There's a story that we tell ourselves about who gets to do good in the world. So, charities, nonprofits, the third sector, they're framed as the moral ones, so the people who care. But that means that business is often cast as something that you tolerate at best and mistrust at worst. It's necessary, like we've gotta make money and keep the world spinning, but it's a little bit suspect. They're always out for profit and not really caring about people. That's the idea. And look, I unde...

If social media is pay-to-play, and your website is a slow burn, where are people meant to build genuine community now? That question sits right in the middle of this episode with Sally Burns, founder of The Portal, a platform trying to fix two things at once: the way online learning works, and the way creators find each other without shouting into the algorithm void. We get into interactive learning, course overwhelm, cross-pollination between creators, and why “community” isn’t a Facebook g...

Networking doesn’t have to feel like business speed dating. In the latest episode of the Soapbox podcast, I’m chatting with Emma Ahlert, founder of Elsie – a networking space for people working in female and sexual health that actually feels good to be in. We talk about: • Making friends before making sales • Why some rooms feel instantly wrong (AI + golf, anyone?) • Online communities that don’t drain your soul • And building something ethically, wit...

Running your own business requires more than good ideas and solid strategy. It asks for energy, emotional regulation, focus, and the ability to make decisions when things feel uncertain. When those start to wobble, everything else gets heavier too - marketing, consistency, confidence. This episode explores health through a longevity lens. How strength, sleep, and taking care of your body support the kind of work entrepreneurs are doing every day, especially over the long term. I’m joined by L...

Today on the Soap Box, I’m talking to Jacki Hayes, a systems geek for creative service businesses and someone who’s quietly building a very different kind of company. Jacki helps creative service providers stop duct-taping their systems together and build businesses that actually work, with more ease, clarity and flexibility. In our conversation, Jacki makes a simple, slightly spicy point, the kind I like. Running a business is political, not party political, but human political. The way we p...

Today on The Soap Box, I’m talking to Louis Watkins, the founder of Clear for Men, a skincare brand designed to do more than clean your face — it’s a daily reminder to take five minutes for yourself. It sounds simple, but Louis is genuinely an inspiration (and I don’t say that lightly). Louis is on a mission to normalise mental health conversations among men. He’s a huge advocate for men’s mental health, and after personally struggling with his own challenges around 2020, he became determined...

Thoughts on where I'm falling short, why that's ok, and what to do instead. Looking for more? Follow Peta on Instagram Find Peta on LinkedIn Hire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging

Today's guest is Crystal Whiteaker, founder of Crystal Lily Creative, an inclusive leadership and brand development consultancy. Crystal is also the author of Brave Leadership is a Choice: An Inclusive Guide to Creating Belonging, and she works with mission-driven founders over meaningful stretches of time – starting with who you are as a leader, then aligning your messaging and your backend systems so the experience you promise is the one people actually get. With 20 years of experience acro...

Today’s Soapbox is for anyone who’s ever tried to make things better, but found themselves wondering if it’s really making a dent. (I know that’s been me at times.) My guest, Sarah Fox, has spent years at the messy human end of change – community arts, small charities, and now coaching and supervision for leaders. She’s an accredited coach, coach supervisor, trainer, and action learning facilitator, supporting socially minded leaders, founders, freelancers, and organisations to clarify their ...

Today on the Soap Box, I’m joined by Tarrah Nhari, CEO and co-founder of Tammwe, a platform that connects African and displaced freelancers with global opportunities. Through Tammwe’s enterprise services, Tarrah also partners with tech teams across the African continent, helping them land bigger projects while championing fair pay, skills development, and economic growth. But as is often the case with my guests, that’s just one part of her story. Tarrah is fiercely driven by equity – whether ...