S23 Ep6: Sophie Ellis-Bextor — Singer-Songwriter: Embracing motherhood, midlife & menopause with music

In this joyful and deeply honest episode, Holly is joined by pop icon, mum of five, and Kitchen Disco queen, Sophie Ellis-Bextor for a conversation that sparkles with humour, heart, and authenticity. From her early hits Groovejet and Murder on the Dancefloor to her empowering new album Perimenopop — a bold celebration of midlife and womanhood — Sophie opens up about every chapter of her journey through music, motherhood, and midlife. She reflects on growing up in a creative household, the influence of her mother’s career, and how fame, family life, and the ever-evolving music industry have shaped her perspective. Sophie talks candidly about the juggle of touring with five boys at home, the realities of public scrutiny, and how the Kitchen Disco series — born in lockdown — reignited her creative fire and deepened her connection with fans. As she steps boldly into her “sod-it” era, she shares her thoughts on resilience, emotional balance, and living unapologetically — where joy, honesty, and authenticity lead the way. Bursting with laughter, insight, and inspiration, this conversation is a glittering reminder to embrace every version of yourself — chaos, courage, sparkle and all.

You know those conversations that leave you buzzing — proud to be a woman, alive in your skin and ready to take on the world? This is one of those. In this episode, Holly speaks with Polly Vernon — journalist, author and all-round truth-teller — known for her fearless interviews with the likes of Donald Trump and Harry Styles, and her sharp, insightful writing for The Times and Grazia. Describing herself as a “thoroughly imperfect, atypical feminist,” Polly is rewriting the sisterhood rules. Together, they explore everything from growing up in a feminist household to navigating expectations around motherhood and childlessness, aging and appearance, fitness and feminism, trauma and resilience. Polly is unflinchingly honest about the pressures women face — and why open, unfiltered conversations about health, choice and defining womanhood on our own terms matter more than ever. She says what many only dare to think — and that courage, that raw authenticity, is what makes her voice so powerful. This is a conversation that challenges, comforts and might just make you a little braver too. Trigger warning: This episode includes mentions of rape and abortion, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you prefer to skip these parts, the discussion on rape runs from 15–23 minutes, and abortion from 46–49 minutes. Please take care while listening.

Warning: This podcast could change your life! What if business wasn’t just about profit — but about purpose, joy and soulfulness too? What if trusting your instinct could lead you to achieve great things? In this episode of Conversations of Inspiration, Holly is joined by Nikki Trott — author, speaker, strategist, and advisor — whose journey has taken her from consulting for iconic luxury brands like Mulberry and Mercedes, to writing her visionary book, Sacred Business. Nikki shares how returning to her roots after years of nomadic living, and relying on her intuition, has shaped every step of her journey: from walking away from a successful but unfulfilling career, to reimagining entrepreneurship as a practice rooted in values and fulfilment.  Together, Holly and Nikki explore the blending of spirituality and business. They also reflect on feminine strength, navigating grief, personal growth and letting go — while offering practical wisdom for building businesses with authenticity. This conversation is a powerful reminder that success can be redefined. Business can be both strategic and sacred, ambition can be reimagined and trusting your intuition can open doors you never expected to walk through. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to build a business that truly reflects who you are — and do it with joy, purpose and depth — this episode will speak straight to your heart.

What does it take to design a wedding dress—or build a business—that’s not just beautiful, but deeply meaningful and empowering? In this heartfelt conversation with celebrated bridal designer Kate Halfpenny, you’ll find yourself wanting to be her BFF as she speaks with refreshing honesty about the magical journey of creativity, courage, and self-belief. From growing up in a creative household and interning with Vivienne Westwood, to styling Rihanna and repurposing fabric scraps with her late mum, Kate carved her own place in a fiercely competitive industry. She shares how resilience, individuality, and kindness shaped her brand, while opening up about the pandemic, bucking trends, and the underestimated power of body confidence. Kate also reveals why dyslexia isn’t a flaw but the “secret source” to unstoppable creativity. At the heart of it all is her mission: to design dresses that are far more than fabric and lace—garments that empower women to feel extraordinary on their own terms. This is a love letter to confidence, creativity, and the quiet bravery of trusting you’re already enough.

What happens when you refuse to colour inside the lines? In this joyful episode, Holly chats with Abi & Rupert Meats — the powerhouse couple behind RUDE and Everyday Sunshine, a gallery and coffee shop dedicated to optimism and community. Purveyors of positivity in every sense, they’ve been creating unapologetically bold, colourful work for 25 years. From hustling in their first studio to collaborating with Apple, Vogue and the Tate, they share the highs, lows, wins and losses of building a life around creativity. Now, they’re driving a movement to bring creativity back into children’s lives. Their new book, CREATE, is a rallying cry for a generation growing up in a world where art is being sidelined in schools. Abi & Rupert talk openly about why creativity isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a lifeline — and how they’re on a mission to put a copy of CREATE in every primary school in the UK. So, if you’ve ever wondered what the world might look like if we treated joy and imagination as seriously as maths and science, this episode is for you.

In this episode, skincare pioneer Sarah Chapman — London’s most celebrated facialist and founder of the award-winning brand Skinesis — reveals the integrity, passion and perfectionism that took her from childhood kitchen experiments and special effects makeup, to treating A-list clients including Victoria Beckham and the Duchess of Sussex.  Sarah’s journey is not just about building a global skincare empire, but also about staying true to her vision, growing with integrity and having meticulous attention to detail that she never let go. Through trust, authenticity and a great deal of care, she was able to create real impact. Whether you’re a founder, a beauty lover or simply curious about the power of building a heritage brand, Sarah’s story is an inspiring masterclass in determination, connection and the art of slow, steady success.

What if one small idea — dreamt up in a London traffic jam — could grow into a business that’s brought joy to people for over 30 years? In this gentle, charming and inspiring episode, Holly sits down with Ned Trier, founder of The Gluttonous Gardener & Growbar, to hear how a simple love of growing and giving, blossomed into something truly lasting. Ned shares the story behind his slow, thoughtful journey — from the early gardening days to sending grapevines and Growbars across the country — and why staying small, honest and hands-on has been the secret all along. Expect reflections on creativity, sustainability and finding delight in the peculiar.  So whether you’re dreaming up your own venture, in need of a little perspective or just love stories with soil under their nails, this conversation is a true reminder that good things really do take time to grow. It might even leave you inspired enough to plant something beautiful in your own life.

Holly’s guest this week is the endlessly creative, hugely talented and fiercely determined Alice Temperley MBE — the visionary behind Temperley London. You may know Alice for her exquisite, bohemian-inspired designs that have graced both red carpets and royalty alike, but what truly drives the woman behind the brand? And how did she once come to be described by American Vogue as being, 'The designer making the biggest waves in British fashion'? Raised on a cider farm in Somerset, Alice’s story may read like a modern-day fairytale — yet in reality, it’s been anything but. In this conversation, she opens up about the challenges she’s faced in the ever-evolving fashion industry, the resilience that carried her through and the perseverance that helped cement Temperley London as being a quintessentially British brand. She also reflects on the importance of finding her flock and reveals why the key to success is often slowing down not speeding up. Away from the world of fashion, Alice lives an idyllic life in Somerset and shares her secret to happiness with Holly — which includes spending time with the two mischievous donkeys that roam freely through her home and often join her for breakfast. Alice has built a fashion house rooted in artistry, celebrating 25 years of intricate embroidery, hand-sewn embellishments and timeless design. Her creations are more than garments — they’re wearable works of art, worn by iconic women across the globe. This episode is a deep dive into the highs and lows of building a brand with heart, soul and unstoppable creative vision. It’s one you won’t want to miss.

Why does art make children and society powerful? Why should creativity be a right and not a privilege? In this episode, Holly is joined by the extraordinary Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA — artist, activist, educator and passionate advocate for the power of the arts. Together, they explore why creativity matters now more than ever, especially for the next generation. From growing up in an artistic household, to painting powerful slogans like All Schools Should Be Art Schools and Art Makes Children Powerful, Bob shares the personal stories, political moments and joyful philosophies that have shaped his life’s work. Holly speaks to Bob about creativity being fundamental for all, how he believes art teachers are in fact, human rights workers and why everyday actions — from cooking to parenting — might actually be more creative than we realise. Bob also explains how his brilliant project, The Superpower of Looking, is a tool for teaching kids and adults to slow down and truly see the world around them. So whether you think of yourself as being creative or not, this conversation might just make you look at life a little differently and realise that art belongs to everyone.

“Love lives in the ugly truths.”  These powerful words come from this week’s inspiring guest, Donna Ashworth—author, the UK’s best-selling poet, and a true artist when it comes to capturing the human heart in words.  In this deeply moving episode, Donna joins Holly for a conversation that’s as honest as it is healing. With her signature vulnerability and insight, Donna opens up about the life experiences that have shaped her poetic voice and heightened her sensitivity to the world, enabling her to offer not just words but solace, strength, and a mirror for the human experience. Together, they explore how embracing midlife can lead to profound transformation and how speaking our truths—even the messy ones—can bring us closer to ourselves and each other. This is a conversation brimming with soulful wisdom, raw honesty, and the kind of truths that make us feel seen. It’s one you won't want to miss. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions about eating disorders, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you need to, please skip from 9 minutes 20 seconds to 10 minutes 30 seconds.. Take care while listening.