The Inspiration North Podcast

James Eves and Michelle Minnikin
The Inspiration North Podcast

Inspiring stories from inspirational people, who have found their passion: their true north! Take inspiration from people who have been there, experienced the same, and taken action to create a more fulfilling life in line with their values and passion. Learn about what helped them and what they did to create the momentum. Change takes time but listen to our weekly episodes for a shot of inspiration! There are so many toxic messages around what success looks like, which can leave us feeling unsatisfied and overwhelmed. At Inspiration North, we've created inspirational resources and programmes to help you find your True North. You can go from living someone else's life to living your life full of meaning, purpose and joy.

  1. Sheri-Leigh Miles -  Playing around at the edges 

    03/10/2021

    Sheri-Leigh Miles -  Playing around at the edges 

    #148 Sheri-Leigh Miles -  Playing around at the edges  Sheri-Leigh talks to us about the joy of playing around at the edges.  We talk about: The power of making sure you’re doing what you enjoy. Knowing environmental science was her thing, before it was a thing. And learning all she needs to know about rocks in a week! Sheri-Leigh is Co-Founder and Director of NETpositive Futures. She helps organisations, teams and networks understand how sustainability links to organisational excellence.  Her Master’s degree is in Education for Sustainability and her career has focused on learning and education in its broadest sense. She was involved in the development of the UKs first sector-level sustainability strategies and spent 7 years on the Board of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges alongside her main role as part of the award-winning Ecoversity team at the University of Bradford, the first whole-institution sustainability engagement programme in the UK. She was invited to become a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) in 2018 in recognition of her sustainability work in the education sector. She teaches sustainability on Newcastle University Business School’s Executive Education programmes as a visiting lecturer and collaborates with the team on an innovative project to embed the Sustainable Development Goals into their programme.  She is also Director of a Social Enterprise and Worker’s Co-operative called 4Seasons which supports individuals who are differently able to ‘live the life they choose’, primarily through supported employment linked to the outdoors. She has recently become an ‘accidental software developer’ and her current focus is based around the NETpositive Software developed to support sustainability engagement across complex organisations.   Key Resources: Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth  Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth  Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/  Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north   Sheri-Leigh on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-leigh/ NETpositive Futures Website -  https://netpositivefutures.co.uk/

    41 min
  2. Shelley Farnham & Julia Harris - Complex Strengths and Complex Connexions

    26/09/2021

    Shelley Farnham & Julia Harris - Complex Strengths and Complex Connexions

    #147 Shelley Farnham & Julia Harris - Complex Strengths and Complex Connexions Shelley and Julia talk to us about navigating complex strengths and the importance of connections!  We talk about: Julia navigating school when neurodivergent and feeling that her ‘soul was too loud’. The importance of authenticity and being able to be themselves. And what they would choose to eat if they were invited to lunch with the Queen! Julia (JuliaArtsJulia) is a neurodivergent (ADHD+) mum of two neurodivergent/not-so-typical sons. An artist, children's entertainer, and also neurodiversity mentor, educator and trainer at - Complex Strengths and The Neurodiverse Universe. Shelley worked as a teacher in South Africa and then as a Teaching Assistant and SEN Support in the UK. She also has a son who is Autistic and ADHD. She started Complex Connexions as she is passionate about supporting other parents to focus on understanding, communicating and so, most importantly, on building connection with their neurodivergent child.  Julia and Shelley have combined their strengths to create and deliver their fabulous 'All on Board for Families' course, a 5-week group coaching course to support parents of neurodivergent children. The course uses the analogy of the family being the crew on board a ship, moving from the overwhelm and confusion of struggle rock towards calm.  Full Bios Julia Harris (JuliaArtsJulia) is a neurodivergent (ADHD+) mum of two neurodivergent/not-so-typical sons. An artist, children's entertainer, and also neurodiversity mentor, educator and trainer at - Complex Strengths and The Neurodiverse Universe. Julia has about over 30 years' experience of supporting neurodivergent individuals both professionally and personally, which adds to her personal experience of over 50 neurodivergent years. Driven by a passionate belief, present since childhood, that much was amiss about how adults interact with Young People, Julia has independently studied many modalities that explore human traits and behaviours, and how to heal the many relationships that are part of human life.  Shelley Farnham worked as a teacher in South Africa and then as a Teaching Assistant and SEN Support in the UK. She also has a son who is Autistic and ADHD.  Although she had a teaching degree and worked in education, when her son began to experience difficulties at home and school, she had to embark on a steep learning curve - with little information and support available at the time, this was very self-directed and involved a lot of late night googling!  When she began a course for parents of neurodivergent young people and realised how much it was helping her as a parent and also as an educator, she knew she had to share its principles and so Complex Connexions was created! She wants to support other parents to focus on understanding, communicating and so, most importantly, on building connection with their neurodivergent child.    Key Resources: Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth  Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth  Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/  Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north   Julia on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaartsjulia/ Julia Arts Website - https://juliaarts.co.uk/  The Neurodiverse Universe Website - https://www.theneurodiverseuniverse.com/  Complex Strengths and The Neurodiverse Universe on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ComplexStrengths  All On-Board Families Course - https://www.theneurodiverseuniverse.com/all-on-board-families    Complex Connexions Website - https://www.complexconnexions.co.uk/  Shelley on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shelley.farnham/  Shelley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyfarnham/  Complex Connexions on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/complexconnexions  Shelley’s previous Inspiration North Podcast - https://www.inspirationnorth.com/podcast/episode/363b735b/75-shelley-and-jess-farnham-dont-judge-a-person-by-what-you-see

    56 min
  3. Michelle Jones - A world where kindness is currency

    20/09/2021

    Michelle Jones - A world where kindness is currency

    #146 Michelle Jones - A world where kindness is currency Michelle talks to us about imagining a world where kindness is currency. We talk about: How being content in the moment is a huge gift.  How in helping others we can help ourselves. And watching Father of the Bride so many times! Michelle is the Founder and Director of Kind Currency, she also owns a successful wedding consultancy and has had other businesses. She’s a Champion of Kindness, A believer in the power of community and an eternal optimist who is always smiling. As a North East Entrepreneur, Charity Worker & Volunteer - Michelle was recently awarded with a 'Friendship Bench' for her social impact work. She’s incredibly Resilient and describes herself as a Chronic Illness, Mental Health and Invisible Disabilities Warrior. Michelle is also an Ambassador for Inclusion - working with local and national movements such as BE HEARD and Northern Power Women. And most importantly, she is Wife to Steven and Mam to Dylan and Isla.   Key Resources: Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth  Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth  Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/  Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north Kind Currency Website - https://www.kindcurrency.co.uk/  Michelle Jones Weddings Website - https://www.mjweddingplanner.co.uk/  Michelle on Twitter - https://twitter.com/shellskindworld Michelle on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kindnessmakestheworldsparkle/  Kind Currency on Twitter - https://twitter.com/KindCurrencyCIC Kind Currency on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kindcurrencyclub/ Kind Currency on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kindcurrencyclub/ Kind Currency on Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kindcurrencyclub  Michelle Jones Weddings on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mjweddingplanner/

    1h 12m
  4. Maria Watson - Creating order from chaos

    29/08/2021

    Maria Watson - Creating order from chaos

    #143 Maria Watson - Creating order from chaos Maria talks to us about the joy of creating order from chaos We talk about: Not really having any ideas about what she wanted to do when she was little. How to make a living doing something she is great at. And her hunt for the perfect Chinese takeaway!  Maria Watson - The Details Director - helps creative-minded solo business owners find simple ways to bring calm, order & organisation to their life & business so that they can get more done with less stress.   After 18 years in Accountancy, working with hundreds of small businesses, she took her love of details, deadlines and talent for improving efficiency and created her own small business which is in its 7th year. Originally from Lancashire, Maria now lives in Cornwall working remotely with clients across the UK and the globe but she remains a no-nonsense Northerner who has an innate ability to bring calm and clarity to any business project, and that’s what her clients love.   Key Resources: Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth  Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth  Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/  Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north   Maria’s Website - www.thedetailsdirector.com Maria on Linkedin -  https://www.linkedin.com/maria-watson

    37 min
  5. Suzi Payton - Listen, accept, commit!

    23/08/2021

    Suzi Payton - Listen, accept, commit!

    #142 Suzi Payton - Listen, accept, commit! Suzi talks to us about how the 3 golden rules of comedy improvisation also help with life! We talk about: Her childhood dream of wanting to be a stunt woman! How making stuff up is the best thing in the world.  And how reward charts are not just for children!   A dynamic life coach, comedian/improv teacher and neurodiversity trainer; Suzi supports amazing people to access their strengths, build confidence and achieve their goals. She spreads the joy of comedy improvisation and helps absolute beginners to take their first steps into a world where we make short scenes up 'on the spot', play and have SO MUCH FUN! As an autistic ADHDer, Suzi is passionate about delivering meaningful autism and ADHD training where outdated stereotypes are kicked out of the window! She promotes a strengths based approach where ND people are accepted and understood and not 'encouraged/made' to be neurotypical.   Key Resources: Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth  Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth  Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/  Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north   Suzi’s website - www.suzipayton.com Suzi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suzipayton_coach_comedian/  Suzi on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/suzipaytonadhdwarrior  Suzi’s Driven ADHD+ mindset warriors Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/353964556132593

    37 min
  6. Fiona Kearns - Being CEO confident

    16/08/2021

    Fiona Kearns - Being CEO confident

    #141 Fiona Kearns - Being CEO confident Fiona talks to us about being CEO confident We talk about: How we should all work at being good at public speaking. Becoming self employed during the pandemic. And what her hilarious DJ name would be!  Fiona Kearns is a Business Psychologist who helps people get rid of self-doubt, own their skillset and feel confident about playing huge in life and work. She is experienced in the IT/Telecom and non-profit worlds.  Fiona is a member of the Association for Business Psychology and author of ‘How to Increase your Confidence’. She specialises in helping leaders fulfil their potential in business. She loves the thrill of helping clients manage their imposter syndrome to become confident, visible and more impactful.  Key Resources: Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth  Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth  Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/  Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north   Fiona’s Website -  https://kearnsconsultancy.com/  Fiona on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionakearns/  Fiona on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KearnsConsultancyGlobal/  Fiona on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kearnsconsultancy/  Fiona on Twitter - https://twitter.com/FionaFKearns  Create Your Signature Talk - https://kearnsconsultancy.thinkific.com/courses/createyoursignaturetalk  Fiona’s book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VP8Y4RP/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

    48 min
5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Inspiring stories from inspirational people, who have found their passion: their true north! Take inspiration from people who have been there, experienced the same, and taken action to create a more fulfilling life in line with their values and passion. Learn about what helped them and what they did to create the momentum. Change takes time but listen to our weekly episodes for a shot of inspiration! There are so many toxic messages around what success looks like, which can leave us feeling unsatisfied and overwhelmed. At Inspiration North, we've created inspirational resources and programmes to help you find your True North. You can go from living someone else's life to living your life full of meaning, purpose and joy.

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