The Small Victories Podcast

What if you didn’t have to convince people to buy from you—because your clients already did it for you?

In this episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Tommi Murshed-Parish, founder of Conversions for Coaches, to explore how genuine video testimonials can become one of the most powerful—and ethical—growth tools in a coach’s business.

Tommi shares why authenticity always outperforms polish, how deep listening unlocks stories that truly resonate, and why the best testimonials don’t feel like sales pitches at all. Drawing from his personal journey, professional filmmaking background, and years of helping coaches convert clients without pressure, Tommi reframes testimonials as relationship builders, not marketing assets.

This conversation is a must-listen for coaches, speakers, consultants, and service-based entrepreneurs who want their impact to be felt before the sales call—and their results to speak louder than their words.

Key Takeaways

• Testimonials don’t work because you have them—they work because of what’s actually said. Quality, emotion, and believability matter more than polish.

• A powerful video testimonial is like a movie trailer, not the whole film. Its job is to spark curiosity and trust, not explain everything.

• People connect to humans, not scripts. The more natural, imperfect, and real someone sounds, the more relatable—and persuasive—the testimonial becomes.

• Being interviewed creates better testimonials than self-recording. Live conversation reduces nerves, uncovers deeper layers, and captures emotional truth.

• Long-term testimonials are often more powerful than immediate ones. The real impact of your work compounds over time—and that’s where the strongest stories live.

• How you ask for feedback determines what you receive. Removing the word “testimonial” and leading with vulnerability invites honesty instead of performance.

• Testimonials are a byproduct of relationships. Coaches who nurture real connections get more referrals, better feedback, and stronger social proof.

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your business are you still trying to sell harder instead of letting real client stories build trust for you?

2. Which past or long-term clients might now be able to reflect on the deeper, lasting impact of your work?

Guest Contact Information

Tommi Murshed-ParishFounder, Conversions for Coaches

🌐 Website: https://conversionsforcoaches.com/

This episode is a powerful reminder that truth sells where polish fails. When you lead with honesty, listen deeply, and let real stories rise to the surface, trust forms naturally—and that’s where sustainable, victorious growth begins.

What happens when an ordinary working mom says yes to extraordinary challenges? In this inspiring conversation, Felicity Ashley—Atlantic rower, cancer survivor, motivational speaker, and author of Stronger Than the Storm—shares how resilience, mindset, and a powerful “why” can carry us through life’s toughest storms. From rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to navigating a stage-three cancer diagnosis, Felicity reminds us that adversity doesn’t define us—it refines us.

Key Takeaways

• Opportunities often show up disguised as challenges—saying yes can change your life.

• A powerful why will carry you through any how.

• Resilience grows through setbacks; each challenge strengthens you for the next.

• Fear can be fuel—channel it into preparation and action.

• You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.
  

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life are you focusing on reasons to say no instead of finding your reasons to say yes?

2. What challenge in your life right now could actually be refining you for something greater?
   

   
   

Connect with Felicity Ashley

🌐 www.felicityashley.com

📧 [email protected]

📞 +44 (0) 20 8050 1357

In this episode of Small Victories, Pauline Victoria sits down with author and speaker Daryl Dittmer to uncover how a life once defined by hardship and addiction transformed into one rooted in meaning, influence, and hope. Daryl opens up about confronting inner battles, learning to surrender control, and stepping into vulnerability and humility as the foundation for real change.

Key Takeaways 

• Many of our deepest conflicts are internal — and until we name and tend those internal battles, fighting external problems won’t bring real peace.

• The phrase “when you stop fighting, the fighting stops” is more than a saying — it’s a lived principle that Daryl continues to practice daily.

• Saying “I don’t know” and becoming teachable is not a weakness — it’s one of the most powerful doorways to transformation.

• Taking risks is not about blind leaps — sometimes it’s simply doing the uncomfortable thing you know will move you forward.

• Humility and gratitude anchor growth — staying open, small, and teachable helps guard against ego-driven distortions.

• Progress is not linear. Some days you win, some days you don’t — but choosing to face yourself is always a win.

• Letting go of “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts” helps dissolve internal warfare and replace judgment with grace.
  

Reflection Questions

1. What is one “internal battle” you’re currently fighting — and how might your struggle change if you simply stepped back and offered yourself grace instead of resistance?

2. What is one small, risky move (even uncomfortable) you could take this week to lean into growth — simply because you believe that doing so matters more than playing it safe?
   

Connect with Daryl Dittmer

• Website: www.daryldittmer.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whenistopfighting/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095169161814

• Facebook (alternate): https://www.facebook.com/daryl.dittmer/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryl-dittmer-734205294/

Have you ever achieved success on paper, only to feel a quiet ache for something more? In this thought-provoking episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with James Robbins—international keynote speaker, leadership author, and creator of The Call to Climb—to explore what it means to live in alignment with your soul's calling.

Through personal story and powerful metaphors, James shares how even a purposeful life can feel hollow when it’s out of sync with your true self. Together, they unpack the courage it takes to listen to your inner whispers, the difference between ego-driven goals and soul-aligned commitments, and the idea that your greatest contribution to the world is not what you do—but who you become.

If you’ve ever wondered if there’s more to life than just checking off achievements, this episode will give you the spiritual compass to find your way forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Purpose is not a position—it’s your most honest and authentic expression. You can live your purpose in many forms, but it starts with being fully yourself.

• The soul doesn’t care what the crowd thinks—only the ego does. Learning to distinguish between these voices is essential to living a fulfilled life.

• Discontent can be a divine signal. Feeling out of alignment isn’t failure—it’s your soul summoning you to a deeper conversation.

• You don’t need permission to live your life—you need intention. Crafting a “spiritual compass” can help you define what success really looks like for you.

• Fear keeps us in familiar patterns. True transformation begins by sitting with your fear and asking, “What is this in service to?”

• Not every soul-calling needs to be monetized. Some passions are meant simply to nourish your spirit—and that’s enough.
  

Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your life do you feel out of alignment, even if things seem “good” on the surface?

2. What beliefs or fears might be keeping you from expressing your most authentic self?
   

Connect with James Robbins:

• Main Website: www.jamesrobbins.com

• The Call to Climb Book Website: iwillclimb.com 

• Books:

• Nine Minutes on Monday: View on Amazon 

• The Call to Climb: Learn More

• Social Media:

• Instagram: @james.r.robbins https://www.instagram.com/james.r.robbins 

• YouTube: @james.r.robbins https://www.youtube.com/@james.r.robbins 

• Facebook: James Robbins https://www.facebook.com/jamesrobbins97/ 

What if starting over isn’t failure — but an invitation to rise wiser?

In this raw, hilarious, and powerfully honest conversation, I sit down with Jessica Danel—author of Bucket List from a Redneck Girl and host of the Jess Saying podcast. Jess shares her rollercoaster story of resilience: from being the "Popeye Girl" and surviving a school shooting, to building a million-dollar preschool business, facing public shaming, and walking away from it all to protect her daughter and rebuild her life again—and again.

Her life isn’t linear, and that’s exactly the point. Through tragedy, loss, reinvention, and steamy romance novels (!), Jess shows us that the only thing standing in our way is... ourselves.

This conversation will remind you that setbacks are setups, humor is healing, and you can start over — not from scratch, but from experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience isn’t about being polished. It’s about falling down and choosing to get back up — again and again.

• Starting over doesn’t erase your progress. It compounds your wisdom and sharpens your clarity.

• Being unapologetically yourself is a superpower. Authenticity is magnetic and healing — both for yourself and others.

• You don’t need permission to write your story. Everyone’s life has value, and someone needs the wisdom your experiences carry.

• Your lowest moments don’t define you. How you rise from them does.
  

Reflection Questions:

1. What’s a moment in your life when you had to start over — and how did it shape who you are today?

2. Are there stories from your past that deserve to be shared, even if they’re messy, painful, or unfinished?
   

Connect with Jessica Danel:

• 🌐 Website: www.jesssaying.net 

• 🎧 Podcast: Jess Saying — Available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube & wherever you get your podcasts 

• 📘 Book: Bucket List from a Redneck Girl 

• 📲 Social Media: 

• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jessdanel

• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessdanel/

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jessicadanel3

  X / Twitter https://x.com/Jesssaying2025

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-danel-mba-88970283/
  

• 
  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jessicadanel4240

What if success in business didn’t come at the expense of people or the planet—but because of how you treat them? In this inspiring episode of The Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria sits down with Dr. Bruno Cignacco—international business consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of The Art of Compassionate Business—to reimagine what it means to thrive in business today.

Bruno shares how compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, and generosity are not just feel-good values—they’re smart business strategies that foster loyalty, innovation, and long-term profitability. Backed by decades of research and practical examples, he reveals how the most successful organizations are those that put humans, relationships, and meaning at the heart of their operations.

Whether you’re leading a team, growing your business, or redefining success for yourself, this episode will challenge you to see kindness not as a soft skill, but as a strategic advantage.\

Key Takeaways

• Compassion in business isn’t weakness—it’s a strength that builds trust, collaboration, and long-term success.

• The most valuable business resource isn’t technology or capital—it’s people and relationships.

• A psychologically safe workplace boosts creativity, engagement, and innovation.

• Fear-based cultures kill compassion; generosity-based cultures unlock potential.

• Companies that integrate social and environmental purpose attract more loyal customers, talented employees, and aligned partners.

• Conscious leadership is about asking, “How can I add value, support, and understanding to those around me?”
  

Reflection Questions

1. How might your business or leadership style shift if compassion became your core strategy, not just a personal value?

2. What’s one relationship—personal or professional—where you could choose understanding over urgency this week?
   

Connect with Dr. Bruno Cignacco

🌐 Website: www.brunocignacco.com

📘 Book: The Art of Compassionate Business – Available here http://www.routledge.com/9781032445427

In this episode of The Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria sits down with Sam Mitchell—autistic advocate, speaker, and the voice behind the Autism Rocks and Rolls podcast. Sam shares his journey of navigating the world as an autistic individual, debunking the myths that surround autism, and advocating for a world where people are treated with respect, not pity.

With honesty, humor, and heart, Sam opens up about his lived experience—from being misunderstood and bullied to becoming a confident voice for change. You’ll learn why he believes autism isn't a flaw but a different and powerful way of thinking. Sam’s message is clear: don’t judge someone for what they didn’t choose. Instead, take the time to understand, adapt, and connect. 

Whether you're on the spectrum, love someone who is, or want to become a more empathetic human, this conversation will shift your perspective and challenge assumptions.

Key Takeaways:

• Autism is not brokenness—it’s a different way of thinking. Sam challenges the idea that those on the spectrum are less capable and instead highlights the unique strengths they bring to the table.

• Everyone on the spectrum is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all definition of autism. Just like neurotypical people, autistic individuals have distinct personalities, interests, and preferences.

• Respect starts with effort, not perfection. When meeting someone with autism, Sam encourages people to simply try. Mistakes are okay—understanding comes from conversation and curiosity.

• Labels don’t define potential. Sam’s story proves that a diagnosis doesn’t determine destiny. His podcast, confidence, and creativity have blossomed despite being written off early in life.

• 🌐 Website: www.autismrocksandrolls.com 

• 🎙️ Podcast: Autism Rocks and Rolls — available on your favorite platform

• 📱 Social Media: Search “Autism Rocks and Rolls” on all major platforms
  

Have you ever felt the pull to be more visible… but hesitated anyway?

In this special panel episode of The Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria brings together a group of speakers, coaches, and authors who are all clients inside the Step Into the Spotlight Visibility Mastermind. Though they come from different industries and backgrounds, they share one thing in common: the courage to be seen before they felt ready.

This honest, unscripted conversation explores what courage really looks like in real life and business. Not the loud, dramatic kind—but the quiet, daily decisions to show up anyway. Together, the panel dives into fear, identity, conviction, faith, consistency, and the internal work required to step into visibility with integrity.

If you’ve ever questioned your voice, struggled with comparison, or wondered whether your message truly matters, this episode is an invitation to stop waiting for confidence and start practicing courage—one small victory at a time.

Key Takeaways

• Courage often begins in isolation. Making the decision to move forward doesn’t always come with immediate support—but clarity grows as you walk it out.

• Visibility creates accountability. When you share your message publicly, you’re more likely to stay committed to the work you’re called to do.

• Conviction fuels consistency. Belief in your message is what keeps you showing up when motivation fades.

• You don’t find clarity before action—you find it through action. Speaking, sharing, and serving refine your message over time.

• Owning your voice is an inside job. True visibility starts with taking responsibility for what you believe, say, and live.

• Being seen as you are is more powerful than trying to be who you think you should be. Authentic connection happens when you stop performing and start showing up truthfully.

• Confidence is built after courage, not before it. Small, brave steps compound into trust in yourself.

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life or business are you waiting to feel “ready” instead of choosing courage?

2. What small act of visibility could you commit to this week, even if it feels uncomfortable?

In this deeply moving episode of The Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria sits down with Ella Coonen and David Kaye to explore The Sound of a Bucket List — a documentary capturing Ella’s intentional journey to hear 16 meaningful sounds before her hearing fades completely. At just 17, Ella was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic condition that will eventually take all her hearing. Rather than retreating from life, she crafted a bucket list of sounds — from ocean waves to church bells — that she’s determined to experience and document while she still can.In this conversation, they unpack grief and acceptance, the power of presence, and how embracing both joy and sorrow can deepen our connection to life. This episode reminds us that loss doesn’t have to silence us; it can teach us how to truly listen.

Key Takeaways

• You can acknowledge grief without letting it define you. Embracing anger and sadness is part of healing and doesn’t diminish joy.

• Intentional experiences amplify meaning. Actively seeking moments — even difficult ones — helps us appreciate what we often overlook.

• Support systems matter. Community, family, and connection sustain us through adversity.

• Joy and sadness can coexist. Recognizing that emotions aren’t neatly compartmentalized deepens our understanding of life.

• Loss can shift perspective, not just diminish it. Reframing loss as transformation allows us to find new purpose.

Reflection Questions for You

1. What sound — literal or metaphorical — holds deep meaning for you, and how can you intentionally experience it today?

2. Where in your life might you be resisting grief, and how might allowing that emotion support deeper presence and growth?

Connect with Ella & the Documentary

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundofabucketlist/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585248495543

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@badexampleproductions

If you’d like to donate: (GoFundMe)

In this deeply moving and powerful conversation, Les Brown joins The Small Victories Podcast for a masterclass on belief, resilience, purpose, and legacy. More than a motivational interview, this episode is a reminder that your life is not defined by what happened to you—but by what you decide to do next.

Les shares raw stories from his life, reflections from nearly eight decades of living, and timeless wisdom about service, courage, and commitment. Together, Pauline and Les explore what it means to honor your calling, step beyond fear, and live in a way that outlives you. This episode will challenge how you see yourself, your excuses, and your potential—and invite you to rise into the next chapter of your life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re truly meant for more, this conversation doesn’t just answer that question—it calls you forward.

Key Takeaways & Perspective Shifts

• Your beginnings do not determine your destiny. What shapes your future is not what happened to you, but what you decide to believe about yourself.

• Commitment matters more than clarity. You don’t need to know how it will work—your responsibility is to commit and take the next step.

• Winning requires sacrifice. Growth demands letting go of who you’ve been so you can give birth to who you’re becoming.

• Your story is your power. Information alone doesn’t transform lives—human stories disrupt limiting beliefs and awaken possibility.

• You are AI-proof when you lead with heart. Technology can share information, but it cannot replace lived experience, service, and soul-driven purpose.

• Legacy is built through service. A life devoted to lifting others creates impact that continues long after you’re gone.

• Belief is often borrowed before it’s built. Sometimes you need someone to believe in you until you’re ready to believe in yourself.

• Life is a fight for territory. When you stop fighting for what you want, what you don’t want takes over by default.
  

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life are you waiting for clarity instead of committing to the next small step forward?

2. What part of your story—once seen as a limitation—might actually be the key to your greatest contribution?
   

Connect with Les Brown

• 🌐 Website: https://lesbrown.com/

• 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/thelesbrown

• 📸 Instagram: http://instagram.com/thelesbrown

• ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCal1McMCjg8OBCr5fAI8ECA/
  If this episode stirred something in you, take it as confirmation—not coincidence. You don’t need permission. You don’t need to feel ready. Honor the small victories, keep showing up, and remember: you were made for more.