Hashtag Authentic - a podcast for online brands, businesses and creatives

The New Year is a natural time for setting goals, plans and intentions - so why do so few of us wind up making them actually happen? And worse, why do they always feel so grim? This week I chat with stylist and writer Hannah Bullivant about her 'January Book' ritual, how it's helped her in her family and professional life, and how setting kind and compassionate goals for ourselves can lead to the kind of leaps forward that we've often been craving. We also talk about finances, self doubt, launching ebooks and online courses, plus mailing list building and more. Full show notes at meandorla.co.uk/podcast59

Kate Watson Smyth is a powerhouse in the interiors world. A blogger, journalist, podcaster, author and interiors consultant, Kate has the kind of in-depth knowledge and strength of voice that can only come from years of creativity, hard work and life experience. In this episode she shares her route to where she is today, the importance of tenacity and showing up, and how to carve out your own space online with plenty of her trademark humour, insight and passion.

Dasha Pears is a conceptual photographer with a unique and magical voice and style. This week Dasha shares how she stays true to her creative voice and delivers value and magic – whether she’s creating for her own pleasure, for her devoted Instagram audience or for one of the brands she works with worldwide. An unmissable episode for anyone at an early stage of building their creative dreams, struggling to find their true style, or who is curious to know about the process behind such incredible, evocative imagery. Full show notes at https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast57-2/

Public speaking falls outside of the boundaries of the comfort zone for many of us, but is an indispensably valuable skill in many creative careers. In this episode, Viv Groskop, journalist and writer turned stand up comedian, shares the different ways we can show up and truly own the room – without having to compromise on who we truly are.

Working for yourself can mean years of feast and famine, financially - and nobody seems to mention it. This week I talk to fashion designer turned illustrator Niki Groom, about what makes the difference, sticking with your dreams, and building a secure financial future. Full show notes: https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast55-2-2/

Comparison and envy can sneak into pretty much any area of our lives, and it's seldom pretty. Comparison coach Lucy Sheridan has made it her life's work - and the focus of her business - to get to the heart of those feelings, and help people live a life free from its clutches. https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast54/

Neal Whittington is the creative mind behind online stationery wonderland, Present & Correct. I’ve followed him online for a long time not only for his store’s range of glorious paper goods, but because his social media is always a treasure trove of unusual links, on-brand curiosities and visual delights. In this episode we talk about the magic of content curation as well as creation to support and elevate an online brand. Neal shares his tricks for finding shareable content, staying active on social media and creating a unique and instantly recognisable brand. https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast53-2/

When you don't know what your talent is, with Carly Rowena by Sara Tasker

My guest this week has spent ten years researching writing, and the psychology of happiness. Author and Academic Megan C Hayes believes the two can be firmly intertwined, and has developed a framework - the Positive Journal® approach - to help anyone pick up a pen and start feeling more positive. In this episode we explore her background online, the psychology and neuro-science behind writing your heart out, and how it can all come together to make magical things unfold.

Find your why, with Kayte Ferris.

Syreeta Challinger started her lifestyle brand and online studio, Moments of Sense and Style, following a total upheaval of her and her partner Rob's life. Life changed in a heartbeat when Rob suffered a severe stroke and brain haemorrhage whilst on holiday in Sydney, Australia, miles from home, friends and family. Since then both Syreeta and Rob have had to find a new home, new ways of living and a new sense of purpose in their life together, and M.O.S.S. became the phoenix that emerged from the ashes. Together, with Syreeta's incredible optimism and determination at the helm, they've build a business that is all about light in the darkness and appreciating the beautiful moments in life. I haven't edited Rob's audio for pauses etc, because a) there's nothing wrong with pauses, and b) they show the reality of conversation with a communication impairment, and I think that's something we don't hear enough.

Instagram gets a lot of criticism for having too much styled content and not enough reality - but sometimes staged, planned imagery can still be heartbreakingly honest. Artist and photographer Carolyn Mara uses her camera and Instagram as  away of working through the difficult parts of her life, and expressing emotions or experiences that are harder to put into words. This week we talk about how she discovered this technique, how it has helped her, and why she believes we all need creativity in order to be whole. Shownotes: https://wp.me/p5XVXq-3ql

Photographer and videographer Flore has had an eclectic journey through marketing and running an online textile store to the work she does now, and along the way one thing has been essential to her growth: workshops, with other creatives. This has left her with a burning passion to create these types of events herself, to help fellow floundering creatives connect, skill up and develop their ideas to make their big dreams come to fruition. This week we chat about why the difficult business model is still essential, and what we can all gain from being involved.

How many of us dream of someday writing a book? For this week's episode I sat down with Abigail Bergstrom, head of publishing at Gleam Titles, the forward-thinking literary division of digital-first talent agency Gleam Futures, to grill her all about the inside world of publishing, the future of books, and how online creatives can find a route in to making those book dreams a reality.

This week I talk to Venice-based food writer and blogger Skye McAlpine. Skye's first cookbook,  'A Table In Venice' came out last month, and represents years of work developing her skills as a cook, writer and photographer through her blog and Instagram account. We unpack the process of writing a book, teaching yourself photography and creating the perfect Sunday lunch.