Awesomely Off-Topic: Books, Brands, Business and Everything Else We’re Not Supposed to Say Out Loud

Rest can feel like cheating, even when you’re running on empty, and that uncomfortable truth says a lot about how we’ve been trained to measure worth. We’re coming off a bank holiday weekend and we thought a couple of nights away near Sherwood Forest would mean proper downtime. Instead, we caught ourselves doing what so many self-employed people do: packing the laptop “just in case”, checking scheduled posts, grabbing b-roll, and turning a break into a softer version of work.We share what finally helped us drop into something more restorative, what we call Star Child energy: wandering the woods, using the Merlin app to notice bird song, watching tiny wildlife in the undergrowth, and letting ourselves feel wonder again. We also talk about that modern habit of seeing everything through a phone lens, and why being present is sometimes the most rebellious productivity choice you can make.Then real life lands. A call about mum going into hospital snaps the nervous system straight back into alert mode, and it raises a bigger business question: does your business have your back when emergencies happen? We dig into rest guilt, ADHD brains, hustle and grind conditioning, and why “stopping” is often harder than starting. We also explore practical ways to ring-fence empty days, build genuine recovery time, and even create outdoor workshops that get people out of the office and back into creativity.If this hits home, subscribe, share it with a fellow business owner, and leave a review. What would you change this week to protect real rest?Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Some beliefs don’t just sit in your head, they invoice you every day. We’re talking about the “truths” we inherited from family, school, workplaces, and culture, then carried for years without checking the evidence. The big one? That low, sticky story of “I’m not good enough”, how it shows up as rejecting compliments, feeling like the odd one out, and slipping into self-criticism when we’re overtired or burnt out.We zoom out into money mindset and business growth, because scarcity thinking doesn’t stop at your bank balance, it shapes what you think you’re allowed to earn. We dig into classic money myths, the guilt around freedom when you’re self-employed, and the employee mindset that keeps entrepreneurs stuck in timekeeping shame, admin avoidance, and undercharging. We also talk about status symbols and visibility, including how looking “too successful” can trigger judgement, and why chasing the optics can quietly wreck cashflow.Then we get honest about bias and belonging: accents, class stories, inverted snobbery, and the way exposure to new rooms can force real unlearning. We unpack the fear around VAT registration in the UK, why “earning more will kill your business” is a myth, and what actually matters: systems, preparation, and not treating the extra 20% as yours. We finish with a line we want you to steal: you don’t have to keep lying in the bed you made. If it no longer serves you, burn it and build something better. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave us a review. Which belief are you ready to unlearn next?Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Some people are brilliant at what they do - yet still get overlooked, underpaid, underbooked or stuck wondering why things are not moving.In this week’s episode, Taz and Asha unpack the uncomfortable truth that talent alone is rarely the full answer. Being good matters, of course, but visibility, relationships, consistency, confidence, timing, courage and how you show up in the world all play a part too.Expect honest chat, practical truths, a few laughs, some gloriously off-topic detours involving recycling and apple turnovers, and plenty to think about if you know you have more to give but are not seeing the results yet.If you have ever thought, “But I’m really good at what I do… so why is this so hard?” - this one is for you.Follow Awesomely Off-Topic so you never miss an episode, and come say hello on socials.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

🎙️ Episode 4: Myth-Busting Visibility - What Nobody Tells YouEveryone bangs on about visibility like it’s the golden ticket.Show up. Go viral. Get a TEDx talk. Land some PR. Build a following.Job done… right?Not quite.In this episode, we’re getting honest about the side of visibility that doesn’t make the highlight reel. The stuff people don’t warn you about. The expectations that don’t match reality. And the bits that can feel brilliant one minute and deeply uncomfortable the next.We talk about: Why “just showing up” isn’t a strategy  The truth about TEDx talks, PR, and going viral  What visibility actually looks like behind the scenes  Being recognised in real life (and why it can feel a bit weird)  Trolls, backlash, and having your values out in the open  Why one big moment won’t build your business  The quieter, more sustainable way to grow your visibility There’s also a story in here about a client who found Taz through a random lockdown interview with Heather Peace - which pretty much sums up the real message of this episode: visibility doesn’t always work the way you think it will.It’s not about one big break. It’s about consistency, connection, and actually giving a shit about the people you’re here to serve.Quick note: this episode was recorded on 10th April, so when we mention Taz’s birthday being “tomorrow”, that was true at the time… just not when you’re listening!If visibility has ever felt confusing, frustrating, or a bit like smoke and mirrors, this one’s for you.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

BOOKABLE OR BROKE? What most speaker training missesSpeaker training is everywhere right now - and so are the promises.Big stages. Big fees. Fully booked calendars.But what happens when you’ve paid thousands… and still aren’t getting booked?In this episode, we’re getting properly honest about what’s actually going on behind the scenes of the speaker training industry. Because having a great story and a polished talk is only part of the picture - and for a lot of people, it’s not the part that’s missing.We talk about: why powerful talks still don’t get bought  what most speaker training completely overlooks  the difference between a “good speaker” and a bookable one  why relying on speaker agencies alone won’t cut it  how to shape your talk so people actually want to pay for it  the red flags to watch out for before you invest We also share practical tips on stagecraft, storytelling, getting your first gigs, and building a speaking profile that lasts - not just one that looks good on paper.If you’ve ever wondered why some speakers get paid and others don’t, this one matters.Follow the podcast so you don’t miss what’s next - and if this hits home, come and tell us what had the biggest impact for you.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

We woke up this morning and something slightly weird had happened… there were a lot more of you here than there were a few days ago.So if you’ve just found us, this is a quick hello.We talk books, brands, business… and quite a lot of things we probably shouldn’t say out loud.This episode was recorded in the car on the way to see Taz’s mum in hospital, so expect tangents, traffic cones, red kites, and absolutely no editing whatsoever.If you’re new here - you’re very welcome.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Do you remember the first time someone paid you for what’s in your head… not what’s in your hands?In this episode, we rewind to the messy, brilliant, slightly chaotic beginnings of getting paid for our brains. From £45 “I’ll charge you for my time then” moments… to kitchen table strategy sessions… to building a business off the back of relationships, reputation and being brave enough to ask.We talk about:The shift from “can I pick your brain?” to “here’s my rate”Why most people underestimate what they actually knowHow one small opportunity can open doors you didn’t even know existedWhat working with celebrities really taught us (hint: they’re just people)The power of relationships, referrals, and doing things properlyAnd why asking the question you’re scared to ask changes everythingIf you’ve ever thought, who am I to charge for this?This one’s for you.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Welcome to season 2.This time, we’re bringing a bit more shape to the chaos - starting by going right back to where it all began.Before the books, the businesses and the podcast, we were both young journalists learning fast in local newsrooms. In this episode, we talk about the lessons that stayed with us - writing hooks, interviewing people, working to deadlines, spotting spin, standing your ground and learning how to communicate with people from every walk of life.It’s a look back at the roots of what we do now, with plenty of newsroom memories, banter and a few thinking points to take away.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

For your second BONUS episode between seasons, Taz and Asha share exciting plans for the future of Awesomely Off-Topic.Thanks so much for all your support so far - you rock!Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

The one we recorded in the shadow of the Acropolis, on a balmy evening in Athens.We meant to upload this way earluer - it was recorded in September 2025, but hey, better late than never!EnjoyxSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

When we started Awesomely Off-Topic, we had no studio, no production team, and absolutely no idea what we were doing.What we did have was a couple of microphones, a stubborn belief that podcasting shouldn’t cost a fortune, and the willingness to figure it out as we went along.Forty episodes later, we’ve recorded in offices, cars, woodlands, and anywhere else we could make it work. We’ve upgraded our kit, made plenty of rookie mistakes, and discovered that sometimes the best moments are the ones you never planned.In this Season One finale we look back at what we’ve learned along the way – from the technical mishaps to the unexpected listener messages that made us realise the show was reaching far further than we ever imagined.We talk about the laughter, the lessons, and the strange places people have told us they listen to the podcast… including supermarket aisles and train platforms.We also share what’s coming next: new guests, improved audio, a growing podcast community, and the upcoming book Podcasting on a Shoestring.So… is this the end?Not even close.It’s simply the end of Season One – and the beginning of the next chapter.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Episode 39 - ADHD: Superpower, Disability… or Both?Is ADHD a superpower… or a disability?It’s a question that keeps popping up online, and every time it does the internet seems to split into camps. Some people argue that calling ADHD a superpower minimises the very real struggles people face. Others say recognising the gifts that can come with it helps them stop seeing themselves as broken.In this penultimate episode of the season, we dive into the messy middle of that conversation.We talk about the realities of living and working with ADHD - executive function struggles, time blindness, overwhelm, burnout and those moments where the smallest task somehow turns into a mountain. We also explore the other side of the experience: hyperfocus, creativity, intuition, pattern spotting and the ability to dive deep into something that genuinely matters.Along the way we unpack things like late diagnosis, masking, the scaffolding many people build just to stay organised, and the crash that can come after days of high-energy “peopling”.We also ask a question that stopped us both in our tracks:If someone could wave a magic wand and make you neurotypical tomorrow… would you do it?As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you see ADHD as a superpower, a disability, both… or something else entirely?Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

WE'RE OUT IN THE WILD - AND YOU'RE COMING WITH US!We've been banging on about the importance of 'Inspiration Days' for yonks and, this week, we've decided to bring you along for the experience.We have our posh new microphones (though there was a bit of a technical panic when we realised we'd forgotten the adaptor, plus we need to remember not to get too close while we're recording - apologies for occasional reverb!), our walking shoes, open minds, water and an inhaler... just in case! :DThere's some uphill heavy breathing, an abundance of gorgeous wildlife and plenty of chat about everything from AI to writers' block, using descriptive language on podcasts to what makes a good hug.Listen carefully... you might hear red kites, buzzards and even the occasional woodpecker.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Episode 37 – The AI Devolution: Broetry, Bots and the Death of VoiceEveryone’s calling it an AI revolution. We’re asking whether it’s becoming a devolution.In this episode of Awesomely Off-Topic, we take a proper look at what’s happening when creativity gets outsourced a little too eagerly. Not from a place of panic. Not from a place of fear. But from lived experience.We use AI. We value AI. But we’re also noticing something uncomfortable – when you lean on it too heavily, your own thinking, confidence and creative muscle can start to atrophy.We talk about:Why so much content now sounds eerily the sameThe overuse of rhetorical “broetry” patternsWhy AI is only ever as good as what you feed itThe difference between complementing creative professionals and bypassing themArt scraping, genre styles and where the ethical line sitsWhy the least interesting thing ChatGPT can do is write your LinkedIn postsAnd what the real power of these tools actually isThis isn’t anti-AI.It’s pro-standards. Pro-voice. Pro-thinking for yourself. Pro not using really obvious triads, like this one! (Well, it was before we added a fourth :D ).If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re using AI – or whether it’s starting to use you – this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Episode 36: Ecosystem vs Egosystem – The Difference Between Building Community and Building a CultLeadership isn’t the problem. Exploitation is.In this episode, we dive headfirst into a question that makes a lot of people uncomfortable:Are you building an ecosystem… or an egosystem?We talk about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) difference between healthy leadership and hierarchical control. Between fair value exchange and monetised proximity. Between building real community and building something that revolves around one person at the top.We unpack:The red flags of pay-to-play cultures in business and publishingMonetised hierarchy and “guru” dynamicsWhat happens when people leave a space – and how leaders respondThe difference between decentralising power and abandoning leadershipWe also challenge the idea that good coaching should make itself redundant – and explain why long-term developmental partnerships are not dependency, they’re growth.This isn’t anti-leadership. We lead spaces. We facilitate. We’re paid for our expertise.But when revenue flows upward without reciprocity… When growth threatens the leader… When leaving is shamed… That’s not community. That’s control.If you care about books, brands, business – and the ethics behind them – this one’s for you.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

We tried to record a podcast in the car. While it was moving. Honestly? Not our best idea!In this very weird-sounding episode (why do tyres on tarmac make it sound like we're underwater?!) we talk productivity hacks, outsourcing, books v social media, working in the smallest room and Dee Atkins (makes us do things we don't really want to, does things for us when we won't/don't. High levels of smut and professionalism. Five stars. Would recommend).Also, you get to experience the unprecedented joy of Asha attempting to park her 'wide' car in a perfectly normal parking space.Usual audio levels will resume next week!Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

ADHD Is Not ADHDADHD gets talked about as if it’s one thing, with one set of traits and one way of showing up. In real life, that simply isn’t how it works.In this episode, we talk openly about how ADHD shows up differently in each of us, where we overlap, where we don’t, and how wide the spectrum really is. We share what we’ve learned about our own brains over time, the assumptions we had to unpick, and the practical adjustments that made things easier rather than harder.We explore the challenges that come from expecting sameness, both in relationships and in work, and why irritation often comes from misunderstanding rather than malice. We also talk about the shift from frustration to curiosity, and how getting interested in how brains and emotions work can change the dynamic completely.This episode isn’t about labels, hacks, or fixing anyone. It’s about lived experience, difference, communication and learning how to work with each other instead of against each other.A human conversation for anyone with ADHD, anyone who loves someone with ADHD, or anyone trying to understand why “the same diagnosis” can look so different from one person to the next.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

We asked for your topic suggestions and, wow, did you put us to the test?!This episode's a proper mashup of ideas, opinions and wisdom, from what makes the perfect cuppa to confidence, reincarnation, network marketing, RPGs, books and pet grief - there's probably something for everyone!Enjoy... and keep those ideas coming in!Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Burnout, Lanes & CapacityBurnout is often brushed off with phrases like “you’re just tired” or “that’s just adult life”. In this episode, we talk about why that framing misses what’s really going on.We look at burnout as long-term overload rather than short-term exhaustion, and how it affects energy, focus, emotional regulation and motivation. We explore how this shows up in everyday life and why it is frequently misunderstood, particularly for neurodivergent people.We introduce a simple way of thinking about work and life through energy lanes rather than one long list of demands. Creative work, people-facing work, admin and recovery all draw on different reserves, and problems tend to build when too much time is spent in one lane without enough variation or recovery.We also talk about capacity language and how checking in using clear, shared signals can make work and home life easier to navigate. It creates clarity, reduces tension and helps people say what they can manage without things reaching breaking point.This conversation is about sustainability and self-awareness, not perfection or productivity. It’s for anyone who feels stretched, worn down, or aware that something needs adjusting before things tip too far.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Everybody knows about Friday the 13th.Tuesday the 13th has a much longer, stranger history.This episode landed on that date by accident. We’ll let you decide what you make of that.We start with triskaidekaphobia and The Thirteen Club – people who deliberately sat thirteen at the table to provoke the reaction it caused. Not because they believed anything bad would happen, but because everyone else did.From there, the conversation moves into business, pressure, money, launches, and the quiet behaviours people slip into when certainty drops away. Numbers avoided. Habits repeated. Decisions nudged by things that don’t quite make sense on paper.It’s a conversation about control, discomfort, and pattern-seeking minds doing what they do best when something matters.No conclusions. No reassurance.Just an honest look at how humans behave when they don’t feel in control.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

While clearing out a cupboard, we stumbled across an old content plan from years ago. Some of it made us smile, some of it made us wince; what surprised us most was how much of it still holds up.In this episode, we use that long-forgotten plan as a starting point to explore six themes that keep circling back – around brand, integrity, authenticity, commitment, permission and the stories we so often hold onto... whether they're serving us or not.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

In this episode, we’re pausing at the edge of the year and inviting you to do the same.We talk about what’s ready to be left behind as we move into 2026 – things like the Comparison Monster, old pressure, and habits that quietly drain our energy – and what’s genuinely worth taking forward instead.There’s a lot of reflection in this one, and some gentle coaching too, as we encourage you to think about the choices, boundaries and ways of being that will help you feel calmer, happier and more grounded in the year ahead.No big resolutions. No forced positivity. Just a thoughtful reset, and an invitation to shape a better 2026 on purpose.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Christmas feels ancient, cosy and untouchable.It’s also been aggressively meddled with - mostly by the Victorians.In this episode, we unpack how angels ended up policing the top of the tree, how Christmas pudding started out (you really would NOT have wanted custard with it!), why tinsel wasn't always tacky, and how class, comparison and respectability quietly rewired the season.This is Christmas traditions through a brand lens - part folklore, part rebrand, part Victorian PR disaster. Also, I think we deserve points for not calling it 'Brand AId: Do They Know It's Christmas?'. Ahem... moving swiftly on...This is festive, fascinating and just uncomfortable enough to make you look at your tree differently. Get it downloaded, you cheeky little Christmas elf, you! xSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

When did Christmas get so loud?In this episode, we share our gentle rebellion against all the commercialisation, noise and pressure, with a four-part gift philosophy we’re inviting others to play with.Along the way, we unpack how commercialised Christmas has become, share a handful of festive factoids, and - as ever - go slightly off-piste with a heartfelt (and entirely reasonable) plea to Gillian Anderson to notice us and sponsor the podcast. Gillian, if you’re listening, we adore your G-Spot. Call us! :DA cosy, thoughtful, gently subversive Christmas episode for anyone who wants this season to feel like something, not just cost something.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

You asked. We answered. No scripts, no prep, no re-dos – just honest, off-the-cuff responses to the questions you’ve been sending our way.In this AMA episode, we dive into whatever you threw at us: business, branding, visibility, mindset, the messy bits, the funny bits, and the “oh god, did we really just say that?” bits. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s absolutely Awesomely Off-Topic.We also put out the call for your next round of questions. If you want us to cover something in a future AMA episode – whether it’s practical, personal or downright bizarre – send it over. We’re game.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Mercury Retrograde gets blamed for everything – broken tech, stalled plans, wonky emotions and the odd meltdown in the middle of Tesco. But is it really that dramatic, or have we all just absorbed a load of doom-scroll mythology?In this episode, we take a grounded, no-nonsense look at retrograde: what it is, what it isn’t, and how you can actually use it to support your life and business instead of hiding under a blanket waiting for it to pass.We talk about the unexpected gifts that come with this season – slowing down, checking back in, fixing what needs attention and spotting the patterns we’ve been too busy to notice. We explore where retrograde can genuinely trip us up, where the myths have taken over, and how to navigate the wobblier moments without spiralling.We also offer simple journal prompts to help you use this end-of-retrograde window as a reset: a moment to review, recalibrate and make small changes that add up to big clarity.No fear. No superstition. Just a practical, human conversation about reflection, progress and working with the season instead of fighting it.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

For 14 years, we’ve been holding space for people who want more than a quick fix or a shiny shortcut. Our 13-month spiritual empowerment programme - The Big One - has grown from a wild idea into one of the most transformational experiences we run – and it’s taught us far more about business than any strategy ever could.In this episode, we’re lifting the lid on what it really takes to build and sustain a long-term programme. We’re talking honesty, clarity, commitment, and the kind of leadership you only develop by showing up again and again – even when life throws curveballs, grief, growth spurts and the inevitable “oh god, are we really doing this?” moments.We walk through the real lessons we’ve learned over the years: how being transparent creates trust, why setting clear expectations matters, what holding deep work teaches you about boundaries, and how a programme that lasts more than a year forces you to run your business with integrity, resilience and a very human heart.If you’ve ever wondered how to create something that lasts, this one’s for you.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

They’ve done their research and they’re on their soapboxes. Taz and Asha talk patriotism, flags and not-so-hidden agendas. Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

This episode, Taz and Asha welcome guest star Julie Randall, of Enlivened, to chat through Social Media Kindness Day and World Kindness Day. Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

It’s bonfire season, so Taz and Asha are putting a firework up everyone’s backside to get your business burning bright. Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

HALLOWE'EN SPECIAL:Let's get spooky for the season! In this spooktacular episode, Taz and Asha delve into the murky world of body snatching - snatching 'dead' parts of your business to create Frankenstein's lucrative monster.Are you ready to stop being a ghost and start howling up a storm? That's the spirit! Let's gooooooooo!Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Send us a textTaz and Asha talk ChatGPT and all things artificial intelligence. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance:👋 @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwaterSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Send us a textAskholes, sleevetuggers, networking V notworking and procrapstination. Whatever the block - or knobstacle - Taz and Asha have a word for it… and an opinion!Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance:👋 @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwaterSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Send us a textTaz and Asha talk LGBT History Month, World Mental Health Day and Bullying Awareness Month. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance:👋 @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwaterSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Send us a textInspiration Days. What are they? Why have them? How often? Really?!Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance:👋 @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwaterSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

From chance encounters to completely random moments, we’re sharing the strangest, funniest and most unexpected ways clients have found us. Proof that sometimes the best marketing isn’t marketing at all.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

The one we never expected to record!Taz and Asha discuss marketing, customer service and humanity in general. Hope you enjoy this bonus extra. Taz and AshaXxSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

We’re busting the myths we once believed about running a business – from “you have to work 24/7” to “bigger launches mean bigger profits.” Expect honest confessions, a few laughs at our own expense, and the lessons we learned the hard way.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Why your dream client might be nothing like the avatar worksheet said.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

We went full AMA (Ask Me Anything) mode – real questions from our audience, coming in live as we recorded. No prep, no scripts, just honest answers, unexpected tangents, and a few surprisingly useful gems that popped up along the way.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

We’re talking about where business and “woo” actually meet – no clichés, no crystal balls. From intuition-led decisions to the rituals that keep us visible and energised, we unpack how spirituality, energy and a bit of magic thinking can work alongside strategy and common sense.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Business bloopers, pricing flops, client clashes, launch fails. Honest lessons from things that did not go to planSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

The one we recorded in the car on a stupuidly hot day! Phew!Sales doesn’t have to be icky. We talk about how storytelling, soul and personal truth can bring in the right clients without the sleaze.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

You know the one. That messy, honest, powerful book that keeps whispering to you. Asha and Taz talk creative fear, truth-telling and getting it on the page anyway.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Neurodivergent? Welcome. Here’s how to stop “fixing” yourself and start designing a business that fits the rebel brain you’ve actually got.Warning: This one is VERY ADHD :DSomething you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

From TEDx to TikTok, keynotes to quiet rants. Speaking up doesn’t mean being on stage with a spotlight. This one’s for the softly spoken changemakers.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

This one’s about building something that won’t fall apart when you do. From burnout to bereavement, your business needs to stand strong when life gets messy.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Visibility without vomiting. Camera-shy? Story-dodging? Low-energy but big-vision? Here’s how to start showing up without selling out - or feeling sick.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

A fired-up Taz episode. Busting the myths around personal brand, why it’s not about your fonts or colours, and where the real work really starts.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater

Short books. Big impact. Asha takes the lead on how microbooks are changing the game for thought leaders, coaches, creatives and brands. Think less waffle, more wow. If you’ve got a message that matters, this one’s for you.Something you’d love us to know? Send us a message - we’d love to hear from you. Support the show✨ Unfiltered. Unedited. Awesomely Off-Topic. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow us on Instagram for more rants, rambles and random brilliance: 👋  @AwesomelyOffTopic, plus our co-hosts @thetazthornton + @ashaclearwater