Book Doubling for Neurodivergent Writers with Gail Doggett
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Welcome back to The Freelancer's Tea Break! This week, I’m joined by my friend, coach, and book genie, Gail Doggett, founder of Book Doubling, a book coaching business tailored for neurodivergent writers, especially those with ADHD. In this episode, we delve into how Gail aids writers in completing their dream books by using techniques like body doubling and screen sharing. We also discuss Gail's own journey with writing, the importance of developing a writing practice, and the unique challenges and strengths of neurodivergent individuals in the writing process. What You’ll Learn in This...
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Behind the Scenes of Writing a Book
The Freelancer's Tea Break
In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, I share my haphazard journey of writing and publishing my first book, 'The Freelance Lifestyle'. I've delved into the 15-year (!) process, detailing the struggles faced due to undiagnosed ADHD, the importance of a support system with a focus on their collaboration with an ADHD-specific book coach, and the practical steps taken to make freelancing accessible. The aim was to create a resource tailored for new and aspiring freelancers, with a strong emphasis on flexibility and practicality. This episode also covers the technical aspects of...
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Annoying but Helpful Money Advice With Talia Loderick
The Freelancer's Tea Break
In this episode, Emma and Talia dive into the real stories behind money mindset, the challenges freelancers face with budgeting, and practical tips for feeling more confident about your cash. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your freelance business, you’ll find plenty of relatable moments, laughs, and actionable advice. Grab a cuppa and tune in for a conversation that’ll leave you feeling empowered and ready to tackle your money goals! Talia Loderick is a Money Coach, based in Cardiff, Wales, UK. Talia calls her money coaching practice TLC because when she...
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Three Simple Year-Start Questions
The Freelancer's Tea Break
In the first episode of 2026, I discuss a reflective approach to setting personal and professional goals for the new year on The Freelancers Tea Break. I share my achievements from the previous year, including completing my ILM 7 diploma and writing a book titled 'The Freelance Lifestyle.' This episode emphasises an experimental and low-pressure strategy for goal setting, focusing on starting or stopping small habits, doing less of certain activities, and introducing more positive ones. I also tease upcoming episodes and January challenges, targeting areas such as finding new clients and...
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My Annual Review
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Hello and welcome to a special episode of The Freelancers Tea Break! I'm Emma Cossey, and as this is our last podcast episode of the year, I'm doing things a bit differently. Today, I’m conducting my own annual performance review as a freelancer. From attendance and punctuality to goals, organisation, and communication, join me as I reflect on the past year, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for improvement. My affiliate link to Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Attendance and Punctuality 04:30 - Reviewing Goals 07:50 - Organisation and Systems 11:00...
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Freelance Wins: Boundaries, Learning and Clients
The Freelancer's Tea Break
In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, Emma Cossey, a coach and mentor for freelancers, discusses the importance of reflecting on and celebrating freelance wins. She categorises these wins into three main areas: boundary wins, skills and growth wins, and client and money wins. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to The Freelancers Tea Break 00:20 Reflecting on the Year: Wins and Challenges 00:54 Celebrating Small Wins 01:55 Boundary Wins: Setting Limits for Success 04:07 Skills and Growth Wins: Learning and Improving 06:05 Client and Money Wins: Tangible...
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Your Freelance End Of Year Admin Checklist
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Welcome back to the Freelancer Tea Break! I'm Emma Cossey, your coach and mentor for freelancers. In this short episode, I share some essential admin tasks to wrap up the year and start January clearheaded. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Freelancer Tea Break 00:38 Review Your Invoices 01:38 Update Your Out of Office 02:56 Review Your Terms and Conditions 03:53 Analyse Your Client List 04:54 Check and Adjust Your Rates 06:06 End the Year on a Positive Note 06:39 Conclusion and Farewell Follow me on Follow me on Email: Come join us in...
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Combatting Freelance Loneliness
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Freelancing can get lonely, especially as the days get darker. This week, I’m sharing simple ways to stay connected, even if you’re an introvert who loves working from the sofa (hi 👋). Try relaxed networking (like netwalking or coffee meetups) Explore local coworking spaces or apps like Reef Arrange casual coffee catch-ups Join online freelance communities (like my Facebook & Discord groups!) Just because you work alone doesn’t mean you have to feel alone 💕 Networking and Co-working mentioned: Follow me on Follow me on Email: Come join us in the free Want...
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Who Should Pay - The Client or the Freelancer?
The Freelancer's Tea Break
This week on The Freelancer’s Tea Break, I’m tackling a surprisingly common dilemma: If a client wants you to use specific software, who should foot the bill? Here’s the gist: If they require it (and you won’t use it elsewhere) — they should pay. If it’s a tool you’ll use across clients — it’s likely worth investing in yourself. Always agree on who owns the content created in that software! A quick listen while you make a cuppa ☕ Follow me on Follow me on Email: Come join us in the free Want more support? Check out the courses and membership. Join the Freelance...
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Top 3 ADHD Time Hacks for Freelancers
The Freelancer's Tea Break
This week on The Freelancer’s Tea Break, I’m sharing 3 ADHD-friendly time hacks that actually work (and honestly, they’ll help anyone feeling frazzled right now): 🧠 Don’t just read and leave, read and schedule! ⏳ Stop giving yourself all day! Shorter time blocks = more done 👯♀️ Body doubling + accountability = focus magic Perfect listen while you make a cuppa. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to The Freelancers Tea Break 00:20 Introduction to ADHD Time Hacks 00:50 Tip 1: Don't Read and Leave, Read and Schedule 02:59 Tip 2: Don't Allow Too Much Time 04:56 Tip 3: Body...
info_outlineNavigating Solo Entrepreneurship with Maggie Patterson
In this episode of The Freelance Teabreak, host Emma Cossey is joined by Maggie Patterson to discuss the challenges and benefits of running a solo business. Maggie, the founder of BS Free Business and author of 'Staying Solo', shares her extensive experience from over 20 years in freelancing. The conversation delves into the pressures freelancers face to scale their business, the importance of building a sustainable and profitable solo business, and practical tips on increasing income and avoiding burnout. They also address societal misconceptions about solo entrepreneurship and highlight the value of maintaining control and flexibility. If you are a freelancer feeling overwhelmed by industry expectations or seeking ways to thrive as a one-person business, this episode is a must-listen.
00:00 Intro
01:44 Maggie's Freelance Journey
03:04 The Solo Business Landscape
05:35 Challenges and Misconceptions
09:39 Strategies for Solo Success
21:05 Avoiding Burnout
28:57 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Maggie
Maggie's bio
Maggie Patterson is the creator of BS-Free Business® (https://bsfreebusiness.com/) and the author of Staying Solo®. With 20 years of experience as a successful entrepreneur in client services, Maggie helps service business owners build what she proudly calls a “boring business”-strategically small, sustainable, and designed to fit their lives without the constant hustle. A podcaster and writer, Maggie is a vocal advocate for humane business practices rooted in respect, empathy, and trust. She hosts two podcasts, Staying Solo and Confessions of a Micro Agency Owner, and co-hosts the consumer advocacy podcast Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business.
Link to the book - www.bsfreebusiness.com/book
Also mentioned on the call: Talia Loderick https://www.talialoderick.co.uk/
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Email: hello@emmacossey.com
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz