Richly Told

Podvan Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Richly Told shares honest, messy and practical stories about life, work and the lessons learned along the way. Richard and Lee have built businesses around the world and know things rarely go as expected. Each episode brings real stories and insights from Lee’s book Once Upon a Time in Small Business" - plus a few they left out. If you like true stories, useful takeaways and hearing how different people handle life’s curveballs, come along for a bunch of tales - richly told and always real.

  1. 1 day ago

    Ep47: Timing and Challenges - Don't let setbacks stop you

    What if the only thing stopping you isn't timing, but your own belief about timing? Lee recently got back into freelance writing after years away from it. Within days of putting the word out, two publications came knocking. But it made her wonder: why do so many people in his industry say there's no work, when doors are opening for her right now? In this episode, Richard and Lee revisit a kitchen conversation that sparked something bigger. They explore the story of a woman who opened a coffee shop in New York by doing something completely different: a yearly membership model that secured her customers, her rent, and her utilities before she even opened the doors. And they connect that to the larger truth they keep bumping up against in their own businesses. It's never the right time to launch anything. There are always economic headwinds, industry challenges, and reasons to wait. But creativity and action don't care about timing. They talk about the gap between saying you want something and actually doing it. About the difference between hard work that feels like a battle and hard work that flows. And about a simple test Richard uses to know if he's on the right track... If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast You can find the Richly Told Podcast on Substack: https://richlytoldpodcast.substack.com/ This is a Podvan Media production.

    19 min

  2. 19 June

    Ep46: Different Brains, Same Problem - How to actually understand each other

    What happens when two people process the world in completely different ways, but neither stops to ask why? Richard and Lee started their week exhausted! One just off night shift, the other not quite well. But in the fog of fatigue, they stumbled into a conversation that revealed something bigger than either of them had realised: they approach every challenge from opposite ends of the spectrum. And they almost never talk about it. In this episode, Richard and Lee explore what happens when partners, business collaborators, spouses, or even customers come at problems from fundamentally different angles. Lee verbalises her thoughts as they form. Richard processes internally before speaking. One looks for what could go wrong. One looks for what could go right. Neither is wrong. But when communication breaks down, both feel misunderstood. They talk about why curiosity has become an expensive use of time in modern life, what happens when we stop asking questions, and how a willingness to actually listen could transform not just your closest relationships but your entire approach to conflict. The conversation circles back to a simple truth: being curious about people removes the assumptions you carry about their motivations. It's not about understanding every detail of how they think. It's about understanding that they think differently than you do. And that takes time, intentionality, and a genuine desire to learn. If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast This is a Podvan Media production.

    23 min

  3. 11 June

    Ep45: The Comfort Trap - Constant Movement vs Settling In

    What happens when you stop moving? Richard and Lee explore a timeless parable about a rat that falls into a container full of rice. The rat is happy, safe, warm. Everything it needs is right there. But as it eats and sleeps, eats and sleeps, the pile of rice slowly diminishes - while the distance between the rat and the exit grows. Eventually, the container is empty. The rat has trapped itself. In this episode, Richard and Lee grapple with what happens when comfort becomes a trap in business and life. They talk about the cycles they've experienced over two decades, the temptation to rest once you've hit success, and why the most successful people they know never actually stop moving. They also explore what burnout really is, how it feels different for each of them, and why constant evolution isn't something you do temporarily until you're comfortable. It's a lifestyle. The conversation touches on fear, momentum, complacency, and the counterintuitive truth that safety can imprison us just as easily as struggle. If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast This is a Podvan Media production.

    20 min
  4. Ep44: Testing Your Own Process - Do You Actually Like Buying From You?

    4 June

    Ep44: Testing Your Own Process - Do You Actually Like Buying From You?

    Are your policies and procedures making it harder for people to do business with you? Richard and Lee have had a frustrating week dealing with multiple businesses across different sizes. Their phone systems don't work. Their booking processes have too many barriers. And somewhere along the way, the policies designed to protect the business have become obstacles to selling. In this episode, Richard and Lee explore what happens when businesses stop looking at their procedures from the customer's perspective. They discuss the gap between policies that make sense on paper and the lived experience of trying to buy something. They also ask the uncomfortable question: do you find your own customers annoying? And if so, why? Because the answer might reveal something important about how your business is set up. If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast You can find the Richly Told Podcast on Substack: https://richlytoldpodcast.substack.com/ This is a Podvan Media production.

    20 min

  5. 28 May

    Ep43: Listen to Your Gut - Breaking free from manufactured anxiety

    How did we end up rushing through everything? From manipulative emails to Amazon's scarcity tactics to the endless churn of supermarket campaigns, manufactured urgency is everywhere. And it's designed to override your instincts. In this episode, Richard and Lee dig into how sales, marketing, and even everyday people use urgency and anxiety to get a reaction. They explore the difference between healthy caution and the constant cortisol spike we're all living with now. There's also a deeper conversation about when to listen to that gnawing feeling in your stomach, and when it's someone else's manufactured panic trying to silence your own voice. If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast This is a Podvan Media production.

    20 min

  6. 21 May

    Ep42: Stop Manufacturing Stress

    How much of the stress in life is actually coming from the situation... and how much is coming from the way we react to it? After returning from a chaotic family trip to Singapore, Richard and Lee reflect on the pressure they placed on themselves before even leaving home. Between unfinished renovations, work demands, travel exhaustion and constant problem-solving, they found themselves asking a bigger question about control, frustration and the stories people tell themselves when life feels overwhelming. The conversation looks at the habit of manufacturing stress, the emotional cost of trying to control everything, and the strange relief that comes from finally deciding to let go. From work conflicts to family tension, Richard and Lee explore why staying calm is often less about personality and more about recognising the trigger before it takes over. If you constantly feel like you are carrying the weight of everyone else’s problems, or you find yourself stuck in cycles of frustration, this episode offers a grounded reminder that not every stressful moment deserves to consume the rest of your day. If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast This is a Podvan Media production.

    19 min

  7. 7 May

    Ep41: Business Decisions - Why Your Past Still Leads the Way

    Ever wonder why you make certain business choices? It might be your past calling the shots. Richard and Lee recently had a raw conversation. They realised their different approaches (one on a set track, the other forging a new trail) came from deep-seated fears. These hidden influences can anchor you. They shape how you take risks, communicate with partners, and even block your growth. This episode helps you discover why understanding your past is crucial. Learn how honest conversations and active listening can transform your business partnerships. It's about moving forward, together. If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast This is a Podvan Media production.

    18 min

  8. 30 Apr

    Ep40: Customer Service - Is Oversharing Hurting Your Business?

    Can being too honest with clients sometimes create more stress than clarity? After a kitchen installation turns into a lesson in communication, Richard and Lee look at the fine line between keeping clients informed and giving them more detail than they actually need. What starts as a small issue with cabinetry becomes a bigger question about service, stress, trust and overexplaining. They also reflect on how this shows up in small business, especially when clients start to feel more like community. From trades to local cafés, Richard and Lee consider when transparency is helpful, when it becomes a burden, and why not every behind-the-scenes problem needs to be shared. If you have ever felt unsure about how much to tell a client, customer or community member when something goes wrong, this episode offers a grounded perspective on communicating clearly without manufacturing unnecessary stress. If you enjoy it, they'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment on the episode - or get in touch via Instagram: @RichlyToldPodcast This is a Podvan Media production.

    20 min
See All (48)

Trailer

About

Richly Told shares honest, messy and practical stories about life, work and the lessons learned along the way. Richard and Lee have built businesses around the world and know things rarely go as expected. Each episode brings real stories and insights from Lee’s book Once Upon a Time in Small Business" - plus a few they left out. If you like true stories, useful takeaways and hearing how different people handle life’s curveballs, come along for a bunch of tales - richly told and always real.

Information

  • Creator
    Podvan Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Podvan Media
  • Show Website
    Richly Told