147 episodes

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.

The Inspiration North Podcast James Eves and Michelle Minnikin

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 11 Ratings

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.

    Sheri-Leigh Miles -  Playing around at the edges 

    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/ 

    • 40 min
    Shelley Farnham & Julia Harris - Complex Strengths and Complex Connexions

    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

    • 55 min
    Michelle Jones - A world where kindness is currency

    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/

    • 1 hr 11 min
    Kev Price - It all ends up good

    Kev Price - It all ends up good

    #145 Kev Price - It all ends up good
    Kev talks to us about how it all ends up good! 
    We talk about:
    His hard-won entrepreneurial lessons. The importance of finding great people to work with. And how he found his current adventure! Kev has more than 15 years of business experience. From co-founding a full-service digital agency in 2007 he then transitioned to digital tech products co-founding back to back start-ups. Both companies, Reframed and Ricochet, were backed by investment from both angels and VCs, the latter being successfully acquired in December 2020.
    Prior to founding businesses Kev got a degree in Physics, worked freelance as a developer/programmer and online marketer then went on to work at a few digital agencies in the North East.
     
    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
     
    Kev on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevprice/ 
    Kev on Twitter - https://twitter.com/KevPrice 
    Sub 10 platform sign up - https://sub-10.co.uk/safeguarding/ 
    Sub 10 on Twitter - https://twitter.com/SUB10Learning 

    • 40 min
    Linzi Trafford - Say yes and see what happens

    Linzi Trafford - Say yes and see what happens

    #144 Linzi Trafford - Say yes and see what happens
    Linzi talks to us about saying yes and seeing what happens. 
    We talk about:
    Going on holiday to Thailand and deciding to stay there for 13 years and counting. Being in the right place at the right time. And the absolute joy of salt & vinegar crisps! Linzi is a passionate writer and content marketer specialising in creating original and engaging web copy and blog articles.
    She hates bad grammar, but loves a good pun. She likes to travel, but sucks at packing. She laughs loudly and often, and her spirit animal is a zebra.
    When she’s not at her keyboard, you’ll find her hiking in the jungle, scuba diving, sunset gazing, or running around on the beach with her rescue dog, Blix. 

    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
     
    Linzi on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/linzi.trafford 
    Palm Tree Digital on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PalmTreeDigi
    Linzi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/linzi-trafford-b106591b5/ 

    • 45 min
    Maria Watson - Creating order from chaos

    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

    • 36 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

JaymzEUK ,

It all started with a podcast...

I get so much from recording and listening back to these. And we hope that if just one listener gets something from an episode then we are achieving our goal. Thanks for being part of the journey. James

hay day is a good game ,

I love to is 1mill stars

The best podcast ever

HellsBells1118 ,

Interesting, informative and fun!

So many different topics and stories. Worth listening too!

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