Meet Katie Martin, a hostage negotiator with the Metropolitan Police. Katie shares her unique journey into policing, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the importance of listening and self-disclosure in her role. We delve into the emotional toll of dealing with trauma, the power of storytelling in training, and the significance of acknowledging the inner stories we tell ourselves.

Katie's experiences highlight the rewarding yet challenging nature of her work, and she reflects on her career milestones, including a moment she'll never forget, featuring Nelson Mandela, King Charles and a boa constrictor. She also talks about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her demanding career. She emphasises the importance of understanding personal values and how they shape behavior, as well as the need for empathy and active listening in communication.

Takeaways:

• Listening is a crucial skill that is often overlooked.
• Self-disclosure can enhance empathy in negotiations.
• Being a woman in policing can be both challenging and empowering.
• The inner stories we tell ourselves can impact our self-perception.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool in training and learning.
• Policing involves dealing with trauma and emotional challenges.
• The importance of teamwork in high-stress situations.
• Gratitude plays a significant role in coping with challenges.
• Physicality can be a barrier for women in policing roles.
• Katie's journey reflects resilience and determination in her career. Nelson Mandela's visit to Brixton was a chaotic yet iconic moment.
• Different perspectives can provide deeper insights into shared experiences.
• Meeting her husband in a crack house was an unexpected twist in her life.
• Understanding personal values is crucial for self-awareness and behavior.
• Balancing motherhood with a demanding career can lead to feelings of guilt.
• Empathy and curiosity are essential in negotiations and communication.
• The iceberg analogy helps illustrate the depth of personal values.
• Mental health discussions should be normalized in society.
• Active listening can transform communication and relationships.
• Connecting with others outside of one's profession can be enriching.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Meet Angela Lyons, the graphic designer behind Lyons Creative and a wonderfully kind human being.

On our chat Angela talked about her journey to overcome her fear of public speaking, the importance of community and kindness, and what it was like growing up as a black, female creative, with so few role models out there to look up to.

We chat about the importance of storytelling, community support, and the influence of key individuals in Ange's life. They explore the struggles of visibility, the significance of representation in the creative industry, and the values that guide Ange's work.

The conversation also touches on the impact of awards, the power of vision boards, and the ongoing battle against self-doubt.

Takeaways:

• Ange's journey reflects the importance of following one's passion despite societal expectations.
• Key individuals who played a significant role in shaping Ange's career path.
• Community support is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Visibility and self-promotion are ongoing challenges for freelancers.
• Representation in the creative industry is essential for inspiring future generations.
• Awards can provide recognition but do not define one's worth or success.
• Vision boards can be a powerful tool for goal setting and motivation.
• Overcoming self-doubt is a common struggle for many creatives.
• Networking can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.
• The importance of giving back to the community.

Find out more about how to work with Angela here.

And look out for her upcoming podcast, 'Creatives Like Us,' aimed at amplifying the voices of people of colour in the creative field.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

There's huge power in sharing your Origin Story, but so many businesses don't use them to their full potential.

In this episode of Story Slurp podcast, you'll find out why you're missing out if you're not sharing your Origin Story, why it can feel so hard and how to find and share yours.

Find out how other brands are using their Origin Stories to connect with their customers on a deeper level and how you can do the same.

And you can get your free copy of the Brand Story Canvas here (mentioned in the episode) to help you with your Origin Story.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Origin stories are powerful tools for connection.
• Authenticity in storytelling builds trust with customers.
• Your origin story is part of your overall brand story.
• Sharing your journey can inspire others and foster loyalty.
• Everyone has a unique story worth telling.
• Vulnerability can enhance customer relationships.
• Use storytelling to make your brand memorable.
• Seek external perspectives to uncover your story's value.
• The how and why of your story are crucial elements.
• Crafting your narrative requires clarity and intention.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

After getting so much out of mentoring herself, Chelsey Baker is now on a mission to show the world the power of mentoring - so much so that she created National Mentoring Day.

Mentoring is something I discovered when I trained as a coach, and can be so transformative for leaders as a mentor or mentee - hearing the stories of others who’ve been there before can make sure a difference. Storytelling is crucial in mentoring as it helps to build trust, connect with mentees, and inspire action.

On this episode you’ll find out more about the benefits of mentorship and Chelsey’s experience in the communications industry. Consider this your own mini mentoring session. Enjoy!

Find out more about National Mentoring Day here.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Are you sharing your authentic story? The story that's written on your heart? Or are you getting caught in the 'shoulds' of someone else's story?

Mark Shayler is a sustainability expert - but he’s so much more than that. A brilliant speaker, it’s his purpose to give people and the planet a voice to be heard. Mark’s someone whose sheer authenticity draws you in, and you can’t help but be inspired by him. I first came across him when he started free Qigong sessions online and I loved his honesty.

On this episode of Story Slurp podcast we talked about his own journey, how he came to be good at storytelling, and how you can do the same.

You can find out more about Mark and what he does here.

And check out his Qi Gong sessions on Instagram here.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

Lockdown was a life-changer for Michele Ferron. After losing most of her marketing clients during the pandemic, she decided to upskill her design skills. Then after an experiment involving calendars for the downstairs loo, she accidentally ended up starting her dream stationery business. Good Tuesday (formerly Once Upon a Tuesday) is now going from strength to strength as a brand, with a whole team behind it and even an endorsement from Hollywood star, Drew Barrymore!

Michele Ferron's proof that we should all pay more attention to going for our dreams...because who knows what might happen?

I loved chatting with her to find out about her journey and the stepping stones in her life, which led to Good Tuesday becoming a success.

Enjoy.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

All change... after 63 successful episodes of Creative Slurp, it was time for a new focus.

In this new episode, find out about the journey I went on to uncover my own thread - storytelling - how you can find your own thread, and what you can expect from the new episodes of Story Slurp.

I want to inspire you to share your story and Story Slurp is designed to help you with every aspect of that - from hearing other people's stories, to listening to story experts.

We are hardwired to respond to stories, which is why learning about story is such a powerful tool for business owners.

If you want to uncover the power of storytelling, you're in the right place - enjoy.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.

You DON'T have to be on social media for your business.

Yup, I said it. I’m a marketing coach, but I don’t believe posting on social media should be a foregone conclusion for a business.

How did that make you feel?

I see so many small business owners bogged down by the obligation of making content for social media - totally burnt out by the amount of content they need to create, and then it’s not actually making a difference to the bottom line. And the reality is there are so many other ways of finding customers - many of them better - yet people still stay stuck in a kind of self-imposed social media jail without actually thinking of whether it’s adding value to their business.

The job of social media is to attract new customers to your business, to help them get to know you better and to keep you front of mind…is it doing that for you? if not, there will probably be other marketing channels and tactics that can do that better. Be open to new ways of working and give something else a go.

In my latest episode of Creative Slurp Podcast I give my views on social media:

• I explain why it’s not the be-all and end-all
• I talk about the big businesses that have already gone social free
• I show you how you can still get the benefits of social media without even having an account
• I spill the beans on two other methods of attracting customers and building your brand that I consider to be better
• I empower you to make the choice about social media that’s right for your business.

I'm not ‘anti-social media’ and yes, I do have social media accounts. But I also want to help business owners be intentional about making the best decision they can around their marketing strategy and where they spend their time.

Story Slurp is hosted, produced and edited by Victoria Brown.

LINKS:

• Get your Brand Story Canvas here.
• Get on the Brand Story Clarity Challenge wait list here.
• Find out how we can help you tell your story here.