For most of us, coming up with ideas is an essential part of running a creative business. But whether we need them for client work or our own content, sometimes generating fresh ideas can feel hard. Inspired by our own struggles, this is what we’re chatting about in today’s episode. As well as exploring why you might be short of ideas, we discuss strategies for navigating the natural ebb and flow of your creativity, offering advice to help you get those ideas flowing again. Links and Further Rea...
Jul 30, 2025•19 min
In today’s episode, we’re discussing some recent Internet drama — Glennon’s Doyle’s arrival and sudden departure from Substack. To be clear, we’re not interested in gossip and hot takes. Instead, we’re chatting about our experience watching these events unfold, and how they made us feel about Substack and its users. As well as touching on the dangers of positioning Substack as the antidote to everything that’s wrong with social media, we talk about the constant evolution of the Internet and what...
Jul 16, 2025•38 min
As we hit the midpoint of the year, we’re reflecting on Quarter 2 and looking ahead to Quarter 3 in our respective businesses. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the next three months and discuss what we’re hoping to achieve before the next time we have this chat. Links and...
Jul 02, 2025•31 min
In today’s episode, we’re talking about the Wheel of the Year, a seasonal cycle of eight festivals, or sabbats, that mark the passage of time through the year, connecting with the Earth's natural rhythms and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Charlie explains the significance of the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days, describing some of the symbols and traditions associated with them. We also discuss different ways you can use the Wheel of the Year within your creative business. F...
Jun 18, 2025•26 min
Inspired by a recent conversation during one of our real-life co-mentoring sessions, today we’re asking whether a picture is REALLY worth a thousand words. Spoiler alert - Franky doesn’t think so! We’re constantly told we live in a visual world, especially when it comes to doing business online, but are headshots, logos, and brand colours really the most important thing? Listen as we explore this topic, chatting about ocularcentrism, the perils of neglecting your website copy, audio branding and...
May 28, 2025•25 min
When it comes to your business, how much self-belief do you have? In today’s episode, we’re answering this question and exploring why self-belief is so important when you work for yourself. As well as discussing how our relationship with self-belief has changed over the years, we dive into the differences between inner work and external validation. We also share some of the things we’ve tried to boost our self-belief. Links and Further Reading The Art of Requesting, Receiving and Giving Feedback...
May 14, 2025•24 min
In this episode, we’re reflecting on Quarter 1 and looking ahead to Quarter 2 in our respective businesses. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the next three months of 2025 and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the next time we have this chat. Links and Furth...
Apr 30, 2025•44 min
After six years of podcasting, we thought it was about time we shared an updated episode on our specialist subject - co-mentoring. For those who don’t know, Friends With Business Benefits wouldn’t exist if we hadn’t started co-mentoring first. As well as sharing our co-mentoring origin story, we answer some of your most common questions. What is co-mentoring and what can it do for your business? What makes a good co-mentor and how can you find your own? We also share tips and advice to help you ...
Apr 03, 2025•32 min
It’s the perfect time of year to spring clean your rhythms and routines, so that’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode. While some things will naturally shift as the seasons change, certain areas of life and business require us to be more intentional. Listen as Charlie walks us through her process, explaining how she supports her mentees to do the same. From figuring out what’s working and what’s not to adopting new habits and overhauling your working week, we discuss everything you need...
Mar 20, 2025•35 min
When is a pivot not a pivot and how do you know when it’s time to evolve? This week, we’re answering both these questions and more, digging into the practicalities of switching things up in your small business. We cover the realties of being solely responsible for you own professional development, reasons you might want to evolve, and the steps you need to take in order to do so. We also share evolutions we’ve been through as business owners in the past and where we hope innovative thinking migh...
Feb 27, 2025•27 min
It’s time for our annual ‘planner meeting’ where we review the previous year's planners and journals and discuss what we’ll be using for the year ahead. As well as sharing the notebooks and diaries we’ve invested in this year, we explain how we’ll be using them to stay organised at work and at home. It’s a must-listen for stationery fans and those who prefer pen and paper-based productivity tools! Links and Further Reading The 6 Minute Success Journal Lunar Planners by Nikki Strange CEO of My Ow...
Jan 31, 2025•28 min
We’re kicking off the new year with our annual cosy conversation about reflections and intentions. Find out what went well for us last year and what we learned from the things that didn’t. We also chat about our words of the year, share a few goals for 2025, and make some solid(ish) plans for Q1. Links and Further Reading The Power of Play Larking About Content Creatives with Charlie Swift Join the conversation on Substack to tell us all about your plans for the year ahead. We’d love to hear fro...
Jan 16, 2025•44 min
In our final episode of the year, join us as we run through some of our non-business related faves. As well as our favourite films, TV shows, music and books, we chat about the habits and experiences we’ve enjoyed the most. It’s an episode filled with recommendations, just for you! Thank you for listening throughout 2024 and merry Christmas from both of us to all who celebrate! Join the conversation on Substack where you can share your thoughts and fill us in on some of your own favourites. We’d...
Dec 31, 2024•52 min
This week, we’re chatting about the power of play and what happens when you choose to prioritise and embrace it. Franky describes the transformative journey she’s been on this year after choosing ‘play’ as her guiding word. We discuss the impact it’s had on her mindset, her business and her life outside work. Charlie also shares what play has looked like for her over the last 12 months, and we both share tips to help you embrace all things playful in 2025. Links and Further Reading @artgurl on I...
Dec 12, 2024•35 min
This week we’re tackling a huge topic - the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the small business world as a whole and on us as individuals. Charlie talks about using AI as a collaborative tool, highlighting some of the benefits, while Franky is very honest about how she thinks ChatGPT is already affecting her bottom line. We dive into some of the ethical issues surrounding AI and contemplate a future where more and more of the content we consume is created by robots. Links and Further Reading...
Nov 28, 2024•48 min
This week, we’re chatting all things email marketing. To kick things off, Franky shares a personal dilemma about whether or not she should move her mailing list away from Mailchimp and/or start a Substack. As well as covering the pros and cons of various email marketing platforms, we also discuss strategy, consistency, outsourcing and AI, what we write about and how we come up with ideas. Links and Further Reading: What Makes a Good Email Lead Magnet? Are You Going to Start a Substack? How Are W...
Nov 08, 2024•49 min
As we head into the darker, colder months of the year, we’re how we embrace and survive the autumn/winter season. Whether you love this time of year or not, there’s something in this mini-episode for everyone. Charlie describes some of her favourite seasonal rituals and Franky raves about her beloved thermal leggings. From making our homes feel cosy to working from home when it’s cold, we share tips and advice to help you get the most out of this time of year. Links and Further Reading: The Chri...
Oct 23, 2024•19 min
We’re back from our summer break and ready for a big catch up! In this episode, we’re reflecting on Quarter 3 and looking ahead to Quarter 4. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the final three months of 2024 and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the end of th...
Oct 09, 2024•28 min
In today’s episode, we’re introducing our summer series. For the very first time, we’ll be taking a proper planned break from recording and rereleasing some of our best episodes while we’re away. Before we switch off for the summer, we’re also chatting about how we’re going to approach the next six weeks in our businesses. We cover everything from travel plans and taking time off to juggling childcare and showing up online. We hope you enjoy listening to some of our back catalogue over the next ...
Jul 31, 2024•19 min
This week, it’s Charlie’s turn to mine Franky for some expert advice! After neglecting her business blog for a VERY long time, she’s wondering how to get back into the habit of posting. More to the point, should she even bother trying? As well as explaining the benefits of blogging, Franky shares practical tips and lots of motivation to help you create more long-form content and bring new potential customers to your website. Connect with us Friends With Business Benefits on Substack charlieswift...
Jul 18, 2024•20 min
In this episode, we’re reflecting on Quarter 2 and looking ahead to Quarter 3. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the next three months of the year and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the end of the summer. Work With Us charlieswift.com love-audrey.com Find...
Jul 04, 2024•32 min
This week, we’re chatting about in-person networking. Although it was something we both leaned on heavily in the early days of freelancing, the pandemic had a huge impact on its role in our businesses. As Franky recently attended her first in-person event in almost 5 years, it seems like a good time to explore this topic and discuss what networking looks and feels like in 2024. As well as sharing tips to help you get the most out of in-person events, we cover different forms of networking and to...
Jun 20, 2024•31 min
How do you feel about Instagram trends? New trends, old trends, emerging trends, micro trends - love them or hate them, the app is full of them! In this episode, we’re discussing Instagram trends in-depth, examining their impact, weighing up the pros and cons, and exploring how you can figure the ones to avoid and the ones you should jump on. From trending audio to tiny mics, we cover a lot of ground! As well as venting about the trends we hate, we chat about the ones we love and share tips to h...
Jun 06, 2024•54 min
In today’s episode, we’re asking whether ‘everything is content’. This popular mantra is a phrase we’ve used and repeated ourselves, but is it true? How helpful is this approach and are there any pitfalls to avoid? Thinking critically and adding some much needed nuance, we explore content buckets, boundaries, protecting other people’s privacy and more. Links and Further Reading Embracing and Creating Video Content Friends with Business Boundaries Work With Us charlieswift.com love-audrey.com Get...
May 23, 2024•27 min
In this mini episode, Charlie poses a question she originally asked on Instagram - do you make time for non-business activities during your working week? After discussing things that might fall under this banner including life admin, self-care and creative dates, we explore why it might be hard to dedicate time to these activities when you could be working. We also share tips and advice to help you overcome these barriers and be the best boss you’ve ever had! Links and Further Reading How to Do ...
May 09, 2024•21 min
Are you feeling overwhelmed by Instagram? Are you overthinking your content and struggling to show up? Franky was. Having spent the last couple of years hiding on Instagram Stories and rarely posting to the grid, she finally realised something had to change. Luckily, her co-mentor happens to be an Insta-expert who gives excellent creative pep talks! Listen as we discuss how Franky’s been feeling about Instagram, why she wanted to change her relationship with the app in 2024, and the advice Charl...
Apr 25, 2024•32 min
In this chatty episode, we’re looking back on the first three months of the year and ahead to Quarter 2. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We discuss how Franky has been showing up on Instagram and her brush with having a Reel go viral, and also talk through Charlie's relationship with consistency in content creation in this season. We also chat about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us so far, plus we dig into our plans for Q2 a...
Apr 11, 2024•35 min
In this mini episode, we’re sharing ideas and inspiration to help you sneak more creativity into your daily life, especially if you’re short on time and/or caring for small children. From finding the magic in the mundane to portable crafts you can do in front of the TV, there’s a mix of practical advice and gentle encouragement, all based on personal experience and our belief that creativity can be a powerful form of self-care. Work With Us charlieswift.com love-audrey.com Find Us On Instagram @...
Mar 21, 2024•13 min
This week we're revisiting the topic of Substack. We disscuss whether or not the platform is a part of our content plans in this season, and what we're feeling called to consume and create there. Charlie shares how she is showing up on Substack this year and Franky touches on creating for the platform as a copywriter. We also breakdown the differnt ways you may engage with Substack content as a reader and talk about the various features and models the platform has to offer. Charlie's Substack: '...
Mar 07, 2024•29 min
We celebrated 100 episodes of Friends With Business Benefits and five whole years of podcasting by going live on Instagram to record this episode. Having hit such a big content creation milestone, we made that the focus, answering listener questions about creating and sharing content for your business. We cover podcasting, productivity, brainstorming ideas and more! Whether you’re an OG listener or a newbie, thanks for supporting our podcast! Links and Further Reading Watch the live episode here...
Feb 22, 2024•40 min
