❓Have you ever felt trapped in a life that wasn’t yours?In this episode of Long Story Short, I am joined by Naomi L.A Smith who is a Transformative creative consultant and former fashion & global black studies librarian.

Naomi shares her journey from feeling stuck in a full-time job, facing racism and microaggressions in the workplace, to embracing entrepreneurship and creating the life she was meant to live.

What we explore in this episode:

✅ The moment she realised she wasn’t on her life path.

✅ How scarcity mindset vs abundance mindset shaped her choices.

✅ Why trusting the unknown as an entrepreneur is a spiritual journey.

✅ How setbacks became gateways to opportunities.

This conversation includes sensitive topic discussions around mental health, including experiences of psychosis. It is intended for educational and inspirational purposes. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a professional for support.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦:

MIND

https://www.mind.org.uk/

THE EMPOWERMENT GROUP https://www.theempowermentgroup.co.uk/

The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth.

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱:Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o🎵 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

Disclaimer:This video includes discussions around mental health, including experiences of psychosis. It is intended for educational and inspirational purposes. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a professional for support.

The views, opinions and interpretations expressed by the guest in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions of The Long Story Short Podcast or its Host.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr MaryAnn Ferreux. An award-winning medical leader with over 20 years of international experience across Australia and the UK.

We explore her journey through racism in healthcare and misogyny in leadership, and how those experiences shaped her approach to health equity, diversity in healthcare and breaking barriers in executive leadership.

MaryAnn shares her journey from a childhood where she often felt she didn’t quite fit in, navigating life between a council estate and private schooling, to becoming a respected Medical Leader and positive disruptor in healthcare.

This is a conversation about identity, resilience, leadership and what it truly takes to rise in spaces that were never designed for you.We talk about:

✅ Early childhood beginnings growing up in Holborn, London

✅ Experiencing racism and misogyny in healthcare leadership

✅ Why she rejects cancel culture

✅ Breaking down systems to champion equity in her work

This conversation is for anyone who has:

📌Felt unseen in professional spaces - often as the 'only one in the room'.

📌Carried the weight of prejudice.

📌Questioned whether leadership was “for them” or is ready to rise anyway!

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱:Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o

🎵 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

What happens when the life you’ve built no longer has space for the voice that keeps calling you forward?In this episode of Long Story Short, I am joined by Cal-I Jonel - an East London-born writer, composer and performer creating great work across the stage and screen.Cal-I shares his journey from teaching into full-time acting and the quiet but powerful season in between. Where his creative voice felt constrained discomfort became a teacher AND risk became necessary.We talk about:✅ Listening to your creative calling✅ Navigating discomfort during a career pivot✅ Choosing risk over safety✅ Honouring purpose without rejecting your past✅ Recognising WHEN where you are no longer fitsThis conversation is for anyone who feels misaligned but not lost. AND for those standing at the edge of change, wondering whether to stay comfortable or step forward.𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗟-𝗜 𝗝𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗕(𝘀𝗰) 𝗤𝗧𝗦Cal-I Jonel is an East London-born writer, composer and performer telling bold, emotionally resonant stories across stage and screen. His debut play No More Mr Nice Guy, a piece of gig-theatre, was OFFIE-nominated and toured nationally to ★★★★★ reviews. His latest play, There’s a Mouse in the Kitchen, was Highly Commended for the Tony Craze Award, featured at Talawa Firsts, and selected for Seven Dials’ Next Step programme. A former teacher and proud family man, Cal-I’s work blends heart, humour and sharp social insight, centring Black British Caribbean voices in emotionally rich, genre-blurring storytelling.The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth. 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱:Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o🎵 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

This is one of the most layered stories we have shared on the Long Story Short Podcast so far, which features Wayne Campbell whose story unfolds across three key chapters.
 1️⃣ Working through a turbulent period in his personal life
 2️⃣ Facing prostate cancer while challenging ideas of masculinity and health
 3️⃣ Creative rebirth through Visual Activism and the launch of 'A Celebration of a Demonstration.'
In Wayne's words"YOU ARE GREATER THAN THE SUM OF YOUR PARTS."

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗡𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗟

Wayne Campbell is an award-winning, filmmaker and graphic designer, as well as a critically acclaimed, photographer, illustrator and the author of three photography books, 0710 Year One, A Celebration of Demonstration, and I Can’t Breathe.

The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through theirhonest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth.

Music featured:

Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These.Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Music provided by Sound Library.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o 🎵 Support https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730

Socials:

https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

Disclaimer:The views, opinions and interpretations expressed by the guest in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions of The Long Story ShortPodcast or its Host.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Amaka. Ifeduba about her journey of resilience, mentorship and overcoming obstacles in her path.From growing up in Nigeria and working in her father’s business from the age of 10, to facing five years of university rejections, Dr. Amaka's story is one of persistence and determination. Although Pharmacy was her first choice, she started in Plant Science and Technology. With guidance from Dr. Patrick, she rose from an “average student” to becoming the best graduate among 20,000 students at Texas A&M University, USA.Her toughest battle came during her PhD studies, when she was diagnosed with cancer and discovered a 7lb aggressive tumour. Through faith, mindset, and visualisation, she fought for her life while imagining herself graduating as valedictorian and she did!

Today, Dr. Ifeduba is the Founder of ScholarUp, a mentoring and training organisation that helps students and professionals with graduate school applications, professional branding and career growth.🎙️ In this episode, you will learn:✅ How to turn rejection into redirection✅ The life-changing power of mentorship✅ Why mindset is key in overcoming adversity✅ How visualisation can unlock success✅ The importance of giving back and creating impact🎧 If you have ever faced setbacks, doubted your potential, or needed a reminder that resilience pays off, this episode will inspire you

The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth.

Music featured: Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedMusic provided by Sound Library.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o

🎵 Support https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730

Socials:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Q

https://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

Let me introduce you to Jessica, who opens up about her journey of resilience - from her early beginnings in Canada as the daughter to Jamaican parents, to navigating bullying about her appearance, and experiencing colourism from others including family members.Jessica shares her story and how building her massage business has become not just her career, but also her journey to healing. This conversation is about breaking free from the weight of trauma, choosing not to hold onto pain and redefining your story on your own terms.💫 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲:✅ Jessica's early years living in Canada ✅ How bullying and colourism shaped her self-image and family dynamics✅ Why she chose to mentally detach from toxic relationships✅ How her massage business became her therapy and purpose✅ The importance of letting go to truly move forward
Who should listen to this episode?Everyone! If you have ever struggled with family dynamics, colourism, or learning how to heal while creating a future you love, this episode will inspire and encourage you.𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗔I am Jessica, a proud auntie, a straight-shooter, and the friend people come to when they want the unfiltered truth. I'm also a multi-passionate entrepreneur and the devoted wife of my best friend.My life has been a journey of rising above circumstances. I wasn’t dealt the easiest hand, but I’ve learned to play it with resilience, humour and heart. Comedy became my coping tool, and now it’s part of how I heal and connect. Not just for me, but for others who might be going through what I once did.I believe deeply in growth, in doing the inner work, and in being the kind of support I wish I had when I was younger. That’s my way of paying it forward, especially to the next generation trying to make sense of their own path.I have defied the odds and the expectations. Today, I live a life that is whole, personally fulfilled, professionally driven and grounded in gratitude. And for that, I’ll always be thankful.Lastly, if and when I choose to share the parts of my past that carry hurt, know this: it’s not from a place of weakness or being stuck. It’s from a place of strength, a look at me now kind of strength. It means I have made peace with the pain and I am using it as proof that healing is possible, and joy is still on the table.The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth.

Music featured: Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedMusic provided by Sound Library.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o🎵 Support https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730Socials:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

Some conversations are too powerful to edit down — so we didn’t.In episode 20, Part 2, Tyrone reflects on the deeper shifts that turned personal setbacks into powerful growth, offering insight into the man behind the tech success.This continuation is more than a story — it’s a reflection on resilience, purpose, and what it truly takes to build success from the inside out.We move beyond the origin story and into the mindset, philosophy, and grit it takes to build something from nothing. From removing negativity to building legacy, Tyrone shares the frameworks that helped him shape his global business and stay focussed while protecting his peace.🎧 Part 2, we go deeper into:✅ Philosophy on business and self-mastery✅ The power of protecting your energy✅ Why removing negativity unlocked the next level

The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth.

Music featured: Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedMusic provided by Sound Library.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o🎵 Support https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730Socials:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, I sat down with Tyrone Reid, a Tech entrepreneur shares how a devastating injury shattered his football dreams — and set him on an unexpected path into tech. From childhood influences to early struggles, Tyrone opens up about the emotional journey that reshaped his identity and redirected his life.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: ✅ Caribbean roots and life lessons ✅ How Tyrone pivoted from football to tech after injury✅ Male identity, mindset and resilience✅ Building legacy first, Fatherhood later!✅ Breaking generational cycles

👉🏾 Part 2 drops soon, where Tyrone breaks down how he built a six-figure business, what drives him today, and his advice for others ready to pivot.

🎯 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Everyone!

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗬𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗘

Born and raised in London with strong Caribbean roots—my father from Jamaica and my mother from Guyana—I was shaped by the strength and struggles of a big family with limited resources. My birthday falls on Christmas Eve, which often meant no gifts and shared celebrations. It taught me early that nothing would come easy.I started life on the track—literally. As a teen, I ran for the borough of Wandsworth in the 100m sprint and 75m hurdles before finding my passion for football at 15. By 19, I was playing semi-professionally and attending trials with professional clubs, while studying Sports and Exercise Science at university.Then at 21, everything changed. A ruptured Achilles ended my dream. Lost and uncertain, I had no backup plan—until I watched a friend grow his career in tech. With no prior experience, I began teaching myself web development using free websites and YouTube. Six months later, I’d mastered HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Five months after that—C++ and Java. No paid courses. Just relentless drive.Soon after, I landed my first role building Salesforce CRM systems. Within a year, I was headhunted. Two years later, I founded Software Everything Ltd, delivering solutions for major clients including Net-a-Porter, OVO Energy, Telefonica, and Capgemini.Now, I’m preparing to launch a social media platform built from scratch by my team—something I believe will shift how people connect online.My journey—from the streets of Southwest London to the boardrooms of global companies—is deeply personal. I broke a cycle, became the first in my family to attend university, and now provide for my mother through private healthcare. I’ve also explored entrepreneurship through my former fashion brand Reganalds, which was featured at London and Paris Fashion Weeks and worn at the Cannes Film Festival.I’ve chosen to delay fatherhood so I can build a legacy strong enough to give my future children everything I didn’t have. Today, I’m in a long-term relationship with my Brazilian partner, and I consider her children my own blessing.When not building the next phase of my business empire, you might find me supporting Manchester United or enjoying a good football match.Every step—from athlete to developer, developer to architect, architect to entrepreneur—has been self-taught, no mentor and grounded in resilience. And I’m just getting started.The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth. Music featured: Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedMusic provided by Sound Library.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o🎵 Support https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730Socials:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

I sat down with Richard Ansah—founder of ONCE Wills and Trusts Limited. Richard opens up about his journey from growing up in Hackney, building multiple businesses, facing personal bankruptcy, and rising again with a powerful mission: to help families protect their assets and build generational wealth through legacy planning.Now leading a movement with his business Own Nothing, Control Everything, Richard empowers others with practical financial education and tools to secure their future—especially within underrepresented communities.🎧 Whether you're passionate about wealth building, financial resilience, or legacy planning, this conversation will give you insights into how to bounce back from adversity and take control of your financial legacy.💫 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲:✅ Richard’s upbringing in Hackney✅ Building businesses & facing bankruptcy✅ Birth of ONCE Wills and Trusts✅ Legacy planning explained✅ Key takeaway's of Richard's Long Story Short🎯 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲?Everyone!𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗 Private Wealth Adviser, PPgD, TEP, MSc (Hons), MEng (Hons)

With a diverse career spanning multiple industries, Richard transitioned from academia, holding two master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and computational fluid dynamics, to various roles in finance and legal sectors. His career began with Banco Santander as a Financial Sales Consultant, followed by entrepreneurship in mortgage brokering and property investment. After the financial crash, he founded Wealth Guardian Education to provide financial education. Later, he became a Business Development Manager at Northgate Vehicle Hire, then founded ONCE Wills and Trusts Limited, specialising in inheritance tax and trust advice, where he currently serve as Managing Director.The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth.

Music featured: Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedMusic provided by Sound Library.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o🎵 Support https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730Socials:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/

Meet Cordelia Gaffar—author, coach, and Joy Goddess—as she opens up about her journey through grief, faith, femininity and self-discovery. After losing both of her parents Cordelia chose Islam and began a deep spiritual and emotional transformation.

She realised she had disconnected from her own sexual and intimate self and now, as an intimacy coach, Cordelia helps women reconnect with their feminine energy, reclaim their sensual power and tune into the frequency of joy.💫 We talk about:• Embracing Islam after loss • Rediscovering sexual and emotional intimacy• How joy is a radical act of self-care𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗦𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗔 (𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗧) https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophialewis-/ https://www.thelongstoryshort.co/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClXf2X4sKqulnPf3dGBXW7g𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗔Cordelia Gaffar is the founder of Workout Around My Day Inc and has a private healing practice. Who is the 2-time award winning host of the What People Miss and previously The Free To Be Show Podcast, a retreat facilitator, passionate healer, intimacy coach, somatic movement facilitator, philosopher and best selling author of eight books. A graduate of Strayer University (B.S. Accounting), Cordelia is a certified sports nutritionist, holistic healer, certified movement facilitator, certified in authentic consent, worked as an emotional wellness coach for 8 years, an intimacy educator for the past two years, and veteran homeschooling mom for 20 years and counting.The Long Story Short Podcast brings you inspiring stories of resilience from people around the world. Through their honest narratives, we highlight the resilience behind their achievements, providing you with key insights for your own personal growth. Thank you for your support. 🙏🏾 🎯 𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦Intimacy coach, Muslim woman identity, Choosing Islam, Reclaiming feminine power, Healing through movement, Joy frequency, Post-divorce healing, Holistic wellness, Somatic healing, Emotional wellness for women, Sensuality, Women’s empowerment stories📌𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦#CordeliaGaffar #LongStoryShortPodcast #FaithAndFeminine #IntimacyCoach #MuslimWomen #SensualHealing #spiritualawakening #JoyGoddess #FeminineEnergy #WomenEmpowerment #PodcastForWomen #HealingJourney #SomaticHealing #IslamAndIdentity #HolisticHealth #reclaimyourpower Intro and Outro created by: https://www.tinydesigns.co.uk/Music featured: Song: LAKEY INSPIRED - Days Like These. Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedMusic provided by Sound Library.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9xs2K4SG-o🎵 Support https://www.patreon.com/profile/creators?u=4430730Socials:https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspiredhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmy8wuTpC95lefU5d1dt2Qhttps://www.instagram.com/lakeyinspired/