What 2025 Taught Me: 5 Lessons From a Big Year with Athena Dobson

Right… this is it.The final episode of the Girls in Property Podcast for 2025.I honestly cannot believe I am writing that. We have recorded over 45 episodes this year and this one feels really special. It felt right to end the year doing what I always do best on this podcast… being open, honest, a little emotional, and sharing what I have really learnt along the way.In this final episode of 2025, I bare my soul and reflect on the year that has been. The highs, the challenges, the growth, the tears, the laughter, and everything that came with building Girls in Property alongside my own personal journey.As always, I cry. I laugh. And I share as honestly as I can, because that is what this space has always been about. Adding value, sharing the real stuff, and hopefully helping you feel a little less alone on your own journey.I talk you through the 5 biggest lessons that 2025 taught me. These are not just business or property lessons. They are life lessons. Lessons around rest, alignment, trusting yourself more deeply, letting go of old layers, and remembering why you started in the first place.I also take time to celebrate what Girls in Property has become. The podcast, the community, the conversations, and most importantly the women who show up week after week. You are the reason this space matters and the reason I keep showing up, even on the hard days.If you have had a tough year, if you have felt a bit lost, or if 2025 has quietly stretched and changed you in ways you are only just starting to see, I really hope this episode helps you feel more seen, more heard, and full of hope for what is coming.This episode is a love letter to 2025, and an open invitation to step into 2026 with belief in yourself and what is possible for you.Thank you for being part of Girls in Property.Thank you for listening, sharing, and growing alongside me.I love you all.Athena xHow to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

Ever sat with a cup of tea and thought… if I had to package up everything I know and everything I’m good at and sell it tomorrow… what would that even look like?In this episode I sat down with the brilliant Kylie Anderson and we talked about this idea of asset intelligence. Not just property assets but the biggest one of all you.So many women step into property believing they need more training or more time before they can start. But the truth is you might already be sitting on the skill sets confidence and value that could move you forward faster than you think.Kylie shares how to look at your strengths through a different lens recognise what makes you valuable and start treating your knowledge and experience as something with real worth.We also dive into branding intellectual property and how the way you see yourself can shape the wealth you build and the opportunities you attract.If you’ve ever felt like you aren’t ready or you don’t bring anything special to the table this episode is going to shift something for you in the best way.So grab your cuppa and tune in....AND if you want to learn how to turn what you already know into something scalable Kylie is hosting a one day live workshop in Central London on Friday 23 Jan 2026.Early bird tickets are £47 and spaces are limited to 25.👉 https://theonlineedge.co.uk/ready-to-grow?am_id=athena3830How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

In this episode of the Girls in Property podcast I sit down with the brilliant Alice Dartnell to explore a question so many of us as entrepreneurs ask ourselves. Is mindset actually enough?We hear so much about positive thinking, manifestation and keeping our energy high, but what about the deeper layers underneath all of that? What about the beliefs sitting in your subconscious that shape how you move, lead and make decisions long before you even realise it?Alice and I talk honestly about the stories we carry without noticing, the ones shaped by childhood, culture, family and the many versions of ourselves who simply wanted to feel seen and safe. Unless we have the courage to explore those deeper layers, we end up holding ourselves back, even when we think we are doing all the right things.We also open up about identity, belonging and what it is like growing up mixed race while trying to find your place in the world. It is a powerful reminder that who you are behind closed doors will always influence how you show up in your business.Mindset matters, but it is not the whole picture. Manifestation is powerful, but it cannot replace honest inner work and action taking. And as I share in the episode, you simply don't know what you don't know until you give yourself the chance to look within.This conversation is for the woman who wants more for herself, for her family and for her future, but knows she cannot get there through confidence alone. It is for the woman who is ready to understand the real roots of her beliefs so she can lead herself and her business with clarity, courage and truth.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

In this episode I sit down with Chris Tremlett from UK Homes Network for one of the most honest and human conversations I have had on the podcast. You know I love going deeper than the shiny surface of the property world, and this chat does exactly that.Chris opens up about his journey in property, the pressures he has faced behind the scenes, and the personal battles with mental health and addiction that shaped the person and the business he is building today. We talk about what it really feels like to navigate this industry, the parts people do not always see, and the power of letting yourself be vulnerable rather than pretending everything is fine.We explore why the sector needs more real conversations, more care, and more community. Chris also shares the heart behind UK Homes Network and his vision for creating a safe space where people in property can connect, feel supported, and actually be themselves.If you are someone who often feels like you are juggling a thousand things, battling burnout, or wondering if you are the only one who finds this journey overwhelming at times, this episode will make you feel seen. It is a raw, relatable and genuinely uplifting conversation about being human first and business second.Grab a cuppa and settle in for this one. It is special.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

This week I am sitting down with the brilliant Shelly Yates to open up the world of deal sourcing in a really honest and grounded way.A lot of women look at deal sourcing as their first step into property because it feels fast paced and cash flowing. But there is a side to it that people do not always see, and Shelly talks openly about what it is actually like, the strengths that really matter, and the parts that can feel challenging too.She shares her journey into property, what day to day sourcing looks like, and why understanding your own strengths can make such a difference. We also chat about the realities of being an entrepreneur, looking after yourself, and the comfort that comes from having people around you who get it.Shelly also talks about The Vault, her platform that helps make sourcing clearer and easier for both investors and sources. And if you are feeling drawn to deal sourcing or you want support getting started after listening to this episode, just click the link below to gain access under the Girls in Property affiliation  👇 thesourcingvault.co.uk/vlt_membership?am_id=athena7394It is a warm and honest chat and I know you will take so much from it.Grab a cuppa and settle in with us.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

Ever stopped to notice where stress shows up in your body? Maybe it’s that knot in your stomach before a meeting, the tight shoulders after a long day, or that constant buzz that never quite switches off.In this episode, I sit down with Anastasia Ttofis to chat about somatics and how understanding your body can change the way you show up in life, business and property. We talk about what’s really happening when you feel stressed or stuck, how tuning in to your nervous system helps you make calmer decisions, and why listening to your body builds confidence and creativity.If you’ve ever felt like you’re pushing through or running on empty, this one’s for you. It’s your reminder to slow down, reconnect and start trusting yourself again.And if you’re ready to go deeper, join me and Anastasia for our Somatic Workshop on Friday 21st November at Audley Manor House in Basingstoke. You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer and more in tune with yourself.🎧 Listen now and find your way back to your body.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

If you have ever sat there wondering how on earth people are funding property deals, or felt like you cannot get started because you do not have pots of money behind you, this one is for you.In todays chat your host Athena Dobson sits down with Motiul Islam to lift the lid on raising private finance in a real and honest way. We are not talking theory here. We share real life examples of how we have raised finance ourselves, the projects Motiul has invested in, how he first got started, and the steps that made the biggest difference along the way.We dig into what you need to know before trying to attract investors, the dos and the dont's, how to have conversations without feeling awkward, and how to build trust in a way that feels grounded, ethical and aligned with who you are.There is so much mystery and fear around talking about money in property, so we break it down, demystify the process and simplify what raising finance actually looks like in the real world. No jargon, no bravado, just honest, practical guidance and lived experience.If you are ready to take your property journey seriously, if you want to understand how people fund deals without waiting years to build capital, and if you are curious about how to start building investor relationships that feel genuine and sustainable, this episode will give you so much clarity and confidence. My hope is that you walk away feeling like this is possible for you too. How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

In this episode of the Girls in Property podcast, I chat with Libby Walker, someone I have genuinely watched and admired. Libby got into property at such a young age, and what I love most about her is how open she has always been about the things that go right and the things that do not. From the very start of her journey she has shared everything she is learning, and I think that honesty is so important in this industry.It has been amazing to watch her grow, gain confidence and really understand what she wants from both her cash flow businesses and her property journey. We talk about how it does not have to only be property — you can be an entrepreneur, try different things and still bring it all together in a way that works for you.In this conversation, we explore her early experiences, the lessons she learned from her first flip, the difference between making cash flow and building long term wealth, and the power of just taking action. Libby reminds us why celebrating the small wins, knowing your why and being honest about the process matters more than getting it perfect.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

Following on from Caroline’s amazing episode last week on turning purpose into profit, this week we are carrying that same message forward but through a completely different story and lived experience.In this episode, I chat with award winning developer, number one best selling author and founder of View From My Window, Lorraine Thomas. She shares her authentic, unfiltered journey – the real highs and lows of being a property developer and a housing provider with a social purpose. From tenant care to financial pressure, from mistakes to milestones, Lorraine is open about what it actually looks like to put people before profit in an industry that does not always make that easy.Through View From My Window, she has created more than just housing – she has built homes grounded in dignity, compassion and accountability. We talk about the responsibility that comes with social housing, the emotional weight of caring for others and why purpose matters most when things get tough.This episode is a raw and honest continuation of the purpose over profit conversation – same values, different story, and a powerful reminder that property can change lives when people are put first.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]

In this episode of Girls in Property, host Athena Dobson chats with the inspiring Caroline Pattinson — an award-winning entrepreneur and property investor who’s built her journey with courage, discipline, and heart.Caroline started her career at just 16 and bought her first property at 21, showing that you don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. Her story is proof that you can start at any age, from any place, and still build something incredible.Since those early days, Caroline has gone on to create The Nunnery — a former convent she transformed into a beautiful shared living space that brings people and community together.In this honest conversation, she shares what she’s learned about staying grounded, adapting to change, and keeping purpose at the centre of her work. It’s an inspiring reminder that property success isn’t just about profit — it’s about passion, people, and believing in yourself enough to take the first step.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property 👇 👩 Join our Community 🎟️ Your Invite to our Girls in Property Retreat Fri 24 April 2026 💗 Subscribe to Find our Latest Offers & Events Near You A Big Thank You to Our Sponsored Partners Lisa Marie Elkhadraoui from @design_boss_diary Ella Hardy from @landprofits (Click here to book a 45 min FREE discovery call) Rachel Knight from Title Split Limited - Access 25-35% Capital Uplift Get In Touch 📷Girls in Property Instagram 📧 [email protected]