The Countrywoman’s Guide to Work, Life & You…

Eleanor Mills is a Founder, Speaker, Bestselling author, Award-winning journalist (ex Editorial Director of the Sunday Times and Editor of the Sunday Times Magazine) - and now the UK’s premier expert on all things midlife.

After a 30-year career at the top of British journalism, including senior roles at the Sunday Times, Eleanor suddenly found herself out of the corporate world at 50 - a huge shift that forced her to rethink identity, purpose and what the next chapter might look like.

As a result, Eleanor founded NOON.org.uk, a media platform and 50K+ community of midlifers to change the narrative around ageing; after all in the 100 year life, 50 is only halfway through. It’s Noon - lunchtime - and midlife isn’t a crisis but a chrysalis when we finally get to become the people we’ve always wanted to be.

Together Emma and Eleanor talk honestly about:

* the shock of losing a role you thought defined you

* why experience should make us more valuable, not less

* the freedom and fear that comes with entrepreneurship

* intuition, vulnerability and learning to trust yourself again

* building businesses rooted in purpose and values

* the courage it takes to speak truthfully and live more honestly

* why reinvention is becoming an essential modern life skill

The conversation moves from boardrooms to retreats, from journalism to entrepreneurship, and from external success to a more grounded and resonant way of living and working.

This is a rich, thoughtful and very honest conversation about transition, identity and discovering that sometimes situations not of your choosing can lead you to a fulfilling and purposeful life that you never knew you needed.

You can find Eleanor and NOON here

You can find Eleanor’s best-selling book “Much more to come” here (this is an affiliate link which means that CWG will get a small commission if you buy a book)

Join our growing Community of people who value building a business that fits your life, rather than a life that fits in round your business.

We’re no Monty Don (sadly!), and this certainly isn’t Gardeners World…

But we do have a great little suggestion for your bank holiday weekend in case you were having a think about how to spend your time. Plus it may require a pre-planting trip to the garden centre…which can also involve coffee and cake. A match made in heaven for a spring weekend!

There is something rather special about planting some plug plants on a mid-May weekend, after the frosts of winter are a thing of the past. Nestling seedlings of tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and herbs into the soil knowing in a few months time they’ll become part of summer suppers enjoyed in the garden.

I think the appeal of growing our own food for us now is not in perfection, productivity or rows of immaculate vegetable beds that are insta worthy, but instead in the feeling of working in harmony with our world’s natural seasons.

It can be as simple as a tomato plant in a terracotta pot, basil on the windowsill, courgettes slowly taking over more space than anticipated and mint that refuses to stay where it was originally planted! They’re just small ordinary things but grounding ones, ones that root us in how we used to grow and eat - seasonal and from home.

Having tried a few different veggie cycles, our founder Emma and her husband now make sure that they grow the ingredients to make ratatouille. The beauty of planting and growing your ratatouille ingredients is how achievable it feels. You don’t need acres of land, a greenhouse the size of a small village hall or an encyclopaedia of gardening knowledge, just a few pots by the kitchen door and a small veg bed can be enough to kick start your connection to the process of growing your own.

Growing your own ingredients is a process, one that takes time, cannot be rushed and requires us to return repeatedly with patience and care. It brings with it new rituals in the form of watering before work, checking back to see what has appeared overnight, pinching out tomato shoots with your morning coffee and just stepping outside in the evening to ‘have a look’. An abundance of small rhythms that can help soften the edges of our busy lives.

For many of us living rural countryside lives home is rarely still. There’s always animals to feed, children to collect, businesses to run, washing to fold, dogs muddying freshly cleaned floors and endless jobs lists that move quietly through our mind.

Which is perhaps why these slower rituals in the garden matter. Not because life transforms into some idyllic kitchen garden dream, but because they anchor us gently into the seasons unfolding around us.

Growing your own ingredients for a simple and rustic dish like ratatouille (along with many others) feels in a way quite symbolic. It’s not elaborate food, just humble, generous, easy cooking - your homegrown vegetables softened slowly together in a pan, eaten over a long lunch with friends and leftovers reheated for the night after. It’s food that feels welcoming rather than performative, and even more special when you were the ones to nurture it.

Any ratatouille over-production can be frozen in tubs and rediscovered in the depths of winter, bringing you right back to your memories of summer as you stir it into a quick and easy spaghetti bolognaise.

Your garden does not have to be immaculate to bring joy. Your home does not have to look untouched to feel beautiful. A weekend does not have to be super productive to be worthwhile. Planting something and trusting it will grow is enough.

So if you need a few jobs for the garden that actually bring you joy and aren’t the usual household tasks we all know (and love…?!) consider this a little nudge. To plant the tomatoes, sow the basil, purchase the courgette plant and water the herbs.

Not for aesthetic or the algorithm, but for the quiet satisfaction of creating something slowly, season by season, meal by meal.

Join our growing Community of people who value building a business that fits your life, rather than a life that fits in round your business.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this conversation isn’t for you because you don’t need to know how to make sure that your message lands well, because in so doing you will miss out on a whole raft of great life advice.

This week on Countrywoman’s Guide, Emma sits down with presenter, actor and communications expert Dominic Colenso to talk about leadership, clarity and how to communicate in a world full of noise.

From starring in the Thunderbirds movie to coaching senior leaders and sales teams, Dominic shares how the lessons he learnt as an actor now help businesses craft messages that truly land.

The conversation explores:

* why audiences actually want you to succeed

* how leaders set the tone without realising it

* the importance of simplifying your message

* balancing ambition, family life and creative work

* why the best communication is rooted in humanity, not performance

One of the standout moments comes when Dominic says:

“Your audience want you to succeed.”

A simple idea - but one that changes how we think about speaking up, presenting ourselves and leading others.

Emma and Dominic also discuss the reality of writing books, building long-term businesses and learning to say no to self-imposed pressure.

Dominic’s new book Cut Through explores how the messages that truly land are built on:

“simplicity, emotion, and energy.”

A thoughtful conversation about communication, leadership and being fully present in the room.

Join our growing Community of people who value building a business that fits your life, rather than a life that fits in round your business.

This episode was originally recorded as part of a series of interviews that I did for Do Radio, which they have generously allowed me to share with you, and I’m so pleased they did because the insights in these conversations are golden.

Sarah James has been organising multi award-winning arts festivals for over 22 years. She is Managing Director and founder of non-profits Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey, Cheltenham and Cardigan.

She also co-founded and produced Nourish Festival (Food, Craft & Music) for 10 years until 2023.

She founded Find a Maker and popular podcast, The Capital of Craft in 2021. She was awarded an MBE for services to Craft in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List.

Born & Bred in Cardigan, West Wales, Sarah is a ceramics graduate from Glasgow School of Art and an avid collector of craft, especially ceramics. She has had a varied career including making, podcasting, writing, curating, retailing, mentoring and lecturing on business start-up.

Sarah has focused on arts event management and business development training since 2003 and works regularly with a variety of universities and national craft organisations providing training at undergraduate and post-graduate level.

Being an obsessive user of social media for business and the ability to think on her feet whilst smiling is a fundamental part of her business strategy.

“Treat people how you would like to be treated and expect the same in return.”

Sarah is mam to Ella and Lewi and lives between Cardigan and Bovey Tracey, Devon with her husband Andy and their dogs.

Aside from so much wisdom in the form of life lessons, this episode will also be really helpful if you’ve ever dreamed of taking a stand at Craft Festival or similar events as Sarah provides so much invaluable advice about securing and making the most of your opportunity.

You can find Sarah’s Craft Festival website here and her instagram here

Thank you for reading and thank you for listening.

Join our growing Community of people who value building a business that fits your life, rather than a life that fits in round your business.

Introduction

One of the great things about hosting a podcast is that you get to chat to lots of people! I’m always curious to hear how people came to be doing what they do and it seems that serendipity often plays a big part in shaping careers!

Timmy is no exception to this and becoming a multi-disciplined therapist happened organically after she qualified as a sports therapist. She then went on to gain her equine and canine qualifications and is currently studying for a further qualification - she is one busy lady!

Our Discussion covers…

* Career Path

* Business Development

* Work Philosophy

* Challenges of Self-Employment

* Social Media and Branding

* Professional Community

* Personal Well-being

* Advice & Reflections

Key Thoughts Shared

* Authenticity builds trust: Clients appreciate clear, jargon-free communication and a human approach.

* Community over competition: Building relationships with peers strengthens the industry and personal confidence.

* Social media ≠ success: Real business growth comes from word of mouth and consistent service, not follower counts.

* Work-life balance: Recognizing personal limits and seasonal priorities prevents burnout.

Thanks so much to Timmy for being so generous with her experience and wisdom.

As always thank you for listening. Please do like, share and subscribe if you enjoy the podcast.

You can find Timmy on instagram here

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So, it was an absolute treat to have an hour with him as part of my recent stint as a Do Radio presenter.

David builds brands from nothing with next to nothing. Having spent a decade of his early years at Saatchi & Saatchi, he left to build his own brands.

He was one of the founders of Howies in the 1990’s, which he exited via a trade sale to Timberland in the mid-2000’s.

In 2008, he and Claire started the Do Lectures. The idea was a simple one. Gather together the world’s leading DOers, disruptors and changemakers, have them share their hearts and stories, and encourage others to DO amazing things too. There are now over 400 lectures available free online to watch, and the latest innovation of the Do Team is Do Radio

In 2011, he took up the manufacturing mantle again, with his wife Claire, in the form of Hiut Ltd, determined to revive jeans manufacture in the town of Cardigan.

In its heyday, Dewhirst, one of the Cardigan based factories used to produce 35,000 pairs of jeans a week, employing 400 people, but closed in 2002.

The skills were all there and Hiut became known for handcrafting high-quality, sustainable jeans, often referred to as "slow fashion".

Their commitment to craftsmanship, the "Do One Thing Well" philosophy, and the re-employing of local "Grand Masters", jean makers who lost their jobs in 2002 became hallmarks of the Hiut brand.

David and Claire sold Hiut in 2025 to concentrate on the Do Lectures.

All of David’s businesses are strong on brand and storytelling and his innovative thinking inspires many.

David’s idea of success is:- Being in charge of your time.- Not worrying about money.- Do work that matters with people you like. And help others.

I think that’s a pretty good success philosophy to have.

In this episode, we talk about story, purpose, community, and why understanding the why of your business gives it wind in its sails.

If you’re building something thoughtful and long-term — this conversation will stay with you.

🎧 Listen now on Countrywoman’s Guide.

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In this episode, Sue Pryke shares her inspiring journey through ceramics, from learning how to cut leeks to prescribed lengths for supermarkets in her father’s business as a youngster, to working at Wedgwood and subsequently establishing her own design studio.

She explores the importance of heritage craft skills, balancing industry with handmade quality, and how her upbringing influenced her meticulous approach and love for design and the ability to produce beautifully designed and ergonomic pieces at scale.

Key Topics:

* Sue’s early passion for pottery sparked by A-level coursework in the 1980s

* The influence of Lincolnshire’s landscape on her appreciation for precision and uniformity

* Transition from craft-based work to design at Leicester, including her degree in Design for Manufacture

* Her experience at Wedgwood and involvement in traditional model and mold making and the challenges faced in preserving heritage skills

* Moving into her own business and collaborations with IKEA

* The significance of mindful, detail-oriented craftsmanship

* The role of failure and iteration in creative development

* Reflections on parenting, balancing family life, and fostering entrepreneurial instincts

* Participation in The Great Pottery Throw Down and media influence on ceramics

* Future projects involving creamware molds and a return to studio practice

* Embracing change, re-evaluating life phases, and the importance of adaptability

“Understated, afford-able, functional and elegant. Sounds easy but is very hard to achieve.

This podcast was originally recorded for Do Radio, so huge thanks to them for letting me share this episode with you.

Connect with Sue Pryke:

* Instagram

* Website

Resources & Links:

* Oliver Burkman’s 4000 Weeks – on managing time and life priorities

* The Great Pottery Throw Down Series 3– TV Show promoting awareness of ceramics

* Royal College of Art – The home of ideas

* Wedgwood Official Site – Historic ceramic manufacturer

* Royal Society of Arts Awards – Recognition in ceramic design

* Prince’s Youth Business Trust – (Now the King’s Trust) business support and funding

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I’ve known Dan Kieran for a little while now and first came across him when I read his book Do Start - How to Create and Run a Business (that doesn’t run you). It’s a great read and I loved the way he talked about his journey through starting and running a business.

Dan is a seasoned entrepreneur and author. We’re both members of the Do Lectures community and connected on Linkedin, but our conversations started after I watched a presentation that Dan gave about his thoughts on Leadership.

In it, he discussed how leadership isn’t just about hierarchy, control, or endless grind, it’s about fluidity, connection, and understanding the natural currents within your business and yourself.

So, when I was recording the Do Radio interviews, Dan was on my list of people I wanted to interview.

In this captivating episode, Dan shares his transformative insights inspired by ancient rivers and hunter-gatherer societies that thrived through cooperation and adaptability.

He reveals how adopting a “river-like” mindset can empower you to guide your organization with strength and grace, no matter the turbulence.

Dan candidly discusses the mental toll of scaling, the loneliness at the top, and how shifting to a flow-based leadership style can restore joy, resilience, and sustainable success.

We break down his powerful analogy of leading like a river, emphasizing the importance of context, collaboration, and trusting the natural course of growth. You’ll discover how ancient societal structures and natural laws hold the key to modern leadership practices that actually work - and you all know how important our connection to the countryside is!

We explore:

* How the word “lead” originally meant “flow” and why understanding this can revolutionize your leadership approach.

* Practical strategies for navigating entrepreneurial transitions, from burnout to renewal.

* The importance of vulnerability, community, and mentorship in driving lasting success.

* The critical role of nurturing feminine qualities like intuition, empathy, and psychological safety in today’s business landscape.

* How to craft your personal origin story to rewire limiting beliefs and unlock your full potential.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to be an entrepreneur to benefit from hearing Dan’s take on life - his curiosity and way of connecting history to how we live our life today is both enlightening and fascinating.

NB: This episode was originally recorded for my Making Stuff Up show on Do Radio, which they are kindly letting me share with the CWG audience.

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for listening.

Guest Dan Kieran is a prolific entrepreneur, writer, and advocate for human-centered leadership, known for building Unbound, a pioneering crowdfunding platform, and his passionate work on the future of business and feminine leadership.

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This episode was one I originally recorded for Do Radio, who have very kindly said I can also share the podcasts with you.

As with the other ‘Do’ conversations, the interviews are so rich with honesty about the entrepreneurial journey and so rich with wisdom and experience that they match up really well with the things that we talk about on our CWG podcasts.

I am so pleased to introduce you to Mandy Powell, who started The Goodwash Company at her farm kitchen table in 2018, creating an ethical Welsh skincare brand for humans and dogs.

Goodwash is an ethical skincare brand and Mandy’s guiding lights are her values and the changes that she wants to see in the world.

As her website proudly states, “Wales has the best natural larder in the world and we wanted to create the finest ethical skincare from as much of our natural environment as possible. Combining the best products with a genuine social and environmental conscience.”

The Goodwash range of skin and haircare products are beautifully packaged, ethically made and absolutely lovely to use.

From the very beginning, Mandy was determined to support her local area, Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales and the wider Welsh Community, so that “each time you wash good things happen for the people and communities of Wales”

As well as the products working for humans, Mandy wanted them to also work for her dogs. Her two original fur founders: Maisy (a gorgeous Westie with sensitive skin) and Duffle (a gorgeous Labradoodle) were the inspiration behind the legendary and much loved natural Fur range.

Dilys is now her fellow ffwr director and you can check out Dilys' daily work adventures on her Instagram here

This is a humble, reflective and honest conversation from a genuine, kind and brilliant entrepreneur - and if you’re wondering what Mandy did with her fledgling business after the feedback from the London Media agency, she does reveal all in the podcast.

There are also some reflections from me at the end about the first 4 episodes of my Do Radio season. Next week we’ll take a break from the Do Radio podcasts with a podcast I recently recorded and then we’ll do another batch of 4 of the programmes.

PS: If you think you might know the name, Goodwash products were featured in the 2024 Gavin and Stacey Christmas special (in Gwen’s kitchen and behind Smithy having a bath.

PPS: You can catch all the current Do Radio programmes by listening live here or by downloading the App and listening to the Archive here.

Kresse Wesling, CBE, is a multi-award winning environmental entrepreneur. After first meeting the London Fire Brigade in 2005, Kresse launched Elvis & Kresse, which rescues and transforms decommissioned fire hose into innovative lifestyle products and returns 50% of profits to the Fire Fighters Charity.

The company now collects 12 different waste streams and has several charitable partnerships and collaborations across industries.

In 2021, Kresse and Elvis, her business and life partner, also took on a farm in order to establish a regenerative agriculture project, generate their own renewables and implement a host of environmental initiatives.

Talking to Kresse was a real insight into founding and running a business with a social purpose, initially doing everything themselves to move the business forward and learning and growing as they progressed.Elvis & Kresse’s dedication to reducing waste, and always challenging themselves to do more is second-to-none.Kresse reminds us that kindness is embedded in our humanity and also that there is no perfect company, we can always learn more.PS : I purchased a desk tidy from Elvis & Kresse, part of their collaboration with Burberry and it really is gorgeous.

PPS: My grateful thanks go to Janet Hitchen who was my Do Radio Channel Producer. You can catch all the current Do Radio programmes by listening live here or by downloading the App and listening to the Archive here.

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