Host Louise Chandler-Rutt shares a short, insightful "Speaking Space" check-in tailored for small business owners, solopreneurs, and experts. She breaks down the common personal and mental hurdles of running your own business and offers actionable advice on how to navigate them.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Inability to Switch Off: Why being your own boss often leads to working weekends, late nights, and constantly thinking about business ideas—even during daily chores.
• The Missing Safety Net: Navigating the lack of corporate perks like paid sick leave, annual leave, and employer pensions, plus the importance of setting up private pensions and dedicated time off.
• Decision-Making Pressure: Dealing with the weight of being solely responsible for every choice, and why finding a mentor or trusted sounding board is vital to combat self-doubt.

Connect with Louise:

• Website: soundbitemedia.co.uk

This podcast is produced by Soundbite Media.

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About Basingstoke is supported by IncuHive.

In this episode of Cloke Cooks, Chris Cloke is joined by guest Michelle Brewer to discuss the realities of feeding children, handling fussy eaters, and navigating modern food culture in Basingstoke.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Fussy Eater Phenomenon: Why children transition from eating fresh purees or baby-led weaning foods to demanding plain chicken nuggets and processed snacks.
• Modern Food Culture vs. Nostalgia: How today's kids navigate fancy coffee shop drinks (like dragon fruit refreshers) compared to past generations drinking from garden hoses!
• The Cost of Healthy Food: The rising expenses of fresh fruit, exotic fruit tracking spreadsheets, and the accessibility of cheap, ultra-processed options.
• Connecting Kids to Food: The importance of teaching children where their food comes from through pick-your-own farms, local produce, and transparent conversations.

Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct.

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About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

In this episode of Cloke Cooks, Chris Cloke is joined by Lauren and Sharona from The George & Dragon down in Wolverton near Tadley! They dive into the importance of supporting local British pub culture, their seasonal, locally sourced menu, and all the details on their upcoming bank holiday charity event: DragonFest.

• DragonFest Details:
• Date & Time: August 30th | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Cause: Charity music event raising funds for Brain Tumour Research.
• Lineup: About 10 bands lined up across main stages throughout the day.
• Outdoor Bar: Cold kegs on tap including Rattler Cider, Hawkstone, and Cruzcampo.
• Food: On-site food vendors (vendor inquiries welcomed!).
• Pub Spotlight — The George & Dragon:
• Located about 8–10 minutes outside Basingstoke in Wolverton.
• Known for their seasonal, locally sourced menu (local butchers, fishmongers, and homemade pies).
• Glowing recommendation from The Great British Pub Crawl.
• Dog-Friendly: Bring your four-legged friends along!

Find them on Facebook or their website.

Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct.

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About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

In this episode, Louise Chandler-Rutt, founder of Soundbite Media, discusses the reality of running your own business. Beyond sharing marketing tips and resources, Louise opens up about the highs and lows of the solopreneur journey and why protecting your time and setting firm boundaries are essential for long-term success without burnout.

Key Highlights:

• Managing Your Own Workload: How running a business offers the freedom to boost productivity on your own schedule.
• The Power of Saying "No": Why establishing clear client boundaries is a business strength, not a weakness.
• A Real-Life Case Study: How being honest about workload capacity with a client led to a stronger, longer-lasting working relationship.
• Protecting Your Time Fiercely: The importance of keeping personal time sacred (like never working on your birthday) to prevent burnout and resentment.

Connect with Louise:

• Website: soundbitemedia.co.uk

This podcast is produced by Soundbite Media.

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About Basingstoke is supported by IncuHive.

In this episode, Marie explores the heavy, often unspoken expectations we face to "keep going" no matter what life throws at us.

Following up on previous discussions about overwhelm and high-functioning anxiety, this conversation dives into why so many of us feel compelled to wear an "I've got this" mask and how to reframe what "coping" really means.

• The "I've Got This" Mask: Why societal and personal expectations pressure us to hide our struggles, leading to exhaustion.
• The Invisible Rucksack: A metaphor for the unseen burdens—work stress, relationship challenges, grief, and health concerns—that everyone carries quietly.
• Understanding Coping: Why coping isn't a simple "yes or no" state, and how you can be successful or functional while still needing support.
• Reframing "Being a Burden": Why asking for help isn't a sign of weakness or a burden, but an opportunity for connection and kindness.
• Circles of Control exercise: A practical tool using three concentric circles to categorize life's stresses:

1. Control: Your direct actions, choices, boundaries, and how you spend time.
2. Influence: Relationships and workplace dynamics you can affect, but not entirely determine.
3. Concern: Broader world events, the economy, or other people's decisions that lie outside your power.

• Cruse Bereavement Support: UK-based charity offering free bereavement support, guidance, and a national helpline for adults and young people.
• Website: www.cruse.org.uk
• Helpline: 0808 808 1677
• 
  
• Natural Basingstoke: A local charity promoting mental well-being and community connection through local nature conservation.
• Website: www.naturalbasingstoke.org.uk

Take a piece of paper and draw three concentric circles labeled Control, Influence, and Concern. Pick one thing weighing on your mind today, place it in its respective circle, and assess:

• If it's in Concern, can you stop expecting yourself to fix it?
• If it's in Influence, what is one small action step?
• If it's in Control, what is your very next step?

• Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 (Free, 24/7)

Next Episode Preview: Putting Our Phones Down — Exploring digital disconnect and mental well-being.

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About Basingstoke is supported by IncuHive.

In this podcast, Natural Basingstoke's Jack is joined in his garden by Jill, leader of the charity, to discuss the key environmental challenges facing the borough of Basingstoke.

They dive into the threats posed by rapid housing development, water abstraction from local chalk aquifers, and habitat fragmentation. Jill outlines Natural Basingstoke’s vision for nature recovery, including establishing a local nature recovery forum, mapping green/blue corridors, and utilizing nature-based solutions.

Key Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Natural Basingstoke: Overview of the local charity advocacy work in the borough.
• Current Environmental Concerns: The impact of proposed thousand-home developments on water resources and local wildlife habitats.
• Water Security & Chalk Streams: Threats facing local chalk aquifers from pollution and over-abstraction, and the need for stronger protections.
• Building in Harmony with Nature: The importance of mapping green corridors and buffer zones around ancient woodlands and rivers.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Using natural infrastructure (e.g., sustainable drainage and reed beds) to tackle flooding and pollution cost-effectively.
• Action Plans & Proposals:
• Establishing a Nature Recovery Forum with local stakeholders.
• Creating a local Nature Recovery Network Map alongside development plans.
• Issuing a "Call for Sites for Nature" to identify areas for restoration.
• Recent Local Progress: Highlights from the local MP's green roundtable and recent council action on water security.
• How to Get Involved: Engaging with local representatives, screening nature documentaries, and taking small actions at home.

Connect & Contact:

• Facebook & Instagram: @NaturalBasingstoke
• Email: admin@naturalbasingstoke.org.uk

This podcast was produced by Natural Basingstoke.

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About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

We support local people to become podcasters - find out more at aboutbasingstoke.com

In this episode, Chris is joined by good friend Michelle Brewer to take a delicious trip down memory lane.

Together, they reminisce about what food was like for them as kids growing up in Basingstoke from strict 80s dinner rules and exotic "sandwich spread" to memorable family trips to the Harvester. They discuss how food culture has changed from the days of Sunday trading laws and 10p sweet mixes to today’s era of 24/7 fast food delivery.

Key Topics Covered:

• 80s Food Nostalgia: Strict dinner tables, microwave chips in a box, and the wild world of sandwich spread.
• Dining Out as a Big Deal: Why family trips to the Harvester felt like a luxury, including memories of the iconic salad bar and bread baskets.
• Old Basingstoke Spots: Local haunts like the Mardi Gras, the sweet kiosk by the bus station, and the town's original fishmongers and bakeries.
• Then vs. Now: How food availability shifted from closed-on-Sunday supermarkets and local paper round pocket money to modern delivery apps and drive-thrus.
• The Basingstoke Smell: Unlocking childhood memories through the classic blend of sports centre chlorine and local chip shops.

Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct.

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About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

We support local people to become podcasters - find out more at aboutbasingstoke.com

In this second part of this special live event recorded by About Basingstoke, Basingstoke MP, Luke Murphy answers audience questions about key local issues affecting Basingstoke residents.

Don't forget to listen to Part 1 as Mark Jones, founder of the Stronger Together Forum, chats with Luke in an informative Mr Blue Sky Conversation.

Find out more about the Stronger Together Forum at mrblueskyconsultancy.co.uk

Luke Murphy's website: https://www.lukemurphy.org.uk/

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HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

We're proud to be supported by IncuHive with their new location at Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke offering dedicated offices, hot desks, and amazing business support. Find out more at incuhive.co.uk and tell them you heard about them at About Basingstoke.

BE PART OF IT

We would love to hear about you, your business, your organisation, your passion! Contact us via aboutbasingstoke.com/contact