Clowning Around Again

About Clowning Around Again

Clowning Around Again is the podcast for people who are done with heavy, "hustle-hard" personal development and ready for something lighter, deeper, and infinitely more human. Hosted by Em Stroud—comic, coach, and playful human—this show brings together laughter-makers and deep thinkers to explore how play and kind thinking help us navigate the messy reality of being alive. Why listen? Real Joy: The authentic kind, not the forced kind. Permission to Play: To experiment and not have it all figured out. Fresh Perspectives: Ideas that gently shift how you show up at work and home. Connection: A reminder that you aren't doing this "human thing" alone. If you want practical wisdom wrapped in a warm, hilarious conversation… welcome in.

Publisher

Em Stroud

Category

comedy · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Apr 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   022: Clowning Around... Identity with Sharon Fasanya

   Who are we when life changes, our children grow older and the things that once defined us start to shift? On this episode of Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud is joined by Sharon Fasanya for a funny, thoughtful conversation about identity, turning 50 and rediscovering what matters at different stages of life. With 24 years of experience in infrastructure and two teenage boys, Sharon reflects on balancing career and family, reconnecting with herself beyond motherhood, and why menopause deserves more open conversation and understanding in the workplace. They also explore cultural identity, the influence of social media, work-life balance and finding fulfilment in unexpected places. It's a conversation about embracing change, questioning expectations and making space for the person you're becoming. About Sharon Fasanya With 24 years in infrastructure, Sharon knows a thing or two about building things, fixing things and pretending she has a plan, which is pretty much her approach to parenting two sporty teenage boys. She's now approaching the landmark of 50, proving age is just a number (albeit one that seems to be getting suspiciously bigger). Still curious, adventurous and determined to see as much of the world as possible with her family, preferably with good food and a cocktail waiting at the end of the day. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-fasanya-21a14b21 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshazzaseatbelts Follow Em: Skool: https://www.skool.com/get-your-spark-back/about YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheComicCoach (https://youtube.com/@TheComicCoach) TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@emthecomic (https://tiktok.com/@emthecomic) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/em-stroud/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/em-stroud/) Website: https://emstroud.com (https://emstroud.com)

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   021: Clowning Around... Freedom with Ali Spooner

   For years, Ali Spooner was trying to win approval from people she didn't even like. So what changed? On this episode of Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud chats with Ali, founder of Liberated Leadership, about breaking free from people-pleasing, trusting yourself and finding the confidence to be who you really are. Ali shares how a difficult period after leaving corporate life led her towards an unexpected path to personal freedom, why the word 'should' can hold us back, and what workplaces often get wrong about having fun. From leadership and self-trust to the freedom of trying something new without needing to be good at it, this is an honest, funny conversation about letting go of expectations and finding your own way. About Ali Spooner Ali is Chief Liberation Officer, recovering people-pleaser, rock chick and founder of Liberated Leadership. She helps brilliant women stepping into bigger leadership roles spot the patterns, contradictions and teeny tiny moments where they dismiss their brilliance, dilute their ideas or wait for permission they no longer need. She holds up a mirror to what they can't yet see for themselves, so they can say what they really think, trust their judgement when there's no guaranteed right answer and end a difficult day knowing they're bloody good at their job. Connect with Ali: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-spooner/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-spooner/) Follow Em: Skool: https://www.skool.com/get-your-spark-back/about (https://www.skool.com/get-your-spark-back/about) YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheComicCoach (https://youtube.com/@TheComicCoach) TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@emthecomic (https://tiktok.com/@emthecomic) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/em-stroud/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/em-stroud/) Website: https://emstroud.com (https://emstroud.com)

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   020: Clowning Around Entrepreneurship with Shalom Lloyd MBE

   What does entrepreneurship actually look like beyond the success stories? On this episode of Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud is joined by Shalom Lloyd MBE to talk about entrepreneurship as a way of life, from leaving a 30-year corporate career and learning to live with risk and ambiguity to building purpose-led businesses across the UK and Africa. They get into the loneliness that can come with entrepreneurship, learning to put yourself first, the people who help cushion the difficult moments, and why success does not have to mean following somebody else's formula. Shalom also shares the story behind Naturally Tiwa Skincare and UTÖ, her intimate lubricant created to open up conversations around vaginal dryness, women's health and pleasure. It's a funny, candid conversation about business, purpose, impact, self-care and creating solutions to problems that deserve to be talked about. Pasted text Pasted text About Shalom Lloyd MBE Shalom Lloyd MBE is a mother, pharmacist, entrepreneur, and business leader with over 30 years of experience in drug development, clinical research, and building purpose-led businesses across Africa and the UK. She is the founder of Naturally Tiwa Skincare, a natural skincare brand rooted in African heritage and sustainability, Founder of eMQT and General Manager of The Body Shop Nigeria, where she led the launch of the brand's first store in Nigeria and West Africa. Passionate about ethical leadership, innovation, and social impact, she champions representation, women's empowerment, and the creation of businesses that deliver meaningful change. Connect with Shalom: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalom.lloyd3/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalomlloyd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalom-ijeoma-lloyd-mbe-25980b6/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ShalomLloyd Naturally Tiwa Skincare: https://naturallytiwaskincare.com/ Follow Em: Skool: https://www.skool.com/get-your-spark-back/about YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheComicCoach TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@emthecomic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/em-stroud/ Website: https://emstroud.com

Contact Clowning Around Again

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.