About Basingstoke

Communicast Ltd

About Basingstoke is the podcast network for Basingstoke, UK. On this channel we'll share our main shows on topics including Business, Community, Wellbeing, Home & Family, and Leisure. You can also listen to the live stream version of our new daily shows at aboutbasingstoke.com/live or ask Alexa to "Launch About Basingstoke." HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR We're proud to be supported by IncuHive with their new location at Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke offering dedicated offices, hot desks, and amazing business support. Find out more at incuhive.co.uk and tell them you heard about them at About Basingstoke. BE PART OF IT We would love to hear about you, your business, your organisation, your passion! Contact us via aboutbasingstoke.com/contact MESSAGE US Send us a WhatsApp - be brave and make it a voice message and your voice might be on the show!

  1. Oct 26

    EXPERT NETWORK: Collaboration Over Competition: The power of building communities

    In this episode, Lou shares actionable insights on how small and medium-sized businesses can move away from traditional, high-pressure sales pitches and instead build meaningful, long-lasting communities. The conversation explores overcoming networking fears, identifying the real problems your business solves, and leveraging local community involvement—such as working with charities or complementary trade professionals—to foster natural referral networks. Lou also explains why sharing free knowledge and treating competitors as potential collaborators ultimately builds authority and long-term trust. Key Takeaways Shift from Selling to Solving: Focus your messaging on the specific problems you solve for people rather than just listing your job title or services. Collaboration Beats Competition: Building relationships with complementary trade professionals or peers in your field creates referral networks and overflow opportunities that benefit everyone involved. Human-Centric Connection: Authentic engagement—whether through local community initiatives, charity work, or ongoing educational content—builds trusted relationships that naturally attract long-term clients. Call to Action Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow business owner looking to grow their community! Have questions or ideas about building your network? Connect with us on social media and join the conversation today!  https://www.facebook.com/activmarketingbasingstoke https://www.linkedin.com/company/activ-marketing-by-lou-eddy/ https://www.activmarketingbasingstoke.co.uk/

    EXPERT NETWORK: Collaboration Over Competition: The power of building communities

  2. Oct 24

    CLOKE COOKS - The Art of Autumnal Comfort Food: Slow Cooking & Hearty Stews

    In this episode of CLOKE COOKS, Chris focuses on autumnal comfort food 😋 As the cold, wet autumn weather settles in, fancy cooking takes a back seat in favour of proper, hearty comfort food. The drawing-in of dark nights presents the perfect opportunity to embrace slow-cooked stews, rich gravies, and comforting mashed potatoes after a day out in the cold. Embracing autumn cooking does not require spending a fortune, as some of the most flavourful dishes rely on economical cuts of meat that benefit from long, gentle cooking. A central focus of this episode is making full use of the kitchen slow cooker to simplify meal preparation during busy schedules. By pairing affordable cuts of meat with local ales, fresh herbs, and vegetables, home cooks can effortlessly prepare nutritious meals that ready themselves while they are at work. Local butchers serve as an invaluable resource for discovering budget-friendly ingredients and tailoring cut selections to specific recipes. The episode concludes with a detailed walkthrough of a classic beef stew featuring fluffy suet dumplings. From proper browning techniques to mastering dumpling preparation, host Chris Clook breaks down every step to help listeners create warming, freezer-friendly meals to enjoy throughout the season. Key TakeawaysValue Cuts Deliver Maximum Flavour: Economical cuts like beef shank, chuck, brisket, pork shoulder, lamb neck, and mutton contain fat and connective tissue that break down during slow cooking to create tender meat and rich sauce.Crucial Searing Techniques: Avoid crowding the pan when browning meat; searing in smaller batches prevents boiling and seals in flavour.Maximise Liquid and Heat Retention: Keep the slow cooker lid closed during cooking to maintain internal heat, and remember that slow cookers require less liquid than standard oven casseroles.Support Local Butchers: Independent butchers provide tailored advice on alternative meat cuts, helping to stretch budget without compromising quality.Batch Cooking Efficiency: Stews and casseroles freeze exceptionally well, making it easy to cook larger portions to save time on busy weekdays. Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct. -- About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

    CLOKE COOKS - The Art of Autumnal Comfort Food: Slow Cooking & Hearty Stews

  3. Oct 15

    YOU ARE NOT ALONE - Feeling emotional hurt

    In this episode of You Are Not Alone: Conversations for Mental Health and Wellbeing, host Marie explores the universal experience of emotional hurt. From altered friendships and ended relationships to unexpected disappointment and rejection, emotional pain affects us deeply and often stays with us longer than physical pain. Marie discusses why hurt lingers, how past experiences can amplify present feelings, and actionable steps we can take toward healing through self-compassion, open conversation, and understanding our true needs. Key Takeaways: Emotional hurt is universal and valid: Pain often stems from things that matter deeply to us—like relationships, dreams, or a sense of belonging—and experiencing it is a natural part of being human, not a sign of weakness.Present hurt can touch past wounds: A reaction to a present situation may feel amplified because it connects to deeper, long-held fears or past experiences of rejection and exclusion.Focus on what you need now: Instead of asking "what's wrong with me?", gently check in with yourself by asking "what do I need right now?"—whether that is rest, boundaries, conversation, or simply permission to feel. Call to Action: Take 5 quiet minutes for yourself this week. Pause and ask yourself: "What do I need right now?" Once you have your answer, take one small step to give that to yourself. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for local or national mental health support. Remember, whatever you are facing, you are not alone. If you're going through a tough time, please remember that support is always available: 📞 Samaritans: 116 123 (Free, 24/7) 📱 Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258 🏥 NHS Urgent Mental Health: Call 111 (Option 2) 📍 Local Support (Basingstoke area): Andover Mind Wellbeing Cafe in the Park & Beggarwood Community Centre -- About Basingstoke is supported by IncuHIve.

    YOU ARE NOT ALONE - Feeling emotional hurt

  4. Oct 10

    CLOKE COOKS - with guest K8 from K8Ball Media

    In this episode of Cloke Cooks, host Chris Cloke is joined by K8 from K8Ball Media to talk all things Basingstoke food and drink! Together, they dive into the town's vibrant independent food scene, K8 shares her experiences collaborating with local businesses, reflects on her evolving taste buds, and gives an exclusive look at exciting new local developments. -- Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct. -- About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

    CLOKE COOKS - with guest K8 from K8Ball Media

  5. Oct 7

    BUSINESS: Beating Solopreneur Overwhelm with Rosalind Guy

    In this episode, Steve Randall speaks with Rosalind Guy, founder of Unboxed Insights, a female-led organisation specialising in coaching and business transformation, helping leaders redefine their purpose and navigate their professional journeys with confidence and clarity. They discuss how small businesses and solopreneurs can overcome overwhelm and drive sustainable growth. Rosalind shares her background in change management and project management, outlining how business owners can cut through noisy distraction, from shiny new AI tools to unrealistic online claims, by mapping out clear operational processes first. They explore common tipping points in business growth, handling imposter syndrome, and finding the right balance between tech adoption and human expertise. -- About Basingstoke is supported by IncuHive.

    BUSINESS: Beating Solopreneur Overwhelm with Rosalind Guy

  6. Sep 25

    CLOKE COOKS - On Location at Dandy's Ford Fishery

    In this episode of Cloke Cooks, recorded live on location at a fishing lodge in Dandy's Ford near Romsey, host Chris Cloke and his friend John break down the myth that outdoor angling food has to be limited to basic instant noodles. From defrosting steaks on the bankside to pre-preparing homemade curries and enjoying cheese boards, they discuss how good ingredients, proper gear, and simple prep can elevate any outdoor adventure. They also share thoughts on the mental health benefits of switching off, relaxing by the water, and enjoying great food in nature. Key takeawaysUpgrade your outdoor menu: You do not need to rely on basic convenience foods while fishing or camping; simple equipment like a small portable grill or pan allows you to cook gourmet steaks, sautéed tinned potatoes, and pre-frozen home-cooked meals.Prep ahead for ease: Freezing meals like curries or goulash ahead of time serves a dual purpose: it keeps your cool box cold and defrosts naturally so it is ready to heat on the stove.Unplug and unwind: Outdoor trips and cooking by the water provide an essential mental health reset from everyday busy schedules. Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct. -- About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

    CLOKE COOKS - On Location at Dandy's Ford Fishery

  7. Sep 24

    EXPERT NETWORK: Going Local: Why Hyper-Targeted Marketing Beats "Spray and Pray"

    Lou Eddy shares the strategic decisions and tactical steps behind shifting her business focus toward hyper-local marketing and rebranding to Activ Marketing Basingstoke. The discussion highlights the value of building regional partnerships, maintaining local visibility, and moving away from wasteful broad-spectrum marketing tactics. Lou also outlines the technical and operational precautions necessary to protect domain authority and search engine optimization during a brand transition. Key Topics Covered: Hyper-Local Focus over "Spray and Pray": Narrowing your target geographic location builds stronger community trust and reduces wasted ad spend.Leveraging Free Local Tools: Keeping your Google Business Profile up to date is one of the easiest, free ways to capture local search traffic.Measurable Print Marketing: Traditional local marketing (like posters and leaflets) can be effectively tracked using unique landing page URLs and custom QR codes.Collaborative Local Sales: Building relationships with nearby businesses allows for mutually beneficial partnerships and client referrals.Technical Safeguards for Rebranding: Implementing proper 301 redirects during a rebrand prevents 404 errors and preserves hard-earned SEO authority. Guest & Show Resources: Guest: Lou Eddy – Branch Director, Activ Marketing BasingstokeWebsite: Activ Marketing Basingstoke

    EXPERT NETWORK: Going Local: Why Hyper-Targeted Marketing Beats "Spray and Pray"

  8. Sep 23

    YOU ARE NOT ALONE - How movement helps us process difficult emotions

    In this episode of You Are Not Alone, Marie explores how simple physical movement, beyond structured exercise or calorie counting, serves as a powerful tool for processing difficult emotions and managing mental health. She breaks down the physiological stress response and explains how movement stimulates neurotransmitters and BDNF to help us adapt, regulate, and process emotional weight. Finally, Marie highlights Matt Holman’s "1 Million Steps" challenge with Whole Human, connecting physical steps to human connection and suicide prevention awareness. Key Takeaways Physical movement is an accessible emotional processing tool, distinct from formal fitness routines, calorie tracking, or step targets.Stress and difficult emotions manifest physically in the body through muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, and elevated stress hormones long before conscious analysis.Movement stimulates essential brain chemistry, boosting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, while increasing BDNF ("fertilizer for the brain") to build mental resilience.Action precedes motivation; moving your body when feeling stuck creates the necessary conditions for emotional regulation and cognitive clarity.Physical steps can serve as a catalyst for human connection, as highlighted by Matt Holman’s 1 million steps campaign between World Suicide Prevention Day and World Mental Health Day. Resources mentioned: Whole Human (Matt Holman's organisation) – wholehuman.comSamaritans – samaritans.org Remember, Samaritans is also available on the phone 24/7 by calling116 123 -- About Basingstoke is supported by IncuHive.

    YOU ARE NOT ALONE - How movement helps us process difficult emotions
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About

About Basingstoke is the podcast network for Basingstoke, UK. On this channel we'll share our main shows on topics including Business, Community, Wellbeing, Home & Family, and Leisure. You can also listen to the live stream version of our new daily shows at aboutbasingstoke.com/live or ask Alexa to "Launch About Basingstoke." HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR We're proud to be supported by IncuHive with their new location at Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke offering dedicated offices, hot desks, and amazing business support. Find out more at incuhive.co.uk and tell them you heard about them at About Basingstoke. BE PART OF IT We would love to hear about you, your business, your organisation, your passion! Contact us via aboutbasingstoke.com/contact MESSAGE US Send us a WhatsApp - be brave and make it a voice message and your voice might be on the show!

Information

  • Creator
    Communicast Ltd
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Communicast Ltd.
  • Show Website
    About Basingstoke