Conversations On the Porch - Be Happy Be Inspired

Harling the Trucker: Dyslexia, Trucking and One Million Miles

In this episode of Conversations on the Porch, Steve interviewed Harling, a truck driver with extensive experience in both trucking and telecoms industries. Harling shared his journey from running a family farming machinery business to becoming an HGV driver, revealing that his dyslexia diagnosis led him to leave his high-pressure telecoms job and return to trucking. He discussed how dyslexia affects truck drivers, including their visual learning abilities and poor working memory, which he believes contributes to bridge strikes and other accidents. Harling launched a survey to gather data on HGV drivers' learning styles and training preferences, with the goal of improving driver training methods and reducing fatalities in the industry. He also highlighted the need for better understanding of dyslexic drivers' unique challenges and suggested that many truck drivers may be dyslexic, though this has not been formally studied.

From Grief to Purpose: Rachel Smith’s Transformational Journey

In this episode of Conversations on the Porch, host Steve Twynham speaks with Rachel Smith about the sudden loss of her husband, the intense process of grief, and the vital role community support played in her recovery.
Rachel shares how that experience led her to retrain from teaching into transformational life coaching, offering mindfulness classes, vision workshops, and her Dream Builder program to help others create lasting change.
The conversation highlights practical steps, the power of saying “yes” to life, and how small, consistent actions can open new opportunities and purpose.

Give Back, Grow All, Guide Others: How Small Businesses Build Community

Steve talks with Craig Dyer about his business values—Give Back, Grow All, Guide Others—and how small businesses can strengthen local communities through sponsorship, referrals, networking, and support programs. They discuss overcoming isolation, practical ways to get involved, and three key takeaways for business owners. Contact details and ways to connect are shared at the end.

Conversations on the Porch: Healing Through Hypnotherapy and Counselling

Host Steve Twynham speaks with Hypnotherapist and Counsellor Catherine Evans about her work supporting women through fertility challenges, birth trauma, hormonal changes and menopause.
Catherine explains the difference between counselling and hypnotherapy, how therapy sessions help people find their own solutions, the role of secondary gains, and practical, personalised self-care tips.
The episode emphasizes listening to your body, creating time and space for wellbeing, and offers a free initial call for those wanting to learn more.

From Party to Purpose: Overcoming Procrastination with Eric Twigs

In this episode, Eric Twigs shares his journey from student life to corporate leadership to becoming a certified life and business coach and procrastination expert. He explains how a pivotal loss reshaped his priorities, leading him to focus on impact over income and to write The Discipline of Now.Eric offers practical tips—making appointments with yourself, the Twigs Top Five daily task list, and celebrating imperfection—plus insights about his podcast The 30-Minute Hour and the What Now Movement to help listeners pivot and take action.

From Callus to Courage: Terry Tucker’s Nine‑Year Fight Against Melanoma

In this episode Terry Tucker tells his nine-year story after a rare melanoma began from a small callus on his foot — detailing surgeries, lymph node removal, weekly toxic treatments, multiple amputations and ongoing clinical trials.
He shares how team sports, a disciplined mindset and his “four simple truths” helped him turn pain into purpose, discusses his book Sustainable Excellence and MotivationalCheck blog, and offers practical inspiration on embracing difficulty, staying resilient, and leaving a meaningful legacy.

From Couch to Kilimanjaro: One Man's Year of Transformation

Conversations on the Porch host Steve Twynham talks with Martin Sharp about his decade-long transformation: losing weight, completing multiple marathons, summiting Kilimanjaro, and building new habits. They explore motivation vs. inspiration, accountability, resilience, and how Martin now helps others through Sharp Fit for Life.Listen out for inspirational insights from The Motivational Firewood Guy Steve Gamlin & The Resilience Coach Russell Harvey.Be Happy-Be Inspired.

Broken Then Built: Divyank’s Rise from Trauma to Fintech Partner

In this episode of Conversations on the Porch, Divyank shares his journey from a traumatic attack and immigration challenges to finding sponsorship, becoming a partner in a fintech company, and launching a sustainable streetwear brand.We hear about resilience, practical job-hunting tactics, building trust in business, and the values that drive his work and community.

From Burnout to Books — Lisa Billingham’s Healing Journey

In this episode of Conversations on the Porch host Steve Twynham talks with author and speaker Lisa Billingham about her journey from corporate burnout and mental health struggles to healing through writing. Lisa shares how journaling and storytelling led to novels and children’s books like Sedrick's Adventures in Hopeland and The Adventures of Wiggle and Waggle, and how she now runs creative workshops and outreach programs.
The conversation highlights the transformative power of stories, self-publishing, and community work, and shows how one person’s experiences can inspire change in others.More about Lisa.

Forged in the Pits of Hell: From Survivor to Psychologist & A Life of Meaning

On this episode Kyle Walker shares his journey from childhood trauma, adoption, and near-death experiences to a life-changing awakening that led him to study psychology and help others. He explains how self-observation, books like The Power of Now, and rigorous study transformed his behavior and purpose, and discusses his work founding Epic Psychology and pursuing a PhD in evolutionary psychology.