The Reinvention Diaries

Michelle Wright & Nicola Auckland

5.0 (3)
Business

A podcast where two midlife women are on a mission to help others to rediscover, reinvent and regain confidence in themselves. Alongside lively chat, Nicola and Michelle will be talking to likeminded women for a regular 'Diary Entry' to boost and inspire listeners.

1 day ago

Who do you choose?

Michelle and Nicola talk about the hidden cost of always putting yourself last — and why choosing yourself isn't the same as choosing against someone else. In this episode: Sleepless nights, low motivation, and the "safety/doorknob" fart game their kids playWardrobe edits: Michelle's continuous decluttering vs. Nicola's 'overflowing' closetWhy society teaches us that "selfish" is bad and being helpful/accommodating is praisedThe hidden costs of chronic self-neglect: eroded self-worth, plummeting confidence, resentmentHow caregiving roles (home and work) train us to put everyone else firstChildhood conditioning: sharing, "don't be selfish," and watching caregivers sacrifice for othersWhy parenting has become more child-centric over generations — and what that means for choosing yourselfLost hobbies: the things we give up once we become parents/caregivers and never pick back upLearning to say no — practicing "no" as a complete sentenceMoney, guilt, and spending on yourself vs. everyone else (including grown kids not paying rent)Dress how you feel: why "loungewear at home" still affects your confidenceSaying no to free work requests and educating people who ask creatives to work for freeSmall, non-dramatic ways to choose yourself: hobbies, clothes, turning off your phone, a solo afternoonWeekly rock/roll: a wholesome kids' cooking class shoot and trying out an Oura ringTed Lasso hype and a Hannah Waddingham crushThis week's challenge: Find one place in your life where you're putting yourself last — and make one small choice this week to put yourself first instead. Connect with us: Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk, Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcastWebsite: reinventiondiaries.co.uk (find out how to be a guest!), www.mrsstylewright.com, www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk
5 Aug

Are you still following the rules?

Michelle and Nicola are back, and this week they're picking up where July left off — questioning the rules we live by, who made them, and what happens when you decide to stop following them. After catching up on a night out at a Conservative Club (surprisingly cheap gin and tonics), headshot sessions, and the joys of elastic laces and reformer Pilates, the conversation turns to something deeper: the paths we end up on versus the ones we actually wanted. In this episode: What happens when you recognise you've been living on autopilot — in your job, your relationships, your wardrobe, even your friendships?The pressure to follow "expected" milestones: school, uni, career, family — and what it costs when those don't fitMichelle's daughter's brave decision to forge her own path after GCSEs — and why the school wasn't exactly helpfulThe education system debate: is one size really fitting all? (Spoiler: Andy Burnham thinks not)Michelle opens up about the life she might have had — working in fashion in London — and Nicola reflects on her dream of joining the police forensics teamWhy small changes matter: you don't have to blow up your life to start doing things differentlyDressing for who you are now, not who you were 20 years agoThe difficulty of ending friendships that no longer serve youSliding Doors, masking, snap decisions vs. slow thinkers, and the ripple effect of one big choiceQuestion for our listeners: Have you ever chosen a different path from the one everyone expected? Or is there a path you've been quietly thinking about — but haven't taken yet? What's stopping you? Get in touch: 📧 studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk 📸 @thereinventiondiariespodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and — pretty please — leave a review. It means the world (and yes, they'll know if you write it yourself).
29 Jul

The Rules We Live By

Michelle and Nicola are back after a break – and neither of them actually switched off! They catch up on their very different holidays (Michelles's all-inclusive in Rhodes vs. Nicola's dog-friendly walks on the Yorkshire coast), before diving into a topic that came straight from Nicola's holiday reflection: the invisible rule book we all live by. In this episode: Why Nicola worked every single day of her "holiday" – and what she's learned from itNicola's epic 11-hour train journey to Birmingham (and why the car would have been better)The post-holiday motivation slump – and how Claire Lockey's Skills Bootcamp Summer Social reignited their sparkHoliday planning: Japan, Rome, 50th birthdays, and why next year is a very big yearThe invisible rule book – unwritten rules we follow without question: We should always reply quicklyWe should always be productiveWe should grow our businessWe should always be availableWe should keep our houses tidyWe should have a five-year planWe should wear age-appropriate clothesWe should be grateful and stop wanting moreThe big question: Who actually made these rules? Why do we follow them – and what happens if we just... stop? The one rule they'd delete forever: Nicola: The guilt around resting – why do we feel we have to be doing something, even on holiday?Michelle: Women constantly apologising for how they look – from roots to messy houses to no makeupYour challenge this week: Complete the sentence – "I've realised I don't actually have to..." Some examples from conversations with women: ironing everything, answering messages immediately, wearing makeup, losing weight, hustling, saying yes to everything, being constantly available. The takeaway: Reinvention doesn't always mean adding something new. Sometimes it starts with asking: "What if I just stopped following that rule?" Get in touch: 📧 studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk 📱 Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcast 🌐 thereinventiondiaries.co.uk www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk www.mrsstylewright.com If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, like, and subscribe so you never miss a new episode.
22 Jul

Time to break those habits?

Ever wondered which habits you picked up at the start of your business are quietly holding you back? This week Michelle and Nicola dive into the habits that sneaked in at the beginning — and why some of them need to go. In this episode: The caffeine conversation: why one of them runs on decaf and the other turns into Speedy Gonzales on a flat whiteNetworking in Sheffield — plus a car that decided to need oil AND petrol on the same journeyUndercharging and the imposter syndrome trap: why so many business owners start cheap and never put their prices upThe danger of pricing by copying competitors (and undercutting by a fiver)Knowing your cost of doing business — and why "just enough to cover expenses" isn't a business planThe employee mindset: still feeling like you should be at your desk 9–5 even when you work for yourselfOverpromising and underdelivering — and how to fix it by managing your own timeline expectationsResisting new technology (yes, including AI) — the Blockbuster lessonSocial media as a habit vs. a strategy: post-and-pray isn't a marketing planWhat would you do if social media didn't exist? Leaflets, PR, radio, and the pre-social marketing methods you've forgotten aboutThe guilt of not working — and why it's worse when it's your own business than when you were employedNot taking proper breaks during the day (and what the Pomodoro Timer actually is)Get in touch: 📧 studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk 📱 Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcast www.nicolaauckland.co.uk www.mrsstylewright.com
15 Jul

Is your life on autopilot?

In this episode, Michelle and Nicola record from Michelle's kitchen (their studio days are behind them — for now), amid the chaos of early mornings, a daughter heading off on holiday, and a husband conducting what may or may not have been a performance review with the washing machine. What we talk about: Living on autopilot Do you still structure your life around school holidays even though you don't have to? We explore how deeply ingrained habits — ones formed when the kids were small — continue to quietly run our lives long after they're relevant. From avoiding August like the plague to treating September as a fresh start, we're all living by a bell we can't even hear anymore. The summer holiday myth If your target market isn't teachers or parents of school-age kids, why are you writing off August? We challenge the assumption that "everyone's away" and ask whether we're missing a golden window of opportunity. Nicola shares her plan to launch exclusive summer holiday colour and mother-daughter sessions to test the theory. Autopilot in everyday life It's not just the calendar. Michelle unpacks the habits she runs on autopilot: being the default parent, the dishwasher stacker, the washing-line perfectionist, and the woman who cannot leave the house until she has personally watched the bags go into the car. Nicola reveals she never sets an alarm — and Michelle's brain nearly explodes. Control freaks: born or made? Is your need for control a coping mechanism, a personality trait, or just what happens when you've been carrying the mental load for two decades? We talk about the fine line between helpful control and accidentally raising adults who can't pack their own suitcase... at a reasonable hour... before their flight. Packing rituals, washing lines, and other battlegrounds Vacuum-packed skiing clothes, shoes stuffed with socks, duvet covers that must hang square on the line — if any of this is speaking to your soul, you are not alone. Get in touch: Are you a control freak? Do you still live by the school term calendar? We want to hear from you. 📧 studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk 📱 Instagram: @TheReinventionDiariesPodcast www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk www.mrsstylewright.com
8 Jul

Is it just me? Do you ever think that you're the only one?

Welcome back to The Reinvention Diaries, the podcast where Michelle and Nicola talk to women about reinvention, rediscovery, and regaining confidence. In this episode: After a chaotic start (wrong recording day, a dog with dental surgery, and a studio move looming), Michelle and Nicola dive into this week's theme: "Is It Just Me?" — questioning the expectations and milestones that society quietly (and not so quietly) imposes on us. Topics covered: 🔄 Not wanting to grow your business – Is it okay to be content with the status quo? Michelle and Nicola push back on the constant pressure to scale, earn more, and hustle harder. Sometimes ticking along nicely is exactly the right choice. 👶 The assumption of children – Inspired by Greg James and his wife's very public stance on choosing to be child-free, the pair explore how society still assumes everyone follows the same life milestones. 💼 Not wanting to climb the career ladder – Maybe your current role fits your lifestyle perfectly. Maybe that's the point. 🏖️ Travel on your own terms – You don't have to visit every landmark. Sitting on the beach near the Colosseum counts too. ⚖️ Not wanting to lose weight – Celebrating body autonomy and the bravery it takes to say "I'm happy as I am." 🌿 Missing being bored – Remember just... waiting? Without scrolling, podcasts, or constant input? Michelle and Nicola make a case for reclaiming genuine downtime. 🏖️ Retirement on your own terms – From Nicola's low-maintenance retirement plan to Michelle's "I've just started, baby" energy — what does retirement actually look like when it's designed around your life? Personal updates: Nicola's dog survived his dental procedure (phew!)Nicola's studio move is imminent — and she's reframing it as an exciting pivotA tarot card reader may have predicted it allIs it just you? Michelle and Nicola want to hear from listeners bucking the trend. Are you happy where you are? Not climbing, not growing, not conforming — and perfectly fine with it? 📧 studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk 📱 Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcast www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk www.mrsstylewright.com
1 Jul

Modern Etiquette - what's your take?

Michelle and Nicola are back for a wide-ranging chat about modern life, modern manners, and whether technology is quietly disconnecting us all. In this episode: 🌡️ The Great British Heatwave – The girls kick things off with the week's big talking point: extreme heat, red weather warnings, schools closing, trains without air con, and the joys of cold supermarkets. Plus, Nicola reveals her obsessive (and mostly genius) method for keeping her house cool. 🎂 Birthdays & B-roll – Nicola celebrated turning 49 while photographing a wedding (yes, she got cake). Michelle went to see Toy Story 5 – verdict: watch it at home. Then they debate celebrity encounters, famous birthday twins, and give a review of Tom Grennan's latest show. 📱 Modern Etiquette – the main event: Michelle and Nicola tackle the big questions around how we communicate and connect today: Voice Notes – love 'em or hate 'em? Both land on love, but with caveats: long ones are a task, unsolicited ones from strangers feel intrusive, and from a business perspective, nothing beats written communication.Headphones – great for focus, but are they disconnecting us from the world? Michelle finds it sad seeing parents tuned out with toddlers. Michelle confesses to always keeping one ear free.Streaming vs. Live TV – have we lost the joy of watercooler moments? Binge culture is convenient, but weekly releases might be bringing conversation back.How we message – texting, WhatsApp, email, Snapchat... what's appropriate and when? And should your boss ever WhatsApp you?Out-of-hours contact – both agree: no. If you must send it, schedule it – or at least add "no reply needed."📺 What's rocked our world: Michelle is obsessed with Channel 4 drama Tiptoe – jaw-dropping, hard-hitting, and the lead character is, apparently, a bit of a dick. Join the conversation: 📧 studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcast www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk www.mrsstylewright.com The Reinvention Diaries is the podcast for women navigating reinvention, rediscovery, and regaining confidence.
24 Jun

What have you missed while you were waiting?

Michelle and Nicola open with their usual warm, unfiltered banter before diving into this episode's big theme: the opportunities we let slip by because we're always waiting for the "right" moment. What we talk about in this episode: Turning 50 and the unexpected tiredness that comes with the birthday comedownWhy your 50s (and beyond) might actually be your best decade – wisdom from an 80-something dog walkerThe social media ban for under-16s: why Michelle and Nicola are fully in favour, and the parallel with opportunities lost to doom scrollingThe big theme: What are you waiting for? Losing weight, feeling more confident, having more money, more time, being younger... the list of excuses we use to put life on holdWhy your inner critic is different from your gut instinct – and how to tell them apartThe woman who hasn't had her photo taken in 10 years: what it really costs us to stay invisibleSaving for a retirement that may never look how you imagined – a sobering thoughtOur homework this week: writing a list of everything we've been waiting to do, and how long we've been waitingA shoutout to listener Emily B., who pushed through the wobbles and ran her own event – and how good it feels on the other sideThe kindness corner: one act of active unkindness, one forgotten act of kindnessGet in touch: Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk Instagram: @thereinventioniariespodcast www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk www.mrsstylewright.com

Trailer

Trailer - What are these two 40 somethings talking about??

A snippet of what to expect to hear from two friends in their late 40's - Brand Photographer, Nicola Auckland and Personal Stylist Michelle Wright, based in Lincolnshire, in the middle of England. Both have reinvented themselves in later life, creating a new life landscape for themselves and would like to inspire you to fulfill your dreams.

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

A podcast where two midlife women are on a mission to help others to rediscover, reinvent and regain confidence in themselves. Alongside lively chat, Nicola and Michelle will be talking to likeminded women for a regular 'Diary Entry' to boost and inspire listeners.

Creator

Michelle Wright & Nicola Auckland
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

68
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Michelle Wright
Show Website

The Reinvention Diaries

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Self-Improvement

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