Advertise on podcast: Another Door Stories

"I'm speaking from proof, from experience…I do believe, if you really, really, really want to do something, you can."   What happens when doors open to unimaginable fame, and then close again, leaving you to find a new way forward?  In this very honest episode, Anthony Hutton, Big Brother winner, barber, and founder of Never Throw in the Towel joins me for a conversation about navigating extremes: overnight celebrity, public success, private struggles, and the reinvention forced by change.   We chat about the unglamorous aftermath of reality TV victory,and why delusion and vision matter. We also explore letting go of identity, and how real stories can inspire a new purpose.  Anthony also shares how sitting with discomfort, and real messy chats in the barber's chair, and a late grandmother's legacy shaped his journey into men's mental health advocacy and why it's never too late to open a new door, no matter how messy it gets. Highlights:   00:00 Intro: From Big Brother highs to rock bottom, meet Anthony Hutton 06:03 Early family life, football dreams, and the drive to prove himself   12:22 "I need to get on TV." Delusion and manifesting reality TV   14:25 The wins you get from a "failed" dream   18:28 Self-belief versus delusion, the power of "just being ridiculous"   20:10 "You have to work for it." What cranking yourself up to 10 looks like   26:31 What reality TV is really like behind the scenes   29:59 The "dirty word" of wanting to win 33:13 What happens when the door opens, the euphoria of overnight fame   34:52 The deal: £200k OK! photoshoot to wild celebrity nights   38:28 Door closing: fame fades and the slow, painful return to "normal"   41:27 Losing friends, lost identity, and being a "has-been" in his twenties   45:03 Moving, cutting out the chaos, and getting back to barbering   46:45 Becoming a listener and "unofficial therapist" for men   48:08 Grandma's death, and the birth of 'Never Throw in the Towel'  51:24 From free haircuts to men's meetups 54:37 The power of honest conversations and using LinkedIn 64:27 Landing the show… and finding gold in facing the mess.   Anthony Hutton's Change Toolkit:   Soundtrack: "Heart's on Fire" from Rocky IV   Book: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey   One piece of advice: "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." About Anthony: Anthony Hutton is a British television personality best known for winning Big Brother UK in 2005. Entering the house as a confident, outspoken Geordie, Anthony became a fan favourite for his humour, authenticity, and resilience, securing one of the show's most decisive public victories. Since his time on television, he has transitioned into meaningful advocacy work as a keynote speaker and founder of the Never Throw In The Towel project. Through this initiative, Anthony supports men's mental health, encouraging open conversations, resilience, and practical tools to help men work through mental health challenges and personal setbacks.   Connect with Anthony: Website: https://neverthrowinthetowel.com/   Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.   Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Multiple things can be true. There's nothing binary about life."   What happens when you step into the unknown, let go of predefined paths, and allow yourself to be messy, vulnerable, and unfinished? In this episode, Ada Parris artist, storyteller, and author of Leadership Legacy: A Manifesto to Create a Mindful Future and a Thriving Planet, talks about about paradox, transformation, and intentionally shaping new identities. We talk about the rawness of unmasking after decades of masking, the courage to sit with uncertainty and having faith in the unknown, and why sometimes the most radical act is to honour your ancestry, story, and soul.  Ada shares the lived reality behind writing her book (from imposter syndrome to post-it notes in hotel rooms), the meaning behind reclaiming her name, and how silence, sound, and pausing have become tools for profound change. This is a moving exploration of why leadership and legacy matter beyond titles, how to be more than binary, and the real work of creating spaces where wholeness and paradox are celebrated.  Highlights: 00:00 We are live & alive: the power of remembering our humanness    05:00 Permission to hold paradox: not trying to fit into a box   07:00 On storytelling, asking questions, and 3am curiosity   10:07 The "door": writing Leadership Legacy  12:21 Book deal, a new dog, and ADHD diagnosis: entering the cocoon   13:05 Vipassana, silence, and the difficulty of pausing   19:19 Emerging: burnout, intentionality, and slow becoming   21:00 The "crowning" moment, when you want to give up but can't   24:14 Who are you becoming?   26:26 People-pleasing as manipulation with a smile    33:05 The illusion of linear time and reclaiming your own rhythms    36:07 The elements as a creative framework: Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth    40:13 Shamanic experience, and metaphors for change    42:52 Letting go of control as a creator, responsibility and intention    44:46 Naming your inner critic, reframing Medusa    47:41 Dogs, walks, and learning through stubbornness    49:27 On reclaiming her name and honouring ancestry  53:30 Creating sound art, Threshold, and what's next    55:30 Book: Who Fears Death by Nneka Okorafor    58:31 Soundtrack: An original soundscape "the myth of the ego"    62:10 One piece of advice: "You're worthy."   Ada's Change Toolkit:   Soundtrack: Original immersive sound art exploring ego, climate, transformation   Book: Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor One piece of advice:  "You're worthy." About Ada Ada Parris is a strategic futurist, artist, relational ecologist, and founder of The Presence Lab™. Her book Leadership Legacy (Wiley, January 2026) emerged from a messy process that forced her to confront her own paradoxes, reshaping how she sees the world through power, paradox, and presence. Her "another door moment" emerged when she chose to write her book; she temporarily closed the door to the narratives, ways of working, and identity she had cultivated before. What is emerging are frameworks, artistic and somatic practices, and rituals that help others navigate their own power dynamics and paradoxes through presence as a form of technology. Her work draws on neurodivergent pattern recognition and collaboration with Indigenous knowledge keepers in Brazil. She is a keynote speaker, chairs Mental Health First Aid England, and works with leaders and senior teams at global organisations navigating transformation. :https://www.Adahparris.com/   Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.   Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"The sort of door that closed for me was not necessarily somebody else shutting a door, but me shutting the door on putting work above everything but my health."   What happens when the drive for success, identity, and achievement gets shaken by something that stops you in your tracks? In this episode, Stefanie Sword-Williams, founder of F**k Being Humble and author of Career Comedown, shares her experience of a "lifequake", an unexpected, seismic event that forces you to reassess everything, including your relationship with work. I chatted to Stefanie about why the "career comedown" is such a common but rarely named phenomenon, the pitfalls of always chasing the next high, and why sometimes the bravest thing is to decide which doors you yourself need to close. This is a very honest, refreshing, conversation about vulnerability, working out when (and what) to share, the myth of always being at the top, and how to check in with yourself whether you're feeling stuck, successful, or searching for the next thing. Highlights: 00:00 Shutting the door on unhealthy ambition 05:32 The impact of a "lifequake" and how it shakes everything up 09:57 Choosing what (and when) to share about your personal story 12:43 Vulnerability, boundaries, and healing in public 18:03 The idea behind "Career Come Down" 22:47 "Stick, Twist or Tap Out" - a practical framework for work decisions 38:13 Seeing your career as a "body of work" and redefining success 44:51 Gratitude guilt, ambition, and being happy at work 46:58 Why your support system matters 53:16 Favourite quotes on identity and life getting greater later Stefanie's Change Toolkit: Soundtrack: Let Me Blow Ya Mind by Eve & Gwen Stefani Book: Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff and The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink One piece of advice: "I have two. Thasunda Brown Duckett said, job titles are rented, they come and go, but what remains true is the story we tell about ourselves. For anyone going through career transitions or industry changes, please remember that. And the second is by Bevy Smith. She did a TED Talk called How to Find Your Authentic Self at Any Age, so I'd recommend people watch that." About Stefanie: Stefanie is a change maker, brand advisor, and system rethinker dedicated to challenging norms and helping people and businesses leave a lasting legacy. With a background in advertising and 8 years spent mastering storytelling, she founded F*ck Being Humble in 2018 to rewrite the narrative around self-promotion, empowering people to be unapologetically proud of their achievements. Through keynotes, workshops, and strategic advisory, she helps global brands and forward-thinking individuals rethink how they show up in the world. Connect with Stefanie:  Website: https://www.fuckbeinghumble.com/   Work with Eleanor: Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.   Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"I ended up losing that business. And not only did we lose the business, but we had self-funded it. So we lost our home, all our savings, my pension, everything... So that was a door that closed that I was not anticipating." What do you do when multiple doors slam shut all at once, career, home, health, identity?  In this episode, Andrea McLean, broadcaster, author and former Loose Women host, shares her deeply honest story of losing her business, home, savings, health and sense of identity. She talks about the shame and upheaval that followed, selling her possessions and starting again in Spain and what she discovered when she had to let go of the life she thought she wanted. Andrea reflects on why we often limit our dreams to what we can imagine, and how sometimes life has a very different plan. Andrea also shares why we have to get over the shame that comes with doors closing, the theme from her book Shameless. This conversation is a good reminder that letting go can make space for something new and that resilience isn't about having all the answers, but finding the courage to take the next step. Highlights: 00:04 Losing the business and everything else along with it 02:32 Selling everything, packing up the car, and starting again in Spain 09:09 Letting go of things, expectations, and the myth of having it all 13:32 Life doesn't happen the way you vision board it 14:39 Trusting the process through hard days 18:07 Shame, status, and what we hide in the darkness 24:39 Resilience and the power to get back up again 38:05 Success redefined: safety, health, and a quiet life in the sun 48:20 Books that helped (and which to pack if you can only have a few)     Andrea's Change Toolkit Soundtrack: Fleetwood Mac's Greatest Hits Books: Another Door Opens by Eleanor Tweddell  and How to Face Big Change and Come Back Stronger by Helen Thorne     One piece of advice: "If someone shows you who they are, believe them. If they are consistently showing a type of behaviour that is making you feel uncomfortable…believe them."   About Andrea Andrea McLean has experienced shame in almost every area of her life. She's been divorced twice, married three times, and faced a career pivot in her 50s that left her financially ruined and starting again. Like many women, she's been made to feel "less than" for getting things wrong but she refuses to let shame define her. A Sunday Times bestselling author and speaker, Andrea was the longest-serving host of ITV's Loose Women, enjoying a 24-year television career. She now lives in Spain with her husband and their dog, Teddy, where she continues to write. Her book Shameless is ultimately about breaking free from shame, reclaiming your power and finding the courage to keep going.   Buy the Book: https://geni.us/ShamelessAndreaMcLean    Work with Eleanor: Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.   Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"We, as adults, go from seeing the world as a playground of possibilities to a proving ground, the need to prove to 'myself and to others that I'm worthy'. And when you have that mindset, the playfulness goes away because you're not seeing the world as something that is playful that you can experiment with."  What happens when your life's defining door suddenly closes, not just once but in a cascade, career, home, certainty all at once? In this episode, Gary Ware, founder of Playful Rebellion, shares his journey from executive stress, pressure, challenge to rediscovering joy, creativity, and possibility through play. Gary explains how embracing openness, making "s****y drafts," and getting playful can help you navigate messy transitions and find new opportunities. If you're stuck in change, doubting your ideas, this episode will spark permission and practical tools to start playing again. Highlights: 00:00 Moving from proving ground to playground 05:45 The door closes: losing a business, a home, and identity all at once 08:44 Navigating chaos, shame, and hope through messy emotions 14:13 The "s****y draft": testing bold new career ideas 16:08 Lego therapy: how building with bricks helped rebuild possibility 21:22 Why you don't need a polished plan—just start, reach out, try 26:20 Discovering and defining the play personalities - how everyone plays 42:36 Why play isn't just games 45:14 Transforming crisis into a career 54:04 Writing Playful Rebellion, turning a challenge into a book  58:24 Toolkit: music, books, and advice for navigating change. Gary's Change Toolkit: Soundtrack: Golden Hour by JVKE  Book: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert  One piece of advice: "Find out what lights you up and then go do that because we need more people that are lit up, you know, doing those amazing things. And it doesn't necessarily mean that it needs to be your career or that you get paid for it. But when people are lit up through things that bring them joy, it's contagious."    About Gary Ware: Gary Ware, the Founder of Breakthrough Play is a sought-after Corporate Facilitator and Keynote Speaker with nearly a decade of experience as performer in improv theatre. He assists teams with unlocking creativity, confidence, and sparks collaboration with experiential methods proven to drive peak performance.   Gary spent over a decade in the corporate world and originally pursued improv to master public speaking. He quickly discovered that combining improv and play could be a powerful solution to achieve various business challenges. Naturally, he created workshops for his team and other executives in his network to deepen relationships and improve creativity. Gary became obsessed with learning how to use play as a transformational tool and as a result, happily transitioned from marketing to pursue facilitation full time.   Connect with Gary: Website: https://www.breakthroughplay.com/ Work with Eleanor: Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.   Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Confidence is the first step of protest. And whether that is a protest where you make a sign and you go and stand outside down the street, or whether it's a protest when you're in a doctor's surgery room and the doctor's not listening to you, or whether it's a protest at the school gates because your kid's teacher's not taking your kid's needs seriously. Confidence is the first step of that self-advocacy and we need that so much right now because the tactics that our governments are using is fear. Fear divides people. Fear keeps people small, and fear takes your confidence away."    When does a moment of frustration lead to a movement that helps people to be more confident? In this episode, Lauren Currie, an artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Upfront, shares how it all started, and where it's all heading. From confronting systemic sexism on conference stages to the evolution of her business, how we can follow our path and take on the barriers that we come across.   We dig into why confidence is not a personality trait but a practice, how "small protests" can reshape culture, and what happens when you step into (and own) your creative identity as an artist, leader, and author. If you're looking for inspiration to start or to keep going on your own change journey, this conversation will inspire you to take the first step.   Highlights: 00:00 Confidence as protest in a culture of fear   02:38 Meet Lauren Currie: artist, entrepreneur, mom, founder of Upfront 07:35 The "other door" moment: when one stage opens another   09:47 Creating safe practice spaces for women's voices   12:25 Realising confidence is a systemic, not personal, problem   14:10 The red sofa movement, prototyping a new stage 17:38 Are we losing progress for women? 25:10 The nuances of supporting men and navigating backlash   27:34 Internalised misogyny and women in power   29:11 The surprisingly fun (and long!) journey to publishing a book   34:48 Grit and honesty: "nobody else is going to sell your book"   40:03 Naming ambition: why women need to own their hunger for impact   45:29 Demystifying publishing: numbers, costs, hard truths   51:47 The power of play, art, and showing up every day     Lauren's Change Toolkit: Soundtracks: Anything by Taylor Swift. "Everyone Supports Women" by Sophia Isella   Book: We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something by Amie McNee One piece of advice:   "You get to decide. You make the rules, you're in charge. People forget how much agency they have, especially if you've been trained to put everyone else's needs above your own. Really sit with that: you get to choose."   About Lauren Currie:  Lauren Currie is an artist, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Lauren Currie is one of the most sought-after speakers on confidence, women's leadership and cultural change, known for combining honesty, humour and clarity in a way that leaves audiences thinking differently long after the event ends. From global companies to grassroots communities, Lauren's talks challenge the invisible rules that hold people back and offer practical, emotionally intelligent tools for building confidence, visibility and influence.     Website: https://upfrontglobal.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_laurencurrie_/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurencurrie/     Work with Eleanor: Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.   Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"I have found, when I've shared my fails as well as the journey to getting to my wins, the people who are there with me at the winning line, that finish line, are more involved in that story because they've come with me on the journey. And more often than not, the fails on the journey have led to more opportunities landing for me because people want to talk to me about the fails more than the the wins."   What does it really take to shut the door on a thriving city business and step into an entirely different life in rural France ? In this episode, I speak to Lucy Werner shares the honest story behind her midlife relocation from London PR agency owner to creative entrepreneur deep in rural France. From testing the extremes of a new place (she picked the bleakest winter to see if she'd survive), making peace with a vanishing identity, facing language and cultural mishaps, and learning to create opportunities in a new place, Lucy is refreshingly upfront about the messy, emotional reality behind "living the dream."   If you're making a big change or you just want insight into real-life reinvention, this episode offers both inspiration and permission to embrace the adventure (and the failures).   Highlights 00:00 Show a bit of ankle: Why sharing your messy bits matters 02:57 Meet Lucy Werner: author and creative force behind HypeYourself.com 04:45 The decision to leave London 06:30 The everyday build-up that pushed her to relocate 08:21 Testing the worst-case scenario 11:14 Adapting her business model and why hiding her new life didn't work 16:15 The unexpected opportunities in rural France 19:11 Losing the city, and gaining a new sense of self 25:46 Loneliness, isolation, and building real connection as an expat 32:37 "Too many open doors": Is moving once ever enough? 39:30 What makes somewhere home after a big change? 43:02 Why Lucy Werner chose the newsletter route over social media 46:44 The power of play, testing, and saying yes to imperfect experiments 51:36 The magic of honesty, asking for help, and sharing your unfinished story   Lucy's Change Toolkit: Soundtracks: "Music Sounds Better With You" by Stardust (plus the French version by Magenta Club – "Avec Toi")   Book: Book of Play by Michael Rosen   One piece of advice: "Show a bit of ankle. You don't have to share everything, but let people in on the real story, including the fails. People connect more with your journey than your wins, and often the messy bits unlock new opportunities."   About Lucy Werner: Lucy is the author of three books, co-founder of three children, and founder of HypeYourself.com, a platform helping self-employed people get seen and get paid. A PR expert with 20+ years' experience, she's worked with leading creative agencies, high-growth startups and hundreds of freelancers, and now teaches independents to earn more, work smarter and promote themselves confidently. She writes The Hype, formerly a Substack Top 50 global business newsletter, and has written for iNews, Creative Boom and Metro. Featured in The Times, Stylist, Forbes and more, she's also a Domestika instructor and Adobe Express ambassador.   Website: hypeyourself.com     Work with Eleanor: Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.   Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

In this heartfelt conversation, Anthony Kavanagh shares the ups and downs of his journey from aspiring pop star to author, exploring themes of resilience, vulnerability, and authentic self-expression. This episode is about overcoming personal challenges and embracing life's unpredictable twists.   Key topics we cover -  Anthony's early dreams of music and the drive to succeed in the 90s pop scene The power of storytelling in healing and self-discovery Insights into writing a memoir and revisiting past traumas Memorable moments with celebrities like Madonna, Prince, and Faye Dunaway Navigating the relationship between fame, authenticity, and mental health The significance of "underthinking" and living in the present moment Practical advice: the importance of love, gratitude, and living in the now "Embrace love, live authentically, and be present in the moment. Ask yourself, 'What would love do?' to guide your decisions and navigate life's challenges." Anthony Kavannah   Timestamps:  04:45 - The drive behind Anthony's ambitions and chasing feelings 05:41 - Early days: Manchester, music dreams, and serendipity 07:06 - First break: nightclub encounter with a music manager 08:02 - Firing from McDonald's: a pivotal moment 09:16 - The power of manifestation and self-belief 10:02 - Reflections on imposter syndrome and innocence in success 16:44 - Crazy moments in LA and celebrity sightings 18:17 - Reflecting on fame and surreal experiences 19:27 - Returning to creative work and the impact of vulnerability 20:47 - Challenges of writing memoirs and revisiting trauma 22:17 - The importance of voice consistency and authenticity in writing 23:41 - The origin of "Pop Scars" and his book's deeper message 25:33 - His battle with addiction and the journey to sobriety 27:24 - The influence of recovery in his storytelling 29:13 - Navigating publishing and cover choices 30:46 - The broader message behind his memoir beyond fame 32:44 - The music scene of the 90s and his creative process 34:45 - Managing public image and personal identity 36:11 - Celebrity friendships and personal reflections 38:48 - Future plans: touring, new music, and media projects 40:49 - Living moment-to-moment: "be where your feet are" 46:40 - The healing power of storytelling and vulnerability 55:50 - Favourite books, songs, and spiritual tools that shaped him 58:11 - "What would love do?" as a guiding principle 59:51 - Final thoughts: embracing love, living authentically, and ongoing support More about Anthony Born in Manchester, Anthony Kavanagh's rise to fame was stratospheric, scoring a record deal at the age of just eighteen and winning the much-coveted Smash Hits Male Artist of the Year Award in 1997, all the while achieving top ten hits, appearing on countless magazine covers, performing on Top of the Pops and gigging alongside the Spice Girls. The stuff that dreams are made of.   But Anthony - or Kavana as he came to be known - was also trying to keep his sexuality a secret while navigating his way through an industry where image was everything; where his success depended on him having to be exactly who he wasn't.   What followed was a dark and dangerous spiral into addiction, an illness that would insidiously follow and baffle him for years to come. Pop Scars is a story told with fearless honesty that's at times as funny as it is heartbreaking, chronicling the highs, the lows, the self-destruction and the chaos of hitting rock bottom and then finding out that rock bottom has a basement.   Thirty years on, Anthony tells his jaw-dropping story in the book  Pop Scars, about teenage stardom, fame, addiction, grief and - ultimately - survival and sobriety.   Connect with Anthony: Twitter Instagram   Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.       Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Don't confuse comfort with alignment. Just because something is familiar, stable, or impressive on paper doesn't mean it's meant for who you're becoming or what the universe has in store for you." What happens when you land the job that seemed perfect only to find, deep down, it isn't right at all? In this episode, Cara-Lyn talks about the daunting process of leaving a high-profile role that simply wasn't a fit, and how that closed door became fuel for reinvention. From wrongly ignoring her intuition, through the physical toll of staying somewhere misaligned, to finally making the leap into entrepreneurship Cara-Lyn shares how being forced out was the best thing that ever happened to her. Now, she's built a thriving leadership development business, continues to grow, and is on a mission to help others trust their gut and step into possibility. If you're in a period of transition or questioning your current path, this conversation is well worth listening to. Highlights: 00:00 Why growth often follows tough endings 02:01 The dream job that wasn't and what happened next 06:21 The physical signs it's time to move on 08:23 Why leaving (even not by your choice) can be the best thing for you 11:06 The power of mindset in reframing "bad decisions" 13:51 Listening to intuition even when it goes against logic 15:01 Taking the leap: from layoff to launching a business 17:39 Building up confidence through experience 18:44 The difference relationships made in her new path 24:12 Why honest conversations with leaders matter 26:43 How to know you're on the right track 28:13 What doors are next: new programmes, speaking gigs, and more   Cara's Change Toolkit: Soundtracks: 'Rain' by The Teskey Brothers and Recomposed: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons by Max Richter  Book: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg – for building better relationships and expressing what you need One piece of advice: "Trust your intuition and don't confuse comfort with alignment. Ask yourself who do I want to be on the other side of this transition? The hallway between closed doors is your moment to decide who you become." About Cara Lyn: Cara-Lyn Giovanniello or CLG 😉, is an ICF-certified CPCC and PCC from San Francisco, California, and it is her belief that impactful leadership is a choice we each get to make. Cara-lyn believes the keys to success and fulfillment stem from emotional intelligence, tough love, and commitment to active development. Cara-lyn's work is about how to master emotional, relational, and strategic intelligence towards creating deep influence and impact in your leadership, and throughout your organization. Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work. Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the messiness of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.     Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

Ever wondered what happens when you say "yes" to life's weird coincidences and let them lead you somewhere completely new?  In this episode I talk to Joy France, a retired teacher turned poet, performer, and battle rapper about her wild ride into creativity and adventure… all by simply following unexpected doors as they opened.  Joy shares her story of evolving after retirement: from socially anxious, shy, and "ordinary" to poet-in-residence, rap battler, stand-up comic, and "collector of chance encounters."  If you're feeling stuck, bored, or ready for change, Joy's approach to following coincidences, no matter how leftfield, will have you rethinking what's possible, and might just nudge you to open a new door to creativity. Here are the highlights: ​​00:00 The retired teacher who followed coincidences and said yes to opportunities 09:09 Retirement sparked a creative adventure 10:37 Pitching a free creative space for all art forms, and they said yes! 19:57 Embrace courage, ignore opinions, and the world becomes limitless. 28:15 Take opportunities for change without fear of judgment. Joy's change toolkit: Soundtrack: "Brimful of Asha" – Cornershop  Book: "I used to read a lot when I didn't have a life. Now I barely read, I'm too busy living!"    One Piece of Advice:  "People are presented with opportunities for change but don't step into them. My advice? Don't be terrified. If you're not hurting anyone, why not do the thing? Don't wait for 'one day', you never know what's ahead. If there's something, why not go for it now?"  About Joy France: Joy's life has been one of 2 halves. She was a quiet, unassuming teacher, always worrying about what others thought. That is, until her mid-50's when she finally found her voice and the courage to embrace life. Joy challenged herself to do 60 new things at the age of 60 and had so much fun that she's continued to "grow old playfully." Joy is an all round creative - a multiple slam-winning poet, stand-up comedian, and writer who travels around delivering talks, running workshops and performing at a variety of festivals and unusual venues. There is nothing Joy loves more than helping others find their voice and embrace their potential.   Watch Joy's Documentary: Joy Uncensored – search online for the uncensored version (and be warned: it's not for the easily offended!)   Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work. Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the messiness of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.     Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

#168: Paying attention to endings, the power of closing things well with Philip Atkinson "Keep moving, keep learning, keep investing in your own development. Don't hang on to the value that you used to have that's no longer relevant, no longer fit for purpose." Have you ever felt the seasons of your own life shifting, nudging you to find the courage to start anew? That's exactly what we're exploring on today's episode. When I sat down with Philip Atkinson, we talked about his unique journey. After 25 years in a big multinational, he walked away from the comfort and certainty, stepping into the unknown to build something entirely his own. This is the bit I love, part of that journey Philip has written a great, however not just a book about leadership or change. His book, Bee Wise: 12 Leadership Lessons from a Busy Beehive, brings together his wisdom and observations from work experience with his love of bees, and specifically the rituals of bees. He weaves together what bees can teach us about teams, cycles, and closure. It's a brilliant read, with so many intriguing layers to the insights.  This is the perfect conversation if you want to activate your curious mind! Highlights: 00:04 The power of letting go, lifelong learning, and personal development 06:01 Understanding emotional exits 10:53 Why Western cultures struggle with endings 13:02 Ceremonies, rituals & why we need to mark our endings 14:56 Projects or experiments? Why reframing failure helps us grow 16:37 How reward systems make closure difficult (and how to break out) 18:42 Why Philip combined his love of bees with leadership coaching 20:01 Building HiveLogic 22:45 Why seasons matter (for bees and personal reinvention) 24:00 Lessons from the beehive 34:30 Pay attention to endings. Close every meeting, project, and phase well. Philip's Change Toolkit: Soundtrack: "Don't Stop Me Now" – Queen Book: Time to Think – Nancy Klein One piece of advice:  "Pay attention to endings. If it's time to close something, close it well. Make sure that meetings close well. Make sure that projects close well. Make sure that career phases close well. And think about your head, your heart, and your body and where you are. Every single ending, make sure you've got enough time to close it well."   About Phillip Atkinson: Philip is based in Alsace, France, and is the founder of hive-logic.com Coaching & Communications with offices in Basel, Switzerland, and London, UK. Philip is a leadership team expert and organisational coach. As a beekeeper, Philip loves to spend the summer tending to and observing his precious bees and spending the winter learning, reading, and writing about them. Throughout the whole year, Philip supports leadership teams and leaders worldwide to grow and develop. You can contact Philip by email on [email protected] Buy the book - https://beewisebook.com/   Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work. Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the messiness of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.     Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Life's been tough over the last couple of years not just for me, but economically, for a lot of businesses. If I can bring joy into business owners' lives and make them feel better about what they're doing, that's brilliant." Ever wondered how to reopen doors (or even build brand new ones) after life throws you a curveball? This episode is all about finding the spark of joy, even in your darkest moments, and building communities that thrive on play, experimentation, and authentic connection. I'm joined by brand strategist, author, and accidental entrepreneur Sapna Pieroux, who opens up about pausing her business after a breast cancer diagnosis, dealing with grief, rediscovering herself through play, and why "karaoke networking" (aka The NotWorkers) might be the future of business building. Sapna shares how volunteering, creativity, and saying YES to the things that spark joy led her not just to restart, but to totally reinvent what community means in business.  Highlights: 00:05 Why play matters more than ever in business and life 04:05 Sapna's cancer journey and closing her business 05:28 Walking through grief and rediscovering herself 07:03 How coaching (and the search for joy) transformed her next steps 09:56 Volunteering, Borrow My Doggy, and finding joy in small moments 14:03 The birth of The NotWorkers, karaoke as business networking 16:33 Why the caliber of company beats perfect pitch 18:25 How play fast-tracks real relationships (and great business) 19:00 Personal brand vs. business brand, how Sapna evolved her business 28:06 Playfulness as a business advantage 31:31 Play, creativity, and mental health, why it works 37:04 Why your hobbies and passions matter for your brand 42:18 Practical tips: Getting visible when you're navigating change 49:03 Sapna's soundtrack for change (think: karaoke gems!) 50:25 The books that shaped Sapna's journey 52:43 The best advice for navigating change (and life) with joy Sapna's Change Toolkit: Soundtrack: "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany, "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse, "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross, and anything joyful and karaoke-worthy! Book: The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell Bonus: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo One piece of advice: "There is always a choice. Declutter fiercely and focus on what sparks joy, people, work, experiences. Success isn't just size or money, it's happiness with your choices." Connect with Sapna: Connect with Sapna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sapnapieroux/ Thinking about rebranding? First your Brand Performance Score https://letsgetvisiblequiz.scoreapp.com/ Join the free VIP Waitlist for BrandVisions.AI launching soon: https://waitlist.brandvision.app/ Join The NotWorkers Waitlist https://forms.gle/AoS2GZH8wHpsK2WCA   Work with Eleanor: Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work. Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.     Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Be brave enough to say yes even if it wasn't in your niche or part of 'the plan'. That's what keeps you moving forward before you're ready for that next door to open." Ever wrestled with the idea of turning down your "dream job"?  This episode is exploring the tricky decisions we have to make in moments of change and how to solve leadership problems that are really just life problems in disguise.  I'm joined by Katie Best, a leadership expert, author, and consultant who shares her personal closing door moment: letting go of her dream role in the creative industries to invest fully in building her own business. Katie shares her story about 'the chase', 'the pivot', and 'the messy', and the reality of starting a consultancy from scratch including how simply saying "yes" can unlock unexpected opportunities.  Highlights:  00:22 Katie's "dream job" offer and why she walked away 06:02 Chasing the dream and what happens when you achieve it 10:00 Saying no for work-life balance and owning your choices 13:09 The serendipity that launched her consultancy 15:59 How she landed her first clients 17:49 Why being open (not stubborn about niche) builds runway for your business 23:45 Building her book: The 10 Toughest Leadership Problems (which are really life problems) 26:31 The number one issue leaders face - self-management and personal effectiveness 29:50 "Decidophobia", and why not deciding is still a decision 33:29 Why leaders should explain their decisions and show their thinking 35:50 Katie's SOLVE framework for problem solving. Katie's Change Toolkit Soundtrack: "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N" by Noah and the Whale Book: Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky One piece of advice: "Pause and do the research. Don't rush to a solution, take time to dig into the feelings, understand what's really going on, and embrace the messiness of change." More about Katie  Dr Katie Best is the founder and director of Katie Best Associates, a leadership development consultancy that works with executives, senior leaders and business owners at companies including KPMG, EY, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Verizon,Oxfam, the NHS and many others. In addition, she is a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics, where she heads the MBA Essentials executive education programme, and a visiting research fellow at King's College London. In her book, The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems and How to Solve Them, Katie works through ten of the trickiest and most common leadership challenges: avoiding burn-out, making good decisions, increasing influence, working through cultural issues, improving employee performance, engaging staff, managing teams, implementing strategy, leading change and handling the reality of hybrid working.  Website: katiebest.com LinkedIn: DrKatie Best     Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work. Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.     Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"It's not a tick box exercise. It's a genuine need to care for people and other human beings. Ultimately they'll thrive again given the right support…and bring a whole new level of compassion and empathy if they're nurtured the right way." What happens when your life changes in an instant, not by choice but by tragedy? In this episode I'm with Caroline Roodhouse, who shares her incredibly moving story of losing her husband to suicide, the surreal aftermath, and the slow journey of rebuilding identity, family, and hope. Caroline opens the door on grief: the shock, the vividness and then the blur, learning to parent alone, redefining family from a 'square' to a 'triangle', and the tools and thinking that helped her through the darkest chapters.  We talk about being a 'hope carrier,' the lifelong waves of loss, and the vital work of supporting others  at home, in the workplace, and in community. Caroline is an incredible people, impressive with her ability to share how she navigating the hardest moment of her life, and now support others in that moment.  The Highlights: 00:14 The moment everything changed 06:14 How it feels when the ordinary is shattered 08:47 Parenting through grief and finding yourself at rock bottom 11:03 Finding strength in new shapes: from a fragile triangle to resilience 13:14 Building a triangle of recovery: self, children, community 16:24 The "hope carrier", what it means and why it matters 21:19 Navigating the unpredictable waves of loss, identity, and reminders 26:01 Turning lived experience into advocacy and helping others 29:38 The reality of workplace support 33:17 Practical advice: checking in, communication, and true humanity 35:14 Supporting someone through trauma: what actually helps   What Helped Caroline Navigate Change: Soundtrack: Anything by Taylor Swift (thanks to the kids!) Book: Emotional Agility by Susan David One piece of advice: "Try not dwelling on the past and not worrying about the future, just focusing on what's in front of you right now. Sometimes that means one minute at a time, and that's okay." More about Caroline: Caroline Roodhouse is a mother, writer, lifelong learner, internal communicator and speaker on the subjects of mental health and bereavement through suicide. In 2018, Caroline's husband, Steve, took his own life without warning or explanation.  Caroline writes and talks about her lived experience of grief and loss to give a voice to others who have been impacted and to continue her own healing journey. As a 'double parent' with a busy work life, spare time is limited, but when she is able, Caroline builds on her skills both personally and professionally by listening to and appearing on podcasts, attending conferences, workshops and learning sessions, contributing to the public conversation and reading plenty of books! Find out more: https://daddyblackbird.com/ Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work. Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.     Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com     Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"No matter what you do in life, you're gonna get judged. You may as well just embrace exactly what you want to do at that moment in time. Open that door. Go through it. You'll be a bit scared. It'll be new, it'll be novel. You'll definitely learn a lot about yourself. You will be challenged, you will be supported."  What happens when you choose to walk away from what society expects of you and step through a door that feels equal parts terrifying and right? In this episode, I speak to Lee Chambers, psychologist, entrepreneur, author, and leading voice in the male allyship space for an honest conversation about courage, redefining leadership, and creating true inclusivity.  Lee shares the moment he left his successful tech business to become a stay-at-home dad, and what he has learned stepping into unfamiliar rooms and how listening to mothers, grandmothers, and his own discomfort, has inspired a career dedicated to justice and equity.  We talk about allyship and why now, more than ever, it's needed and is the foundation for the change we want in the world. The Highlights: 04:36 Closing the door on the business and becoming a stay-at-home dad 06:19 What really happens when you're the only man at the toddler group 08:26 Navigating other people's judgment 15:16 Learning to walk again 21:28 Curiosity, justice, and entering the work of allyship 23:37 What women shared that changed his path 24:59 Why male allyship is not "rescuing" but partnership and humility  32:08 The power of introversion, and how Lee creates impactful content  38:05 Skills of allyship - stepping forward to the side and back 41:11 Misplaced "scarcity," and the unseen privilege of building equality  48:06 Why challenging conversations and self-exploration are essential.   Lee's navigating change list  Soundtrack: "Harvest for the World" by The Isley Brothers Book: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez One piece of advice: "When you walk through a door, you normally walk in from a place that has limits, barriers, walls. When you actually close the door behind you, there's always an expanse in front of you to go and explore. A closed door is a blank canvas. The root of the word authentic is 'author.' So when you walk through that door and it closes, pick up that pen, become the author. Don't let other people write your story. Start writing it for yourself."   More about Lee Lee Chambers is the Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK. After a diverse career, from corporate finance to building and exiting a tech company, he is now focused on supporting organisations to engage men in inclusion and promote effective allyship. He speaks globally on allyship and intersectionality, having taken the stage at One Young World, ChangeNOW and the Bloomberg Global Equality Summit, and is the author of the bestselling book, Momentum: 13 Ways To Unlock Your Potential.   Find out more: https://leechambers.org/   Work with Eleanor Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.   Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.   Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched. Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change. Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work. Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.     Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/  Website: www.another-door-opens.com   Produced by winteraudio.co.uk