SOLO EPISODE!!!! 

Since the beginning of human existence, social gatherings and alcohol have been inseparable. I don't think alcohol is the devil, in-fact I think it generates interactions which wouldn't have occurred otherwise. But I think most people would benefit from having an open conversation about their consumption and how alcohol could have a less damaging place in their life. 

Christmas Eve 2021 I embarked on a year without consuming alcohol. I won’t bore you with the obvious benefits I experienced, e.g., healthier liver and less shame induced anxiety. My greatest discovery was the overall improvement in my general mental health and absence of my, once crippling, social anxiety. Eliminating the social crutch (alcohol), which I had grown so accustomed to, had profound effects on how I behaved socially as I was forced to learn how to navigate parties and events, sober.

This episode is not for everyone, but if it is, I hope it finds you well. My dm's are always open for anyone who has any questions or would like to chat about anything further.

Topics discussed:

· Parties and alcohol as a teen

· Sober curious

· Manson’s law of avoidance

· Hobbies when you’re an adult

· Free fall period and loneliness

· Parties without alcohol

· Human connection

· Productivity

· Self esteem

· Will I drink again?

Find us at:

@whatyourfriendsknow

@lauracpinnell 

Imagine you have been a dancer since a very young age, you are in your last year of performing arts college and undergoing final assessments. You have been training for months in preparation for this exam. Now imagine, instead of this exam being held in a great hall on a stage with lights, it is instead held in your parents living room, over zoom, while dad is in the back vacuuming.  That anti-climactic end to college was the reality for Georgia and her peers. 

Thrust into post-college life with the news that the performing arts industry she was destined for may never return after covid, Georgia was forced to reflect on the parts of herself which exist outside of dance. No easy task for a woman who has spent years molding herself into the "perfect dancer". Naturally, Georgia discovered parts of herself which hadn't ever seen the light. 

This episode is about reinventing yourself, accountability and a lot of self-love. Hope you enjoy. 

Topics discussed:

• Growing up in the North of England 

• Performing arts college 

• Being a performer during lockdown 

• Coming out as bi-sexual 

• Ending a long term relationship 

• London’s allure of being anyone you wanted to be 

• Self-reflection and self-accountability

• Overhauling your mental state 

Find us at:

@whatyourfriendsknow

@lauracpinnell 

Find Georgia at:

@geo_leooo

Its pretty difficult to forge your own path. In fact, it's so difficult, that most people deny this new path is even possible. And thats understandable. Not everyone has the energy or opportunities to find and pursue this new path. But how incredible would it be if you did just that. I listen to this episode whenever i need to be reminded that i am in the drivers seat of my own life as it fills me with motivation. I hope it has the same effect on you. 

Cátia was born in a small village just outside of Porto, Portugal.  She spent her early years playing piano and dancing ballet which inspired her love for Musical Theater. Determined to make a life for herself outside of Portugal, Cátia signed herself up for the most international degree she could find which took her on overseas exchanges Lithuania and Estonia. After saving up for 3 years working various customer service and hospitality jobs she was finally able to fufill her dream of moving to london, then covid hit. Forced to reconsider her original plan, Cátia worked as an au pair during the day, and studied for her masters at night. Today she works for one of the UK’s leading marketing and advertising agencies specialising in Musical Theater in the West End. 

Topics discussed

- Small town in Portugal 

- Trying to afford a decent quality of life 

- Saving for 3 years to move to London

- Lessons learnt in ballet class 

- The loneliness of travel

- Values instilled by immigrant parents and grandparents 

- The notorious "entry level job"

- Breaking into the Musical Theater business 

- Proving people wrong 

- Speaking English as a second language 

Find us at:

@whatyourfriendsknow

@lauracpinnell

[email protected]

Find Cátia at:

@catia.catarina9

Unmistakably Texan, Kendall brings her southern charm to London's illustrious fashion scene. Kendall attended university at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she studied Fashion Design with a minor in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising. Since June 2022, she has worked as an Atelier design assistant for AADNEVIK. In this episode we discuss the benefits of diving headfirst into new opportunities and learning as you go. The ultimate 'fake it 'til you make it' masterclass. I hope you enjoy! 

Topics discussed: 

- Navigating School and University with diagnosed ADD

- Breaking away from the crowd after high school 

- Working hard regardless of the role 

- Launching and running a successful own online jewellery business

- Learning through experience vs. learning in the classroom

- Designing her first collection

- There is space for everyone to succeed 

- Getting out of your own way 

- Navigating post grad life 

Find us at:

@whatyourfriendsknow

@lauracpinnell

[email protected]

Find Kendall at:

@kendallegarrett

Lenny Jenkins joins us in the new What Your Friends Know podcast studio for todays very special episode. Lenny details his rowing journey from first representing New Zealand at the Junior World Championships in 2015, to now training with the Great Britain Olympic team in London. We discuss the realities of life as an athlete competing in one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Lenny opens up about being confronted with his own mental health during the COVID pandemic, and how he believes vulnerability is not always rewarded in a high performance environment. Nearing the possible end of his rowing career, Lenny reflects on his time at Yale University and the importance of building an identity outside of the boat. 

This episode in an ode to proving people wrong, I hope you enjoy.  

Topics discussed: 

- Growing up with twin younger brothers 

- Finding your sport 

- Preparing for a 2k erg test  

- Diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome 

- Finding success at the largest school sporting event in the southern hemisphere 

- Lenny's experience in the Junior New Zealand team 

- Managing egos 

- Staying in New Zealand or going to an American University 

- A humbling first few months at Yale 

- Feeling special in a room full of special people 

- Being a high performance athlete during COVID 

Find us at: 

@whatyourfriendsknow 

@lauracpinnell  

[email protected] 

Find Lenny at: 

@lenny.jenkins98

For most University Students, your first year flatting is the time to make horrific meals, break some windows and enjoy the pleasures of freedom. Zara was no different, making the most of this exciting new chapter all while balancing the demands of law school. In todays episode, Zara details her experience being the victim of a stalking incident which unfolded over the second half of 2019 in Dunedin, New Zealand. She details the short term impacts of experiencing trauma, as well as long term effects she carries with her today. Zara emphasises the importance of sharing the burden of difficult emotions with friends or family, and credits gratitude journalling as a way to draw yourself out of dark places. I can appreciate this is a really difficult topic for Zara to discuss and I hope it serves as a message of hope for anyone who has experienced any kind of trauma.  

Topics discussed: 

- Growing up in Auckland  

- Being a confident kid 

- Instagram in the early days 

- Building an online presence 

- Being the victim of a serial stalker  

- Carrying the trauma in her body vs her mind 

- Regaining parts of herself  

- Gratitude journalling  

Find us at: 

@whatyourfriendsknow 

@lauracpinnell 

[email protected]

Growing up in an entirely male household before moving to an all boys-boarding school has shaped Ben into the man he is today. Wholly unprepared for a gender diverse world, Ben found his feet in rugby, cricket and drinking with his mates. Having followed a path walked by many young men in New Zealand, it is clear to him what is contributing to the men’s mental health crisis. “I'm here if you need” is not enough. The solution to this problem is being proactive, being there for your mates, having difficult conversations. This is an episode which everyone will benefit from listening to, I hope you enjoy.

Topics discussed:

Find us at:

@whatyourfriendsknow

@lauracpinnell

[email protected]

Find Ben:

@ben.donkers

[email protected]

I met George in Mykonos this past summer. While most people visit this idyllic Greek island to escape the work grind, not George. Accompanied by his sound engineer, Peter, and a suitcase full of equipment, George would spend his days recording. This is what it takes to stand out and succeed in one of the most lucrative industries. In this episode we discuss his journey in the music industry and how he crafts his albums.

Topics discussed:

Find us at:

@whatyourfriendsknow

@lauracpinnell

[email protected]

Find George at:

@georgemyerr

[email protected]

Hailing from Wollongong, Australia, Taylah Britt joins us today to discuss the realities of pursuing a career as a writer. 

Tay draws on past dating experiences, global issues and the universal human experience to inform her writing. We discuss the importance of a personal writing style and whether studying English Literature aided her in this process. Reflecting on her 20s, she acknowledges the importance of platonic friendships and how they can ultimately be the longest lasting. 

Topics we discussed: 

- Finding your voice as a young girl

- Performative Activism

- How reading helps develop empathy

- Book clubs

- Football games and Harry Styles concerts

- Movie adaptations 

- Character tropes 

Recommendations

- Dolly Alderton "Everything I Know About Love" 

- "Where the Crawdads Sing" Movie and Novel 

- "Little Women" Movie and Novel 

- Sally Rooney "Beautiful World Where Are You" 

Find us here:

@whatyourfriendsknow

@lauracpinnell

Find Taylah here:

@taybritt

https://taylahbritt.com/

Alex O'Donovan was one of the first friends I made after moving to the UK 4 months ago.  Together we have spent weekends running around London, sharing stories about New Zealand (me) and Ireland (her) and how devastatingly similar it is. I have no education on the life of a fashion intern, other than 'The Devil Wears Prada' or 'Gossip Girl', which is why I am so excited for this episode. Alex is currently completing her final year at the Limerick School of Art and Design, and has spent the past summer working for a Fashion Designer in London. Lucky for us, she has well built opinions on fashion, the history behind it, and what we can expect for the future. 

Let's take some time to appreciate...what your friends know. 

What we discuss:

- What was it like to grow up in Ireland? 

- Can people be categorised based on their clothing choices? 

- How do you quantify success in a creative industry? 

- What does it take to be a celebrity stylist? 

- How accurate is 'The Devil Wears Prada'?

- Can the Art be separated from the Business? 

- How far will nepotism get you in the fashion industry? 

- What is some advice for someone starting out in the fashion industry as an intern?

You can follow us on on Instagram to be notified about new episodes: 

@whatyourfriendsknow 

@lauracpinnell 

Find Alex:

@alexandra0donovan

[email protected]