I Smiled While Talking About Trauma… Here’s Why | Ashleigh King, Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio

CONTENT TRIGGER WARNING:

Listener and viewer discretion is advised. 

Sensitive topics covered in this episode include:

Murder, violent crime, loss and bereavement, grief and trauma, mental health challenges, and financial stress.

If you find this topic upsetting and need any additional support, we’ve included some helpful resources below:

www.samaritans.org

mind.org.uk

www.informationnow.org.uk/article/bereavement/

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/money-and-mental-health/

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In this special International Women’s Day 2026 episode of Nurture Your Zest, Ashleigh King steps into the guest seat for a deeply personal and powerful conversation with Charlotte Nichols, founder of Harvey and Hugo and host of the PRsonal Podcast.

For the first time, Ashleigh swaps interviewer for interviewee, opening up about grief, trauma, entrepreneurship, money mindset, self-worth, and what it truly means to build a business rooted in purpose.

With honesty and vulnerability, she shares how the murder of her best friend at 21 reshaped her relationship with storytelling, how trauma can quietly influence leadership and identity, and how reclaiming her voice through podcasting became an act of healing.

This episode is a celebration of women’s resilience, creativity and courage, and a reminder that vulnerability is not weakness, but a superpower.

Key topics discussed:

🌵 Personal grief and growth

Ashleigh reflects on losing her best friend Joe to murder while studying journalism, and how that trauma caused her to step away from her dream career. She shares how grief resurfaces unexpectedly, how trauma responses show up in everyday life, and how storytelling can both heal and re-trigger.

🌵 Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio

Ashleigh shares the story behind Flamingo Heights, the bright, light-filled podcast studio she built after being made redundant and pivoting during COVID.

🌵 Vulnerability as a superpower

Ashleigh explores how smiling through trauma can be a coping mechanism, and how vulnerability, when handled responsibly, can unlock courage in others.

🌵 Resilience, money mindset & entrepreneurial reality

This episode also moves into the very real pressures of running a creative business.

🌵 Community and support

Ashleigh shares why she believes holding space for others is a gift — and why she’s learning to receive as much as she gives.

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Links & Resources

Visit Harvey and Hugo

harveyandhugo.com

Tune in to The PRSonal Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@HarveyandhugoPR

Watch Ashleigh’s PRSonal Podcast Episode

https://youtu.be/9kUK2-RX_6g?si=5winv2deLEE_TwkF

Connect with Charlotte Nichols on LinkedIn

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charlottenicholsharveyandhugo

Connect with Your Host, Ashleigh King

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-elizabeth-king/

This podcast was filmed at Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio. 🦩

If you would like to record a podcast or have any questions about starting a podcast please write to: 💌 bookings⁠@flamingoheights.co.uk ⁠

⁠www.flamingoheights.co.uk⁠