Writing with Purpose – Inspiring Journallers, Writers, Readers and Nature Lovers

After meeting Mandy at a literary lunch in Cheshire, I was thrilled to have her join me on the Writing with Purpose podcast. Like many writers, Mandy has a love of reading, writing and story-making in her blood. She’s written across many genres and forms, including romantic comedy, screenplay, historical crime fiction, and psychological thrillers.

We chat about the happiness reading brings and getting lost in an engaging story. We both grew up in rural communities, and it’s lovely to hear Mandy share her experiences of the great outdoors in the writing process and life. In this episode, we discuss:

Mandy is a crime fiction novelist who writes psychological thrillers and historical crime fiction. Her debut novel, Just Another Liar, was published by Avon Books in 2022, followed by her second novel, The Younger Woman, in 2023.

Mandy’s work has been shortlisted in the Gransnet/HQ novel competition and Woman & Home short story competition, as well as long-listed in the HWA/Sharpe Books Unpublished Novel Award and Orange Pathé screenwriting competition.

Mandy won a Radio 5 Live monologue competition, has an MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) from the University of East Anglia and is a Faber Academy alumna. She also teaches the PWA/Jericho Writers Fiction Foundation course and is the John Yorke Story course coordinator.

In Mandy’s words, ‘Love the process and don’t give up.’

Connect with Mandy’s social media profiles and purchase her psychological suspense books.

Also mentioned in this podcast is the Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett.

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A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This generous act helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

How do you go ‘above and beyond’ to ensure optimal health and achieve what you want in life?

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I chat with personal coach Joel Dovey about how he discovered the huge gap his clients experienced once they stepped out of the gym doors – and what he did about it.

As an experienced personal trainer, Joel saw the impact of actions, behaviours and habits beyond the gym. He wanted to create a more holistic way for people to achieve optimal health. Joel developed a personal coaching side to his physical training and launched the Above & Beyond programme for business owners. Joel supports clients who want to achieve a lean, muscular physique but lack the motivation to break their current routine and get into shape. One key benefit of working with Joel is the promise to drop 30 lbs of body fat in 90 days (if you follow the recommended regime).

Joel and I chat about:

Learn more about Joel’s five-step process to go Above & Beyond

Connect with Joel for more hints and tips to progress your physical and mental wellbeing. Download nutritious recipes from Joel's website and see how you fare with the strength test!

Also mentioned in the podcast is the book and concept of the ⁠Alter Ego Effect⁠™ by Todd Herman.

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A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This generous act helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

Welcome to this episode of Writing with Purpose, where I chat with life and wellbeing coach Rebecca Norton. Rebecca loves the great outdoors and takes her outside whenever possible.

Rebecca is a lifelong student of learning and personal development. The first self-development book she read was ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers. This influenced Rebecca's younger years, and she still remembers it today. Rebecca says life coaching seemed like a natural choice. Before her coaching career, Rebecca enjoyed community work, training, teaching, working for charities and being a freelance outdoor instructor.

Setting up her business has been a self-confessed rollercoaster ride for Rebecca! She’s learned heaps and met some fantastic people – every day is an education day. Rebecca loves helping clients improve their wellbeing and enjoy life.

In this episode, Rebecca and I discuss colourful careers, confidence and caution, outdoor experiences and shaking up traditional coaching models.

Rebecca is proud to be Yorkshire-born and bred. It forms a big part of her identity, having grown up enjoying outdoor pursuits from an early age. Listen to Rebecca’s thoughts on releasing indoor physical and mental constraints and finding metaphors in nature.

Connect with Rebecca and learn more about her four-step process for outdoor coaching.

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A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This generous act helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Writing with Purpose, where I chat with Chris Kenworthy, a transformative coach and improviser of unscripted comedy and drama.

Chris helps people reclaim their innate playful and curious spirit to make life more fun by facilitating workshops combining improv and authentic relating. Chris lives in Leeds with his dog, Laurie and is a former freelance copywriter and photographer, DIY nerd and Yorkshire hippy. Chris also coaches individuals in one-to-one coaching and Clear Space sessions.

In this episode, we discuss developing a more respectful and intimate relationship with ourselves.

As a former freelance copywriter and photographer, Chris has advanced his creativity by several steps. He loves supporting people and showing them how to transpose their problems onto the outdoor environment for clarity and resolution.

Hang out with Chris on his solo audio blog, with his co-host Ellie Lloyd Jones (a previous podcast guest), or visit his website and socials.

_ _ _

A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This generous act helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

This episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast is a little 'off-the-cuff' and inspired by five guest recordings over the past couple of days.

I've loved every minute of the conversations and have been in complete 'flow' with the flow.

I never thought I would enjoy creating a podcast. My perception was a lot of hard work for little return. Yet I was drawn to it. Don't get me wrong, it's not a walk in the park, but there's something raw and authentic about having a conversation with another like-minded soul who is willing to try anything that is enriching and beneficial to living a fulfilled life.

This episode is my last solo chat and I delve into the insight gained from a deep conversation, the unwavering motivation provided by the running community and the concept that we have five 'selves'.

Listen and stretch your thinking to challenge habitual behaviours and strengthen the relationship with creativity and your self.

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Thank you for tuning in to the Writing with Purpose podcast.

A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

A cold snap has hit the UK, but that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying the activities we love and progressing our goals.

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I share a few nuggets from this week’s learning about writing daily and the enjoyment, wisdom and freedom it brings. Bringing mindfulness to walking adventures and outdoor activities can be deeply rewarding. The beauty and expansiveness gained from an early dawn or solo plod can be invigorating and enlightening, setting you up for the day ahead.

Finally, I share more ways to evolve into your future self and how charitable donations, rummaging in your wardrobe, and conversing with your past, current and future self can help.

Listen to learn more, hear prompts to support your journalling practice, and deepen your relationship with writing for wellbeing, nature and creativity.

_ _ _

Thank you for tuning in to the Writing with Purpose podcast.

A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

We're here on earth in our human bodies to enjoy what life has to offer, so let's not waste the opportunity!

In this episode, I recommend podcasts, books and a movie to

I share an experience that literally stopped me in my tracks on New Year's Day and encourage you to look out for the guiding signs and symbols in nature. What could they mean?

And finally, are you working towards a person or a thing in 2024? Focusing on the future you is the only way to overcome the limitations of your current self.

Listen to learn more, hear prompts to support your journalling practice, and deepen your relationship with writing for wellbeing, nature and creativity.

_ _ _

Thank you for tuning in to the Writing with Purpose podcast.

A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This generous act helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

Welcome to 2024!

Let’s start this new year by focussing on what we value in our lives and taking the time to identify what really matters.

In this episode, I share several journalling prompts to help you connect better with yourself and nature and invite you to assign a word that sets the intention for your new year.

Spending time outside in natural environments rejuvenates wellbeing. FACT. Consider how the beauty of nature makes you feel and make stepping into it a regular diary entry to take a break from urban settings and daily stresses. Breathe deeply and enjoy.

Where is your innocent child? It’s incredible how invigorating childlike play is for adults; let’s face it, we need more of it in our lives. Identify what makes you smile and embrace the benefits childlike playfulness brings.

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Thank you for tuning in to the Writing with Purpose podcast.

A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

It’s almost the end of another year, so let’s get stuck into a conversation that celebrates our personal growth and everything we’ve accomplished over the past 12 months.

Identify ways to engage your senses when wandering in nature to boost your awareness and observation skills.

Take yourself on a solo date to ignite creativity and find activities that are joyful and easeful.

Revisit 2023 captured in photographic memories on your phone to discover your happy places, activities and buddies.

This episode offers an abundance of journalling resources that encourage you to take a deeper look at how you can harness positive accomplishments and new experiences to improve your outlook for 2024.

A quick apology for the rustling sound on this podcast. As an attempt to keep perfectionist tendencies at bay, I've not re-recorded it because a) my podcasts are authentic and in the moment and b) sometimes good is good enough 💚🙏

_ _ _

Thank you for tuning in to the Writing with Purpose podcast.

A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.

Welcome to a new mini-series where I ‘solo chat’ with you

about my two loves in life: writing and nature. Thrown into the mix is a third element: creativity.

I’m excited to share new ways for you to achieve more from writing for wellbeing. Listen to gain a healthy dose of nine journalling prompts to ponder over, creative activities to try, and learn new ways to connect with nature.

It’s Christmastime, and I invite you to think about your perfect Yuletide and what is meaningful to you during the festivities.

Discover the five pathways to boosting your connection with the great outdoors and increase your happiness by inviting more creativity into daily life.

_ _ _

Thank you for tuning in to the Writing with Purpose podcast.

A new episode is released every Saturday at 8 am.

Please remember to subscribe, share and leave your thoughts as a review. This helps other listeners find the podcast on their chosen platform and allows me to continue providing valuable insight and resources for you to gain from.