LUCY LOVES

This week I have a slightly different episode for you, it’s just me. I wanted to take an opportunity to reflect back on the last year and a half of my podcast journey and the guests that I have had the pleasure of interviewing. I have 69 episodes you can listen back to featuring some really interesting guests. They all have a different story, different energy and a different level of humour which they generously share with me. I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to my podcast as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it. Stay tuned for Season 3! Here are the highlights: (01:18) What I love about the podcast is listening to people (04:08) I talk about some of my favourite episodes (12:18) What makes my heart smile Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com Produced by the Podcast Boutique

This week’s guest is the fantastically talented Andrew Bourn. Andrew won the hearts of the nation when he was a finalist in Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 as one-quarter of ‘Jack Pack’, a swing band. The handsome quartet, have performed all around the world alongside global artists in some huge venues. Andrew is now enjoying a solo career, offering his fans an unforgettable experience as he performs still with that sparkle in his eye! We talk all about his time on Britain’s Got Talent, having a drink with Alesha Dixon, recording his album and how his family are his whole world. Here are the highlights: (02:18) Coping during Covid (04:31) Britain’s Got Talent (10:59) Performing with ‘Jack Pack’ (17:28) Backstage on Britain’s got Talent (21:00) Andrew’s proudest moment (22:17) Andrew’s book and podcast recommendations (25:28) What annoys Andrew about himself (34:55) What makes Andrew’s heart smile Contact Andrew: Website: https://www.andrewbourn.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewbournofficial/?hl=en Andrew’s book recommendation: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey Andrew’s podcast recommendation: Parenting Hell with Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week I am joined by the inspiring Rachel Sacerdoti, founder of It’s So Simple – an innovative new business combining the best of a personal trainer, nutritionist and coach to help you transform your life in a truly sustainable way. Rachel lived the It’s So Simple story, going through her own transformative journey physically and emotionally to lose 30kg before founding It’s So Simple. In this episode we discuss how she started her business, what makes her heart smile and so much more! Here are the highlights: (00:59) You can make any change you want to make (05:08) There’s so much pressure on us (08:00) The story of It’s So Simple (12:35) Being a positive role model for body image (17:50) My proudest moment (22:39) Growth mode (26:12) The world is on our shoulders Connect with Rachel and It’s So Simple: Website Instagram TikTok Facebook YouTube Rachel’s book recommendation: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is a serial entrepreneur, business advisor, investor and someone by his own admission has made a lot of mistakes, the brilliant Matt Haycox. Matt uses his own personal experiences, mistakes and successes to help and guide others. We have a wonderfully open and informative conversation where we talk about Matt’s passion for business, learning from past mistakes and his Christmas dinner lasagne! Here are the highlights: (06:24) Matt’s story (17:16) Learning when things go wrong (18:40) What draws Matt to certain businesses (24:54) Matt's proudest moment (27:10) What annoys Matt about himself (29:08) Matt’s lasagne (36:10) The nicest compliment Matt has received (38:23) What makes Matt’s heart smile Contact Matt: Website: https://matt-haycox.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/matthaycox Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-matt-haycox-show/id1475301177 Matt’s book recommendation: Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris Matt’s podcast recommendation: The Game with Alex Hormozi: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-game-w-alex-hormozi/id1254720112 Dropping Bombs The Real Brad Lea Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dropping-bombs/id1260808808 Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the actor, singer, wordsmith, and all-round brilliant person Tom Read Wilson. Tom has fabulous energy, a big smile and his voice absolutely captivates me. I am so delighted to have him join me on the podcast and hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did. We talk about his passion for etymology, his love of all the Dames and of course his proudest moment along with a whole lot more. Here are the highlights: (01:36) His father’s love of etymology (04:04) What’s keeping Tom busy at the moment (07:52) Celebs Go Dating (11:15) Who’s on his work wish list (12:32) Tom’s proudest moment (17:09) What annoy’s him about himself (21:03) The nicest compliment he’s ever received (28:17) How he coped throughout lockdown (36:51) What makes Tom’s heart smile Contact Tom: Website: http://www.tomreadwilson.co.uk/ Instagram: @tomreadwilson Twitter: @tomreadwilson Tom’s books: Every Word Tells a Story On The Tip of my Tongue: The Perfect Word for Every Life Moment Tom’s book recommendation: Tallulah Bankhead: My Autobiography Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the brilliant storyteller Hannah Peckham. This is my second chat with Hannah and we are talking about the release of her new book Conker and the Monkey Trap. Hannah uses her brilliant stories to support children navigating their emotions and adults too! I continue to be inspired by her hard work especially knowing the effort that Hannah puts into her books. Today we talk about smiles, Hannahs's new book and her newfound love of crystals! Here are the highlights: (03:20) Conker and the Monkey Trap (07:53) Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (10:23) Summer plans (15:49) Hannah’s crystals (21:38) What makes Hannah’s heart smile? Contact Hannah: Website: http://www.littlebodhibooks.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.j.peckham/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/h_peckham Hannah’s book: Conker and the Monkey Trap Ticket link for Conker at Leonardslee: https://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/all-events/conker-at-leonardslee Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the fascinating Iveta Zaklasnikova, she is a communications and speaking expert. I’m curious to find out how Iveta turns corporate leaders into confident communicators as well as learning about her amazing travels, her passion to get equal pay for women and getting her motorbike licence! Here are the highlights: (01:22) Learning to get her motorbike licence (02:56) Focussing on her business (11:54) Iveta’s proudest moments (15:08) The nicest compliment Iveta has received (17:56) Iveta’s book recommendation (24:27) Iveta’s Netflix recommendation (28:49) What makes Iveta’s heart smile Contact Iveta: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivetazaklasnikova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivetazaklasnikova/ Iveta’s book recommendation: The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn Iveta’s Netflix recommendation: Fauda Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the brilliant Sarah Gwonyoma. Sarah is the founder of the Instagram account ‘What Sarah Read Next’ a place where she shares her reviews and recommendations of books she loves. I love it when people can turn their passion into something wonderful, not only for themselves but for so many others. We discuss why she started blogging and reviewing books, how reading helped her through grief, being a guest speaker at the upcoming Happy Place Festival and so much more. Here are the highlights: (02:22) Relocating back to the UK (09:49) Why Sarah started blogging (16:05) Don’t put pressure on yourself to read (20:05) Writing her own memoir (21:32) Sarah’s proudest moment (27:28) Having to homeschool during lockdown (30:42) On enjoying cooking (36:21) On guest speaking at the Happy Place Festival (39:03) Sarah’s book recommendation Contact Sarah: Instagram: @whatsarahreadnext Happy Place Festival: https://www.happyplaceofficial.co.uk Sarah’s book recommendation: The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki This is Not a Pity Memoir by Abi Morgan Beyond Grief by Pippa Vosper Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the gorgeous Victoria Spence, she is the founder of the Glow Up Project, where she shares her own experiences with body confidence to help others find true confidence in themselves. Victoria is a great ambassador for promoting honesty in the sometimes cruel world of social media and encourages others to appreciate that Insta-perfect isn’t always as perfect as it seems. We talk about Victoria’s eating disorder journey, the books that have changed her life and launching her new company, the Glow Up Project. Here are the highlights: (05:32) Victoria’s eating disorder story (14:30) I try to really help women shift their mindset (17:21) Victoria’s proudest moments (20:42) Victoria’s current relationship with food and her signature dish (23:14) Her book recommendations (32:08) What makes her heart smile Contact Victoria: https://www.instagram.com/victorianiamh/ https://www.instagram.com/theglowupproject_/ https://matchstickgroup.co Victoria’s book recommendation: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is Angharad Marsh, a TV consultant, an agent for Milk Management and a busy mum to three daughters. She looks after some fantastic people, a few of which have been guests on my podcast. Angharad radiates a genuine kindness along with an incredible smile. We talk about having twins and raising daughters, returning to work after maternity leave, her love for her job and for tequila! Here are the highlights: (04:38) The shock when Angharad found out she was having twins (09:18) How Angharad started working in TV (15:43) Angharad’s proudest moments (19:33) Her book recommendations (25:00) The nicest compliments Angharad has received (29:35) What makes her heart smile Contact Angharad: Website: https://www.milkmanagement.co.uk/ Instagram: @angharadwyn11 Angharad’s book recommendation: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the extremely funny, self-deprecating, blogger, author and mum, Cat Sims. Cat launched her blog ‘Not So Smug Now’ as a way to process motherhood having found the transition to becoming a parent incredibly difficult. We have a fantastic chat about Cat’s sobriety and what led her to AA, the challenges surrounding social media and of course her brilliant new book! Here are the highlights: (02:57) Creating organic content (04:37) Giving up alcohol (12:28) Being relatable (16:08) We have to take responsibility when consuming social media (22:10) Having marriage counselling (27:26) Cat’s proudest moments (29:14) Cat’s new book (33:23) Cat’s book recommendations (35:51) The nicest compliment Cat has received Contact Cat: Website: https://www.notsosmugnow.com Instagram: @notsosmugnow Cat’s Book: The First Time You Smiled (Or Was It Just Wind?): A Baby Record Journal With Attitude Cat’s book recommendation: Feeling Myself: How I Shed My Shame to Find Sexual Freedom and You Can Too by Natalie Lee Cat’s favourite authors: Margaret Atwood Stephen King If you have any questions about addiction please visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website for more information: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the wonderful MoJo! She is a strong and credible advocate for mental health and is best known for her encouragement of women to love themselves authentically, she is also a TV personality, dancer and internet sensation. She is currently gracing our screens on ITV 2’s Peckham’s Finest. We have a brilliant chat about creating her online community throughout lockdown, making her grandma proud and learning to pole dance! Here are the highlights: (04:34) Joining a pole dancing class (09:08) Getting through lockdown using social media (13:00) Where the name ‘MoJo’ came from (15:19) MoJo’s proudest moment (17:46) How MoJo became part of Peckham’s Finest (20:38) How becoming a life model helped with MoJo’s confidence (24:07) MoJo’s book recommendation (30:13) What makes MoJo’s heart smile Contact MoJo: Instagram: @_queenmojo Twitter: @_queenmojo Management: MiLK Management MoJo’s book recommendation: First Born by Sarah Aluko Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is Sophie Stephenson, who is a Time to Think coach facilitator, consultant and member of the global faculty. I am passionate about being a Time to Think coach myself and one of the main reasons I wanted to chat with Sophie today was to give you an opportunity to learn a bit more about this way of being. We discuss when Sophie discovered Nancy Kline’s book, why making the time to think and listen is so important and of course her proudest moments and nicest compliment! Here are the highlights: (03:59) Writing a parenting book to allow your children the think (09:19) When Sophie discovered Time to Think (14:15) How do you know you’re working on the right things? (15:51) The nicest compliment Sophie has received (18:58) Who does the cooking? (21:00) Sophie’s proudest moment (25:31) How Sophie coped in lockdown Contact Sophie: Website: https://www.thethinkingproject.co.uk/ Sophie’s book recommendation: Peak Mind by Amish Jha Book Mentions: Time to Think by Nancy Kline The Promise That Changes Everything: I Won’t Interrupt You by Nancy Kline Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is Daisy Upton or otherwise known as the Five Minute Mum. Daisy is a mum of two and through her journey as a parent shared her tips for keeping her little ones entertained through her blog. Daisy has gone on to have three books published and has an impressive quarter of a million followers on social media. We talk about the impact lockdown had on Daisy’s book sales, her love of cocktails and she shares an incredibly moving story of how her games helped a mother and her son through a very difficult time. Here are the highlights: (02:09) Transition back to “normal” life after lockdown (05:49) Turn off social media and listen to your child (06:58) Daisy’s golden rule (08:19) Daisy’s favourite game (10:11) Making time for a cocktail (14:54) Daisy’s proudest moments (19:54) One of Daisy’s nicest compliments (25:12) Daisy’s book recommendation Contact Daisy: Website: https://fiveminutemum.com/ Daisy’s book recommendation: The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

The definition of an Alchemist is a person who transforms or creates something through a seemingly magical process, which sums up this week’s guest pretty perfectly. Raj Garcia and I have crossed paths throughout our coaching journeys, and while I don't know Raj, I do know that he is kind, chilled and wise and has been described as a walking definition of intentional calm, which I personally think is a wonderful description. So I'm really looking forward to chatting with Raj this week and to find out all about his exciting adventures. Here are the highlights: (01:32) Leaving everything behind (06:03) Coaching the body and the mind (10:44) Change is more than just surface level (15:04) Nicest compliment (16:48) Peanut butter and porridge (18:48) Book recommendations (24:30) Getting out your head and being present Contact Raj: LinkedIn Raj’s book recommendation: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender by David R. Hawkins Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is someone I don’t know a lot about, but my listeners will know I love finding out about people. So, today I am chatting to my podcast producer Phoebe Winter, a mum to a cheeky toddler, an audio editor, and a heavy metal fan. We talk about when she met Eric Clapton, giving birth on her toilet and her love of takeaways! Here are the highlights: (01:23) Being a fan of rock music (03:02) Editing podcasts (05:50) Listing to the Parenting Hell podcast (09:06) The nicest compliment Phoebe has received (10:34) Enjoying a Thai takeaway (17:00) Recording Eric Clapton (18:49) Giving birth on a toilet (24:40) What makes Phoebe’s heart smile Contact Phoebe: LinkedIn: @phoebewinter Phoebe’s book recommendation: The Secret History by Donna Tartt Phoebe’s podcast recommendation: Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is the kind, compassionate and extremely hardworking Liv Connolly-Bastock. Liv is the proud co-owner and head baker at the Salt cafe in Edinburgh which is proudly listed as the number one cafe in the city. Liv and her partner risked it all by investing all their savings in opening a cafe at the end of the first lockdown. We talk about the effects of the pandemic, how it’s important to follow your dreams, the stresses and rewards of running a cafe and how baking has been a constant throughout her life. Here are the highlights: (02:33) Liv’s journey to opening a cafe (05:42) What brought Liv to Edinburgh (10:17) Being a risk-taker (14:54) On being a hands-on business owner (19:30) When Liv had a panic attack at work (25:25) Liv’s proudest moments (29:58) Liv’s book recommendation (40:13) What makes Liv’s heart smile Contact Liv: Website: https://www.salt.scot/ Instagram (Business): @salt.scot Instagram (Personal): @salt.baker Charities mentioned: The Burnt Chef Project: https://www.theburntchefproject.com/ Rosie Runs to Kathmandu: https://phaseworldwide.org/campaign/rosieruns/ Liv’s book recommendations: Just a Little Run Around the World by Rosie Swale Pope Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week’s guest is someone who I find very inspiring and I have huge admiration for, Jo Fairley. Jo is a knowledgeable voice in the beauty industry, co-founder of Green and Black's chocolates, a public speaker, an author, a serial entrepreneur, and a champion of small businesses. We have a delightful conversation about her love of writing, how and why she became a founder of Green and Black’s chocolates, her brilliant book recommendations and how she struggles to cut onions! Here are the highlights: (05:11) Jo describes her love of writing (10:19) Jo’s proudest moment (12:44) How she became a founder of Green and Black’s chocolates (20:04) Who does the cooking in Jo’s house (26:03) Jo’s book recommendations (33:06) What makes Jo’s heart smile Contact Jo: https://www.josephinefairley.com/ https://www.beautybible.com/ The Penguin article: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2021/december/easy-reading-hack-habit-read-more.html Jo’s book recommendations: Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paper-Palace-Miranda-Cowley-Heller/dp/0241470714/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1650643782&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unsettled-Ground-Shortlisted-Womens-Fiction/dp/0241457467/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=unsettled+ground+claire+fuller&qid=1650643857&sprefix=unsettled+ground%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lessons-Chemistry-Debut-Bonnie-Garmus/dp/0857528122/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2COLZ2123ZXSR&keywords=lessons+in+chemistry&qid=1650643898&sprefix=lessons+in+chemistry%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1 Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

Motivational, inspirational, dynamic and fearless are just a few words that describe my guest this week. Those words alone made me inspired to want to know more about Casper Craven. Incredible life experiences, highs and lows, and sailing around the world twice highlights why Casper is a highly regarded leadership and teamwork keynote speaker. He is a family man who loves setting, tackling and achieving big bold goals, and has the perfect blend of positive energy with a lovely smile. You can find out more and connect with Casper via his website: https://www.casparcraven.com/leadership Here are the highlights: (01:29) Everything's a learning journey (05:53) Learning to be in the present (09:00) Proudest moments (12:08) Read Casper’s book Be More Human (14:45) Cooking under duress (18:51) Book recommendations (22:13) What does the future hold? Casper’s book recommendations: Principles by Ray Dalio Lifespan by Dr David Sinclair Casper’s podcast recommendations: Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett Impact Theory by Tom Bilyeu Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com

This week, I’m doing things a little differently, it’s just me talking. I didn’t want to do one of my usual interviews as my father recently died. So, instead, I am going to be sharing some great book recommendations that I have learnt through all the interviews I have done. I talk about the wonderful book called ‘The Book of Rest: Stop Striving. Start Being.’ By Gabrielle Brown and James Reeves and in contrast to that book I talk about ‘Chasing Extreme by Luke Tyburski. Other books I mention are S.U.M.O. by Paul Mcgee, ‘Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?’ By Julie Smith, ‘Honey & Co.’ By Itamar Srolovich and Sarit Packer and many more. Here are the highlights: (02:17) ‘The Book of Rest: Stop Striving. Start Being.’ (03:56) ‘Chasing Extreme: A Journey of Overcoming Obstacles and Depression to Embrace a Life of Extreme Adventure’ (04:47) ’S.U.M.O. (Shut Up, Move On)’ (06:16) ‘Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?’ (08:26) ‘Honey & Co.’ (09:29) ‘Magpie’ by Elizabeth Day (10:14) ‘The Promise That Changes Everything: I Won’t Interrupt You’ by Nancy Kline (18:48) What made my heart sing this week Find out more about Lucy and listen to more episodes at http://lucygourlay.com