In this week’s episode, I got to sit down with the absolute powerhouse that is Nicola Noél. Nicola is a multi-award-winning mental health consultant and founder of Brainworks Therapy. She is also an equality, diversity and inclusion champion. We focussed on a version of branding that looks polished on the outside but underneath, it feels exhausting to maintain.

What does it actually take to build a brand that feels like you, not just one that looks good on social media, when there’s so much pressure to look and behave in a certain way?

We go deep on our identity, not just visibility. The not so glamorous side that’s shaped by real experiences, real challenges, and the parts of your story you don’t always know how to share.

Nicola shares her journey with mental health, and how storytelling became a tool for something much bigger than content.

Not for attention. Not to tick a box. But as a way to empower, both herself and the people listening.

Because when you learn how to tell your story properly, it changes how people see you. And more importantly… how you see yourself.

We also explore what it really looks like to navigate professional spaces when you’re carrying personal challenges in the background.

How do you show up? What do you share? Where’s the line between honesty and oversharing?

And just how do you build a brand that holds all of that, without it feeling heavy or performative?

This is where most of us get stuck.

We either say nothing… Or say everything… And neither quite lands the way we want it to.

Can your story become something intentional? Something that actually supports your brand, your confidence, and your growth?

Why is it so difficult to learn how to carry our message forward in a way that feels sustainable and comfortable?

If you’ve ever wondered how to share more of who you are without losing yourself in the process…

This one will stay with you.

NOTES:

You can find out more about Nicola on Instagram or her website

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In this episode I’m joined by Dani Devren, The Soul-Aligned Mentor and we’re taking about the version of you who built your business… and the version of you you’re becoming.

And they rarely sound the same.

Not louder. Not more polished. Not a dramatic rebrand.

Just… different.

Clearer. More certain. Less willing to say things that no longer feel true to your values.

And here’s what no one really talks about:

Growth changes everything.

Your voice shifts. Your standards rise. What you’re available for and what you’re not, becomes non-negotiable.

And inevitably… not everyone comes with you.

In this episode, Dani and I get into the real side of growth, the bit that doesn’t make it into the “just pivot” advice.

Because we’re not talking about changing everything overnight.

We’re recognising that your brand isn’t static, it moves as you do.

And when you honour that? That’s when your voice lands differently.

If you’ve been feeling that quiet shift… this episode will put words to it.

NOTES:

You can find out more about Dani on Instagram or visit her website

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If you’ve ever felt like your brand isn’t growing the way it should, this episode will shift your perspective.

Because more often than not, it’s not about doing more… it’s about showing more of what’s already there.

In this episode with Jenni Kravitz who is a tech whizz, Canva and iPhone expert, we explore what real brand growth actually looks like behind the scenes not polished, not perfect, but intentional and visible.

We also get practical tips too. From simple, doable ways to create content using tools you already have, to rethinking how you use platforms like Instagram in a way that actually supports your business not drains it.

Jenny shares her journey with Canva and how she’s turning it into a powerful tool for visibility, alongside her plans to make content creation feel easier, faster, and far less overwhelming. Plus, we touch on something many business owners overlook, the full potential of the iPhone already in your hand, and how it can become one of your most valuable business tools.

This is about stripping things back, getting out of your own way, and building a brand that people actually connect with.

Your next level of visibility isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about being seen properly, consistently, and on purpose.

NOTES:

You can find out more about Jenni on Instagram here and visit her website here.

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Travel isn’t just movement. It’s observation. Interpretation. Translation.

In this episode, Amanda sits down with travel writer Rebecca Hall to explore what it really means to experience a place, not as a tourist, but as a listener.

Rebecca shares how travel writing has shaped her understanding of culture, particularly through her time in Greece. Together, they reflect on the subtle (and sometimes stark) differences in communication styles between Greek and British cultures, and what those differences reveal about how we connect, express emotion, and make meaning.

This isn’t a checklist of destinations. It’s a conversation about perspective.

You’ll hear:

• What travel teaches us about ourselves

• The nuances of cultural communication, directness, warmth, restraint

• Why understanding context matters more than surface impressions

• Practical considerations for visiting Greece, from someone who’s lived it, not skimmed it

For women building lives and businesses that cross borders, emotionally or geographically, this conversation is a reminder that the way we communicate shapes the stories we tell and the stories we tell shape how we’re understood.

NOTES:

You can find out more about Rebecca on Instagram here and you can find all her links here.

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There’s a particular kind of founder who looks confident from the outside.

She’s capable. Established. Often admired.

And yet, underneath it, there’s a quiet pressure to look a certain way, to perform a certain kind of success, to package herself into something more palatable.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jo Mac, founder of the Divalign community, for a conversation that moves beyond wellness as aesthetics, and into wellness as self-worth.

Jo shares her journey into coaching and why her work isn’t about “fixing” women. It’s about helping them remember who they were before the noise.

There’s something powerful about a founder who builds from lived experience rather than trend.

If you’re a founder who has done the work, internally and professionally, but still feels the pull of external expectation…

This conversation will feel like a quiet exhale.

Because authority doesn’t come from appearance.

It comes from alignment.

NOTES:

You can find out more about Jo and Divalign here.

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Wellness coach Joanne Pagett shares what it really looks like to build authority without forcing yourself into a version of ‘confidence’ that doesn’t fit.

We talked about Joanne’s work, supporting women through health and wellbeing and we explored the beliefs, language, and visibility blocks that quietly cap impact, even for experienced practitioners.

Joanne introduces her FAB framework, Fuel, Activity, Beliefs, and explains why sustainable health (and sustainable visibility) is rarely about doing more, and more often about doing the right things consistently.

If you’ve ever thought, ‘I know there’s something here, I just don’t want to shout about it’, this conversation will give you some pointers.

NOTES:

You can find out more about Joanne here.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Shelley Wilson, a multi-genre author who works with business owners ready to turn their expertise into something lasting. We talked about what really sits underneath the desire to write a book, authority, visibility, and the quiet frustration of knowing you have more to say than your current content allows.

Shelley shares her own writing journey and why she’s deeply committed to supporting clients not just to write their books, but to understand the role a book can play in their wider brand ecosystem. This isn’t about publishing for the sake of it. It’s about intention, positioning, and making your ideas work harder for you.

We explore:

• Why self-publishing can be a strategic choice, not a compromise

• The overlooked link between writing, confidence, and visibility

• What holds experienced founders back from being seen, even when they’re already credible

• How creating thoughtful, engaging content supports long-term authority (not just short-term attention)

This conversation is especially for you if you’ve ever thought: “I know there’s a book in me, I just don’t know how to begin, or how it fits into everything else I’m building.”

#podcast #pr #storytelling #media

NOTES:

You can find out more about Shelley here.

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In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Rowley for a conversation that’s all about the power of story, not just on the page, but in shaping confidence, purpose, and possibility.

Nicola shares her personal career journey and the moments that nudged her towards storytelling as a force for motivation and change. We explore how stories help us make sense of who we are, where we’ve been, and what we’re capable of becoming, especially when self-belief feels shaky.

Along the way, Nicola opens up about the music and words that inspire her, offering a glimpse into the mindset behind her creative work. She also talks about her mission through Rainbow House Publishing, using children’s books to spark imagination, confidence, and a love of storytelling in the next generation of authors.

This episode is a reminder that your story matters and that sharing it safely can create ripples far beyond what you expect.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why storytelling is such a powerful tool for motivation and confidence

• How personal experiences shape meaningful creative work

• The inspiration behind Rainbow House Publishing

• Encouraging young voices to see themselves as authors and storytellers.

If you care about creativity, confidence, and the stories that shape who we become come and join us!

NOTES:

You can find out more about Nicola here.

Download 50 ways to get free publicity

Visit The Brand Story House website

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