Stories have the power to shape our dreams, spark our imagination, and inspire us to act. As a child, I devoured Enid Blyton’s books, captivated by tales of the Famous Five and their thrilling adventures. Those stories ignited a sense of curiosity and wonder in me, planting the seed for my own explorations later in life.
Stories can connect us to ideas, people, and places we’ve never encountered, expanding our horizons and pushing us toward new possibilities. That belief in the power of storytelling was the driving force behind launching the Access to Inspiration podcast in 2020.
My co-founder @Clive Steeper and I wanted to create a platform to share the stories of remarkable individuals from all walks of life. Those who dared to challenge themselves or share their vulnerabilities and humanity, and in doing so inspired others to do the same.
It began as an adventure into the unknown. Neither of us knew how to create a podcast, edit and publish it and find guests. Yet we decided to experiment because we knew that’s the best way to learn. Here we are now five years later, and with almost 150 episodes, two Impact reports, a series published in partnership with the RSGS, episodes aired by BBC Wiltshire and winning becoming a Silver Winner in the Signal Awards in the Most Inspirational Podcast category.
If I had told myself the story that “I cant create a podcast then that narrative would have guided my actions. But instead the story became about the enjoyment, learning and impact we have achieved.
And the best bit of my role as podcast host is listening to the stories of our amazing guests. From artists and astronauts each person has shared valuable and personal insights from their lives with me.
The podcast is a reminder that adventure isn’t just about scaling mountains or polar expeditions; it’s about daring to live with purpose and intention. Every story we hear has the potential to inspire us to take our own leap into the unknown. Which story has inspired you the most, and how has it shaped the adventures or challenges you’ve chosen to pursue?