Take A Chance On You

Get the inside scoop with James Thomlinson, founder of Sprint Partners.

Season 2 - Episode 24

This is a reminder of how powerful conversations, storytelling and human connection can be across media, live experiences and evolving digital ecosystems.

People are craving more authentic conversations, meaningful connection and spaces where ideas, creativity and human experience intersect.

Excited for what’s ahead and grateful to everyone continuing to support the journey behind the scenes.

Host Alexandra Forsyth reflects on the journey of her podcast 'Take a Chance on You,' during season 2 (2026), sharing insights from episodes thus far, upcoming plans for in-person live events, and how the platform fosters storytelling, leadership, entrepreneurship, community, and personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Its Journey

02:45 Highlights from Season Two Guests

05:57 Exploring Themes of Well-being and Personal Growth

09:09 The Role of AI and Automation in Business

11:47 Inspiring Personal Stories from Guests

15:11 Networking and Community Building

18:03 Leadership and Emerging Talent

20:49 Resilience in Entrepreneurship

23:47 Engagement with the Audience and Future Plans

26:53 Exciting News: In-Person Events Coming Soon

Rachel Hartigan shares her journey from journalism to author, exploring the mysteries of Amelia Earhart disappearance.

In this episode of Take A Chance On You, Alexandra Forsyth sits down with journalist-turned-author Rachel Hartigan to explore one of history’s greatest mysteries, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

Rachel shares her journey from journalism into writing her debut book, uncovering new perspectives on Earhart’s story and the process behind investigating one of aviation’s most enduring questions.

This conversation goes beyond history, diving into what it takes to step outside your comfort zone, commit to a long-term creative project, and navigate the challenges of authorship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rachel Hartigan

04:12 Embracing Opportunities and Comfort Zones

05:12 The Journey to Writing 'Lost'

08:54 The Challenges of Writing a Book

11:36 Managing Burnout and Well-being

15:09 The Impact of Grief and Personal Stories

19:29 Connecting Historical Trends and Modern Issues

23:37 Looking Ahead: Future Projects

Dive into the world of highly effective leadership with Tom Lawrence this week!

In this episode of Take A Chance On You, Alexandra Forsyth sits down with Tom Lawrence, leadership coach, author, and former mechanical engineer, to explore what it really takes to become an effective leader today.

Tom shares his journey from engineering into leadership coaching, breaking down the challenges he faced early in his career and how self-development became the foundation for his work.

As leadership expectations evolve, this conversation dives into the skills modern leaders need — from emotional intelligence and coaching to creating environments where people can actually thrive.

 Takeaways

Tom's journey from engineering to leadership coaching is inspiring.

Self-development is crucial for effective leadership.

Leadership styles have evolved, and learning from past experiences is key.

The importance of mental health in leadership roles cannot be overlooked.

Young leaders need guidance and training to succeed in the workforce.

Practical leadership training should be integrated into school curriculums.

Listening and coaching are essential skills for modern leaders.

Progress, not perfection, should be the goal in leadership development.

The demand for leadership development is growing globally.

Creating a supportive environment is vital for team morale. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tom Lawrence's Journey

03:41 From Engineering to Leadership

05:51 Developing Leadership Skills

07:32 Navigating Career Challenges

09:55 The Birth of a Leadership Blog

11:40 Writing and Publishing Books

13:50 The Importance of Self-Reflection

16:06 Defining Personal Why and Vision

18:25 The Future of Leadership Development

20:42 Teaching Leadership in Schools

Designer Annabelle Barton shares her strategies and recommendations for emerging talent.

In this inspiring interview, emerging fashion designer Annabelle Barton of Size-A, petite clothing brand, shares her journey from studying fashion to showcasing her “My Roaring Twenties” collection at London Fashion Week. She discusses her Irish heritage and how this informed certain pieces, some of the challenges felt towards breaking into the industry, height and body representation, building a community, and the importance of authenticity, networking, and innovative business models in fashion.

Takeaways: 

• Annabelle's background and entrepreneurship, and how it led to launching her niche fashion brand. 
• The importance of persistence, community, and authentic storytelling in fashion success. 
• Creating meaningful, purpose-driven, and limited-edition garments that challenge overconsumption. 
• The role of networking, social media (TikTok), and personal branding in industry growth. 
• The significance of representation, particularly for petite and diverse bodies, in the current fashion landscape. 
• Strategic advice for emerging designers: internships, building a network, and leveraging social platforms. 
• Insights into funding options, independence, and alternative ways to sustain and grow a fashion brand. 
• Annabelle’s future plans, including community building around petite fashion and potential collaborations. 

Chapters: 

00:36 - Introduction to Annabelle and her journey into fashion
01:30 - From hair/makeup to runway: the turning point at London Fashion Week
02:20 - Overcoming sizing challenges as a petite designer
03:12 - Education in entrepreneurship and manufacturing insights
04:30 - Creating a purpose-driven fashion brand with local production
05:23 - The importance of height and gender representation in fashion
06:37 - Advice for aspiring designers: trying everything and internships
07:13 - Navigating the London Fashion Week application process
08:29 - Building a resilient industry network for runway success
09:18 - Leveraging social media for networking and branding
10:37 - The impact of community support at fashion shows
11:47 - Brand symbolism: the crown motif and heritage influences
12:26 - Creating a positive, collaborative runway environment
13:11 - The behind-the-scenes of show production and team building
14:28 - The significance of everyday branding and personal style
15:46 - Strategically building industry connections through everyday clothing
16:12 - Overcoming challenges for independent designers in the UK
17:07 - The role of storytelling in fashion and personal branding
18:45 - Managing multiple roles: teaching, designing, and industry navigation
20:28 - Mentorship, inspiration, and disruptive industry figures like Patrick McDowell
24:34 - Effective networking: elevator pitches and purposeful engagement
27:15 - The power of wearing your designs daily for organic branding
29:06 - Funding and grants: resources for startup designers in the UK
30:47 - The current landscape for emerging designers post-COVID
35:34 - Future plans: returning to London Fashion Week and building a community
36:07 - Resources for funding and support in the creative industry
38:29 - Annabelle’s vision for 2026 and impact on petite and gender-inclusive fashion
40:10 - Final advice: perseverance, strategic networking, and staying authentic

Priscilla and Robin pride themselves on providing experiences through the medium of events that inspire people to think differently and broaden their mindset through engaging conversation.