Looks Like We Made It

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In this episode of Looks Like We Made It, I’m joined by Beth Hutton, who shares the story behind her journey from performing arts into running her own social media management business.

Beth speaks openly about the life experiences that shaped her — including going through a kidney transplant, and the impact it had on her health, perspective, and direction. She also shares the “why” behind becoming her own boss: after the heartbreaking loss of her son Theo, who was born premature and sadly died, Beth channelled her grief into building a life with more autonomy, purpose, and meaning.

This is a powerful, human conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really looks like to keep going — and create something of your own — when life changes everything.

In this episode, we cover:

• Beth’s transition from performing arts into social media management
• What it’s like navigating life and recovery after a kidney transplant
• Grief, identity, and finding purpose after loss
• Why entrepreneurship can be about freedom as much as ambition
• Building a business that fits your life — not the other way around

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Motherhood changes everything — your body, your brain, your time, your confidence… and yet you’re still expected to keep showing up, running a business, and posting online like nothing’s happened.

In this episode of Looks Like We Made It, we’re joined by Charlotte Price from RunFree PR for an honest conversation about balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship. Together, we get into what mum guilt really feels like, how we navigate the physical and mental impacts of parenthood, and what it takes to stay consistent on social media when you’re carrying a lot behind the scenes.

We also talk about comparison — how easy it is to measure real life against “perfect” people online — and the mindset shifts that help us stay grounded in what’s true.

If you’re a mum building a business (or you love one), this episode will make you feel seen — and a little less alone.

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What do you do when the world goes quiet — and people still need comfort, connection, and something to hold onto?

In this powerful episode of Looks Like We Made It, I’m joined by Steven Udale: performer, wedding and funeral celebrant, and children’s book author — often nicknamed “the best voice in the North East.”

During lockdown, Steven began reading children’s bedtime stories live on Facebook, helping families through the hardest days of the pandemic. And as those broadcasts grew, something unexpected happened: viewers started requesting specific stories and readings to help them relax, switch off, and even fall asleep.

We talk about the power of the human voice, why storytelling lands so deeply, and what it means to show up for people at the most important moments of their lives — from joyful weddings to deeply personal funeral ceremonies. Steven also shares how he’s stayed grounded and positive through challenging seasons, and why kindness and creativity still matter more than ever.

If you’ve ever needed a reminder of how much impact one person (and one voice) can have — this one’s for you.

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In this episode, Issy is joined by Kathryn Wharton, an expert marketer in the world of corporate and tech. 

We've got oodles of interesting tidbits in here, particularly if you want to hear about Kathryn's fascinating journey from archaeology to technology!

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AI is everywhere right now — and for a lot of business owners, it’s starting to feel more overwhelming than exciting. In this episode, Chris sits down with Kane Mitchell from Mitchell Digital to cut through the noise and talk about what stress-free AI adoption actually looks like in the real world.

Kane isn’t interested in gimmicks or “tech for tech’s sake”. He’s spent the last 10+ years helping small businesses get more leads and fewer headaches, and he’s now using AI automation, workflow design, and conversion-focused web builds to remove the admin that drains time and energy. Together, they explore how Kane is navigating the rapid growth of AI, how he’s integrating it into his business and daily life without the fear-factor, and what it means to build intelligent systems that genuinely support you — not complicate everything.

If you’re curious about AI but don’t want the technical waffle, this one will leave you feeling clearer, calmer, and more confident about what’s possible.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How to approach AI in a way that feels practical (not scary)
• Using automation to eliminate repetitive admin and free up headspace
• Building lead-generating websites that do more than “look nice”
• Why clear communication beats “technical BS” every time
• Simple ways to start integrating AI without overhauling your whole business

About Kane Mitchell (Mitchell Digital):

Kane helps small businesses solve real problems with AI automation, intelligent workflows, and websites built to convert — saving clients hours every week while generating more leads.

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In this episode, I'm joined by Laura Gillespie from Gillespie Recruitment for a conversation that feels more important than ever: the power of kindness in business.

Laura has built her career around people; whether that's helping someone find the right role, supporting businesses to hire well, or simply making introductions that open doors. We talk about what kindness looks like in the real world of work (not just as a buzzword), how it changes the way you lead and hire, and why being people-first can be a genuine advantage, even when the world feels anything but kind!

If you're building a business, growing a team, or just trying to do good work without burning out, this episode is a brilliant reminder that kindness isn't weakness, it's strength.

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This is a special episode Issy and Chris did with our good friend and business partner John, in collaboration with the North East BIC at their Growth Lab in February. 

This was a mission to get as many people on the pod as we could, with 45 GUESTS in the short time window we had!

If you hear yourself, or someone you know, let us know! 

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In this episode, I’m joined by Henry Malton for a timely conversation about the future of business and the growing role of AI.

Henry shares his journey from launching an online grocery delivery service at a young age to building a business focused on AI automation, helping companies improve efficiency, strengthen customer service, and create new opportunities for growth. We talk about what business owners need to understand about AI right now, where automation can make the biggest impact, and why staying adaptable matters more than ever.

This episode is a practical and honest look at how technology is changing the way we work, sell, communicate, and grow.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the future of business could look like with AI
• How automation can improve efficiency and customer experience
• Why adaptability is essential for modern business owners
• Lessons from building businesses across different industries
• How to approach AI in a practical, useful way

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In this episode, I’m joined by Terry South for a fascinating conversation about the real power of communication — and how the ability to connect, understand, and adapt can shape an entire career.

Drawing on his extraordinary journey from military service into global construction and infrastructure projects, Terry shares why communication is so much more than simply exchanging information. We talk about the value of learning languages, the doors it can open, and how understanding people, culture, and context can give you a real advantage in business and in life.

This episode explores how knowledge creates influence, why clear communication is often the difference between progress and problems, and what happens when you’re willing to keep learning throughout your career. It’s a conversation about leadership, growth, and the kind of practical wisdom that only comes from working across industries, countries, and cultures.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why communication is one of the most powerful skills you can develop
• How learning languages can open unexpected opportunities
• The link between knowledge, confidence, and influence
• What cross-cultural experience teaches you about leadership
• Why staying curious can transform your career

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What if the real competitive advantage in business and marketing isn’t louder content, smarter funnels, or more automation… but emotional intelligence?

In Season 8, Episode 3, we’re joined by Gary Hosey, emotional intelligence expert and coach, who’s spent 25+ years helping leaders, managers, and teams build self-awareness and stronger behaviours — professionally and personally. Gary has delivered coaching, workshops, and development programmes to 9,000+ people, working with organisations from ambitious start-ups to FTSE 100 and public sector teams.

Together, we explore how EI becomes a powerful tool for:

• Marketing that actually connects (and doesn’t feel manipulative)
• Better leadership, communication, and decision-making under pressure
• Building trust with clients, teams, and audiences
• Navigating stress, change, and uncertainty in business

We also dig into the big shift happening right now: how emotional intelligence is evolving in an AI-driven world, and what the next generation will need to thrive as technology moves faster than ever.

If you want to lead better, market with more impact, and stay human in a world of automation — this episode is for you.