Live & Linking with Ashley Leeds

Hosted by Ashley Leeds

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Episodes

251

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

As an entrepreneur, I want to explore what other business owners are doing to make money, grow, keep sane and basically get stuff done. I teach people to use LinkedIn and also coach business owners to grow and expand. I have a weekly live show on LinkedIn and thought that I'd share these episodes with you. I will be doing ad hoc podcasts as I gather momentum so if there is a topic that you'd like me to cover then please let me know.

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60 recent

August 18, 2026Episode 11330 min

Live & Linking Episode 112 with Trudie Hills

Live & Linking with Trudie Hills: Disability Inclusion Starts With a Conversation Here’s another episode of Live & Linking, my regular chat with people who have something interesting to say about business, LinkedIn and the world around us. This week I’m joined by Trudie Hills, a Disability Consultant & Trainer who spent 14 years working in disability, inclusion and diversity at Lloyds Banking Group before setting up her own consultancy. We had a proper conversation about what disability inclusion actually looks like in the real world, and Trudie was brilliant at turning what can sometimes feel like a complicated subject into some very practical advice. We talked about accessibility in shops, offices, websites and online training, but one of the biggest messages from Trudie was that it starts with talking to people. Don't make assumptions. Ask what someone needs. Don't assume that every person with the same disability will need the same adjustment. We also talked about non-visible disabilities, the importance of simple language, captions, alt text, accessible PDFs, colour contrast and making LinkedIn content easier for people using screen readers. And yes, I got a little LinkedIn roast of my own too, with Trudie explaining why CamelCase hashtags matter and why emojis aren't always the brilliant bullet points we think they are. There are loads of practical takeaways in this conversation, whether you're running a small shop, employing people, delivering training online or simply creating content on LinkedIn. We also get onto Trudie's biggest beef, cars parked on pavements, and why accessibility improvements often help far more people than those they were originally designed for. Most importantly, this isn't about getting everything perfect. It's about being curious, having the conversation and being prepared to do something differently. If you want a straightforward, human conversation about disability, accessibility and inclusion, have a listen. Timestamps 00:38 - Meet Trudie Hills 02:30 - Accessibility for smaller businesses 03:08 - Non-visible disabilities 05:38 - Why a ramp isn't enough 07:10 - Making adjustments part of everyday business 10:20 - Website accessibility 15:38 - Making online training accessible 17:28 - Accessible LinkedIn content 21:02 - Checking AI-generated captions 22:06 - Trudie's biggest accessibility frustration 24:47 - Breaking down the stigma 26:25 - Roasting Trudie's LinkedIn post 29:27 - Final thoughts Guest contact details Trudie Hills Disability Consultant & Trainer Trudie Hills Consulting Email: trudiehills.consulting@btinternet.com Email: trudie.hills@btinternet.com Phone: 07747 026202 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudie-hills-5b070612/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trudie.hills

August 11, 2026Episode 11131 min

Live & Linking Episode 111 with Karen King

If you’ve ever started a business because you wanted more freedom, only to discover that you’ve actually created another job for yourself, this episode is for you. This week I’m joined by Karen King, the Escapepreneur, who has travelled to more than 60 countries and spent the last 10 years building a business and lifestyle that gives her the freedom to choose how, when and where she works. Karen shares how a cake decorating business, a drawing from her three-year-old daughter and a holiday in South America eventually led to her family selling their house and travelling the world. We talk about what it really takes to build a freedom business, including getting clear on who you help, the problem you solve and the one offer you want to focus on. Karen explains why trying to do too many things at once can leave business owners permanently distracted, and why good systems and automation can make such a difference. We also talk about the tech headache that comes from having different platforms for email, websites, funnels, courses and customer management, and how simplifying your systems can give you back valuable time. And because this is Live & Linking, we couldn’t talk to Karen without getting into LinkedIn. We finish with a little LinkedIn post roast, where I look at one of Karen’s posts and explain why showing more of herself could help people get to know, like and trust her. There’s plenty here for anyone who wants to build a business around their life rather than build their life around their business. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome 01:19 Meet Karen 03:11 From cake decorating to travelling the world 07:09 Building income while travelling 11:16 Creating a freedom business 13:01 Biggest business mistakes 14:29 The problem with too many platforms 17:35 ESC Hub 20:00 Running a business from anywhere 22:21 Turning your skills into a freedom business 23:39 Karen’s favourite country 27:21 The LinkedIn post roast 28:30 Showing more of yourself 31:17 Connect with Karen Guest contact details Karen King Email: karen@escapepreneur.com Phone: +52 334 828 4567 Website: https://escapepreneur.com Website: https://eschub.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-e-king Connect with Ashley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/ Website: https://15mins.day/WHY Live & Linking Hub: https://just.15mins.day

August 4, 2026Episode 11030 min

Live & Linking Episode 110 with Karis Gill

Here's another episode of Live & Linking , where I chat with people who are using LinkedIn in brilliant ways to grow their businesses and help others do the same. This week I'm joined by Karis Gill , storytelling expert, speaker and founder of Social Stories Club. Karis shares how one library book completely changed the direction of her business and introduced her to the power of storytelling. Since then she's built multiple successful businesses by helping people communicate in a way that feels natural, memorable and authentic. If you've ever said, "I don't know what to write on LinkedIn," then this conversation is exactly what you need. Rather than trying to sound clever or professional, Karis explains why your everyday experiences often make the best business content. Throughout the conversation we break down what makes a great story, why emotion matters, and how simple moments can become powerful LinkedIn posts. We also discuss why selling should never feel pushy, how trust is built through honest experiences, and why LinkedIn is much more like a networking event than a social media platform. Karis even creates live storytelling examples around networking, website maintenance and sales, showing just how easy it is to turn almost anything into engaging content once you know the principles. If you're looking for practical ideas to improve your LinkedIn content, attract more conversations and become someone people remember, you'll find plenty to take away from this episode. It's packed with simple techniques you can start using immediately, whether you're writing your first post or your five hundredth. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:07 Meet Karis Gill 06:47 Breaking down a storytelling post 10:37 Why stories build trust 12:11 Finding stories in everyday business 19:57 Making any topic interesting 22:13 Karis' business journey 25:00 Storytelling that generates leads 27:28 Practical storytelling tips 29:13 Closing thoughts Guest contact details Karis Gill Director, Social Stories Club Director, Karis Gill Storytelling Speaker Email: karis@karisstory.com Website: https://karisstory.com https://socialstoriesclub.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisgill/?skipRedirect=true Phone: 07746450169

July 28, 2026Episode 10935 min

Live & Linking Episode 109 with Chris James

Here’s another episode of Live & Linking , where I sit down with fascinating people from LinkedIn to discover their stories, what they do, and what makes them stand out. This week I'm joined by Chris James , Founder of C2C, who helps creators, coaches and consultants turn content into clients through simple systems that actually work. Chris shares his honest journey from working in a call centre to building a successful business, and explains why creating a lifestyle you enjoy should be just as important as growing your revenue. The conversation is packed with practical advice and plenty of straight-talking honesty. We explore why so many people struggle to post consistently on LinkedIn, how fear of being judged holds people back, and why authenticity will always outperform trying to sound clever or relying entirely on AI. Chris also explains the framework he uses to help clients move from attracting attention to building trust, converting prospects and delivering results through repeatable systems. One of the biggest talking points is his decision to remove sales calls from his business altogether, replacing them with content that attracts the right people before they ever get in touch. If you're looking to grow your business through LinkedIn, improve your content, or build a business that gives you more freedom rather than more stress, you'll find plenty to take away from this episode. Chris shares practical lessons, personal stories and real business experience that make this an enjoyable conversation whether you're just starting out or already creating content every week. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and introductions 02:18 Chris's story 05:50 Productising your expertise 09:30 Building the business 14:10 Why sales calls disappeared 18:00 The content system explained 21:00 AI versus authenticity 23:20 Overcoming fear on LinkedIn 25:20 Confidence through consistency 29:00 Post Roast 34:10 Where to find Chris Guest contact details Chris James Founder, C2C Email: Chrisjames210386@gmail.com Phone: 07855050169 Website: http://www.chris-james.co/c2c LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjamesonline/

July 21, 2026Episode 10831 min

Live & Linking with John Espirian

Every Tuesday at 12:30pm I sit down with someone who knows LinkedIn inside out, and this week the guest is someone who's inspired thousands of us, including me. John Espirian has built a reputation as the "Relentlessly Helpful LinkedIn Nerd" and there's a very good reason why. Everything he teaches comes from testing, measuring and real-world experience, not guesswork. We chat about how LinkedIn has changed, why so many people feel their reach has disappeared, and whether paying for Premium is really worth it. If you've ever wondered why your content isn't performing like it used to, you'll definitely want to hear John's thoughts. We also dive into John's brilliant book Content DNA and why building a memorable personal brand is about consistency rather than constantly reinventing yourself. We talk about repeating your message until people begin repeating it back to you, staying in your lane, and why trying to go viral is rarely the answer. John also shares why the people who succeed on LinkedIn are simply the ones who keep showing up, even when engagement feels slow. It's a refreshing reminder that building trust always beats chasing vanity metrics. Towards the end of the show we even turn the tables and put one of John's own LinkedIn posts through my Roast My Post feature. It's a great discussion around promoting events, using LinkedIn Events properly, direct messaging without becoming spammy, and making your content work harder. Whether you're brand new to LinkedIn or you've been using it for years, this episode is packed with practical advice that you can put into action immediately. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome 01:16 Meet John Espirian 02:42 Is LinkedIn Premium worth it? 06:27 Why LinkedIn reach has dropped 10:08 Video on LinkedIn 13:13 Content DNA and personal branding 19:34 Roast My Post 20:40 Uplift Live Nano 24:13 Using DMs effectively 28:36 The Inform Podcast 30:05 Espresso Plus Community 31:02 Final thoughts Guest contact details: John Espirian Email: john@espirian.co.uk Phone: 7779451487 Website: https://espirian.co.uk/learn/1-1-zoom-consultation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnespirian/

July 14, 2026Episode 10732 min

Live & Linking Episode 107 with Stuart Mason

Why Most Businesses Never Sell with Stuart Mason Here's another episode from my Live & Linking series and this week I'm joined by Stuart Mason. Stuart helps business owners prepare their companies for sale, but this isn't just a conversation for people looking to exit tomorrow. It's really about building a better business from day one. Stuart shares the story of building a hugely successful multi-million-pound company before losing it all, and explains how those experiences completely changed the way he now helps business owners. If you've ever assumed that making a good profit automatically means your business is valuable, this episode might surprise you. We dig into why so many businesses listed for sale never actually sell, what buyers are really looking for during due diligence, and why owner dependency is often the biggest obstacle. Stuart explains the importance of systems, recurring revenue, customer diversification and creating a business that can thrive without you at the centre of everything. We also talk about the difference between value and valuation, why starting with the end in mind makes every business stronger, and how even a one-person business can become attractive to buyers when it's built the right way. As always, we finish with a LinkedIn content review where I give Stuart some ideas to improve one of his latest posts, turning it into something that's easier to consume and more engaging on the platform. Whether you want to build a business you can eventually sell or simply create one that gives you more freedom, there's plenty of practical advice in this conversation that you can start using straight away. What you'll learn: Why most businesses listed for sale never actually sell The biggest mistake business owners make before trying to exit How recurring revenue increases business value Why systems matter more than people The difference between value and valuation How to reduce owner dependency Tips to make your LinkedIn content more engaging Guest contact details Stuart Mason Email: stuart@hereshowto.co.uk Phone: 07769991445 Website: www.howcanisellmybusiness.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-c-mason/

July 8, 2026Episode 10632 min

Live & Linking Episode 106 with Sarah Farmer

Here's another episode taken from my Live & Linking show, and this week I'm joined by Sarah Farmer, Founding Director of Bright & Brilliant Ltd. Sarah is an executive coach who specialises in imposter syndrome, confidence and leadership. If you've ever wondered whether you're good enough, questioned your prices or felt like someone might tap you on the shoulder and tell you you shouldn't be there, then this conversation is definitely worth your time. We dive into why so many people misunderstand imposter syndrome and why those occasional confidence wobbles are actually perfectly normal. One of the things I loved about this conversation was Sarah's practical approach. Rather than simply telling people to "be more confident", she explains the neuroscience behind why our brains behave the way they do and shares the process she uses to help senior leaders take back control. We also had a fascinating discussion about pricing, understanding your value, helping people buy rather than trying to sell to them, and why building trust changes everything. Sarah also shared what it was like appearing on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show and how even experts still get nervous before stepping into the spotlight. As always, I couldn't resist finishing the show by roasting one of Sarah's LinkedIn posts, sharing a few ideas to help her get even more engagement from document posts. It was a brilliant conversation full of practical advice for business owners, leaders and anyone who's ever doubted themselves. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business or simply trying to become more confident, there's plenty to take away from this episode. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:30 What imposter syndrome really is 03:20 Confidence versus imposter syndrome 05:15 Pricing with confidence 09:35 Why success doesn't remove self doubt 11:20 Helping people buy 16:10 Sarah's confidence framework 19:40 Jeremy Vine experience 23:50 Biggest myths about imposter syndrome 26:30 LinkedIn post roast 31:20 Lead Brightly Community Guest contact details: Sarah Farmer Founding Director Bright & Brilliant Ltd Email: sarah@brightandbrilliant.com Phone: 07854 824416 Website: www.brightandbrilliant.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-farmer-coach/

June 30, 2026Episode 10530 min

Live & Linking Episode 105 with Tracy Irwin

This week I'm joined by Tracy Irwin, someone I know very well because we're accountability partners who catch up every Monday to keep each other on track. Tracy spent more than 20 years building and running a successful accountancy practice before making a huge life change. She sold the business, moved to Spain and now helps business owners build companies that support the life they actually want to live. Our conversation is full of practical advice for anyone who feels like their business is running them instead of the other way round. One of the biggest ideas Tracy shares is something she calls your Freedom Number. Rather than chasing turnover for the sake of it, she explains why you should start by designing your ideal life and then build a business that funds it. We also dive into money mindset, understanding the financial numbers that really matter, avoiding the trap of spending on marketing before your foundations are right, and why so many entrepreneurs unknowingly limit themselves because of beliefs they've carried since childhood. It's an eye-opening conversation that will have you looking at your business from a completely different angle. We also chat about productivity, accountability, LinkedIn visibility and why showing up consistently matters far more than chasing vanity metrics. As always, we finish with a Roast My Post where we review one of Tracy's LinkedIn videos and share a few simple tips that anyone creating content can use. If you're looking for more freedom, more clarity and a healthier relationship with money and your business, this episode is well worth a listen. Guest contact details Tracy Irwin Email: tracy@tracyirwin.co.uk Website: www.tracyirwin.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyalaineirwin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracy.irwin.official/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tracyirwin.offici

June 24, 2026Episode 10430 min

Live & Linking Episode 104 with Rebecca Scoular

Here's another episode of my podcast series taken from Live & Linking. This week I was joined by Rebecca Scoular, founder of Progress Partners. Rebecca has spent nearly two decades helping business owners gain clarity, make better decisions and stop getting pulled in every direction by the demands of running a business. If you've ever felt like you're constantly busy but not necessarily moving forward, this episode is definitely for you. We had a really honest conversation about the noise that surrounds business owners every day. Emails, social media, team issues, paperwork and endless distractions can leave us feeling overwhelmed and stuck on a treadmill. Rebecca explains why successful business owners need to regularly step out of their business and spend time thinking on it rather than constantly working in it. She also shares why community and accountability play such an important role in helping entrepreneurs stay focused and avoid burnout. Here's what else we talked about: • Why being busy should not be worn as a badge of honour • The difference between opportunity and distraction • How social media can become a time trap • Why delegation is essential for growth • The importance of working in your zone of genius • How weekly accountability creates momentum • Why entrepreneurs often feel lonely at the top • Building a supportive business community • Practical ways to simplify your business and reduce overwhelm Rebecca's parting message was beautifully simple: keep things simple and enjoy what you're building. A great reminder that business growth doesn't have to feel complicated. Guest contact details: Rebecca Scoular Email: info@progress-partners.co.uk Website: https://progress-partners.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-scoular-14763a7 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoularrebecca/

June 9, 2026Episode 10032 min

Live & Linking Episode 103 with Si Elliot

This week I’m joined by Si Elliott, Founder of Fabricx, behavioural science specialist, author, lecturer, and customer experience expert. Si has spent more than two decades helping organisations understand their customers better and create experiences that genuinely connect with people. We start by exploring what a brand really is and why it goes far beyond logos, colours, and clever marketing. As Si explains, your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s the feeling and perception people take away after interacting with you. Our conversation quickly moves into the fascinating world of behavioural science and why understanding human behaviour can transform the way we communicate, market, and build relationships. Si shares the inspiration behind his book, Customer Experience Thinking, and explains how behavioural biases influence the decisions we make every day. We also discuss why authenticity matters so much in business, particularly on LinkedIn, where many people still struggle to put themselves front and centre. If you've ever felt uncomfortable creating content or sharing your expertise online, you'll recognise plenty of what Si talks about. We finish with a practical discussion about LinkedIn engagement, content creation, and personal branding. During a live Roast My Post session, we look at why great content sometimes fails to generate interaction and what business owners can do differently to encourage conversations. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone wanting to improve their visibility, strengthen their personal brand, and better understand the psychology behind why people connect, engage, and buy. If you're looking for simple ways to build trust and create more meaningful relationships online, this is a conversation worth listening to. Guest Contact Details Si Elliott Founder, Fabricx Email: simon.elliott@diversity.agency Phone: 07847302612 Website: www.sielliott.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/si-elliott/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/si.elliott