Grow Your Brand With Amanda

Episode 44: Why is self-promotion so hard for women? With Melanie Whittaker

Ever found yourself downplaying your achievements or hesitating to speak up about your skills? You’re not alone. It seems to be a trait that many women have in common.
My guest, Melanie Whittaker from You Are Your Marketing, and I had great fun chatting about pursuing our dreams, PR and personal branding as well as speaking our truth!
In this episode, we’re getting loud about:Why women are conditioned to avoid self-promotion
The fine line between confidence and arrogance—and why you should own your successHow corporate roles can stifle authenticity and keep women from showcasing their full potentialMindset shifts & simple habits (like journaling!) to silence imposter syndrome and build unshakable self-belief
It’s time to stop playing small. Grab a drink and join us!
 
NOTES
You can find Melanie on Instagram here or visit her website here.
Or search Melanie Whittaker or Facebook and LinkedIn.
NOTES:
You can find out more about Melanie on Instagram here or visit her website here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 43: Why healing your past is the key to stepping into your confidence with Angela Santiago

This week, I’m chatting to my good friend, Angela Santiago and we discuss how life throws challenges our way, but it’s how we handle them makes all the difference.
Angela shares her expertise in energy healing and emotional therapy and the fact that many individuals are stuck in a cycle of overcharged energies due to past traumas or dysfunctional backgrounds, which they may not recognise as an issue.
People can be stuck in these emotional cycles for decades without realising it, indicating the long-term impact of unresolved emotional issues.
So, if you're curious about empowerment through holistic healing, you’re in the right place. Grab a drink and join us!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about  Angela on her website
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!

Episode 42: When will you find joy? With Ruth Tsui

Today I’m chatting to Ruth Tsui, a group program design consultant who’s all about ditching the growth-at-all-costs mindset and building a business that actually aligns with your values.
She poses a very interesting question - are we working ourselves so hard so we’ll finally find joy when we retire??
We explore the messy reality of moving from in-person to online education, the highs and lows of running online memberships, and why understanding what truly motivates your clients can make or break your business.
Ruth gives us a sneak peek at her plans for 2025, including a gradual move away from Meta and more use of LinkedIn.
If you’re ready to create more joy in your business now, this is the episode for you!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Ruth on her website.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 41: Taking care of YOU while building a business with Lixxy Harkcom

Ever wondered how to juggle a business while dealing with chronic health issues? In this episode, my guest, sales strategist Lixxy Harkcom, opens up about living with four chronic pain conditions and the challenges of running her business, Sales Success with Lixxy.
We chat about the struggles to stay productive and available for our clients during flare-ups and the all-too-common habit of sidelining self-care that many of us are guilty of!
Plus, we take a look at how a hectic schedule can mess with your eating habits, leading to a diet of quick fixes like cereal and heaven knows what else! Tune in for real talk on balancing health, wellbeing and entrepreneurship, and pick up some tips on prioritizing self-care and nutrition without dropping the ball on your business.
Got any good or bad habits you’d like to share? Let me know at amanda@amandajane.co.uk
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Lixxy on Instagram
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 40: Does success mean sacrifice? With Gina Trick

We dive straight into a powerful conversation with business strategist Gina Trick about motivation, personal branding, and what it means to really uplift others in business.
This lady is on a mission, and we have a right old natter about embracing your unique path, the true value of public speaking, and what does success really look like? Do you have to sacrifice your life for it? It’s a question many of us have been asking a lot recently, and I’m fascinated by everyone’s answers.
If you’re ready to find your own balance, stay true to your values, and grow your business with heart—this episode is right up your street!
 
Notes:
You can find out more about Gina on Instagram or you can visit her website
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Episode 39: The challenges of self-employment for individuals with disabilities with Sandra Pierce

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Sandra Pierce from Looking Good Naturally, who shares her remarkable journey from IT to the beauty industry, a career shift inspired by her hearing disability.
Sandra opens up about the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in self-employment and the importance of building confidence and finding mentors along the way. We also discuss self-sufficiency, overcoming obstacles, and creating a career you love, no matter where you start.
Get comfy and tune in to be inspired by Sandra's story and her passion for helping others thrive!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Sandra on her Instagram or Facebook.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 38: Embracing balanced, purposeful living and business with Linda Bretherton

Today’s incredible guest, Linda Bretherton takes us on a fascinating journey into the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, a 7,000-year-old holistic practice that has shaped modern healing approaches. Linda unpacks the basics of Ayurveda, explaining the unique body constitutions, vata, pitta, and kapha, and how understanding them can help guide healthier choices, like seasonal eating and balanced living.
We also explore the search for inner guidance, the often-misleading notion of external success, and how true mentorship plays a pivotal role in self-discovery. Linda shares her own refreshing perspective on legacy, emphasising instead the importance of a life filled with purpose and vitality, especially as we age.
Listen in as Linda tells us about her books, Dosha for Life, crafted to make Ayurveda approachable for Western audiences, alongside her new vegetarian cookbook, At Home With Ayurveda, which is packed with wholesome recipes. For anyone curious about living with intention and vitality, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration to embrace change with “tough love” and move toward a more balanced, purposeful life.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Linda on her website or on Instagram. You can also find her new book here
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 37: Just how brave are you willing to be when running your own business? With Suzanne Young

Welcome to the launch episode of The Bravery Behind The Brand! (formerly Communicate with Confidence). In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce Suzanne Young, a leadership coach who’s got some powerful insights and stories to share about building confidence, navigating workplace culture, and why being your authentic self is the absolute key to building your personal brand.
With nearly three decades of challenging the status quo, Suzanne opens up about her journey to self-confidence and resilience, and why being real isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for true personal growth and professional impact. We have some amazing stories of our adventures on travelling and eating alone, so if you want some tips, this one’s for you to set yourself a new challenge!
Join us and get inspired by Suzanne’s unique insights and learn how authenticity can be a game-changer for your brand and your career.
https://suzanneyoungcoaching.co.uk/
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Suzanne on her LinkedIn.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 36: The Podcast Is Evolving!

Welcome to Bravery Behind the Brand, the podcast where we’re going to dive into the real, raw stories behind building a business and explore the courage it takes to show up authentically. What started as Communicate With Confidence has evolved into something deeper, a space where vulnerability and bravery meet to inspire us with incredible stories of courage and resilience.
But let’s be honest, the pressure to maintain a perfect social media image is real, and it can cloud the genuine challenges we all face while building a brand. That’s exactly why we’re here: to strip away the filters and get to the heart of what it takes to thrive and survive in business.
This is the side of my clients I get to see before they’re ready to face the world in all their unpolished glory and it takes some guts to show up as your unapologetic self.
Hi, I’m Amanda Jane, a Personal Branding & Communication Coach with over 20 years experience. I help business owners with their personal branding by building their confidence, helping them craft a compelling personal brand story, working with them to be comfortable in the spotlight and , helping them to create engaging content. Whether it’s for a podcast, a presentation, or in front of a camera, my coaching is all about helping you show up authentically to connect with your audience.
Progress, Not Perfection
Forget the cookie-cutter scripts or pressure to fit someone else’s mold. This is about finding the version of your brand that works for YOU, and bringing it to life, one small step at a time.
You don’t need to be perfect to be heard, just ready to take the next step.
 
NOTES:
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 35: The Public Sector ‘After Life’ with Zoe Thompson

Zoe Thompson, coach, trainer and speaker joins me this week as we chat about the ups and downs of leaving the public sector for self-employment, including how tricky it can be to stay visible—especially if you’ve got some past challenges to overcome.
We also discuss the new world that former public sector workers find themselves in and unique challenges that brings as they navigate new, and very different, ways of working.
Zoe shares her fascinating leadership journey from humble beginnings on the front desk of the local police station to senior management positions and how she had to learn fast and think on her feet!
 
NOTES:
To find out more about Zoe you can find her on Instagram and Facebook
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!