Grow Your Brand With Amanda

Episode 69: Behind every powerful brand is a story most people never see, with Kaddy Thomas

In this episode, Kaddy Thomas, founder of Careers Collective, shares how one deeply personal experience became a mission-driven organisation supporting people who provide additional support to their loved ones.
What began as Kaddy navigating the complexities of a 24/7 care package for her son Elijah, has evolved into a growing organisation helping people build resilience, improve wellbeing, and feel less alone through coaching and support programmes.
But this conversation goes far beyond the practicalities of running a purpose-led business.
Kaddy shares the realities of building an organisation around lived experience, the emotional weight of leading a team, and why finding the right language can completely change how people connect with your message. From repositioning the organisation to reach a wider audience, to embracing media opportunities such as a recent BBC Songs of Praise feature, this is a fascinating look at what happens when passion meets purpose.
If you've ever wondered how to turn your story into something that genuinely helps others, or how to communicate a complex message in a way that resonates, this episode offers plenty of inspiration.
Because sometimes the most impactful organisations aren't built from a business plan.
They're built from lived experience, determination, and a desire to make life a little easier for someone else.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Kaddy and the Carer’s Collective here and you can find Kaddy on LinkedIn here.
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Episode 68: The brand you build when you stop performing with Nicola Noél

In this week’s episode, I got to sit down with the absolute powerhouse that is Nicola Noél. Nicola is a multi-award-winning mental health consultant and founder of Brainworks Therapy. She is also an equality, diversity and inclusion champion. We focussed on a version of branding that looks polished on the outside but underneath, it feels exhausting to maintain.
What does it actually take to build a brand that feels like you, not just one that looks good on social media, when there’s so much pressure to look and behave in a certain way?
We go deep on our identity, not just visibility.The not so glamorous side that’s shaped by real experiences, real challenges, and the parts of your story you don’t always know how to share.
Nicola shares her journey with mental health, and how storytelling became a tool for something much bigger than content.
Not for attention.Not to tick a box.But as a way to empower, both herself and the people listening.
Because when you learn how to tell your story properly, it changes how people see you.And more importantly… how you see yourself.
We also explore what it really looks like to navigate professional spaces when you’re carrying personal challenges in the background.
How do you show up?What do you share?Where’s the line between honesty and oversharing?
And just how do you build a brand that holds all of that, without it feeling heavy or performative?
This is where most of us get stuck.
We either say nothing…Or say everything…And neither quite lands the way we want it to.
Can your story become something intentional?Something that actually supports your brand, your confidence, and your growth?
Why is it so difficult to learn how to carry our message forward in a way that feels sustainable and comfortable?
If you’ve ever wondered how to share more of who you are without losing yourself in the process…
This one will stay with you.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Nicola on Instagram or her website
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Episode 67: When you outgrow who you used to be, with Dani Devren

In this episode I’m joined by Dani Devren, The Soul-Aligned Mentor and we’re taking about the version of you who built your business…and the version of you you’re becoming.
And they rarely sound the same.
Not louder. Not more polished. Not a dramatic rebrand.
Just… different.
Clearer. More certain.Less willing to say things that no longer feel true to your values.
And here’s what no one really talks about:
Growth changes everything.
Your voice shifts.Your standards rise.What you’re available for and what you’re not, becomes non-negotiable.
And inevitably…not everyone comes with you.
In this episode, Dani and I get into the real side of growth,the bit that doesn’t make it into the “just pivot” advice.
Because we’re not talking about changing everything overnight.
We’re recognising that your brand isn’t static,it moves as you do.
And when you honour that?That’s when your voice lands differently.
If you’ve been feeling that quiet shift…this episode will put words to it.
NOTES:
You can find out more about Dani on Instagram or visit her website
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Episode 66: What does real brand growth actually look like? With Jenni Kravitz

If you’ve ever felt like your brand isn’t growing the way it should, this episode will shift your perspective.
Because more often than not, it’s not about doing more… it’s about showing more of what’s already there.
In this episode with Jenni Kravitz who is a tech whizz, Canva and iPhone expert, we explore what real brand growth actually looks like behind the scenes not polished, not perfect, but intentional and visible.
We also get practical tips too. From simple, doable ways to create content using tools you already have, to rethinking how you use platforms like Instagram in a way that actually supports your business not drains it.
Jenny shares her journey with Canva and how she’s turning it into a powerful tool for visibility, alongside her plans to make content creation feel easier, faster, and far less overwhelming. Plus, we touch on something many business owners overlook, the full potential of the iPhone already in your hand, and how it can become one of your most valuable business tools.
This is about stripping things back, getting out of your own way, and building a brand that people actually connect with.
Your next level of visibility isn’t about becoming someone else.It’s about being seen properly, consistently, and on purpose.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Jenni on Instagram here and visit her website here.
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Episode 65: Experiencing a place not as a tourist, but as a listener with Rebecca Hall

Travel isn’t just movement.It’s observation. Interpretation. Translation.
In this episode, Amanda sits down with travel writer Rebecca Hall to explore what it really means to experience a place, not as a tourist, but as a listener.
Rebecca shares how travel writing has shaped her understanding of culture, particularly through her time in Greece. Together, they reflect on the subtle (and sometimes stark) differences in communication styles between Greek and British cultures, and what those differences reveal about how we connect, express emotion, and make meaning.
This isn’t a checklist of destinations.It’s a conversation about perspective.
You’ll hear:
What travel teaches us about ourselves
The nuances of cultural communication, directness, warmth, restraint
Why understanding context matters more than surface impressions
Practical considerations for visiting Greece, from someone who’s lived it, not skimmed it
For women building lives and businesses that cross borders, emotionally or geographically, this conversation is a reminder that the way we communicate shapes the stories we tell and the stories we tell shape how we’re understood.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Rebecca on Instagram here and you can find all her links here.
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Episode 64: Remembering who you are before the noise with Jo Mac

There’s a particular kind of founder who looks confident from the outside.
She’s capable. Established. Often admired.
And yet, underneath it, there’s a quiet pressure to look a certain way, to perform a certain kind of success, to package herself into something more palatable.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jo Mac, founder of the Divalign community, for a conversation that moves beyond wellness as aesthetics, and into wellness as self-worth.
Jo shares her journey into coaching and why her work isn’t about “fixing” women. It’s about helping them remember who they were before the noise.
There’s something powerful about a founder who builds from lived experience rather than trend.
If you’re a founder who has done the work, internally and professionally, but still feels the pull of external expectation…
This conversation will feel like a quiet exhale.
Because authority doesn’t come from appearance.
It comes from alignment.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Jo and Divalign here.
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Episode 63: What if visibility didn’t have to feel loud, just intentional? With Joanne Pagett

Wellness coach Joanne Pagett shares what it really looks like to build authority without forcing yourself into a version of ‘confidence’ that doesn’t fit.
We talked about Joanne’s work, supporting women through health and wellbeing and we explored the beliefs, language, and visibility blocks that quietly cap impact, even for experienced practitioners.
Joanne introduces her FAB framework, Fuel, Activity, Beliefs, and explains why sustainable health (and sustainable visibility) is rarely about doing more, and more often about doing the right things consistently.
If you’ve ever thought, ‘I know there’s something here, I just don’t want to shout about it’, this conversation will give you some pointers.
NOTES:
You can find out more about Joanne here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Episode 62: Let’s write your book with author, Shelley Wilson

In this episode, I’m joined by Shelley Wilson, a multi-genre author who works with business owners ready to turn their expertise into something lasting. We talked about what really sits underneath the desire to write a book, authority, visibility, and the quiet frustration of knowing you have more to say than your current content allows.
Shelley shares her own writing journey and why she’s deeply committed to supporting clients not just to write their books, but to understand the role a book can play in their wider brand ecosystem. This isn’t about publishing for the sake of it. It’s about intention, positioning, and making your ideas work harder for you.
We explore:
Why self-publishing can be a strategic choice, not a compromise
The overlooked link between writing, confidence, and visibility
What holds experienced founders back from being seen, even when they’re already credible
How creating thoughtful, engaging content supports long-term authority (not just short-term attention)
This conversation is especially for you if you’ve ever thought:“I know there’s a book in me, I just don’t know how to begin, or how it fits into everything else I’m building.”
#podcast #pr #storytelling #media
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Shelley here.
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Episode 61: The power, purpose and possibility of a story with Nicola J Rowley

In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Rowley for a conversation that’s all about the power of story, not just on the page, but in shaping confidence, purpose, and possibility.
Nicola shares her personal career journey and the moments that nudged her towards storytelling as a force for motivation and change. We explore how stories help us make sense of who we are, where we’ve been, and what we’re capable of becoming, especially when self-belief feels shaky.
Along the way, Nicola opens up about the music and words that inspire her, offering a glimpse into the mindset behind her creative work. She also talks about her mission through Rainbow House Publishing, using children’s books to spark imagination, confidence, and a love of storytelling in the next generation of authors.
This episode is a reminder that your story matters and that sharing it safely can create ripples far beyond what you expect.
In this episode, we cover:
Why storytelling is such a powerful tool for motivation and confidence
How personal experiences shape meaningful creative work
The inspiration behind Rainbow House Publishing
Encouraging young voices to see themselves as authors and storytellers.
If you care about creativity, confidence, and the stories that shape who we become come and join us!
NOTES:
You can find out more about Nicola here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Episode 60: Why visibility feels uncomfortable and what to do about it with Paul Culshaw

What if the thing holding your brand back isn’t your strategy… but your relationship with being seen?
In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Culshaw for an honest, practical conversation about personal branding, visibility, and the quiet resistance many business owners feel around self-promotion even when they know it’s essential for growth.
We explore why visibility isn’t just about “doing more content,” but about who you believe you’re allowed to be in public. From blogging and guest speaking to stepping onto bigger stages, this episode is about building confidence, credibility, and clarity, without becoming someone you’re not.
What we cover:
Why visibility is a personal growth journey (not just a marketing one)
The hidden beliefs that make self-promotion feel awkward, heavy, or “not you”
How guest speaking builds authority faster than endless posting
Why blogging still matters, especially if you want to be known for your thinking
How to choose visibility channels that actually suit your strengths
Listen in for grounded advice, honest reflection, and visibility strategies that feel aligned, not forced.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Paul here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!