Welcome to our sixth season of Life & Smile and what a journey it has been so far! In our first episode of season six, we are thrilled to welcome the award-winning broadcaster, Nicola Bonn. We are turning the tables on her slightly, as you will no doubt instantly recognise her voice from the celebrated Outspoken Beauty Podcast.
Listen in full as Nicola reveals how she built her career and tips for how she makes it work on a daily basis. Plus of course, this episode wouldn’t be complete without Nicola revealing her little black book of what she can’t live without, plus much more!
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
The conversation opens with Nicola reminiscing about her early career plans – she initially wanted to be a singer and then a theatre director, and it all changed when she went to university and discovered student radio, where everything clicked into place. Her full focus was then on broadcasting, getting as much experience as she could so she had enough content for a demo. This strategy paid off as she was offered her own breakfast show just six months after leaving university.
This took her back to London, where her radio career really took off. She worked for some of the biggest radio stations in England.
Fast forward to having two children, it was during this time that she discovered how much she adored beauty and started writing a parenting blog that began attracting global attention. As her children got older, she diverted her writing focus to beauty and started a beauty podcast – Outspoken Beauty. Nicola then pivoted to turn this into her full career, which she has achieved very successfully.
For Nicola, her passion for beauty is not about what it is on the outside, but what it represents – taking inspiration from her beautiful grandmother and how beauty empowered the next generation, her own mother. Nicola loves the ‘moral side of beauty’, not making dramatic changes for people’s insecurity.
When it comes to working in the media industry, Nicola avoids trends, as the media moves so quickly, you would be constantly playing catch-up otherwise.
Nicola reveals how she loves wearing many hats in her work – hosting events, advising brands, and of course overseeing her podcast with a panel of over 600 women who try products as part of her podcast.
Having variety and the thrill of the chase is what drives Nicola. In terms of a typical day, her children ‘force’ her to have routine, and she generally knows what her week will have in store – whether it be being in London and going to events, but she also loves to have ideas and the opportunity for that ‘unexpected sparkle’.
Her advice for those starting out is that it’s a really good time to forge your own path, but know what your expertise is first and become a leader in your field.
And those items Nicola always keeps on her desk? A candle, nail file, and a special family photograph are her immediate top three.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
When everything clicks into place, you can really focus on what you want to do.
There is a magic in speaking to people – through radio and podcasts, you’re a friend.
Beauty is not just what is on the outside – it brings confidence, joy and empowerment.
Stick to what you believe in – and stay true to yourself.
If you follow trends, you will always be playing catch-up as they go around so quickly.
When you’re creative, you have the option to wear many hats.
You can’t just become an ‘influencer’, you’ve got to have something to say for yourself.
Building and growing a business and brand as an entrepreneur ensures your role is constantly evolving. Through this podcast, Life & Smile, the conversation has advanced rapidly by bringing together some of the most successful leaders across many and often contrasting industries.
In this episode, we bring it back to healthcare, or more specifically, to a healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand that celebrates, empowers, and serves current and future generations of healthcare professionals.
Introducing Bené Eaton – the Chief Marketing Officer at FIGS. With over a decade of marketing leadership, Bené has spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns for iconic brands in sports and fashion. Renowned for her ability to drive business results, harness innovative marketing tactics, and foster meaningful social impact, she adopts a consumer and community-centric approach in her work.
Driven by the purpose of uplifting others, Bené’s mission is to inspire all individuals to be their best selves. Join the conversation now.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
As a globally renowned brand, FIGS is, of course, the pioneering direct-to-consumer brand transforming healthcare apparel. Dr Reena opens the show by asking how they ensure FIGS stays one step ahead when it comes to technical breakthroughs in the latest launches and styles. Bené confirms that before, FIGS scrubs were a basic V-neck top and drawstring pants, and they wanted to create a uniform that was highly technical, comfortable, and stylish whilst having a constant feedback loop with healthcare professionals.
Serving the world’s healthcare professionals, FIGS is instantly recognised and, since day one, has been on a mission to improve the lives of healthcare workers globally.
Revolutionising the healthcare space was key, but not just focusing on selling products, rather creating a movement and showcasing healthcare professionals in a way they hadn’t been showcased before, telling their stories, and actually putting these individuals on billboards in Times Square, for example.
FIGS believe healthcare is human and their mission is to celebrate, empower, and serve those who serve others. The core values start with the phrase “if it were easy, everyone would do it,” inspired directly by healthcare professionals and the healthcare community at large—their perseverance and how they do their work.
In an industry that is constantly evolving, FIGS ensures it is “More than a uniform,” remaining one step ahead in such a competitive marketplace. Bené discusses how they achieve this by aiming to reflect the standard of excellence of healthcare professionals in their work.
When it comes to her own career, Bené’s own career has been driven by a love of storytelling and being a people person through and through, with a love of connecting, learning the art of what it takes to build an iconic brand, to tell stories, and how to weave emotion into touchpoints.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
If it was easy, everyone would do it.
As you get bigger and bigger as a brand, you have to keep the human connection.
Healthcare professionals are the most dynamic beings and functionality combined with the latest style is key.
Stay curious and be adaptable.
Focus on building skills across a wide range of areas – develop a broad skill base.
Have a relentless understanding of the community that you are serving.
In this episode of Life & Smile we turn the conversation to beauty and wellness (and covering everything in between) with a guest whose voice you will need no introduction to, as it’s immediately recognisable from her brilliantly addictive podcast Beauty Full Lives.
Madeleine Spencer joins Dr Reena on Harley Street, giving her expert take on the evolution of media, her career journey so far as a podcaster and journalist, and how she makes it work effortlessly on a daily basis. Plus, discover how her key interest in the topic of beauty began, just how she keeps her audience engaged, and, of course, her top recommendations to add to your little black book.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
The urge to write was with Madeleine every single day, from a very young age, so there was never any doubt that this would become her career focus. After completing several initial internships to gain experience, her early struggles with agoraphobia made things a bit more challenging, prompting her to pivot her approach. She then started a blog, which proved to be ideal as it allowed her to work from home and manage her condition more comfortably.
Madeleine found that the daily discipline and sense of purpose she gained from writing also helped ease her agoraphobia. She began working freelance, initially taking on whatever work she could find, which gradually led her into the fold of publications across many different spheres—a journey that eventually connected her with leading, well-respected publications. The most important part for her has always been the act of writing regularly and consistently, which remains integral to her happiness and fulfilment.
Madeleine has long been fascinated with beauty, having grown up in the vibrant eighties, and she finds make-up endlessly compelling and interesting. It amazes her that something you apply in the morning only to remove at the end of the day can bring so many people such deep joy and confidence.
As a journalist, Madeleine takes great care to remain engaged and excited by the content she produces. When she finds a topic intriguing, she hopes that her audience will feel the same way — a strategy that has, without a doubt, continued to captivate and compel her readers. She truly loves writing about subjects she genuinely enjoys, making the process fun and rewarding. When her readers connect with that enthusiasm and love her work as much as she does, it brings her immense happiness and satisfaction.
When asked to offer advice to her younger self, Madeleine emphasises the importance of remembering why you want to do it in the first place and sticking to your guns, especially in a highly competitive and challenging landscape. She stresses that caring deeply about your craft and resilience in the face of setbacks are crucial—because those setbacks can never be taken away from you, and often they provide a powerful push forward.
When it comes to the three ultimate desk items, Madeleine’s choice is clear: it must be the ultimate beauty trio—fragrance, a nourishing lip balm, and soothing hand cream—which bring a small but essential touch of comfort and joy to her workday.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Focus on what you’ve got in hand and do the best you can with it – if the quality of the work is high enough, it will get you to the next step.
Don’t overthink the bigger picture and focus on each small step on the ladder as you get there.
Look at what you can do with what you have. Comparing yourself to others, especially in a career that’s not linear, is not realistic.
Have an inner sense of why you’re doing something in the first place – if you get knocked back, get back up again.
The real riches can’t be taken away from you.
This episode of our sixth season will be one to take notes from, as Dr Reena is joined by Vishal Amin. As the Co-Founder of Until, the first members club and workspace for health and wellbeing professionals, Vishal is an inspiring entrepreneur renowned for sharing his insights on startups, leadership, and mindset.
From discussing everything from the landscape of the health and wellness industry to accountability and unlocking the potential in others, join now for a motivating listen from the Life & Smile Harley Street recording studio.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Vish opens the show by looking back at his beginnings as a classic playground entrepreneur – selling sweets, selling tickets to events, and learning first-hand the opportunities of entrepreneurship, a framework he has used throughout his life, starting in London and then moving to the US. It was during this time he truly learnt what business was really like, understanding what it takes in terms of work ethic, building a team, raising investment, and managing investment.
After selling some of these businesses, Vish started consulting, putting himself in the positions of industry leaders and working on multiple projects. It was here that he found his passion for unlocking the potential of others.
It was whilst at the height of his career and beginning to work with a personal trainer that his focus became fixed on health and wellness, and the overall impact this had on his life and performance, influencing his entire lifestyle. The landscape of the industry has been constantly evolving, and Until has come onto the scene as a disruptive start-up that’s changing the face of the health and wellness industry, providing game-changing opportunities. The members themselves have created a collaborative community and culture, carefully selecting the right people and giving them the freedom to manage their own businesses, thereby unlocking the freedom they need to thrive.
In terms of work/life balance, Vish considers this a relative term—it’s about having your own standard. One of the most important elements is picking your team and building the full network surrounding you.
The word ‘accountability’ is used a lot in the health and wellness sector, whether it be having an accountability partner when working towards health goals or simply, as an entrepreneur and leader, always taking accountability for your decisions. For Vish, this is not just about simply doing what you say you’re going to do but also knowing how to get back on track if you get diverted.
Regarding his day-to-day routine, he starts with structure and then stays reactive, being led by the diversity of his diary and schedule, which he considers key.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Drive is key – the more you succeed, the more drive you get.
Do what you say you’re going to do, and have methods in place for getting back on the horse when you fall off it.
Growing up you can spend way too much time worrying about what others think – let go of this and it will let you go out and be brilliant at what you do.
When you have the freedom to build your own business, you will thrive.
In our latest episode of Life & Smile, we are delighted to welcome Sophie Goodwin, the renowned Editor, Advisor, and Creative Strategist, to Harley Street.
You will now, of course, know Sophie as the Co-Founder of the agency Tiger’s Eye and as Special Advisor to the Director at the British Museum. Sophie is also the Creative Editorial Director for the interior and decorative arts title Cabana Magazine.
As an industry great, Sophie has held the title of Fashion Director at The Times Luxury and Tatler and is an expert on all things style and design.
Listen in full as Sophie reveals how she built her career and tips for how she makes it work on a daily basis. Plus, this episode wouldn’t be complete without Sophie revealing her little black book of what she can’t live without, and much more!
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
The show opens with a mini recap of Sophie’s bio to date – after completing a degree in Russian history, she felt a little lost, and her sister suggested a work experience opportunity that had opened at ES magazines, where Sophie ended up staying for seven years.
Sophie has always been ruled by how she feels about a situation, rather than knowing exactly what the end result was going to be. As soon as she walked into the ES offices, the whole room just made sense to her, and she knew this was the start of something. This was then the path for the career that followed.
The landscape of luxury is constantly evolving, and Sophie confirms there have been so many things that she has enjoyed doing, which have then led her to somewhere else, notably her consulting role at The British Museum. This role added to the intersection where fashion meets culture, meets art, meets life — a unique space where Sophie now finds herself. It is a progression from where she started but now feels very natural for her.
In terms of advice Sophie would give to her younger self or those about to embark on their own career journey, she would say to never stop learning and to give yourself permission to make mistakes, as this will give you lots of different perspectives on everyone else around you.
Sophie became a stylist and Fashion Director by a chance opportunity — saying yes and stepping in because her boss was ill and couldn’t attend a fashion shoot. Sophie considers the emotionality of fashion deeply, and how clothes make you feel like armour.
In terms of her proudest moments, it’s often the simplicity of completing things that Sophie perhaps hadn’t initially wanted to do. There have also been definite highs, such as styling the first cover for Tatler, which turned out to be the best-selling cover.
Sophie has been very privileged by being inspired and been given extraordinary advice by people she has worked with, something she now aims to pass on to members of her team and others she works with.
When it comes to day-to-day life, Sophie describes it as ‘happy chaos’, thriving off not being a routine person and preferring to be doing lots of things rather than just one thing.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Follow your instinct – a bit of naivety can make you indestructible.
You never stop learning – give yourself permission to also make mistakes along the way.
If you are trying to be perfect – what is that? People’s ideas of perfection are so different, and many people often become their most brilliant selves when they stop trying to be so.
The world is evolving and changing and the gift of life is experience.
Say yes – it will often be the making of your career, however petrified you may be.
There are very few moments in life that you actually get to celebrate – own them.
You become much more engaged with your own sense of superpower the older you become and you become very careful with who you spend your time with.
For our Life & Smile season six final we are thrilled to have whisked the musical theatre star Talia Palamathanan from the West End to Harley Street to join Dr Reena in conversation in our recording studio.
You may recognise Talia from her winning the award as the Best Newcomer at the 2024 Asian Media Awards and she is currently playing the iconic Jennifer Parker in the hit show Back to the Future.
Covering everything from her career journey to the media landscape and how Talia makes it work on a daily basis, get ready for an incredibly inspiring, fun and motivational episode to end this current season.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Talia’s family were always big fans of musicals, growing up with the classics. She started classes with her sister, amounting up to 17 per week, starting out as a hobby. Then, she got the lead roles in school plays, and she started out with a child agency, gaining experience of being on set.
Musical theatre was always on her radar, and it was after an audition for Matilda that her path became a game-changing journey to the West End. She then joined the Brit School, which was ideal for giving exposure to the 360-degree world of performing arts.
Her journey to the West End has been led by taking chances on multiple opportunities, building relationships, and knowing when to say yes, with her parents supporting her with the mentality of “you can always go back to school but you can’t go back to this.” Talia credits her parents for their full support, citing them as very, very driven people who have worked very hard to get to where they are.
The journey of starting out in the industry takes a lot of stamina and can also be socially challenging, as you are not always surrounded by your peers, so there is minimal time to bond.
When it comes to a typical week, Talia talks through her standard routine – performers usually do eight shows a week and have one day off a week, which she likes to prioritise for rest as much as she can, having a background of being on tour where there was not the opportunity to rest.
In terms of next steps, branching out into TV or film, radio, or presenting is the focus, and doing as many projects as she can. Long-term, she would like to continue and focus on inspiring change and diversity and helping others within the industry.
Crystals, photos, and sunglasses are her three day-to-day essentials – the ultimate dressing room additions.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
The right path will often be a natural progression – know when to take an opportunity and say yes.
Experience and work will ensure you grow up very fast.
Stamina is key – know how to refuel.
Friendships for the long term are key.
When you are doing something you love, it’s much easier despite a challenging schedule.
