Style and Substance

By Elizabeth Cairns & Fiona HumberstoneBusiness Entrepreneurship Marketing

Style and Substance episodes

June 11, 2025 AI or not AI? That is the Question
It's time we tackled the question on the lips of so many creatives in our field. Should we be using AI and what is it costing us if we do?
In this juicy episode we dig deep and range far and wide as Fi and I grapple with the big question and the implications for us all. We explore why we feel so strongly about AI when it comes to Brand Strategy, whether AI can be empowering and what it might be missing, how it impacts on the work of creatives who may also be Neurodivergent and the all important consideration of the wider environmental impact of such a powerful tool. We'd love to hear your views. Are you a fan of AI? does it support your work? are you concerned about where it's headed and what do you see as the potential for the future? It's a topic I don't think any of us can avoid and we certainly aren't shying away from what we really think in this conversation. We hope you enjoy and do let us know what you think over on insta @styleandsubstance_podcast

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1 hr 16 min
June 04, 2025 Finding the Courage to Make the Big Decisions
Ever found yourself paralysed by the big decisions? Whether it's business or life in general, when big changes are afoot it can be a tricky time. Join us as we kick off the new season with an exploration of how to find the courage to make those big decisions and live into the version of yourself and your life you really want.

We would also love for you to come to our fabulous Summer Soiree, details in the episode and you can find the link to book here https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/soiree. Do come we'd love to see you. x
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50 min
May 21, 2025 What is Takes to Hold the Vision Amidst the Noise...and See it Through
When you have an exciting vision or dreams for your business it can be incredibly exciting..but when seeing that vision through needs a marathon not a sprint, how do you keep it alive, maintain your focus and handle the set backs with so many competing priorities? In this conversation we're walking through the steps that inspired, yet busy entrepreneurs can take to hold the vision and and keep the energy and momentum needed to make it happen when work and life is busy.
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1 hr 10 min
May 14, 2025 Exploring a Legacy - 10 Years on from How to Style your Brand
We are in a celebratory mood as this week marks the ten year anniversary of Fi's bestselling book How to Style Your Brand and in this conversation we explore what's possible when you listen to the muse. Fi talks about the importance of pursuing your passion against the odds, having the right people around you and a healthy dose of stubbornness along the way. We hope you find it inspiring and thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on what the book haas done for them, many of which we've shared at the end of the episode.
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35 min
May 07, 2025 Flow not Force in Action - Elizabeth Shares the Secrets to her Latest Creative Breakthrough
We are excited to bring you this one, uncharacteristically Elizabeth is in the hot seat as Fi invites her to dig deep about her experiences with her latest creative breakthrough which will mean BIG CHANGE for her and her business.
In this conversation we explore the attitudes, principles and strategies behind taking a Flow not Force approach to your business and the underlying beliefs that help make it a reality. We hope you enjoy and, as ever, if you do please like, review and share away. Thank for listening.
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51 min
April 30, 2025 How to Spot what's Keeping your Brand Small and What to Do about it
We are passionate about entrepreneurs and brands achieving their potential. There are so many factors that come into it, from from our attitudes and beliefs, how we show up to the way we implement design.
In this wide ranging conversation we dig deep into what it takes for brands to avoid playing small (deliberately or otherwise) and realise their full potential. We explore the personal and practical factors that both get in the way and make it possible for our brands to take up the space they deserve.

If you have a sense that your brand might not be quite living into its potential, that you might inadvertently be holding yourself back but aren't quite sure why, then this is for you. Importantly If you want to know what to do about it, then listen in.

As ever if you enjoy it please do rate and review and if you know a fellow entrepreneur that needs to hear this then please do share away lovely listener.

I mention Fi's stellar Design for Go Getters course in the episode, if you'd like to check it out you can do so here: https://thebrandstylist.thinkific.com/courses/design-for-go-getters
And if you'd like the free Show Stopping Brand Roadmap which gives you the 8 clear steps to take when building a powerful brand, you can grab your copy here: https://thebrandstylist.thinkific.com/pages/the-show-stopping-brand-road-map
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1 hr 12 min
April 23, 2025 How to Keep Moving Forwards when the World is Going Mad
How to keep moving forwards when the world is going mad. There's no escaping the world is bonkers right now and that's putting it a little mildly, you don't have to go very far to be confronted with immense challenge and suffering and it is likely affecting us all to varying degrees. It can be hugely challenging to maintain hope, and resilience never mind momentum in such challenging times so today we're talking about what we can do to take care of ourselves and keep moving forwards. Whether you feel like you're in the thick of it and are utterly overwhelmed by world events or what's going on for your personally or you're actually feeling in a good place and want to maintain that sense of hope and possibility, there's something for everyone. With love and solidarity and we hope you find it helpful.
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49 min
April 02, 2025 How to Get What you Want with Integrity - Part Two
Part two of getting what you want with integrity. Emotions and frustrations run high as we dig into a recent scenario that highlight beautifully what gets in the way of acting with integrity and what trips us up when we're trying to get a good outcome. In this conversation we walk through some of the signposts that tell us we or others might be acting out of integrity. We explore how we manage maintaining equitable power balances and how the landscape changes when we're dealing with toxic relationships. It's a juicy one folks and as ever if you like please do rate, review and share away. Haven't yet caught up with us on instagram? come say hi @styleandsubstance_podcast
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51 min
March 26, 2025 How to Get What you Want with Integrity
Getting what we want in business isn't always easy and dealing with unreasonable demands isn't a walk in the park either. In this two part mini series we tackle all of that and more as we explore in depth and build aa model of how to get what we want with integrity. Let's get stuck in.
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57 min
March 19, 2025 Bootstrapping your Brand - How to Create the Strongest Impression with your Brand, whatever your Budget.
Let's be real. None of us have limitless budgets that allow us to do everything we'd like on our brand: we all have to make choices. But we do think there is a big difference between a bootstrapping mentality (saving money at all costs and compromising on quality as you go) and the reality of bootstrapping your brand (making smart choices that will move your brand forwards, however tight your budget).

We dig into all of this and more in today's episode where Fi is sharing a wealth of advice and practical tips on where to invest, where to save and how to create the strongest impression with your brand whatever your budget. This is going to be one to bookmark and share and we are so excited to share it with you!

Fi's brilliant and free "Where to start" course that we mention can be found here: https://thebrandstylist.thinkific.com/courses/creating-your-brand-course. Essential viewing if you are creating a brand from scratch, rebranding or wanting to make sure you are squeezing the potential out of your brand.

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56 min

About Style and Substance

From the publisher's feed

Style and Substance is a branding and business podcast brought to you by The Brand Stylist, Fiona Humberstone and The Empowered Entrepreneur, Elizabeth Cairns. Resourcing you with inspiration,…