Really Useful Conversations
Managers and leaders need to be able to confidently have 7 Significant Conversations if they are to achieve the desired business outcomes WITH an engaged and motivated team. What are those conversations? How do we have difficult conversations? What about conversations that are challenging, crucial, critical ... Conversations can change organisations. They can develop relationships, improve standards, increase results - conversations can even save lives. After 21 years as a freelance Consultant, Andrea Newton shares practical, down to earth advice, learning, tips and techniques to enable you to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and have conversations that matter.
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Boundaries, Burnout and Bloody Christmas - a midlife woman's survival guide for the festive season
12/09/2025
Boundaries, Burnout and Bloody Christmas - a midlife woman's survival guide for the festive season
I am not about to tell you how to become a domestic goddess, create more To Do lists or sell the benefit of multi-tasking or cooking in advance .. This episode is especially for busy working midlife women who are Googling "Am I burned out or is it just December?" and wondering why their stress is through the roof when they can normally just swing through the season and jingle all the way! How do I protect my sanity? What will help my stress levels? How do I survive the festive season now that my hormones are all over the place? When research tells us that 72% of households rely on women to "make Christmas happen" is it any wonder that we feel overwhelmed - and then throw in the joys of menopause and the challenge of carenting, along with every other thing that comes along - it is a LOT! In this episode we will talk about the challenges of perfection, people pleasing, the weight of carrying guilt and offer you a Framework to help you not just survive but even THRIVE this Christmas. Let's learn more about the 4R's and how Boundaries can prevent Burnout so that we can enjoy Bloody Christmas! Have a good one - see you next year x
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Stress Awareness in the Workplace: How Conversations Prevent Burnout and Boost Performance
11/03/2025
Stress Awareness in the Workplace: How Conversations Prevent Burnout and Boost Performance
Stress is costing UK businesses an estimated £28 billion every year, yet too many organisations still treat wellbeing as a tick-box exercise. In this episode of Really Useful Conversations, we give a nod to "International Stress Awareness Week" where the theme for 20235 is "Optimising Employee Wellbeing through Strategic Stress Management" - and we take a look at why strategic stress management is a leadership and performance issue, not a fluffy wellbeing tick-box exercise. We talk about how early, honest conversations can reduce burnout, improve morale, and build psychologically safe teams and why avoiding these “difficult” discussions costs far more than having them. I'm also shining a light on midlife women in the workplace, who often face a “double burden” of hormonal shifts, caregiving, and workplace pressure, contributing an estimated £1.5–2.9 billion to the UK’s annual stress-related losses, in keeping with my work through "Actually She Can!" where we actively support women to find more energy, momentum and joy in their Second Act. Whether you are a manager, leader, HR professional or indeed a busy working midlife women, this episode helps us to consider what really useful conversations look like in practice, how to spot early warning signs of stress, and how culture shifts begin with simple, human connection. For more details about my work with corporate clients, please take a look at the website confidentconversations.co.uk and drop me a note if your managers could use some help with their own Really Useful Conversations in the workplace.
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From Awareness to Action: Menopause, Stress & Women’s Health in Midlife
10/28/2025
From Awareness to Action: Menopause, Stress & Women’s Health in Midlife
The final episode for the mini series, supporting Menopause Awareness Month ... So what happens next? In this no-nonsense episode, we recap the Six Lifestyle Levers that help midlife women support mental health during the menopuase chapter, and as Awareness Month closes, let's hope that the subject is not put back in the drawer until this time next year! Let's hope that the UK Government’s new menopause health-check plans receive the support, funding and education that is needed because let's face it, women’s health deserves serious investment and not just lip service. With International Stress Awareness Week on the horizon, we will start to take a look at how stress, hormones and midlife mayhem can create that perfect storm and I'll tell you a little about the free live Masterclass on 18 November to help you feel more in control, rested and resilient. Really Useful Conversations matter and I am a woman on a mission to keep those conversations going, in midlife and beyond, so do follow and subscribe and stick with me on this journey? Full details of the FREE November Masterclass are on the website - hope you'll take advantage of the offer and do feel free to share with friends who you know will benefit from overcoming that "Wired and Tired All The Time" feeling.
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The Support Lever: Why Even Strong Women Benefit In Midlife
10/20/2025
The Support Lever: Why Even Strong Women Benefit In Midlife
The conversations we have with ourselves are often the most important, so telling yourself that “I should be coping better,” and internally beating yourself up, whilst quietly carrying the mental load of work, ageing parents, teenagers, menopause symptoms, and a house that never seems to stay tidy is just not fair. But so often women don’t ask for help. We don’t want to be a burden. We tell ourselves other people have it worse. And we push on, exhausted, feeling as though we should be able to just crack on. In this mini episode we’re talking about the sixth lifestyle lever - Support - and why trying to do everything alone during menopause is one of the biggest risks to your mental health. As human beings we were never meant to be solo flyers, and we learned about the importance of Connection in episode 5 of this mini series - so in this final episode let's take a look at what that support might look like. We need to consider:- How hormonal changes affect mood, resilience and your ability to cope Why asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s a biological need The types of support that genuinely help midlife women: emotional, practical, social and professional This is not fluffy “you’ve got this” nonsense. It’s about building support that actually lightens the load and helps us better navigate choppy waters. Whether that’s a conversation with someone who gets it, advocating confidently at a GP appointment, working with a therapist, being part of a menopause group, or simply letting others at home know how you are feeling and how they might help. Let's not forget, strong women burn out too and if you are struggling with the juggle, alongside challenging perimenopause symptoms, this episode will help. If you have not done so already there are 6 other mini episodes that I have recorded for Menopause Awareness Month so do make time to listen to them all and give yourself the right tools to make small shifts for big impact. Take good care! A
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From Chaos to Calm: Why Your Environment Matters to your Mental Health in Menopause
10/20/2025
From Chaos to Calm: Why Your Environment Matters to your Mental Health in Menopause
When we talk about ‘environment’, most people think about cluttered kitchens, noisy offices or never-ending WhatsApp notifications, and yes, they can make a difference - but in midlife and menopause, your internal environment matters just as much. Thinking about your gut health, blood sugar, hormones, sleep patterns, and the way you speak to yourself when nobody else is listening - all of these will affect the experience you have during this chapter of messy midlife. In this mini episode we explore both sides - the external world you move through and the internal world you carry inside and how each one affects menopause symptoms, mental health and your ability to cope. We need to think about how we can stop our nervous system being on high alert. Consider how low blood sugar, gut health and more can trigger and worsen symptoms. Think about realistic small changes that as women in the real world are do-able. This isn’t about buying matching storage baskets and having a declutter - although crack on if that works for you - it's more about creating an environment - both inside and out - that supports your hormones, your head and your heart. The 6 Lifestyle Levers are a great place to start when thinking about how best you can support yourself at this time - whether HRT is on your "To Do" list or not - we can all choose small shifts that make a big impact. Let me know about your experience and if you want to dive deeper and create a plan that is right for you, drop me a note and I can send you the workshop link.
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Menopause, Mental Health & the Magic of Connection - Lever 4
10/16/2025
Menopause, Mental Health & the Magic of Connection - Lever 4
Feeling disconnected, lonely, or like nobody really gets what you’re going through? You’re not imagining it - midlife and menopause can quietly shrink your world. Between work pressures, family demands, and hormonal changes that impact confidence and mood, it’s easy to drift into isolation. It might be that you are busy, just struggling with the juggle of midlife, especially if the "sandwich generation" perfectly describes your world but in this episode of our mini series for Menopause Awareness Month, we explore why connection is one of the most powerful mood-boosters and protectors of mental health during menopause. In the first episode we talked about how declining oestrogen affects neurotransmitters which will have a knock-on effect on how you are feeling, whether your mood, your motivation or even your self-esteem, and how it can be easy to withdraw and feel like you are going through this weird phase on your own - but here we will talk about the fact that your brain literally needs other people for balance, and how small, real-life interactions can rebuild your sense of belonging and joy. Human connection is as important for our wellbeing as food, fresh air and hydration but this isn’t about joining a club you don’t have time for or pretending everything’s fine, it is not about adding further to the fatigue and stress by filling every remaining gap in your day with social events - it is about understanding the science of social connection, oxytocin, and nervous-system regulation, and finding ways to reconnect that actually fit your real life, and that add quality rather than quantity when time is already pressing. If you’ve been feeling flat, anxious, or invisible, this episode will help - please remember that you were never meant to do this alone and there are lots of ways we can connect and have that sense of community, even without leaving home! Check out the website for details of my programmes and online coaching groups - having us in your corner can really help.
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Restore Your Energy in Menopause: Sleep, Stress and Nervous System Support
10/16/2025
Restore Your Energy in Menopause: Sleep, Stress and Nervous System Support
Sleep and Menopause – One of the most frequently raised concerns (This is Episode 3 and is part of the 6 Lifestyle Levers: Small Shifts, Big Impact mini-series) If you are tired but cannot switch off, wide awake at 3am, or constantly running on adrenaline, this episode is for you. In this episode we look briefly at how menopause affects sleep, stress, and your nervous system - often one of the most frequently asked questions in my coaching sessions - and take a quick look at what you can do to feel calmer, clearer, and properly rested again. You will learn: We know that changing hormone levels disrupt sleep and increase anxiety in midlife We have talked before about the impact of cortisol, melatonin, and progesterone in your “wired but tired” feeling We get that poor sleep impacts appetite, mood, and weight through ghrelin and leptin Let's think about practical steps to regulate your nervous system and create an evening routine that works This 10-minute episode is packed with simple, evidence-based ideas to help midlife women improve sleep quality, reduce stress, and restore balance without overhauling everything. It's part of a 6 part mini series, so do listen out for the other episodes and if you want to do more about this and make your own experience more positive, join me in the 6 Lifestyle Levers online workshop. There we will be helping everyone create a plan for action that is personal to them. Menopause & Mental Health - 6 Lifestyle Levers Workshop on 22 October at 7pm (UK time). Enjoy this episode, and here's to a great night's sleep!
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Movement and Menopause: How Exercise Boosts Mood, Energy, and Brain Health in Midlife
10/13/2025
Movement and Menopause: How Exercise Boosts Mood, Energy, and Brain Health in Midlife
If you have been feeling low, sluggish, or struggling with sleep during menopause, this episode will help you understand why movement really is medicine for the mind. In Episode 2 of my mini-series, 6 Lifestyle Levers: Small Shifts, Big Impact, we look at how physical activity supports mental health, hormone balance, and emotional resilience in midlife, and how it can help you also sleep better. You will learn: How exercise increases serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline to lift mood and motivation Why movement helps regulate cortisol and reduce anxiety and overwhelm How simple daily activity can improve sleep, energy, and cognitive function Practical ideas to make movement easier, including stretching, walking, and strength training for hormone health This 10-minute episode is full of evidence-based insight explained in simple, real-life terms. It's aimed at busy working women who are not athletes or fitness fanatics and for whom this time of life is stressful with lots going on. No gym guilt or strict routines, just small realistic shifts that even the most busy woman can introduce that will start to make a big difference. If you want to turn this knowledge into a clear personalised action plan, join me for the Menopause & Mental Health Workshop online Tuesday 22 October at 7 pm. It is a small-group, practical session with me, a qualified, accredited menopause coach, where you will discover which of the six lifestyle levers matter most for you and how to apply them confidently in daily life. No lycra or marathon running needed - honestly, I just want to help you get started in a way that fits with your world and your lifestyle. Progress not perfection! When you are ready to take it to another level, there are people I can signpost you to - but for now, let's just get you started. Grab your spot at the masterclass online at
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Nutrition for Menopause: How Midlife Women Can Eat to Boost Mental Health
10/13/2025
Nutrition for Menopause: How Midlife Women Can Eat to Boost Mental Health
If you’ve been feeling flat, foggy, or wired but tired, it might not just be stress or perimenopause. It could be what, and how, you are feeding your brain during this chapter. In this first episode of my new mini-series, 6 Lifestyle Levers: Small Shifts, Big Impact, we focus on Nourish: how nutrition shapes mood, energy, and emotional balance during menopause. You’ll learn: Why falling oestrogen changes the way your body absorbs and uses key nutrients How to fuel the feel-good neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, GABA) that support mood and sleep Simple food swaps that calm inflammation and boost brain health, including olive oil, walnuts, and tinned fish It's a brisky and thought-provoking 10-minute episode designed to help you think about the 6 Lifestyle Levers that can make a change for us all, and talks about evidence-based nutrition insights for midlife women, explained in plain English with practical, real-life advice. No jargon, no kale smoothies, no guilt. Whether you are choosing HRT to help your menopause journey or not, these Lifestyle Levers are useful for us all to consider, especially in protecting our mental health and wellbeing during this time - and if we can work with our body and brain to support this transition, and not unwittingly be doing things that perhaps make matters worse, surely that can only be a good thing? If you want to turn this knowledge into a clear, personal plan of action that fits your life, join me for the Menopause & Mental Health Workshop - 6 Lifestyle Levers online on Tuesday 22 October at 7 pm. Sign up at
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Menopause and Mental Health - Small Shifts, Big Impact - Things we can do to help ourselves feel better
10/04/2025
Menopause and Mental Health - Small Shifts, Big Impact - Things we can do to help ourselves feel better
October hosts both World Mental Health Day and Menopause Awareness Day and is indeed Menopause Awareness Month. The theme this year is Lifestyle Medicine and so I am focussing in this podcast episode on the impact that menopause can have on our mental health, and sharing a basic understanding of what is going on that is causing the low mood, anxiety, brain fog and other cognitive and mental health challenges that some women experience during perimenopause. During the hormonal transition, our brain is doing it's best to function without the steady hormonal chemistry that it is used to working with, the fluctuation of hormones during this chapter seems to be the issue - the rise and fall that changes day by day - and not forgetting that those hormones do not work in isolation but impact on other hormones and the work that they do too. I've tried to explain what is happening in a straightforward way, as a midlife woman who has experienced this transition, and as someone who has done lots of research and learning, but not as a medical professional might. I think we need to understand what is happening and why that is the case, but we don't need a science heavy biology lesson that confuses us further, so I've tried to keep it simple and easy to understand. Over the next few weeks I am going to be looking at the 6 Lifestyle Levers that we can all tweak and learn more for ourselves how that lifestyle medicine can help, whether you are taking HRT or not. I'm also offering a free online Masterclass that you are welcome to register for too - details can be found on the website Hope this helps!
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Protecting midlife women from suicidal thoughts - factors that help
09/30/2025
Protecting midlife women from suicidal thoughts - factors that help
In the last episode, recorded for World Suicide Prevention Day, I spoke specifically about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours for midlife women, given the statistics show that the most female deaths by suicide tend to occur in midlife. I promised that I would follow up to talk about how when navigating perimenopause we might be at more risk and more importantly, what we might do to keep ourselves safe. As a qualified suicide intervention tutor I am aware of evidence based research which shows protective factors that can help - basically the things we can do for ourselves, and others, to help keep them safe from the Edge of Enough. Life happens and events can cause us to wobble, we probably cannot do a lot about that, but there are things that we CAN do to help us stay safe, and I am talking about them in this episode. Navigating this chapter of menopause with low mood, anxiety and depression can be challenging, and whilst many people talk about the physical symptoms that might affect us, fewer are aware of the potential impact to our mental health during the hormonal shift. I hope you find this episode useful and maybe you will join my free Masterclass in October where I focus on lifestyle medicine for improving mental health during menopause - it's so important that we talk about these issues so that women know how to help themselves if things are getting a bit much. Take good care!
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Suicide Risk for Midlife Women - Why So Many Women Are Struggling With Poor Mental Health
09/12/2025
Suicide Risk for Midlife Women - Why So Many Women Are Struggling With Poor Mental Health
This week is World Suicide Prevention Day and hopefully there will be lots of media coverage in encouraging a "Change in the Narrative" - to make conversations about this issue more commonplace. This in turn helps to reduce the stigma and smash the silence and makes it easier for people to ask for help. You may have seen media coverage in recent times talking about the high number of male suicide deaths and men's mental health in general, which is definitely something that needs attention, but we have not seen anywhere near the same attention given to midlife women and the challenges that they might be silently struggling with during midlife; the chapter of peri menopause, becoming the sandwich generation, caring for ageing parents and other elders, whilst still keeping an eye on adult children and even grandchildren. Once you stop and look at the research you will see some shocking statistics - indeed the majority of deaths by suicide are male, but what about the significant number of suicide attempts made by women all over the world? Do attempts not matter so much? Should we not be paying as much attention to PREVENTION for everyone seeing as suicide does not discriminate? In this episode I am exploring the intersectionality of factors for midlife women that might explain the statistics behind sucide thoughts and attempts in midlife. I hope you will find it thought provoking and informative and that through conversations like this learn that we can ALL make a difference - for a person in crisis as well as for ourselves as women.
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Menopause, Mental Health & Suicide Risk - more common than you think
07/30/2025
Menopause, Mental Health & Suicide Risk - more common than you think
*This episode talks about suicide and I hope will be useful to women, their friends, family, support network AND their employer* The coronor confirmed that the lady had indeed taken her own life, following perimenopause then menopause causing her mental health condition to have worsened - and tragically this situation is more common than you might think. Often people think of menopause symptoms as just the hot flushes or night sweats when actually more women find the cognitive impact far more debilitating and as many as 1 in 10 women will have suicidal thoughts during this transition. Sadly women often feel isolated, alone, misunderstood, misdiagnosed and even mistreated - this can worsen their situation and significantly impact an already troubled mind - we MUST get this message out there - you are not alone, you are not being dramatic, you are NOT making it up and you are NOT alone. Donna Mann took her own life and this tragic loss should be prompting us all to get better informed, better educated, more aware and able to have conversations that matter - those conversations could be the difference between life and death. Please do share this episode with friends, colleagues, HR professionals so that women like Donna get the help they need, before it is too late. For more details visit my website and again please do with anyone else who might need it.
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Are you making time for what matters?
07/03/2025
Are you making time for what matters?
Yesterday I received the devastating news of the loss of an incredible woman - strong, confident, bold, kind, wise, caring and funny as heck! I thought she was invincible and when she got her cancer diagnosis I would have bet my house on her surviving. Yesterday made me realise that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I know we say it all the time that life is too short but sometimes when you lose someone who really was so amazing, you realise that there is a sad truth in that. Today's episode is not polished or scripted or offering downloads for learning - it's from the heart and a reminder that we need to stop putting things off, quit losing time in perfectionism, being paralysed by not good enough, waiting for the perfect moment and we just need to make space. I'm not being flippant, I have two ageing parents and my carenting responsibilities are heavy and very real, but I need to stop and look for even the tiniest glimmer of space for me to top up my cup too. This episode is a tribute the the force that was an incredible influence in my life and she listened to my podcast too so I hope she hears this, wherever she has landed now. For all midlife women who are doing a LOT and struggling with the juggle, and in memory of Anne-Marie, here's your reminder xxx
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Tired, stressed, cannot sleep? A Real Midlife Challenge
06/18/2025
Tired, stressed, cannot sleep? A Real Midlife Challenge
If you have ever had the experience where your mind just will not switch off - perhaps going to bed and you struggle to sleep, maybe you sit down for a rest and your inner voice reminds you of all the things you SHOULD be doing, when relaxation is almost impossible as you just cannot disconnect ... this episode is for you. You are doing all the things that those self-care folks tell you to do - bedtime routine, switching off digital devices, drinking cups of herbal tea but still your mind is racing, over-thinking, so damn busy all of the time and even when you make time to specifically rest and relax, it just doesn't help. As midlife women we are always juggling a lot, in a world that encourages us to keep on keeping on, and a sense of failing if we cannot cope with it all. The cost of that is our stress switch gets stuck and we cannot rest and relax, however much we try - in fact trying harder to rest and relax frustrates us and adds further to our challenge. So how do we fix it? This season we are focussing on Really Useful Conversations for Midlife Women and I hope you are finding it useful? In this episode I refer to a free handout suggesting techniques you can try - it's available to Let me know what you think?
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Just a quick word - a refreshing 24 hours
06/12/2025
Just a quick word - a refreshing 24 hours
The last few weeks has been hectic - lots of caring responsibilities for ageing parents, work stuff and life in general - so a chance to sneak off and have a few hours in the company of people who are absolute radiators was defintely an attractive proposition and definitely the kick up the bum I needed to talk about focussing forwards!
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Living in alignment with your core values
06/10/2025
Living in alignment with your core values
Values - those things that we all have, often no idea where they came from, but tend to reflect the things that matter most to us. Are you living in alignment with yours? We all have a little internal book of rules - rules that we have been creating for ourselves since we were first born and my little book will be different to yours. Those rules then guide our lives, our decisions and the people that we choose to be around - these are our values - and although they might change over time, they always matter. If we are operating in a way that is not aligned with these values, we can feel frustrated, angry, annoyed or even sense a little internal tension, perhaps causing anxiety, and for true wellbeing we are best working in places, living with people, spending time doing things where our values are indeed aligned. Like a little internal GPS system that helps point the way and reroute when the path feels wrong for us. Often as midlife women we are so busy with juggling all the stuff that we might not hear our values whispering - perhaps we are doing a job because the hours "fit around the family" or we are putting other people's preferences first - "anything for a quiet life" - or we might even find ourselves in relationships that are just not right for us, but we feel unable to walk away? This week's episode is all about values and why they matter and what can happen to us if we are not listeing to them when they call out to us. Let me know if this episode resonates with you and don't forget to share with anyone else who you think might value from this little reminder?
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Comparison is the thief of joy
05/22/2025
Comparison is the thief of joy
Having recently been nominated in the Merseyside Women of the Year awards I suddenly found my little inner critic throwing a party - as I read through the bio's of the other women who are also finalists, I could hear that little voice getting louder - "Who are you to be included in that? Look at what she has done! Oh she is amazing! Achieved so much more than you!" and before I knew it, the joy had dissolved into doubt and shame ... who am I indeed? I don't think it is unusual for midlife women to dip into comparing themselves unfavourably and many on the Midlife Reboot programme often talk, with envy, about their social group, colleagues and family who have "done so much better than me" ... so I thought an episode where we have a Really Useful Conversation about the comparison trap would be a good idea! Other people's brilliance does not dim ours, and there is space for us all to shine - but how do I convince that little inner critic to STFU and allow me to enjoy the joy that such a prestigious nomination had brought? In this episode we will talk about the comparison trap, why we fall into it, and more importantly how to get ourselves back out again - comparison cannot be allowed to continuously steal our joy ladies! Oh, and you can vote for me every day until 1st June if you would like to? I'd LOVE your support! Many thanks x
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Mental Health & Midlife Women - Community
05/15/2025
Mental Health & Midlife Women - Community
This week in the UK is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is "Community" and in this episode I am talking specifically about the importance of community for those of us who are midlife women. A chapter in our lives when hormones are shifting, which can indeed negatively impact our mental health, but often also a very busy chapter with lots of juggling of priorities, perhaps older children or grandchildren needing us, or as my world caring for ageing parents has become a new challenge, so it is no surprise that the number of women diagnosed with anxiety, depression and low mood increases during this life stage - and sadly the number of deaths by suicide too. However, I don't think it is ALL about our hormones, and in this episode we talk about what else is shifting and changing and potentially causing us to feel less than great - and how community, amongst other factors, can really help. If you enjoy this episode, please do feel free to share with others who might also benefit, and if you are a midlife woman looking for a Midlife Reboot - ready to ditch the quick fix surface deep solutions and choose to invest your limited time and energy in RADICAL self-care, why not pop your name on the wait list for the next opening? Either way up, hope you enjoy this episode, which is very much dedicated to my Tribe who kept me upright and mobile through the divorce that kept on giving! A x
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Actually, she can! The Missing Thread
05/06/2025
Actually, she can! The Missing Thread
Back in February I hosted "Actually, she can!" - which was a fantastic day of personal growth and professional development, by women, for women, fundraising for future female talent in Halton Borough and it was an absolutely amazing day! With over 200 women in the audience and 12 professional speakers, authors and coaches taking to the stage and hosting workshops, sharing insights and expertise that had the audience scribbling notes furiously and nodding as they recognised their own traits, laughing as we talked about the humourous side of habits and cheering as we announced the incredible amount we raised that day for young girls locally. But I feel there was a missing thread. Whilst encouraging women to set goals with soul, to overcome imposter syndrome, to smash their own ceiling, release their inner rebel through good girl deconditioning, we also needed to let them know to take care of their wellbeing too. Not from a candles and sandals perspective, but deep down radical self-care, the stuff that leads to meaningful change. Tune into this episode to find out more about those Missing Threads and learn about the Midlife Reboot on offer!
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Thriving Beyond Barriers: Neurodivergent women with Rachel Foord for Actually she can!
01/29/2025
Thriving Beyond Barriers: Neurodivergent women with Rachel Foord for Actually she can!
Our final guest speaker interview is with the wonderful Rachel Foord and at the Actually, she can! event on 27th February, Rachel will be hosting a workshop entitled "Thriving Beyond Barriers; what empowers and challenges neurodivergent women" - and it is sure to be a very popular session. Whether you are attending Actually! as a neurodivergent woman yourself, or as a mother, sister, manager or HR leader, Rachel will be sharing so much value and insights from her own lived as well as learned experiences. Listen in to this week's episode and get to hear from Rachel about this important topic and why you might choose to join her workshop from the ones on offer in February, she really does have such a lot to offer for both professional and personal lives. Tickets are still available from actuallyshecan.co.uk - but hurry, we are closing soon!
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An Actually, she can! conversation about midlife, empowered women - with Valerie J Ritchie
01/26/2025
An Actually, she can! conversation about midlife, empowered women - with Valerie J Ritchie
Before Christmas I really enjoyed chatting to another one of our guest speakers, Valerie J Ritchie, who is hosting a workshop for us at Actually, she can! in February to help people harness their inner strengths and turn challenges into opportunities. Valerie is a midlife empowerment coach, an advocate for the crone goddess, and helps women to step into the wise, powerful, authentic self so that they can live life to the full. In our conversation she talks about us embracing who we are, playing to our natural strengths, and encourages us to be authentic - You do You - and to not take our strengths for granted and just brush them off but to utilise them to their fullest and make the most of them. Valerie's workshop at Actually! next month will be highly interactive, helping us to explore practical strategies to overcome both personal and professional challenges with resilience and confidence and create an actionable plan that we can take away to use in our day to day lives. Maybe you are questionning your own worth, maybe you are not sure where your strengths lie, or perhaps you are ready to step out of your comfort zone - Valerie's session will be perfect for you! If you have not already got your ticket for Actually! it's time to get your act together or you are really going to regret it! We have 13 fabulous professional speakers, authors and coaches coming together to offer a real personal development day for women, by women, and it's going to be a cracker! More details about all our speakers and tickets are available at so take a moment to enjoy my conversation here with Valerie and then go grab your ticket QUICK!
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Making a real difference to their community - Suttons International
01/22/2025
Making a real difference to their community - Suttons International
Meeting up with someone that you instantly have a connection with and knowing they share your values in wanting to make a positive difference is not something that happens every day and so when Michelle Atkinson, HRD from Suttons International and I chatted about Actually, she can! and the difference we want to make in our local community, I could see she was as enthused and keen to make that difference too! We are very grateful indeed to Suttons for agreeing to be our main event sponsor for Actually, she can! and even MORE impressed by their attitude and desire for positive change, when they asked us to introduce them to people in Halton Borough where they really can make a difference. Since that meeting they have supported local children who otherwise would have woken up to no presents on Christmas Day and are engaging with Halton People into Jobs to see how as an employer in the Borough, they can offer work experience, apprenticeships, mentoring and even career opportunities to young people. We could not be happier to have found a large corporate business to partner with, working locally as part of a huge global network, and in this episode you will get to hear what is was about the project that captured Michelle's attention and why it fits so beautifully with the culture and ethos of this business that prides itself on supporting employee growth, driving engagement and creating opportunties for career progression. Thank you to everyone at Suttons for supporting us and for wanting to make a difference too - we really appreciate you!
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Why networking matters and how to do it - with Susie Sprigg for Actually, she can!
01/19/2025
Why networking matters and how to do it - with Susie Sprigg for Actually, she can!
Ex corporate girl Susie Sprigg believes that connection, communication and conversation are critical to all of us, and that we can build relationships with cheerleaders and people who will check in on us too, all through the power of networking. Networking is not just for people who run a business looking to sell their services to others, but also for people who work within an organisation who might need to build their network for career progression and promotion prospects. Building a strong network, especially as a woman, is so important and Susie is going to share with us the do's and do not's of networking in the workshop she is running at Actually, she can! on 27th February in Runcorn. Debunking the myths of networking and making sure we create the impression we want to is what her workshop is all about and if you listen in to this episode you will get a sense of Susie's down to earth, honest and authentic approach, allowing you to decide whether you will choose her workhshop from the range that are being offered as part of our amazing event. If you have not got your ticket yet, please hurry as we have sold more than 65% and I would hate you to miss out! For more details about all of our speakers and what to expect please take a look at our simple website actuallyshecan.co.uk - the link to then buy tickets is available from there too.
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Actually she can! - with Michelle Minnikin helping us to ditch our good girl conditioning!
01/15/2025
Actually she can! - with Michelle Minnikin helping us to ditch our good girl conditioning!
A favourite guest on the podcast Michelle Minnikin joins me again this week but to talk this time about her contribution at Actually, she can! There is no way we could have organised a day of personal growth and professional development for women, by women without including the powerhouse that is Ms Minnikin! A professional speaker, author of the fabulous "Good Girl Deprogramming" and workshop facilitator, Michelle helps women to break free from the constraints of the conditioning that girls grow up with and encourages them to unleash the rebel within, and I am delighted that she agreed to travel to Runcorn for our event on 27th February where she will address the conference AND run a workshop for those who want a deeper understanding of the work we good girls need to now do in order to live an authentic, rebelloious life! Have a listen to our conversation and then make sure you have booked your ticket to be in the room with us in February - it is going to be an amazing day with Michelle offering her expertise along with another 12 speakers sharing insights and inspiration. Tickets are availble while they last from actuallyshecan.co.uk and you need to RUN don't walk and grab yours NOW!
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Playing to your Strengths - Actually, she can! - Kerry Lockyer
01/13/2025
Playing to your Strengths - Actually, she can! - Kerry Lockyer
Kerry Lockyer joins me this week to talk about her contribution to Actually, she can! on 27th February in Runcorn and it is a really useful conversation well worth listening to! I managed to catch up with her before Christmas when she was busy running around the country facilitating sessions to help leaders build awesome teams. Her expertise lies in helping people understand themselves AND each other at a much deeper level using a range of behavioural tools, with over 25 years experience in Learning & Development, she is an accomplished trainer, consultant and coach as well as an amazing TEDx Speaker. People development is the stuff that lights her fire and at Actually, she can! she will be offering everyone an incredible opportunity for greater self-awareness AND a chance to complete one of the behavioural tools that she uses in her consultancy practice. Thanks to the generous folk at Clarity 4D, everyone who attends will have chance to complete a personal profile, completely free of charge, and Kerry will be delivering two sessions that will bring that learning to life both on the main stage and in a smaller, more intimate workshop setting. This value alone more than covers the cost of the ticket to attend so we do hope you will support our charity fundraising efforts by coming along to hear more from Kerry, to do your own Clarity 4D profile, and to generally invest in your own personal effectiveness to kickstart 2025. Tickets are available from actuallyshecan.co.uk for general admission as well as the Pay it Forward tickets we are offering to make the event as inclusive as possible. Please invite everyone you know to get involved! Great event for a great cause!
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Stepping away from Superwoman and ditching the Little Miss Perfect badge - with Jane Kenyon for Actually, she can!
01/07/2025
Stepping away from Superwoman and ditching the Little Miss Perfect badge - with Jane Kenyon for Actually, she can!
Another excellent reason to attend Actually, she can! next February 27th is to hear Jane Kenyon's session as she helps us to understand why it is time to ditch the cape and badge and forget the notion of Superwoman! Jane will help us see how the male energy driven Superwoman model sabotages our right to an imperfect life, and how until we drop the cape and rip off the Little Miss Perfect badge we cannot be whole, authentic or lead from our feminine core. Jane will help us see how controlling everything does not give us power BUT will give us a blinding headache! Are you ready to learn more about a system reset?! Ex Well-Healed Diva Jane has worked with women and teenage girls for the last three decades and you might be familiar with her organisation "Girls Out Loud" which is a multi-award winning social enterprise dedicated to raising the aspirations of teenage girls in the UK. Their programmes are all about embedding more confidence, emotional resilience, self-assurance and self-esteem - so you can see why their work aligns beautifully with our ambitions for Actually, she can! Listen in to this episode and learn more about Jane, her beliefs and her approach, and you'll immediately recognise why you need to grab a ticket for our event and not only invest in your own personal growth and professional development BUT ALSO how your involvement will help us to offer bursary opportunities to young girls in Halton Borough as part of the Mayor's Fundraiser. It is a real win win opportunity - a chance to invest in yourself and at the same time allow young girls to get a stronger foothold on the career ladder - what's not to love? Tickets are on sale NOW and you can book online via actuallyshecan.co.uk
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Why we all win with more women in leadership - Actually, she can! guest Helen Frewin
01/05/2025
Why we all win with more women in leadership - Actually, she can! guest Helen Frewin
I am joined on this episode by the most wonderful person that is Helen Frewin of Totem Consulting. Helen is one of the most generous people I have had the good fortune to meet in the business world and am delighted that she is going to be sharing her expertise freely by delivering a session with us at Actually she can! on 27th February. Helen is a Business Psychologist, Executive Coach, Professional Speaker and Author of the book "Better than confidence" and with the team at Totem Consulting works with organisations to help them have their people performing at their best, positively engaged with their work and delivering high standards, through coaching, training and facilitating at all levels. Helen's session at our fundraising event will be a very popular one, I am sure, and if you have not yet got your ticket, tune in and hear why you need to RUN DON'T WALK and get your ticket today! Helen's session at Actually! is entitled "Why everyone wins with more women in leadership and how we can get there. Get powered up with a reminder of the business case for having women at the top, and a challenge and guide for all genders to make this possible." Definitely going to be a popular one and this session alone is probably worth the ticket price for the whole day! We have 13 professional speakers, authors and coaches giving their time and talent for free so that we can create bursary opportunities for young girls in Halton Borough and YOU could be a part of that! Whether you want to attend the event in person OR sponsor a place for a women who could not otherwise afford to be there, hurry along to the actuallyshecan.co.uk website now.
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Actually, she can! - what to expect on the agenda that day
12/11/2024
Actually, she can! - what to expect on the agenda that day
If you are curious to hear about "Actually, she can!" and to know exactly what is on the agenda that day, then this brief, basic and straightforward episode is for you! No music, no guests, nothing more than a simple description of the topics being covered and the value on offer - it'll take about 8 minutes but will give you a taste of what the whole event is all about and help you decide how many tickets you need to buy! Tickets are selling well and can be purchased online or if you need an invoice then just drop me a note and I can organise that for you. Whatever you do, do NOT miss out on this opportunity! It's a total one-off, never to be repeated event offering more value than you can imagine! Promise!
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Actually, she can! - ditching habits that no longer serve us with Heather Wright
12/11/2024
Actually, she can! - ditching habits that no longer serve us with Heather Wright
What can we learn from a woman who took a wrong turn and had a bloke pull a gun on her, but eventually sorted and paid for a taxi to take her back to her hotel? Well, she might be a black belt in 4 Martial Arts, but she only ever went because her mate did, and she still cannot catch a bullet in her teeth - even though both her sons are stuntmen in the movies! This can only be the wonderful (and hilarious!) Heather Wright, talking to me about the session she will be running for us at "Actually, she can!" next February in Cheshire. Heather is a seasoned expert in neuropsychology and will help us delve into the science behind self-discovery to unblock our true potential. She promises and enlightening and inspiring speech where we can learn strategies to overcome the barriers to confidence and authenticity and build the "us" that we really want to be. At "Actually, she can!" Heather will be bringing the day to a close with valuable insights that blend science with personal empowerment and set us up to use the learning to break habits that no longer serve us and help us develop new habits that will help us to be the version of ourselves that we want to be. It promises to be a powerful conclusion to an amazing day, and if you haven't got your ticket yet, you really need to get a wiggle on before they sell out! ActuallySheCan.co.uk is a great place to check out the whole line up and follow the link to get your tickets but please, run don't walk! Time is ticking!
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