Clowning Around Again

Em Stroud

Clowning Around Again is the podcast for people who are done with heavy, "hustle-hard" personal development and ready for something lighter, deeper, and infinitely more human. Hosted by Em Stroud—comic, coach, and playful human—this show brings together laughter-makers and deep thinkers to explore how play and kind thinking help us navigate the messy reality of being alive. Why listen? Real Joy: The authentic kind, not the forced kind. Permission to Play: To experiment and not have it all figured out. Fresh Perspectives: Ideas that gently shift how you show up at work and home. Connection: A reminder that you aren't doing this "human thing" alone. If you want practical wisdom wrapped in a warm, hilarious conversation… welcome in.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    006: Maleena Pone on the Quiet Acts of Bravery That Change Everything

    Bravery rarely announces itself, and this week on Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud sits down with the truly brilliant Maleena Pone to explore exactly that. From what it means to stay in a relationship with your own truth, to the quiet, defiant choices that define a brave life, this conversation goes deep in the most joyful and unexpected ways. Maleena brings warmth, wisdom and a wonderful clarity to everything she touches, and her perspective as a British Indian filmmaker, storyteller and trauma-informed creative coach makes for an episode that is as thought-provoking as it is genuinely moving. Expect honest reflections on identity, creative courage, gut feeling and why being consistently yourself might just be the bravest thing any of us can do. Do not miss this one. About Maleena Pone: Maleena Pone is a British Indian producer, director, storyteller and trauma-informed creative coach exploring identity, healing, courage and human connection through documentary and conversation. She is the founder of StoryTell-Her Studios, a platform dedicated to emotionally intelligent storytelling and culturally rooted narratives. Her work spans branded content, impact storytelling and self-authored documentary filmmaking, with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and creating meaningful dialogue. Follow Maleena: Website: www.maleenapone.com Instagram: @maleenapone LinkedIn: Maleena Pone Substack: StoryTell-Her Time with Maleena Follow Em: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

    46 min
  2. May 26

    005: Jay Stansfield on the Voice That Tells You You're Not Creative

    Em Stroud welcomes Jay Stansfield to Clowning Around Again for a joyful and honest conversation about creativity, what it truly means to live creatively, and why so many adults convince themselves they're "not creative." Jay shares how growing up in Lancashire with parents who simply wanted him to be happy gave him the freedom to become the artist, musician, and children's creator he is today. Em and Jay explore the golden age of 1980s children's television, the danger of social media comparison, the vulnerability of sharing your creative work, and why the only way to start drawing (or anything creative) is simply to start. Expect laughs, Lancashire sheep, Button Moon nostalgia, a Beatles deep cut, and a very public promise from Em to pick up a pencil. About Jay Stansfield: Jay Stansfield is a multipotentialite creating illustrations, songs, audio and animations every day of his waking existence. He's had an award for his colouring journal Squibbles, with work being exhibited on billboards in Times Square and Art Basel in Miami plus two graphic novel magazines in association with Bookmark Reading Charity distributed to over 30,000 children across the UK. His band ALL HAIL HYENA have had over a million audio streams and over 80 million social media video views and are currently promoting their new album 'Passive Regression Party' plus his podcast Voice Notes Suck, created entirely via voice notes with his mate Dave, has been nominated for an ARIA in the Innovative Technology category. Follow Jay: Facebook: facebook.com/thesquibbles Instagram: instagram.com/jaystansfield LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaystansfield Twitter/X: x.com/jaystansfield The Squibbles: thesquibbles.com Follow Em: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

    36 min
  3. May 11

    003: Sarah Bennett-Nash on Everyday Impact, Financial Confidence and Bouncing Back

    Em Stroud welcomes Sarah Bennett-Nash for a lively conversation about impact, money, play and what it means to live and work with purpose. Sarah shares why impact begins with the small stuff, from a smile on the street to making people feel seen, before opening up about her move from corporate banking into entrepreneurship and the slower, more human process of building a business. Em and Sarah also discuss Sarah's book More Money, More Life, the shame and silence that often surround money, and the powerful stories that emerge in her workshops. Expect warmth, laughter, bouncy ball metaphors, Taylor Swift, Hampstead Heath and plenty of reminders that being human is where real impact begins.   About Sarah Bennett-Nash: Sarah Bennett-Nash is the founder of Ikonology, an authority architecture studio for C-suite leaders, founders and dangerously qualified women who are tired of being the best-kept secret in their industry. A former global capital markets and compliance specialist, she now hosts the Ikon Lounge podcast and is the author of *More Money, More Life* (Watkins Publishing) — a book on wealth, visibility and ending what she calls "expensive silence." She lives in London, is fluent in boardroom and bookshop, and believes visibility is the most underpriced asset most women own. Get Sarah's Book: More Money, More Life Follow Sarah: Facebook: sarah.bennettnash Instagram: sarahbennettnash LinkedIn: Sarah Bennett-Nash LinkedIn: Ikonology Website: sarahbennettnash.com Follow Em: ·         YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews ·         TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates ·         Website: emstroud.com

    45 min
  4. May 11

    002: Visibility and Self-Acceptance with Tanya Spencer

    In this engaging episode of Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud and Tanya discuss the concept of visibility, exploring its meaning and implications in personal and professional contexts. Tanya shares her insights on self-acceptance, empowerment, and the importance of humour in life. They also touch on the influence of music and iconic figures who embody visibility, as well as the evolving nature of self-care and personal growth. In this conversation, Tanya shares her journey from feeling invisible in a predominantly white male industry to becoming a powerful advocate for visibility, particularly for women. She discusses the importance of personal branding, the societal influences that undermine women's self-worth, and the significance of gratitude in fostering visibility. Tanya emphasises the need for soft skills in security and the power of choice in how one presents themselves to the world. About Tanya Spencer: Tanya Spencer works with women leaders to make their value visible. In male-dominated environments, too many capable, qualified women are still overlooked for promotions and opportunities. Tanya helps you build influence, increase visibility, and own your voice - what she calls Bad-Asshery. Connect with Tanya: ·         LinkedIn: Tanya Spencer ·         Website: FckBeingStuck.com Watch and follow Em: ·         YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews ·         TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates ·         Website: emstroud.com

    44 min

About

Clowning Around Again is the podcast for people who are done with heavy, "hustle-hard" personal development and ready for something lighter, deeper, and infinitely more human. Hosted by Em Stroud—comic, coach, and playful human—this show brings together laughter-makers and deep thinkers to explore how play and kind thinking help us navigate the messy reality of being alive. Why listen? Real Joy: The authentic kind, not the forced kind. Permission to Play: To experiment and not have it all figured out. Fresh Perspectives: Ideas that gently shift how you show up at work and home. Connection: A reminder that you aren't doing this "human thing" alone. If you want practical wisdom wrapped in a warm, hilarious conversation… welcome in.