Shows
Stationery FreaksLive From Brick Lane: Mark+Fold’s 10th Anniversary & The Stationery Freaks Origin StoryIn this special on-the-road episode, Rob and Helen meet in person for the first time in almost six years — to celebrate Mark+Fold’s 10-year anniversary at their Brick Lane pop-up. Recorded between a noisy East London bar and the beautifully minimalist Mark+Fold shop, this episode is a blend of celebration, nostalgia, and stationery-fueled creativity.Apologies for some of the audio quality - London doesn't have many quiet bars and restuarants!You’ll hear:The Stationery Freaks origin story — how a shared love of pens and notebooks sparked a 7-year podcastWhy Mark+Fol...
2025-11-1430 min
Here's an idea worth playing withFrom Idea to Keynote: Five Lessons from BudapestAt 4 a.m. in Luton Airport, I head to Budapest to deliver a keynote — and along the way, unpack what it really takes to turn an idea into a valuable talk.In this travel-journal-meets-creative-process episode, I share five lessons learned from the runway to the stage: how to go from idea → value, find your point of view, think in stories, do the hard work, and give generously.It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the craft of speaking, the nerves before stepping on stage, and the joy of seeing your name on an arrivals card — all thro...
2025-11-0327 min
Stationery FreaksHousehold Stationery That Actually Helps: Labels, Whiteboards, Junk Drawers & Kitchen Kanban | Stationery Freaks PodcastHousehold stationery isn’t “our precious pens and paper in our study” — it’s the everyday tools that keep a home ticking. We talk freezer-proof labels, kitchen whiteboards, year-at-a-glance calendars we forget to update, junk-drawer essentials, elastic bands vs Velcro ties for cables, and even a full Kanban wall system that helps a building business run. Plus: Magic Click (a colour-pen system we need help decoding), why shrink-wrap on notebooks should be illegal, and the enduring magic of handwritten notes in old recipe books.What We CoverLabelling the real world: freezer labels that don’t fall...
2025-10-2743 minHere's an idea worth playing withThe Power of Appearance: How Clothing Shapes First Impressions and PerformanceIn this episode of Here's An Idea Worth Playing With, I cover the science of clothing and appearance. Your clothes don’t just influence how others see you — they shape your own confidence, focus, and performance. In this episode, I explore the fascinating psychology of appearance: how clothing affects first impressions, why it can boost or drain your confidence, and the science behind “felt power".Discover how to use simple outfit choices and symbolic “uniforms” to show up at your best — whether at work, in the gym, or in everyday life.We often underestimate...
2025-10-0210 minHere's an idea worth playing withThe Art of Noticing: How Creative Awareness Can Make You a Better LeaderIn this episode of Here's An Idea Worth Playing With, I explore The Art of Noticing — a subtle but powerful skill that can separate effective leaders from the rest. Far from being a framework, checklist, or trendy methodology, noticing is about widening your awareness, understanding how work flows, spotting bottlenecks, and observing patterns that matter. And we can develop these skills through creative pursuits.Discover how creativity trains you to notice what truly matters, frame stories effectively, and make informed decisions that drive impact and productivity in your organisation.The best leaders aren’t alw...
2025-09-3008 minStationery FreaksRituals, Routines & Stationery: Why the tactile nature of stationery can help us with ritualsIn this episode of Stationery Freaks, Rob and Helen dive into the world of rituals and routines, exploring how our favourite stationery tools (along with time and space) can transform tasks into meaningful, mindful moments.Helen discovers other writers are now using Blackwing pencils in her writing class. Rob spent so little time choosing which notebook to use for a business book he's writing (the Rhodia A4 notebook) - that he wonders what is wrong.Rob and Helen also receive a very awesome poem in Zine format from previous guest, Richard. Very cool...
2025-09-2935 minHere's an idea worth playing withHow to Build an Internal Coaching and Consulting Function That Drives Business ValueInternal coaching and consulting teams can be powerful assets — or costly afterthoughts. In this episode of Here's an idea worth playing with, we break down how to design a function that delivers real impact. Learn the difference between coaching and consulting, why purpose and demand management matter, how to package your services, and how to connect your work directly to measurable business outcomes. With practical principles drawn from years of experience, you’ll discover how to transform your team from a “nice-to-have” into a strategic advantage.Read more about this subject on the c...
2025-09-2614 minHere's an idea worth playing withOvercoming the Fear of Public Speaking: Essential Skills for Career Growth and LeadershipDo you get nervous at the thought of speaking in public? You’re not alone — and mastering this skill can be a game-changer for your career and leadership growth. In this episode, I explore practical strategies to overcome fear, develop your authentic speaking style, and connect with audiences through storytelling, emotion, and clear purpose. From avoiding the perfection trap to bringing enthusiasm and energy to your talks, you’ll learn how to make every presentation memorable. Plus, discover how my book Zero to Keynote provides a complete roadmap for turning ideas into compelling talks, getting submis...
2025-09-2312 minHere's an idea worth playing withClimb the Career Ladder: 8 Key Principles to Thrive, Add Value, and Accelerate Your CareerIn this episode, I share the 8 principles that shaped my own career journey — from software tester to executive leader. We’ll explore how to define what thriving looks like for you, make sure your ladder is leaning against the right wall, and understand the critical difference between cost and value. You’ll learn why communication is your greatest superpower, how to shift your own behaviours for growth, and why strong relationships and clarity matter more than raw talent. Whether you want to move into management, leadership, or simply build influence in your current role, these princi...
2025-09-1912 minHere's an idea worth playing withSpinning Plates: A Simple Productivity System for Work, Family, and ProjectsIn this episode, I break down the productivity system that helps me manage work, family life, content creation, and side projects - all without feeling overwhelmed. It’s not about doing more, but about choosing the right plates to spin. I’ll share how I use tools like Google Calendar, Trello, and ToDoist alongside paper and notebooks to stay organised, prioritise what matters, and keep a clear overview of everything on my plate. If you’re looking for a practical, flexible way to manage competing demands while staying sane, this episode will give you ideas to des...
2025-09-1609 minHere's an idea worth playing withHow Businesses Sabotage Themselves: Lessons from a 1944 CIA ManualDuring World War II, the OSS (precursor to the CIA) released the “Simple Sabotage Field Manual”—a handbook for disrupting enemy organisations from within. The shocking part? Much of it reads like a modern business playbook: excessive committees, slow decision-making, perfectionism on unimportant tasks, and endless meetings. In this episode, we unpack the uncanny overlap between sabotage tactics and today’s workplace behaviours, why they persist even with good intentions, and how leaders can spot and dismantle them before they derail performance. It’s a reminder that agility isn’t about speed — it’s about removing the hid...
2025-09-1212 minStationery FreaksStationery Hauls, Fountain Pen Finds & Writing Success – Sailor, Tom’s Studio & MoreIn this episode Rob and Helen dive deep into their latest stationery hauls — from Japanese Sailor pens and Tom’s Studio Wren to Martha Brooks advent calendars and Zebra limited editions. Plus: writing contest success, notebooks you’ll never dare write in (that are ridiculously expensive), and a new digital note-taking tool that’s winning Rob over. Helen refuses to talk about her sticker addiction and Etsy is properly off the table for conversation.Helen is already buying advent calendars....in September. Rob is trying not to buy anything else, he's changed.We cha...
2025-09-1127 minHere's an idea worth playing withHow to Study Anything: 10 Principles That Actually WorkIn this episode, I explore 10 practical principles that will help you study anything more effectively. We’ll break down why active engagement beats passive highlighting, why depth matters more than sheer volume, and how teaching others sharpens your own understanding. I’ll share how principles create a foundation for long-term mastery, why rest is essential for retention, and how embracing different learning styles keeps you flexible and open. Whether you’re developing professionally or pursuing personal growth, these tools will help you study smarter and turn knowledge into action.--> A deeper and richer...
2025-09-0912 minHere's an idea worth playing withBuilding a Learning Culture: Why Behaviour Beats Training Every TimeIn this episode, we explore what it really takes to create a true learning culture inside an organisation. Not just training programmes or box-ticking courses, but learning as a shared behaviour that drives growth, engagement, and collective intelligence. From role modelling as a leader, to giving teams time and space, to encouraging personal learning with no strings attached—you’ll hear practical ways to make learning part of your company’s DNA. Plus, I share a surprising story about a mechanic course that reshaped an entire organisation’s culture.--> Find more in...
2025-09-0411 minHere's an idea worth playing with5 Trade Skills That Will Accelerate Your Success in BusinessWhat are the timeless skills that make someone invaluable and successful at work? In this episode, I break down the five core “Trade Skills” — persistence, facing facts, risk management, hands-on learning, and grasping numbers — and explains why they matter more than ever in today’s business world. Learn how mastering these skills can elevate your career, sharpen your commercial awareness, and turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth.Accompanying article : https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/trade-skills/----📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultivated.work🎵 Follow me on TikTok : https...
2025-08-2615 minStationery FreaksThe Art of Commonplacing : Curating a Life – Richard Barnard on Collage & Commonplace booksIn this episode of the podcast, Rob & Helen chat to Richard Barnard; collage enthusiast and commonplacer. Have you ever wondered what a Commonplace book is, and what it's used for? Well, in this episode we explore the origins of the Commonplace book, how Richard uses his, the stationery he uses for it and how he searches through the wealth of insights, observations, quotes and thoughts.Richard Barnard, an avid commonplacer and passionate collage artist, explains that it's a way of "creating the best book you've ever owned." He shares his analog-first, bu...
2025-08-0239 minStationery FreaksThe Art, Craft & Purpose of Travellers Journals with Frank from YokogakiJoin Rob and Helen in this edition of Stationery Freaks as they welcome special guest Frank, from Yokogaki, for a deep dive into the fascinating world of travel journals / notebooks!Frank shares a mini masterclass on exactly what traveler's journals are, how they differ from the typical notebook, and various ways to use them for everything from bullet journaling to light scrapbooking on the go. Frank, who found himself crafting his own high-quality, leather journals, shares his unique philosophy behind creating companions that "love you back," exploring the Japanese concept of Mottainai (regret over waste...
2025-07-1240 minHere's an idea worth playing withCrafting a Winning Conference Talk Proposal - and getting it selectedCrafting a Winning Conference Talk Proposal - and getting it selectedWant to share your expertise on a conference stage but feel stuck at the Call for Papers submission process? You're not alone! Getting your talk accepted is the crucial first step, yet it's often where aspiring speakers fall short. In this episode, I share ideas straight from the Zero to Keynote book, on why, even if you have a cracking story to tell, your conference talk proposal is the first hurdle, demanding far more effort than you might think. From finding the...
2025-07-0233 minStationery FreaksAn interview with author Jenny Kane - prolific writer, collector of notebooks, desert island stationery specialistStationery Freaks: A Deep Dive into the Prolific World of Author Jenny Kane (and Her Emotional Support Pencil Case!)In this very special episode Rob and Helen are joined by our very special guest, the incredibly prolific author Jenny Kane. We have briefly mentioned Jenny in the past as she is Helen's writing mentor. In this episode we chat about the astonishing breadth of Jenny's literary career, spanning over two decades and encompassing more than 200 short stories and over 70 books across various genres and pen names – from her novels as Jenny Kane...
2025-06-2934 minHere's an idea worth playing withHow to generate conference talk ideasPublic speaking at conferences or events, and even at work, can be a joyful experience. However, a major reason I hear from people who are hesitant to take that first step towards public speaking is that they struggle to find something to talk about. There is a kind of curse of knowledge - as in, why would I know something, or have something interesting to share, that hasn’t already been said by someone else? In other words, why would someone want to listen to me?Well, that’s nonsense. In a kind...
2025-06-1032 minStationery FreaksFrom Paper Obsession to Published Pages - How we write books as Stationery FreaksHow do two writers, bound by their devotion to beautiful stationery, actually write books? In this episode, Helen and Rob reveal their individual paths, uncovering the shared foundation of paper-based ideation – the noodling, expanding, and connecting that begins on the page with their beloved notebooks. Explore their transition to digital tools (Rob's a touch more intricate!), their editing journeys, and their distinct publishing routes – Helen to her website, Rob primarily through self-publishing. Expect delightful detours into UK National Stationery Week, Rob's exciting new project requiring more notebooks, and Helen's potential planner evolution. Wa...
2025-05-1638 minStationery FreaksWhen did you become a Stationery Freak?In this episode Helen and Rob talk about whether there was a defining moment, or time, when they became Stationery Freaks.They start with Stationery Stories:Helen has an occasion to break out a new notebook - an Atoms and Astronauts one from Vinted. Rob's been watching too much Parisian Agency on Netflix - so is trying to adopt a Parisian style and coolness with a new Folio packed with a Yellow Legal Pad and a couple of Moleskine Cahiers. Helen introduces the (potentially) new segment of the show called "Stationery Freaks in the Wild", in wh...
2025-04-2532 minStationery FreaksHoarding notebooks and when to use a new one - Stationery Freaks PodcastIn this episode we explore why we both have huge hoards of unused and partially used notebooks, and what makes us crack open a new notebook.You can find videos, photos and a deeper dive into this topic in the newsletter.In this episode:Helen is still searching for her full collection of mechanical pencils. The Penac Protti goes down well at work, but Rob ends up with pencil all over him at work, and refuses to share his doodles with his work colleagues. Rob describes Helen’s notebook storage unit with remarkable accuracy.Hele...
2025-03-2435 minStationery FreaksThe perfect mechanical pencilIn this episode we chat about all things pencil related. We cover:Why Rob has so many notebooks he cannot move his writing deskHelen's latest Vinted stationery haul - and a surprise penThe lovely folks at Penac sent us some free samples - and they are brilliantHow we use pencils and paper for getting unstuck, or in Rob's case, for 99% of his writingWhy the non-permanent nature of pencils lends itself to creative thinkingWhy Rob bought the Rotring 600 pencil but hasn't used it muchAnd much moreGet images and links to everything we discuss in the S...
2025-03-0331 minStationery FreaksThe Hobonichi switch revisited - a year of using the systemIn this episode Helen shares how she’s getting on with her Hobonichi system, a year after making the switch from Bullet Journaling. We did an episode on this switch in early 2024 - you can listen to that episode here, where Helen shared why switching over the New Year was a bad idea. And so, a year later, we revisited this topic to hear how Helen is getting on, what’s adapted and whether she still needs a suitcase to carry around her growing sticker collection. I ask Helen about the Hobonichi system, how it...
2024-12-1227 minStationery FreaksIn pursuit of the perfect structure - a stationery freaks eternal questIn this episode we chat about why we've been missing for a few months, our stationery purchases and how we're always in pursuit of the perfect structure.You can find images, links and other insights that accompany this podcast on our newsletter - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/We cover, amongst other topics:1. A YouTube video comment that led Rob to a new pencil purchase2. Helen talks about her Hobonichi and how she's still loving it - although struggling to find time for buying stickers3. Rob talks about keeping a ledger as...
2024-12-0129 minHere's an idea worth playing withLearning how to get better - Releasing Agility mini series - Ep5This is episode 5 of 5, of the Releasing Agility mini series, where I share the model and how it works. This episode of about learning and making ourselves, and the business, betterThe model is designed to get leaders and managers to think about what they want to move smoothly and quickly towards - and then to focus energy and attention towards the things that really matter. This model is what I use when coaching managers and leaders - and the first three steps firmly be...
2024-11-2612 minHere's an idea worth playing withBuilding Routines and Habits - Releasing Agility mini series - Ep4This is episode 4 of 5, of the Releasing Agility mini series, where I share the model and how it works. This episode of about building routines and habits - that lead to the painted picture.The model is designed to get leaders and managers to think about what they want to move smoothly and quickly towards - and then to focus energy and attention towards the things that really matter. This model is what I use when coaching managers and leaders - and the first th...
2024-11-1910 minHere's an idea worth playing withYour people need a plan to - This is the team to get it done - Releasing Agility mini series - Ep3This is episode 3 of 5, of the Releasing Agility mini series, where I share the model and how it works. This episode of about building the team to get it done.The model is designed to get leaders and managers to think about what they want to move smoothly and quickly towards - and then to focus energy and attention towards the things that really matter. This model is what I use when coaching managers and leaders - and the first three steps firmly belong to...
2024-11-1212 min