When Rachel Spencer found herself struggling to breathe - as if something was crushing down on her chest - she knew something had to change..

She’d just received the news that a friend had passed away suddenly - which was devastating enough. But the news followed a serious of personal challenges, that included bereavement, ill health and the breakdown of a 10 year relationship

In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Rachel shares how she navigated this challenging period in her life. And how being brave enough to step away from everything but the necessary tasks in her business, for a time, was essential for her recovery.

Key Moments

00:02:39 The Bridget Jones quote that summs up what Rachel was going through

00:05:40 What Rachel decided to stop doing in her business when crisis hit

00:11:59 How self-care helped Rachel to push through hard times

00:19:33 The need for contingency funds and other streams of income

00:25:40 How to manage client communication while protecting your personal time

00:35:56 Rachel’s business mistakes and what she’s learned from them

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Janet Murray’s website

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Rachel Spencer’s website

Rachel Spencer’s socials: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn

Tim Lewis had been married to his wife Rachel for just a few years when she suffered a life-changing stroke. And as her health deteriorated, Tim began to lead a double life - an IT guy in financial services by day and caring for his wife by night.

When his wife sadly passed away, Tim found solace in his work at first - but soon found himself compelled to find a more fulfilling career. But it still took more than a year to find the courage to leave.

In this episode of the Courageous podcast, Tim shares his experience of losing his wife, early in their marriage. And how he found the courage to find a new and more fulfilling career as an author and podcaster.

Key Moments

00:02:13 The moment when Tim’s life changed forever

00:09:50 Grief, trauma, and their influence on men’s mental health

00:20:59 Tim on his bold move to change his career path

00:29:59 The book that made Tim consider a writing career

00:36:30 Being cornered - and how it sharpens entreprenurial skills

00:44:10 Networking advice: What Tim learnt from his experiences

2025 Courageous Business Planner Bundle - Apply PODCAST10 at checkout and save 10%.

Janet Murray’s website

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Tim Lewis’s website

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Book Chat Live

Tim Lewis’s books:

Timeshock: I Want My Life Back

Social Media Networking: How to Use Social Media to Get the Job You Want, Find Love, Get Business Success and Boost Your Travel

Universities are the home of free speech, critical thinking & robust debate, right?

Not for student Connie Shaw who was recently suspended from Leeds University Student Radio because of her personal views.

While the reasons for her suspension have not yet been made clear, she believes it’s because of her gender critical views i.e. she believes there are two sexes - male and female - and that the notion of ‘gender identity’ does not exist. And she’s passionate about protecting women’s sex-based rights to safe spaces, fairness in sport (and all aspects of life) … along with sex-based language.

While twenty-year-old Connie does not have a business (yet) she is a courageous leader. Because she’s willing to stand up for what she believes in - even if it makes her unpopular. Which means there is much to learn from this conversation - both for business and life.

And here’s the thing.

It shouldn’t feel courageous for me to share this conversation between two women - twenty years apart - who share a passion for protecting women’s sex-based rights - and the language used to describe them.

And yet it does.

And regardless of whether you agree/disagree with what you hear in this discussion - the right to freedom of expression is the most valuable thing we have. And something I believe we must protect - at all costs.

Key Moments

00:03:04 Why Connie was suspended from the position of daytime editor on Leeds Student Radio

00:13:19 The erosion of women’s sex-based rights - and why not enough people are taking about it

00:25:44 A gender-critical stance: Connie’s unfiltered beliefs

00:34:34 Erasing ‘woman’ - the controversy around women’s sex-based language

00:41:22 Why Connie believes biological men should not compete in women’s sporting categories and awards

00:51:41 Why being called bigoted doesn’t hurt Connie

2025 Courageous Business Planner Bundle - Apply PODCAST10 at checkout and save 10%.

Janet Murray’s website

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Connie Shaw’s podcast: The Fringe

Connie Shaw’s X

Connie Shaw on SoundCloud

Connie Shaw on Substack