Style and Substance

In this episode, airing just before Thanksgiving in the US, we explore gratitude. More than a list of nice things or another self help task 'to-do, we see it as a powerful, science backed practice that reshapes the brain, strengthens resilience and reconnects us to the joy in our work. We touch on how gratitude widens perspective, helps us find meaning in the messy middle and becomes a quiet fuel for purpose led business. We close with the unexpected things we've both been grateful this year. We hope you find it useful and, as ever, thank you for listening.

In this episode, we crack open the existential crisis so many creatives are quietly drowning in: when your hard-won brilliance suddenly feels… irrelevant. The rules of business have shapeshifted, the loudest are winning, and AI is nipping at everyone’s heels. Fi and I get brutally honest about what it means to stay true to your craft when the world keeps shouting “pivot!” and you’d rather set your laptop on fire.What do you do when your expertise took 10 years to build… but someone with a ring light and a knack for marketing is now the “industry leader”? Join us as we unpack the creative identity crisis of our era, the rise of AI, and the pressure to monetise your soul via prompts, courses, and whatever the algorithm wants this week.We are really digging in this week and hope you enjoy coming along with us.

This week, we dive into the subtle and not-so-subtle ways, we hold ourselves back in business and life. From shrinking our brilliance without even realising it, to clinging to what’s “kind of working” instead of what’s calling us next, this episode is our usual fairly frank exploration of fear, growth and self-belief.Expect a few gentle rants and the reminder that your brand and your life can only ever be as expansive as your thinking. Enjoy lovely listeners.

Welcome back lovely listeners to a new season. As we hurtle towards the end of 2025, we’re kicking things off with a relaxed catch-up and your questions answered. Honest reflections, practical insights, and a few laughs, just how we like it. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and we're always open to more so please do drop us a line.

Have you ever swallowed what you really want to say because you didn’t want to come across as that person? You know that feeling when perhaps you’ve been short changed and, at some level you know you deserve more, but this tiny voice in your head says ‘ugh, I just don’t want to be that person…’?” We’ve all felt it but when that emotion overrides everything, it can cost us more than just a little embarrassment.In this episode, we unpack the quiet tension so many women in business live with: wanting to honour our instincts and trust our boundaries, but fearing we’ll be misread or misunderstood or even not liked. We’ll explore why this conditioning runs so deep, how it erodes self-trust, and what it takes to reclaim your inner authority, without hardening or over apologising.We're posing the question; "How much of our energy goes into curating how we are perceived, rather than inhabiting who we actually are and getting what we really deserve?" and what is that actually costing us?Expect gentle truth-telling, a few nervous system insights, and some deeply practical ways to start trusting your “no,” and your instincts again.Because maybe being that person, the clear, kind, self-respecting one, is exactly who you came here to be.This is the last of this season before we head into half term and if you want something to look forward to you can book your place on our Style and Substance Christmas Lunch on 27th November, at the fabulous Jamie O's in London. Just head over to http://www.thebrand-stylist.com/events to book your place. We'd love to see you there!

Raising Expectations When We're Done SettlingThere’s a moment in every woman’s business journey when something shifts and she realises she’s been playing smaller than she meant to.Maybe it happens in midlife, maybe it happens when you finally admit what you really want, but either way, something clicks. You start to expect more.You stop wanting to prove yourself and start wanting to leave something that lasts.In this episode, we explore what it means to expect more, from your business, from your brand, and from yourself.Together, we’ll talk about why the world doesn’t always hold high expectations for women in business, and why that means we must hold them for ourselves. We’ll unpack how branding can carry the weight of your ambition, give you a presence you can be proud of, and help you claim your legacy with confidence.If you’ve felt that quiet nudge that says, “It’s time to raise the bar,” — this one’s for you.In this episode we talk about:Why women so often under-expect, and how to change thatHow branding can hold your high standards and reflect who you’re becomingThe midlife turning point: legacy, visibility, and the art of leaving your markIt’s a conversation about courage, refinement, and the power of showing up for yourself at a new level.We'll leave you with three powerful steps to take when you start expecting more.We hope you enjoy the listen and if you know someone who needs to hear this please do pass it on with our love. #StyleAndSubstancePodcast #WomenInBusiness #BrandStrategy #MidlifePower #CreativeEntrepreneurs #BrandStylist