263 episodes

Conversations of Inspiration brings you life changing wisdom along with heartbreaking stories of resilience, tenacity and triumph. Since launching two small business marketplaces (Holly & Co and notonthehighstreet), Holly Tucker MBE has spoken with more than 175 founders, creatives and entrepreneurs on this podcast who have been vulnerable enough to share what it really took to get them where they are today, with warmth and wisdom. Prepare to be inspired.

Conversations of Inspiration Holly Tucker MBE

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 26 Ratings

Conversations of Inspiration brings you life changing wisdom along with heartbreaking stories of resilience, tenacity and triumph. Since launching two small business marketplaces (Holly & Co and notonthehighstreet), Holly Tucker MBE has spoken with more than 175 founders, creatives and entrepreneurs on this podcast who have been vulnerable enough to share what it really took to get them where they are today, with warmth and wisdom. Prepare to be inspired.

    Giovanna Fletcher, on living a life of self-acceptance

    Giovanna Fletcher, on living a life of self-acceptance

    Why did Giovanna Fletcher call her encounter with royalty 'bizarrely beautiful'?

    Actress, author, podcast host, a true champion of mothers and the “I’m a Celebrity” Queen of the Castle shares her extraordinary journey of resilience and empowerment.

    From her experience starring in the West End musical "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" to her childhood encounters with bullying, which ignited her passion for creativity. She candidly discusses societal pressures around body image and her transformative shift towards prioritising mental well-being and overall health.

    Discover Giovanna's unexpected foray into writing, fueled by her captivating podcast "Happy Mum, Happy Baby," where she champions candid discussions about motherhood. Hear about her illuminating conversation with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on maternal mental health and her empowering work leading treks for breast cancer survivors.

    Giovanna's story is a testament to the power of resilience, the beauty of embracing your unique path, and the importance of supporting each other through life's ups and downs. 

    Tune in for a dose of inspiration that will surely spark a fire within you. Let's celebrate our journeys and the lessons we gather along the way!

    If you enjoyed this discussion, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Bryony Gordon, journalist and author.

    Plus for more unfiltered insight, subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business finds and inspiration, nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus exclusive offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 


    Win an Independent Ad Break on Conversations of Inspiration: If you’re a founder yourself and would like to be in with a chance to win your own ad break on this podcast head over to holly.co/dell. This competition is delivered in partnership with Dell Technologies and their programs Dell for Startups and DWEN (Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network) — which provide startup expertise from dedicated technology advisors and scalable solutions to ensure your business is always ready to grow.

    Time Stamps:

    Giovanna's Career and Musical Experience (00:02:40) Giovanna discusses her recent role in the West End musical "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" and the significance of the story.

    Facing Bullying and Coping Mechanisms (00:11:34) Giovanna shares her experience of being bullied as a child and how she coped with it by immersing herself in creativity and storytelling.

    Impact of Motherhood (00:21:10) Discussing the change in perspective due to motherhood and the shift in focus from seeking approval.

    Insecurities and Confidence (00:23:24) Exploring the impact of insecurities and the strength gained from overcoming challenges.

    Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance (00:27:02) Discussing the societal pressure on body image and the shift towards self-acceptance and empowerment.

    Experience on "I'm a Celebrity" (00:39:53) Giovanna reflects on her experience on the TV show "I'm a Celebrity" and the relief of being away from uncertainties.

    Discovery of Writing (00:43:13) Giovanna shares her surprise at her writing career taking off and the encouragement she received.

    Meeting with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (00:49:08) Giovanna shares her experience of meeting and recording a podcast with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, discussing maternal mental health.

    Giovanna's Charity Work (00:56:09) Giovanna's involvement with CoppaFeel and her charity treks to raise awareness of breast cancer.

    Breast Cancer Awareness (01:00:59) Giovanna discusses the importance of early diagnosis and breast cancer symptoms.

    Embracing Authenticity (01:07:45) Giovanna's personal journey to embracing her authentic self and advice for others.

    Letter to Younger Self (01:18:05) Giovanna reads a letter to her younger self, offering advice and reflections on life and self-worth.

    • 1 hr 22 min
    Jay Blades MBE, presenter, social enterpriser & furniture restorer, on the beauty of repairing communities through craft

    Jay Blades MBE, presenter, social enterpriser & furniture restorer, on the beauty of repairing communities through craft

    Jay Blades MBE, presenter of the BBC’s beloved The Repair Shop, returns to the podcast for a second time with his infectious energy and soulful wisdom — this time, sharing his belief in the power of using human connection to strengthen communities through craft. 

    WHY YOU WILL ENJOY THIS EPISODE


    You’ll hear how Jay leans into vulnerability, seeing it as being an essential tool for transformation 
    Be inspired by his dedication to bringing people together through creativity and craft, to make a difference in the world
    Learn more about the power of embracing change and using it as a catalyst for growth 

    If you enjoyed this discussion, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Keith Brymer Jones, designer, master potter, author and Great Pottery Throwdown judge. 

    Plus for more unfiltered insight, subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business finds and inspiration, nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus exclusive offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Perry Haydn Taylor, on revolutionising how we think about brand

    Perry Haydn Taylor, on revolutionising how we think about brand

    Meet Perry Haydn Taylor, brand genius, design guru and true disruptor. His work shines out of many kitchen cupboards and fridges, from Dorset Cereals or Whole Earth to Gü desserts. For 30 years, Perry has helped entrepreneurs start and transform some of our most extraordinary brands with his award-winning design and marketing consultancy, Big Fish. Find out how. 

    WHY YOU WILL ENJOY THIS EPISODE





    You’ll hear how Perry creates true disrupter brands by challenging conventional wisdom
    Discover how successful branding involves forging meaningful connections and leaving a lasting impact on the world
    Learn how to spark magic by always operating with a start-up mentality 

    Please take a moment to protect little ears, this episode contains adult language.

    If you enjoyed this discussion, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with David Hieatt, founder of Howies, The Do Lectures and Hiut Denim.

    Plus for more unfiltered insight, subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business finds and inspiration, nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus exclusive offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

    • 1 hr 18 min
    Dame Sarah Storey DBE, on leaving a legacy of determination, resilience and triumph

    Dame Sarah Storey DBE, on leaving a legacy of determination, resilience and triumph

    Dame Sarah Storey is Britain’s most decorated Paralympian and her uplifting journey is a beacon of hope, and testament to the power of resilience. They say if you believe in yourself anything is possible. This week's guest has a story of unparalleled determination, tenacity and triumph. 

    WHY YOU WILL ENJOY THIS EPISODE


    You’ll hear how Dame Sarah’s insatiable curiosity to see how far, and how fast, she can go has fueled her 
    Learn how obstacles can be met with a belief in ourselves that ultimately powers our dreams
    Discover what it takes to compete for your country and the power of winning… and losing 

    Please take a moment to protect little ears, this episode contains adult language.

    If you enjoyed this discussion, we think you’ll love hearing Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill DBE, Olympic athlete.

    Plus for more unfiltered insight, subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business finds and inspiration, nuggets of wisdom, plus exclusive offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Elvis & Kresse Wesling CBE, founders of Elvis & Kresse, on the power of circular businesses

    Elvis & Kresse Wesling CBE, founders of Elvis & Kresse, on the power of circular businesses

    Elvis & Kresse is a superb example of a circular business, making luxury accessories from recycled materials (mainly fire hoses). Since 2005, they’ve saved 300 tonnes of decommissioned ones from landfill and donated 50% of profits. Discover how this incredible company puts the environment, ethics and community first — to great effect.

    WHY YOU WILL ENJOY THIS EPISODE


    You’ll learn more about why many believe circular businesses like this one are the future
    Discover Elvis and Kresse’s passion for breaking the rules, leading with ethics and seeing just how far this can take you
    Hear how leading with generosity, kindness and purpose can be a winning formula for success

    Please take a moment to protect little ears, this episode contains adult language.

    If you enjoyed this discussion, we think you’ll love hearing Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Sebastian Pole, co-founder of Pukka Herbs or Mark Shayler, thinker, doer, creator, speaker and author.

    Plus for more unfiltered insight, subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business finds and inspiration, nuggets of wisdom, plus exclusive offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Antonia & Jonny Philp, founders of Nursem, on passion, purpose and The Nursem Promise

    Antonia & Jonny Philp, founders of Nursem, on passion, purpose and The Nursem Promise

    Antonia and Jonny Philp worked tirelessly to create a hand cream that helps our nation’s NHS professionals and is commercially successful (they promise to give a month’s worth of free hand cream to a nurse or midwife with every purchase). Hear how they were tested — from Covid to Dragons’ Den — and truly found their purpose. 

    WHY YOU WILL ENJOY THIS EPISODE


    You’ll hear Antonia and Jonny’s unwavering dedication to placing their values to give back above all else
    Discover more about achieving great things through hard work, perseverance and keeping a focused mindset
    Hear about the power of rejection and how they learnt to confidently deal with knockbacks

    If you enjoyed this discussion, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Danny Gray, founder of War Paint and JAAQ.

    Plus for more unfiltered insight, subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business finds and inspiration, nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus exclusive offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

    • 1 hr

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
26 Ratings

26 Ratings

Lindaclare ,

Stop here! Best podcast of its kind!

I think she has nailed it with the format! Then there is the very genuine, personal, intimate, unscripted vibe which makes this podcast so, so, addictive. The questions are articulate and intelligent. The guests - well - look at the list - either famous or just incredibly interesting and inspiring! Seek no further!

Graciep212 ,

Inspiring & Entertaining

As a small business owner, I love this podcast and have learned so much from Holly and all of her amazing guests. Keep doing what you are doing

4lori4 ,

Love love love!

This podcast brings be back to how and why I went into business for myself. I love listening to other entrepreneur journeys and how positive and encouraging Holly is.
My daughter has dyslexia and listening to all the creative thinkers become successful and happy in the life they have designed for themselves really inspires her.
Love the structure of the conversations that just flows and really enjoy the letter to myself at the end….even though I cry every time.
Thank you Holly for putting a pep in my step with every podcast x

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