Stressed But Well Dressed

Dahlia is joined by Sam Parker, Site Director of British GQ and author of 'Good Anger' a book about how to 'rethink rage.'

Dahlia and Sam discuss what anger can do for our stress levels and the difference between keeping 'anger in' and 'anger out' - how you choose to express your emotion.

Sam talks about the inspiration behind his book and how his own mental health journey inspired him to look deeper into the different emotions we feel and understand the 'why'.

Sam also unpicks stereotypes about who society deems as 'allowed to be angry' and why this matters.

Clothes, confidence and a little bit of rage all in one!

Sam Parker is author of Good Anger: How Rethinking Rage Can Change Our Lives. He has been an editor and writer for 15 years for publications such as the Guardian, Times and Telegraph. He works as a senior editor at British GQ. He runs the weekly newsletter Good Anger on Substack.

Dahlia is joined by Monica Hanouka, Nutritional Therapist to discuss the link between Clothes, Confidence and Cortisol.

Monica unpacks what 'cortisol' is, how we regulate our nervous system and how this influences our stress. She explains how what we eat can directly influences our stress levels and our confidence. Her focus isn't food but the whole wellness journey and how we create more awareness around our choices and how they make us feel.

In a world where there is so much 'noise' around food Monica gives us the science to better understand how to create a sensible approach to nutrition.

Monica has long been fascinated by health and genetics, leading her to study Biology at University College London. She went on to train as a broadcast journalist with a specialism in health and spent a fast-paced decade in television news.

After the birth of her third child, Monica took a step back from her career to focus on raising her family. During this time, she faced two major surgeries within six months, which triggered a significant decline in her gut health, energy, and overall wellbeing. Slowly, she began to restore her health through food and lifestyle changes.

This personal journey sparked a deep passion for nutrition and inspired Monica to undertake a four-year professional diploma at the renowned Institute for Optimum Nutrition. Since then, she’s been dedicated to helping others transform their health from the inside out.

Monica takes a highly personalised, root-cause approach to every client, focusing on sustainable change rather than quick fixes. She supports people with a range of issues, including hormonal imbalances, IBS, weight concerns, food intolerances, poor sleep, and low energy.

Dahlia is joined by Alexandra Shulman, journalist, author and former Editor in Chief of Vogue magazine.

The conversation centres around reflections from Alexandra's book 'Clothes and other things that matter', which was written as a way to capture her time at Vogue, sharing stories and experiences through the outfits she owns.

Alexandra describes the role clothes have played for her over time and some of the outfits that she has owned that are the most meaningful to her. Dahlia and Alexandra also discuss the wider topic of identity with Alexandra giving her view on how she felt leaving Vogue, how she knew she was ready to step into something new and how she sees her writing now.

Alexandra also shares her tips on building confidence, how she approached leadership at Vogue and what getting dressed everyday means to her.

Alexandra Shulman was brought up in London. She attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School and gained a BA in Social Anthropology from Sussex University.

She started her career working in the music industry and then moved into magazines as a secretary on Over21 magazine. She began working as a journalist on Tatler magazine in 1980, leaving in 1986 to become Women’s Editor on The Sunday Telegraph. She returned to magazines as Features Editor of Vogue in 1988, becoming the first female editor of a monthly men’s magazine when GQ launched in the UK in 1990. In 1992 she became Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue where she stayed for 25 years leaving in June 2017.

During that time she launched an annual Vogue Festival, oversaw the launch of Vogue’s digital programme including Vogue.co.uk and Vogue Video and took the sales of the magazine both domestically and internationally to a record high.

In 2007 she was awarded an OBE for services to fashion journalism and in 2018 a CBE for services to magazines

She has also written two novels, Can We Still Be Friends, and The Parrots both published by Fig Tree/Penguin, and a memoir of the Centenary year preparations for British Vogue, Inside Vogue: A diary of my 100th year. Her book Clothes….and other things that matter was published in Spring 2020 by Octopus books and was a Sunday Times Bestseller. She also wrote the introduction to Elizabeth11 –Queen, Princess, Icon – published in 2022.

She is a contracted writer for the Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail and contributes other papers and magazines. She is known as a commentator on female leadership, fashion, and contemporary style

She was a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery for eight years, and a Trustee of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity for eight years. She is currently a Vice President of The London Library and Trustee of The Wallace Collection

She is now working as a journalist, consultant, speaker and author.

Alexandra has a son, Samuel and lives with her partner David Jenkins in London

Dahlia is joined by Alicia Drabble Castellano to discuss the a business journey born out of PTSD recovery. As the founder of 'Single Swan' a wellness-focused clothing brand, Alicia explains how her personal struggle with mental and physical health became the inspiration that fuelled her creative journey.

Dahlia and Alicia discuss what it takes to start a brand from scratch when you don't have former business/industry knowledge or VC funding to support you, and how Alicia decided 'not knowing' would be her super power to help her discover her way.

The conversation looks at what it takes to be a founder in terms of mental mindset and resilience - whilst Alicia champions kindness she recognises that she has had to grow a thick skin to persevere at times.

Alicia's advice includes understanding how to 'find your tribe' and know where to seek out light in the most vulnerable moments and to have the wisdom to know what you can change and adjust to what you can't.

Prepare to be inspired...

Single Swan is a wellness-focused clothing brand founded byAlicia, a former teacher who had to step away from education due to health challenges. After a period of uncertainty, she found a new purpose—creating a brand rooted in kindness: kindness to ourselves, to others, and to the planet.

With no formal training in design but a deep passion for style and a fascination with how clothing impacts well-being, Alicia channelled her vision into something truly innovative. Her hero piece, the 7SWAN, is a revolutionary wellness jumpsuit redefining activewear. Designed forversatility, longevity, and effortless elegance, it offers a premium alternative to traditional Lycra-based options.

A proud member of the Buy Women Built community, supporting and championing female-founded businesses, Alicia has built Single Swan into a platform for empowerment. Her clothing is gaining recognition including a sell-out event at Fearne Cotton's Happy Place Festival, where her designs connected deeply with audiences looking for wellness and mindful living.

Proudly made in London, the 7SWAN empowers women to move freely,embracing both sustainability and style.

Dahlia is joined by Rosie Nixon to discuss what it means to choose a moment of reinvention. Rosie shares her story from Editor in Chief of Hello Magazine to an author, broadcaster and coach, detailing the defining moments that have shaped where she is in her career (and her life) now.

Dahlia and Rosie discuss the fact that change is inevitable but sometimes we need to make a choice to take control of that change, aware that actually there is greater fear of sitting in the same space for a prolonged period of time rather than choosing to grow and evolve.

Rosie gives an honest account of what made her choose to make a change in her life, the impact of burnout and the work she did to reset, reinvent and how she is paying that forwards.

The conversation also includes an in depth exploration of how Rosie has used clothes for confidence and self expression, what it means to take time out for a retreat and why it is vital to spread your 'status' in life.

Rosie Nixon is an author, broadcaster and coach. She is the author of three novels, TheStylist, Amber Green Takes Manhattan, Just Between Friends, plus the Be Kind book, which was recently republished in paperback (all Harper Collins). Her new novel Bad Influence will be published on 14 August. Bad Influence tackles issues around image in the online world and how vulnerability could be a super power, as Rosie’s protagonist, stylist Amber Green works with one of her trickiest celebrity clients yet.

After a long career in women’s magazines, latterly as the award-winning Editor and Editor in Chief of HELLO! magazine, where she worked for 16 years, Rosie super-charged her career for the next chapter and is a qualified life coach, speaker and experienced podcast host. In 2024 she launched Rosie’s Reinvention Retreats - a series of day retreats for midlife women, to support navigating changes in career, business and wellbeing.

Rosie enjoys working with brands including Marks & Spencer and Microsoft UK, as part of her portfolio career. Most recently, Rosie has taken on the role of Editor of The Column, Corinthia London's new bi-annual luxury magazine focused on lifestyle, cuisine, style and travel.

Rosie previously held senior positions at women's glossies including Grazia, Glamour and Red. She is a proud ambassador for the women’s health charity Wellbeing ofWomen, Wellchild and anti-FGM charity, Educate Not Mutilate.

Rosie is a keen believer in the power of kindness and a master of reinvention. Havingcome close to burnout in 2022, she is on a path of personal growth and loves peaking on this subject. Ultimately, she thrives in communities with a common goal to inspire and spread joy.

Rosie lives with her family in Surrey, is passionate about keeping her mind and body fit and healthy and in any spare time can be found getting out into nature or running around after her two lively sons.

 Rosie's next Reinvention Retreat is happening in Manchester on Monday 13th October - see the link in herbio @rosiejnixon for tickets

More info can be found here: www.RosieNixon.co.uk

Dahlia is joined by Sophie Neary, MD of Retail at Google, to discuss why confidence is contagious. Sophie shares how she has built her career since the first days of a role on 'The Internet' and the role models that have influenced her to believe in herself and helped her build her confidence.

She shares the role she has in building the confidence of those around her in her position as a leader but she's also shares the link between confidence and resilience at times when things haven't quite gone to plan.

Listeners obviously get insight into what 'well dressed' means to Sophie - a story of a pink suit that everyone needs to hear.

Finally Sophie shares her top tips on how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, learning the way on the way and accepting failure and mistakes as part of the journey - but not letting them define who you are.

Sophie is a highly respected executive within the retail andtechnology industries. As Managing Director, Retail and FMCG at Google, she brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience from giants including Asda, Tesco and Meta. A digital pioneer since 1995, Sophie was instrumental in driving Boots' online transformation where, as a member of the Executive Committee, she led their critical digital response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond her commercial acumen, she's a multi-award winning, lifelong feminist, and a clear voice advocating and championing women in the workplace. Her highly regarded podcast "Courage is Contagious," and status as a LinkedIn "Top Voice" on Gender Equity cement her reputation.

Dahlia is joined by Louise Sleightholm, accountant, creator and owner of sustainable fashion brand Mode Workwear.

Lou shares the frustrations she had when she tried to find workwear that made her feel good upon qualifying as an accountant. Identifying a gap in the market she launched a social media platform sharing ideas on how to build a capsule workwear wardrobe (check out her instagram page @louscorporatelife) which has grown to a 300k strong community with which she shares ideas on what to wear for work in a corporate role each week.

Dahlia and Lou discuss how important it is to feel comfortable with who you are at work as a part of being able to do your best work and how to set yourself up for success from day one.

Lou shares the purpose behind her workwear brand Mode (which Dahlia and Lou are wearing in the show) and why she wants to raise the stakes on sustainable workwear creating a one stop shop to build a capsule corporate wardobe.

Lou reflects on how the confidence to wear what she wants at work has grown in line with an inner confidence in her ability to do a great job. She shares how she is paying her work forwards with a shoutout to Smart Works Leeds (part of Smart Works Charity which has previously been part of a collaboration with Stressed But Well Dressed Podcast).

If you are starting out in your career, starting a new job or just looking to up the stakes on what you wear to work each day this conversation is perfect for inspiration.

Louise Sleightholm is a Chartered Accountant working at the Big 4.

In her spare time, she creates workwear clothing content under @louscorporatelife to an audience of over 300,000. She also helps style women and launched her very own workwear brand, Mode.

Lou co-founded Leeds Young Professionals one of Yorkshire's fastest growing networking groups with over 3500 members.

Lou is a proud mum to a very cute 1 year old!

Check out Louise's weekly content here:

Instagram:

@louscorporatelife

@modeworkwear

TikTok:

Louscorporatelife

Dahlia is joined by Jo Elvin, journalist, broadcast and multi award winning editor to get her view on the link between clothes and confidence. Jo reflects on the moments where she has used clothes for confidence across her career as a magazine editor. She talks about the moments she has explored body confidence, moving into new parts of the media industry and found confidence in her current role (now also in front of the camera).

Dahlia and Jo talk about the role of an editor and how the changing media landscape has changed the way we consume information - and whether or not that is a good thing.

The conversation also includes a look in to Palace Confidential, discussing 'Royal' fashion and a nomination for the best dressed Royal!

Jo Elvin is a multi-award winning editor and broadcaster who has launched and helmed some of Britain’s most successful women’s magazines. She is most well known as the editor in chief of Glamour, a title she launched in 2001 that rapidly became the biggest-selling women’s magazine in the UK and Europe. Under her direction, Glamour quickly became the biggest selling magazine in Europe. During her time there, she also launched the internationally renowned Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

She was the editor of the Mail on Sunday’s YOU magazine from 2018-2022, the most widely-read women’s magazine in Britain with close to 2 million readers every week.

In 2022, Jo was appointed CEO of Children With Cancer UK, one of the biggest funders of research into childhood cancers in this country. She dedicated two years to increasing the charity’s profile, including helping to produce the acclaimed documentary , Kids Like Us, available on Sky.

She is a five-time winner of an Editor of the Year award from the British Society of Magazine Editors.

Born in Sydney, Australia, Jo even worked as a publicist in her early career for the iconic Aussie soap, Neighbours. She is a well-known broadcaster and podcaster, presenting on Lorraine and hosting the popular royal talk show, Palace Confidential. She has written extensively for most national newspapers including The Telegraph, The Times and The Daily Mail.

Dahlia is joined by stylist Claire Ginzler to discuss the power of clothes—not as a magic fix, but as a practical, confidence-building tool for real women.

Together, they unpack the emotional layers behind how we dress, the vulnerability of not liking your reflection, and the importance of dressing for who you are today—not who you hope to be someday.

This honest and energising conversation touches on how to quiet the inner critic, how clothes can support rather than disguise, and why your body—exactly as it is—is worthy of care, kindness, and a wardrobe that works for it.

They also cover the foundations of confidence, quite literally, including a detailed, supportive guide to properly fitting a bra and why it's one of the most empowering places to start.

Claire shares her philosophy of styling women beyond trends: updating, editing, and recycling your wardrobe to reflect who you are now. Whether you’ve been waiting for “future you” to arrive or simply don’t know where to begin with your closet, this episode is the reminder you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode: – Dressing for now, not “when I’ve lost weight” – Why “covering up” isn’t the same as feeling confident – Your bra as the foundation of style and support – Raw conversations about body image and acceptance – Wardrobe editing without overwhelm or pressure – Styling as self-kindness—not self-punishment

This is a conversation about coming home to your body, dressing it with care, and letting clothes remind you who you are—not who you're waiting to become.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses Breast Cancer

Claire is a London-based fashion stylist with over 28 years of experience in editorial, catwalk shows, TV, and advertising campaigns. She has worked with major designer and high street brands such as Calvin Klein, Stuart Weitzman, L'Oréal, Marks&Spencer, John Lewis, and styled shows for London Fashion Week, BBC1, and Channel 4.

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Claire served as Fashion Director at On|Off for eight years, where she was known for scouting and mentoring emerging talent, helping launch the careers of designers like JW Anderson, Peter Pilotto, Osman, and Mark Fast. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, Elle, The Telegraph, and Vision China, among others.

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Claire regularly collaborates with leading directors, event producers, and media agencies, keeping her connected to the evolving landscape of contemporary fashion.

Most recently, she has started up a platform and podcast called Tips For Your Tits, a podcast and platform on Instagram t to educate women all about their boobs, @tipsforyourtits. She is an inspiring mentor who helps bridge the gap between education and the professional world

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Dahlia is joined by Lee Chambers, Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK to discuss the impact that what we wear can have on how we see ourselves, and how others choose to see us.

Dahlia and Lee discuss the fact that clothing is a core part of our identity and we need to give ourselves permission to explore who we are and what we want to wear. Lee shares how his experience have shaped his work and how he has built the confidence and understanding of how he wants to dress. He also talks about the fact that clothing related gender stereotypes are deep rooted, but that we have a choice to challenge our intrinsic need to conform.

Lee his view of the fact that choosing to stand out should be celebrated whilst so often we 'punish' those who choose to go against the grain. He challenges the listeners to question 'What would you wear and how would you explore your identity if you didn't succumb to the fear of judgement.'

His guidance is to dress for your own standards and take pride in celebrating your own identity.

Lee Chambers is the Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK. After a diverse career, from corporate finance tobuilding and exiting a tech company, he is now focused on supporting organisations to engage men in inclusion and promote effective allyship. He has been featured on the Startups 100 Index, has received a Great British Entrepreneur Award, and sits on the board of CMI Women, Regenerage UK and the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. In 2024, he received the Freedom of the City of London for services to equality in business. 

He is a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciencesin the USA, the first Black British scientist to be awarded in its 33-year history, received for his work on health inequalities. He is the 2023 UN WomenChangemaker of the Year, and is an ambassador for the UK Government’s Lilac Review for Disabled Entrepreneurship. He speaks globally on allyship and intersectionality, having taken the stage at One Young World, ChangeNOW and theBloomberg Global Equality Summit, and is the author of the bestselling book, Momentum: 13 Ways To Unlock Your Potential.