Small talk is familiar terrain especially in Britain. We ask how someone is without really wanting to know. We comment on the weather, we nod, we smile, we keep things light. And in some moments, small talk serves a purpose. It lets us ease into a space, regulate our nerves, or find the rhythm of a...
A thought came to me during a seminar recently — one that has stayed with me ever since:People enter conversations for completely different reasons.And most of the time, they don’t realise what their reason is.In that seminar, the task was critical analysis.But what many people did wasn’t...
A Conversation Can Change a LifeThere was a period in my life when I caused real harm. I dismissed people’s needs. I manipulated situations to protect myself. I avoided responsibility, withdrew when things became difficult, and left others to carry the emotional weight of my actions. I hurt...
Why conversations about change struggle without the people needed to make that change possibleAcross charities, community groups, advocacy circles, and social-impact organisations, there is a deep commitment to creating fairer and more accessible systems. People gather to share experiences, plan new...
A calmer, more human approach to dialogue, disagreement, and social changeIn many modern spaces — activism, community organising, leadership, online discussion, and even everyday conversation — there’s a quiet pressure to persuade. We’re encouraged to refine our arguments, sharpen our logic,...
The Journey of Expression CoachingA grounded, trauma-aware path where everyday clarity meets vivid, fully-alive self-expression.1. Understanding Yourself — Hearing Your True Voice AgainMost people carry an everyday, fear-shaped story about their voice:Be careful. Don’t be too much. Stay...
In activism, community leadership, and social impact spaces, lived experience has become one of the most valued forms of insight. For many people who were dismissed by institutions or unheard in earlier stages of life, being recognised for their experience is a long-overdue correction — and a...
Across the charity and advocacy world, a quiet pattern has emerged:most organisations speak almost exclusively to people who already agree with them.Their language, values, and assumptions often match the thinking of the audiences they already know — people who share the vocabulary, the politics,...
In any area of life leadership, community work, partnership, coaching — there’s a balance to navigate between depth and safety.Too much safety, and conversations stay polite but shallow.Too much depth, too fast, and people feel overwhelmed or exposed.So the real question becomes:How do we...
“Inclusive leadership” has become one of the most frequently used phrases in organisational life. It appears in strategies, job descriptions, campaigns, and training programmes. But for many teams, the practice doesn’t match the language.Much of what gets called inclusion today happens without...
Across boardrooms, charities, public services, and universities, a similar pattern is emerging: people are talking, but not in ways that build understanding. Many conversations now feel c autious, managed, or emotionally restrained — as if the real purpose is simply to make the system bearable...
Why certainty closes conversations and how understanding helps us move forwardAcross workplaces, community groups, activism, and public life, a familiar pattern is emerging: people speak as if their perspective is the only accurate one. Entire sectors charities, organisations, advocacy movements ...
Why dialogue is becoming harder and why understanding matters more than everAcross charities, advocacy groups, and social-impact organisations, something important is shifting.People are working hard for change, yet conversations inside these spaces are becoming more cautious, more reactive, and...
A clear, steady framework for understanding, connection, and meaningful dialogueConversations are more than the words we say.They reveal how we understand ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we make sense of the situations we’re part of. When a conversation feels clear, grounded, and...
We’re often told that the path to peace begins with chasing happiness.Find the things that make you smile. Avoid the things that hurt. Keep your focus on the positive and you’ll find your calm.It sounds good. Comforting, even. But what if that foundation is flawed?Happiness is wonderful, but...
All of us live with an inner story a quiet narrative about who we are, what we’ve been through, and what we believe is possible for us. This story influences how we interpret situations, how we communicate, and how we relate to the people around us.When that story is grounded and compassionate,...
This post is a resource I developed to help people navigate the support a neurodivergent diagnosis can offer...