Life Chats

One-Way Ticket: A Mum-Daughter Conversation

In their second recorded conversation, Michelle sits down with her daughter, Hannah, just before she takes off with her one-way ticket to explore Bali, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, and beyond.
They talk about the mix of emotions that come with big life changes: Hannah’s nervous excitement for her once-in-a-lifetime journey, and Michelle’s feelings as a mum watching her only child spread her wings whilst stepping into empty nest territory.
They share the reality behind the adventure; from practical preparation tips and travel planning to the emotional work of letting go and embracing new chapters. And in true Hannah style, she turns the tables to keep her coaching mum accountable to her promised actions of more podcast guests and client building while she’s away!
This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of laughter. Whether you’re a parent watching your child take off on their next adventure or someone standing on the edge of your own new chapter, this one’s for you.
🎧 Tune in to hear:
• The mix of excitement and nerves before a big trip
• Mum and daughter lessons through the preparation process
• Tips for long-term travel and emotional readiness
• Reflections on independence, growth, and letting go
• A gentle reminder that growth doesn’t stop for young people or midlifers
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on You Tube.
Michelle’s previous Mum-Daughter conversation “Life Chapters at 22” is available on this YouTube channel; for audio please go to Spotify https://bit.ly/45KFWIT
or Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/41J7RHW

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to help build our community.

More episodes and information on our offer: www.talkontowalkon.com

IG @talkontowalkon
FB @Talkontowalkon

#powerofconversation #genzconversations #facetofaceconversation #liverpoolpodcast #genzconfidence #motheranddaughterpodcast #gapyeartravel #emptynesters #genzvoices #balitravels

Read More

Life Chapters at 22 – with my daughter Hannah Helsby

In this special episode, I sit down with my daughter, Hannah Helsby (22), to reflect on the life chapters that have shaped her so far. From school days, exams and tough decisions to university, part time jobs and an incredible year working with Adidas.
Hannah shares her journey with refreshing honesty, offering insights into the choices she’s made, the lessons she’s learned, and how resilience and hard work have guided her along the way.
We cover:
• ✈️ Taking a gap year to travel and why employers value it.
• 🎒 Early school years, exams, and how connecting with teachers makes all the difference.
• 🌱 Building confidence through activities outside the classroom.
• 🗣️ How schools could do more to encourage young people to speak not just listen.
• 🔑 Making the bold decision not to take A-levels and the importance of exploring different options.
• 🛍️ How her passion for fashion and real life business issues have shaped her educational choices
• 🎓 Choosing the right university and course without giving in to outside pressure
• 👩‍💼 The role of part-time jobs in developing confidence and preparing for interviews.
• ❤️ Navigating a first breakup
• 🏠 Why living in university halls wasn’t the right fit.
• 👟 The highs and lows of applying for a placement year with Adidas from initial rejection to landing a dream role and thriving.
• 💡 How hard work and resilience have underpinned every step of her journey so far.
This conversation is a reminder that there isn’t one “right” path, only the one you create for yourself. Hannah’s story shows the power of exploring, persevering, and backing yourself even when the road takes unexpected turns.

👉 Perfect for students, parents, employers, or anyone curious about the real-life experiences shaping the next generation.
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to help build our community.

More episodes and information on our offer: www.talkontowalkon.com
IG @talkontowalkon
FB @Talkontowalkon
#powerofconversation #genzconversations #facetofaceconversation #liverpoolpodcast #letstalk #conversationconfidence #genzconfidence #gcseresults #alevels #motheranddaughterpodcast #lifelessons #universitylife #careertips #genzvoices #fashionbusinessstudent

Read More

Live your life without limits – Andy Grant

What were you doing 15 years ago? On 3rd February 2009, our latest life chat guest, Liverpool born, Honorary Royal Marine Colonel, Andy Grant, was blown up in Afghanistan alongside his fellow Marine commando, Iain Syme.

Andy was just 20 years old when he suffered 27 horrific injuries, was in a coma for 2 weeks, and woke to be told he could no longer have children. 18 months of tough rehabilitation followed before Andy made the agonising, life changing decision to have his seriously injured leg amputated.

Not only did Andy face the challenge of having to learn to walk again he has gone on to become;
• World record holder as the fastest single leg amputee over 10km
• Double gold medal winner at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games going on to run marathons, learning to ski and surf and conquering the highest of mountains.

Andy is in training for the one of the hardest ultra-marathons in the world, the Marathon des Sable and despite being told he could never have children, he is the proud father of his “greatest achievement”, his beautiful daughter, Alba.

Andy’s story is documented in his superbly-titled book “You’ll Never Walk” and his story begins at age 12, when he faced life without his beloved mum who passed away from leukaemia. Andy shares beautifully how his mum and family have been, and continue to be, his main source of strength and inspiration throughout his incredible challenges.

Now as an accomplished motivational speaker, Andy inspires people of all ages around the world to believe that anything is possible. If ever there was a story to make us not only open up but get us off our backsides to walk on and live life to the max, it’s this one.

Let’s ‘Talk on to Walk on’ with Andy Grant and let’s see where it leads…

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to help build our community.
https://youtu.be/UEXl4tdNftQ

More episodes and information on our offer: www.talkontowalkon.com
IG @talkontowalkon
FB @Talkontowalkon

#Lifeconversations #inspirationalstories #royalmarines

Read More

Dare to dream whatever your age

Nic Byrne sees possibility everywhere.
Approaching 20 years as a serial entrepreneur and alongside her business partner, she employs 40 people across her Urban Calm salons, training academy and spa with a purpose, Mini Madams.
Those of us who know and love Nic will think of words such as “resilience”, “grafter”, and “smart”.

Nic is now taking all that business and life experience and channelling it into her latest purposeful venture, Girls with Dreams Club.
The aim is to provide much needed support and guidance to girls throughout their challenging teenage years so they can go out into the world with the confidence to pursue their dreams.

As well as her talking about the reasons behind launching Girls with Dreams we discuss:
• The power of our network, working together for the greater good
• The realities of achieving success through hard work and
• Hacks to maintain a motivated, positive and purposeful state of mind as we transition into and through midlife.
Describing herself as an accidental entrepreneur, Nic Byrne is the epitome of what’s needed to walk on and go after your dreams, whatever your age.
I am delighted to be supporting her to spearhead a project to encourage and prepare the next generation of fabulous females to do the same.

Let’s ‘Talk on to Walk on’ with Nic and let’s see where it leads.

Please rate and review if listening on Apple. Please subscribe on Spotify and You Tube.
More episodes and information on our offer: www.talkontowalkon.com
IG @talkontowalkon
FB @Talkontowalkon
www.girlswithdreamsclub.com

Read More

Liverpool can do anything now – Claire McColgan CBE

Want to hear from the woman who has played a major contribution to the renaissance of Liverpool?

Since winning European Capital of Culture in 2008 Liverpool’s transformation as a national and international visitor destination has accelerated to 71 million visitors to our city in 2022. At the centre and now at the helm of delivering world class events has been Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan CBE.

Alongside her incredibly loyal team and in partnership with stakeholders, Claire has delivered iconic moments embedded in the memories of the masses in Liverpool and beyond. Highlights include:-

2008 – a Giant Spider sprayed us with water as she walked around our city centre
2012, 14 and 18 – we watched in awe, and took to our hearts, 50 ft Giants immersing ourselves in the magic of their story
2015 – “The Three Queens” Victoria, Mary and Elizabeth cruise liners danced on The Mersey to celebrate 175 years of Cunard’s presence in the city
Liverpool FC end of season parades with images of Liverpool’s iconic waterfront shared across the world
2016 – The city united on the steps of St Georges Hall and the words “Truth” and “Justice” reflected the emotion of the affected Hillsborough families and fans who, after almost 30 years, were finally and formally exonerated
2023 – Liverpool hosted an unparalleled Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine when all of Claire’s exceptional diplomatic, creative and leadership skills delivered something extraordinary for the UK.
We also talk about how during the pandemic Claire and her team courageously put Liverpool’s hand up to mass testing and crucially led on ensuring large scale events returned to the UK and Europe – which you will hear was an incredibly stressful and emotional time for Claire personally.

Today, Liverpool’s cultural confidence is booming so let’s talk on to walk on with the woman who has been instrumental in making it all happen, Claire McColgan CBE.

Please rate and review if listening on Apple. Please subscribe on Spotify.
More episodes and information on our offer: www.talkontowalkon.com
IG @talkontowalkon
FB @Talkontowalkon

Read More

I am the captain of my destiny – John May

Apart from being an hilariously funny, social media sensation, actor John May has a brilliant story and many life lessons to share.

A regular lad from Liverpool, who built a hugely successful barber shop, auditioned for acting school and never looked back. Credits include; Coronation Street, Little Boy Blue, Time and over 30 television adverts.

A firm favourite for Liverpool Football Club fans was John playing a crazy chauffeur pranking first team players and a spoof sketch John co-wrote, directing Henderson, Robertson, Firmino, Matip, Lovren and Jones in their failed boardroom efforts to create a drink advert. A must see on ‘You Tube’ for any fan.

Since the beginning of lockdown, John has brought laughter to the masses leading to a huge social media following through the creation of his loveable Liverpool characters; ‘Turkey Teeth’, ‘Kenny and Karen Corona’, ‘Derek’ and ‘Craig’.

But by his own admission, John loves to continually challenge himself. Recently walking from one end of Great Britain to the other (over 1,000 miles) “opened his eyes to what’s important in life.”

The walk, in aid of “Weapons down Gloves Up”, took a poignant twist when, 300 miles in, John was joined by Tim Edwards, the father of Elle, who was horrifically killed on Christmas Eve 2022. The pair, who had never met, with the support of disabled driver, Brian Conlon, completed the journey together creating a lifelong bond of friendship.

John is an absolute joy who wears his heart on his sleeve especially when talking about mental health and his observations on life. Let’s “talk on to walk on” with John May and see where it leads…

Please rate and review if listening on Apple. Please subscribe on Spotify.
More episodes and information on our offer: www.talkontowalkon.com
IG @talkontowalkon
FB @Talkontowalkon
Follow John on You Tube and Instagram @thatjohnmay

Read More

So much more than the luck of the Irish – Donna Scully

Leaving school at 16, Donna did not go to university but worked as a legal secretary knowing she wanted more…
This is not your normal legal career podcast. Please pause and take a listen the fabulous Donna Scully.
Yes, Donna is a lawyer of incredible standing, with many accolades but what jumps out is her less than conventional route to qualification.
Her positive energy combined with her warm Irish charm and wit shine through from the minute we begin to chat.
Donna openly shares her challenges and tenacity she demonstrated as she moved from Dublin to Newcastle then London to fulfil her qualification dream by the age of 30. Moving to Liverpool soon after, alongside her husband John she built leading legal practice, Carpenters Group, which employs around 1,000 people in 6 UK locations.
A quick scan of her vibrant twitter feed provides a wonderful flavour of Donna’s social values and beliefs. Donna is vocally passionate for social justice, social mobility, diversity and gender balance not only via her industry platform, but in her roles outside of law including as a mentor working with young females and as an ambassador/volunteer for ‘Fans Supporting Foodbanks’.
Other highlights include her take on and experiences with imposter syndrome as well as her refreshing outlook on midlife.
Let’s talk on to walk on with Donna Scully and see where it leads…
Please rate and review if listening on Apple. Please subscribe on Spotify.

More audio episodes and information on our coaching mentoring and talks offer: www.talkontowalkon.com
Podcast, social media and videos – www.linktr.ee/michellewalters_
IG @MichelleWalters_
IG @talkontowalkon
Tw @Michelle_llb
Facebook @Talkontowalk
Follow Donna on Twitter @Donna_Scully

Read More

Shop girl to West End star and beyond – Eithne Browne

From Blood Brothers to Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita and so many more Liverpool born actress Eithne Browne has had a fascinating career in theatre and on screen.

Her story leaping from shop girl to West End Blood Brothers star, stepping in for Barbara Dixon is fabulous.
Eithne went on to star on stage in Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita to name a few and was famed nationally for her five year role as Chrissy Rogers the long running, British soap opera Brookside, going on to appear in TV soap classics such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Locally in Liverpool, Eithne is adored not only for the joy she has brought to our local theatre goers over the years but for the depth and charisma she brings to each of her onstage characters.

Credits include Twopence to Cross the Mersey, Scouse Trap and Brick Up the Mersey Tunnels the latter which alone played to around 250,000 people.

At 68 and currently performing in “A Thong for Europe” celebrating Liverpool’s incredible hosting of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, Eithne is complete proof that age is just a number. Eithne shares a fabulous story and together, we share our mutual passion for theatre and our beloved Liverpool but we also go deeper into the mindset of this incredibly inspirational woman whose energy, vibrancy and passion for life is simply inspiring.

Her observational humour and quick wit brings many a laugh in our podcast conversation.

Let’s talk on to walk on with Eithne Browne and see where it leads.

Read More

An ordinary man doing extraordinary things – with Bernie Hollywood

At 63 you’d think you’d want to slow down a little. Not our guest, Bernie Hollywood OBE, who has just completed a solo 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic in his “Boat of Hope” to raise awareness around young people’s mental health. An experience which almost ended his life.

Over the last 40 years, Liverpool-born social entrepreneur, charity guru and adventurer Bernie, has raised over £42 million for UK and overseas charities.

His achievements include:-

trekking the north and south poles
reaching Everest base camp
cycling across the USA
running in a race across the Sahara Desert
running over 150 marathons, including 41 over 20 consecutive days

Bernie is also a world record holder, running the longest distance in seven days. In his Liverpool home, he contributed to the build of a local boxing club to help get vulnerable kids off the streets and put them on the right pathway and has received countless awards for his philanthropy. His overseas work includes building sustainable schools in Kenya.

A key focus of our conversation is around Bernie’s immense mindset and how the power of conversation, connection and his love of community has led him to make the biggest impact on the lives of so many.

www.berniehollywood.com

Let’s talk on to walk on with Bernie Hollywood and see where it leads.

Please rate and review if listening on Apple. Please subscribe on Spotify.

Audio episodes and more information on our coaching mentoring and talks offer: www.talkontowalkon.com

Watch full episode on You Tube at Talk on to Walk on https://tinyurl.com/yckw8zyh

Podcast, social media and videos – www.linktr.ee/michellewalters_

IG @MichelleWalters_

IG @talkontowalkon

Tw @Michelle_llb

Facebook @Talkontowalk

Read More

Kenya to Liverpool with a Disney stopover – with Patrick Walters

A gut reaction that my husband, Patrick is my guest this week could either be that it’s completely corny or that it has sparked curiosity.

Patrick Walters is some-one whose upbringing and diverse life experiences never ceases to fascinate me.

Highlights include

Born and brought up in Kenya
Learned to learning to fly with the RAF
Worked for The Walt Disney Company
Lived in Paris and the USA, witnessing and playing a role in the aftermath of 9/11 and
Led the way in the ports industry creating 1000’s of jobs in Liverpool, the city he now calls home.

I am nervously excited that Patrick has agreed to share his story so let’s talk on to walk on and let’s see where it leads…

Please rate and review if listening on Apple podcast

Audio episodes and more information – www.talkontowalkon.com

Podcast, social media and videos – www.linktr.ee/michellewalters_

Follow Michelle on Instagram and Twitter go to @MichelleWalters_ and Michelle_llb

Read More