We Bloom: Recent Episodes
We Bloom Podcast
We Bloom, a podcast that explores complex and difficult topics that we want to normalise, featuring informative convos with guests that have vital first-hand experience in them. We speak authentically, openly and aim to rid embarrassment or awkwardness by asking questions and sharing personal stories so we remove unnecessary judgment and stereotypes and promote new and fresh knowledge on the subjects we speak about.
This week we talk to spin extraordinaire Jenny Lawford @jennylawford master trainer at @gymboxofficial about exercise not being a one size fits all and how to begin having a healthy relationship with fitness. We delve into how to start getting your body moving if you are lacking motivation, how to stay consistent and make movement easily accessible as well as uncovering some behind the scenes PT goss and the impact hangover form the 90s attitude to weight, and food has had on us. We also dive into the menstrual cycle and how it effects our energy sleep and how it affects us all differently and talk about pizza, vine and sex and the city. The outcome is balance and living life to its full will help us to feel happy, healthy and have a dam good time. Love Sian and Rach x
This week our eyes were opened to Mental health first aiding by Mental health England trained Sarah @ sensitive.sanctuary We discuss how metal health first aiding should be in every work place because it increases important conversations, reduces shame about openly talking about mental health and the first aider can be a representative that people can trust who are also medically trained. We also dive into HSP – being a Highly Sensitive Person which really resonated with, Sian. We discuss what it means and how it is possible to deal with such huge waves of emotions compared to others by getting to know yourself, self acceptance and riding the amazing wave. Love Sian and Rach x
Episode 8 – Living with illness and grief ft Rosie Hardy and Naomi Thomas
Trigger warning for you all this week as we discuss two very poignant and moving topics – loss and cancer. Rosie Hardy @georgiarosehardy positively talks about the importance of time, staying at your pace and how personal the journey of grief is after losing a loved one. Naomi Thomas who lives with terminal cancer discusses how living with a diagnosis changes everything, the intensity of life and how you see and experience things differently. Naomi is the founder of incredible organisation ‘The Wedding wishing well’ that helps the terminally ill marry the loves of their lives. https://www.weddingwishingwell.org.uk/About-Us.html We have a very open, honest and real chat about incredibly tough, moving and inspirational chat with both Rosie and Naomi. We learn how important it is to ask questions and do the research to show our support. Love Sian and Rach x
Episode 7 – Style and size inclusivity This week we chat to phenomenal designer, influencer and size inclusive brand consultant Sara Brown @sarabrowndesign We jump straight into the boundaries between style and trends, how we grow and develop our unique styes and how Sara is challenging size inclusivity. We focus on how brands can start the process of making clothes available for more people and their need to do so much more. We scale it back and discuss how universities should teach the next generation of designers how to design, grade and make clothing that fit size and disability requirements and celebrate Sara’s journey. Love Sian and Rach x
This week we have the phenomenal Sukki Menon @sukkimenon burlesque extraordinaire and activist and top notch comedian Preet Singh @comedypreet and speak freely about freelance careers, how to make it and when you should make the leap. We stress the importance of knowing who you are and what you want before you make the decision. It’s not a one size fits all process, and we jump straight in to science, creativity, female sexuality, and note the importance of your mentality.
We touch on rebelling, comfort zones, personal exposure, the importance of time, our rollercoasters, sacrifice, and talent. A lot of amazing chat (and confessions) that we are so excited to share. Love Sian and Rach x
Episode 5 - Gender Journey (Trigger warning) This week we have the most amazing Radio presenter and all round power house, Helen Scott @helenscottuk and model, non-binary, speaker and activist Jude @ becomingjude. We hear their coming out stories, becoming your authentic self, discuss the anxiety around correct terminology and pronouns. Then we delve into how making mistakes is a part of learning, how crucial communication is, asking questions in the right way and in the correct environment, how honesty is the best policy and educating yourself is key. We touch on positive activism, pressure on being trans, confidence development, happiness, finding your community, re writing your narrative and learning to love yourself and celebrating that. Safety first and look after yourself, The Albert Kennedy Trust is a fantastic organisation to reach out to if you need help with coming out. https://www.akt.org.uk/ there is a community waiting for you and do not forget that you are totally normal and so loved. Mermaids Org is amazing for supporting young people and their families too. https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/ Don’t forget about the empowerment you can get through being authentic and remember we should all be allies. Rach and Sian x
Episode 4 - Styling and Mental Health This week we have the sensational, Sarah, co-founder of phenomenal brand, Queens of Archive, on discussing how they have created a brand that resonates with us all so personally, gets rid of putting women in boxes and making amazing clothing for all women… giving women what they want! We dive into the 70s, and discover the original queens, such as Viv Albertine (her book is Clothes, music, boys that we discuss) and celebrate the women that were the first to break into the man’s world but also keep it relevant to Queens of today such as Nadine Shah who have amazing stories and layers behind who they are as women. We touch on flaws, keeping it real and honest, and that it’s times like this is where creatives thrive and come to life by making something out of essentially nothing! Queens of Archive is a brand that will truly stand the test of time, just like the women who inspired the brand. Enjoy! Sian and Rachel x
Episode 3 – Food and Friendship This week we have two phenomenal guests, Ruby Bhogal @rubybhogal and Antony Amourdoux @antony_amourdoux from the Great British Bake Off to chat about the importance of a healthy relationship with food and all the joy that food brings. We chat about how food is healing, creates communities, is a celebration, the importance of culture and how it creates common ground. Most importantly it’s about friendship and shedding the shame of having that extra slice!
Episode 2 - Social Media vs Reality with Rosie Hardy, the sensational self-portrait artist @georgiarosehardy and Sam Elson exquisite vintage model and mental health advocate @blossomandbuttercups
In this episode, we dive deep into how social media can influence your thoughts and perceptions about yourself, but can also show you your greatest potential, help shift your positivity and ability to open up and reflect. We explore photo editing, body positivity and self-love with some major shame shedding but most importantly, some serious laughter.
Meet the hosts, Sian a personal stylist and Rachel a photographer as they introduce We Bloom, why they started it, and and why they want to shed shame. They introduce their weekly 'Don't get me started' followed by putting each other on the spot with questions that neither of them know are coming. Sian hilariously messes up and Rachel picks up the pieces whilst they navigate their way through letting the world know who they are!