The Soap Box Podcast (Peta O'Brien-Day)
Explore every episode of The Soap Box Podcast
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jul 2023 | Episode 3 - Why you need a pimped-out comfort zone - with Sadie Tichelaar | 00:47:07 | |
You know that moment when you've written a heartfelt post about trans rights or climate change and you've gone to press post and suddenly you are paralyzed. What if someone disagrees with me? What if I've got it a bit wrong and I get called out? What if I have to deal with trolls in my dms for the next six weeks? Looking for more? | |||
| 22 Jul 2023 | Introducing The Soap Box Podcast | 00:01:21 | |
Calling all business owners with a social conscience! The Soap Box Podcast is almost here! Hosted by messaging strategist and self-confessed politics geek Peta O'Brien-Day - expect conversations on sticky issues, marketing tips, and insights from business owners grappling with how to weave their values into their messaging. Looking for more? | |||
| 27 Jul 2023 | Episode 1 - What's politics got to do with my business? | 00:15:43 | |
Why all the fuss? Looking for more? | |||
| 27 Jul 2023 | Episode 2 - How to have better conversations | 00:17:31 | |
When we start talking about our politics or our values, it can all feel a bit dicey. We're used to avoiding controversial topics and just playing nice, because we don't really know how to have conversations - rather than arguments. Looking for more? | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | When to talk about politics...and when to shut up | 00:24:02 | |
So, you've decided you want to weave politics into your messaging. Looking for more? | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | Nuance - and the fact we don't have it with Brittany McBean | 00:49:33 | |
Brittany McBean is a launch strategist and conversion copywriter. She specializes in anti sleazy audience-focused high converting copy for online entrepreneurs and educators. She believes that black lives matter now - and always, marketing needs to help not harm, and that it's our responsibility to use our voice to build up, magnify and support historically and systemically marginalized people. Looking for more? | |||
| 07 Aug 2023 | Episode 6 - How to call people in, rather than call them out - with Ro Janeway | 00:44:04 | |
In this episode I talk to Ro Janeway - The Copy Stylist. Looking for more? | |||
| 10 Aug 2023 | Episode 7 - How to build your political pillars | 00:15:27 | |
You’ve listened to our previous episodes. You’ve realised that you CAN talk about politics (your values, your ethics, the things you care about) in your business messaging. You’ve had a glimpse of how 3 stellar business owners work this out in their own businesses. But how do you actually get started? In this episode I want to help you take the first step onto your soapbox (and give you a glimpse of what it’s like inside The Soap Box Community). We’re going to talk about uncovering your political pillars - the causes that matter to you - amongst the sea of options out there so that you don’t overwhelm your audience with 56 different campaigns every week. I’m going to show you how to tap into the conversation that is already happening (and make space for lived experience), rather than starting from scratch. And you’ll walk away with simple, actionable steps to get you started aligning your business with your values. Looking for more? | |||
| 16 Aug 2023 | Episode 8 - How to build a healthy workplace that also heals the world, with Lu Castello | 00:43:06 | |
Calling all founders! Looking for more? | |||
| 30 Aug 2023 | Episode 9 - How to embrace slow productivity as activism, with Louise Miller | 00:36:46 | |
Have you ever thought - If you just work that little bit harder. Stay up that little bit later. Put in those few more or many more hours. If you can just do more. Then you'll get to the end of your, to do list. You'll finish all the admin jobs that you need getting done. You'll. Bag those clients, you'll ACE, your LinkedIn analytics. You will finally beat the algorithm. If so today's episode is for you. I'm talking to Louise Miller. Louise is the genie for your genius. She partners with coaches, consultants and community builders who have a big, exciting vision. Helping them land their ideas in reality, reach more people and make a bigger impact. Whilst taking care of everything they're juggling day to day. And being kind to themselves along the way. Louise's clients describe her as a soothing balm and a magician. And her experience of work-related stress and anxiety led her to develop a slower, more mindful approach to getting things done. In the episode, we talk about how hustle culture is based in patriarchal capitalism and how we can embrace slow productivity as activism. We talk about how Louise realized that there will never be an end point when everything is finished. And you can keep back on the beach with a pina colada. We discussed how she reframes productivity for her clients. And how asking for help. Is a revolutionary act. There's so much to dig into you. And I really, really hope that you find a sense of peace in doing less.
It'll help you to… - get out of overwhelm
Looking for more? | |||
| 06 Sep 2023 | Episode 10 - Deconstructing privilege with Nora DiNuzzo | 00:58:43 | |
Today's episode is a masterclass in stepping outside of your own experience, challenging how you see the world, and then doing something about it. I'm speaking to brand and business growth strategist Nora DiNuzzo. Oh, and how she accidentally started an activist book club, why you should never ask people from marginalized communities to speak for free, and even reparations and how we can make a start on them without waiting for the government. Today's episode is a call to explore, encounter, and educate yourself. And if you want to do that in a community of curious people, trying to work it all out then why not consider joining The Soap Box? You can find out more about my community below. Looking for more? | |||
| 14 Sep 2023 | Episode 11 - Why politeness doesn't work, with Amena Chaudhry | 00:53:41 | |
Buckle up - we're going on a journey today! Looking for more? | |||
| 20 Sep 2023 | Episode 12 - What if it turns out you don't really hate marketing? | 00:46:46 | |
What is the bigger purpose behind your marketing? This is something that my guest this week has spent a lot of time thinking about. And it’s what she helps her clients uncover. Olivia Luper is the founder and Chief Strategist at Lexicon Advisor Marketing, a full-service digital marketing agency for financial professionals who want to align their values with their marketing to build a roster of ideal clients and feel good about what they do again. She is also a professional bodybuilder in the IFBB Pro League, a poet, and mother of three. And she’s one of my favourite people to chat to. Olivia’s approach to marketing is such a perfect mix of rock solid strategy, athlete-level consistency, and really caring about her clients. And today’s episode is, amongst other things, a masterclass in marketing strategy. You’ll also hear about: The importance of aligning your messaging and communicating your values with who you actually want to work with The freedom and confidence to be you - and all that means, and trust that the right people will be drawn to you How I helped her rediscover aligned business messaging. How we all want to spend money with people who feel like our kind of people. And how to showcase the markers that help our audience figure out whether or not they feel safe with us. The differences in selling online and selling in person - and how the increased options make it even more important to make your messaging unique by using you - your values Why aligned messaging can save you money And why outsourcing your own marketing can result in the kind of aha moments that transform your business. Oh, and how many planets are actually in retrograde right now! Find Olivia on Instagram Looking for more? | |||
| 28 Sep 2023 | Episode 13 - stop the angriest voices in the room from taking up all the oxygen, with Jo Wiebe | 00:34:57 | |
Today, I'm talking to the original conversion copywriter. Joanna Wiebe. I chat with Jo about: How we as a planet solved the ozone layer problem. Looking for more? | |||
| 05 Oct 2023 | Episode 14 - Tapping into the world of Gen Z with Carolyn McMurray | 00:36:58 | |
Today on the podcast. We're talking to Carolyn McMurry. How Gen Z are prioritizing a work-life balance from the beginning. And, you know, maybe a sign that hustle culture really is dying out. And how principles can sometimes be a privilege. And we also have a little reminder that Gen Z isn't some huge monolith. That the value of generational definitions has its limits. Just as my millennial generation isn't all sitting, eating, smashed avocados and not being able to afford houses. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Carolyn today. And the insight into a Gen Z perspective. So you sit back. Grab a cup of coffee. And listen to Carolyn jump on her soapbox.
Looking for more? | |||
| 12 Oct 2023 | Episode 15: What not to do as a business owner when tragedy strikes | 00:13:19 | |
I’m recording this in the week that Hamas terrorists launched a horrendous attack on Israeli civilians. And then the Israeli government retaliated against civilians in Gaza. But, as the horrendous situation unfolds on the ground, a familiar story is playing out online. Statements, condemnations, calls to support, arguments, confusion, hate, prejudice. I am not a geo-political expert. I have a rudimentary understanding of the history and context of the Israeli-Palestinian situation. I have many half-formed thoughts on oppression, terrorism, and global powers. But I also have a deep empathy for the humans stuck in the middle of all this. Whichever side of the border they sit. We still don’t know how to address issues that blend political ideologies with human suffering. And, as business owners, that’s a problem. Because we’re all expected to have something to say. So, either we copy and paste something that someone else has said because we feel it aligns with our values (hey, no shade if that’s what you want to do). Or we completely ignore the issue because we’re scared of getting cancelled or of getting something wrong and hurting someone. So, because this is really why The Soap Box exists, today I’m going to talk about what not to do as a business owner when a sensitive political issue, a tragedy, or a conflict flashes up on your phone screen… and what to try instead. My wish today is that you take something from me that helps you make more human connections in the midst of confusion.
Looking for more? | |||
| 30 Oct 2023 | Values-driven marketing: authentic or manipulative, with The Copywriter Club | 00:34:44 | |
Want to eavesdrop on a room full of genius marketers (and me!) as they thrash out their thoughts on politics and messaging? Sure you do! While I was at The Copywriter Club's mastermind retreat in London this week, I invited (strongarmed) a whole bunch of the attendees to join me in a round table for The Soap Box podcast. You'll get to hear from:
And me! Do all brands need to make advocacy a part of their messaging? How can smaller brands take advantage of this space to build their audience? What do you think about when you eat chicken? Listen in and find out! Looking for more? | |||
| 02 Nov 2023 | Conflict, conversation, and being uncomfortable, with Amena Chaudhry | 01:09:47 | |
I didn't get into this to piss people off. I didn't get into this to build barriers or to make divisions. In fact, the very opposite. I got into this world of politics, marketing - I developed my membership and I developed this podcast to help people have better conversations, even if they disagreed with each other. Looking for more? | |||
| 16 Nov 2023 | Why conversion isn't always king, with Ellen Bryant | 00:42:50 | |
What's your focus when you are crafting the messaging for your brand. Is it clarity? Conversion. Consistency. Comedy? Looking for more? | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | How is your messaging driving people to action? | 00:46:50 | |
Should we be terrified or hopeful about the future? My guest today believes we face huge challenges with climate, technology, and inequality, but he also sees routes to tackle them. I can’t wait to introduce you to Brandon Burton. Brandon’s a Brand voice Strategist who helps businesses scale their communication in a way that means they still sound like themselves. He’s also a futurist - with a long-term perspective that puts me to shame. Something that we sorely need in a world obsessed with the next news cycle. In today’s episode we cover a LOT of ground, from
If you’re looking at your newsfeed right now with a mix of confusion, hopelessness, and an inability to take Elon Musk seriously, then you need to listen in. Keep a notepad handy - you’re gonna need it! Let’s welcome Brandon to The Soap Box.
Looking for more? | |||
| 06 Dec 2023 | Why you have more power than you can possibly imagine, with Liana Fricker | 00:52:41 | |
As I record this, the UK Advertising Standards Agency is cracking down on how businesses use terms like biodegradable recyclable, and compostable. So they don't mislead consumers. Looking for more? | |||
| 13 Dec 2023 | How to sell without selling your soul, with Abi Pendergst | 00:34:07 | |
So, you've sat through CopySchool. Binged Breakthrough Advertising (after taking out a mortgage to afford a copy). Watched a few too many webinars for someone who has an actual job. Listened to all the social media gurus. And you have a whole quiver of sales tactics at the ready. Urgency, scarcity, all the Cialdini tricks, agitation of pain points. But, when you come to write for your clients (or your own business), it's starting to feel a bit icky. Do you really need that countdown timer on your upsell page? Should you really be diving into how awful your customer's life will be if they don't buy from you? Have you become one of those bro marketers, lounging over your Lamborghini in your ray bans? Sales is icky and manipulative, right? Well, not always. And that's what I'm talking about with Abi Pendergast in this week's pod episode. Abi is a conversion copywriter and funnel strategist for course creators. She uses her evergreen frameworks so that passionate and talented people reach those they can help. How can you use effective sales and marketing frameworks, without feeling like a used car salesperson? Abi spills all, including:
If you're searching for ways to sell your stuff, without selling your soul, then this is the episode for you. Sit back, and enjoy Abi getting on her soap box.
Looking for more? | |||
| 01 Feb 2024 | Why passion is the problem, with Tracy Johnson | 00:45:03 | |
"We need people who are able to navigate their own emotions. To be compassionate to the emotion of others. So that they can get up day in and day out and keep fighting the good fight. Because it's hard, and they need to know that they can fight and help their cause without having to sacrifice their mental and emotional well-being." Looking for more? | |||
| 06 Mar 2024 | Breaking out of The Truman Show with Kira Hug | 00:51:31 | |
This week on the soap box, I get to talk to. Kira Hug. A personality-driven copywriter and co-founder of The Copywriter Club: the home of everything you need to be a successful, growing, supported, and curious copywriter. And also someone who I'm proud to call a friend. Kira is a thoughtful, curious, empathetic, and fascinating human being, and we covered so much in our conversation. We talked about how you find a balance between caring about the things that are going on in the world and just, you know, doing your job on a daily basis. And how we make the transition between the two. We talk about the impact that the iPhone has had on our ability to consume information, on how connected we feel, and the way that we communicate with other people. And we talk about how Kira deals with the elephant in the room: this unrelenting tide of hardships and crises going on around the world. And how it often feels like we're not meant to talk about them in our businesses or in our lives. So, if you're interested in trying to work out how people who do care can use their problem-solving skills to positively impact these elephant-in-the-room issues. Or Kira’s journey from iPhone to flip phone and how it's affected her life and relationships. Why I turned off my breaking news notifications, and why I'm rediscovering a weekend newspaper habit. Then listen up. Wherever you are in your life or business right now. Whatever issues you're grappling with. Whatever point you are at in trying to weave your business and your social conscience. There's something in this episode for you.
Top client-finding tips curated from ~400 The Copywriter Club podcast episodes...all in your proverbial back pocket. Looking for more? | |||
| 13 Mar 2024 | Our bodies are political, with Clio Wood | 00:42:12 | |
In all my soapbox content, I really tried to get the message across that politics isn't all votes, caucuses, ideologies, and arguments. It's not all climate change, economics, and big business. Politics is in the everyday structures, systems, and barriers that we face. It's what gets funded. It's childcare. It's how we access healthcare. It's mental health support and how this helps us work. It's caring responsibilities and the rules and guidelines on the internet. It's food safety and who looks after playgrounds. It's families and who's protected. It's everything. And that's why today I'm talking to Clio Wood. Clio is a women's health and sex positivity advocate, a journalist, and the author of “Get your mojo back: sex pleasure and intimacy after birth”. As well as the founder of &breathe: an award-winning well-being retreat company for motherhood and menopause. Because politics is also - sex. We talk about the marginalization of women's health. We talk about how normal medical words are considered swear words or inappropriate across social media and in our own conversations. So that we feel uncomfortable talking about our own bodies. Which then has implications for how we can advocate for our own health and safety, and communicate in our relationships. The way that society treats mothers, and women at all stages of their lives is political. And we do use words in this week's episode, like vagina and vulva. We use words like sex, childbirth, periods, we talk about episiotomies, internal scarring and ultrasounds. If you're at all uncomfortable about those kinds of things, then there are plenty of other episodes that you can dive into. But I really hope you won’t. Because these are not issues that should be unspoken taboos. These are the everyday experiences of over 50% of the world's population. We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to those around us. We owe it to our children to be comfortable talking about them. And to be comfortable dealing with the way that society is marginalizing the lived experience of half the planet.
Looking for more? | |||
| 20 Mar 2024 | Hip Hop can save the world, with Evante Daniels | 00:41:11 | |
Power. Who’s got it? Who’s trying to get it? And who’s trying to keep it from you? It's the age old question. And that's what I'm talking about on the podcast today with my guest Evante Daniels. Evante is a content strategist and the author of “Power, Beats and Rhymes”. A book that we discussed in our chat. He's got over 16 years of experience in content production, and he's consulted for brands like Adidas, Jordan, and Apple. And he believes that hip-hop can save the world. In our chat, we talk about how this decentralized movement is something that we could learn from to turn the tables on those in power. And it's a wide-ranging conversation, that starts in Rome, and moves through manifest destiny, all the way to televised presidential debates, and how we can think critically when we engage with content online. Evante brings this lens of hip-hop to lay over all of the things that we talk about.
Evante’s book, “Power, Beats, and Rhymes” guides our conversation. And once you've listened to this episode, I implore you to go and pre-order his book. Read it. And grab one of the tips that he gathers to transform your community and the way that you act within our culture. I can't wait for you to hear this chat with Evante. I think you'll really enjoy it. So sit back. Get comfortable. And listen to Evante, jump on his soap box.
Looking for more? | |||
| 23 May 2024 | How marketing co-opted authenticity, with Lauren Esmay | 00:41:13 | |
I'm calling an amnesty today. I'm talking today to Lauren Esmay. Lauren is a copywriter who specializes in helping clients create a holistic framework to serve their clients and consumers better. She's a PhD candidate in health psychology, and she's completed extensive research in self connection. And today, she's talking to me about how Webster's 2023 Word of the Year - Authenticity - is her personal soapbox. So as someone who is about to go away and rewrite their website, and find more creative ways of demonstrating that I run a business that is a true representation of myself and my values. I want to encourage you to think about how often you reach for this easy shorthand of words like authenticity or authentic and how we might be contributing to the co opting of a really important concept by those who are just trying to sell more stuff. Lauren's got a lot of interesting things to say and her background in health psychology makes this a really valuable conversation. So sit back, grab a cup of tea and listen to Lauren get on her soapbox. Looking for more? | |||
| 29 May 2024 | Could coaching help us navigate this polycrisis? with Keri Jarvis | 00:48:13 | |
Is coaching just another navel-gazing pastime for middle-class women? Keri is also possibly one of the smartest people I've talked to in a really long time. And the whole entire conversation blew my mind. Amongst a plethora of other things, Keri talks to me about how coaching promises to be an antidote to the corporate world, but really just ends up reinforcing those systems, with a little bit of woo sprinkle on top. We chat about how to navigate the discomfort that often comes with spending time on self development when the world is falling apart. And we explore living in the system whilst trying to break it apart. If you've spent any time around the coaching industry, then a lot of the questions and the conundrums that we unpick in this podcast will be extremely relevant to you. And I'm hoping, and so is Keri, that this episode will give you a more positive perspective on the potential that coaching has to, be a rehearsal space for creating better relationships, , better movements and ultimately a better world. I'm convinced that you will love this episode, so I'm not even going to say that I hope you like it! So grab a cup of coffee, probably a notebook and sit back and enjoy Keri getting on her soapbox. Find Keri on Instagram Looking for more? | |||
| 05 Jun 2024 | Why it's time to shake off the "cool kid disdain" and embrace enthusiasm with Ellie Kime | 00:46:50 | |
Does being enthusiastic feel a little bit cringe? I don't know about you, but I grew up in a culture where being enthusiastic or passionate about anything was considered to be a little bit weird. It was not cool to be keen. It was cool to be jaded, To not get excited about anything, Which is one of the reasons why talking to my guest today was so refreshing. Ellie Kime is a messaging mentor, helping small businesses explain who they are, what they do, and why they're so good at it. She also founded the Enthusiast and Co. A platform to encourage people to be more unashamedly, unabashedly, enthusiastic, and to believe that caring is cool. So she's the perfect person to talk about passion and enthusiasm with. And as Ellie says in the podcast, enthusiasm is one of those things that really makes life worth living. We talked about a whole bunch of stuff on the podcast, including digging into Ellie's dissertation on fangirls and how they were treated by the media, and my dissertation too. We discussed how enthusiasm could feel very frivolous but that, actually, it's an essential part of an activist's toolkit - one of the ways that we stay connected. We talked about how working in the wedding business gave Ellie insight into the psychology behind consumer behaviour. We talked about how we see women's hobbies and enthusiasms or their pastimes as having less value. And how this bleeds into the way we regard different people's businesses or their skills. And we talked about how we reach for the big issues when people ask us what we care about. But that actually those seemingly niche causes - not only do they matter to you, but also they're a lot easier to get our teeth into and try and do something about. Oh, and Ellie introduces me to the patriarchy! (lolz) I had a lot of fun diving into Ellie's understanding of fangirls, into sexism, misogyny, football games, and academic sugar daddies. So, yeah, strap in, grab a cup of tea, and listen to Ellie get on her soapbox.
Looking for more? | |||
| 12 Jun 2024 | Would you even know if you were in burnout? with Carole Jean Whittington | 00:51:36 | |
What's the difference between being a little bit frazzled and needing just five minutes without anybody asking you questions to get back to equilibrium, and being in burnout? My guest today is Carole Jean Whittington. She's a wellness trailblazer, and she specializes in burnout research and restoration for neurodivergent and disabled adults. Her three-year global research led to the Whittington Burnout Inventory, offering insight into burnout. Her acclaimed talk show "Beyond Chronic Burnout" reaches 96 countries with over 550,000 listeners. And she's the author of "Unleashing Sustainable Energy". Carole Jean is a master storyteller, and today you'll get to hear her story of how she discovered that she had autism and ADHD, her instinct to put others' needs before her own until her body wouldn't let her anymore. And how she went from feeling completely useless, to approaching her body like a science experiment and taking the time to rediscover who she was. Carole Jean is passionate about helping people make their way out of burnout. Looking for more? | |||
| 05 Aug 2024 | Emergency podcast - the UK Riots | 00:15:28 | |
As I record this, a series of violent riots are spreading across the UK. Last week, a 17 year old boy attacked children and adults at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, killing 3 young girls, and injuring many others. Misinformation quickly spread on social media, claiming the attacker was Muslim, and had arrived in the UK on a small boat. (The police later confirmed that he was a UK citizen, born in Cardiff). And a large group of people gathered in the town, throwing bricks at police and the local mosque, setting fires and throwing bottles. The riots have spread to London, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, and other places across the UK. And the government and police are trying to stamp them out. It’s not going well. Black, Asian, Muslim people are being harassed and attacked. And a lot of the people in my circles are dismayed at the state of their country right now. That this sort of thing could happen. This short episode unpacks some of the reasons we're here - and how we can change direction. Looking for more? | |||
| 21 Aug 2024 | What's it like being a woman in politics, with Lorena Banda | 00:34:58 | |
Lorena Banda is a Latina leader in sex positivity, a speaker and an advocate. Lorena and I also talk about the importance of being authentic in politics. And how hard this is for women especially to navigate. And how opening up positions on campaigns to people from new generations and diverse backgrounds can build more excitement around politics.
Looking for more? | |||
| 30 Sep 2024 | Why we need to talk about money, with Jessamy Walker | 00:47:22 | |
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. Looking for more? | |||