

Testimonial: I was privileged to participate in a workshop led by Janine Regan-Sinclair, The Consciousness Architect, who can more aptly be described as The 'Ascended' Consciousness Architect.. As a speaker, Janine presents unique concepts that she has refined through years of diligent inner exploration and uncompromising studies to expand our consciousness beyond the limiting patterns of the 3D duality matrix. She tailored her material to the needs of our audience, providing a practical blueprint for transcending duality through the power of the multidimensional mind. She clearly explained how to recognize and overcome problems playing out in everyday life in a remarkably simple way. Janine generously shared valuable wisdom and techniques for living more effectively and peacefully in a rapidly changing—and often chaotic—world. Her presentation was very well received by all participants. I highly recommend her as a speaker.  Sylvia Chappell, Edgar Cayce Centre - Association for Research and Enlightenment of New York Board of Trustees

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James Hawes - Psychotherapist, Author, Speaker, Supervisor and Trainer

 

James Hawes is a Psychotherapist, Author, Speaker, Supervisor and Trainer.  He is an advocate of positive change and on a lifelong mission to impart people with the tools they need to cultivate a wide spectrum of emotional expression becoming emotionally fit as a result. Over two decades, James has gained extensive experience in his field, helping hundreds of men, boys, couples, families and teenagers along the way. James is an inspirational, engaging and passionate speaker. He is an expert in working with men, their emotional wellbeing and mental health. James has delivered talks to businesses, therapists, educational leaders, school staff, young people, parents and NHS staff.

He’s author of The Secret Lives of men.

‘A great book written from professional and personal experience. James brings his analysis to life with real-life examples from his years of supporting men. He has an accessible writing style but provides a passionate and insightful guide to inner feelings and how they can affect our day-to-day relationships. As a husband, son, father and friend this book has made me reflect on my own deeper feelings and how we impact on those around us.

The book is also genuinely funny in places and one is left feeling better equipped after finishing it. I have recommended it to male friends but am also aware of female friends who have bought it in the hope of both getting a better understanding of their partners and also encouraging them to better understand themselves.’

Website: https://www.jameshawes.org and https://synergycounselling.com

Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Lives-Men-unlock-mystery-ebook/dp/B082DP8T39/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oneminuteman1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-r-hawes/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.hawes.31 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesrhawes/ 

Gwyneth Box - Creative Director and Wordsmith

 

Gwyneth's first love is words: she considers herself a poet, but has written in almost every genre except long-form fiction. Her professional career spans IT, teaching, publishing and design – essentially everything to do with language, imagery and communication – and the threads are all drawn together in Tantamount creative agency, established by Gwyneth and her partner in the Nineties in Spain, and then brought to the UK some five years ago. Tantamount specialise in organising and simplifying complex business messages, and they provide all the services associated with brand and business communication – corporate ID, graphic design, content – for print and screen.

In life, as well as in business, Gwyneth has suffered from itchy feet: Essex, Inverness, North Wales, Zambia, London, Laguna Beach, Madrid, West Midlands… it's been quite a journey so far, and those are just some of the stopping points along the way. 

Despite there never having been much of a plan, everything has connected and linked together. Gwyneth quotes from Steve Jobs: “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” She's confident that the future dots are going to connect up somehow and add to the richness of the pattern.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwynethbox

Website: https://tantamount.com

Blog: https://dontconfusethenarrator.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TantamountBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tantamountbooks

Mel Riley - Counsellor

 

Mel Riley is a senior accredited Psychotherapist who works with adults, children and families.  Mel has a special interest in attachments and trauma born from her own abusive childhood.  She has gone from being depressed and homeless to homeowner, and has built a successful private practice in Wolverhampton. She is passionate about relationships and helping people to not just survive, but to thrive beyond anxiety, depression & trauma. 

Mel has a rebellious, creative & playful approach to both her professional and personal life.  She has learnt to work smarter, and not harder and believes it's not about changing all of who we are, but more about accepting all of who we are that allows us to grow. When not working she can be found training her two barky rescue Dachshunds to behave! She also enjoys playing wildlife photographer, performance poet and getting sweaty playing squash. 

Mels favourite saying is;

We are taught time is a healer, but it's what you do with that time that counts!

Website: https://www.meljriley.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-riley-online-apts-for-now-38633716/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MJCounselling

Gillian Thomson - Heart Centred Leadership Development Specialist

 

An engineer by trade, Gillian loves to work with leaders on that sweet spot that exists at the intersection of strategy, people and purpose. She supports them to build a vision of the future that excites, motivates and challenges them—not just for their businesses, but for their lives. Putting her success down to her keen listening skills and her challenging, but empathetic and often playful style, she’s excited about the far-reaching potential of this community.

Gillian volunteers as Vice Chair of Inspire PTL, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities and other support needs. She lives in Aberdeenshire with her son, Andrew. Always full of energy, she is training to become a yoga instructor in her spare time and can often be found running the local woods and hills.

‘I love coaching leaders to harness their strengths, tackle challenges and create a positive vision and plan for their future, by trusting their own insight to guide them. I’m constantly amazed at the breakthroughs and insights that happen in coaching sessions and the impact they have on individual's lives’.

Website: https://heartcentredleaders.co and https://fearlessedge.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianthomson/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/fearless.edge

Jamie Lerner - An Integrative Approach to Wellbeing

 

Jamie Lerner, co-author of the book  The Ever-Loving Essence of You, can put a fresh spin on just about anything that anyone throws her way. Her unique and masterful ability to re-frame even the most difficult situations is astounding. All of a sudden your biggest nightmare becomes your greatest pleasure as she lovingly helps you sift through the contrast and find that small opening of light that quickly becomes your greatest jumping off point for clarity. Unassuming, reassuring and seemingly without any sense of ego, Jamie Lerner is able to put everyone and everything at ease. Jamie Lerner is an asset to any corporate setting. She is easily able to untangle the issues at hand and move right along into helping facilitate a solution-based platform for creative, productive, good-feeling collaboration and change. Jamie Lerner can most often be seen working with individuals, children, adults and couples as well as with small groups. She never positions herself as the expert of anything and is always reminding you that it is you who knows best for yourself ALWAYS.  

Website:   www.jamie-lerner.com

I was born with a knowing; a true sense of who I came forth to become. Fortunately I grew up in a family where there was tremendous encouragement to explore every curiosity and embark on each incredible journey of self-discovery. I threw myself into the mix of life with a sense of wild abandonment. There was so much to experience and I was bound and determined to explore it all. I was ahead of my time, always choosing the road less traveled as I allowed my inner being to guide me every step of the way. The contrast that I have experienced throughout my lifetime has been stunning. Each and every wonderful moment has brought me closer to the clarity of the life that I have so joyfully created and live out each and every day.

I am on what I often call my "third life." I have co-created a beautiful family with my successful and dynamic husband. I received my MSW from Loyola University, and developed a wonderful thriving private psychotherapy practice. I have traveled the world exploring all types of spiritual healing modalities. I am a passionate amateur equestrian rider on the AA horse show circuit. I have an insatiable appetite for pleasure, beauty and joy, and often refer to myself as a true pleasure junkie.

Everyday – Endless Opportunities

Jamie Lerner is passionate about the endless everyday opportunities that we have to create and sustain an ongoing long–term connected relationship with ourselves. She speaks to the power of consciously creating a harmonious connection between our thoughts and our feeling to create balance, as we are then able to shift into alignment one subject at a time.

The Art of Allowing

Jamie Lerner lights up when asked about the topic of allowing. She discusses the joys and freedom to move about the world without having a point of view (judgment) about what anyone else is saying or doing. She believes that everyone is allowed to choose what is best for themselves and when we tend to what is best for our own selves and have clarity for ourselves, we care not what others have chosen for themselves. The entire point of allowing is to feel good as we flow from one loving moment to the next creating unconditional relationships along the way.

Change Your Storyline, Change Your Life

Changing your storyline is a subject that Jamie Lerner spends a lot of time on with her private clients. One of her favorite questions is to ask “is your storyline working well for you”. She believes that the story that we are incessantly telling is directly reflected in the life that we are living. Change your story and you will change your life.

Mandy Gutsell - Coach and Practitioner

 

Mandy Gutsell is the founder of kNOw Limits and is based in the West Midlands.

She graduated from the prestigious Coaches Training Institute based in California and has undergone coaching Certification, achieving the designation of CPCC (Certified Professional CoActive Coach). She is one of the first 5 people in the UK to gain the title 'Certified Parent Coach for Teens' graduating from Parent as Coach Academy with an Advanced Coaching Course.

Mandy is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), the most rigorous independent professional body for coaches worldwide. She is also a member of BADth (British Association for Dramatherapists)

Mandy believes very strongly in developing and updating skills in her relevant profession. She attends training regularly having her own coach and supervisors.

Since 1987 Mandy has committed to her passion of life long learning. She has developed an expertise in personal development programs, team building, pioneering new ideas in organisation and inspiring individuals.

Mandy is a qualified Mental Health Nurse, Dramatherapist, Teacher in Further Education, Aerobics Instructor and Coach. She has a BSc hons in Mental Health Studies specialising in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Mandy's personal philosophy in coaching encompasses the following;

The thoughts we have in our minds influence what comes out in our actions and words, creating the lives we live.

She coaches people from a belief that everyone has the capacity to change no matter what their background. Accepting clients for who they are with unconditional positive regard and belief that everyone deserves a chance.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mandygutsell

Website: knowlimitscoach.com

Facebook: facebook.com/mandy.gutsell

Twitter: twitter.com/GutsellMandy

Rhiannon Abbott - Master Baker

 

I’m Rhiannon. I’ve baked since I was young but, after leaving a career in local government in 2012, I re-trained with Virtuous Bread and set up my own bakery from home. From selling bread on the local Farmers Market, I now enjoy passing on my skills through my bread making classes. I love seeing students’ success and the ‘wow’ moment as fresh baked loaves appear from the oven – both are a great part of each class for me.

Based in Epsom, Surrey, my classes include an Introduction to bread making, Introduction to Italian Breads, Sourdough Breads plus occasional festive baking classes, so there’s something for everybody. 

Not able to come to a class? You could also join my supportive Facebook community (1,900+ members) for home bread bakers, where I offer tips and advice on baking bread at home. My first online bread baking course will be launching in March 2020. 

I also support small and start up baking businesses to use social media effectively to grow their business. Plus I run training for people who would like to set up their own bread bakery business from home. 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/epsombakehouse

Website: theepsombakehouse.co.uk/learn-to-bake-bread

Facebook: facebook.com/TheEpsomBakehouse and facebook.com/groups/bakebreadathome and facebook.com/groups/onlinemarketingforbakingbusinesses

Twitter: EpsomBakehouse

Instagram: instagram.com/theepsombakehouse 

Duncan Yellowlees - Storyteller and Speaker Trainer

 

What is it that gets people to engage? What do we pay attention to? What is a presentation anyway? These are the sorts of questions that fascinate me. My background in theatre led to a master’s in science communication and a career helping speakers and performers make the best use of their time on stage. Along the way I’ve learnt about storytelling, comedy, psychology and how to explode things (safely) on stage. All part of a mission to aid presenters in telling the best stories in the most effective ways. I live in Newcastle upon Tyne, and train/coach people from around the UK and the world.

Website: duncanyellowlees.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/duncan-yellowlees

Twitter: twitter.com/d_yellowlees 

TedX Talk: https://youtu.be/oSl0ZNYyjtw

#TheOpenMike Podcast S5:E1 - Storytelling with Michael de Groot

#TheOpenMike Podcast - EP63 with Michael de Groot.png

Hey and welcome to #TheOpenMike

On today’s episode, I'm excited to be covering the topic of Storytelling.

YOU CAN ALSO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST BY CLICKING HERE

Today's influencer guest is Michael de Groot from Staying Alive UK Ltd and Michael is based in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, In the United Kingdom

Michael covers a 'deep dive' including five key strategies to help you with your Storytelling inc:

  • The difference between the storytelling in most adverts versus the storytelling in the movies.

  • How the framework of a story is built up.

  • Attention + Tension = A.Tension

  • What role does ‘The Hero's Journey’ play in storytelling?

  • How storytelling affects the brain to make decisions?

I would highly recommend that you go check out Michael's Storytelling Online Workshop to increase your skills to share meaningful stories.

In the Podcast Michael shares these 3 pro tips for you on Storytelling to help you get started fast, including:

  • How to understand what are your clients pain points, how can you create more and amplify the pain identification and relevance

  • Tips on ensuring you focus hard and understand the audience you are addressing, with a target target target approach.

  • How to be clear about the output of your story, what are you expecting in advance, is this to ask the audience to buy something, book a call and, when they speak to their friends, what would they say about your story?

We also cover how Storytelling affects the brain to make decisions including:

  • Neurocoupling turns ideas and connects the story as their own in our brains

  • Mirroring is where you see yourself in that position or recognise it as something similar to what you are or have experienced

  • Cortex Activity is when the brain fires what you are imagining as real (like a runner) pretending and visualising running the 100m - their body reacts even though its imaginary

  • The pleasure chemical the emotion that stories provide is known as Dopamine.

Also, Michael provides you with some amazing resources to kick start your Storytelling journey including a Storytelling canvas (download your editable version here).

Podcast Host:

Mike Midgley is an experienced entrepreneur and executive board professional with venture capital experience and a proven track record in high growth business strategies. Throughout his career, Mike has achieved successful six and seven-figure exits plus he has raised over £1.6m in Venture capital and franchised his businesses over 68 times. As a podcast Host, Keynote Speaker, Angel Investor, Executive Coach and Non-Executive Director, he provides a motivational ‘hands-on’ driven approach that is supported by an extensive skill set across the fundamental disciplines of business. Outside of his executive services, Mike still plays an active role as the Growth Engine Architect within The SuccessHub's HubSpot Inbound Certified Partner Agency channel that supports High growth SME's and Mid Corporate / Enterprise clients. Mike is passionate about giving back to the community, he is an active Business Mentor for Doncaster Councils 100 Mentor Program, plus he contributes to the SuccessHub Community Program and Charitable work where he raises money for his favourite charity the NSPCC.

https://www.thesuccesshub.io

https://blog.thesuccesshub.io

https://blog.thesuccesshub.io/podcasts

Emily and Paul Hughes - The Parent Guide to GCSE

Paul & Emily Hughes met in 2003 as trainee teachers assigned to the same school.  It took a few years until they finally bonded over divorces and Emily’s motorcycle leathers (long but obvious story), and the rest, as they say, is history. 

They’ve been happily married for 11 years, and now that they’ve both escaped teaching (their words, not mine), they run the Parent Guide to GCSE, supporting parents whose children are in Year 11.  They made 11K in their launch week, so they must be doing something right!

Emily has a Masters from Cambridge in Maths with Education, while Paul has a Masters in Information Management and Computing from University of Sheffield, which will probably tell you what they each taught for 15 years.

Emily also runs a Pop Choir in her spare time, as she says she still needs to be able to boss people around having left teaching.

Paul says he thinks that’s already covered at home...

The hardest part of being a parent is watching a child go through something really tough and not being able to fix it for them.

Website: https://www.parentguidetogcse.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParentGuideGCSE 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1481190890 and https://www.parentguidetogcse.com/category/podcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parentguidetogcse 

LinkedIn: Emily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hughes-339683165 and Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-hughes-8040a115

Debra Levitt - The Podcast Launcher

Canadian born, Debra has lived in the United Kingdom for most of her adult life. Through the past 28 years, she has moved from temporary secretarial support to software training before building a successful career as a project manager.  Working for global blue chip companies including Glaxo Smithkline, Syngenta and Thomson Reuters, Debra has a wealth of experience of different companies and project types. Learning about different industries and companies with each role has proved key to her enjoyment and development.

“For a long time, I had a desire to be a voiceover artist but I never felt ready to start pursuing it. When I started my own business, I went on a local radio station in late 2017 and it reminded me of my interest in using my voice in some way.  Podcasts were already beginning their resurgence so in early 2018 I decided to start my own podcast.

Starting my own podcast provided a whole new set of challenges – I did it all myself – researching online and through trial and error.  I loved it!

Later that summer, I was asked if I had considered helping others to start their own podcasts – I hadn't! The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea and, in January 2019, I fully launched the Podcast Launcher and Podcast Concierge.  Providing a range of services to meet each individuals needs.

The Podcast Launcher, 5 Steps to Start Your Podcast and Podcast Concierge services let you decide what type and level of support you want at any stage of your podcast – even if it is just an idea!”

In addition, she has started exploring her creative side and is also starting to transform her digital artwork into actual products. Learning how to develop this side, understanding the wealth of opportunities, the competition and determining where to focus her attentions is an amazing change of direction for her on both a personal and business level.

Between the work on Bridge Road and her design endeavour, DebEl Designs, Debra finds that she is challenging herself from many different angles – time management, skill sets, technology and so much more.  

In her personal life, Debra has had the normal ups and downs that we all do.  Most recently, she has discovered that she is more of an “outdoors” person than she ever expected with horses and dogs playing an ever more important role in her life.  

Podcast: http://itunes.bridginggaps.uk

Podcast 5-day challenge: https://podcastconcierge.com/podcast-challenge-signup 

Websites: https://www.bridgeroadconsultants.com and https://www.redbubble.com/people/DebElDesigns 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levittdebra 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BridgeRoadCons 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeroadconsultants 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeRoadConsultants 

Ashleigh King - Nurture Your Zest

Hello! I'm Ash and I love people and learning about new cultures, and perspectives. I am an MBA student at Newcastle University, President of the TEDx Newcastle University Society and I have my own startup #NurtureYourZest Podcast and Days Like This Are Sweet Creative Consultancy Limited.

I am passionate about entrepreneurship, even though it can be an emotional rollercoaster sometimes - the highs and lows of entrepreneurship can be lonely, and it can be easy to get lost. I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and I am a survivor of child trauma. I am intrigued by the creative and the curious, who have the courage to overcome difficult circumstances and re-create their world through hard work and determination.

I hope that through the stories shared on my podcast, people will feel inspired to change their world through self-growth, self-belief and self-care.

Website: https://www.nurtureyourzest.com - https://www.dayslikethisaresweet.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-elizabeth-king

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurtureyourzest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurtureyourzest