storytelling

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

Sarah Clarke - Media Strategist, Founder Dufferin Media

Share Your Story Podcast by @stayingaliveuk

I have been working in digital marketing since 2003.  I am a mother, wife, entrepreneur, sister, and volunteer.

I am passionate about social media, branding, and marketing. I love to learn about my clients businesses, their goals and challenges and help them achieve their goals and overcome their challenges.

My mission – to help business owners succeed using the powerful tools of digital marketing.

I started in the online marketing field in 2003. I have worked in many areas of online advertising, by 2008 I found my true passion in Social Media Marketing, and in 2012 launched Dufferin Media.

My knowledge base has expanded and I have experience and skills in branding, website development, SEO, pr, and more. 

I am also a passionate volunteer for the Orangeville Food Bank.

Website: http://sarahclarke.biz and https://www.dufferinmedia.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-clarke-2b782153

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sclarkeoville and https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElevateChat

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.

Clint Pulver - Keynote Speaker, Author and The Undercover Millennial

Share Your Story Podcast by @stayingaliveuk

Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award Winning Keynote Speaker and Author, professional drummer, but most importantly, a loving father to his two beautiful daughters. A former private pilot turned generational workforce expert, Clint has dedicated his professional career as the Undercover Millennial TM, uncovering the secrets to what leaders are doing right.

In his new book, I LOVE IT HERE, Clint pulls back the curtain to reveal the research and unscripted truths of the 10,000+ employees he has interviewed undercover – which unveils the reasons for their lasting loyalty – and what triggers them to head for the exit door. Full of actionable strategies and proven methods to diminish employee turnover and skyrocket retention. I LOVE IT HERE shares the magic behind how extraordinary leaders create companies their people never want to leave.

“Clint's dedication and work as The Undercover Millennial offers a one of a kind perspective that will transform leadership for years to come. This is the book your employees want you to read.”
~ Dr. John C. Maxwell- Leadership Expert - The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.

"Clint offers an insider's peek into what your organisation’s team members think, feel, and need in a way that is both eye- opening and empowering. This book offers a plan to reduce attrition, elevate engagement, cultivate creativity and collaboration, and build an organization as good as the people in it.”
~ Daniel H. Pink

Website: https://clintpulver.com

Amazon: I love it here (USA) | I love it here (UK)

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/clintpulver

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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/ 

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

David Wynn - Executive and Leadership Coach and Mentor

 

David has always held a deep desire to help others. His career to date has taken him on an unusual path from being a professional DJ to a TV Game Show contestant, then into Recruitment & Business Development, before finding what he feels is his true purpose in Coaching. 

This unconventional path has exposed David to organisations ranging from start-up to global multinational corporations in a variety of sectors such as Recruitment Consultancy, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Accountancy, Finance & Training. David’s client list includes leaders from Odfjell Drilling, Exceed, St James' Place Wealth Management & The Wood Foundation.  David’s coaching style is relaxed, calm and positive. His approach to coaching is intuitive and creative - a coaching session with David is without barriers and free-flowing.

David’s natural ability to be completely present, without distraction or premeditated ideas, allows a powerful partnership to emerge, one that is founded in trust and intimacy, enabling his clients to experience incredible insights and to access their innate-creativity.

David’s natural passion, sense of purpose and gratitude for life is apparent in his coaching. Working with David is a two-way flow of energy, ideas and inspiration that his clients benefit through the process of osmosis. Clients describe David’s coaching as transformative and life changing.

David is a trained coach through Mindful Talent, who holds an Advanced Certificate in Coaching Practice, a professional coaching qualification accredited by the Association for Coaching (AC) and is an active member of the AC.

David joined forces with Gillian Thomson, to create Heart Centred Leaders, an online membership community to connect, coach and support Heart Centred Leaders to “Lead From Within”.

David also supports Mindful Talent and works closely with their Founder, Alister Gray, in our mission to positively impact culture, leadership, education and wellbeing globally.

Web: https://www.mindfultalent.co.uk 

Web: https://heartcentredleaders.co 

Web: https://www.improvementproject.co.uk 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wynn 

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

Dr Julia Bramble - Social Buzz

Julia brings her skills from a career in forensic science to the world of social media marketing.
As an international strategist, speaker and trainer for small businesses, her work centres on the human behind the digital.

Her experience as a Business Growth Advisor for a national business membership organisation, working closely with businesses from all sectors, is invaluable in her work today.

She writes regularly for Social Media Examiner and is also Mum (aka crisis control manager) of 6 crazy kiddos.

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliabramble

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliabramblebuzz and www.facebook.com/BrambleBuzzSocialMedia  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliabramble and https://www.instagram.com/celebratedevon 

Esther Pesie - Soul Women

Hi, my name is Esther. I am originally Dutch, but I live in France for many years!  I support women online to feel good and energised. I use Qigong which is Chinese yoga and Reconnective Healing. The Qigong exercises are easy and give you an instant boost of energy. It helps you calm your mind. You can say it is meditation in motion and at the same time you work on relaxing your muscles. Sounds cool doesn’t it! Reconnective Healing is a treat. A treat for yourself. It supports balance on physical, emotional and mental levels. Many imbalances can be resolved in a session so you start to feel good and aligned again. It is like an upgrade of your system. I also treat animals which makes me feel very happy. In my private life I enjoy good food, art, architecture, the ocean, my doggie and all the good life has to offer. 

Hope to meet you soon! ~ Esther Pesie

Here are the links where you can find me:

My Facebook business group for heart minded people: https://www.facebook.com/groups/626036001197583 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behappynow.fr

Website: http://www.soul-women.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-pesie-39075b4 

Liz Johnson - Composer

Liz Johnson (b.1964) is an award-winning British composer based in the Malvern Hills, Herefordshire ‘a major composer deserving wide recognition’ (Divine Art). Her music encompasses an immense range from the smallest miniatures to expansive, large-scale, ambitious and multifaceted works. Liz was selected as one of Sound and Music’s first ‘New Voices’ in 2018 which has led to her directing a ground-breaking multidisciplinary project Scintilla weaving music, poetry, dance and live electronics, working with internationally renowned choreographer/ dancer Dane Hurst.

Several of Johnson’s works engage with wider issues of wellbeing: Scintilla explores issues of isolation and mental health, and the series of Triptych pieces for early instruments focuses on female body image after major surgery, inspired by the artwork Triptych – a scarred series by Dora Williams. Johnson has herself recently overcome serious illness leading to isolation. Having now regained her health she is passionate about creating work that allows people to engage with the most difficult issues. Colwall Requiem for Aleppo – a Requiem for Refugees – juxtaposes music for amateur choir and children’s choir with virtuosic meditations and transcriptions of traditional Arabic music for the viola soloist.  ‘I can’t remember the last time I actually dripped tears during a concert. And then she brought us back to a place of hope by the end of the piece so we were emotionally safe to head back into the real world.’ (Liz Garnett) http://www.helpingyouharmonise.com/colwall

Johnson’s debut double album Intricate Web (2017) has been met with wide critical acclaim ‘The Cello Suite is stunning… The music explores a vast canvas… To me, this suite is Johnson’s masterpiece (so far). It is not too much to say that it takes its place beside Bach, Britten and Ligeti.’(Musicweb-International). Johnson’s close working relationship with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, who recorded the album, has given rise to two impressive large-scale works: the clarinet quintet Sea-change, featuring twenty-five different instruments, including string quartet with Swannee whistles and egg shakers and five different sized clarinets from Contrabass to E flat, and Sky-burial for female voice and string quartet. 'The music is in turn rugged, anguished, languid, and resigned, producing a haunting scenario that will not quickly be forgotten' (Fanfare), sung by vocalist extraordinaire Loré Lixenberg.

Liz Johnson started her career as a Primary School teacher and it was not until her mid-30s that she began studying composing for the first time. Taught by Philip Cashian she went on to gain her PhD at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2006. She lectures at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and is currently overseeing a new creative collaboration between student musicians and composers with choreographers and dancers at the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Music clips on the podcast from Liz Johnson's Intricate Web album MSV77206 available to download from Divine Art Records.

Website: http://www.lizjohnson.co.uk https://lizjohnsoncomp.wordpress.com 

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

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0FwmqhVsY9A3oxyXgpLiH8?si=vXJkOr5UT0-FRrJa0R6eCg 

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lizjohnsoncomposer

Intricate Web Album: https://divineartrecords.com/recording/intricate-web-liz-johnson