Words that Change Lives

Helen Packham

Would you like to improve your ability to connect with others in a world where mutual understanding appears to be declining? Join Helen Packham, Verbal communications strategist and speaker coach, to explore how we can speak more honestly, talk more authentically, and communicate more effectively to motivate, educate and inspire. This podcast is for leaders, coaches, consultants and small business owners who want to increase the impact of their communication from 1-2-1 conversations to thousands online and in person. No matter how big or small the audience, tune in to learn how the words you use can make a massive impact. Whether you want to stand on the TEDx stage, pitch an idea, influence a group of people, resolve conflict or inspire action in others, there’s something for you in this podcast. In weekly episodes, Helen will be sharing her wisdom, insight and approaches, as well as speaking to top experts in the field of verbal communication to help you express to impress. Helen has built her career on helping leaders, coaches, and consultants 10x the impact of their communication to engage, educate and inspire their audiences. She has 15 years of experience in leadership development and communication and 8 years in entrepreneurship. A TEDx curator and speaker, Helen passes on the powerful tool of storytelling to her clients so that they can confidently present and speak with impact. Living on the sunny south coast with her two kids, she loves beach time, downs walks and Djing house and drum and bass music. Helen truly believes that we can all harness the power of our words to change lives, for the better.

  1. Ep 70: Growth, Burnout and The Next Chapter: Reflections After 70 Episodes

    06/02/2025

    Ep 70: Growth, Burnout and The Next Chapter: Reflections After 70 Episodes

    In the final episode of this season of the Words That Change Lives podcast, Helen reflects on the highlights, lessons learned, and heartfelt gratitude that have defined a remarkable season. As she presses pause and looks ahead to new opportunities and fresh directions, this last instalment offers listeners an honest and inspiring look back and a glimpse of what's next. Here are the highlights: 00:00 Looking back on the podcast, so grateful for the support 04:48 Podcasting has led to increased opportunities, reach, and credibility in this field 07:42 The podcast has expanded discussions beyond traditional communication topics 10:46 Learned podcast SEO, improved titles and tags, branching into video, recalibrating business strategy 13:05 Reverse engineering priorities, documenting on YouTube until podcast season two  16:10 connect on social media for updates on season two. Connect with Helen: Website: helenpackham.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham The podcast will be pausing after this episode but you can continue to get weekly videos and BTS insights from Helen via her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach Or by signing up to her speak up newsletter https://helenpackham.com/ (bottom of the home page) Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

    17 min
  2. Ep 69: Robotics COO Eleanor Tang-Smith Reveals Why Doing Nothing Could Be The Smartest Move In The Age Of AI

    05/26/2025

    Ep 69: Robotics COO Eleanor Tang-Smith Reveals Why Doing Nothing Could Be The Smartest Move In The Age Of AI

    Helen talks to Eleanor Tang-Smith, COO of a fast-growing robotics software company, to unravel the surprising power of pause and “wild creativity” in a tech-driven world.  Drawing from her unique vantage point at the crossroads of robotics and artificial intelligence, Eleanor shares why embracing creativity, critical thinking, and even regular breaks from technology aren’t just nice-to-haves but essential habits for the future of work.  Here are the highlights: 00:00 Helen helped Ellie, COO of a robotics software company, create talks and develop a legacy phrase  03:57 Joy from non-work passions provides challenge and reward similar to work 09:20 AI's impact on hiring has grown significantly 09:58 AI integration in hiring and growth 14:20 Art's value comes from the artist's contribution and story 19:31 To stand out amid AI-generated content, think creatively  23:07 AI-created marketing for a Glasgow Willy Wonka experience led to disappointment and accusations of false advertising 30:04 Overloading tasks hinders joy 33:23 Productivity and automation’s future 37:37 Balancing life in a tech world 41:38 Embrace freedom and mindfulness outdoors Listen to Helen’s episode about Legacy Phrases on spotify or apple. About Ellie Tang-Smith Eleanor Tang-Smith is the COO of BOW, where she draws on 15 years of experience in the software industry to build and scale a robotics software business. Eleanor is a passionate advocate for women in STEM, co-host of Women in Tech Nottingham, and a champion of creativity and compassion in the workplace. Outside of work, she finds balance in nature through wild swimming, mountain climbing, and exploring the outdoors. Connect with Ellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tang-smith-488738a0/ Connect with Helen: Website: helenpackham.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham The podcast will be pausing at episode 70 but you can continue to get updates from Helen via her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach Or by signing up to her speak up newsletter https://helenpackham.com/ (bottom of the home page) Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

    47 min
  3. Ep 68: This ONE Conversation Made Me Rethink My Whole Business with Helen Tudor

    05/19/2025

    Ep 68: This ONE Conversation Made Me Rethink My Whole Business with Helen Tudor

    Helen and guest Helen Tudor explore the transformative power of pausing, realignment, and truly connecting with your ideal clients. Get ready for refreshing honesty, hands-on advice, and inspiring stories about what happens when you put alignment and joy at the centre of everything you do. Here are the highlights: 00:00 My guest, Helen Tudor, combines strategy and spirituality to help entrepreneurs attract ideal clients 04:46 Pausing podcast to free up time for strategic thinking 12:42 Success doesn't always feel fulfilling; finding joy outside of business is crucial for a balanced life. 22:29 Challenge traditional methods; simplify and customise delivery 25:37 Self-awareness is key 27:40 Strategy alone is insufficient; understanding energetics is essential 38:24 People buy transformation based on feelings, connection, and confidence, not just expertise or services. 40:18 Be direct and confident; this attracts your ideal audience quickly 45:22 Note ideas immediately; creativity often strikes during everyday activities. 45:59 Act on inspiration immediately 50:48 Set boundaries confidently in business About Helen Tudor: Helen Tudor is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and a leading expert in ideal client attraction. She blends strategy with spirituality to help mission-driven entrepreneurs call in their perfect-fit clients with ease. With a no-nonsense approach, Helen teaches business owners how to magnetise clients without cold DMs, complicated funnels, or endless faffing around. Her proven methods have helped thousands of entrepreneurs build aligned, profitable businesses while staying true to their values. Connect with Helen: https://www.helentudor.uk/icaalignmentquiz Connect with Helen: Website: helenpackham.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham The podcast will be pausing at episode 70 but you can continue to get updates from Helen via her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach Or by signing up to her speak up newsletter https://helenpackham.com/ (bottom of the home page) Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

    56 min
  4. Ep 67: Is Alcohol Stealing Your Potential Without You Noticing? With Anna Donaghey

    05/12/2025

    Ep 67: Is Alcohol Stealing Your Potential Without You Noticing? With Anna Donaghey

    How does the way you speak to yourself about alcohol shape your habits, identity and potential? Helen welcomes alcohol mindset coach Anna Donaghey to share eye-opening insights into the stories we tell ourselves about drinking. This episode offers practical, compassionate wisdom on breaking cycles of shame and unlocking a way to rethink the way you drink alcohol. Here are the highlights: 00:00  Exploring the importance of the language we use around alcohol. 09:13 Lost confidence and sparkle due to years of drinking  11:35 Loss of long-term goals and motivation due to alcohol 15:27 Words shape mindset; self-talk matters 26:35 Is life good enough or could reducing alcohol enhance it? 32:55 Everyone can be prone to addiction. 36:35 Moving beyond the limiting labels of "normal" and "alcoholic." 38:43 Admitting to a drinking problem was a daunting step for me 43:51 Acknowledge past mistakes but emphasise openness to change with ‘yet’. About Anna Donaghey: Anna Donaghey is an alcohol mindset coach, speaker and host of The BigDrink Rethink, a podcast aimed at encouraging people to talk openly and honestly about alcohol. With a career spanning 25 years as a strategist in the advertising industry, she combines her own lived experience of alcohol addiction with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do. Through The Big Drink Rethink, Anna is on a mission to get the nation drinking more mindfully.  Connect with Anna: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey Listen To The Podcast: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/big-drink-rethink Connect with Helen: Website: helenpackham.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham The podcast will be pausing at episode 70 but you can continue to get updates from Helen via her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@helenpackhamspeakercoach  Or by signing up to her speak up newsletter https://helenpackham.com/ (bottom of the home page) Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

    48 min
  5. Ep 65: The ONE Question That Silences Shame and Builds Self-Trust

    04/28/2025

    Ep 65: The ONE Question That Silences Shame and Builds Self-Trust

    Helen speaks with coach Adam Smith about the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape everything. From negative self-talk to the pressure to prove ourselves, Adam shares how he broke free from old patterns and now helps others do the same. Together, they explore how changing your inner dialogue can shift your whole life.  Starting with just a few simple words. Here are the highlights: 00:00 Introduction 02:32 Reframing anxiety: the language we use shapes our reality 09:48 Formative voices become our inner critic 13:55 Why high achievers often struggle with low self-esteem 18:08 Social media validation and the craving to be seen 23:27 Shame vs guilt: the danger of attaching identity to actions 27:09 Interrupting the spiral: the power of a more helpful thought 32:13 Emotional regulation starts with letting yourself feel 36:18 The healthiest choice might not be what you think it is 42:26 “Have you had enough pain yet?” The question that sparks change About Adam Smith: From depressed and suicidal to the happiest and fittest he’s ever been, Adam’s self-development journey hasn’t been easy but it has been worth it. Today, he is a  qualified in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and a certified Time Line Therapist®. He has coached hundreds of high performers, CEOs, celebrities, and athletes including Team GB, using NLP to rewire their thoughts and behaviours so they can destroy limiting beliefs and engineer the change needed to excel. He was working in hospitality, drinking in excess, and hoping to find happiness at the bottom of a bottle - of course, he did not. After a failed relationship, losing a job, and drinking too much, he hit rock bottom and wanted to end his life. After only what I can call a blessing, he was interrupted by a call from my Mum, and everything changed. He transformed his mental and physical health by starting small and gaining momentum.  Connect with Adam: Podcast- https://agameunfiltered.podbean.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-smith-high-performance-coach/  Connect with Helen: Website: helenpackham.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenpackham Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenpackhamcoach LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenpackham Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

    45 min
  6. Ep 63: Yin From Traitors Reveals Communication Strategies In High Stakes Environments That You Can Use Every Day To Win People Over

    04/14/2025

    Ep 63: Yin From Traitors Reveals Communication Strategies In High Stakes Environments That You Can Use Every Day To Win People Over

    Helen Packham talks to Dr Yin Lu, a distinguished communication scientist and self-styled rhetoric doctor. Despite her early exit in the game show 'Traitors,' Yin shares her expansive knowledge, explaining how emotion and strategic communication play crucial roles in achieving resonance and influence.  Yin and Helen share strategies applicable in our daily lives to win people over and reduce the distortion between intention and impact. Tune in for a conversation that's sure to transform how you connect and communicate with the world. Here are the highlights: 00:00 The science of communication with Yin from the Traitors 09:16 Communication involves reducing distortion between intent and impact. 15:42 Analysed rhetorical techniques in social media to predict tweet engagement. 25:02 Online influence holds significant power. Creators need to take care. 31:45 Traitors plan was non-threatening behaviour and appearance. 37:03 Trust, emotional connection, and logic form credibility. 44:49 Focus on personal emotions and vulnerabilities instead of judging others. 56:41 Listening is crucial in communication, yet often overlooked.  01:07:06 We perceive the world based on our own biases and experiences, as emphasised by Anais Nin's quote. About Dr. Yin Lu: Yin is a communication scientist, a self-styled Rhetoric Doctor, and an AI product leader. She is currently the Global Head of Product for Artificial Intelligence at CUBE, a market-leading regtech that has been machine reading the regulatory internet since 2011. She is intoxicated by language, particularly in the context of digital media. Yin completed her doctorate at the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) on the rhetoric and resonance of Brexit tweets. Through her research, she established a rhetorical framework that can be used to improve the resonance of any message. She applies it every single day to every single form of communication that she produces or consumes (including this one). Yin has an interdisciplinary and international outlook. She firmly believes that categories are meant to be transcended. She is a strong advocate for computational approaches to the social sciences and humanities, and for qualitative approaches to big data analyses. She belongs to three cultures across three continents, and derives energy from travel and meeting new people. The greater the diversity, the better. On a higher, more whimsical level: Yin is caught betwixt academia and industry, fact and fiction, life and art. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Connect with Yin: Medium: https://medium.com/@periwynkle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/periwynkle TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therhetoricdoctor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therhetoricdoctor X: https://x.com/yinneth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Periwynkle LinkTree: a href="https://linktr.ee/therhetoricdoctor" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 9m

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Would you like to improve your ability to connect with others in a world where mutual understanding appears to be declining? Join Helen Packham, Verbal communications strategist and speaker coach, to explore how we can speak more honestly, talk more authentically, and communicate more effectively to motivate, educate and inspire. This podcast is for leaders, coaches, consultants and small business owners who want to increase the impact of their communication from 1-2-1 conversations to thousands online and in person. No matter how big or small the audience, tune in to learn how the words you use can make a massive impact. Whether you want to stand on the TEDx stage, pitch an idea, influence a group of people, resolve conflict or inspire action in others, there’s something for you in this podcast. In weekly episodes, Helen will be sharing her wisdom, insight and approaches, as well as speaking to top experts in the field of verbal communication to help you express to impress. Helen has built her career on helping leaders, coaches, and consultants 10x the impact of their communication to engage, educate and inspire their audiences. She has 15 years of experience in leadership development and communication and 8 years in entrepreneurship. A TEDx curator and speaker, Helen passes on the powerful tool of storytelling to her clients so that they can confidently present and speak with impact. Living on the sunny south coast with her two kids, she loves beach time, downs walks and Djing house and drum and bass music. Helen truly believes that we can all harness the power of our words to change lives, for the better.