My Life In Seven Charms with Annoushka Ducas MBE

Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Sadie Frost.

From her first TV ad aged three years old to directing the acclaimed Mary Quant biopic, Sadie Frost has successfully juggled her multi-talented career both in front of and behind a camera, alongside motherhood of four children and designing gorgeous knickers with her best friend in the 90s to sustainable yoga wear today. 

Sadie shares her story of a Bohemian upbringing and life since as an actor, mother, fashion designer and director. As a vocal ambassador for wellness, vegetarianism and meditation, Sadie tells me why we should all be focusing on what makes us happy! 

Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Michelle Kennedy, co-founder and CEO of Peanut: the social networking app for women focused on fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. Starting her career in law, Michelle rose to become Deputy CEO of the dating appBadoo and she then served as a board member at Bumble, another leading dating apps. 

Feeling lonely after the giving birth, and frustrated at the lack of connection and resources for new mothers, Michelle drew on her extensive tech background to co-found Peanut as a space for mothers to meet and build relationships. 

In 2022, PEANUT was named one of Time Magazine’S Top 100 most influential companies, and I'm fascinated to find out more about the person behind the app and what mistakes and sacrifices she has made along the way in a typically male-dominated tech world. 

Welcome Michelle Kennedy to My Life in Seven Charms.

“Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Amanda Wakeley OBE, the renowned British fashion designer, creative director and podcast host.

Amanda Wakeley founded her eponymous brand in 1990 following a modelling career in New York in the 1980s. From her boutique and studio in Chelsea, Amanda built a global brand renowned for its elegant signature style. Over 31 years, Amanda Wakeley designs became beloved wardrobe staples for iconic women including Diana, Princess of Wales and Angelina Jolie. In 2021 she had to make the truly difficult decision to close her doors and put her beloved business into administration. Amanda has since become a popular writer, commentator and creative director and host of the Amanda Wakeley: Style DNA podcast, where she hears from famous faces sharing their best and worst fashion moments. 

Join me as I explore Amanda’s inspiring career and understand the challenges she has encountered along the way. 

Welcome Amanda Wakeley to My Life in Seven Charms.

“Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Margie Nomura - chef, food writer and host of the brilliant Desert Island Dishes podcast. After graduating from the world-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School in 2010, Margie has enjoyed a fascinating and varied culinary career, from teaching Zulu women to cook in South Africa to cooking for the late Queen Elizabeth. Margie launched Desert Island Dishes in 2017 and has been joined by incredible figures including Michel Roux, Marcus Wareing and Stanley Tucci.

Having explored the seven dishes that have shaped her numerous guests’ lives, I am delighted to turn the tables today and speak with Margie about her life, as told through her seven charms. 

Welcome Margie Nomura to My Life in Seven Charms.

“Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Peony Lim - creative director, content creator and brand consultant.

Peony is one of the original influencers. Drawing on her time studying Fashion Promotion and then Art History at the Courtauld Institute,  she created a blog that changed not only her life but the way in which we are influenced by tastemakers.  It is so familiar now that it is easy to forget that iTS been a huge and fast revolution - and she was there ,at the forefront.

 Peony began her first blog in November 2010,  and after only a month she secured her first contract and has gone on to create content for the world’s most prestigious luxury brands including CHANEL and Hermès. Since then, she has become one of the UK’s leading and most recognisable luxury lifestyle content creators. 

I’m really looking forward to finding out more about the person behind the content, exploring her personal stories and experiences through her chosen charms.  

Welcome Peony Lim to My Life in Seven Charms.

Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Julia Samuel MBE - renowned Psychotherapist, Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK and best selling author.

Julia’s career began as a volunteer counsellor, before joining St Mary’s Hospital as their first ever counsellor supporting the families whose babies and children had died. Over the next twenty-three years, Julia learnt from those families that the response they received at the time of the death had a significant impact on how their grief progressed.  This drove Julia to become the Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK in 1994, now the leading national charity supporting child loss and training professionals. In 2019, after twenty-five years of dedicated service to the charity, Julia stepped down from active roles whilst remaining Founder Patron.

Julia now works in private practice and has written bestselling books ‘Grief Works’, ‘This Too Shall Pass’ and ‘Every Family Has a Story’ offering guidance through trauma, and change and invaluable insight into the vital role of relationships on our well-being. 

Join me as I explore Julia Samuel MBE's inspiring journey, her impactful work and the invaluable insights she has gained from helping countless families. 

Welcome Julia Samuel to My Life in Seven Charms.

Welcome back to My Life In Seven Charms where today I am joined by Emma Gunavardhana; better known as Emma Gunns -a leading podcaster, beauty journalist and presenter. Emma spent ten years as the Beauty Editor of OK! Magazine and her extensive career includes writing for The Telegraph and Sunday Times Style, Red and Get the Gloss amongst many  others.  Emma launched her renowned podcast, The Emma Guns Show, in 2016 and now with over 15 million downloads she has intimate conversations with her guests about the risks they've taken, struggles they've had to overcome, successes they’re proud of… and what they’ve learned along the way.

Having boldly overcome her own personal challenges with her appearance and mental health, I am so looking forward to learning more about Emma’s life stories through her own carefully chosen seven charms. 

Welcome Emma Gunavardhana to My Life in Seven Charms.

Back by popular demand and on International Dog Day, listen to the latest episode of our podcast My Life In Seven Charms, with iconic florist and founder of the Wild at Heart Foundation for dogs, Nikki Tibbles. In an emotive chat Nikki and Annoushka swap notes on their mutual love of clashing colour, the smell of dog paws (if you know you know!) and discuss why flowers and jewellery are the ultimate combination!

The world of Michelin starred chefs in the UK has traditionally been dominated by men. My guest today on My Life In Seven Charms was one of the first women to smash that particular ceiling with her brand of simple, beautifully cooked, delicious food. Born of Italian and Irish parentage, she spent her early childhood learning to roll pasta with her beloved Nonna. Her first accolade was her Brownie badge for cookery, which was to be followed by Michelin stars, an MBE for services to hospitality,  a raft of TV appearances, and several books and newspaper columns.  I’m so delighted to be talking to Angela Hartnett about her life in seven charms.

Charli Howard is a model, a writer, an activist and an entrepreneur. Her stellar career, and her profile, was kick-started by a brilliantly defiant letter she posted on Facebook having been fired by the first agency who signed her. Since then, as well as writing novels and creating her own skincare brand, she has become a catalyst for women celebrating their bodies, embracing their curves, and loving the skin they are in - she is a fabulous example of doing so.