The Rise and Hive

This week we revisit last week's debate about taking your shoes off on a plane... and specifically those of you who claim you've never ventured to the toilet barefoot. We're not entirely convinced. We smell a rat. Then onto this week's important question... Are you a tea person or a coffee person? Or are you bucking the trend completely with a fruit tea or a hot chocolate? Do your...

This week we're riding the high from our strategy planning day, which got us reflecting on just how far we've come. We listened back to some of our very first episodes and were reminded exactly where this all began. So, we're revisiting our first ever episode and the reason The Rise and Hive exists: to create a hive built on connection that gives people the courage to believe that they...

This week we revisit last week's supermarket personality debate and discover that you're a wonderfully eclectic bunch. From the supermarket Shirley Bassey’s gliding elegantly through the aisles, to the Michael Schumacher’s treating Aldi like a Formula 1 circuit, and the Martin Lewis money saver’s meticulously comparing price per sheet, there really is a shopping style for everyone. Then on...

This week we’re talking about the magic that happens when you put yourself out there and find your people. Melissa is still riding the high from a weekend at Manifest, where she experienced the surreal joy of being recognised from the podcast and was reminded that your vibe really does attract your tribe. We also unpack our first experience of being trolled and what it means when not everyone is y...

This week we revisit last week’s holiday unpacking debate and are pleased to report that most people are firmly in the unpack-on-arrival camp, albeit with varying levels of organisation. Liane also discovers that she and Ed share an almost identical approach to holiday protocol, leading to the conclusion that they could quite happily become travel buddies. Then onto this week’s important question…...

This week, Liane and Melissa have their first official tiff. The cause? Instagram captions. Don’t worry, we work through it on the podcast, and we’re pleased to report that our friendship remains intact. We also dive into a conversation about your invisible reputation and how easy it is to underestimate the impact you can have on another person. A kind word. An encouraging message. A conversation...

This week we revisit last week’s Yorkshire pudding debate and can confirm what we suspected all along… Everyone loves a Yorkshire pudding. There was plenty of appreciation for the frozen variety, but let’s be honest, they’re no substitute for the real thing. Crispy, homemade and taking up far too much room on the plate. Then onto this week’s important question… What’s your approach to unpacking wh...

This week we’re riding the high from an incredible in-person event that left us reflecting on why we started this journey in the first place. We talk about the power of connection, the magic that happens when people come together, and what it means to create spaces where people feel seen, heard and encouraged to take a step towards the things they really want. Which is quite fitting, because in a...

This week we’re tackling a very important question… What’s your stance on Yorkshire puddings? Are they reserved exclusively for a traditional roast beef dinner, or are they welcome alongside any roast? Do they belong on a Christmas dinner? How many are you having? And perhaps most importantly… are you team crispy bottom or team stodgy? As expected, we have strong opinions. We also revisit last wee...

This week we’re riding the high that comes from being around people who are doing brave things. You know the feeling. Hearing someone’s exciting plans, celebrating their wins, watching them take a leap, and somehow finding yourself feeling a little braver too. We talk about the positive ripple effect of connection and why courage can be contagious. We also share the story behind the name The Rise...

This week we revisit last week’s ear cleaning debate and can confirm… despite all official advice, absolutely everyone is still using cotton buds. Mostly on a wet ear. Then onto this week’s important question… What’s your favourite type of potato? Because for us, potatoes are an elite food group. Roasties, mash, chips, waffles, dauphinoise… we support all potato activity in this house. The only is...

This week we’re talking about comparison and how easy it is to look at where someone else is in their chapter while completely forgetting the blood, sweat, tears, failures and setbacks it probably took to get there. Because most of the time, we’re comparing ourselves to someone else’s highlight reel… not the full story. We also have some big news, we’re applying for the Independent Podcast Awards...

This week we revisit last week’s shoes on or off debate and somehow end up on an important side quest… should dogs be allowed on beds? For us, it’s a hard yes. Then onto this week’s Question of the Week… How are you actually cleaning your ears? Because if you’re not using cotton buds for ears… what exactly are you using them for? We unpack the great cotton bud confusion, our questionable habits, a...

This week we’re talking about the reality of having a wobble… and how easy it is to get pulled into negative self talk when life feels heavy. We both share some of the challenges we’ve faced over the last week and the importance of recognising what’s actually happening before disappearing down the spiral. Sometimes the answer is tapping into your toolbox, using the things that help you re-regulate...

This week’s Question of the Week gets unexpectedly divisive… Shoes on or off in the house? What about house shoes? Is that technically the role of a Croc? What if you’re just nipping to the bin? And are you actually enforcing these rules with visitors… or quietly judging them afterwards? We also ask the important question, does the rule only apply if you’ve got carpets? Plus, we revisit last week’...

This week we’ve both been on our travels again, Melissa headed to Manchester to see Tame Impala, while Liane took on the glitter, glamour and intensity of the Open World Schools Championships at Blackpool Tower. Somewhere between concerts, dance competitions and filling the car up with fuel, we found ourselves reflecting on what it actually means to feel rich in life, and how much of that comes do...

This week we revisit last week’s deodorant debate and the people have spoken… there’s not much love for a roll on - apart from Liane’s brother-in-law, who proudly uses an unscented ladies roll on (there was judgement). Some die-hard Dove fans are still willing to splurge, while others are only now discovering the actual price of deodorant and frankly, aren’t coping well. Then onto this week’s impo...

This week we’re talking about the highs and lows… or the ebbs and flows… of life, and how quickly your mood and energy can shift from the smallest things. Comparison creeping in? Very real. One tiny thing throwing your whole vibe off? Also very real. We get into the power of self awareness, honest communication, and recognising what’s actually going on before you disappear into a spiral or take it...

This week’s Question of the Week is more divisive than you’d think… Are you loyal to a deodorant brand… or are you just following the price? We get into it, from the reality of “natural” deodorants (good for the planet… questionable for anything else), to the absolute unenjoyment of a roll-on (why is it so wet?), and the quiet rage of the pink tax. Melissa also makes it known… she loves the smell...

This week we’re unpacking Melissa’s community fundraising event… and like most worthwhile things, it came with both highs and lows. The highs? Fun, laughter, dancing, connection, and raising money for a good cause. The lows? People turning up early and derailing the prep plans… plus Melissa admitting she maybe wasn’t her best self in the stress of it all. (Liane needed to have a quiet word.) We al...

This week’s question of the week… and we’re not going to lie, we didn’t enjoy this one. Would you rather have a hand for a foot… or a foot for a hand? It raises more questions than answers. Practical ones. Important ones. How are you picking your nose? What’s happening with socks? And does this completely disrupt the foot pic economy… or take it to a whole new level? We get into it (reluctantly),...

Life’s been… a lot this week. Melissa’s been in the thick of it, busy, overwhelmed, and trying to keep up, and we get into how the podcast has been her anchor. In slightly less emotional but equally important news… Melissa has a new hoover (a Shark, no less), and what’s been happening with the old one turns into a surprisingly weighty bit of Glory of the Ordinary. Bragger's Corner is back, and...

In this bonus episode, Liane shares her journey with vulnerability, starting from a belief that many of us carry without even questioning… that she could never. That thought shaped more than she realised, until she decided to challenge it in a big way… signing up for a marathon after doing one run. We get into the real stuff, the “I’m not good enough” narrative, the fear of fear itself, and the mo...

After last week’s deep dive into your personal rules for eating food off the floor (we learned a lot)… a new debate emerged. Is a KitKat a biscuit… or a chocolate bar? This week’s Question of the Week takes a turn into serious territory as we unpack the elite tier of biscuits. The ones that actually deserve a spot at the top. The dependable ones. The underrated ones. The controversial ones. There...

This one covers a lot… After Melissa opened up in our bonus episode, we’re talking about the response - thank you! Meanwhile, Liane is firmly in the snot phase of illness (you know the one), and Melissa makes a confession that might divide the room… blowing your nose without a tissue. We’ll let you decide where you stand. Braggers Corner is shining bright, big love to Morven for her marathon achie...