Stressed But Well Dressed

Dahlia Stroud

"Stressed But Well Dressed" delves into the link between stress, confidence, and clothing, helping listeners build a "well-dressed mindset" for success. Dahlia hosts weekly conversations with a diverse range of guests—psychologists, founders, authors, designers, coaches, TV personalities, journalists, a firefighter, a former cult member, marketeers, and even Miss Great Britain—to explore the impact of stress on identity, confidence, and mindset from unique perspectives across a range of topics. Expect thought provoking conversations, practical tips for success and a bit of fashion in the mix!

  1. Season 14, Episode 6: Not everything is urgent (with guest Kim Palmer)

    5d ago

    Season 14, Episode 6: Not everything is urgent (with guest Kim Palmer)

    Dahlia is joined by Kim Palmer — founder of the Clementine app and co‑author of Not Everything Is Urgent — for a conversation about the architecture of urgency, the psychology of confidence, and the cognitive mechanics behind hypnotherapy. Rather than treating stress as a personal failing, they look at the structural forces that keep women in a state of permanent acceleration, and why “quiet confidence” functions as a counter‑cultural stance rather than a personality trait. Kim breaks down how hypnotherapy actually works at a neurological level - how accessing the subconscious allows you to interrupt long‑established behavioural loops that logic alone can’t touch. The discussion moves between identity, habit formation, and the politics of pace: what happens when you stop responding to every stimulus as if it’s critical, and how your sense of self shifts when urgency is no longer the organising principle of your day. If you are guilty of people pleasing and interested in building your confidence through control rather than being the loudest person in the room this conversation is for you. Find more about Stressed But Well Dressed on instagram @stressedbutwelldressed_podcast Read 'Not Everything Is Urgent' not everything is urgent by Kim Palmer, Ian Haworth, and Shashank Sharma | The Pound Project Find out more about Clementine App: About — Clementine App

    40 min
  2. Season 14, Episode 5: Climb Every Mountain (with guest Bonita Norris)

    Jun 19

    Season 14, Episode 5: Climb Every Mountain (with guest Bonita Norris)

    Dahlia is joined by Bonita Norris, a record breaking mountaineer who is the youngest person in the world to have climbed both Mount Everest and the North Pole Bonita Norris has stood higher on the planet than almost anyone — but what makes her story powerful isn’t just the summit, it’s the preparation. In this episode, we talk about the part of mountaineering no one romanticises: getting dressed. Layering for survival, choosing what protects you, what frees you, what gives you the confidence to step into the cold. Bonita takes us inside the psychology of extreme environments — fear, discipline, ambition — and how the smallest decisions, including what you put on your body, shape your ability to keep going when everything in you wants to stop. We explore the parallels between the mountain and everyday life: the armour we choose, the layers we shed, and the mindset required to face something bigger than ourselves. It’s a conversation about courage, competence, and the quiet rituals that prepare you to meet the moment. Bonita Norris is the youngest person ever to have reached both “tops of the world”; the summit of Mt Everest and the North Pole. She is only the 3rd British woman to have climbed the world’s 4th highest peak, Mt Lhotse - and has been on 8 expeditions. Bonita has guided teams to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, climbed the Matterhorn and attempted K2, some of the deadliest mountains on Earth. Bonita went from beginner climber aged 20, to the youngest British woman to climb Mt Everest at the age of 22. This story of transformation is the backdrop to her keynote speeches. In 2017 she published her bestselling memoir, The Girl Who Climbed Everest. Today, Bonita is a mother and an award winning motivational speaker.

    39 min
  3. Season 14, Episode 4: A leotard changed my life (with guest Victoria Emes)

    Jun 12

    Season 14, Episode 4: A leotard changed my life (with guest Victoria Emes)

    Dahlia is joined by Victoria Emes, comedian, content creator and co-founder of wellness business FitBtch. Victoria shares her the journey of her career from working in a high school to full time content creator becoming a household name as one of the funniest women on the internet. The podcast goes behind the scenes on how Victoria built her online audience, why she's always leaned into comedy in her everyday and how she amassed a following of people who truly related to her and then created a wellness concept that was a perfect fit for their needs (and for hers too). Widely recognised as one of Instagram’s sharpest and funniest voices, Victoria has become a household name — the internet’s favourite “accidental” mum‑icon and a standout comedic storyteller. What began as a creative outlet during maternity leave quickly evolved into a cultural moment, as her unfiltered take on motherhood resonated with millions. Victoria has built a loyal community by saying the things parents actually think. Her parody sketches cut through the curated perfection of Instagram, offering relief, honesty and a much‑needed laugh for a generation navigating modern parenting. Her debut book, Welcome to Motherhood Btches* (2022), cemented her place as a defining voice in the parenting space, while her hit podcast No Holes Barred continues to be a go‑to for women who want humour, honesty and zero judgement. Victoria’s brand partnerships reflect her credibility and reach. She has worked with leading names including Very (2022 Ambassador), Fabletics, Elvie and Skin + Me. In 2024, she expanded her relationship with HelloFresh into a full‑year ambassadorship — a testament to her influence and commercial impact.

    40 min
  4. Season 14, Episode 3: Clothes, confidence and the politics of what to wear to Parliament (with guest Baroness Tina Stowell)

    Jun 5

    Season 14, Episode 3: Clothes, confidence and the politics of what to wear to Parliament (with guest Baroness Tina Stowell)

    Dahlia is joined by Baroness Tina Stowell. From Downing Street to the House of Lords to leading major institutions, Tina has spent her career doing something most people underestimate: reading a room, building trust, and getting people to move together. They talk about the human side of leadership, why being underestimated can be an advantage, and how presentation — from tone to clothing — shapes the way power is received. Tina shares the behind the scenes on her promotion to lead the House of Lords and how what she wore has been part of her success to get her where she is today. Baroness Stowell of Beeston MBE Tina Stowell grew up in a working-class family living in a small East Midlands industrial town, and left school at sixteen determined to make her way as a brilliant secretary - taking the role of a secretary at the Ministry of Defence. She became the Leader of the House of Lords.    The real story about Tina isn’t where she began, but why she succeeded and how far it’s taken her. She’s been underestimated and forced to prove herself more often than she can remember.  But her record of achievement is remarkable and in a career that’s included roles in DowningStreet, Washington, the BBC and Parliament, her method consistent: she’s fixed tough problems by understanding the people involved, respecting differentperspectives, and finding common ground.    She is renowned for ‘getting things done’ and surpassing expectations when faced with ‘impossible’ challenges: from leading equal marriage legislation through the House of Lords against the odds; preventing foreign governments from owning or controlling British news organisations; to leading efforts to rebuild public trust in the charity sector during her tenure as Chair of the Charity Commission. She has spentdecades bringing unlikely people together to achieve unexpected results in times of great upheaval, receiving numerous awards for her work.    In recent years, alongside her commitments in the House of Lords, she has sat on the Boards of ABTA and Impellam Group plc and has been a Social Mobility Commissioner since2023.   She now shares lessons from how she has bridged divides to make change happen as a keynote speaker – to help other leaders do the same in these times of political and technological disruption, polarisation, low trust,and high demands.  To find out more about Tina and to book her to speak visit her website: www.tinastowell.co.uk

    47 min
  5. Season 14, Episode 2: Smash the ceiling (with guest Barbara Nixon)

    May 29

    Season 14, Episode 2: Smash the ceiling (with guest Barbara Nixon)

    Dahlia is joined by Barbara Nixon, Executive Coach and host of podcast Smash The Ceiling to discuss clothes, confidence and removing our self limiting beliefs (how to smash the ceiling). Barbara talks about how we build our identity at work, how we get clear about what we want and develop the confidence to ask for it with clarity and conviction. From being told to 'look like' a manager to finding her own way to lead Barbara shares practical tips with listeners on how to build your career identity and smash your perceiving ceiling. Barbara Nixon is an Executive Success and Leadership Coach and founder of Smash Your Own Ceiling. She's been in the people development space for almost 30 years andhas worked with 1000+ leaders to help them get out of the weeds, side step self doubt and elevate into their next level of leadership. She is the author of The Boss Hat, the host of the Smash Your Own Ceiling podcast, and has been featured on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show,BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield and Addicted2Success. Website:www.barbaranixon.co.uk Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaranixon1 Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@iambarbaranixon ConfidentLeaders Scorecard:https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com Enjoyed the episode? Make sure you are following the show and leave a review! Behind the scenes can be on instagram @stressedbutwelldressed_podcast and Dahlia is on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dahliastroud/

    28 min
  6. Season 14, Episode 1: Put on your pearls girls (with guest Marisa Horden)

    May 22

    Season 14, Episode 1: Put on your pearls girls (with guest Marisa Horden)

    Dahlia is joined by Marisa Hordern, founder and creative director of jewellery brand Missoma. Dahlia and Marisa discuss the sentiment jewellery holds whether it is bought for yourself, gifted or passed down through generations. Marisa shares the story of the brand from kitchen table creation to becoming a globally recognised brand - and what she aimed to create in the jewellery space. Marisa Hordern founded Missoma from a spark of inspiration at her kitchen table, driven by a simple but powerful idea: jewellery should be both meaningful and accessible. What began as a personal passion has grown into the UK’s leading demi‑fine jewellery brand, celebrated for its distinctive design language, quality craftsmanship, and approachability. As Founder and Creative Director, Marisa has shaped Missoma’s identity from the inside out — curating its design aesthetic, steering its retail strategy, and overseeing its international expansion. Her hands‑on leadership ensures that every decision reflects the brand’s ethos of thoughtful, sustainable growth and its commitment to community. Under her direction, Missoma has earned major recognition, including the Queen’s Award for International Trade and a place as the 6th fastest‑growing UK SME in 2019 — milestones that underscore both commercial success and cultural resonance. Today, Marisa is focused on deepening Missoma’s global footprint, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, while continuing to build a brand that feels personal, empowering, and rooted in connection. Her mission remains unchanged: to bring accessible luxury to women around the world, creating pieces that become part of their everyday stories. Find more behind the scenes of Stressed But Well Dressed on instagram @stressedbutwelldressed_podcast

    39 min
  7. Season 13: Episode 10: The Self Care Club (with guests Lauren Mishcon and Nicole Goodman)

    May 15

    Season 13: Episode 10: The Self Care Club (with guests Lauren Mishcon and Nicole Goodman)

    Dahlia is joined by Lauren Mishcon and Nicole Goodman, co hosts of award winning podcasts Self Care Club and 40ish to get the low down on tried and tested self care practices and what to wear to turn 40. Lauren and Nicole have tried hundreds of different types of self care (everything from goat yoga to vagina steaming) to understand whether any of these things actually improve your life style. The friends share their findings and also the reflections from their podcast 40ish which reflects on how it feels to embark on midlife and what to wear to feel well-dressed. Lauren Mishcon and Nicole Goodman are theaward-winning hosts of Self Care Club and 40ish, two hit independent podcasts that blend humour, honesty, and real-life insight. For over five years and more than 600 episodes, they’ve tested every kind of wellness trend imaginable, cutting through the noise to help their audience make smarter, more meaningful choices about self care. As outspoken voices for midlife women, they shine a light on the realities of this often-overlooked life stage with humour, candour, and relatability. With over 4 million downloads, multiple industry awards, and a bestselling book (Have You Tried This?), they’ve built a fiercely loyal community and a fully independent podcasting business from the ground up. Known for their sharp wit and genuine friendship, Lauren and Nicole create content that feels like a conversation with your smartest, funniest friends. Enjoyed this episode? Go behind the scenes with the show on instagram @stressedbutwelldressed

    37 min
  8. Season 13, Episode 9: Inconceivable - a story of family, fertility and understanding who you are (with guest Rebecca Coxon)

    May 8

    Season 13, Episode 9: Inconceivable - a story of family, fertility and understanding who you are (with guest Rebecca Coxon)

    Dahlia is joined by Rebecca Coxon to discuss family, fertility and uncovering a secret that shaped who she is today. Rebecca shares what she has coined her 'inconceivable' story of finding out the facts about her family history. Rebecca discusses the story behind her book 'Inconceivable' published in March 2026, sharing her perspective on family relationships shaped both by her genealogy and her personal fertility challenges. Dahlia and Rebecca discuss how challenges with fertility can shape your identity and how you see yourself and Rebecca shares the stress of keeping her family's biggest secret. Rebecca Coxon is a writer and former documentary filmmaker whose work is shaped by a deep curiosity about people, identity, and the hidden architectures of family life. Before turning to fiction, she spent more than a decade producing and directing films for the BBC and Channel 4, earning a shortlist place at the British Journalism Awards in 2022. Her storytelling is grounded in the discipline of documentary — attentive, humane, and unafraid of complexity. Rebecca’s writing is informed by a life lived in the open: she is one of triplets conceived via IVF and donor conception, has donated her own eggs, and has navigated endometriosis and infertility. These experiences give her work a rare emotional clarity and a lived understanding of the modern family in all its forms. She holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Manchester and an undergraduate degree in English & Drama from Queen Mary University of London. Originally from rural Nottinghamshire, she now lives in Leeds and works part‑time in an independent bookshop in Wetherby, where she remains close to readers and the literary community.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

"Stressed But Well Dressed" delves into the link between stress, confidence, and clothing, helping listeners build a "well-dressed mindset" for success. Dahlia hosts weekly conversations with a diverse range of guests—psychologists, founders, authors, designers, coaches, TV personalities, journalists, a firefighter, a former cult member, marketeers, and even Miss Great Britain—to explore the impact of stress on identity, confidence, and mindset from unique perspectives across a range of topics. Expect thought provoking conversations, practical tips for success and a bit of fashion in the mix!

Information

  • Creator
    Dahlia Stroud
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dahlia Stroud
  • Show Website
    Stressed But Well Dressed

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