Hello, and welcome to the No Ordinary Gal podcast! I’m your host Laura and this is the show where we will be celebrating the normal, the average, the everyday gal and I’ll sharing stories from ladies, who may seem to fit that bill, but to me are actually really rather extraordinary.
So come along with us and discover how you too, are No Ordinary Gal!
You asked, I've delivered! Here are my ramblings reflecting on my time in lockdown and how it drove me to go after a new job, and I only went and landed myself one in the middle of a blooming pandemic!
I also highlight my favourite new small business Make it Count Jewellery who I just love and can provide you with some of the most beautiful Christmas prezzies (or a little treat for yourself!) Follow Claire on Instagram, or buy directly from her Etsy shop here -
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/makeitcountjewellery?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=858051840
https://www.instagram.com/makeitcount_jewellery/?hl=en
18 Oct 2020
EP16. Kimmy - Unexpected motherhood and mental health
Kimmy joins Laura to talk about how after being quite sure having kids wasn't for her, the unexpected arrival of her daughter 18 months ago proved to be the best thing that ever happened to her. She also talks about the amount of pressure she put on herself to get everything right, and how the stress of returning to work put her into a state of really poor mental health. Kimmy speaks so openly about it and reminds us that mental health can affect anyone at any time. Whether it's ongoing and long term, or an acute, situational spell.
This week's No Ordinary Business is Hull Sailor run by two of the most badass ladies I know. They have an amazing clothing and apparel range which you can shop online or in their physical store in Spark York, which is also a tattoo studio! Buy from www.hullsailor.co.uk, follow the shop on Instagram @hullsailorandco and check out J's inkwork @jjmottotattoo....it's a Hull Sailor shirt I'm wearing in the album cover for this show!
11 Oct 2020
EP15. Charlotte - An honest account of Motherhood
Charlotte joins Laura for a very honest and open conversation about motherhood.
Like many women across the country, Charlotte feels she is completely ordinary, a part time work around her two young girls, but she shows up every single day. And it's what it takes to do that every day, that makes Charlotte and women nationwide extraordinary. We delve into the emotional rollercoaster of being a mum, the weight of responsibility, and how having a "break" is usually going to work or being able to go to a supermarket solo. I'm sure SO many will relate to this, and so many will not be aware of just what it takes to survive mumlife.
This week's No Ordinary Business feature is Elegant Events Essex who provide at home cinema experiences! You can find out all about them on their instagram which is @elegant_events_essex! Go give them a follow and have yourself a covid safe gathering or upgrade on family movie night!
4 Oct 2020
EP14. Katie - Crafting, careers and chasing perfection
This week Katie joins Laura for a chat about her enviable talents, where her strive for perfection comes from and how she re-trained to turn her hobby into a career.
We talk about how the design industry has transformed over the past 15 years, giving so many talented people jobs that they love, and what it's like being a woman in the workplace, and how your relationship with your work is viewed when you don't have children - something I'd never thought of and loved chatting about.
This episode is also a reunion as we'd not physically met in over a decade, and it was as joyous and wonderful as our teenage chats were.
As mentioned on Instagram this week, I'm now doing weekly shout out's for awesome, female businesses - not an AD or GIFT for me, just want to help these No Ordinary Gal's out, and first up is Knits by Knowles! You can check out her Instagram @KnitsbyKnowles or browse her Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Knitsbyknowles?ref=search_shop_redirect
27 Sept 2020
EP13. Hannah - Starting over and finding happiness
Hannah joins Laura to talk about the twists and turns her adult life has taken after realising that the life she had planned from teen years, just wasn't meant to be. Hoping to live the tale everyone seems to have of uni life, partying with a bit of studying, Hannah headed to Wales to pursue a degree in film studies, but it wasn't as she'd hoped. Struggling to come to terms with that, she entered a spell of poor mental health, but came out the other side to land herself a job in a bridal boutique. Here she sored, gain extra hours, promotions and earned handsomely, but knew it wasn't her passion. After a chance job opportunity at a local college, Hannah found her calling in helping young adults with learning disabilities and has just summer gained her full teaching qualification.
Hannah's story will be one so many resonate with, proof that starting over isn't failure of what you thought you should be doing, but finding the courage to pursue what you want to be doing.
20 Sept 2020
EP12. Moira - Sensi, Personal Trainer, Role Model
Moira joins Laura to talk about her karate career, what it's like as a female in such a male dominated sport, and how a crossroads in life lead to her taking a risk and going after a totally new career in her 50's.
Moira really is the embodiment of Girl Power, she's was part of the first ever female squad when women were finally allowed to compete in karate, won numerous titles, has trained countless children and adults to their black belts, started her own association and after redundancy, took the opportunity to retrain as a personal trainer and sports therapist. She's an incredible role model and one of my personal heroes.
13 Sept 2020
EP11. Birth Trauma Awareness Special - Angela, Jo and Kirsty
A special panel episode to go hand in hand with Birth Trauma Awareness Week. Laura is joined by Angela, Jo and Kirsty to discuss their BT experiences, their journey's since, and why it's so important we speak out about what is such a common, yet unheard of topic.
This show just have some sensitive content, with talks of childbirth, fertility treatment, miscarriage and stillbirth. If you have been affected by anything we discuss today, and are looking for someone to reach out to, the below charities are all fantastic and will be able to offer some help:
https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/
https://www.tommys.org/
https://www.mind.org.uk/
If you are suffering as a direct result of a Birth Trauma, then the BTA community Facebook group is a great way to find support from fellow BT survivors:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBTA/?ref=share
7 Sept 2020
EP10. Georgina - Rebuilding life and being the change of the future
George joins Laura to talk about how she went from planning a wedding, to starting over when her relationship of 10yrs broke down, but it actually turned out to be the making of her. After an epic journey of self discovery and being able to truly love herself, George is now the happiest she's been, and has even had the bonus of finding love again. She has a wonderful career working in SEN education, she speaks so passionately about her work and how she's paving the way for change to help get these amazing young adults into the workplace. This really is the most uplifting and inspirational episode.
30 Aug 2020
EP9. Rose - My Hero
Nanny Rose joins Laura to talk about her life, what it was like as a child living through WW2, how at the time she was sad to leave school early to work, but that very apprenticeship lead her to find an everlasting love with her future husband Joseph. She talks of raising a family in the 50's with very little, to being a self made family and being able to buy their own home. Plenty of pearls of wisdom are shared along this episode, and she's even willing to give up her famous lemon cake recipe! A heartwarming episode from the most loving lady, and certainly No Ordinary Gal.
23 Aug 2020
EP8. Rita - Natural born mother
Rita joins Laura to discuss her life and where her natural maternal ways come from. Put on this earth to be a Mum, Rita is one of life's carers, kindness and compassion like no other, and always there for anyone in need. She talks about raising her own family, welcoming grandchildren, and being blessed to work her dream job with special needs children. A beautiful chat, with a beautiful soul.
16 Aug 2020
EP7. Becky - Teacher, Mum and Covid Hero
Becky joins Laura to talk about the extraordinary success of a Facebook group she set up to share her teaching wisdom with stressed parents now faced with homeschooling during a pandemic. She talks about her motives, juggling it around motherhood and how come September, she will be joining the ranks as a school mum herself, as well as teaching the all important first reception year.
9 Aug 2020
EP6. Charley - A bubble of positive energy
Charley joins Laura to discuss her eternal optimism and positivity. She goes into detail about how "Cheeky Charley", her stage name as a children's entertainer was born, why she has a real passion for making memories for kids, and where she gets her endless energy from. We talk about her time as a performer and what it's really like behind the scenes on some well known holiday camps. I love how much her personality shines through in this episode, she really is one of the most joyous people to be around and I know you'll all agree, she is no ordinary gal.
If you've never had a Cheeky Charley experience you're missing out, and if you'd like to book her for your child's party, you can find out more and book her here - https://www.facebook.com/cheekycharleyparties/ (https://www.facebook.com/cheekycharleyparties/)
2 Aug 2020
EP5. Lauren - Career Woman, Business Owner and Mentor
Lauren joins Laura to discuss her impressive career, how she was a global design lead by 28, and why she's now started her own business. Lauren is always on the go, even during a period of "calming it down" during covid, she accidently built a global community of designers, she's one of life's do-ers finding it hard to shut off. She also talks about how she believed sexism in the workplace was a myth, until she experienced it herself, and why it makes her all the more determined. A truly inspirational story of an independent woman, who knows where she wants to be and how she's going to make it happen.
To find out more about Lauren's new business, and get involved in her global design community, you can visit their website - https://fearlesstalent.co/ (https://fearlesstalent.co/)
26 Jul 2020
EP4. Joolz - A wild child full of wisdom
Julie (aka. Joolz) joins Laura to discuss her life journey. From being a grafter at work, to finding herself again after becoming a mum, overcoming large debt, and how being a party animal is in her DNA. After the tragic loss of her partner, and girls' Dad, Julie got in touch with her spiritual side, and now has her very own guardian angel helping her through, even helping lead her to an old school sweetheart, who just so happened to be her soul mate.
There are strong themes of suicide in this episode, please remember if you are struggling right now, you are never alone, and even if you don't feel you can open up to people around you, the Samaritans are always there - https://www.samaritans.org/ (https://www.samaritans.org/). Please always speak out. Your mental health matters. You matter.
Please enjoy our next No Ordinary Gal, and living legend, Joolz!
19 Jul 2020
EP3. Rachel - Life as a SEN Mum
Rachel joins Laura to talk about her journey of navigating life as a SEN Mum, how her mother's instinct led to a diagnosis and how her little man keeps surprising them. This is a very emotional episode, and has deliberately been left unedited.
George is continuing to make outstanding progress, and just this week, his review at Snowdrop has confirmed he's made strides well beyond their expectations. You can find out more about their work here - http://www.snowdrop.cc/ (http://www.snowdrop.cc/)
If you'd like to make a donation to Great Ormond Street Hospital, and find out more about the incredible work they do, click here - https://www.gosh.org/ (https://www.gosh.org/gosh-charity-covid-19-appeal?appeal=C36203&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=coldurgentappeal&utm_content=armppc&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9b_4BRCMARIsADMUIypy900sfYwIYgiC-pwgJyYNpDr9QO22tJw3Mv7qWEeUpJNTWqZEA7AaAvijEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
We are so proud of Georgie and his amazing Mum, and I'm sure you'll all agree Rachel is No Ordinary Gal.
Lizzie joins Laura to discuss life a primary school teacher, a mum and why being kind is a way of life for her. There are strong themes of mental health throughout the episode, and Lizzie has found great support through the charity Mind which you can find more about here https://www.mind.org.uk/ (https://www.mind.org.uk/).
Please remember if you are struggling right now, you are never alone, and even if you don't feel you can open up to people around you, the Samaritans are always there - https://www.samaritans.org/ (https://www.samaritans.org/). Please always speak out. Your mental health matters. You matter.
Please enjoy our very first No Ordinary Gal!
10 Jul 2020
EP1. An Intro to host Laura
As requested by the people, with questions from the people, a bit more of an insight into me and my motives for creating this podcast. This won't be the usual format of No Ordinary Gal - so don't let me put you off, and please come back to hear from our rather extraordinary gals!
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