In this episode of the PRsonal Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Cat Neil, a mortgage advisor whose life was turned upside down in February 2024 — and who has since emerged as a powerful voice for resilience, vulnerability, and healing.

Cat was nearing the end of a 5K training run when she was suddenly hit by a car while on the pavement — an incident so severe it left her with an open fracture to her leg, sparking a medical journey that would involve nine operations, including two 11-hour limb-saving surgeries, skin grafts, leech therapy, and blood transfusions. But as harrowing as her physical injuries were, it’s Cat’s mental and emotional resilience that shines brightest in this deeply moving conversation.

She shares, with raw honesty, the silent battles she fought behind closed doors: learning to depend on others for basic needs, grieving the loss of her old body and identity, and the exhausting mental energy of navigating a world that expects visible healing. Her story exposes the often unseen reality of life after trauma — where the hardest work is done quietly, long after the headlines fade.

Despite it all, Cat’s mindset is nothing short of extraordinary. A lifelong journaler, she turned to writing, mantras like “safe, happy, healthy, loved”, and the grounding belief that “your mind is limitless” to carry herself through. With emotional intelligence, she speaks candidly about the importance of therapy, support systems, self-compassion, and the power of showing up — even imperfectly.

But this is not just a story about survival – it's a raw and unfiltered exploration of resilience, mindset, and healing. Cat speaks with remarkable vulnerability about:

• Facing trauma and physical recovery head-on
• The quiet power of journaling and mindset work
• Grieving her former self and rediscovering confidence
• How trauma impacts relationships and intimacy
• The emotional weight of relying on others and regaining autonomy
• Her evolving relationship with her body, and the strength it still carries

Cat’s message is clear: You are stronger than you think. And even in your darkest moments, you can choose to keep going — hour by hour, day by day.
Whether you're navigating your own healing journey or supporting someone who is, this episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn’t linear, and that resilience is a daily decision.

PRsonal socials:

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LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

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Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

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TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

In one of the most moving episodes of the PRsonal Podcast to date, host Charlotte Nichols sits down with Zara King — a product designer, storyteller, and founder of Zara King Designs, the first female-owned product design company in Teesside. But Zara’s story goes far beyond products and patents. This is an unforgettable conversation about grief, identity, love, and the human drive to create meaning from pain.

At just 16, Zara lost her father — and with little support or preparation, found herself navigating the trauma, logistics, and legacy of death alone. It was a defining moment that shaped her perspective on life, purpose, and how we care for others when they’re gone. That deeply personal experience later inspired her passion project: The Lovely Life of Bean, an interactive children’s book designed to gently introduce the concepts of death, euthanasia, and legacy through the life of a fictional dog named Bean — from birth to planting his memory in a garden.

Zara doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable. Whether it’s advocating for better end-of-life education, redesigning the overlooked bedpan, or challenging assumptions in a male-dominated design world, she’s on a mission to “fix the forgotten” — using empathy and innovation to bring dignity back to the details most people ignore.

She also opens up about her experience of coming out in the early 2000s, how attitudes have evolved since, and the quiet prejudices she and her wife still face today. Through it all, Zara remains grounded, funny, and deeply self-aware — a woman driven not by ego, but by impact.

This isn’t just a podcast episode — it’s a reminder that even the heaviest experiences can be turned into something healing. That design isn’t always about the next shiny object — sometimes, it’s about a better bedpan, a child’s understanding of loss, or a dignified end.

Listen now to discover how Zara King is redesigning the narrative — one act of compassion, one story, and one brave step at a time

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

When multi-award-winning entrepreneur, trichologist, and cancer activist Nicola Wood was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 36, her first question was, “Am I going to die?” But her second question was just as telling: “Am I going to lose my hair?”

In this deeply personal episode of the PRsonal Podcast, Nicola shares how her own journey with cancer changed not just her body, but her identity, her business, and her purpose. Hair had been at the heart of Nicola’s life since she was 12 — and losing it during treatment uncovered a grief that many underestimate.

Through powerful storytelling, she breaks the silence around the emotional toll of hair loss — not just for cancer patients, but for anyone who has ever struggled with self-image and femininity.
From building a pioneering hair loss support business, to helping over 15,000 people reclaim their dignity, to raising her young son while battling treatment, Nicola’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical empathy.

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

On this moving episode of PRsonal, British poet Michael Lewis shares his powerful and emotional journey of living with Bipolar Affective Disorder, a mental health condition he's managed since receiving his diagnosis at just 16 years old. Michael candidly speaks with host Charlotte about the realities of navigating daily life with bipolar disorder, describing in vivid detail the intensity of psychosis, the persistent struggle with paranoia, and the complexities of maintaining relationships amidst rapidly fluctuating highs and lows.

Michael’s story delves into some of life's darkest moments, including the profound trauma and grief experienced following the devastating loss of his father, who was tragically murdered. It was during these challenging times that Michael discovered poetry as more than an artistic pursuit—it became a critical means of processing his emotions, confronting his pain, and ultimately, facilitating his recovery.

He also addresses common misconceptions surrounding bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and mental illness, advocating for greater empathy, understanding, and acceptance. He openly discusses the transformative impact medication and therapy have had on his life, emphasising the importance of mental health support in achieving stability and wellbeing.

Michael describes his intriguing exploration of spirituality, including his personal experiences with supernatural encounters and his profound belief in reincarnation. He shares compelling anecdotes that challenge perceptions of life, death, and existence beyond our immediate understanding.

Prepare for a deeply honest, vulnerable, and ultimately inspiring conversation that will resonate with anyone impacted by mental health issues, grief, or trauma. Michael Lewis' story shines a powerful light on resilience, creativity, and the extraordinary strength found in openly confronting our vulnerabilities, transforming them into captivating poetry that touches lives and fosters genuine connection.

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

He’s the man behind one of the North East’s most popular business magazines.

Now it is time for Northern Insight founder Michael Grahamslaw to tell his story on PRsonal.
Tragically, Michael recalls the night he lost both his parents.

However, Michael, who has spent decades in the North East’s media industry, also shares some of the highs from his career including a chance encounter with Queen to the booze-fuelled fun of working at a newspaper during the industry’s heyday.

And there’s also an appearance on Countdown along the way…

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

In this powerful episode of PRsonal, Charlotte Nichols sits down with Hannah Harvey, author of How to Divorce Sober, award-winning blogger, and podcaster. Hannah shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, sobriety, and divorce, shedding light on the challenges of navigating relationships, motherhood, and self-discovery.

From the pressures of a workplace drinking culture to the emotional toll of separation, Hannah opens up about the struggles she faced and the transformative steps she took towards healing. Together, Charlotte and Hannah discuss the impact of codependency, the power of mindfulness, and the importance of learning to sit with difficult emotions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking empowerment, clarity, and inspiration to take control of their own story.

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Maaz Rahman lost the love of his life just weeks after she gave birth to their second child.

In this deeply moving episode of PRsonal, Maaz shares the devastating loss of his wife Saerah, who passed away from a rare lung condition, and how he navigated the unimaginable as a single father of two young children.

Maaz, managing director of Dynamo Kings and founder of Zizu’s Daycare, speaks with host Charlotte Nichols about turning grief into purpose, honoring Saerah’s legacy and the power of resilience.

He also opens up about the mental toll of loss, breaking cultural stigmas around men and emotions, and finding healing through conversations and connection.

And on a lighter note, his wonderful therapy dog, Madi.

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Darlington entrepreneur Selena Blain has been a beautician to the stars.

However, the owner of Cocoon opens up to host Charlotte Nichols about a childhood so dark she remembers almost none of it.

In this gripping episode of PRsonal , Selena discusses the traumatic incidents that cast a huge shadow over her early years – as well as the highs and lows of juggling business ownership with being a single parent.

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo