OFC, You're Invited with Vanessa Maria

Vanessa Maria

Vanessa Maria is a cultural curator and creative leader working at the intersection of public life, programming, and community. OFC, You’re Invited aims to curate intimate rooms for thoughtful conversation, shaped by friendship. The bi-weekly series invites one guest per episode to bring a +1 – a sibling, partner, cousin, close friend, or long-term collaborator. So much of how we understand ourselves comes from the people we move through life with. This podcast is about making room for that. IG: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/

Episodes

  1. Making Friends in Your 40s: Proximity, Prosecco, and a Midsummer Night’s Dream

    Apr 27

    Making Friends in Your 40s: Proximity, Prosecco, and a Midsummer Night’s Dream

    On OFC, You're Invited, neighbors Navied Mahdavian (New Yorker cartoonist, memoir author, TEDx speaker) and Anthony Leyton discuss how their friendship began at Anthony’s daughter’s birthday party soon after Navied moved to Folkston, bonding through shared interests like board games and D&D and deepening through weekly rehearsals for an amateur production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They talk about how proximity, intentional effort, and comfortable silence help friendships form, what they’ve learned from each other about trying new things, confidence, competition, and embracing failure in midlife. The conversation also covers creativity for pleasure versus work, how identities shift over time, old friends versus new friends, friendships fading without closure, parenting and meeting friends through children, and storytelling as a way to create meaning in a chaotic life, ending with their final words: “light” and “adventure.” 00:00 Meet the Guests 01:09 How They Met in Folkestone 02:01 Birthday Party Friendship Spark 04:16 Moving Countries and Starting Over 05:55 Making Friends as Adults 12:05 Theatre as Friendship Catalyst 15:11 Lessons from Each Other 21:47 Creativity and Midlife Reset 26:29 Midlife Crisis Reframe 27:09 Identity After Milestones 28:49 Adult Friendship Intentionality 30:40 Old Friends New Mirrors 32:34 Who Were You Then 36:31 Escalator Politics 38:21 Roles We Revert To 41:41 When Friendships Fade 46:12 Kids And Parent Friends 48:30 Storytelling Makes Meaning 51:56 One Word Sendoff Vanessa 📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nessamariaw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/ OFC, You're InvitedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofc.urinvited/

    54 min
  2. The Power of Vulnerability: Emma & Mel's Collaborative Success

    Apr 13

    The Power of Vulnerability: Emma & Mel's Collaborative Success

    campaign Emma Slade Edmondson & Melissa Legarda on Friendship, Identity, and Building Goodfor Through Radical Honesty On You’re Invited, host interviews Emma Slade Edmondson—author, strategist, TEDx speaker, and co-founder of Goodfor—alongside her friend, creative partner, and co-founder Melissa Legarda, a journalist and podcast producer. They share how they first met in 2019 through a mutual friend on a campaign shoot, quickly built trust, and later deepened their bond through conversations in Paris that led to creating Goodfor, a purpose-driven storytelling house and conscious marketing consultancy producing podcasts, events, campaigns, and cultural consultancy. They discuss identity, mixedness, cultural fluency, workplace harm in creative industries, and how radical honesty, transparent communication, appreciation, and written agreements help them avoid resentment, resolve conflict, and support each other. Emma explains her children’s book Mixed and their evolving views on belonging, safety, and community. 00:00 Meet Emma and Melissa 01:09 How They First Met 02:12 Creative Chemistry on Set 04:25 From Shoots to Goodfor 09:23 What Goodfor Actually Does 11:52 Friendship to Business Partners 13:22 Workplace Trauma and Safety 17:14 Radical Honesty Playbook 22:13 Contracts and Conflict Tools 25:57 Showing Up for Each Other 28:32 Community Is Inconvenience 29:07 Why Mixed Was Written 32:53 Belonging And Identity 37:20 Travel Climate Responsibility 39:00 Race Talks With Mom 43:24 Learning From Each Other 50:02 Safety Vulnerability Belonging 52:04 Final Word And Thanks

    55 min
  3. From Supper Club to Global Production Studio: The Story of Mam Sham

    Mar 30

    From Supper Club to Global Production Studio: The Story of Mam Sham

    On Of Course You’re Invited, host speaks with Mam Sham founders Maria Georgiou and Rhiannon Butler, childhood friends since age 11 who grew a London supper club into a creative storytelling studio spanning events, food, design and film, known for immersive, narrative-led experiences and using packaging and physical design as storytelling tools. They discuss meeting at secondary school, building their bond through shared humor and creativity, and how “play” became central to their process and a practical tool during stressful client moments. They trace early career detours through art-world and hospitality jobs, lessons from years of graft, and key moments in learning pricing and negotiation with brands. They explain the shift to positioning Mam Sham as a studio offering cohesive storytelling across media, critique content-farming brand events, and describe partnering with Asahi to support their existing supper club. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:21 Meeting at Age 11 06:30 Childhood Fears and Sleepovers 08:21 Early Creative Collaboration 12:47 The Power of Play 16:41 Finding Courage to Start 18:11 First Paid Gig 20:46 The Graft and Growth 21:30 Learning to Negotiate 25:20 Social Media vs Events 28:21 Becoming a Storytelling Studio 32:25 Creating Authentic Brand Events 34:38 Brands Back Creatives 36:19 Why Events Feel Same 37:01 Mini Eggs Satire 38:21 Funding Community Events 38:33 Asahi Supper Club Win 40:09 Studio Storytelling Dreams 43:25 Pricing Confidence Advice 46:25 Imposter Syndrome Pitch 48:16 Confidence Perception Trap 51:20 Friendship Builds Confidence 54:58 Brazil Spider Survival 58:58 Gratitude And Goodbye Vanessa 📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nessamariaw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/ OFC, You're Invited Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofc.urinvited/

    1h 4m
  4. Confidence Isn’t Loud - It Starts at Home

    Mar 16

    Confidence Isn’t Loud - It Starts at Home

    OFC You’re Invited, welcomes entrepreneur, coach, and former founder of SHFT Agency (exited in 2025) Chloë Downs, joined by her cousin Georgina Billings, an artist representative managing street artists and working to make the space more inclusive. They share how growing up as first cousins in South London felt like being siblings, recalling childhood adventures, family traditions, and how early exposure to art and open conversations built confidence and independence with a strong family safety net. They discuss trust, communication, and handling difficult conversations, noting differences between work and personal relationships, and how they maintain closeness even when living abroad. They reflect on identity beyond labels like “entrepreneur” or “mum,” exchange gratitude, and highlight Georgina’s earlier brand Idyllic Youth and Chloe’s caring nature beneath a tough exterior. 00:00 Welcome and Guests 00:26 Cousins Like Sisters 01:17 Georgina’s Art Career 02:25 Early Memories and Nicknames 04:10 South London Childhood Joy 06:36 Confidence From Upbringing 07:54 Independence and Family Trust 11:45 Building Trust With Kids 13:37 Open Talks and Boundaries 15:46 Family Dinner Table Test 17:20 Staying Close Long Distance 21:15 Leadership and Advice Roles 22:23 Support System Into Adulthood 26:44 Identity Beyond Work Labels 29:29 Consistency Across Settings 31:44 Radical Honesty and Accountability 34:49 Handling Hard Conversations 35:47 Directness And Misread Rudeness 37:01 Friend Groups And Avoiding Confrontation 38:27 Work Negotiation Builds Confidence 41:21 Why Personal Talks Hurt More 44:09 Misunderstandings And Clearing The Air 45:05 Making Time For Friends 46:57 Gratitude Segment Begins 47:53 Shared Memories And Growing Up 52:21 Auntie Role And Family Bond 56:41 Hidden Sides And Past Hustles 01:01:14 Final Word Game And Wrap Up Vanessa 📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nessamariaw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/ OFC, You're Invited Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofc.urinvited/

    1h 3m
  5. The Friendship Blueprint: Lessons on Life and Business

    Mar 2

    The Friendship Blueprint: Lessons on Life and Business

    Brotherhood, Business & Vulnerability: Kieran Hughes and Eugene Patterson on 18 Years of Friendship Vanessa Maria hosts “You’re Invited” with guests and best friends Kieran Hughes—founder of Trap House and 3QUENCY, a cultural agency that has worked with brands like Spotify and Dr. Martens—and Eugene Patterson, founder of Revibed Drinks sold in places like Holland & Barrett. They reflect on meeting in primary school in Erdington, how university and leaving Birmingham expanded their perspectives, and how building businesses has deepened their bond. The conversation centers on men’s vulnerability, safe spaces, panic attacks, breathwork, and the tension of societal expectations around masculinity, including the value of female friendships and learning across diverse cultures. 00:00 - Intro, guest welcome and iconic best-friend introductions 02:00 - How Kieran and Eugene first met - school days, green eyes and the rain story 03:00 - From Birmingham to uni - how their friendship deepened through new environments 06:00 - Male friendship, panic attacks and checking in beyond “I’m fine” 07:00 - “Friendship is transactional” - what makes a relationship actually deep 10:00 - Vulnerability, masculinity and why emotional safety between men matters 13:00 - Being raised by women and how that shaped the way they relate to people 16:00 - Fathers, survival mode and why this generation thinks differently about friendship 24:00 - Bell Hooks, patriarchy and the mixed messages men are given 26:00 - Nature or nurture - emotional intelligence, upbringing and why they feel ahead of the curve 29:00 - Curiosity, open-mindedness and breaking out of the Birmingham bubble 32:00 - Self-isolation, holding space and why people stay silent for too long 35:00 - Talking about suicidal feelings, supportive parents and learning how to listen 39:00 - What they thank each other for - brotherhood, belief and growing together 42:00 - Final word challenge, Cannes memories and a warm closing Vanessa 📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nessamariaw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/ OFC, You're Invited Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofc.urinvited/

    43 min
  6. The Power of Platonic Partnerships | Jasmine Douglas & Zoe Kezia's Story

    Feb 16

    The Power of Platonic Partnerships | Jasmine Douglas & Zoe Kezia's Story

    Jasmine Douglas and Zoe Kezia on Building a Healthy Friendship Through Independence, Support, and Stability. Jasmine and Zoe explain they met years before Babes on Waves—initially through nights out and mutual connections (including Zoe knowing Jasmine’s brother first)—with gaps in communication before reconnecting through work when Zoe assisted Jasmine’s first Babes on Waves shoot and later became her assistant. They discuss how the friendship gradually became close, why Jasmine considers it her healthiest adult friendship. 00:00 Welcome + Meet Jasmine (Babes & Waves) and Zoe 00:26 Who They Are: Careers, Modeling, and Babes & Waves Origins 01:26 How They Met: After-Party Era and Early Gaps 02:58 From Instagram to Business: The First Babes & Waves Shoot 03:48 Assistant Era: Systems, Organization, and Finding Direction 04:45 When It Became Real Friendship: Shifts, Impressions, and Ambition 06:35 Why It’s Their Healthiest Friendship: Boundaries Over Codependency 08:15 How They Support Each Other: Space, “No”s, and Virtual Coworking 10:38 Lessons Learned: Systems (Trello) + Secure Love Without Constant Contact 12:50 Attachment Styles & Trust: Independence, Abandonment Fears, and Consistency 14:50 How Friendship Shapes Your Career Confidence 15:36 Negotiating Rates, Handling Difficult Clients & Avoiding Self-Interest Advice 16:51 Friendships as Home: Triggers, Healing & Building Self-Respect 18:55 ‘You Can’t Love Someone If You Don’t Love Yourself’—Reframing the Quote 20:14 Proud Moments: Building Community, Brand Deals & ‘Flying the Plane’ 22:53 Jazz on Zoe’s Glow-Up: From Admin to Red Carpets 24:58 Quick Fire Game: Compliments, Gratitude & One-Word Verdict 27:30 Closing Thoughts + The Host Gets Put in the Hot Seat Next Time Vanessa 📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nessamariaw Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/ OFC, You're Invited Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofc.urinvited/

    29 min
  7. Two Brothers, One Journey: Navigating Life's Challenges

    Feb 2

    Two Brothers, One Journey: Navigating Life's Challenges

    In this heartfelt episode of 'You're Invited', Johnny Kay, the CCO at Versus, and his younger brother Nathan Kay, a renowned athlete, content creator, director, and editor, share their extraordinary journey of brotherhood, resilience, and personal growth. The brothers discuss their close-knit relationship, the impact of losing their father at a young age, and how it shaped their lives. They delve into their professional paths, the challenges they overcame, and how they consistently supported each other through thick and thin. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:17 Childhood Memories and Sibling Dynamics 02:33 Coping with Loss and Personal Growth 14:53 Navigating Adulthood and Career Beginnings 24:12 Reflecting on Early Football Memories 25:07 The Power of Manifestation and Self-Belief 27:40 Influence of a Supportive Mother 31:11 Traditions and Manifesting Dreams 36:15 The Importance of Selflessness and Helping Others 39:08 The Capacity for Change and Personal Growth 44:32 Expressions of Gratitude and Brotherhood Vanessa 📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nessamariaw Linkedin: https://share.google/1jb4ioIqWCVjsan9G OFC, You're Invited Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofc.urinvited/

    45 min

  8. Trailer

    Vanessa Maria Presents: OFC, You’re Invited (Official Trailer)

    OFC: You’re Invited brings one guest per episode together with a +1 of their choice– a sibling, partner, cousin, close friend, or long-term collaborator. So much of how we understand ourselves comes from the people we move through life with- not from our jobs, or our bios, or the versions of ourselves we put online. This podcast is about making room for that. 📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list 📲 Follow Vanessa Maria: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/

    27 sec

Trailer

About

Vanessa Maria is a cultural curator and creative leader working at the intersection of public life, programming, and community. OFC, You’re Invited aims to curate intimate rooms for thoughtful conversation, shaped by friendship. The bi-weekly series invites one guest per episode to bring a +1 – a sibling, partner, cousin, close friend, or long-term collaborator. So much of how we understand ourselves comes from the people we move through life with. This podcast is about making room for that. IG: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/

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