Places She Shapes

Zoe Smeeth
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Places She Shapes, hosted by Zoe Smeeth and recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, is a show that puts the spotlight on those driving and thriving in the property, construction, real estate, fit-out industries, and more. It’s a chance to hear the sliding door moments, the good, the bad, and the unapologetically ambitious, that have shaped each guest's journey.

  1. Emily Smith: Are You Sitting At The Right Table?

    2 hr ago

    Emily Smith: Are You Sitting At The Right Table?

    Emily Smith has a way of making the bold look straightforward. She moved countries at 12, survived being buried eight feet under snow in an avalanche at 21, handed in her notice when she felt undervalued, and walked into a room and won Woman of the Year to make a point. None of it was reckless. All of it was deliberate. Emily is now CEO of Argyll, a property business with 23 buildings across prime Central London. She has been with the company in various forms since 2005, rebuilding it, leaving it, being headhunted back, and eventually stepping into the top job in January this year. The story of how she got there is not a straight line, and that is exactly what makes it worth listening to. In this episode she talks about knowing when you have done everything you can at a table that will never truly see you, and having the courage to get up and find a better one. She talks about culture, about ambition that has nothing to do with money, and about the moment she went on a walk in Devon and decided she was ready. There is also an avalanche. You will want to hear that part. Search 'Places She Shapes' to find us on all your favourite podcast platforms or use the link in bio! 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @PlacesSheShapes ✨ Stay connected, follow us on TikTok: @PlacesSheShapes This season, we're delighted to be supported by Cripps, a Top 100 UK law firm proud to champion female leaders and help drive meaningful change.

    57 min
  2. Grace Allen: How To Be Successful Before You’re 25

    28 Jun

    Grace Allen: How To Be Successful Before You’re 25

    Most people spend their twenties figuring out what they want to do. Grace Allen spent hers building a company. Grace is the founder of Sable & Sage, a project management and quantity surveying consultancy she set up while completing her chartership, and now, while expecting her first baby. She is, as Zoe puts it, the youngest business owner to appear on Places She Shapes, and she is absolutely someone to watch. Her route into the industry wasn't the obvious one. Grace chose a degree apprenticeship over university at 18, against her parents' wishes, walked into a corporate environment straight from school, and never really looked back. What she spotted was a gap in the market, smaller hospitality projects that the big firms wouldn't touch, and she backed herself to fill it. This episode is honest and quietly inspiring. Grace talks about what it feels like to be the only woman in the room, how she's learning to trust her own expertise when senior clients push back, and why she thinks women need to stop waiting for the right time. Search 'Places She Shapes' to find us on all your favourite podcast platforms or use the link in bio! 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @PlacesSheShapes ✨ Stay connected, follow us on TikTok: @PlacesSheShapes

    24 min
  3. Tamsin Bennett: Construction, Grief, and Resilience

    21 Jun

    Tamsin Bennett: Construction, Grief, and Resilience

    Season 3 | Episode 2 – Places She Shapes with Zoe Smeeth Some careers make sense on paper. Tamsin Bennett's makes sense when you hear her tell it. Tamsin is Senior Technical Manager at Wates Development, one of the UK's largest construction and development companies. She's spent her career in one of the most male-dominated industries going, and the route she took to get where she is today was anything but straightforward. It went through a civil engineering degree, construction sites, a sewer under Oxford Street, and a sales job she didn't love, before she finally landed where she was always meant to be. When she realised she was on the wrong path, she did something most people only talk about. She walked away from a good salary, started again from the bottom, and backed herself when very few people would have. There's a moment in this episode where she talks about the man in a pub who changed the entire direction of her life. And another where she opens up about loss, and the one small question that can make all the difference to someone going through it. Honest, funny, and completely herself, Tamsin is exactly the kind of guest this podcast exists for. Search 'Places She Shapes' to find us on all your favourite podcast platforms or use the link in bio! 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @PlacesSheShapes ✨ Stay connected, follow us on TikTok: @PlacesSheShapes

    54 min
  4. Kelly Cates: The Road To Match Of The Day

    7 Jun

    Kelly Cates: The Road To Match Of The Day

    What does it take to step into one of the biggest jobs in British broadcasting, with the whole country watching? Kelly Cates spent nine years honing her craft at Sky Sports News, made a leap into the unknown at 30 with no job to go to, and built a career defined by preparation, self-belief, and knowing when to just say yes. Then came Match of the Day. In this episode, Kelly talks about the screen test, the senior director who quietly cleared obstacles she didn't even know were there, and the mantra that got her through her first night presenting one of the most iconic programmes on British television. She is honest about what women in broadcasting still face, why confidence matters more than competence, and what emotionally intelligent leadership looks like in practice. Kelly's episode is the perfect way to open Season 3.

    55 min
  5. Places She Shapes LIVE at Moore Kingston Smith

    6 May

    Places She Shapes LIVE at Moore Kingston Smith

    Our second live podcast episode is here. Recorded at Moore Kingston Smith in collaboration with Oyster’s Leading from the Front, and with the support of JAC Project Management, this special episode brings together an inspiring group of women shaping places, projects, businesses, and communities. Featuring guest speakers Michelle Lloyd Jones from Ascent Flight Training, Zoe Moss from Cast Group, Ali Wibroe and Annelies Kruidenier from Oyster and Leading from the Front, and Franky Rousell from Jolie, the conversation captures the energy of the room, the questions from the audience, and the connections that carried on long after the microphones were off. A huge thank you to Anna Matveeva and the team at Moore Kingston Smith for hosting the evening so warmly, and to everyone who joined us live. Listen now, watch the full episode on YouTube, and stay connected with Places She Shapes on TikTok and Instagram at @PlacesSheShapes.

    1hr 7min
  6. The Places She Shapes Podcast LIVE at WSP

    6 Mar

    The Places She Shapes Podcast LIVE at WSP

    On 25 February 2026, for the first time, Places She Shapes stepped out from behind the microphone at Abbey Road Studios. Recorded in front of a live audience of 150, the evening brought together a group of brilliant, lively, curious people who all believe in the power of amplifying inspiring women’s voices. Today, we are delighted to be able to share that live episode with you. What made this episode different? 🤝 An introduction to the evening and podcast - by host Zoe Smeeth 🌟An incredibly honest opening speech from Laura Collins outlining her 20-year career 🎤 Powerful conversations with Claire Gott, Michelle (Mitch) Lloyd Jones, Amanda Salt, and Diana Pego on how they are shaping their industries and leadership 💬 Audience questions

    1hr 4min
  7. Michelle “Mitch” Lloyd Jones: Against All Odds, Into the Sky

    15 Feb

    Michelle “Mitch” Lloyd Jones: Against All Odds, Into the Sky

    Michelle “Mitch” Lloyd Jones knew from the moment her father took her to air shows that she wanted to be a pilot. But when she first applied to the RAF, women had only just been accepted as aircrew - and she was offered a commission as an air traffic controller instead. She didn’t stop there. Mitch reapplied, was selected to be a fighter pilot, and went on to fly the Tornado F3, deployed to exercises across the globe. After two years on squadron, she found her real passion teaching as a qualified flying instructor. Today, she trains generations of fast jet pilots and works with Ascent Flight Training on the Texan aircraft as part of the UK’s military flying training system. In this episode, Mitch shares the sliding door moments, the challenges she overcame as one of the first female fighter pilot instructors in the UK, and what it really takes to step into the cockpit when the odds are against you. Her story is unforgettable. 🎧 Now streaming on all podcast platforms - don’t miss it: https://pod.link/1812292057 You can now watch full Season 2 episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlacessheShapes ✨ Stay connected - follow us on TikTok and Instagram: Places She Shapes

    52 min
  8. Una Barac: Trusting Your Gut When the Path Isn’t Obvious

    2 Feb

    Una Barac: Trusting Your Gut When the Path Isn’t Obvious

    What does it take to leave everything behind, start over in a new country, and still chase your dream? Una Barac grew up in the former Yugoslavia before moving to the UK in the 1990s. She began her career at Foster and Partners, working on landmark projects across London, New York, and Sydney. But despite her training as an architect, Una realised her real passion was interior design - creating spaces that are not just iconic, but functional and human. One gut decision sparked by a single email became her sliding door moment, setting her on the path to founding Atellior, her international design studio. Today, with offices in London and Croatia, Una and her team specialise in luxury, hospitality, and residential projects, shaping everything from historic restorations to contemporary new builds. In this episode, Una reflects on resilience, instinct, and the importance of understanding both the client and the end user when designing spaces that truly inspire. Her story is proof that sometimes the boldest designs begin with the boldest decisions. 🎧 Now streaming on all podcast platforms - don’t miss it: https://pod.link/1812292057 You can now watch full Season 2 episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlacessheShapes ✨ Stay connected - follow us on TikTok and Instagram: Places She Shapes

    49 min
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About

Places She Shapes, hosted by Zoe Smeeth and recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, is a show that puts the spotlight on those driving and thriving in the property, construction, real estate, fit-out industries, and more. It’s a chance to hear the sliding door moments, the good, the bad, and the unapologetically ambitious, that have shaped each guest's journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Zoe Smeeth
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Zoe Smeeth 2025
  • Show Website
    Places She Shapes

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