There Are Other Ways: Conversations About Living Life A Little Differently

In this week's episode I'm chatting with my friend Cait Flanders, who is the author of one of my favourite books this year, The Year of Less. We had such an interesting (and, full disclosure, rather long) discussion all about consumerism and our relationship with it. We chatted about being labelled a "shopaholic", trying to fit yourself in who you were, not who you are, and our sometimes mindless consumption of social media. Cait's Website: https://caitflanders.com/ Cait's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitflanders/

In this week's episode I'm chatting with photographer, blogger and podcaster Olivia Bossert, on how and why she built her fashion photography business in Cornwall not London. We also chat about how ambition isn't limited to those living in big cities, why people really don't think of you as much as you think they do, and our changing attitudes to money. Olivia's website: https://www.oliviabossert.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviabossert/ You're Not The Boss Of Me Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/youre-not-the-boss-of-me/id1358769500?mt=2

This week I'm chatting to slow living blogger, Maddy Lawson. Maddy walked away from academic achievement and a "proper job" to work in a homeware store, and, then, more recently moved to Hampshire to live and work with her husband on a shepherd's hut site. I find her story so interesting, and we had such a great chat about what actually makes us happy, coming up with our own definitions of success, and the joy of slowing down. Maddy's Blog: http://aslowadventure.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_slow_adventure/ Wriggy Tin Huts: http://www.wrigglytinhuts.co.uk/

In this week's episode I'm chatting with minimalist lifestyle blogger, Jessica Rose Williams. We had such an interesting conversation about all aspects of minimalism, including why she first got into it, her capsule wardrobe, being enough just as you are, and saying no to things that don't add to your live. Jessica's blog: https://www.jessicarosewilliams.com/ Jessica's Instagram: @jessicarosewilliams

In this week's episode I'm chatting to the founder of the minimalist jewellery and lifestyle brand Lines & Current, Rebekah Johanson. We had such an interesting conversation about how she came up with the concept for the brand, how she designs and develops the pieces, and why being a socially minded company is so important to her. We also chatted about raising vegetarian children, and her and her family's upcoming epic road trip this summer up the west coast of America! Lines & Current Website: https://linesandcurrent.com Lines & Current Instagram: @linesandcurrent SAYA Designs on There Are Other Ways: http://fionabarrows.com/episode-eleven-victoria-jones-from-saya-designs-on-building-a-circular-economy-business/ The Rich Roll Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rich-roll-podcast/id582272991?mt=2 Simon Sinek's TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA&t=1s

In this week's episode I'm chatting with Elle Croft, a social media manager, blogger and published author. I really enjoyed finding out more about her story, about how not going to university propelled her to look for other ways to prove herself, how blogging helped her to write her debut novel, The Guilty Wife, and what the process of writing and having a novel published was actually like.  Elle's blog: http://www.ellecroft.com/blog/ Elle's Instagram: @elle_croft Elle's Twitter: @elle_croft

I'm very excited about this week's episode as it's the first time I'm chatting to a fellow copywriter! Kayla Hollatz is a super successful copywriter and ghostwriter living in Minneapolis in the US. We had such a great conversation about shifting goals and ambitions, the negative impacts of hustling on your health and well being, giving back to your community, and the value of copywriting. Kayla's website: http://kaylahollatz.com/ Kayla's Instagram: @kaylahollatz Kayla's Twitter: @kaylahollatz

This week I'm chatting to Victoria Jones, who a year ago this month launched a Kickstarter campaign for SAYA Designs, a company which takes root wood, salvaged from plantations across Indonesia, and turns it into something beautiful and purposeful: handcrafted hairpins. SAYA is a circular economy company, and we had such an interesting conversation about both the rewards and challenges of this, the movement towards slow, ethical fashion, and how launching a business is rather like giving birth! SAYA Designs Website: https://sayadesigns.com/ SAYA Designs Instagram: @saya__designs

This week I'm chatting to the comparison coach, Lucy Sheridan. Lucy helps people from all over the world go from "compare and despair" to #comparison free. We chatted about why so many of us suffer from comparison, how comparison keeps people from living life a little differently, and how dreams and goals can sometimes have a sell-by date. Lucy's website: http://www.proofcoaching.com/#homepage Instagram: @lucysheridan Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBAmiqNIctBbMvyGmNfJVDQ

This week's episode is a really lovely conversation with my friend Nicola Moss. Nicola is a coach and mentor who helps busy people slow down and reconnect with what matters. We talked about embracing your own natural rhythm, why quick fixes are never the answer, and how spending time in nature isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Nicola's Website: https://www.nicolamoss.co/ Wild Pause Retreat: https://wildpause.nicolamoss.co/ Nicola's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nicolamoss/

This week I'm chatting with pretty much my favourite person on Instagram: author, writer and entrepreneur, Laura Jane Williams. We had a really interesting and insightful conversation about choosing to be single, celebrating unconventional life choices, and why we both love The Marvellous Mrs Maisel! Superlatively Rude (Laura's website) Laura's Twitter: @superlativelylj Laura's Instagram: @superlativelylj This is the article by Hattie Crisell (who's last name we couldn't quite remember!): The Rise of the Alpha Single

This week I'm chatting to Sam Sparrow. Most you probably know her from her fantastic travel blog, As the Sparrow Flies, and her travel podcast, The Travelust. Yet she also has a 9-5 working in the charity sector which she really loves. We chatted about taking a step back from your career in order to live a more balanced life, moving away from other people's expectations to find what really makes you happy, and the joy of having hobbies. As the Sparrow Flies: https://asthesparrowflies.com/ The Travelust Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-travelust-podcast/id1326576437?mt=2 Sam's Twitter: @samrsparrow Sam's Instagram: @samrsparrow

This week I'm chatting to Sas Petherick, a coach and mentor who helps people transcend self-doubt through workshops, group programmes and one-on-one coaching. We had a really rewarding conversation about why we all suffer from self-doubt, its link to creativity and connection, and why HMRC should issue capes to everyone who is self-employed! Sas's website: www.saspetherick.com Sas's Twitter: @saspetherick Sas's Instagram: @saspetherick

In this episode I'm chatting with Frankie Thompson, an independently published author, blogger at As The Bird Flies, and freelance writer. We chat about living and raising her son in Amsterdam (and yes, Brexit is mentioned!), independent publishing and fear of rejection, and having to prioritise your own writing. As The Bird Flies: https://www.asthebirdfliesblog.com/ Twitter: @asthebirdflies Instagram: @asthebirdfliesblog

Creative Coach Jen Carrington and I chat about not being ashamed to live as much as you work, the importance of white space for your mental health and creativity, and how sometimes you just need to put your big girl pants on! I also ask her why she got into creative coaching and what it is that she loves about her work. The quote is from Mother Teresa, and The Gap is by Ira Glass. You can watch it here: https://vimeo.com/85040589 Jen's Website: www.jencarrington.com Jen's Twitter: @jen_carrington Jen's Instagram: @jencarrington_ You can find out more about me and the work that I do on my website: www.fionabarrows.com

In this episode I chat to Beverley Reinemann, a freelance social media manager, travel copywriter, and owner of the award-winning travel blog, Pack Your Passport. We talked about moving out of London (her to Leeds, me to Frome), the loneliness of freelancing and how living on your own can intensify it, and the importance of diversifying your income. "You should strive for what makes you happy, not what’s going to look good when someone asks you what you do." Pack Your Passport: http://www.pack-your-passport.com/ Beverley's Website: http://beverleyreinemann.com/ Instagram: @packyourpassport Twitter: @PckYourPassport Subscribe to my weekly newsletter Letter & Notes: http://fionabarrows.com/weekly-letters/

In this episode I chat with Cori Orak who, along with her husband Jake, runs the socially responsible bag company Ethnotek. We chat about building and evolving an ethical company, working with your partner, and dealing with mental health issues while living in paradise. Ethnotek Website: https://ethnotek.com/ Ethnotek Twitter: @ethnotekbags Cori Twitter: @coriorak Ethnotek Instagram: @ethnotekbags Cori Instagram: @coriorak

On the very first episode of There Are Other Ways I chat to freelance journalist, and vegan travel and lifestyle blogger, Lucy Lucraft. We talk about how hard it is coming home from a long period of travel (wearing jeans again takes some getting used to), not being a preachy vegan, and building a community online. You can find Lucy online at www.wanderluce.com and her podcast is What She Said.