I’m joined by Nicola Jayne Little, coach, business leader, and unapologetic cheerleader for people learning to embrace who they really are.

We talk about the courage it takes to start again, the power in owning your differences, and what happens when you finally stop hiding the parts of yourself that don’t “fit.” Nicola gets real about her journey — the messy bits, the breakthroughs, and the beauty in being totally, brutally honest.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not quite built for the boxes you’ve been put in, this one’s for you.

✨ B. real. B. brave. B. with Anna Brand.

I’ve never had ADHD coaching and I’ve been skeptical. In this episode, coach and author Owen Ryan joins me for an honest, no-BS conversation about living (and working) with ADHD when labels, routines and tidy tips don’t cut it. We get into time blindness, fixation (hello, Downton Abbey), emotional “crashes,” partner dynamics, and why laughter gives a needed dopamine lift. Owen talks through his person-first approach (not condition-first), how he moved from media into coaching and veterans’ support, and a simple idea that landed for me: find a weekly rhythm, not a rigid routine. If you’ve ever wondered what ADHD support could look like without the hype, or you just want practical ways to turn down the noise, this one’s for you.

Try the mini-experiment we set: track your week for two weeks, notice your natural energy “rhythm,” then design to it.

Note: This is a personal conversation, not medical advice.

Psychologist, author, and businesswoman Michelle Minnikin brings her trademark honesty to this episode of Be With Anna Brand. Michelle talks about what she calls “good girl conditioning” the unspoken rules and expectations that shape how women are meant to behave, and how those patterns can limit confidence, ambition, and authenticity.

We get into her journey of growing up, her work with women (and men) navigating identity and power, and why she believes staying small is a choice. From anger, self-criticism, and judgment, to aging, resilience, and crone energy, Michelle doesn’t hold back.

👉 A quote that stood out: “We evolved as humans to have wise women. They are at the height of their power.”

This one’s raw, real, and full of the stuff most people don’t say out loud. Ashleigh and I dive into the messy middle of life and business, the wins, the wipeouts, and the lessons hiding in both.

We talk openly about living and working with ADHD, the raw truths no one tells you, and how it shapes creativity, confidence, and the way we show up in the world. Expect moments that will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and maybe even rethink the way you see yourself.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re winging it, overthinking it, or just trying to keep your head above water while building something you love, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I sit down with Jeni Smith, and while she is a networking strategist, don’t expect a masterclass on elevator pitches. What we talk about is way more human.

We get into the messy, awkward reality of trying to build real connections, in business and beyond. From feeling like we have to “perform” professionalism, to learning how to just show up and be ourselves, this conversation is honest, funny, and totally unfiltered.

There’s chat about introvert energy, group dynamics, visibility fear, the weird way we view LinkedIn… with the kind of unfiltered back-and-forth that makes you forget we were ever recording.

If you’ve ever cringed at the word “networking,” this one’s for you.

This one’s got it all: flaming toilet rolls, driving to work starkers, a house with ears, and a beautifully honest chat about life, IVF, and starting kickboxing at 54. Mychael Owen joins Anna for a rollercoaster of a conversation that bounces from absurd to emotional and back again.

We talk about what happens when you stop waiting, the business of being human, and how a potato (yes, really) can sometimes do a better job than your glossy marketing brochure. There’s wisdom, wit, and the kind of heart that makes you laugh out loud and then quietly tear up.

You’ll come for the laughs (yes, there’s talk of G-strings and filthy phones), but you’ll stay for the insights.

In this episode, I sit down with Alexander Bell, speaker, strategist, and all-round mind-expander when it comes to how we relate to tech, time, and attention. We talk about why putting your phone in another room makes you 26% more productive, how digital distraction is costing us real human connection, and whether we treat tech better than we treat people (ouch).

But this isn’t just a conversation about business or devices, it’s about life, honesty, and why we’re all secretly addicted to scrolling.

If you're tired of polished and scripted, this one’s for you.

It’s the chaos, the cockups, the conversations that veer massively off track, and honestly, this is where the magic happens. Think barking dogs, fake tattoos, falling off chairs (nearly), and all the bits that never meant to be part of the show… but absolutely are.

This isn’t a glossy podcast. It’s real people, real stories, and me, swearing, laughing, tripping over my words, and generally winging it.

If you like honesty, humour, and watching someone try to podcast while her dog eats the set... you’ll love this.

This (and all episodes) is also available on Youtube.

From DJ dreams to launching a national startup festival, Paul Lancaster’s story is full of unexpected turns, bold moves, and pure northern charm. In this episode of B. with Anna Brand, Paul opens up about the journey behind UK Startup Week, what drives him to keep showing up, and the power of building communities, not just businesses.

We ditch the scripts, lose the questions, and follow the conversation where it wants to go. From imposter syndrome to reinvention and the real reasons behind “Lord Lancaster,” this is one of those chats that reminds you how much power there is in simply being yourself.

No fluff. No ego. Just real talk about what it takes to do the thing.

What happens when someone who doesn’t even like having their photo taken agrees to sit down and have a completely open, honest conversation? Magic.

In this episode, Lucy Batley joins me to talk about the realities of business, the myths we tell ourselves, and the unexpected turns that shape who we are. From AI to personal growth, from laughter to the moments that leave us speechless, this conversation is all about dropping the mask and seeing what happens.

Because when you create a space where people can truly be themselves, you get the kind of conversation that stays with you.