I'm SO happy to be back behind the mic with another episode of my podcast, Twenty Something Conversations. In my episode today I was joined by the wonderful Laura Misch, who is an experimental artist and musician that self-produces/releases/promotes all of her work independently. I got in touch with Laura back in the summer via Instagram, telling her that her recent project, Lonely City, resonated with me so much, particularly with its theme surrounding the feeling of loneliness. I asked her if she'd come onto my podcast to discuss it and I was so grateful that Laura replied the same day sweetly accepting the invitation! It just comes to show that it's always worth stepping out of your comfort zone to reach out to someone you admire...

Listen to Lonely City here: https://spoti.fi/2NrkDE3

My guest today is someone I found and connected with via social media after feeling drawn to a particular photo project on Instagram. That project is This Rare Bird, which I describe as a platform that raises the profile of everyday goddesses. In it, we see women showcased of all personalities, ages and background’s who talk about life, lesson’s and laughs. The account is captained by the wonderful Ashlee Gene, who I can only really describe as one of the friendliest, most supportive and finest rare bird’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. She was so up for this conversation that explored the topic of viewing social media as a positive platform and making a conscious effort to using it to lift yourself up rather than mindlessly scroll yourself to exhaustion. I LOVE this episode and cannot wait for you all to hear it. As always, please do give this podcast a rating wherever you can, as it really helps to get the Twenty Something’s word out.

Visual credit/Follow: This Rare Bird (@this.rare.bird)

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In today’s episode I ventured to the outdoors to chat with nature-driven and multi-hyphenate Helena Francesca. Helena is a folk singer-songwriter who performs in many venues, care settings, festivals, hospitals, and basically to any audience that needs the soothing and meditative sounds of her voice. After being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at a young age and obsessive compulsive disorder in her early twenties, Helena used the creative arts as an outlet to coping with her conditions, evolving them into her multi-faceted career today with woven textiles, natural and handmade products and producing music to hold under her umbrella. Her music that speaks metaphorically, tells personal stories and takes influence from the natural world, is used to help specific groups of people, performing live to mental health settings, community groups and rehabilitation spaces. Helena has a really whimsical tone to her voice, one that feels positive and refreshing in the face of struggles that come with every day life. We discussed our mental health journeys, the mindful benefits to using a bullet journal, and how finding a creative outlet to express yourself is not only fun, but imperative to your mental wellbeing. 

Photo credit: Helena Francesca (@helenafrancescaraby)

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In today’s episode, I sat down with ceramicist Gabriella Rhodes to discuss how art can be used as a way to centre and exercise the mind. Working predominantly with clay, Gabriella spoke about how the material forms an important connection to the natural world and acts as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the present moment, which gives art the potential to not just be a creative outlet, but a mindful one. We both emphasised the point that there is no such thing as a ‘bad artist’, that creating and having an artistic flare is within all of us. We also spoke about the rise in artsy events from pottery workshops to life drawing class, that incorporate art and socialising in a relaxed, fun and inclusive environment. Gabby has one of the most calming voices that I have been lucky enough to listen to, which matches the general peaceful energy that exudes from her. I really loved today’s conversation with her and I think it really offers you the permission to let yourself try your hand at a creative craft with the practice itself being more important than the finished product, something I know reflects the behaviour of our day to day. 

Photo credit: Gabriella Rhodes (@_rhodesgabriella)

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In this episode, I spoke with photographer, support worker and mama to 8-year-old Malachi, Adina Lawrence. Adina first caught my eye because of her photojournalism final project at university titled “Black British” which saw black men and women styled and shot with pops of colour, as a creative mock to the commonly used racial slur ‘coloured’. What reeled me in was a recent video Adina uploaded on Instagram titled ’Stop being a bullshitter’, which unearthed the topic of being fooled by users on social media, but predominantly Instagram, that portray a ‘perfect life’. After that, I became pretty desperate to get her on the show as this is a topic I’ve been wanting to discuss for a really long time. We spoke about how life isn’t all that it seems on social media and how it’s important to have a balance between transparency and awareness when finding yourself comparing your life to someone who seemingly has it all on social media. I love Adina’s frankness, boldness and accuracy in this discussion and learnt so much about her in such a short space of time. I really hope you enjoy this episode today as it was a total joy to do. As always please do leave a rating for the show if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts as it helps to get the Twenty Something’s word out to a wider audience!

Photo credit: Adina Lawrence (@adinalaw)

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On today’s episode, I sat for a chat with vintage visionary Nat, of Magpie’s Vintage. We discussed the journey from a student of underwater photography in Cornwall to full time creative, upcycling and restoring furniture for eight years and counting. We spoke about the pits and peaks of working for yourself, and how the difficulty or ease of shifting into self-employment compares now to nearly a decade ago. Nat’s workshop and showroom barn conversion is packed with furnishings big and small, from tea chests to wardrobes, step ladders to 1930s trunks. With over 1000 sales made on Etsy alone, along with a rise in independent and sustainable retail, there’s no sign of Magpie’s Vintage slowing down anytime soon. 

Please do give this a rating if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts as it really helps the show reach a wider audience and spread the Twenty Somethings word.

Photo: Cathy Tideswell (@yugen_yoga_)

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On today’s show I had a special sit down with five lovely ladies who had put together a clothes swap event in just two weeks, in aid of Labour Behind The Label. Labour Behind the Label is an organisation which campaigns for garment workers’ rights worldwide. They support their efforts to improve their working condition to ultimately change the fashion industry for the better. After an incredibly successful, what will now be, a quarterly event, I sat with Cathy, Charlie, Rose, Gabriella and Katrina post-clothes swap to fire through a few topics. From supporting sustainable fashion, to throwing together an event in just two weeks on a zero marketing budget, to collaborating with others to help bring it to the masses and even shifting the local communities perspective of the fashion industry - I’m so grateful that they all got to chat with me despite this being a spontaneous episode that I sprung on them just a few hours prior. I really hope you enjoy the show today as these are five of the most badass, big-thinking and passionate people I know, and the words that were said hold so much value in society today. 

Please do give this a rating if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts as it really helps the show reach a wider audience and spread the Twenty Somethings word.

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Twenty Something Conversations sat down with macrame maker and yogi shaper Cathy Tideswell of The Fringe Shop to talk about friendship. We explored how experiences in high school heavily influenced manifesting the wrong types of people into our life and our mental health struggles that came with it. Ultimately, we celebrated our journey to finding our tribe, whilst mindfully finding a way to let go of the friends that no longer serve us. Losing a friend does not necessarily mean a feud is essential, but identifying when that person has served their purpose and its time to move on can be an enlightening experience! Find the people that set your soul on fire, who support and drive you to reach your goals, and no longer allow yourself to let mediocrity into your friendships.

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Today's episode of Twenty Something Conversations welcomes Helen Taylor-Yates - Operations Director, Freelance Marketing & PR Consultant and Writer - what we call, a multi-hyphenate. We discussed all things career i.e. working a side hustle as well as your full-time gig, balancing multiple income streams, how millennials not only want better opportunities but are now demanding them, negotiating flexible working hours and so much more. Most importantly, we spoke about how to support those around you who seek insight, knowledge and tips on how to break out of societies traditional expectations of just working in one career for the rest of your life. Episode 5 is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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From using Instagram as a fun tool to document her yoga journey, to gaining a following of over 24,000 in two years, we chat with Charlie Follows (@ch3rlieflow), discussing her life outside of social media, the age of the influencer and how anything in life is possible, so long as you're willing to try.

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