How To Have Fun At Work with Lynne Parker

Being sixty-ish with Jane Evans and Charmian Hughes

Thu, 12 May 2022 08:33:19 GMT

Lynne Parker shares her experiences of being ‘sixty-ish’ with advertising guru Jane Evans and comedian Charmian Hughes. Reality increasingly dictates that many people will work beyond ‘retirement age’ either out of necessity or passion and, for older women, it’s an ongoing challenge to be visible. Only 3% of the world’s creative directors are women and 83% of adverts are made by men, even though women are responsible for over 90% of purchases. Jane’s response was to launch the Uninvisibility movement to change the societal narrative that renders midlife women invisible, while Charmian is channelling her inner Ursula Andress, movie goddess, for her new touring comedy show about ‘age, sexiness, time, and memory’. We discover why post World War 2 ‘mad men’ introduced household germs to force women out of the ad agency creative departments and back to the kitchen sink and how the current generation of women in their sixties have been true agents of change.

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Transferable Skills with Giovanna Forte and Lily Jones

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:27:58 GMT

Lynne Parker introduces business woman Giovanna Forte to wedding planner Lily Jones, who have both switched from one discipline to another throughout their careers. The phrase ‘mother of invention’ is testament to the fact that many women successfully transfer their skills adapting their careers and lifestyles around a myriad of other responsibilities and ‘life admin’. From creating humans to networking - inventiveness and resourcefulness are innate feminine attributes along with integrity, resilience and, of course, a sense of humour. This episode covers organising wacky weddings to marketing medical devices where creativity and fun are common to both worlds. And there’s a wedding in the mix as well.

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Beyond the Binary with Jae Sloan and Abby Wambaugh

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 04:30:08 GMT

How do we go beyond the binary? Lynne Parker seeks wisdom from organisational development consultant and business strategist, Jae Sloan, and comedian Abby Wambaugh, finalist in the 2021 Funny Women Stage Award. Both guests identify as non-binary but from different and surprising perspectives. This frank and revealing discussion challenges us to reconsider gender in terms of identity, expression, sexuality, upbringing and more. From ‘wearing a baby’ to playing with Barbie, why are we restricted by traditional male/female binary ‘norms’. We can change the world one non-binary step at a time once we accept that the only boundaries are the ones we impose on ourselves.

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Standing up like Mrs Maisel with Hela Wozniak-Kay and Louise Leigh

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 05:30:38 GMT

Lynne Parker talks to self-styled ‘Connectress’ and co-founder of Sister Snog, Hela Wozniak-Kay and comedian Louise Leigh about how ‘The Marvelous Mrs Maisel’ has inspired a new wave of female stand ups. Louise gives Hela the lowdown on what it takes to become a ‘turn’ on the comedy circuit and how best to develop your alter ego to entertain or speak in public. They share their love of pre-loved ballgowns, jumpers and Mrs Maisel’s iconic Christian Dior wardrobe along with the less glamorous reality of being on the road and disruption to family life. Yet, both agree that the drive to perform is innate with surprises around every corner, like your fully made up face looking back at you from the mirror of a service station loo in the middle of the night!

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Taking the plunge with Mairi McHaffie and Bernie Morgan

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:30:59 GMT

Lynne Parker discusses taking risks with leadership expert Mairi McHaffie of Scenechange and entrepreneur and author Bernie Morgan. Both have ‘taken the plunge’ and performed stand up comedy with Funny Women and are reunited as performer and mentor in this episode. They met taking part in a charity comedy show 11 years ago to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day. Lynne had challenged five business women to perform stand up for charity and in this episode Mairi and Bernie revisit their experience: from the physiology of risk to the mental mindset required to face your fears and do it anyway! They compare the rollercoaster of life to performing stand up - from total humiliation to the elation of making people laugh.

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Humour at work with Betty-Ann Heggie and Siân Rowland

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 05:30:13 GMT

Lynne Parker brings together Canadian speaker, author and philanthropist Betty-Ann Heggie with playwright and educational trainer Siân Rowland to take a look at the benefits of laughter in the workplace. Lynne had been sent an article in the Harvard Business Review on this topic written by Betty-Ann hundreds of times on social media and decided that she should meet her. Now they are working together to deliver a workshop as part of Betty-Ann’s Womentorship programme. Their conversation looks at how a funny quip about a ‘pet frog’ can help seal the deal and urges women not to forget to be funny. Plus how channelling our inner child makes work more enjoyable and healthier.

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Balancing Health & Wealth with Vasavi Kumar and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:54:14 GMT

Lynne Parker brings together Vasavi Kumar, therapist and camera confidence coach based in Austin Texas, with British comedian and writer, Suchandrika Chakrabarti, for a brilliant exchange on how best to promote our achievements and earn money. They exchange tips on finding a balance between health and wellbeing and the importance of bringing in enough money to follow our dreams and ambitions. They discuss how our background and cultures set the path, the impact of fear and guilt, and how we can change our own narrative. A power packed episode with great advice on how to go knocking on doors to get work, the value of shameless promotion and why financial stress curbs our creativity.

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Finding focus in creativity with Lucy Hall and Kat Bond

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 05:30:56 GMT

Lynne Parker talks to Lucy Hall, founder of the DigitalWomen Community which aims to empower a million women through digital skills, and Kat Bond, actress, comedian and recipient of the 2021 Funny Women Comedy Writing Award, about finding their focus. They discuss how to get the ‘big idea’ from page to stage, the importance of planning and how to set achievable goals. From writing lists to planning your social media strategy, they acknowledge that a creative life is not without its fair share of overwhelm, and sometimes it’s the balls you drop that have the biggest impact on your ‘survival brain’.

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Creating calm out of Chaos with Janet Ellis and Lucy Porter

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 05:30:19 GMT

Lynne Parker picks the calm out of our chaotic lives with author and former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis MBE and comedian Lucy Porter. After two years of Covid chaos, just how do we go about thriving instead of merely surviving? And where is the calmness to be found in everyday life? From Kitchen Discos to quizzing, background noise and clutter to the imposed order of working, and Toblerone treats. There is method in the madness and this conversation proves that finding the calm to be creative doesn’t rely on neatness and organisation. Life is indeed one big confidence trick and our personal chaos is often a great outlet for creativity.

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Write that book with Morwenna Loughman and Samantha Baines

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 05:30:05 GMT

Everybody has a story to tell but how many of us get this into book form? Lynne Parker picks the brains of literary agent and publishing consultant, Morwenna Loughman, and comedian, broadcaster and author of two children’s books, Samantha Baines. From performing stand up and harnessing a disability to getting a book deal, what does it take to get published? A look at the practical elements of negotiating advances, editing and developing an idea on both sides of the literary fence plus a look at everything from the traditional approach to maverick tactics. And, as hundreds of new books written during lockdown are published ahead of the festive season, how do we navigate those worth reading, support new writing talent and fill the coffers of independent booksellers.

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A sense of Belonging with Jaz Ampaw-Farr and Zara Janjua

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 10:18:42 GMT

Where do we belong? How do we engender a sense of self? Lynne Parker looks at the issues around this hot topic with Jaz Ampaw-Farr, the ‘mistress’ of storytelling and a sought-after motivational speaker, and Zara Janjua, ‘multi-hyphenate’ broadcaster, presenter, comedian, producer and runner up in the 2021 Funny Women Comedy Shorts Award. Together they unearth their ideas about a ‘human revolution’ where we are fully enabled and encouraged to write our own stories and embrace the lack of belonging as perceived by society. Discover how to become the ‘Shero’ of your own narrative and how the agile will inherit the earth. A powerful discussion embracing resilience and reinvention on the path to belonging.

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Motherhood exposed with Sarah Henley and Kelly Ford

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 04:30:04 GMT

A parenting reality check with two new second-time-around mums Sarah Henley, founder of NextUp Comedy and Kelly Ford, comedian, writer and broadcaster. We look at motherhood from both sides, from the joy of juggling two kids and a successful career to the sadness of bringing up your kids without your own mother. We discuss the impact that social media has on modern motherhood and how some amazing changemakers have opened the door on ‘proper parenting.’ Plus a look at how easy it is to self sabotage by giving too much screen time to glossy influencers and the role that humour plays in improving parenting equality. All this and a few tips on how to have fun at work with kids in the mix.

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Navigating Midlife with Eleanor Mills and Rosie Wilby

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 04:30:28 GMT

Banning the hot flush and how to navigate Midlife. Lynne Parker talks frankly with Eleanor Mills, founder of Noon and formerly of the Sunday Times for over 20 years, and Rosie Wilby award winning comedian, author and podcaster. Discussing the pain and pleasure of the mid part of our lives: post kids if we’ve had them, older dependents, same sex relationships, flirting and more. Eleanor says ‘in a 100 year life, 50 is only half way through’ so Noon is a great space for those of us who want to explore what’s next. Rosie is walking the midlife talk with her successful mix of books, shows and podcasts. Proving that midlife really is a time of opportunities and possibilities!

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Exploring our Heritage with Gillian Perry and Harriet Braine

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 04:30:12 GMT

Lynne Parker explores how heritage and humour combine to memorable effect with Gillian Perry MBE, author and co-founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK, and comedian Harriet Braine, winner of the 2016 Funny Women Stage Award. Gillian regularly lectures on the life and legacy of Ann Frank, and has worked to bring communities together, often against cultural divides. Harriet takes heritage to a whole comedic level with her silly songs about art history and departed historic figures. There’s consensus about comedy bringing history to life and how there’s humour to be found in even the darkest of memoirs.

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Unearthing the secrets of Charisma with Nina Ambrose and Suzy Bennett

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 04:30:43 GMT

From Butlins to Benefit Cosmetics, Lynne Parker lifts the lid on charisma with social media sensation Nina Ambrose and comedian Suzy Bennett, winner of the 2006 Funny Women Awards. Nina and Suzy met when they were Butlins Redcoats and their ‘Hi De Hi’ life experience relied on their inherent charm. Nina went on to occupy the real and virtual ‘front desk’ charming guests and customers visiting the HQ of leading cosmetic brand, Benefit. She has now created Rants and Big Pants as a hub for older women who want to experience a life of charm and fun. Suzy’s ‘Caramel Bunny’ accent has taken her around the world on her comedy journey and she’s now gone back to her roots in the South West setting up Plymouth Comedy Tours. From charming psychopaths to film stars, no stone is unturned in the quest for charismatic role models!

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Having the Authority with Jackie Weaver and Laura Smyth

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 04:30:04 GMT

Lynne Parker speaks to Zoom sensation Jackie Weaver with the help of comedian Laura Smyth, winner of the 2019 Funny Women Stage Award. After that video of the Handsforth Parish Council meeting went viral, Jackie has embraced the limelight. She puts this down to her inner confidence and with her own podcast, book deal and a guest spot on a popular BBC Radio 4 programme, who are we to doubt her?! Jackie also reveals how wearing three inch heels all day as part of her uniform when working in retail built her resilience. Laura is her match in terms of confidence and recently celebrated becoming a fully professional comedy performer and writer. She relates her experience of teaching teenagers in an East London school with how to deal with rowdy comedy crowds. Plus they discuss the perils of performing stand up, with or without PowerPoint.

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Polish your performance with Stephanie Prior and Katherine Kenway

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 04:30:33 GMT

Lynne Parker talks to marketing specialist Stephanie Prior and comedian Katherine Kenway about what it takes to perform. Human behaviour is naturally performative - from Olympic athletes to Oscar winning actors, we all perform at different levels. Stephanie is the Business Development and Marketing Manager for international law firm Healys LLP, and volunteers with the Tourism, Equality, Culture & Community Committee of Brighton & Hove Council. As a former beauty queen, she has used her experience to perform in business. Katherine followed her performance dream and became a comedian after taking a comedy course. Three of her four kids have seen her perform and given their seal of approval, which is just as well as her approach to motherhood informs her ‘dead pan’ style of comedy.

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It’s all about the content with Lucie Cave and Sophie McCartney

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 04:30:08 GMT

Lynne Parker talks content with media superstar Lucie Cave and ‘comedimum’ Sophie McCartney. Content is today’s media currency consumed from the minute we wake up, on the move, on the loo or wherever we have access to a screen. Whether we admit it or not, we are all content obsessed and some of us make a living creating it. Lucie is currently Chief Content Officer at Bauer Media responsible for stand-out, award-winning editorial and commercial campaigns across 105 brands and 25 million consumers. Sophie McCartney, aka Tired and Tested, won the award for Best Web Series in the 2020 Funny Women Awards, as voted for by the general public. Her riotous representation of modern day ‘mumming’ has turned her into content royalty with over 1.2 million adoring social media fans. Together Lucie and Sophie help Lynne negotiate the content landscape and share their philosophy about making work fun.

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Telling Stories with Rachael Amesbury and Nikola McMurtrie

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 09:05:14 GMT

Lynne Parker discusses the art of storytelling for commercial and entertainment purposes with copywriter Rachael Amesbury and comedy performer Nikola McMurtrie. As the founder of copywriting collective, You Zig, I’ll Zag, Rachael makes her living telling stories and creating content for leading brands while Nikola tells her hilarious tales by making short comedy films, one of which bagged her the Funny Women Comedy Shorts Award 2020. The value of using humour to create a narrative and make content memorable has never been more important for our recovery to post Covid normality. They discuss the value of improvisation, structure and how having an open approach to the creative process results in their funny, honest and innovative work.

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Holiday Trailer

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 09:37:13 GMT

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Getting the most out of mentorship with Andy Lopata and Lucy Frederick

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 04:30:50 GMT

Lynne Parker reunites networking specialist Andy Lopata with his former comedy mentor Lucy Frederick, comedian, writer and actor. In 2013 Funny Women challenged a group of business men to perform live stand up for charity mentored by female comedians. Andy and Lucy’s partnership worked well and here they explore their experiences of mentorship in both a professional and personal capacity. Andy is public speaking royalty and performing stand up under Lucy’s guidance opened his eyes to a different way of performing. Lucy’s brilliant, honest and often poignant comedic style makes her empathetic to mentoring creative talent in both business and the arts. She just wants to see this get more recognition.

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Challenge Makes You Stronger with Lisa Goodchild and Charlie George

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 09:38:26 GMT

Lynne Parker challenges her guests Lisa Goodchild, founder of Digilearning, and award-winning comedian and writer Charlie George to dig deep and reveal how their experiences have shaped them. Lisa used technology to escape her childhood of poverty and criminality and went into digital publishing working with global brands to become a top 100 entrepreneur. Charlie experienced racism and deprivation and is now writing a book about growing up as a ‘feral’ mixed race, queer child in a Jehovah’s Witness community. They discuss how having the right accent and a privileged education is still the route to power and the need for more working class role models.

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The Spirit of Enterprise with Professor Lynne Cadenhead and Natalie Allison

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 08:34:56 GMT

Lynne Parker discusses what does it mean to be ‘enterprising’ in today’s brave new world with Professor Lynne Cadenhead, visiting Professor in Governance & Enterprise at Edinburgh Napier University and chair of Women’s Enterprise Scotland, and comedy performer and producer, Natalie Allison. They have Scotland and enterprise in their DNA and know how to fund, manage and invest in projects as diverse as prosthetic limbs to touring an Edinburgh Fringe show. From venture to adventure they reveal the spirit of enterprise in business and the arts.

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Diversity, Inclusion and Tolerance with Justine Sless and Rachel Creeger

Thu, 27 May 2021 04:30:39 GMT

With diversity and inclusion at the forefront of today’s progressive businesses and organisations, Lynne Parker talks to academic, writer and producer Justine Sless and comedian Rachel Creeger about how their ethnicity has informed their creative practice. Funny Women was created nearly 20 years ago because of the lack of visibility for women in comedy and there’s still a need to build awareness and tolerance around ethnicity, culture, ability, age and gender. Lynne works regularly with both guests - Rachel as performer and advisor and Justine is Funny Women’s regional producer in Australia.

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It’s all about Communication with Claire Mason and Vix Leyton

Thu, 20 May 2021 04:30:13 GMT

Lynne Parker crosses the business and comedy divide and back again with her guests Claire Mason, CEO of Man Bites Dog and champion of small business and female entrepreneurship, and Vix Leyton, digital marketer, comedian and podcaster. Their experiences embody the art of effective communication from Claire creating the Gender SAY Gap movement to amplify women’s voices in business to Vix finding her own voice by taking part in a comedy workshop and gaining the confidence to excel in her ‘day job’ and to become a comedian. They’ve both challenged their working environments and use humour to inspire and communicate.

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Words of Wisdom with Maryon Stewart and Robin Golinski

Thu, 13 May 2021 04:30:39 GMT

With age comes wisdom and Lynne Parker talks to two ‘wise women’ - celebrated menopause expert and author, Maryon Stewart, and executive coach and comedy producer, Robin Golinski. How does laughter and humour help us through life’s changes? Is anything about the menopause funny?! With 28 books to her name Maryon’s knowledge about the natural management of PMs and menopause symptoms is limitless. Robin’s wealth of experience combines executive communications with founding Boston Comedy Chicks and becoming Funny Women’s regional producer in the US. Words from the wise indeed!

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Let’s Get Organised with Tracey Barr and Ivy Paige

Thu, 06 May 2021 04:30:54 GMT

With the help of Tracey Barr, leading independent strategy consultant and Ivy Paige, International showgirl and cabaret artiste, Lynne Parker explores organisation, in both business and the entertainment industry. How do we stay in control, arrive on time and avoid missing deadlines? Tracey’s experience of project leadership and management for leading organisations isn’t as different as Ivy’s - who uses the same skills to create and develop her own shows. This episode brings together the creative and the practical in one tidy package. And who knew that the key to success is a hot pink highlighter pen!

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Creative Collaboration with Keith Crombie and Jo Fletcher-Cross

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 04:30:19 GMT

Lynne Parker asks her guests, Keith Crombie of Royal Bank of Scotland and journalist and comedian Jo Fletcher-Cross, how best to collaborate across the business and comedy divide. They get to grips with process-driven versus creative collaboration, how to find a tea urn in the middle of the Scottish Borders and the value of a sparkly jumpsuit. As part of the business banking team Keith regularly collaborates with his customers and Jo’s professional background in everything from wig styling to international publishing has set her up well for comedic collaboration!

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Intelligence versus fun with Grace Lown and Gráinne Maguire

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 04:30:25 GMT

Lynne Parker discusses the role that intelligence plays in business and comedy with Grace Lown, Head of Public Affairs for Kantar Public, and award-winning comedian and writer Gráinne Maguire. From the importance of collecting data and undertaking research to the very definition of ‘fun’. They look at the process of creating comedy, the role of workplace humour and why having a sandpit in the office would be a great way to decompress. Plus some thoughts on mentorship, the value of networking and why gossip is important.

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The Art of Leadership with Harriet Minter and Pauline Eyre

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 04:30:19 GMT

Lynne Parker looks at the art of leadership with author, journalist and business coach Harriet Minter and comedian, voice over artist and antenatal teacher Pauline Eyre. What qualities are needed for leadership today and how can you have fun while you lead? How can we best influence and entertain people to get the most out of our working experiences? Harriet and Pauline explore the pain of ‘giving birth’ to books as well as babies, how driving a delivery van helps the creative process and why being jealous of a colleague might be good for our mindset.

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Finding Humour in Isolation with Ali Powell and Sooz Kempner

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 04:30:16 GMT

Lynne Parker talks to two award winners: business strategist, Ali Powell, and comedian, Sooz Kempner, about how they’ve got the best out of isolation. Many of us have had a very different working experience over the last year and it hasn’t all been fun for those of us maintaining a profile in the worlds of business and entertainment. In this episode Ali, 2017 Business Woman of the Year, and Twitter sensation Sooz talk about how they have used this time productively and positively to develop their practice and create new opportunities for themselves.

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Comedy and Confidence with Jeni Thakrar and Jenny Bolt

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 04:30:54 GMT

Lynne Parker discusses the impact of the last year on our ability to have fun at work with Jeni Thakrar, talent and inclusion partner at Canada Life and award-winning comedian, actress, director and writer, Jenny Bolt. Repeated lockdowns have knocked our confidence and changed working practice whether you’re in an office or performing on stage. Jeni Thakrar leads on diversity and inclusion, performance and talent management at Canada Life and Jenny Bolt is a Funny Women regular running improv workshops and facilitating at HERlarious events. They discuss how having fun at work will be vital to build teams and motivate the workforce in the new world order.

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How To Have Fun At Work with Lynne Parker

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 13:04:47 GMT

Do you have fun at work? Lynne Parker spent years working in public relations and marketing and although she was good at it she wasn’t having fun. Then somebody told her that women weren’t funny and the rest is history.

Lynne created Funny Women in 2002 and it’s grown to become the leading community for female comedy empowering thousands of women to have a voice, through performing, writing and creating content. The celebrated Funny Women Awards are the beating heart of the community and many past winners and finalists are now household names.

Lynne describes Funny Women as her life’s work and she produces hundreds of comedy and workplace events annually. In this podcast she mixes up her two worlds with guests from both comedy and business. It’s surprising how much they have in common!

Oh, and if you like what you hear, check out www.herlarious.co.uk to find out how you can bring Funny Women into your workplace.

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