Best Decibelle Creative Podcasts (2025)

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43. Animation, Ambition, and the 2026 Plan with Duncan Caterall-Mason 45:35

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3d ago45:35

45:35

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking: The Goal Experiments, animator and filmmaker Duncan Catterall-Mason talks to Leila Ainge on what it really takes to build a sustainable freelance career in the creative industries. They talk about ambition and burnout when you’re raising a family and trying to carve out time to network. Duncan shares his…

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A Healthy Power Portal: Taking Control of Your Vaginal Health with herbalist Kathie Bishop 41:13

8d ago41:13

41:13

In this episode of Herbcast, Marion Mackonochie talks with medical herbalist Kathie Bishop about vaginal health, why it’s so often overlooked, how the vaginal microbiome really works, and the herbal and holistic strategies that can make a difference. Kathie shares her personal story of recurrent thrush from childhood into her 30s, what finally help…

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From Italy With Love: Insights And Reflections From Our Reggio Emilia Study Tour 54:34

12d ago54:34

54:34

“You go there to learn about children — but you come back remembering who you are, and why you do what you do.” Harriet, Early Years Educator at Atelier In this very special episode of Atelier Talks, we’re reflecting on our recent team study trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy: the city that inspires so much of our practice and pedagogy here at Atelier. C…

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When kids swear 🤬! 31:24

11d ago31:24

31:24

There are swear words in this episode so please make sure that little ears aren’t listening 🙉 ...! This episode is all about when your child, all of a sudden, says a swear word (or something they think is a swear word!) and what you can do about it. We spoke about: How sometimes in families where there is so much swearing that the children don’t ac…

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42. The Psychology of Goal Setting: Flexibility, Identity & Belonging 18:26

14d ago18:26

18:26

Why do some goals stick while others fade? In this episode, psychologist Leila Ainge explores the psychology behind effective goal-setting — blending insights from real conversations with three guests and research on motivation, social identity, and resilience. You’ll hear how Rebecca, Jen, and Darren each navigate creative ambition, self-belief, a…

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41. Drawing Belonging: Darren Scotland on ambition and place, the goal experiments 48:04

18d ago48:04

48:04

Designer and illustrator Darren Scotland, founder of Ace of Place, joins psychologist Leila Ainge to talk about creative ambition, belonging, and the self-doubt that often comes with growth. Darren’s 2026 goal is to grow his business from a solo studio into a collaborative creative brand — one that celebrates homes, buildings, and the stories that …

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From Fees to 'Free' Places: What the Early Years Funding Changes Really Mean for Your Setting 1:04:37

26d ago1:04:37

1:04:37

“Our biggest priority is the children. But we can’t keep showing up for them at the level we want to if the system is this broken.” Clare Crowther - Director, Atelier “When there’s no consistency from one local authority to another, how are settings supposed to stay compliant?” This is one of the many questions we’re tackling in this episode of Ate…

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Looking after poorly kids 😕 41:58

26d ago41:58

41:58

This episode is all about looking after children when they are feeling under the weather and the bugs that they bring home from nursery and school (how is it that we sometimes feel so much worse than they do?!). We talked about lots of things you can do to help little ones feel better and more comfortable as well as: The time of year that children …

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40. From Procrastination to Publication — with Rebecca Slater 31:41

27d ago31:41

31:41

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge talks with Rebecca Slater, who’s setting a powerful goal for 2026: to write her first book. Together they explore what it really takes to move from wanting to doing — overcoming procrastination, creating time, and building habits that last. Rebecca shares how shift…

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39. Jen Vaughan on Balancing Nurture and Profit, The Goal Experiments 38:59

27d ago38:59

38:59

In this first conversation of The Goal Experiments, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge speaks with yoga teacher Jen Vaughan about the tension between giving and receiving, authenticity and marketing, nurture and profit. Together, they unpack what happens when care is your craft: how to claim space, ask for fair payment, and show up as your who…

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Women, Ambition & the Profit Silence 11:39

1M ago11:39

11:39

In this episode, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge explores the quiet tension many women experience in business — the space between ambition and the pressure to be “good.” Drawing on findings from Good Girl Economics, her research collaboration with Nicky Denson-Elliott, Leila examines why conversations about profit, visibility, and ambition …

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Endometriosis Naturally: Herbs, Healing & Hormones with Claire Goulding 44:21

29d ago44:21

44:21

In this episode of Herbcast, host Marion Mackonochie sits down with Claire Goulding, a medical herbalist and aromatherapist, to discuss the complexities of endometriosis and the natural ways to support those affected by this challenging condition. Claire shares her personal journey with endometriosis, revealing how her own experiences shaped her pa…

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Achieve, Belong, Thrive: Vanessa Dooley Unpacks The New OFSTED Inspection Toolkit 55:42

1M ago55:42

55:42

“Shine. Don’t shy away. This is your setting. You own it.” – Vanessa Dooley, Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy In this special guest episode of Atelier Talks, we’re joined by one of the most trusted names in Early Years consultancy: Vanessa Dooley, founder of Jigsaw Early Years and the voice behind the Get Inspection Ready podcast. Together, we unpack…

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Creating invitations to play! With Steph Williams from Mudpies and Sprinkles 32:33

1M ago32:33

32:33

Steph told us all about Mudpies and Sprinkles and how it began. It’s an outdoor play space for children (and Becks waxed lyrical about it!) - Steph’s love for watching children enjoying different elements of play really shone through. Steph hasn’t got any formal training and learnt what worked along the way and through her own children. We talked a…

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Your secret weapon against burnout and stress 21:56

1M ago21:56

21:56

Welcome to my favourite field, yes.. you heard that right. In this episode I'm talking about the suprising benefits of noticing a tree, field or bit of nature near to you.

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How to Stop Over-Striving and Start Feeling Fulfilled 19:51

2M ago19:51

19:51

What’s the real difference between joy, fulfilment, and striving? In this episode, psychologist Leila Ainge explores the psychology behind our endless chase for more—and why true joy often hides in life’s quieter moments. Drawing on research into hedonic adaptation and flow, Leila unpacks how to tell the difference between healthy ambition and the …

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Caring for Women with Cancer: How Herbs can Help with Herbalist Nadia Brydon 42:30

2M ago42:30

42:30

In this episode of Herbcast, Nadia Brydon shares with Marion her extensive experience in holistic cancer care, stemming from her personal journey. She discusses the importance of nutrition, emotional support, and various healing modalities in supporting women with cancer. Nadia emphasises the role of hydration, particularly through smoothies and ju…

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How To Grow Your Nursery Team into Leaders: Collaboration Over Hierarchy 1:04:32

2M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

“If somebody wants to step into leadership, they need to have opportunities to lead, and they need to know we’ll be there to catch them if they wobble.” Clare Crowther, Director This episode explores why collaboration, not hierarchy, builds sustainable teams in Early Years settings. Continuing on from where we left off in episode 12, we’re going ev…

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Crying at Nursery (or school) drop off? 38:00

2M ago38:00

38:00

Becks’s children both cried when they were dropped off at nursery so she knows exactly how this feels and Claire has lots and lots of experiences of children crying at drop off as a nursery manager. We talked about: How there are always going to be children who don’t like the separation moment; as Claire explains 9 times out of 10 they will be OK w…

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Networking For Women In Finance: Hilary Lewis On Building What Didn't Exist 42:00

2M ago42:00

42:00

"The system of networking has generally been made by men for men." Hilary Lewis Welcome back to wo0 pod, the unapologetic space where women refuse to be told what to wear or how to run their businesses. Hosted by Wendy Gannon (aka wo0), this podcast is part of Female Five Million, a movement lifting the voices of women who are done with playing sma…

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Unfiltered & Unapologetic: Women in Focus with Karen Staniland-Platt 47:44

2M ago47:44

47:44

What does it really mean to be seen? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, I sit down with Karen Staniland- Platt, a Manchester-based photographer and writer who’s passionate about capturing women as they truly are. We talk about what happens when women step in front of the camera: the nerves, the joy, the shift in self-image that can follow…

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Be the Leader You’d Want To Be Led By: Award Winning Early Years Leadership 44:27

2M ago44:27

44:27

“We want our team to have their voices heard, but we also need to have that strategic direction that we’re moving in.” – Clare Crowther, Atelier Nursery Director In this episode we’re unpacking the kind of leadership that underpins everything we do at Atelier, both in our nurseries and through our consultancy. We’re not about traditional hierarchy,…

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You are not that important: finding Joy and doing weird stuff with Hannah Isted. 43:21

2M ago43:21

43:21

Leila and Hannah explore the themes of joy, productivity, and marketing strategies. They discuss the importance of celebrating small wins, the awkwardness of creating B-roll content, and the psychological aspects of anticipation and joy. Hannah shares her journey of developing a 10-minute marketing approach, emphasizing the power of timers and gami…

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Nighttime dryness with Catherine Longland from Hygge Sheets 35:55

2M ago35:55

35:55

Unfortunately, Claire’s wifi wasn’t playing ball again in this episode, but Becks had a great chat with Catherine and this is what we talked about! Where the idea for Hygge sheets came from. Different ways night time dryness / potty training / wetting etc. are referred to. How Hygge sheets work. How you can tell when a child is ready to be dry at n…

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Navigating Complex Conditions in Practice with Simon Mills and Dr Christopher Etheridge 53:20

2M ago53:20

53:20

In this episode, Simon Mills engages in a deep conversation with long-time collaborator Chris Etheridge, about the intricacies of herbal medicine and its application in clinical practice. With over two decades of experience, Chris shares his journey into herbalism, inspired by cherished memories of his grandmother's herb garden and a lifelong passi…

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The Joy of being a Generalist (and specialist) with Katie Elliott 48:39

2M ago48:39

48:39

Wow, There's a big debate around being a generalist vs niching down, but this conversation with Katie proves that it takes specialist knowledge about specific industries and types of organisations to be a generalist in HR. I loved this chat so much. Katie Elliott is a CIPD qualified HR consultant and the founder of HR Katie. She has spent more than…

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Ancient Wisdom for Modern Fertility: Chinese Herbal Approaches with Naava Carman 49:17

2M ago49:17

49:17

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Fertility: Chinese Herbal Approaches In this episode of Herbcast, we hear the nuances of Traditional Chinese Medicine and how it intersects with modern biomedical practices and women’s health, particularly in the context of pregnancy and fertility challenges. Today’s guest is Naava Carman, traditional Chinese medicine prac…

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Tricky behaviour after nursery or school? 31:49

3M ago31:49

31:49

In this our 100th episode! We talked about: The importance of the transition from nursery / school to home but also for us going from work to home (especially if you are working from home!). How you can’t always be your ‘true self’, how things build up and how we have to hold it together when you aren’t at home and it comes out when you get home. S…

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A healthy herbal pregnancy the Ayurvedic way with Kate Siraj 44:49

3M ago44:49

44:49

In this episode of Herbcast, host Marion Mackonochie engages in a fascinating discussion with Ayurvedic practitioner Kate Siraj about embracing a healthy herbal pregnancy through the lens of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic Practitioner, Shadow Work Facilitator and co-founder of The Ayurveda Academy, Kate Siraj is a fully qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner (BSc A…

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Seeing Babies as Confident Capable Learners: How To Champion The Youngest Children In Your Nursery 45:01

3M ago45:01

45:01

“They amaze me every single day… They set themselves challenges, find solutions, and they are these mini scientists roving around our environment.” – Laura, Nursery Manager In this episode of Atelier Talks, we’re showing you what life at Atelier looks like through the eyes of our youngest children, our babies. As more children enter nursery at an e…

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To HRT or not-to-HRT? The herbal path through the menopause with Melinda McDougall 43:44

3M ago43:44

43:44

In this episode of Herbcast, host Marion Mackonochie talks with herbalist Melinda McDougall, a specialist in natural menopause support. Together, they navigate the complexities of menopause, addressing the pivotal question: to HRT or not to HRT? Melinda shares her extensive knowledge and experience, providing insights into the holistic approaches a…

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Simple September: Creating Stability for New and Returning Families at Nursery 40:34

3M ago40:34

40:34

“Put your big girl pants on. Be brave. Love your team. Support them. Enjoy your new families and build your community.” – Laura, Nursery Manager What dowe mean by ‘Simple September’ at Atelier? In this episode we’re discussing one of the busiest (and most important) times of the Early Years calendar: September. Whether you're welcoming new babies, …

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Birth Trauma and antenatal preparation with Trudi Webber from Make Birth Better 47:12

3M ago47:12

47:12

We know that for many families, birth doesn’t always go the way you hoped or imagined, and it can leave a lasting impact. In this episode, we spoke with Trudi about what birth trauma really means, why antenatal education is so important, and how parents can prepare for and recover from challenging experiences. Unfortunately in this episode Claire’s…

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Run With Me: A Short Episode on Mindset and Doing Hard Things 9:19

3M ago9:19

9:19

In this short episode, I’m taking you with me, literally, on a run. 🏃‍♀️ I share some reflections on mindset, what it really takes to do hard things, and how I’ve been finding my way back to the joy of running after losing it for a while. If you’ve ever felt stuck, slowed down, or unsure how to keep going, this one’s for you. Think of it as a movin…

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Period Pain: What's 'Normal', What's Not, and What Herbs Can Do About It with Rosemary Umolu 41:28

4M ago41:28

41:28

Period Pain: What's 'Normal', What's Not, and What Herbs Can Do About It In this episode of Herbcast, Marion Mackonochie talks with herbalist Rosemary Umolu, who is dedicated to supporting women through the complexities of menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. Together, they explore the often-overlooked topic of period pain, distinguishing betwe…

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Settling In at Nursery: How to Build Trust and Create a Confident Start 49:22

4M ago49:22

49:22

“It’s just holding the child at the centre at all times and the parent as well… and really, really love your families and your children.” – Laura, Nursery Manager In this episode of Atelier Talks, we’re looking into the reality of children starting nursery; what settling really looks and feels like, for children, for families, and for practitioners…

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Why doesn’t my toddler like their new sibling? 34:17

4M ago34:17

34:17

Not liking their new sibling isn’t necessarily a personal thing against the baby but this is a huge change and impact on a little one’s life. This episode is all about why this is and what you can do to help. We spoke about: How a 2 or 3 year old is going to find the arrival of a new little baby coming a very difficult concept to grasp and it's als…

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Is Imposter Phenomenon Blocking Your Joy?, Psychology-Backed Solutions 21:05

4M ago21:05

21:05

Ever feel like the imposter experiences are stealing your joy? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge unpacks the link between imposter phenomenon (known as syndrome) and joy, and why feelings of being a fraud can leave us drained instead of delighted. Drawing on psychology research and coaching practice, she explores the role of …

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The weight of Joy: Choosing joy, autistic joy and art. 23:04

4M ago23:04

23:04

Hello, in this episode you are getting a joyful mixed bag including the latest research on autistic joy, what we can take from two pictures in the National Portrait gallery. Leila delves into the concept of joy, distinguishing it from happiness and exploring its complexities. She discusses various psychological theories of joy, including the broade…

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Do The Herbs Work? Evidence, Tradition and the Science Behind Women's Health with Hananja Brice-Ytsma 40:21

4M ago40:21

40:21

In this episode of Herbcast, host Marion Mackonochie welcomes esteemed herbalist Hananja Brice-Ytsma, a fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists with over 35 years of experience. Together, they talk about the intricate relationship between herbal medicine and women's health, exploring the evidence, tradition, and empirical knowledge s…

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How to Bring Learning to Life with Projects and Provocations in Your Early Years Setting 41:13

4M ago41:13

41:13

“Educators observe deeply. They use what they see and hear to create opportunities for children to explore further, to dig deeper, and to build on their knowledge.” – Aaron Bradbury, shared by Lauren In this episode of Atelier Talks, we discuss one of the most central elements of our pedagogy: how we use projects and provocations to build deeply me…

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Preparing children for nursery! With Clare Crowther, Atelier Nurseries 37:12

4M ago37:12

37:12

Clare’s background has always been in early years - she is founder of Atelier nurseries which started in Bath and is now also in Chippenham in Wiltshire Lots of parents worry about starting their children at nursery and we knew that Clare was the ideal person to talk to us about it all – we covered so much, from choosing the right nursery, to settl…

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Does Your Environment Spark Joy? 46:04

4M ago46:04

46:04

In this conversation, Leila and Lisa explore the themes of joy, personal spaces, and the impact of nature on wellbeing. They discuss the importance of creating environments that spark joy, the connection between nature and mental health, and the significance of community and connection in both personal and professional lives. Lisa shares her journe…

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Step Inside Atelier: A Room-By-Room Tour Of Our Outstanding Nursery 46:09

5M ago46:09

46:09

“Always be unwavering in your commitment to rich, beautiful environments that children deserve to work and play within.” Clare Crowther, Atelier Director In this episode of Atelier Talks, we’re taking you on a full virtual tour of our OFSTED Outstanding rated nursery. From the baby nest to the studio, and from our piazza spaces to the garden room, …

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How Joy Moves 45:03

5M ago45:03

45:03

In this opening episode of The Joy Experiments, Leila Ainge speaks with brand strategist Ange Friesen about the messy, beautiful process of chasing joy in the middle of change. From swapping city life in London for a countryside Airbnb (complete with cows and no coffee machine) to redefining work, routine, and identity, this conversation explores h…

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The Joy Experiments: A New Season of Psychologically Speaking 4:49

5M ago4:49

4:49

Welcome to Season 3 of Psychologically Speaking, hosted by psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge. This season, we explore joy not as a feeling to define, but as an experience that moves us, connects us, and shapes how we live and work. In this short teaser episode, Leila shares the story behind choosing joy as her word of the year, the psychology…

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Potty Training Power Struggles! 36:24

5M ago36:24

36:24

When most of the time, the children you are potty training are toddlers, no wonder there are power struggles – and we are always asked about what to do when this happens! We spoke about: The most common potty training power struggles. Starting by trying to work out where the struggle is coming from – could it be a feeling of being out of control? P…

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How Herbalism Supports Fertility and a Healthy Menstrual Cycle 43:44

5M ago43:44

43:44

In this episode of Herbcast, host Marion Mackonochie welcomes esteemed herbalist Marie Reilly, who brings over 20 years of experience in medical herbalism to the table. With a rich background that includes a master's degree focused on female functional infertility, Marie shares her insights on how herbal medicine can effectively support reproductiv…

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How to Prepare for an OFSTED Inspection: Insights From Our Outstanding Nursery 43:04

5M ago43:04

43:04

“These inspections are our opportunity to show and tell. To celebrate what we’re doing day in, day out.” – Clare Crowther, Atelier Director Think of this episode of Atelier Talks as your essential guide to acing your nursery’s Oftsed inspection. We take you behind the scenes of our recent OFSTED inspection, which resulted in our Chippenham setting …

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Supporting children and young people with eating disorders – with Hannah McKie from SWEDA 47:42

5M ago47:42

47:42

SWEDA is a charity which supports people in the South and West of England who are affected by an eating disorder – the individual, friends, family member – anyone who is affected by food, eating or body image. We spoke about: Hannah’s background, how SWEDA was set up and the work that it does. How SWEDA can support neurodivergent children and young…