Allegedly Thriving

It’s Big June , which means: everyone suddenly has budget, every event lands at once, and Martin and Issy are running on fumes. In this episode, they’re thriving because busy season is booming They debrief a two-day festival, a full-day marketing conference, and a studio day packed with client content… then immediately spiral into the important topics: why wireless kit is worth it, the horrors of...

It’s been a few weeks, and Issy returns with a story Martin has been desperate to tell: the day she joined the gym… and somehow managed to injure both ankles within minutes of signing a 12‑month contract. From the initial road rage omen, to the treadmill dismount that turned into a double “pop”, to the brutal reality of A&E, crutches, and a toddler who thinks hiding them is comedy gold—this ep...

Your smartwatch says you slept ten and a half hours, but you remember staring at the ceiling and watching YouTube. So which do you trust: your body or your data? We start with our weekly “thriving or surviving” check-in and quickly land on the messy reality of modern life in business: low energy, too many inputs, and a constant sense that everything needs sorting right now.  From sleep tracking an...

The fastest way to spot a founder is simple: ask them to take a week off and watch the panic set in. We’re Martin and Izzy, and we’re balancing two very different ends of the small business world, from solo creative work to building a studio hire space that can operate without the owner hovering over every decision. That contrast sparks a frank chat about holiday guilt, letting go, and why switchi...

In this episode of Allegedly Thriving , Izzy opens with an uncharacteristically slick intro before they immediately agreeing that the podcast probably needs a helpline disclaimer. Feeling fresh from a long Easter break they talk about unread messages, professional anxiety and whether you should save the good stuff for “special occasions" or just enjoy them now! They round out with wedding-ind...

In Episode 8 of Allegedly Thriving , Martin tries to keep the ship pointed vaguely at “podcast structure” while Izzy admits she’s still in surviving mode. Izzy opens up about the weird creative-business paradox: the more attention and praise she gets, the less confident she feels, then covers ways to quiet her brain  - Think repainting the kitchen pink, learning embroidery, and leaning fully into...

Welcome to our first one with Video - a huge thanks to Issy for letting us use her Looks Like We Made It set for this one - we are working on our own in coming episodes so watch out for that! in this one Issy’s away recharging this week, so Martin’s drafted in special guest James for a proper catch-up. James is a music guru and an Synth savant and currently works around the North East helping prim...

In Episode 7 of Allegedly Thriving , Izzy and Martin are back in the studio with more space, more distance, and (thankfully) less bao-bun-and-death ambience than the last mobile episode. Martin’s thriving after saying yes to a huge opportunity: photographing the Business Beats Cancer annual gala dinner at St James’ Park and experiences the special kind of exhaustion known as shoot tired . Izzy’s t...

In Episode 6 of Allegedly Thriving , Izzy and Martin finally nail the intro, only to immediately record in the noisiest possible location: The Stack in Seaburn, a giant tin box of kids, music, and questionable puns. Martin’s thriving after sitting down to map out proper short, medium and long tem goals.   Izzy’s thriving too but theres a quick hard left into mortality: the weird comfort of plannin...

Martin’s thriving off a surprisingly satisfying phone-photography gig, Izzy’s surviving via a Lake District bookshop fantasy, and they spiral into the most important debate yet: nip vs pop? In Episode 5 of Allegedly Thriving , Martin and Izzy finally attempt a proper intro (names included… eventually) before diving into the weekly check-in. Martin’s thriving after a genuinely enjoyable commercial...

In Episode 4 of Allegedly Thriving , Martin and Issy do the weekly check-in and immediately prove why the show is called Allegedly! Issy says she’s thriving but admits that success makes her more anxious, because she’s constantly waiting for the moment it all goes wrong. Martin relates from the other side: the strange self-employed paradox where you get the freedom to choose your hours as well as...

Welcome to our first podcast! Join Issy Howell ( Howell Media and Howell Studios ) and Martin Newham ( Martin Newham Photography ) as they talk about the stresses and challenges of running small businesses in the North East and Life in General In this debut, we talk perception vs reality in business, imposter syndrome, and why “looking like you’ve got it together” rarely matches what’s happening b...

In Episode 2 of Allegedly Thriving , Martin and Issy check in on the week thats gone by and ask the question: "Are we thriving or surviving?" Issy’s been surviving her daughter’s third birthday celebrations (think soft play that feels like Saving Private Ryan ), while Martin’s thriving work-wise but battling a brain that won’t switch off at night.  From recurring stress dreams and the pr...

In Episode 3 of Allegedly Thriving , Martin and Issy check in and ask the weekly question: "Are we thriving or surviving?" Issy is firmly in survival mode after a brutal run of seven speaking gigs in four weeks, followed immediately by her body dropping the “you’re ill now” hammer. We talk about what speaking teaches you (including the surprisingly strategic role of clothing), why nerves...