The Next Chapter by Ellie Barker

Nena Foster has come all the way from Texas wanting to be a doctor to working here in the UK as a food stylist, writer and she has her own fermentation school. In between, she was a researcher, a university lecturer, finished a PHD and became a public health consultant. But by being truthful about what wasn’t working, Nena has created a career which does work for her and her family, all around her passion – food. Nena has worked with big names in the food industry and her recipes appear in national magazines. Nena is honest and frank about the reality of Next Chapters, and if you want a conversation which isn’t sugar-coated, Nena Foster could be just the inspiration you need.

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Gill Sherwin loved her job working in insurance, it took her all over the world. Everything was great, until one day it wasn’t. She and her husband realised this lifestyle was no longer working for them. So, they decided to start their own business doing something they loved. They’ve since sold millions of bottles of beer, created a family business, supported young people needing a little help in life and they really do something they love every day. Gill’s story is one of purpose, passion and positivity which will leave your glasses full of joy.

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Claire Davis is changing lives. If you are feeling too overwhelmed with the mortgage, children, husband, wife, job, life to even think about your Next Chapter, then Claire could have the answers for you. Not only does she talk bravely and honestly about her own First Chapter, she is now working tirelessly with her lovely husband James to make sure people start and stay with their own Next Chapters. Together they are the Midlife Mentors. They know how precious life is and they don’t want anyone feeling stuck and wasting theirs on something that’s not right for them. Whether it’s a weight problem, fitness, job, relationship or simply wading through life rather than filling your days with joy, Claire and James will give you the guidance you need. Their work has attracted celebrities, national media coverage and it has helped many, many people. I think you’ll understand when you hear how down-to-earth, relatable and frankly, brilliant Claire is.

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Woody Morris says she now lives her true life, filling her time with exactly what she loves, every single day. There are not many people who live life to the full in the way Woody does. And when you hear what happened to her and her lovely family when she was thirteen years old, you will understand just how special she is. This conversation covers it all: grief, pain, hope, joy and why you must not waste another moment. Woody has lived around the world, worked as national correspondent covering stories from Hollywood to the Olympics. But when Woody started her own family, she took the brave step and built a life which suited them more, and one which now helps so many others too. Woody is invigorating, encouraging and an inspiration to us all. If you need someone to give you that push into a life which fills your days with joy, then could just be the conversation for you. If you want to see Woody's brilliant work you can find her at https://www.gratefullemon.co.uk/ or https://www.spillthebeanstv.co.uk/. Her Instagram is @woodyymorris. 

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Why work really hard at something you don’t really like? This was the thought which helped Anna Clements make the brave step towards living a life she loves. Anna worked as a commercial lawyer but when she had young children and realised her job didn’t suit family life, she decided to give herself a budget and a time limit to see where her love of interiors would take her. Anna didn’t spend more years studying, she started to buy some products and… well, you’ll have to listen to find out. Let’s just say Anna’s business is now a hub of the community where she lives, she has a top team of lovely people and has built a huge following. You can see for yourselves: https://monpote.co.uk/

Anna’s formula seems to be honesty + bravery + hard work = living a life filled with passion and purpose. Now who doesn’t want that? Anna is humble and modest in our interview and she gives some great practical tips if you are pondering your Next Chapter.

elliebarkerwrites.com

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In Susan Tanner’s words, she has never really known where her career is going, but what a journey it has taken her on. One of the first stops was the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. It wasn’t quite the enormous event it is now when she arrived and over the years she helped it grow into the only fiesta of its kind in Europe. Susan speaks openly about how she navigated the ups and downs (and weather) and what it really was like during those momentous weekends. But if you think Susan planned her next chapter like the fiesta, think again. One television appearance and everything changed. Susan now loves working as a pig farmer but that’s not all, there's many more twist and turns on her journey. So be ready, Susan’s bravery and honesty in conversation may take you somewhere you’re not expecting - a bit like one of those balloon flights.

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When life wasn’t going as Hanna Armitage wanted for her and her young family, Hanna and her husband were really honest and made a huge change. But Hanna had no idea this honesty would take to her to a job and life she absolutely loves. Hanna runs the Winterbrook Garden Nurseries in Oxfordshire with her dad, John. She’s learned how to grow and now she’s teaching others to do the same. Her hours suit Hanna and her family, she gets to meet great people and eat some delicious cake too. Hanna believes it’s all about being open and trusting your instinct. If she hadn’t, she may never have discovered her dream life was there, just waiting for her on her childhood doorstep. Her bravery and honesty took her to where she was meant to be, and her wisdoms she shares in this conversation may help you to do exactly the same.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenextchapterbyelliebarker.substack.com

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**** NO MUSIC EPISODE ****

… Episodes addressing the Next Chapters we don’t ask for, the ones where the music suddenly stops.

Heidi Loughlin had what can only be described as an ‘eventful’ start in life. But any challenges or obstacles put in her way would not stop Heidi. In fact, she went on to use these experiences to fight gangs, help young criminals, and police riots and football matches for the Metropolitan Police.

Heidi was just about to start a Next Chapter of her own choice when life gave Heidi and her family a Next Chapter she could never have imagined. Pregnant with her third child, Heidi was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. She then had to make a choice nobody should ever have to make. Her life or her child’s? Her baby daughter Ally was born at twenty-eight weeks and one day. Five days later Ally died and Heidi faced having months to live.

But if you think this episode is going to be all bleak and depressing, well think again. Years later, Heidi's still here. You can't stop her booking holidays and she knows exactly how she wants to live her life. There are of course, some tough moments in this conversation. But there is also lots of laughter too. That’s the thing about these No Music Episodes, there are people like Heidi who will fill you with more hope, inspiration and joy than you could ever imagine - who will tell you, one day when you least expect it, the music will play again. Be warned though, there is swearing. But what do you expect from someone who took on all those gangs?

I will never forget the day I met Heidi Loughlin. She is one of those rare people who touches your life, who will never leave your mind. If something’s stopping you start your Next Chapter, then Heidi’s bravery as she navigates the rollercoaster of life may help you find your way through your own ups and downs.

To follow Heidi and her incredible work you can find her on Twitter and Linked In @storminatitcup. Her podcast is called Laughing in the Face of Death.

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Julie Reilly has done what so many people dream about but often never do. She has built the life she wanted for her and her family, doing something she loves. Julie fell in love with clay when she was at secondary school, but life and job offers took her do a different world. She worked for a museum, for Shell and lived in Singapore, but she never lost her love for ceramics. It was when Julie became a mum she made the decision to start her Next Chapter and thank goodness she did. There is now a waiting list for her work, she’s been featured in national magazines and she has orders coming from all over the world. Julie is brave, inspiring and modest. When you see the work Julie creates, it’s hard to imagine she still has the fear, but she speaks honestly about how she pushes through it - and she encourages others to do the same.

You can find out more about Julie at www.juliereilly.com

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In her own words Jenny Urquhart loves painting pretty pictures which fill her with joy... but Jenny's passion, work-ethic and love of life fills this conversation with joy too. From the beginning of her story in a tough state school with a love of nature, to now working at her kitchen table doing something she loves every day, it's hard not to be inspired by Jenny. But there's no fancy art schools or years of pondering Picasso in Jenny's story. When Jenny was a mum, in her thirties, she simply picked up her paintbrush and started to do what she loved. Then she was brave enough to show it in a place you will never guess. Jenny says 'don't waste time, do what you love.' But Jenny's story isn't just one about her painting pretty pictures, it's about grit, determination and having the courage to try. 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenextchapterbyelliebarker.substack.com

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