Take A Chance On You

Behind every podcast episode is far more than a microphone and a conversation.

This week at The Podcast Show London reinforced just how much creators are carrying behind the scenes:

- Production,

- Outreach,

- Networking.

Podcasting is no longer just content creation.

It’s storytelling, business, community and human connection all existing at once.

The future of podcasting belongs to creators who understand not only how to produce content, but how to build trust, connection and sustainable ecosystems around what they create.

Listener Feedback Questions! - https://tally.so/r/lbvXGW

Explore Take A Chance Online - https://linktr.ee/TakeaChanceonYou

Take A Chance host Alexandra is heading to The Podcast Show London this week but not before sharing a bite size look into her mission!

“Dream Big: How To Build & Scale Without Waiting For Permission” 

The roadmap to podcasting is clear, it takes hard work and determination to build and sustain growth in today’s creative economy:

discipline meets action, powered by human connection. 

The talk explores: 

1. Reframing creative ambition 

2. Understanding how Human ROI fits within existing AI strategies 

3. Mission and goal alignment 

4. Building a strong personal brand as a creative 

Alexandra bridges the gap between human performance and digital transformation, helping companies and creatives navigate Human-Focused ROI in the age of AI. 

Looking forward to seeing some of you there! 🎙️

https://www.thepodcastshowlondon.com/talking-podcasts-2/dream-big-leading-courage-without-waiting-permission

Listener Feedback Questions! - https://tally.so/r/lbvXGW

Explore Take A Chance Online - https://linktr.ee/TakeaChanceonYou

Alexandra is heading to The Podcast Show London this week, but not before she shares a few clips this week offering a little insight into her talk:

"Dream Big - How To Build and Scale Without Waiting For Permission"

The roadmap to podcasting is clear: discipline meets action, mixed with human connection. 
1. Reframe creative ambition 
2. Understand how human ROI fits into your existing AI strategy
3. Mission and goal alignment 
4. Building a strong personal brand as a creative 

Alexandra's bridges the gap between human performance and digital transformation, helping companies navigate Human-Focused ROI in the age of AI.

Looking forward to seeing some of you there!

https://www.thepodcastshowlondon.com/talking-podcasts-2/dream-big-leading-courage-without-waiting-permission

Alexandra's episode with the Boldly Ambitious podcast is out now. A time of self-reflection and discovery🎙️
Sharing her story building the Take A Chance podcast and overcoming limiting beliefs to doing the inner work, creating space for huge success!

Tune in 🎧

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Ij3lJFGH9fnPDc2B7TrDs?si=PbISGya_SZe4RYHLlMZRnA

Marketing and advertising is evolving, focusing on exposure and exploration.

Abnia Loriston from Creative Ladder explores the future of creativity, community, storytelling and human connection as industries rapidly evolve through technology and AI.

We discuss:

• Why community matters more than ever

• The rise of portfolio careers and future-forward creative pathways

• Technology, adaptability and human-centred leadership

• Finding your voice through storytelling

• Understanding your own perspective and point of view in a crowded digital world

One of the strongest themes is the importance of helping emerging creatives feel seen, connected and equipped to navigate industries that are changing faster than ever before.

In the latest episode of Take A Chance On You, Alexandra sits down with Abnia Loriston from Creative Ladder to explore how creativity, leadership and human connection are evolving in an increasingly AI-driven world.

We head back to the U.S! This is exactly the kind of transatlantic conversation this platform was built for.

Creative Ladder, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting leadership development for young advertising and marketing professionals. 

They discuss the importance of access in the creative industry, the impact of AI on creativity, and the significance of portfolio careers. Abnia shares insights from the Bold event aimed at empowering women in creative fields and emphasises the growing importance of soft skills in a tech-driven world. 

The conversation also touches on the journey of Abnia from education to her current role, highlighting the need for creativity beyond digital platforms.

She shares the significance of community and mentorship in fostering growth and leadership among aspiring creatives. The discussion also covers the future of work, the importance of understanding the behind-the-scenes efforts in creative projects, and the need for individuals to embrace their unique career paths as they navigate the complexities of the industry.

Takeaways

• Why access matters just as much as talent  

• The rise of portfolio careers and cross-disciplinary work  

• The growing importance of soft skills, empathy and emotional intelligence  

• AI as an enabler for creativity, not a replacement for it  

• Why community and mentorship are becoming essential infrastructure for future careers  

• The reality that fear around AI often comes from the speed of change itself  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Creative Ladder and Abnia Loriston

02:45 Navigating Creativity in the Age of AI

05:17 The Bold Event: Empowering Women in Creative Careers

08:23 The Importance of Portfolio Careers

10:55 The Role of Soft Skills in a Tech-Driven World

13:22 Tapping into Creativity Beyond the Digital Realm

16:11 The Journey of Abnia Loriston: From Education to Creativity

18:32 Bridging the Gap for Creative Growth

19:51 Navigating Rapid Change and Fear of AI

21:42 Embracing Adaptability in Uncertainty

23:32 Future of Work: Preparing Leaders for Change

25:44 Global Access to Creative Ladder Programs

27:09 The Importance of Community in Creative Industries

27:55 Career Pathways in Advertising and Marketing

30:01 Cross-Pollination of Ideas Across Industries

31:07 Understanding the Behind-the-Scenes Work

33:57 The Journey Over the Destination

36:03 Future Plans for Creative Ladder

Real stories. Real people.

As our host Alexandra Forsyth gears up for The Podcast Show London alongside the next roster of guests joining Take A Chance On You, this week has also been a moment to reflect on the journey over the past 12 months.

Building the platform from the ground up has been a reminder that you really can create the life, conversations and opportunities you dream of, but it takes consistency, resilience, belief in yourself and a willingness to keep showing up even when the bigger picture hasn’t fully formed yet.

From podcasting and storytelling to media, live experiences and human connection, the journey continues evolving in ways that once felt impossible.

And this is only the beginning.

Alexandra's episode with the Boldly Ambitious podcast hosted by Lydia and Hazel drops soon, and this is one you won’t want to miss. 🎙️

Cross-collaboration in podcasting is such an underrated yet powerful way to showcase your story. 

We go behind the scenes into:

• Overcoming limiting beliefs  

• Burnout and failure  

• Learning to pivot  

• Trusting your instincts  

• The power of action and community  

• Building a life aligned with your purpose  

Alexandra carries her dream board and impact statements with her everywhere she goes as a reminder of the life and ecosystem she is building, because clarity changes everything.

One of the biggest lessons?  

Most people hesitate to begin because they fear the outcome won’t match the original vision. 

But failure is often the entry point to growth, clarity and eventually creating a life that is truly yours.

Risk-taking is essential for execution and personal growth. 

The key is action. Always.

Matthew Wheeler-Barrett identifies the shifting landscape online, particularly across platforms such as LinkedIn, where users with highly engaged micro-communities are beginning to show up more authentically, intentionally and with stronger audience connection.

As digital ecosystems continue evolving, the focus is increasingly moving away from polished mass communication and toward meaningful conversation, trust, personality-led storytelling and human-centred engagement.

A reminder that influence is no longer only about scale, it’s about resonance, consistency and genuine connection within communities that actually listen and engage.

Marking the 50th guest on the podcast, and a moment that reflects how this is growing across different B2B markets, including South Africa. 

In this engaging conversation, Alexandra Forsyth and Matthew Wheeler-Barrett explore the significance of human connection and personal branding in today's fast-paced business environment, with top insights for optimising your LinkedIn profile in 2026. 

They discuss the importance of building genuine relationships, the evolving landscape of B2B engagement, and the role of authenticity in content creation. Matthew shares insights on leveraging LinkedIn effectively, the impact of AI on personal branding, and the necessity of storytelling in fostering trust. 

They explore strategies for creating engaging content, building authentic connections, and the significance of emotional intelligence in coaching. The dialogue emphasises the need for consistency, patience, and the value of community in achieving success. Matthew shares his journey into coaching and agency life, highlighting the challenges and rewards of helping others. The conversation concludes with insights on strategic authenticity and the importance of overcoming societal pressures.

 Takeaways

• The importance of human connection in business and branding
• Strategies for authentic engagement on LinkedIn and other platforms
• The role of storytelling and consistency in scaling your personal brand
• Trends in B2B marketing, content creation, and platform strategies
• Balancing online presence with mental health and emotional intelligence
• Smarter communities can foster deeper trust and relationships
• AI should be leveraged to enhance human connection, not replace it
• Content should be tailored to the audience's preferences

 Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Matthew Wheeler-Barrett and the episode’s focus on human connection
02:13 - Why genuine relationships are more important than vanity metrics in LinkedIn growth
04:50 - The power of authentic personal branding and storytelling for trust-building
07:11 - Building communities with smaller, engaged audiences for stronger trust
11:26 - Tech trends: AI, content strategies, and platform evolution in 2023
13:47 - The shift towards authentic, less perfect content on LinkedIn
17:36 - Stories of leadership, corporate branding, and the role of storytelling in business success
22:27 - Daily routines for content creation and the importance of consistency
28:11 - Balancing online activity with real-world interactions and mental health
34:53 - Strategic authenticity and minimalism in content to foster engagement
42:36 - Using systems and data analytics to optimise personal branding efforts
50:46 - The role of storytelling in niche communities and leveraging audience trust
57:57 - Overcoming societal pressures and embracing individuality in personal branding