PRsonal

Astrid Blake’s story will break your heart.

Having longed for a baby, she couldn’t wait to be a mum.

Then, in Astrid’s words, everything went black. Her whole world suddenly vanished.

Astrid suffered a stillbirth. 

In perhaps the most emotional episode of PRsonal to date, Astrid discusses that life-altering event with host Charlotte Nichols.

From holding her beautiful baby, Lyra, to coping in the aftermath, Astrid bravely shares her experience – and how meditation and the power of nature helped.

Socials

Astrid

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceandastrid?originalSubdomain=uk

Facebook - Astrid Blake, Creative Consultant | Facebook

Instagram - Astrid Blake (@astrid_c_blake) • Instagram photos and videos

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast

Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Just over ten years ago, Gemma Holmes’ intestines fell out.

Yes, you read that right.

It was shocking. It was sudden – and incredibly dramatic.

And on this dramatic episode of PRsonal, Gemma tells the full story about what happened shortly after childbirth.

And Gemma, who is Talentheads’ business development manager,  also discusses the highs and lows of raising a son with autism, fighting skin cancer – and the reason she always wants to holiday near a hospital.

Socials

Gemma

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-holmes-481370185/

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast

Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Michelle Minnikin isn’t very fond of people in balaclavas.

Perhaps that isn’t so surprising, given she grew up in Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles.

The psychologist, coach and author tells host Charlotte Nichols how, as a child, she had to check for a bomb underneath the family car using nothing but a mirror on a stick – even when she just popped to the shop.

And in this fascinating episode of PRsonal, she also discusses her ADHD diagnosis – which didn’t come until she was in her 40s.

Socials

Michelle

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/?originalSubdomain=uk

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast

Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Natalie Silva knows the sadness of losing her parents.

As a toddler, she was placed in an orphanage due to a deadly civil war in El Salvador.

After being adopted and brought to Britain, she tragically lost both her adoptive parents by the age of 15.

In this emotional episode of PRsonal, Natalie, the director of Thumbs Up Marketing, talks about how it all shaped her – and how becoming a mum herself helped heal her.

Natalie shares her wisdom around coping with adversity, loss – and using Google to help track down her long-lost father.

Socials

Natalie Silva

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliesimmons82/

Thumbs Up Marketing

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ThumbsupmarketingUK/

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast

Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

It should have been a holiday full of memories the family cherished forever.

But within hours of flying home, Louise Woods’ five-year-old son, Will, was diagnosed with cancer.

Just three days later, he tragically died.

In this highly emotional episode of PRsonal, Louise discusses those fateful 72 hours and the impact Will’s death had on both herself and her family.

In the decade since Will’s death, she’s helped to raise around £150,000 via The Good Will Cause, which was set up in his memory.

And on the show, Louise also offers advice to any parent who has gone through the same anguish – and reveals the little things she does to help keep Will’s memory alive.

Louise’s socials

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-woods-ab583a37/?originalSubdomain=uk

Good Will Cause

Facebook - https://en-gb.facebook.com/thegoodwillcause/

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast

Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Ammar grew up in Newcastle immersed in racism.

From name-calling to having Alsatians set on him, Ammar built resilience from a young age. 

From riches to rags, family life growing up wasn’t always easy growing up, but that is what has shaped Ammar into the kind and successful man he is today, always encouraging inclusion and collaboration in everything that he does. 

Constantly in fight or flight mode due to painful experiences, Ammar has not only faced poverty and racism but also being a single parent, miscarriages and having a premature son. 

His journey through moments of gut-wrenching pain leads to him sharing powerful insights on resilience, culture, unconscious biases and the ability to forgive, but not necessarily forget.


Timestamps:
0:25 – Racism: My parents had a gazillion bolts on the front door 

2:30 – They had an Alsatian and they would regularly set that dog onto us

4:35 – Racism or unconscious bias? 

06:35 – Imposter syndrome – fought against background to make it 

09:38 – Eradicating unconscious bias 

12:50 - Not you Ammar – you’re one of us

13:30 - Unlearning habits 

16:40 - Religious beliefs 

19: 50 - Know your audience

20:47 - Regeneration: meaningful stakeholder engagement 

26:50 - Values and beliefs that parents instilled 

28:30 - Comparison is the thief of joy, but also an incredible driver 

30:32 -  I don’t measure success by how much money you have, but a key metric in life is money 

31:29: Charity 

34:24 – Dad had two wives

37:05 – Would I like more than one wife?  

38:25 – Why do you think your way of life is the best way? 

41:13 – Becoming a single father 

44:17 – Having a son born prematurely 

50:00 – Gut-wrenching horrific pain 

52:36 – Flight or flight 

53:57 – You can forgive but you can’t forget 

54:52 – Business in Saudi Arabia 

57:14 – I’m saddened that we don’t celebrate the state  

59: 10 - Ammar rates himself in our regular 10-question feature


Ammar Mirza's socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ammar-mirza-cbe-2132622/?originalSubdomain=ukdIn

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast

Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo 

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Neil Chapman has been involved with some of the biggest stories of the past 45 years.

As a journalist, he helped report the Yorkshire Case ripper case while as a PR guru, Neil was tasked with handling the crisis that followed the Deepwater Horizon tragedy.

On this gripping episode of PRsonal, he discusses both as part of a lookback at an astonishing media career that has taken him across the world.

And it isn’t without emotion, as Neil talks with Charlotte about how he has now battled cancer three times – as well as his podcast, Blighty By God, which focuses on his fighter pilot father’s service in WW2.

This is a fascinating insight into life in the media from a man who has lived the news for almost half a century.

Neil Chapman socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilchapmanwpntcommunications

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast

Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo 

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Nicola Cook is an entrepreneur, investor, and author.

And she’s also had an abortion.

In this startling episode of PRsonal, Nicola talks about that abortion publicly for the first time ever, and how it shaped her – and ultimately made her a better mother when the time was right.

And she shares messages of hope for anybody has been through, or may go through, a similar experience.

This is a powerful and poignant episode, in which Nicola and Charlotte share pregnancy experiences – whilst Nicola also reveals she was inspired to start writing following the advice of a psychic.

 
| 0:00:20 | ‘This is the first time I’ve talked about my abortion in public’
 | 0:03:19 | Nicola discusses the hardest thing about having an abortion
 | 0:05:37 | ‘I was just so unprepared for the trauma’
 | 0:09:02 | ‘How did I feel? It destroyed me’
 | 0:09:41 | The heartbreak of seeing another baby
 | 0:17:42 | Making up an excuse to tell work after an abortion
 | 0:19:30 | Removing the ‘needless’ shame around abortion
 | 0:26:51 | ‘I’ve had six pregnancies and two children’
 | 0:30:55 | The theory that ‘brings comfort’ around losing a baby
 | 0:37:00 | The physical challenge of a miscarriage 
 | 0:38:32 | ‘I miscarried just before landing at Newcastle Airport’
 | 0:44:48 | Why Nicola writes under a pen name
 | 0:45:43 | ‘I started writing after meeting a psychic’
 | 0:58:06 | How good is Nicola at sex?

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

Steve Turner hasn’t had an easy ride in politics. 

Accused of everything from sexual assault to punching a pensioner, the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner has faced 18 serious allegations he claims are politically motivated attacks designed to ruin his reputation. 

In this explosive episode of PRsonal, he reveals the devastating toll the accusations have had on both himself and his family – and admits that if it wasn’t for his wife, he wouldn’t be here today. 

The Conservative politician also tells host Charlotte Nichols how he has helped transform a police force once widely regarded as the worst in Britain. 

However, he admits it has taken a toll – with Steve claiming the stress of the job has put him in A&E around four times with a suspected heart attack. 

Key moments

0:00:00  | ‘I’ve faced 18 allegations – they are all lies’ 
0:01:00  | The pain of being accused of sexual assault 
0:04:20  | How the allegations rocked his family – and how his wife was Steve’s lifelines 
0:18:00  | Police or politician – what job would Steve prefer his children to do? 
0:19:22  | Turner discusses the negative impact of his public role on his family and their reactions. 
0:20:09  | ‘I wanted to let my mum rest – but I never got to say goodbye’ 
0:21:15  | How the ‘stress’ of being a PCC repeatedly put him in A&E 
0:31:12  | Why politicians ‘are fair game’ for hate – and why that should stop. 
0:31:42  | PCC reveals he’s had terrifying threats due to his job 
0:34:08  | ‘I was the best teenage basketball player in the North East’ 
0:35:05  | How a ‘terrible’ ankle injury ruined his international career 
0:38:01  | Turning to rugby – only to suffer and even more terrifying injury 
0:39:53  | Raising money for charity through triathlons – and a lifelong love for sport.. 
0:43:35  | How a DIY basketball net sparked a lifelong love for the sport 
0:49:04  | ‘I worked for £1.50-an-hour in a pizza shop’ 
0:51:36  | How running a pizza shop at 16 taught him the ‘fundamentals’ of business 
0:56:57  | How good is Steve at sex? 
0:57:09  | Conclusion and gratitude 

Steve Turner – socials 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ClevelandPCC/ 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Cleveland_PCC 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/clevelandopcc/ 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiue4iKfj1UdIlKI0etPZVA 

PRsonal socials: 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast 

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast 

Harvey & Hugo’s socials: 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr 

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo 

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

It is one of the most memorable moments in Big Brother history. 

Now almost 20 years later, Series Six winner Anthony Hutton finally sets the record straight about what happened in the hot tub with Makosi. 

In the latest episode of PRsonal, Anthony discusses his time on the show and the ‘extreme taste of fame’ that followed for the County Durham TV star – including the dark moments which left him battling suicidal thoughts. 

Having since left the limelight to become a dad, Anthony has since become a successful business owner while he also discusses his mental health project, “Never Throw in the Towel”, with host Charlotte Nichols. 

And in this engrossing episode, he talks about how he turned to drink and drugs as work dried up – and he was left battling passive suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. 

 
Key moments

0:00:06 
Anthony reveals what REALLY happened in the hot tub with Makosi on Big Brother 
0:01:30 
‘She claimed she was pregnant  - but we didn’t have sex’ 
0:06:14 
The ‘mad’ aftermath of big brother – from meeting agents to a £200k photoshoot 
0:07:48 
Anthony reveals how quickly his prizemoney ended up in his bank account 
0:08:38 
‘I walloped £45k on it’ – the most extravagant thing Anthony bought with his winnings  
0:09:38 
Fame, women and St James’ Park: The ‘unbelievable’ perks of winning Big Brother 
0:11:37 
The ‘extreme highs and lows’ that followed Big Brother 
0:13:05 
Anthony opens up about his lowest moments, turning to alcohol and drugs 
0:13:45 
Anthony Hutton discusses his dark place during his time on Big Brother. 
0:14:07 
‘I was having passive suicidal thoughts on a daily basis’ 
0:15:02 
Fearing he would be ‘laughed at’ if he returned to normal work 
0:15:30 
‘I’d been on a bender and missed five mortgage payments’ 
0:17:07 
Anthony reveals if Big Brother ‘made him or broke him’ 
0:23:37 
Anthony reveals he’s never spoke to his dad – and that he’s ‘taken positives from that’ 
0:24:51 
‘Keep on living’ – the message inspired by his grandma behind Never Throw in the Towel 
0:27:22 
How Never Throw in the Towel has continued to grow – and keeps building 
0:32:26 
Anthony’s dream of attracting mental health ambassadors 
0:33:43 
Why it is important to talk about the impact a miscarriage can have on men 
0:37:26 
Anthony rates his humor, attractiveness and cooking skills 
0:40:29 
Anthony’s unusual career change – from being a postman to becoming a disco dancer! 
0:41:00 
Anthony reveals ‘he probably shouldn’t drink’ – and maybe only has alcohol three times a year 
0:48:02 
How good is Anthony at sex?! 
 

Anthony’s socials: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanthonyhutton/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anthonyhutton 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-hutton-9b5440102/ 

 

PRsonal socials: 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast 

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast 



Harvey & Hugo’s socials: 

 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr 

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo