Welcome to Successville

Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Emma Slade Edmondson, to  discuss the complexities of identity, self-perception, and the journey of navigating success. Emma shares her transition from a corporate career in advertising to pursuing her creative passions, including writing a book that addresses race and identity. 

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Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Anne Ravanona shares her journey from burnout and perfectionism to speaking in front of world leaders and creating a funding platform for women.

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Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Tasha Bailey, AKA Real Talk Therapist, to talk about her journey from childhood as a Golden Child, to becoming a therapist.

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Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest and comedian Erika Ehler explore succession the world of comedy. They discuss early influences, the challenges of navigating the comedy scene, the importance of representation, and the evolving definitions of success in a creative career.

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Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Rupal Patel to explore Rupal's unique journey into the CIA. They discuss the challenges faced by women and people of color in corporate environments, the importance of team dynamics, and the challenges of working in individualistic societies.

Rupal shares her journey from a successful academic background to the challenges of entrepreneurship and the loneliness and self-doubt that often accompany starting a business.

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Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Annabel Rivkin, to explore the intricate relationship between work and creativity, the personal journey of defining success, and the impact of childhood experiences on adult ambitions. Annabel and Sophie explore the importance of building meaningful relationships, the power of collaboration, and the unique perspective on midlife that Annabel and her co-founder Emily  have developed through their work with The Midults. They discuss the journey of writing a book, the impact of friendship during challenging times, and the complexities of navigating success and expectations in a fast-paced world. 

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Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Selina Flavius to discuss creating Black Girl Finance, a platform aimed at empowering Black women in financial literacy and independence. She reflects on her upbringing, the challenges of being a young parent, and the importance of representation in finance. Selina shares her experiences transitioning from a stable career to entrepreneurship, the significance of addressing pay gaps, and the need for safe spaces in financial discussions. She also talks about her journey as an author and the impact of her work on her clients' lives

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Your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Lauren Currie to explore success, the importance of community, and the challenges women face in defining their identities. Lauren shares the story of receiving an OBE, her entrepreneurial spirit, and framing the idea of success as a parent. 

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In this episode of Welcome to Successville season 2, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by successful guest Jayde Adams (and occasionally her cat, Buffy Baby Boy), for an in depth conversation about the multifaceted nature of success. Together, they explore themes of personal growth, the importance of community and mentorship in navigating a path through he entertainment industry. Jayde shares her journey from school to comedy, the significance of recognizing achievements, and the ongoing process of self-discovery and self-care. From fires in school bathrooms, to discovering music and becoming an octuple threat, we discuss Jayde’s successess so far, as well as her plans for the future. 

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In this episode of Welcome to Successville season 2, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by successful Ana Kirova, CEO of dating app Feeld, who discusses her journey through successes and failures, emphasizing the importance of community and collective achievements. Ana reflects on her personal identity and how it intertwines with her professional life as the CEO of Feeld, a dating app that promotes open-mindedness and self-discovery, and her journey from a creative early life, to becoming the lead of a tech business. Ana shares her insights on leadership, particularly as a woman in a male dominated industry, and the impact of media recognition and the importance of celebrating personal successes.

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In the first episode of Welcome to Successville season 2, Pippa Vosper shares her journey of self-discovery, the impact of her childhood on her self-esteem, and her experiences in the fashion industry. From growing up in a pub owned by her mother that only employed women, which gave her a taste for glamour, to starting an eBay store and styling iD Magazine covers, Pippa discusses the importance of reflecting on her achievements, the challenges she’s faced, and her transition from fashion to writing. We discuss Pippa's book, 'Beyond Grief: Navigating the Journey of Pregnancy and Baby Loss', from getting the book deal to seeing the impact it has had in the lives of others who have suffered a loss, Pippa emphasizes the significance of using her experiences to help others. We also discuss Pippa’s activism in this space, and her most recent success - producing a short film to raise awareness about maternal health issues, particularly for women of colour.

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In episode 10, the final episode of series 1 of Welcome to Successville, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest, and literal icon Charlie Craggs. Sophie and Charlie’s discussion covers various topics related to success, visibility, activism, and the challenges faced by trans individuals. Charlie shares her journey from being a star student to becoming an influencer and activist. They discuss the importance of maintaining relatability and embracing one's background, as well as touching on the intersectionality of class and race in the success narrative. Charlie reflects on the impact of her activism and the need for different types of visibility. She shares her experience with a hate crime and the lack of support from the system, leading her to start self-defense classes Charlie’s Angels. 

In episode 9 of Welcome to Successville, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Stacey Grant Canham. Stacey and Sophie discuss their personal experiences with success and how it is often tied to external factors. They explore the concept of success in relation to their childhoods and the influence of their upbringing on their perceptions of success. Stacey shares her journey of starting her business, Black & Beech, and it’s origins as a feminist brand. They also discuss the challenges of comparison and the importance of defining success on one's own terms. Stacey discusses making the move from academia to entrepreneurship, the challenges she faced along the way, and the importance of taking risks. Stacey also emphasizes the significance of embracing change and continuously improving, as well as the impact of luck and privilege on success. She highlights the role of motherhood and personal values in shaping her definition of success. 

In episode 8 of Welcome to Successville, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Maryam Pasha.

Maryam discusses her relationship with success and her involvement in TEDx London. She reflects on her academic success in school and university, and how extracurricular activities contributed the most to her future successes. Maryam also shares her role in coaching TEDx speakers and the impact of their talks. Maryam discusses the true measure of success, which lies in the trust and impact she has on others. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and recognizing the contributions of others in achieving success. Maryam also shares some exciting news of her own.

In episode 7 of Welcome To Successville, Successful Guest Donna Patterson tells friend and host Sophie Williams how she was sure life had peaked when she got a child Filofax. 

In trying to wrangle the concept of success, Donna reflects on her career journey and the unexpected turns it took, including going through an employment tribunal. She discusses the influence of societal expectations and the portrayal of successful women in media, as well as her own experiences trying to model success for her children. 

In episode 6 of Welcome to Successville, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by two Successful Guests; Natalie and Naomi Evans, co-founders of Everyday Racism, to discuss success and activism. They share their experiences growing up and their views on success as young people, navigating the education system and the pressure to achieve good grades. They also discuss the journey of starting their anti-racism Instagram account and the impact it has had on their personal views of success - emphasizing the importance of aligning success with values and goals. Natalie and Naomi also talk about the success they have found in writing books that have helped and resonated with people, the pressure to continue being successful and how they have learned to define success on their own terms. 

In episode 5 of Welcome to Successville, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Sarah Ellis. co-founder of Amazing If, to talk about her journey to success, and the bumps in the road along the way. They discuss the challenges and hard work behind their achievements, the importance of focusing on behaviours rather than shiny objects, and the impact of social media on comparison and jealousy. They also talk about their experiences with publishing books and the allure of the best-seller list.

Sophie Williams and Sarah Ellis discuss their values, ambitions, and the importance of working in community. They emphasize the need to define success on one's own terms and celebrate personal achievements. They also discuss the concept of a Squiggly Career and the importance of aligning work with one's values. They encourage listeners to be intentional about their choices and to prioritize what truly matters to them, and the importance of being there for the moments that matter.

In episode 4 of Welcome to Successville, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Kevin Morosky. Kevin discusses his background and experiences that shaped his idea of success, including the importance of freedom and creativity. He talks about the challenges he faced in school and his role in mentoring and guiding young people to redefine success and understand their worth. Kevin and Sophie also discuss Kevin's journey as an author, including self-publishing his first book and navigating the publishing industry for his second. Kevin shares how his ideas around success have changed through his life, and the importance of knowing your worth.

In episode 3 of Welcome to Successville, your friend and host Sophie Williams is joined by Successful Guest Rebecca Humphries, actress and best-selling author. Rebecca discusses her journey to success and the challenges she faced along the way, from drama school to the entertainment industry. Rebecca talks about the importance of self-producing work, choosing curiosity over overwhelm, and staying cool when you meet Judi Dench. 

Rebecca also talks about her book, 'Why Did You Stay?', which explores the topic of abusive relationships, and why we need a different approach in order to help as many people as possible.

Ameena Hamid, a theatre producer, and the youngest woman to produce shows on the West End, discusses her journey and relationship with success. She reflects on her childhood aspirations of becoming a lawyer and the pressure she felt to achieve top grades. A life-changing event shifted her perspective on success, leading her to prioritize happiness and joy.

Ameena also discusses the impact of her middle-class upbringing and her parents' expectations. She highlights the significance of visibility as a producer, particularly as a Black woman with a disability, to inspire others who may not see themselves represented in the industry, as well as the importance of boundaries.

Ben Pechey is the first guest to visit Successville.

Ben and Sophie discuss the complex and nuanced experience of success, particularly for marginalized individuals.

They delve into feelings of imposter syndrome and the constant fear of losing success. They also touch on the pressure to constantly achieve more and the difficulty of finding satisfaction in accomplishments. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating personal achievements, as well as the challenges faced by authors in the publishing industry.

They talk about FOMO, comparison to others, and the constant need to prove themselves. They also touch on the importance of rest and taking care of oneself amidst the pursuit of success.

Both Sophie and Ben share their personal journeys and the challenges they have faced along the way. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and emotional toll of success.