What if you're not 'bad at networking' - you're just doing it your way?

In this episode, I'm joined by VA agency founder, Lauren Hopkins for an honest conversation about in-person visibility, networking nerves, and what actually happens when you show up as yourself rather than trying to perform.

Lauren also shares her experience of coming on my Visibility Retreat two years ago and how it transformed her relationship with visibility. Find out more about The Visibility Retreat here: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk We talk about the difference between surface-level connections and deeper ones, why you don't have to "work the room" and how to make sure a networking event is warm and welcoming.

This episode is especially for you if:

• networking leaves you questioning whether you're doing it "right"

• showing up in person feels more draining than posting online

• or you're quietly wondering if visibility can look different

It's a thoughtful, reassuring conversation that challenges the idea that visibility has to look loud or performative, and reminds us that showing up in person can be powerful, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Connect with Lauren: Lauren Hopkins VA Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurenhopkinsva/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-hopkins-91568b21a/ Women's Work Social Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/womensworksocial/ Connect with Vicki: Take my visibility archetype quiz: https://vickiknights.co.uk/quiz Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamvickiknights Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk Ready to work together?

Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off) Grab my Confidence Toolkit for just £15: https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit

I've now recorded 50 episodes of Showing Up, and for my first episode of 2026, I wanted to take stock and reflect on what this podcast has taught me so far.

This is a solo episode where I share the three biggest lessons that have come up again and again through conversations about visibility, confidence, and being seen. Lessons that I've learned not just from my guests, but from showing up myself, month after month, long after the initial shine wore off.

I also pull back the curtain on where I'm at personally and professionally, why presence is my word for 2026, and how that's shaping some of the choices I'm making this year, both in my business and at home.

If you're not looking forward to the thought of showing up more in 2026, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I talk about:

• What consistency really looks like once the novelty fades

• Why clarity makes fear feel quieter

• How finding your way of showing up makes visibility sustainable

• Why confidence is built through action, not before it

• Why presence matters so much to me this year

Connect with Vicki:

Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights Take my new Visibility Archetype quiz: https://vickiknights.co.uk/quiz Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat in September 2026: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic Grab the Confidence Toolkit for just £15 https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off)

This week I'm joined by Oli Cooke, a Mindset and Performance Coach who helps driven entrepreneurs create success without all the internal side effects. After living with anxiety for most of his life, Oli now supports business owners to grow in a way that actually feels good, not just looks impressive.

In our conversation we dig into visibility, courage and the messy human bits underneath growth.

Here are some of the topics we talk about:

• what it really takes to do the thing even when fear is coming along for the ride

• why busy work feels safe - and how to spot when you're hiding behind it

• how to shift the focus from "How do I sound?" to "Who might this help?"

• why not every shiny opportunity is meant for you

• and a surprisingly grounding conversation about AI… and whether it's actually saving time or just swallowing it

If you're standing on the edge of something bigger - a talk, a pitch, a new level in your business - you're going to love this conversation.

Connect with Oli

Website: https://olicookecoaching.com/ Instagram: @olicooke.coaching

Connect with Vicki:

Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together? Find out more about my new offering, The Visibility Experience: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility-COACHING Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat in September 2026: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off) Grab The Confidence Toolkit for just £15: https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit

Have you been pitching to guest on podcasts but only getting crickets in return?

After 7 years of hosting two podcasts and receiving hundreds of pitches, I've seen exactly why some guests get an instant yes… and why others get an instant delete. And it's rarely the reason people think.

In this episode, I'm sharing the real reasons pitches get ignored - the behind-the-scenes truths most hosts never actually say out loud - and the small shifts that make a huge difference.

Before we dive into that, I'm also talking about two visibility moments from the past couple of weeks that pushed me right out of my comfort zone: • the vulnerable Instagram post I nearly didn't share • and my first paid keynote to a room of senior leaders … and what both reminded me about showing up even when it feels a bit scary.

In this episode, you'll learn: - what hosts are actually looking for (it's not what you think) - the sneaky red flags that make a pitch an automatic no - how to make your pitch stand out before you've even written a word - the simple way to get invited back again and again

If you want to start landing podcast guest spots - and doing it in a way that feels generous and human - this episode will show you how. Listen now and discover what really makes a podcast host say "yes".

Connect with Vicki:

• Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights
• Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility
• Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

• Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services
• Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat in September 2026: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk
• Get my self-paced course to get deep clarity on your brand - UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off)
• Grab my Confidence Toolkit including 6 mindset audios for just £15 - https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit

What does it really mean to be seen? And why, even in 2025, does visibility still come with such a cost for so many women?

In this episode, I'm joined by Antonia Taylor, a PR and communications strategist who helps businesses amplify women's voices and build cultures where female leadership can thrive. She's also the author of the powerful white paper Being Seen: Women, Leadership and Visibility at Work, which was released just last month.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The paradox of visibility - how women are often overlooked when they stay quiet, yet criticised when they step into the spotlight.

• Why playing small can be just as harmful to us as pushing too hard.

• Why some people don't resonate with the term 'personal branding' and what they prefer instead

• How to make visibility sustainable, with Antonia's practical tips from her contributors for building it into your everyday routine.

• Why visibility is activism - how one woman showing up makes it safer for others to do the same.

• How to "loop it through your heart" so your visibility feels authentic, not performative. This is one of those conversations that stays with you long after you've listened - thoughtful, honest, and full of wisdom about showing up as your real self.

Connect with Antonia:

Download the Being Seen white paper: https://www.antoniataylorpr.com/being-seen/ Follow Antonia on Instagram: @antoniataylorpr

Connect with Vicki:

Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

📸 Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat in September 2026: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off) Get the Confidence Toolkit - powerful mindset audios to help you show up with confidence https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit

In this episode, I'm sharing a really honest look behind the scenes of my recent SEEN mastermind launch - the moments that went well, the bits that felt uncomfortable, and everything I learned along the way.

You'll hear the messy middle that often gets left out of the glossy "sold-out" posts - the quiet weeks, the mindset wobbles, and the realisations that came from trusting the process and staying aligned to my values.

I also talk about: - The mindset challenge of 'selling through the silence' - The two things I did that sold the final places - Why integrity and alignment will always come before fast results - How I plan to evolve SEEN for its next round

If you've ever launched something and found yourself doubting everything halfway through, I think you'll find this episode both reassuring and motivating.

Listen in to hear the full debrief - what worked, what didn't, and the lessons I'll be taking into my next launch.

Join the waitlist to hear about my next round of SEEN - https://vickiknights.co.uk/mastermind Grab my confidence toolkit – a collection of mindset audios to support you in those wobbly moments: https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit

Connect with Vicki:

• Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights
• Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility
• Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

• Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services
• Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic Use code SHOWINGUP to get 10% off.
• Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat in September 2026: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk

Do you ever feel like the fear of judgement is holding you back from showing up?

In this episode, I'm joined by my lovely client Lucy Johnson, founder of Lovebrook & Green, the world's first ethical luxury digital department store.

With a background in environmental and political journalism for the BBC and ITN, Lucy is also a qualified psychotherapist with years of experience working with eco-therapy and green coaching to help people rebalance their lives with nature. Throughout all of these chapters of her career, Lucy has found visibility to be a challenge, but she's found powerful ways to move through fear and show up with courage.

In our conversation we talk about:

• The moment a butterfly vision helped Lucy reframe her fear of being visible
• The surprising practice that transformed how she feels about speaking in public
• Why anchoring into your purpose can make fear of judgement disappear
• How the process of a branding shoot can give you clarity you didn't expect

This is an inspiring, heart-warming conversation that will make you feel more courageous about speaking up about what you believe in. Find out more about my SEEN mastermind here: https://vickiknights.co.uk/mastermind Applications close 30th September. Connect with Lucy

Website: www.lovebrookandgreen.com Here is a welcome code to get 15% off from the store until end of September 2025: LOVEBROOKWELCOME15 Follow Lucy on Instagram: @lovebrookandgreen

Connect with Vicki:

- Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights

- Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility

- Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

- Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services

- Join the waitlist for my 2026 Visibility Retreat ; https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk

- Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off)

- Grab The Confidence Toolkit to help you with those wobbly moments for just £15 https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit

You're posting, you're showing up, you're visible… but the clients still aren't coming. Sound familiar?

Being seen isn't the same as being chosen. In this solo episode, I'm sharing why visibility alone won't bring in clients - and the shifts you need to make so that your content doesn't just get you likes, but actually leads to bookings.

I talk about: - The difference between being visible and becoming the obvious choice - Why positioning yourself clearly matters more than posting more - The biggest mistake I made with my last podcast (and what I do differently now) - A practical exercise you can do right now to see if you're actually selling in your content

If you've been putting in the effort but not seeing the results, this episode will help you bridge the gap between just showing up… and selling your services.

This is exactly what I help you with in my SEEN mastermind. Applications are now open and we kick up early October. Find out more here: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility-mastermind

Connect with Vicki:

• Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights
• Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility
• Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

• Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services
• Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat in September 2026: https://vickiknights.co.uk/retreat-waitlist
• Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off)
• Get my Confidence Toolkit for just £15 https://vickiknights.co.uk/TOOLKIT

Have you fallen out of the rhythm of showing up online?

Maybe you've taken a summer break, or you've just hit a bit of a wall - and now it all feels harder than it should.

If you're feeling stuck, unmotivated, or unsure how to get visible again, this episode is for you.

I share the 3 main reasons you might have lost your visibility mojo (that have nothing to do with laziness!) and 6 gentle, practical ways to reignite your spark and start showing up again in a way that feels aligned, energising, and true to you.

In this episode, I talk about:

- Why losing your visibility mojo is totally normal

- How to know if your visibility strategy needs to evolve with your business

- Why you might be feeling drained (and how to show up without pushing)

- What to do if fear and self-doubt are creeping back in

- The 6 ways I recommend easing back in

-

Ready to reignite your visibility with support?

If you find yourself nodding along to this episode and you'd love support to rebuild your confidence, refine your message and grow your presence - I'd love to invite you into the next round of my SEEN mastermind.

We kick off this autumn, and it's designed to help you show up consistently and sustainably - with a personal brand that's grounded in who you really are.

👉 Learn more and apply here: vickiknights.co.uk/visibility-mastermind

🔗 Links and resources:

· Listen to: Episode 36 – How visible do you really need to be

· My course Uncover Your Magic: vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off)

Connect with Vicki:

• Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights
• Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility
• Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

📸 Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services - Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat in September 2026: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk

This is a very special episode as I'm joined by my 17-year-old son, Harrison, for an open and honest chat about what it's like having a mum who runs her own business and shows up online.

My boys were the reason I started my business - I wanted to work flexibly, do something I loved, and be around as much as possible while they were growing up. Now that they're teenagers, I'm always aware of how my visibility might feel from their perspective - especially when their friends stumble across my Instagram or podcast!

So I asked Harrison to come on the show and share how he really feels. What does he think about my talking-to-camera videos? How does he feel about the photos I shared of him when he was younger?

In this episode, we chat about:

- Whether he thinks me showing up online is inspiring or just a bit cringe - What Harrison has learned from growing up around self-employment

- The benefits (and trade-offs) of working for yourself as a parent -- Whether he'd ever want to show up online himself one day - His advice to other parents who need to be visible in their businesses while raising teenagers

It's a thoughtful and honest conversation and I hope it gives you a fresh perspective on showing up, especially if you're navigating business alongside family life. Early applications for my mastermind, SEEN, are now open! Find out more here: https://vickiknights.co.uk/mastermind

Connect with Vicki:

- Follow me on Instagram: @iamvickiknights

- Grab my free visibility guide: https://vickiknights.co.uk/visibility

- Website: https://vickiknights.co.uk

Ready to work together?

-Book a BRANDING SHOOT with me: https://vickiknights.co.uk/brand-photography-services

- Join the waitlist for my UK Visibility Retreat: https://vickiknights.co.uk/business-retreat-entrepreneurs-uk - Get my self-paced course, UNCOVER YOUR MAGIC: https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic (Use the code SHOWING UP for 10% off) - Grab The Confidence Toolkit for just £15 – https://vickiknights.co.uk/toolkit