Show Us Your Bits

We’re joined this dry January with the founder of Noughty, the delicious alcohol-free fizz. Having had a career in fine wine, Amanda pivoted be a pioneer and now a market leader in alcohol-free wine, fuelled by a desire to feel the buzz without the hangover. Trained in champagne and fine wines and having worked with the world’s top sommeliers, award-winning Noughty is a game changer. She tells us about her journey from being a journalist to becoming a single-minded entrepreneur, developing a thick skin and learning to say ‘No’ along the way. Travelling all over the world, she’s a minimalist, but shares her lovely wedding ring story, the amazing drinks business Entrepreneur of the Year award her husband had to receive on her behalf, as well as the story behind her limitless tattoo. What an inspiration. We’re converts. Noughty for life, not just for January. Find out more @noughtyaf and @noughtyamanda

Join us for our 75th episode with our round up of our favourite moments from another fabulous year of podcasting as we discuss how our guests have inspired our Christmas present list. We reminisce about the wonderful and often poignant keepsakes our guests brought along to show us, like the picture Illirana Gashi from Women For Women International showed us from her son, when she got her family to safety from a war zone, to the delightful book i360 owner and BBC Dragon’s Den, Sarah Willingham made for her husband, as well as piece of genuine space rocket from tailor-to-the-stars, Gresham Blake. Our entertaining literary guests included Veronica Henry who said her flashy diamanté earrings were the jewellery equivalent of a line of cocaine, whilst Lulu Taylor told us the thrilling story of how she came to own Nancy Mitford’s pearls.  Our love of food shone through with culinary guests including young-at-heart food writer and illustrator Elisabeth Luard and the hilariously funny and irreverent Valentina Harris. A theme of connection came out in this latest season and Sahar Hashemi OBE really set the tone when she set up By Women Built to unite female founders and to highlight how many of our amazing brands and business are made by women. We had style and flair from  influencers including Zoe de Pass @dresslikeamum, Paula Sutton @hillhousevintage and  Michelle Barrett @capsuleclosetstylist and learnt about the power of red lipstick from make up artists Donna May and went on tour to meet Alice and Will from Audrey’s chocolates. We’ve heard stories of courage and resilience and people who set out to change the world and make it better, yet our guests’ life hacks were simple. They were about kindness, connection and gratitude. We hope you’ve been inspired too, and we look forward to bringing you another series in the new year. In the meantime, a huge thank you to our guests and listeners. We wish you all a very happy Christmas. 

International best-selling author Lulu Taylor joins us to talk about her latest novel, The Legacy of Secrets. With her trademark elements of a winter setting, a spectacular country house and a family riddled with secrets and complexities, this must-read page-turner has us gripped. Lulu shares stories from her writing life and shares the mystery behind her grandmother’s diamonds, as well as the spectacular tale of getting Nancy Mitford’s pearls. Utterly riveting! Find out more @misslulutaylor

Resourceful Michelle Ford is a ray of sunshine on the podcast this week. Having lived all over the world, it was whilst in America that she cashed in on the novelty of her English accent and became a voice-over artist. After a successful career, she pivoted in midlife after her Covid lockdown chats with her neighbour inspired them to start a podcast. Two Women Chatting is full of midlife wisdom with guests ranging from Anthea Turner to Dame Judi Dench, but today Michelle gives us her personal tips on filling in the gaps behind your kids, keeping a long-term relationship alive and how humour is essential. Michelle shows us her mother’s ring, her granny’s cup and saucer, which reminds us all of the importance of connection over a cup of tea, as well as a favour from her wedding in 1992.  Michelle has recently re-discovered her love of music and has her own radio show on Brooklands Radio available DAB and online and on smart speaker. She says her life hack is learning to be brave. Check out her podcast Two Women Chatting wherever you get your podcast, or go to the website  www.twowomenchatting.com Follow her on instagram @michelleford_twc #poshtottydesigns

This week we’re discussing essential fashion tips for transforming your wardrobe with down to earth influencer, Michelle Barret. She tells us about her extraordinary career, talking her way into working in costumes on big movies to being a stylist for celebrities like Katy Perry. As a single mum, juggling it all hasn’t been easy, but after the pandemic, Michelle’s career pivoted when she did a wardrobe challenge on Facebook Live, and her business, The Capsule Closet Stylist took off. Her no-nonsense practical advice has blown up online and her packages offering style advice and wardrobe edits are all the rage. She shows us her treasured keepsake, including a Posh Totty Designs  ‘Brave’ necklace gifted to her by a friend, her daughter’s special Bee toy, a homemade teddy bear made out of her granny’s wool coat and her grandfather’s military silk medals.A self-proclaimed ‘blagger’ Michelle says she’s been successful  just ask and see what happens. Check out capsuleclosetstylist.com  at and see her videos on Youtube @capsuleclosetstylist and on Insta.

 Never Give Up – with Jo Godden from Ruby Moon  It’s publication day for Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency  – Josie’s cosy crime is out in the world! We’re chatting about new projects, including Alice’s gorgeous NEW dinky charm bracelet collection  This week’s guest, Jo Godden from @rubymoon.uk, is pure inspiration  She’s the founder of an ethical, sustainable swimwear brand — and now she’s launching the world’s first fully recyclable swimsuit  After seeing the harsh realities of factory work during her fashion career, Jo created Ruby Moon to make a difference. During lockdown, she went even further — teaming up with scientists to invent a process to recycle lycra!  Total game-changer for the fashion industry. Jo isn’t a “things” person, but she brought along a beautiful beaded evening purse from her stylish grandmother Ruby (who taught her to sew) and a stunning silver clip purse from 1817 from her other grandmother Nancy  Plus, some amazing memorabilia from their trip on the Cunard Line to New York   Support Jo’s incredible journey and grab your own sustainable swimsuit here  "https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/circ-suit-the-worlds-first-recyclable-swimsuit-1" (https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/circ-suit-the-worlds-first-recyclable-swimsuit-1)  Tune in to Show Us Your Bits – stories behind the special things we hold dear  #ShowUsYourBits #RubyMoon #SustainableFashion #EthicalBusiness #NeverGiveUp #FemaleFounders #RecyclableSwimsuit #PodcastLove #EcoFashion #WomenInBusinessAlice Rivers-Cripps