The Reinvention Diaries

Michelle Wright & Nicola Auckland

A podcast where two midlife women are on a mission to help others to rediscover, reinvent and regain confidence in themselves. Alongside lively chat, Nicola and Michelle will be talking to likeminded women for a regular 'Diary Entry' to boost and inspire listeners.

  1. 2d ago

    Reinventing yourself in an AI world - Celia Anderson's story

    Reinvention, AI and Finding Your Community with Celia Anderson What happens when the business you’ve spent years building starts to change beyond recognition? Michelle and Nicola welcome writer and Perranporth Life founder Celia Anderson for an honest, funny and uplifting conversation about career pivots, identity and finding the courage to begin again. After building a successful copywriting business with her sister, Celia watched AI transform the demand for their work. She shares the grief and uncertainty that followed—and how a five-day, self-designed retreat in Mallorca helped her find a new direction. That fresh start became Perranporth Life: a newsletter, social channels and a free magazine celebrating the people, businesses and stories of her Cornish community. It’s a reinvention rooted in human connection, creativity and putting years of experience to work in a different way. In this episode When AI changes your livelihood: Celia’s experience of a shrinking workload, without writing off the future of human copywriting.Making space for your next chapter: Why she took herself away with a notebook, a plan and a folder full of business ideas.Building something people need: How a local events newsletter grew into a community magazine.Motherhood and self-employment: Creating a working life that allowed her to be there for her children.The identity behind the business: Mourning what you built while recognising that its success is still part of your story.Boundaries and burnout: The difficult decision to step away from a part-time job and protect her new venture.Learning as you go: Why you don’t need every skill—or every answer—before you start.Kindness and connection: How volunteering at a local food bank changed Celia’s perspective.There’s also the usual honest chat, from fireworks and frightened dogs to Christmas films, favourite colours and the prospect of braving TikTok. A thought to take away “The scary thing is scarier on this side of it.” Celia’s reminder: confidence doesn’t always come before action. Sometimes it grows as you figure things out. Explore Celia’s work Find Perranporth Life on Instagram and Facebook to discover local stories, events, the magazine and her community photography calendar. Celia also mentions her book, Two Under Two, about juggling a toddler, a newborn and building a business. Connect with The Reinvention Diaries Is your industry changing? Are you wondering what comes next—or do you have your own reinvention story to share? Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcast Website: thereinventiondiaries.co.uk, www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk, www.mrsstylewright.com If this conversation resonated, share it with someone navigating their own next chapter, and follow the podcast for more honest conversations about reinvention, rediscovery and regaining confidence.

    Reinventing yourself in an AI world - Celia Anderson's story

  2. Nov 4

    How was that extra hour for you?

    Here are your show notes: The Reinvention Diaries: Everyday Unwindings Hosts: Michelle & Nicola This episode is all about post-holiday catch-ups, the clocks going back, and the creeping onset of burnout as the darker nights draw in. Topics covered: Holiday debrief: Michelle shares her expensive but exhilarating city break in Italy (Venice and Florence), including sticker shock at museum entry fees — the Uffizi Gallery charged €70 per person. Nicola recounts her Northumberland trip, visiting Hadrian's Wall and Sycamore Gap, and missing out on the Harry Potter castle at Alnwick.Museum culture shock: A lively debate about how lucky we are in the UK to have free museums and galleries — and whether kids appreciate any of it (spoiler: they mostly want the gift shop).The Louvre vs. Musée d'Orsay: Top tip from Michelle — skip the Louvre, head to the Musée d'Orsay instead.Tom Hiddleston corner: Both hosts confess their admiration for the actor, who can apparently speak fluent Latin.Over-50s health checks: Nicola's first mammogram experience and the surprisingly comfortable reality vs. the reputation.Turbulent flights and stormy landings: Michelle's bumpy flight home into Stansted during autumn storms, and a very young-looking pilot.Clocks going back: The annual confusion, the car clock that's finally right, and the eternal "spring forward, fall back" mnemonic. Why do we still do it, and does anyone actually use that extra hour to rest?Hibernation mode: Dark nights at 5pm, pajamas, fires, and the guilt-free desire to do nothing.Christmas creep: Michelle's firm rule — no Christmas until mid-November, after two family birthdays. Three Christmas dinners already booked though.November theme — Burnout & Boundaries: Why our first instinct with free time is to fill it with jobs, not rest. The guilt of sitting down in the middle of the day. How hobbies have become just another achievement to fail at. The invisible emotional and mental load women carry — remembering vaccinations, buying birthday cards, restocking toilet rolls, and answering "what's for tea?" every single day.Workplace culture: The pressure to stay late, being rewarded with more work, and whether Gen Z are actually right to push back and set boundaries.What rocked our world this week: Nicola found her missing glasses in a long-forgotten caravan cupboard. Michelle is saving hers up.Get in touch: Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.ukInstagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcastWebsite: www.thereinventiondiaries.co.uk, www.nicolaaucklandphototgraphy.co.uk, www.mrsstylewright.com

    How was that extra hour for you?

  3. Oct 28

    "I brought my business home in a van..."

    Hosts Michelle and Nicola are joined by Lorraine Bellis, owner of Herbs of Grace, a herbal medicine capsule business founded in 1979. Lorraine shares her remarkable journey of reinvention — from administrative jobs and punishing telesales work to studying art and gardening, teaching food-growing through Sure Start centres, and ultimately taking ownership of an established herbal business at the end of 2019. In this episode: Lorraine's career path: Leaving school at 16, working admin roles, transitioning into telesales and ad sales, then stepping back to support her husband's IT business before pursuing art and gardeningThe sliding doors moment: Nearly studying sculpture at university but talking herself out of it — and what that taught her about the kind of support women needFrom growing food to Herbs of Grace: How a nudge from her husband led to taking on a neglected herbal capsule business, and the steep e-commerce learning curve that followedHerbs of Grace bestsellers: Red rice yeast (a natural statin alternative), liver support capsules, and milk thistle for liver healthTaking over vs. starting up: The challenges of acquiring an existing business — especially the funding gap between startup and scale-up phasesGrowth on your own terms: Why Lorraine values personal connection and phone calls over scaling to dominate, and the importance of knowing your own ambitionMenopause and herbal alternatives: Lorraine's personal experience, the importance of doing your own research, Dr. Louise Newson as a key resource, and how to find a qualified medical herbalist through NIMH and URHPReinvention through grief: Losing her husband and learning to operate independently as the biggest reinvention of allMichelle's signature questions: Lorraine's favourite colours (green and yellow) and a meaningful act of kindness toward a grieving neighbourMentioned in this episode: Herbs of Grace: herbsofgrace.co.uk | Instagram: @_herbsofgrace | LinkedIn: Lorraine BellisDr. Louise Newson — menopause doctor and advocate, @menopause_doctor, www.drlouisenewson.co.ukNIMH (National Institute of Medical Herbalists) and URHP — professional bodies for finding a qualified herbalistThe Reinvention Diaries: thereinventiondiaries.co.uk | Instagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcast | Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.uk,|mrsstylewright.com.| nicolaaucklandphotography.co.ukKey takeaway: Women are natural masters of reinvention — through motherhood, career changes, menopause, and life's unexpected turns. The key is making decisions with the knowledge you have at the time, and not spending your life looking backwards.

    "I brought my business home in a van..."

  4. Oct 26

    Is your shower gel in the menopause

    In this episode, Michelle and Nicola dive into the bizarre and growing world of menopause-branded products — from shower gel and shampoo to chocolate, tea, candles, and even room mist. They ask: are these products genuinely helpful, or just cynical marketing aimed at women's wallets? Topics covered: Michelle's renovation woes: a custom bed structure that's 10mm too small for the divanNicola's chaotic award-season schedule and a forgotten dinner-party nightThe discovery of "menopause shower gel" on TV — and whether it's anything more than a labelMenopause chocolate (now discontinued) — dark chocolate rebranded as a wellness productA £74 menopause sleep candle that can't even be left burning overnightHormone-balancing room mist — imagine your partner spraying it when you're "feeling hormonal"The difference between genuine awareness and slapping "menopause" on everyday itemsWhat actually works: HRT, lion's mane supplements, magnesium for sleep, and green teaThe "would you rather": every advert mentions menopause, or advertisers pretend women over 45 don't exist?Michelle's friend in denial about her symptomsInventing useful menopause products: oversized key rings and the "magic pass" to leave any conversationListener challenge: what's the most ridiculous menopause product you've spotted, and what has genuinely earned a place in your life?Get in touch: Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.ukInstagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcastWebsite: thereinventiondiaries.co.uk, nicolaaucklandphotogrphy.co.uk, mrsstylewright.com

    Is your shower gel in the menopause

  5. Oct 14

    The power of choosing: creating a life beyond the 9-5

    Hosts: Michelle & Nicola Guest: Karolyn Gamble (Carolyn with a K!) Episode Summary Karolyn Gamble joins Michelle and Nicola to share her decade-long journey from corporate marketing executive to self-determined entrepreneur. After 15 years working with major brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Boots, the arrival of her daughter made her question the trade-off between time and money that the 9-to-5 demands. Rather than quitting overnight, Karolyn built a gradual exit plan — starting with a single buy-to-let property and growing into a portfolio of four properties plus an Airbnb business. Along the way, she discovered that the hardest part wasn't the logistics — it was the mindset shift required to stop measuring her worth by hours sat at a desk. Key Topics & Timestamps The wake-up call: When having a daughter changed everything about how Karolyn viewed work and time (approx. 5:00–6:30)"You're expected to work as if you're not a parent, and parent as if you don't have a job" — the impossible juggling act working mums face (approx. 9:30–10:30)How Audible turned car journeys into a "mobile library" for mindset growth (approx. 12:30–14:00)The loss of Karolyn's father-in-law — he gave 45 years to teaching, retired at 65, and passed away within 18 months, never enjoying the retirement he'd planned for (approx. 15:00–17:00)Building an exit plan: starting a side hustle alongside the day job rather than burning bridges (approx. 18:00–19:00)Why it took three full years to shake the 9-to-5 employee mindset (approx. 19:30–20:00)Life now: four properties, an Airbnb, and income that isn't tied to working hours (approx. 20:00–21:30)Karolyn's two passions today: proactive health for women in perimenopause and advocating for accessible residual income (approx. 22:30–26:00)Free Resource from Karolyn Karolyn's free e-book: "The Universal Dilemma of Parenting — How Parenting Impacts Your Life, Work, and Relationships, and What You Can Actually Do About It." It's not a parenting tips book — it's about understanding the impact parenting has on you and giving yourself permission to want more. Link available via Karolyn's socials (see below). Connect with Karolyn Website: karolinjgamble.co.ukFacebook: Karolyn J GambleLinkedIn: Karolyn J GambleTikTok: Karolyn J GambleInstagram: Karolyn J GambleGuest Quick-Fire Favourite colours: Purple (always) and bright pink (to wear) — also her brand colours alongside blue and yellowRandom act of kindness: Booked and paid for her solo-parent best friend to go to a spa while her son was away at campConnect with The Reinvention Diaries Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.ukInstagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcastWebsite: thereinventiondiaries.co.uk, www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk, www.mrsstylewright.comWant to be a guest? Visit the website to submit your application!

    The power of choosing: creating a life beyond the 9-5

  6. Oct 7

    I swear my brain didn't use to work like this!

    Reinvention Diaries — "I Swear My Brain Didn't Use to Work Like This" Michelle and Nicola dive into how their brains seem to be working differently these days — from procrastination and deadline panic to losing words and walking into rooms with no idea why. They explore how perimenopause may be reshaping their mental strategies, what ADHD actually looks like in women (it wasn't even recognized in women until 2018), and why so many women are receiving late diagnoses in midlife. Topics covered: Recording at 3pm instead of 9am — when brains stop cooperatingMichelle's business retreat in Corfu (not a holiday!) and a lightbulb moment about her photography businessTransitioning away from wedding photography due to physical strain — "my back can't take it anymore"The "busy fool" feeling: knowing what needs doing but not doing itTips from a neurodivergence/menopausal brain coach: identify the boring part of a task, and stop shaming yourself for last-minute work — lean into it and plan for itMasking: how fitting in to feel "normal" erodes your identity over timeDifferent learning styles — "elephants can't climb trees, so why ask them to?"ADHD in women: hereditary, lifelong, and often masked until perimenopause shakes coping strategies apartMichelle's two children with ADHD and what she's learned about the wide range of symptoms — internal hyperactivity, avoidance, eye-wandering, fidgetingThe debate: is a formal diagnosis worth it if you don't plan to medicate?Men's vs women's brains: linear thinking vs. mental plate-spinning — learned behaviour or biology? (They'd love to find an expert to weigh in)Random act of kindness: rescuing a stranger's dropped noodles in LidlListener question: Has your brain been less helpful lately? Have you looked into ADHD or neurodivergence as a possible explanation? Would you get diagnosed, or skip it? Get in touch: Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.ukInstagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcastWebsite: thereinventiondiaries.co.uk, Nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk, mrsstylewright.comWant to share your story on the show? Visit the website for info on becoming a guest.

    I swear my brain didn't use to work like this!

  7. Sep 30

    What people think of us and do we care?

    Hosts: Michelle Wright & Nicola Auckland Summary: This week Michelle and Nicola tackle another "Would You Rather" question: Would you rather know what people think of you or never know anything? The conversation explores how much of our behaviour is shaped by wanting to be liked, whether we truly care less about others' opinions as we get older, and the difference between constructive criticism and hollow judgement. Topics & Timestamps: Magnesium before bed and the placebo effect that worksThe "Would You Rather" question: knowing what people think vs. knowing nothingWhose opinion actually matters — friends and family vs. work colleagues vs. strangersThe pie analogy: how much of someone's opinion you should weigh depending on how close they are to youCelebrities and opinions: Andre Agassi on why young people have it harder with social mediaOnline cruelty and reactive comments — people don't think twice before postingBad reviews vs. good reviews: why negative experiences are overrepresentedHow compliments can feel uncomfortable, and learning to take themBeing less bothered by others' opinions as you age — the "don't give a shit phase"When someone's opinion hits home: attacks on your values, business, or childrenMichelle's story: discovering someone openly disliked her — "Because I hate her"Nicola's surprise: being told she's a role model, and practicing accepting itSocial media silence, ghosting, and the spotlight effect — assuming people are judging when they're barely thinking about youTelepathy as a superpower? Why eavesdroppers never hear anything niceHeatless overnight curls — Michelle's big revealQuestion for listeners: Would you rather know what people think of you or never know anything? Get in touch and let us know. Contact: Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.ukInstagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcastWebsite: thereinventiondiaries.co.uk (find out how to be a guest!)Website: www.mrsstylewright.comWebsite: www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk(Approximately 2,800 characters)

    What people think of us and do we care?

  8. Sep 23

    What would you rather?

    Hosts: Michelle (Style Coach & Colour Analyst)) & Nicola (Brand Photographer) Episode Summary: Michelle and Nicola catch up after their holidays — Nicola's relaxing caravan trip to Scotland and Michelle's whirlwind 48 hours in Porto — before diving into a juicy hypothetical: Would you rather have financial security but answer to someone else, or financial uncertainty but answer only to yourself? Key Topics: Holiday catch-up: Nicola's Scotland caravan getaway (laptop never left the bag), Michelle's quick Porto trip and the debate around "extreme day trips"The big question: A £100K employed job vs. £40K self-employed income — the initial "ick" reaction to working for someone else, and how the conversation shifts as the pros of employment start to sound appealingThe pull of financial security: Guaranteed monthly income, pension contributions, sick pay, holiday pay, and the relief of not constantly chasing clients or worrying about marketingThe reality check: A £100K salary likely means high pressure, long hours, limited holiday (20 days plus bank holidays), meetings, and someone else controlling your diaryWhat self-employment really costs: Decision fatigue, wearing every department hat, the constant hustle for leads, and the guilt of watching Netflix on a workdayThe litmus test: Would you take the same job at £40K? If the answer is no, it's not the work calling you — it's the moneyImposter syndrome: The creeping doubt of "why would they want me?" and the pressure of walking into an existing workplace culture as the "new whiz kid"What they wouldn't give up: Autonomy, flexibility, setting their own hours, being recognised for their expertise, and the freedom that both have built over years of self-employmentDefining success: For both hosts, it's not about the money — it's freedom, recognition, and being the first name that comes to mind when someone needs a stylist or a photographerTakeaway: Both hosts ultimately turn down the hypothetical £100K job — even doing what they love — because the freedom and autonomy of self-employment outweigh the comfort of a guaranteed paycheck. Get in touch: Email: studio@thereinventiondiaries.co.ukInstagram: @thereinventiondiariespodcastWebsite: reinventiondiaries.co.uk (info on hosts, past episodes, and how to apply as a guest), www.mrsstylewright.com. www.nicolaaucklandphotography.co.uk

    What would you rather?
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About

A podcast where two midlife women are on a mission to help others to rediscover, reinvent and regain confidence in themselves. Alongside lively chat, Nicola and Michelle will be talking to likeminded women for a regular 'Diary Entry' to boost and inspire listeners.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Wright & Nicola Auckland
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michelle Wright
  • Show Website
    The Reinvention Diaries

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