The Cultivating Creative Podcast

How to work smarter with AI - an interview with Lois Janos

Would you like to have a better understanding of how AI can help your business and day to day life?  Listen to Helen's chat with Lois Janos who is the founder of Work Smarter with AI.  Lois brings a non-techy perspective to helping people use AI in a way that is accessible for everyone.  She has loads of practical advice on how AI can help business owners expand what is often their team of one!
Helen and Lois address some common concerns about using AI and discuss the importance of women in shaping AI for the future.  This episode is full of loads of fascinating insights - don't miss it!
To find out more about Lois could help you get the most from AI, follow her on Instagram: @worksmarterwithai or LinkedIn
 
Helen is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more here: cultivatingcreative.co.uk or connect with Helen on LinkedIn
 
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help.  You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio
 
 

How values become a promotional tool with Jacquie McBeth

Today's episode features Jacquie McBeth from Stir It Up Mealkits.  Listen in as Jacquie shares the origins of her business and how her values aren't just a checkbox exercise, they are the basis of everything she does at Stir It Up.  Jacquie provides a local alternative to the supermarket and meal kit giants and is confident that you don't need to give up on your values to make a profit.
Follow Jacquie on Instagram here: @stiritupmealkits  or check out her website: stiritup.org.uk
 
Helen is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more here: cultivatingcreative.co.uk or connect with Helen here: LinkedIn
 
This episode was written and recorded by Helen and produced by James Mason who you can contact here: hello@islandfarmstudio.
 
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode, so please get in touch on Instagram: @cultivatingcreative If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Prioritising your mental health with counsellor Judith Pearmain

Helen chats with counsellor Judith Pearmain about the importance of prioritising our mental health, especially as small business owners. Listen as Judith shares essential guidance on avoiding isolation, the mental health benefits of networking, and setting non-negotiable boundaries. We also explore the importance of advocating for oneself and her advice on how to survive the menopause.
You can find out more about Judith's work as a counsellor here: counselling-foryou.co.uk
 
We'd love to hear what you think of this episode, so please get in touch on Instagram @cultivatingcreative or on the website: cultivatingcreative.co.uk
Helen is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Connect with Helen here: LinkedIn
This episode was written and recorded by Helen and produced by James Mason who you can contact here: hello@islandfarmstudio
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

The power of collaboration with Luke Wilkinson

In many small organisations one person is responsible for everything: finance, operations, marketing, HR...  Often in these cases, the CEO becomes Chief Everything Officer - trying to do it all singlehandedly.  This is something that Luke Wilkinson found both within the charity sector and on starting his new venture: Raiser.  In this episode, Helen chats with Luke about the challenges of being the Chief Everything Officer and the benefits of collaboration for small organisations.  Hear how Luke went from youth worker to developing a fundraising app and his plans to initiate sector-wide change.
Find out more about Raiser here: https://raiser.uk/ or connect with Luke on LinkedIn
 
Helen is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more here: cultivating creative.co.uk
or connect with Helen on LinkedIn.
 
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help.  You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio

Embracing imperfection with Rebekah di Palma

In today's episode, Helen chats with graphic designer and mindful doodler Rebecca di Palmer of Voy Designs about how she's learnt to embrace imperfection. Rebecca shares how she challenged the mindset that we need to hide imperfections, initially by sharing doodles on Instagram. This commitment to showing up imperfectly not only taught her about herself but also led to some amazing experiences.  
Find out more about Rebekah's work here: voy.design or follow Rebekah on Instagram for mindful inspiration.
 
Helen is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more or get in touch here: https://www.cultivatingcreative.co.uk/ or connect on LinkedIn.
 
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help. You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio

Lessons in leadership from Monica Harding MP

Monica Harding MP was elected into Parliament in 2024.  In this interview with Helen Munro she talks about what it was like becoming the first female MP ever in her constituency and the first non-Conservative in the last 100 years.  In this episode Monica talks to Helen about:
- how she manages her extraordinary workload
- her tips on setting up a new team from scratch
- handling complex problems with more than just a slogan
- how she had to learn 'on the job' with no handover 
- whether she is ever able to switch off
Find out more about Monica Harding MP here: https://www.monicaharding.org/
 
Helen is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more or get in touch here: https://www.cultivatingcreative.co.uk/ or connect on LinkedIn.
 
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help. You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio
 

E20: Tim Inman: Comedy scriptwriter

On today's episode Helen is joined by Tim Inman, a comedy writer for TV and film. Discover how Tim and his trio, The Dawson Brothers, accidentally stumbled into comedy, eventually turning their childhood hobby into a full-time career. Since then Tim has written for multiple TV and awards shows, comedy series and films.  He has collaborated with Jimmy Carr and David Walliams among many others.  Don't miss this fascinating interview which is full of tips for anyone who wants to start something new.  Tim's film Fackham Hall is due to be released later in 2025.
Find out more about Tim's work on his website: dawsonbros.com
 
Helen is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more or get in touch on her website: cultivatingcreative.co.uk  or connect on LinkedIn
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help.  You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio
 
 

E19: Dr Vanessa Waite: The Community Driven Vet

On today's episode Helen chats with Dr. Vanessa, the inspiring founder of The Vet Station in Molesey, Surrey. Vanessa was inspired by a desire to create a personal, local community vets practice, and opened The Vet Station in 2021. Vanessa is passionate about making a stand against the corporate shift in veterinary medicine. She also shares her insights on female leadership in the veterinary field and her remarkable personal drive, including winning gold at the Indoor Rowing World Championships. Find out more about Vanessa and her vets practice here:
Website: thevetstationmolesey
Instagram: @the_vetstationmolesey
 
Helen Munro is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more or get in touch on her website: cultivatingcreative.co.uk
You can find Helen on Instagram: @cultivating creative
or connect on LinkedIn
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help.  You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio

E18: Alex Munro: Vicar and charity leader

In this episode, Helen chats with her husband Alex about why he decided to leave his career as a criminal barrister to become a vicar.  He shares about his passion for justice and why collaboration is always better than doing things alone. 
You can find out more about the organisations that Alex runs here:
St Peter's West Molesey
East Elmbridge Foodbank
Molesey Churches Night Shelter
 
Helen Munro is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more or get in touch here: cultivatingcreative.co.uk or connect with Helen on LinkedIn
 
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help.  You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio

E17: Felix Riley: Business Strategist and Speaker

In this episode, Helen chats to Felix Riley, a Business Strategist who has 'the best job in the world'.  He's qualified to say this having had more diverse jobs than most, including writing jokes for the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, working in the city, starting and selling a business, writing novels and running a copper mine.  Felix has loads of advice for business owners so don't miss this episode!
Find out more about Felix on his website: brilliant-thinking.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.
 
Helen Munro is the founder of Cultivating Creative which provides bespoke marketing support and web design.  Find out more or get in touch here: cultivatingcreative.co.uk
or connect with Helen on LinkedIn.
Huge thanks to James Mason for production help.  You can connect with James here: hello@islandfarmstudio