The Style Project: a podcast about body love, self esteem and personal style

Nat Tolhopf is the queen of imperfect action. She’s a business coach, author and speaker, and everyone’s biggest cheerleader in business and in life, her energy and positivity is infectious!In this best bits episode Nat and I chat about flipping the “f#$k it” switch at 40, but also learn about how a physical ailment changed Nat’s view of herself, for the better.Wow, who would have thought having your face paralysed like Nat would help her see how beautiful she actually was. Nat’s courage and determination to just keep on keeping on, and not letting an change in her physical appearance derail her is amazing. She just keep walking the walk of imperfect action. but isn’t it also a testament to her resilience and confidence, that she just keep going.If you’d like to start to shift YOUR confidence around style, and to really step into owning your body, and living a life you deserve, make sure you join me in The Style Circle, my online community designed to give you back your confidence in style, one small step at a time.You can listen to the full episode with Nat from Season One here.

Rebekah Homes, aka Becks is a professional organiser and declutterer, and owner of TSSS and Clutter Collect.In this Best Bits snippet, Becks and I chat about why liking her body is a practical decision (like a lot of things in Becks life).We discuss the idea of body neutrality, and why it’s important to not blame your body when things don’t work on you.I just really love the perspective Becks has on her relationship with her body. She says it as a vessel to get stuff done (our business coach Nat would be proud!). Becks has a very understated body confidence, and I love that for her! Working together, we built off that confidence and gave her the tools to use her confidence to elevate her style.If you’d like to start to shift YOUR confidence around style, and to really step into owning your body, and living a life you deserve, make sure you join me in The Style Circle, my online community designed to give you back your confidence in style, one small step at a time.Click here to listen to the full chat with Becks from Season One

Danika Revell is the co-founder and CEO of charity the period place, oh and also my bestie.She was the very first guest on the Style Project, and it this "best bits" snippet, we’re talking about how she feels about her body at 5 months post-partum.I love Dani’s attitude to dressing as her body is changing, keep listening to find out what she said.If you'd like to listen to the FULL episode with Dani, head to my website and listen here.For more information on how you can shift your confidence around style, step into owning your body and living a life you deserve, find out more about The Style Circle, my online community designed to give you back your confidence in style.

Today's guest has created one of the most loved and renowned  local brands NZ have to offer. Introducing Roanne Jacobson, funder and designer of accessories brand Saben.My love affair with Saben started the moment I met Ro - she’s cool, laid back and genuinely one of the friendliest people I’ve met! As a mother, business owner and all round wonder woman, Roanne understands what it means to need a bag that functions for your everyday life, yet can be used to express your own individual style.I loved chatting with Ro about how accessories are a key ingredient in her daily looks,  her background as a ballet dancer, and the impact that had on her style and body image, as well as hearing a little about the gorgeous new Autumn / Winter Collection, The Great Outdoors.Shop the new collection here: https://www.saben.co.nz/Follow Saben on Instagram here; and on Facebook hereFinery CocktailsFinery are a local company based in Auckland, supplying cocktails (+ a 0% option) around Aus & NZ! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Lewis Rowe is the ultimate man about town. Immaculately dressed every time I see him, his style and confidence is enviable.So I was really excited to chat to him more about how HE views his style, and how it's linked to his confidence.This episode was recorded in 2020 during the first NZ lockdown, therefore some of the references may be slightly dated.

The fabulously flamboyant Evie Kemp is my latest guest. She's an incredibly talented designer and all round creative.She loves her dogs, is never short of a wide-leg pant, and always keeps her hallway looks immaculate for when people "just drop round'Evie's personal style is amazing! But it's been a work-in-progress. I loved our chat about how we just need to take up space, and show us as our authentic selves, and why it really is ok to just show your arms, no matter what they look likeFollow Evie on Instagram HERE, or visit here website for some incredible style inspiration HERE.

The queen of footwear, Cushla Reed, is NZ fashion royalty. She’s been in the industry for over 20 years, and has seen it all, but is one of THE most down to earth people you will ever meet.She is the heart and sole (see what I did there?) oh her business, she still fronts her retail space and is in constant contact with her customers and  retailers, often listening to women complain about and put down their bodies when trying on clothes. She uses the valuable information sh gains from chatting with customers about their insecurities to thoughtfully design both her shoes and her more recent clothing line (C.Reed clothing).I always love a chat with Cushla, and I”m so excited to have her join me on this episode  - happy listening.Visit Minx Shoes HEREFinery CocktailsFinery are a local company based in Auckland, supplying cocktails (+ a 0% option) around Aus & NZ! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Brooke Falvey is Brisbane's very own Carrie Bradshaw. She's a journalist, turned fashion blogger / instagram star, turned stylist and model.This blond bombshell is the OG dopamine dresser, and she makes me miss my home state of Queensland  with all the amazing colour and print she wears on her Instagram page, but you'll also be surprised at the clothing item she feels the MOST herself in.Learn how a conversation as a teenager with her mum in a mall about all of the 'normal women' set her on a path to accepting her (gorgeous) body how it is, and gave her the confidence to step into a modelling career even though she doesn't have the 'traditional model frame" that we were programmed to be the "only model body" growing up in the 90's.We talk about how wearing your togs in public might be bold, but please don't call it brave, and I learn about how protective Brooke is over her own sense of style (don't mess with her gold boots please!)Find Brooke on INSTAGRAM HERE, or read her blog ON HER WEBSITEThe Style Project: Season 2 is proudly sponsored by local NZ business, Finery Cocktails - living your finest life with Finery. Find them at finerycocktails.co.nz

Cassie Roma has that enviable ability to make you feel like you are the only person in the room every time she talks to you.Cassie's trademark look, with her amazing mane of curls, hats and double denim is one of her most distinct calling cards, but she didn't always have the confidence to be her true self...Self-described storytelling, public-speaking, social media + digital marketing OG with a penchant for data, creativity, strategy, & community advocacy, her kindness and joy are infectious, but life hasn't always been smooth sailing for this California girl living in NZ.In this episode, Cassie and I chat about everything from why she loves her grandfathers style, how growing up in the 90's in California wasn't amazing for her self esteem, and why we just all need to be a little bit kinder to ourselves, and each other.You can find Cassie Roma on Instagram, LinkedIn and on her website.The Style Project: Season 2 is proudly sponsored by local NZ business, Finery Cocktails - living your finest life with Finery. Find them at finerycocktails.co.nz

Content creator and body diversity advocate Jess Quinn is one of the most positive, inspiring people I know. And she's just a joy to be around.Her outlook on life is inspiring, considering she lost her right leg to cancer aged 9.Jess is showing others how to overcome adversity and insecurity using her own incredible experiences, including a TED talk in Auckland in 2018Last year, she took a petition to the NZ government, asking that all photoshopping on magazine images be disclosed, after a personal experience with her body being manipulated for a magazine.  Find Jess on instagram here: @jessicaemilyquinn and watch her TED talk here.

Nat is the ultimate cheerleader you want in your corner, as a business coach, and as a friend. She's not afraid to tell it how it is (and drop the occasional f-bomb) but that's why we all love her!Nat suffered a Bell's Palsy, which paralysed half her face, and it was the turning point in her journey with her own body image. You can join her tribe on Facebook here: Nat Tolhopf - Business Coach, or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/natalie_tolhopf_business_coach/, and even buy her book: https://natalietolhopf.com/allergic-to-perfect-book/

This amazing lady has done it all! From Winter Olympian, to boogie-ing away on Dancing With The Stars to hosting The Crowd Goes Wild, Anna Wilcox is inspiring.She is so down to earth, and wise beyond her years. She's so sure of the person that she is, no matter what she looks like, and really appreciates the body she has for what it does.We may se\way into a bit of wedding chat too if you're down for that hahaWe've also coined the hashtag #JUSTBODIES! Have a listen to find out how that came about.You can follow Anna's journey on instagram here: @anna_willcox

Justine is ALWAYS a delight to be around. As a self-confessed body love advocate, her vibe is all about being kind to yourself.Her instagram feed (@mybalanceproject) is always full of fun, inspiring tips about fashion, food and family life.She's lost 30kg naturally, and works everyday to maintain a positive attitude about life - and it's infectious!

Amber Peebles is a former Miss New Zealand, TV and radio host,  New Zealand style icon (well in my humble opinion anyway) and an all-round lovely lady!I'm so excited to have her as a guest on The Style Project, have a listen as we chat about being kind to yourself, changing your mindset for the better, and why jeans are the best thing ever!Follow her on instagram - @amberpeebles or read her blog Amber's Edits

Jess Claris is a self-described animal print addict  - something I can admire in another woman.In this episode, we chat about what acne and white skin can do to your body image, what to say to your teenage son about porn, and a bunch of stuff in between.Find Jess on Instagram here @dotdashnz

Chatting with Maria always leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy. She is funny, she is warm, and she is real.She is real about parenting, she is real about mental illness and she is real about body image.Find Maria on Instagram here @happymumhappychild on Facebook here or read the Happy Mum Happy Child blog here

My styling BFF Monique, or Mo to her friends, is one of those people that I could talk to for EVER!And in this episode we cover so much more than just a quick chat about body image and personal style.There's sex-talk, birth stories, discussions about 'fat' as a dirty word, and we delve a little deeper into why people (mostly women) feel the need to judge themselves and others bodies.This is a longer-than-usual chat, but we'd love you to stick around.Find Mo on Instagram here @dressingup_moniquedoy,  on Facebook here - Dressing Up with Monique Doy, or visit her website, Dressing Up.

Meet Rebekah - she's a bundle of positive energy and always has a fun yarn to share. She's a mumma to her boy, Otis, and runs The Ship Shape Shoppe - a professional organizing and decluttering business.I know her style quite intimately, as she is actually one of my 1-on-1 style coaching clients so it was nice to hear from her putting into practice some of the lessons we learnt in our session!Join us as we chat all things personal style, body image, and self esteem, and how they're all linked.Find Rebekah on Instagram at @theshipshapeshoppe, on Facebook at The Ship Shape Shoppe or visit her website, The Ship Shape Shoppe

Style Coach and everyday personal stylist, Caitlin Taylor from Chasing Cait chats with her BFF Dani about body love, self esteem and personal style.Dani is an all-powerful mumma bear to two gorgeous boys, the co-founder of NZ's first period poverty charity, The Period Place, and she also happens to be one of my best friends - we even used to live next door to each other.!It seemed fitting that Dani was my first guest on The Style Project, as we've know each other since we both moved here to NZ. We've been through quite a bit together, including having babies one after the other for almost 4 years now!In this episode, we talk about how becoming a mum can not only change your body, but how you think about your personal style.Stay tuned as these two Aussie sheilas, living in NZ, discuss changing out attitudes to our own bodies, and how that trickles down to our children.Find Dani on Instagram as @theperiodplace, or on Facebook as The Period Place, or visit The Period Place website.