The Soap Box Podcast

What happens to your values as leaders and business owners when the rubber really hits the road?In this timely and critical episode, we explore what it truly means for businesses to live their values—not just when things are easy, but when it really counts. Recorded just a week after Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, this conversation comes at a pivotal moment as businesses across the U.S. face unprecedented challenges. With new executive orders and shifting workplace dynamics, how can leaders ensure they’re supporting and protecting their teams in meaningful ways?Our guest, Lisa-Maree Blumenfeld, is the founder of Retain, a HR consulting firm that has been helping startups and mid-sized companies build strong, compliant, and values-driven cultures for years. With over 25 years of experience across fast-growing startups and established corporations, she brings a rare blend of expertise, empathy, and real-world insight into how businesses can uphold their principles when it matters most. Currently, she’s also the co-founder and COO of Eleven, a communication platform designed to help empower leaders to up level conversations with their teams. Lisa-Marie joins us to share her expertise and practical insights on how businesses can navigate these turbulent times while staying true to their core values.This isn’t your typical HR conversation about policies and procedures. We talk about:The executive orders Trump signed upon taking office and their impact on businesses and employees.How companies can move beyond messaging to take meaningful action in supporting their people.The challenges of speaking out against injustice while maintaining professional boundaries.The delicate balance between responding to emotion and panic versus focusing on facts.Strategies for leaders to create a supportive, purpose-driven workplace during politically charged times.If you’re a business leader or founder navigating these difficult decisions and striving to build a purpose-driven company, this conversation will challenge you to think about how your values show up in the real, everyday experiences of your employees.Grab a coffee, settle in, and listen as Lisa-Marie gets on her soap box about leadership, integrity, and the real-world implications of living your company’s values.Resources & Links:Email Lisa-Maree at lisa@retainhr.comConnect with Lisa-Maree on LinkedInLearn more about RetainExplore Eleven Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

What does it mean to belong, and why is it so important to us?In this episode, we dive deep into the profound concept of belonging with Amena, a Belonging & Emotional Resilience Strategist and Coach, who helps high-impact, high-integrity leaders master the skills to foster cultures of belonging.Together, we explore why belonging is so vital to our survival and well-being, the shifts in DEI language, and the challenges and complexities of creating inclusive environments. Amena shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting how the physical and emotional impacts of non-belonging can often be detrimental.She also talks to us about her new venture into sourdough baking, and how it intertwines community, resilience, and systemic change. An enlightening conversation that promises to reshape your understanding of belonging.You're going to need your notebooks for this one; so grab your coffee, and listen to Amena get on her soap box!Amena on LinkedInHannoun Sourdough Kickstarter CampaignAmena’s website Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

In this episode, we explore the intersection of politics, exercise, and social justice with Donna Noble, the inspiring Founder of CurvesomeYoga and a leading advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in wellness.Donna has been a yoga teacher since 2011, teaching all over the UK, India, and the US, and is known for her immersive yoga experiences that prove everyBODY is a yoga body. She’s also the author of Teaching Body Positive Yoga, a Wellbeing Coach, and a public speaker with over 20 years of corporate experience, bringing a unique perspective to wellness for high-achievers. Her work has been featured in Dazed Magazine, The Guardian, Women’s Health Online, and more. And it is Donna’s mission is to make yoga and wellbeing accessible, diverse, and meaningful for everyone.Donna discusses how exercise is inherently political, addressing the barriers women and minority groups face in accessing wellness due to societal pressures, racial identity, and capitalism. We delve into the disparities in exercise participation and how these inequalities affect women's health. Donna shares her journey in making yoga inclusive and accessible for all body types and advocates for body positivity. She also provides insights into creating safe, judgment-free spaces in yoga and emphasises the importance of nonviolence and compassion in both personal and social contexts.Tune in for a transformative conversation about the political dimensions of exercise and the power of slow movement and self-acceptance in a fast-paced world.Body Positive Weekend Yoga Retreat (6th - 8th June)Instagram: @donnanobleyoga / @curvesomeyogaFacebook: @donnanobleyoga / @curvesomeyoga Donna's Website Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

What comes to mind when you picture a leader? For many, it’s the same old stereotype: a white man in a suit, speaking and acting in a particular, "traditional" way. This narrow vision of leadership shapes how we see ourselves, particularly if we're women, and whether we even see ourselves as leaders at all. But what if there’s a different way?In this episode, I’m joined by Sarae Pratt, a coach and trainer for women in traditional male or male-dominated roles and industries. She helps them thrive with joy and confidence, free from self-doubt and burnout, by refining their authentic, sustainable leadership style.We dive into the social pressures and stereotypes that hold women back, the "good girl" expectations ingrained in us, and how these patterns impact leadership and workplace culture. Sarae also shares how she helps individuals and teams unlock their unique leadership style, creating more effective and inclusive organisations.It’s an inspiring conversation about breaking cycles and reshaping leadership to reflect who we truly are. Grab your coffee and tune in—you won’t want to miss Sarae get on her soap box!Follow Sarae on InstagramFind Sarae on FacebookFollow Sarae on LinkedInSarae's WebsiteEmail Sarae Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

With rumours circulating, often planted by right-wing media, suggesting that everyone's taxes are going up and that Labour had lied in their campaigning, there's a notion that we’re heading back to the 1970s in some vague way. In light of this, I thought it best to hop on my soapbox and share my thoughts on the matter: taxes are awesome. Yes, I said it.As we approach the budget announcement where the chancellor will set various tax levels, there’s another frustrating semantic debate about what “working people” actually means. We shouldn’t be arguing over whose class qualifies as working people just to rejoice in not having our taxes raised. Instead, we should be using clear examples on a giant whiteboards to explain why paying taxes is great.Every time you pay your tax bill, you're not just funding government services; you're investing in future entrepreneurs, schools, hospitals, and the next generation of innovative thinkers. If we want a society where people can be happy, successful, safe, and supported, we need to recognise that, until we overthrow capitalism, we're going to have to pay for it.This is perhaps the simplest way we can contribute to building the kind of society we want to see. And I really believe we should start rethinking how we view our role in society.In this episode, I share three reasons why taxes are, in fact, awesome, and why we should want to pay them. Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

What does your bookshelf look like? Is it a towering stack of paperbacks you bought with the best intentions, or are you more of a digital reader with a Kindle full of interesting titles? One side of my house is pretty much completely covered in books, and while I’ve read a lot of them, a good chunk are there just waiting to be cracked open. And amongst those books are a lot on allyship and anti-racism, some of which were bought around the Black Lives Matter protests.In this episode, I talk to Lucy Lucraft, a passionate podcast producer and former award-nominated journalist who helps creative women grow their own podcasts. Lucy is committed to amplifying voices that often go unheard, and as an intersectional feminist, she focuses on working with those who genuinely care about making a difference in the world.We dig into the idea that simply buying or reading more books isn’t enough. What really matters is how we use that information to make real change in the lives and communities around us. Lucy shares her experience running an online business as a marginalised person and explores the need to deconstruct our thinking shaped by the patriarchy and white supremacy. We also discuss the significant damage caused by white feminism and its connections to broader societal issues.This conversation is packed with thought-provoking questions and insights, leaving me, and hopefully you, with a greater understanding of how to move forward as an ally—beyond just adding another book to your shelf. So, brace yourself, get your notebook ready, and listen to Lucy get on her soapbox!Follow Lucy on InstagramFollow Lucy on TikTokLucy's Website Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

Sometimes, it's the most unlikely personal circumstances that push us into the careers we end up in. I never thought I would go into business and marketing, but a pandemic and a blog about being widowed set me on this path—right here in your earbuds, discussing how you can champion the causes you care about in your messaging.In today’s episode, our guest’s journey toward their current career also began with grief. Stella Gold is a rebirth and wealth coach for changemakers, coming from a lineage of activists. They are the founder of My Gold Standard, a strong advocate for wealth activism, liberation from oppressive systems, and collective care. My Gold Standard's work blends wealth and business coaching, and yes, we're back on the money today—exploring grief, death, and spirituality.Stella believes in using business as an ecosystem for financial solidarity, focusing on resourcing both ourselves and the collective to create a more just and liberating world. Their personal experience with grief led them to dive into the world of money and finance, and we share a similar story about navigating the “death admin” that follows losing a loved one—handling that at exactly the wrong time.We discuss the profound impact money has on our interactions with the world, the scarcity mindset many entrepreneurs face, and how Stella helps clients overcome that mindset while reframing their views on wealth.We're looking at these themes from a more spiritual standpoint and from the other side of the Atlantic compared to our conversation with Jess a few weeks ago. It’s an eye-opening and fascinating discussion, and I’m immensely grateful to Stella for their vulnerability and honesty. I can't wait for you to share in this experience with us!Wealth Expansion for EntrepreneursFollow Stella on InstagramStella's Website Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

How comfortable are you telling your story? I talk with a lot of creatives, copywriters, messaging strategists, and coaches—people who are really comfortable sharing stories about others as part of their work. They're comfortable at helping others tell their own stories, and are really happy to be advocates for them too. In my circles, there are a lot of individuals for whom advocacy and being other people's voices is a huge part of their personality and their passion. But how comfortable are you telling your own story?  Today, I'm speaking to Siobhan Strode, an incredibly wonderful and fabulous human being who is also a dear friend of mine. Siobhan is a word witch, a copy coach, and a mentor based in Devon, UK. With a background in education, activism, and politics, social justice is truly in her veins. She helps individuals raise their voices and lead the change they want to see in the world.We talk about her impressive political background (far more so than mine), the hidden stories of women throughout history, and the importance of sharing them. We also explore how, as cishet white women, we have a responsibility to address issues from our place of relative privilege. And she wraps up our conversation by sharing three tips for anyone feeling nervous about telling their own story.Siobhan is obsessed with women sharing their magic, whether that’s through their small biz or their next campaigns. When she’s not writing or shouting through a megaphone, you can usually find her on the beach with her kids and Strike, the family hound.Join us as we explore the power of storytelling and the importance of embracing our own narratives.Follow Siobhan on LinkedInFollow Siobhan on InstagramSiobhan’s websiteThis Sister Speaks waitlist Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

In today’s episode, I got the chance to geek out with a fellow youth professional, Lisa Kissane. Lisa is a website and sales page copywriter for service-based businesses that are dedicated to doing good for others. With her background as a social worker, we bonded over the importance of having a sense of purpose in our work.Lisa shared her experiences of feeling unrepresented as a woman without children—in literature, community, and even in language. She took us through her inspiring journey of developing a book club for non-mothers and the wider community she’s building. She’s the founder of Flow: The Non-Parent Network, a business networking group for people who don't have kids.Our conversation opened up intriguing avenues around cultural reference points, labels, assumptions, and the terminology we use every day—plus JD Vance's stab at childless cat ladies.Join us as we dive into an exploration of roles, nuance, and the significance of community!Follow Lisa on LinkedInThe Full Stop CommunityChildless CollectiveFlow: The Non-Parent Network (sign up for updates) - Launching soonThe NoMo Book Club - shining a light on literature featuring (and written by) non-mothers Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

How do you feel about money? In this episode, we dive deep into the emotional aspects of money and financial literacy with Jess Walker, a financial advisor and the founder of Bare Naked Money.Jess has been featured in The Times as one of the top 100 advisers to watch out for and is the author of Get Financially Fearless, a book that gives people the practical steps to harness their subconscious and grow their wealth.But, what truly excites Jess isn’t all those awards or recognition—it’s seeing that "light bulb moment" when people realize they can take control of their finances and make money work for them. She says that if she can help one more person understand their finances every single day that she’s on this planet, then she’ll die a happy lady.Jess joins us to discuss the importance of understanding your money personality, the impact of financial education (or the lack thereof), and how to develop a healthier relationship with money. She also shares her mission to help people get a better grasp on their finances and explains why financial literacy is so crucial, especially for business owners.Tune in to hear Jess’s story, her insights, and practical advice on making money work for you.Join Jess' email listDemystify investing with Jess' new courseGet Jess’ bookFollow Jess on InstagramFind videos on how to manage your money on Jess' YouTube Looking for more? Join The Soap Box Community - Peta's membership for businesses with a social conscience is now FREE! Come and join us to survive the current torrid political context! Follow Peta on InstagramFind Peta on LinkedInHire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging