Hashtag Authentic - for creatives, dreamers & business owners online
125 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 159 ratingsA podcast for dreamers, makers and creatives who want to grow their online business without having to sell their soul.
In each episode, certified coach and UK Instagram Expert Sara Tasker and her guests share inspiring stories, practical strategies and social media insights to help you create the life, presence and business of your dreams.
meandorla.substack.com
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Episodes
Dignity in the doing, with Annabelle Hickson
October 14, 2019 05:00 - 40 minutes - 36.6 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Annabelle's journey to becoming an accidental florist The pitfalls of renovating an old house The joy of engaging in the nature around you Creativity and 'dignity in the doing' Finding beauty in the mundane Using real life experiences to connect with your audience Annabelle's podcast, and the challenges of public speaking when you're really more of a writer Being a 'webtrovert' (an introvert who blossoms online) Forming real friendships through ...
Ten things to do when it feels like you're failing
October 07, 2019 05:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBMy book, Hashtag Authentic* My blog and website meandorla.co.uk Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Dreaming about what you're really good at, with Chupi Sweetman
October 07, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Chupi's journey so far, and how she was inspired by her mum Being homeschooled in Ireland Her early years in business, writing a cookbook as a teenager and being scouted for Topshop at 21 Working alongside her husband Why you should focus your dream on what you are really good at Why you should employ people who are better at their job than you are How social media has helped Chupi's business grow Winning awards including Irish Tatler Women of th...
Using Instagram to figure out your dreams, with Naomi Bulger
September 30, 2019 05:00 - 38 minutes - 34.8 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Naomi's background in media, marketing and journalism Naomi's role in Me & Orla How the Insta Retreat helped Naomi grow her Instagram and her business The 'Instagram vernacular', and the importance of creating for your audience Why it's vital to recognise and acknowledging your dreams The importance of leaving scope for your dreams to evolve The magic of indulging your passions and interests Links mentioned in this episode: My next Instagram cla...
Lessons learned from taking time out
September 23, 2019 04:20 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBMy next Instagram class, enrolling 1st October My first Instagram post back My book, Hashtag Authentic* (yes, I'm probably going to link to this in every show notes for the rest of eternity...what of it?) 24/7: Late Capitalism and The End of Sleep* TiredTrauma on Tumblr * denotes affiliate links Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
LIVE in Edinburgh, Sara Tasker and Dominique Davis in conversation
September 23, 2019 04:20 - 1 hour - 72.3 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Dominique's journey to 500k + followers. Behind the scenes of All that is She Setting and following Instagram trends Playing the Insta game, and why being authentic is better than following trends Introducing 'boy Dom' Juggling a family life whilst running a business from home Money shame, and why it's difficult to talk about financial success What Dominque's average day looks like The real story of how much work a sponsored post takes to create...
LIVE in London, Sara Tasker and Dolly Alderton in conversation
September 23, 2019 04:20 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBMy book, Hashtag Authentic* Dolly's book, Everything I Know About Love* Dolly's new novel, Ghosts - available for preorder here My Instagram (@me_and_orla) Dolly's Instagram (@dollyalderton) Dolly's Twitter (@dollyalderton) Brene Brown / vulnerability hangovers* Our sponsor for the event, Mirabeau wine My next Insta Retreat class * Indicates affiliate links Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
#PODSTRIKE
September 20, 2019 00:00 - 3 minutes - 4.34 MBhttp://www.podstrike.net/ Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
LIVE in Manchester, Sara Tasker and Laura Jane Williams in conversation
April 01, 2019 13:30 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Reading from Hashtag Authentic's introduction How I started out on Instagram by seeking beauty in an uncompromising environment My previous job, working in speech therapy for the NHSWhy communication is central in everything I do Why I believe it's ok to create a 'highlight reel'Why visuals are the best communication tool My chronic illness (dysautonomia), and how this impacts on my workWhat my average day looks like Spoon theory My initial visi...
Essential Wisdom for Working Women, with Otegha Uwagba
March 03, 2019 23:48 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Why Otegha left her career in advertising for freelance life Starting a business by following interests and opportunities, instead of by intent When your personal brand is your real self, and how this can help weed out inappropriate clients Not worrying about being liked by everyone - and not putting everyone else's needs above your own Reclaiming words like 'marketing' and 'entrepreneur', and the different ways to build a business that balance pers...
Behind the scenes of my book deal & writing process
February 21, 2019 00:46 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBThings I talk about in this episode: A reading of one of the sections in Hashtag Authentic - Our Visual Culture Why I ended up working directly with a publisher without an agent - and why I'll do it differently next time What happened when my publisher retired mid-way through the process How self doubt showed up for me during the writing process, and how I (re)learned to advocate for myself What the book's about, and digging into the different chapters One of my fave photos I've ever t...
Fashion blogging, fast fashion & accountability with Erica Davies
February 12, 2019 23:41 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Erica's move from working as a journalist and fashion editor to running her own 'mini magazine' on her Instagram & blog The impact of showing your real self online Moving away from London - and how this brought Erica clarity on her brand and voice Being a 40-year-old, size 12-14 fashion blogger - and why there's the need for every kind of body on Instagram Ways to make money as a fashion influencer - sponsored posts, ongoing brand partnerships, affi...
The Inside Scoop on Using Pinterest For Growth
January 30, 2019 00:37 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBThings we talk about in this episode: What is Pinterest, and why you should be using it Advice and top tips on how to get the best out of Pinterest for your business Updates on new Pinterest tools How to organise or repurpose your boards An introduction to Pinterest Themes The joy of planning your pins and boards Using Pinterest as a visual search engine Why you should upgrade to a business account Links mentioned in this episode: Lauren Laverne on Pinterest Pinterest 100 - The to...
Planning, organising and editing your life, with Anna Newton
January 20, 2019 22:24 - 45 minutes - 42.2 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Anna's new book - An Edited Life How Anna got started online How our favourite platform online can change and evolve The importance of following your interests How Anna built an audience that has grown and evolved with her The importance of planning and structure when managing your social media accounts How to do YouTube if you're camera-shy Dealing with critical comments/reviews Anna's epic organisation skills, and how we can all be a bit more ...
How diet culture is stopping you from playing bigger, with Laura Thomas PHD
January 10, 2019 17:24 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Laura's new book - Just Eat It Laura's career path and journey to Intuitive Eating, and how podcasting shaped her career Defining 'diet culture' why it's unhealthy for you, and it's relationship with the patriarchy Challenging BMI negativity, and why it's a poor indicator of risks to health and disease Laura defines Intuitive Eating, and it's physical and mental health benefits How to spot bad nutrition advice Busting the myths around diets, 'unh...
Diving into your Discomfort Zone, with Farrah Storr
January 07, 2019 03:05 - 42 minutes - 39 MBThings we talk about in this episode: Farrah's new book - The Discomfort Zone Farrah career path, and the role failure and discomfort have played The 'London bubble', and why you don't need to be in it to succeed in print media Breaking down the barriers of starting out in journalism, and the need to diversify the media The challenges faced by young people today, and the concept of "generation snowflake" Whether women - or anyone - can ever really 'have it all', or should even want to ...
Setting 'tingly' goals for the New Year, With Hannah Bullivant
December 19, 2018 01:09 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBThe New Year is a natural time for setting goals, plans and intentions - so why do so few of us wind up making them actually happen? And worse, why do they always feel so grim? This week I chat with stylist and writer Hannah Bullivant about her 'January Book' ritual, how it's helped her in her family and professional life, and how setting kind and compassionate goals for ourselves can lead to the kind of leaps forward that we've often been craving. We also talk about finances, self doubt, la...
Carving out your own corner of the internet, with Interiors blogger Kate Watson Smyth
December 12, 2018 01:28 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MBKate Watson Smyth is a powerhouse in the interiors world. A blogger, journalist, podcaster, author and interiors consultant, Kate has the kind of in-depth knowledge and strength of voice that can only come from years of creativity, hard work and life experience. In this episode she shares her route to where she is today, the importance of tenacity and showing up, and how to carve out your own space online with plenty of her trademark humour, insight and passion. Get full access to Entre Nou...
Creating irresistible imaginative Instagram imagery, with Dasha Pear
November 20, 2018 22:18 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBDasha Pears is a conceptual photographer with a unique and magical voice and style. This week Dasha shares how she stays true to her creative voice and delivers value and magic – whether she’s creating for her own pleasure, for her devoted Instagram audience or for one of the brands she works with worldwide. An unmissable episode for anyone at an early stage of building their creative dreams, struggling to find their true style, or who is curious to know about the process behind such incredi...
Brilliant public speaking on your own terms with Viv Groskop
November 06, 2018 23:12 - 56 minutes - 52.2 MBPublic speaking falls outside of the boundaries of the comfort zone for many of us, but is an indispensably valuable skill in many creative careers. In this episode, Viv Groskop, journalist and writer turned stand up comedian, shares the different ways we can show up and truly own the room – without having to compromise on who we truly are. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Making, Saving and Losing Money as a small business or freelancer, with Niki Groom
October 24, 2018 22:36 - 1 hour - 63 MBWorking for yourself can mean years of feast and famine, financially - and nobody seems to mention it. This week I talk to fashion designer turned illustrator Niki Groom, about what makes the difference, sticking with your dreams, and building a secure financial future. Full show notes: https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast55-2-2/ Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
A Cure for Comparisonitis with Lucy Sheridan
October 14, 2018 21:36 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBComparison and envy can sneak into pretty much any area of our lives, and it's seldom pretty. Comparison coach Lucy Sheridan has made it her life's work - and the focus of her business - to get to the heart of those feelings, and help people live a life free from its clutches. https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast54/ Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Using Viral Content to Boost Your Brand with Present & Correct
October 02, 2018 22:01 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBNeal Whittington is the creative mind behind online stationery wonderland, Present & Correct. I’ve followed him online for a long time not only for his store’s range of glorious paper goods, but because his social media is always a treasure trove of unusual links, on-brand curiosities and visual delights. In this episode we talk about the magic of content curation as well as creation to support and elevate an online brand. Neal shares his tricks for finding shareable content, staying active ...
When you don't know what your talent is, with Carly Rowena
September 25, 2018 22:10 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBWhen you don't know what your talent is, with Carly Rowena by Sara Tasker Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Journaling & Writing For Happiness, with Megan C Hayes PHD
September 19, 2018 03:46 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBMy guest this week has spent ten years researching writing, and the psychology of happiness. Author and Academic Megan C Hayes believes the two can be firmly intertwined, and has developed a framework - the Positive Journal® approach - to help anyone pick up a pen and start feeling more positive. In this episode we explore her background online, the psychology and neuro-science behind writing your heart out, and how it can all come together to make magical things unfold. Get full access to ...
Finding Your Why, With Kayte Ferris
August 15, 2018 02:00 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBFind your why, with Kayte Ferris. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Building A Creative Business From the Ashes Of Your Old Life
July 04, 2018 02:15 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBSyreeta Challinger started her lifestyle brand and online studio, Moments of Sense and Style, following a total upheaval of her and her partner Rob's life. Life changed in a heartbeat when Rob suffered a severe stroke and brain haemorrhage whilst on holiday in Sydney, Australia, miles from home, friends and family. Since then both Syreeta and Rob have had to find a new home, new ways of living and a new sense of purpose in their life together, and M.O.S.S. became the phoenix that emerged fro...
Instagram and Photography as creative therapy, with artist Carolyn Mara
June 27, 2018 03:03 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBInstagram gets a lot of criticism for having too much styled content and not enough reality - but sometimes staged, planned imagery can still be heartbreakingly honest. Artist and photographer Carolyn Mara uses her camera and Instagram as away of working through the difficult parts of her life, and expressing emotions or experiences that are harder to put into words. This week we talk about how she discovered this technique, how it has helped her, and why she believes we all need creativity...
Why We Still Need Real-Life Workshops, With Flore Vallery-Radot
June 20, 2018 02:33 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBPhotographer and videographer Flore has had an eclectic journey through marketing and running an online textile store to the work she does now, and along the way one thing has been essential to her growth: workshops, with other creatives. This has left her with a burning passion to create these types of events herself, to help fellow floundering creatives connect, skill up and develop their ideas to make their big dreams come to fruition. This week we chat about why the difficult business mo...
Publishing, Agents & Book Deals, With Abigail Bergstrom from GLEAM
June 13, 2018 04:27 - 45 minutes - 42 MBHow many of us dream of someday writing a book? For this week's episode I sat down with Abigail Bergstrom, head of publishing at Gleam Titles, the forward-thinking literary division of digital-first talent agency Gleam Futures, to grill her all about the inside world of publishing, the future of books, and how online creatives can find a route in to making those book dreams a reality. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Instagram, Venice and Cookbooks, With Skye McAlpine
June 06, 2018 03:15 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBThis week I talk to Venice-based food writer and blogger Skye McAlpine. Skye's first cookbook, 'A Table In Venice' came out last month, and represents years of work developing her skills as a cook, writer and photographer through her blog and Instagram account. We unpack the process of writing a book, teaching yourself photography and creating the perfect Sunday lunch. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Instagram Truth vs Instagram Reality, With The Slow Traveler
May 04, 2018 02:40 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBMy guest this week is Carolyn Stritch, aka The Slow Traveler. She’s a freelance photographer based in the North of England, although her account often depicts dreamy locations from idyllic destinations around the world. She might seem to be living the Instagram dream life, an impression she’s aware of, and wanted to question a little in a recent 'self sabotage' project she staged on her 200k+ Instagram account. I called her up to try and understand more about her motivations, what she learn...
Building A Courage Habit & Living Alongside Our Fears, With Kate Swoboda
April 18, 2018 03:36 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBKate Swoboda, aka Kate Courageous, started out as a life coach but found herself consumed by the question of courage. Kate's work and our conversation in this episode looks at courage as it relates to personal development, releasing overwhelm, business and marketing, money mindset, wellness, increasing emotional resilience, and healthy goal-setting using habit-formation techniques. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Why It's Never Too Late to Grow Your Instagram, With Bookish Bronte
April 04, 2018 05:05 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MBDo you ever feel like you've missed the boat on Instagram? 21-year-old Bronte Huskinson has grown her account from 0 to over 30k since early 2017, leading to a book photography business, influencer work, a blog and a strategically planned future writing career. We first met when she took my Instagram course in late 2016, and so I called her up to talk about how it's never too late and why there's everything still to play for on a platform like Insta. Special shoutout to my budgie Jack who c...
Building An App-based Business, & Mindfulness & Meditation For Creatives With Andrew Johnson
March 14, 2018 03:51 - 42 minutes - 39.5 MBMy guest’s voice might be familiar to some of you. Andrew Johnson has built an empire of apps, combining his background as a clinical hypnotherapist with his love of tech and self proclaimed “Apple fanboy” interests. His soft Scottish accent has been a staple on my iPhone for a number of years now, guiding me through meditations on topics such as anxiety, relaxation, sleep problems and negative thinking. He’s an expert both in his work of meditation and in building an online business, and I ...
How to be brilliant on Twitter, With Samantha Kelly
March 02, 2018 03:19 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MB"You can't underestimate the power of human connection and how you make people feel." Samantha Kelly is an Irish entrepreneur, TED X speaker and Twitter expert. Her first business was creating a pack for girls beginning their period - a brave step in Ireland, where conservative religious values around women's sexual health often still prevail. From there she went on to craft an expertise in social media, and build a network for other women working for themselves looking for support, advice a...
Going 'Online Only' & Being Raw On IG Stories, With Charlotte Jacklin from Betty Magazine
February 15, 2018 12:48 - 54 minutes - 50 MBCharlotte Jacklin took the decision in 2017 to take Betty Magazine from a print publication to an online brand. We talk about jumping before being pushed, being totally unglam on Instagram Stories and the surprising pleasure of Facebook groups. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
'Crazy Creative People' - Building A Creative Business Around Mental Illness, WIth Beth Kirby
January 31, 2018 04:59 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBIf you've ever spent any time on Pinterest, Instagram or reading recipe blogs, you're probably familiar with Beth Kirby's work. What you might not realise is that she built her incredible, unstoppable, heartbreakingly aspirational brand off the back of a diagnosis of Bipolar disorder and a failed marriage with zero photography experience - and she's more than happy to tell you about it! Beth's work has inspired me for a long time, so it was a lot of fun to finally get to chat with her 1 on 1...
Building a Multi-hyphen Career With Emma Gannon
January 17, 2018 04:02 - 56 minutes - 52.2 MBMy guest this week is author and broadcaster Emma Gannon, who has used the internet as a springboard to multi-hyphenated success. Emma’s written for every major publication going. Her first book, Ctrl Alt Delete came out in 2016 to much critical acclaim, and her podcast of the same name has taken the charts by storm ever since. Now finishing work on her second book, we talk today about success, money, multi-hyphenated careers and our shared experiences and observations of carving one out. G...
Using Pinterest To Make Your Work Go Viral, With Megan Auman
January 10, 2018 02:37 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBThis week I chat with metalsmith and fellow digital marketing nerd Megan Auman. Pinterest is far and away the number one traffic referrer for Megan's jewellery business - so much so that she's gone on to teach classes in her strategies. We talk about all our favourite platforms, the differences between them, and the rare and magical marketing strategies out there that can also be tools for self love. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Stopping the Glorification of 'Busy', With Jen Carrington
December 08, 2017 04:14 - 1 hour - 58.5 MB"We think our worth is from how hard we burn ourselves into the ground." This week I caught up with my friend and creative coach Jen Carrington for one of the whirlwind conversations we always have when we're together. We both talk fast and dive into tangents, so this is a much more informal natter than the usual 'interview' you might be used to here, but it's jam-packed with insight, experience and hopefully, things to make you nod and smile along. Jen and I also share details towards the e...
Instagram Updates You Need To Know About
November 29, 2017 02:47 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBIt's a solo episode this week, and a pretty technical one too, looking at some of the big changes we've seen on Instagram over the past year. In this episode I'll cover a bit of an algorithm update, shoppable photos, what's going on with the 'top 9' hashtag grid, the new features for Stories and Live, and how you can use some of these things to help your account grow. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
How to Write Spellbinding Instagram Captions, With Laura Jane Williams
November 22, 2017 03:29 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBMy guest this week is author, journalist and storyteller Laura Jane Williams. I first met Laura when we were both presenting at the Blogtacular conference a couple of years back, shortly after the publication of her first book. Since then she's written a second, follow-up memoir and taught the secrets of her storytelling magic at workshops, classes and courses online. She writes with spellbinding beauty across multiple platforms, including the most exquisitely crafted instagram captions, so ...
The Digital Butterfly Effect, With Jon Ronson
November 15, 2017 02:24 - 35 minutes - 33.1 MBOne of my favourite things about this podcast is that it gives me the excuse to have really interesting conversations with people whose work I adore. This week is the perfect example, and something of a fangirl moment for me, as my guest this week is writer and journalist Jon Ronson. If you're lucky, you'll all have come across his work already - his books include The Men Who Stare At Goats, The Psychopath Test, So You've Been Publicly Shamed and Frank, some of which have already been adapt...
Instagram, Influencers and Algorithms, With Nik Speller
November 08, 2017 02:55 - 54 minutes - 50.5 MBNik and I met when we were both presenting on a panel in London a few months back, and I loved what he had to say. So much of what Nik and I had to say dovetailed together perfectly, and I immediately knew I needed to bag him for the podcast so you could all soak in some of his wisdom on all things internet, social media and influencer marketing too. In this episode we talk about how Instagram and social media have evolved, and the role influencer marketing has had to play in that. Nik sh...
Columns, Newsletters & Book Deals, With Dolly Alderton
October 25, 2017 01:41 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBDolly Alderton is a writer, author, director and journalist, with a weekly podcast to boot. I met her earlier this year when we were panelists at an event in London alongside Emma Gannon, and I found so much of what she said in her answers really resonated and stayed with me. As you'll hear in the following conversation, she's a witty, self possessed and savvy woman, living the dream as a freelance writer & creative in London. Her first book, Everything I Know About Love, is out in the Sprin...
Selling Your Work Without Feeling Weird & Uncomfortable, With Tara Swiger
October 18, 2017 02:53 - 36 minutes - 34.1 MBTara Swiger is a coach for people who make or create products they're passionate about, helping them to build profitable businesses. Her episode on finding your right people is one of my all time favourites I've recorded so far, so I invited her back on to tackle some of the issues I hear about again and again from people in our community here - specifically, how to sell ourselves without feeling awful, and dealing with vulnerability. Tara always brings incredible value to everything she doe...
Call Your Work By Its Real Name
October 11, 2017 04:37 - 9 minutes - 11 MBOne subject we've touched upon in previous episodes, and that I see coming up again and again with the people who take my courses or the women I mentor is this issue: 'what do I call myself?' In this week's mini episode, I'm sharing why I encourage everyone to take themselves and their work seriously, and not shy away from the big job titles of our dreams. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Brand Styling and the Psychology of Colour, with Fiona Humberstone aka The Brand Stylist
October 04, 2017 04:03 - 43 minutes - 40.4 MBFiona Humberstone empowers entrepreneurs to create powerful brands. A bestselling author and fearless entrepreneur, we met, somewhat randomly, on a ship in the Thames earlier this summer, where I was struck by her insight, enthusiasm and warmth. I called her up to give us all a crash course in branding, colour psychology and what it can offer our creative work and businesses. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe
Owning Your Opinions In Print, With journalist Hadley Freeman
September 27, 2017 03:06 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBThis week's episode is a bit of a fangirl moment for me - Hadley Freeman, author, journalist and Guardian columnist is somebody whose writing and wisdom has inspired me for a number of years. She kindly gave me some of her time to talk about her career path, sharing your opinions for a living, and dealing with feedback from commenters and twitter trolls alike. Also, just a heads up that there's some adult language in this episode. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/su...