• What Dragon's Den didn't tell you about Strike Back...
    Jan 30 2026

    In this episode of the Rebel Influencer podcast, host Leona Burton welcomes back Gulshen Bano, founder and CEO of Strike Back, to reflect on her powerful journey to and through Dragons’ Den. Gulshen opens up about the intense preparation behind the pitch, the emotional highs and lows of the experience, and what it truly meant to secure investment from fellow female founder Jenna Meek.

    Together, they explore the deeper mission behind Strike Back, the role of self belief when stepping into rooms that can change everything, and how this milestone is shaping the future of the organisation. It’s an inspiring conversation about courage, purpose, and what’s possible when you back yourself and your vision.

    A huge thank you to our incredible sponsor Kirsty Knight for supporting this episode. Kirsty is the founder of Kirsty Knight Coaching and is passionate about helping mums and business owners take back control of their time, build businesses that fit around real life, and create success without burnout.

    We’re so grateful for your support and the impact you’re making. Be sure to check her out at Kirsty Knight Coaching.

    https://www.facebook.com/kirstyknightcoaching

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    23 mins
  • Healing Through Loss: Vickie Menendez on Grief, Growth, and Finding Purpose
    Jan 27 2025

    In this episode of the Rebel Influencer podcast, host Leona Burton speaks with Vickie Menendez, who shares her profound journey of loss and healing after losing four children. Vicky discusses the importance of self-care, emotional processing, and the tools she has developed to help others navigate their own grief and challenges.

    The conversation emphasizes the significance of intentional living, generational healing, and the power of community support. Vickie's insights inspire listeners to embrace their journeys and find purpose in their experiences.

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    37 mins
  • The Journey of Intuition and Growth
    Jan 24 2025

    In this episode of the Rebel Influencer podcast, Leona Burton interviews John Taylor McEntire, who shares his fascinating journey of cultural influences, the importance of intuition in decision-making, and navigating career transitions. John discusses how his upbringing in a culturally rich environment shaped his worldview and the role of intuition in his life choices.

    He emphasizes the significance of coaching and personal growth, reflecting on the challenges and lessons learned throughout his career. The conversation highlights the importance of listening to one's inner voice and being open to change, ultimately leading to a fulfilling life.

    This episode is sponsored by Strike Back Self Defence

    Gulshen is the founder of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she is dedicated to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills.

    Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence.

    Gulshen’s mission is to instill confidence, resilience, and safety in women worldwide so we can change the statistics of violence against women and girls forever.

    You can find out more information here

    https://strikebackselfdefence.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGCaKpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe7JfTOCYEwy94U3iSbxfjWDk-vgzcV8acaqz6xQcndescAa0t67G6ljcA_aem_ZR3wG3HGqWv8uh4XkWmGKw

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    40 mins
  • Empowering Women Through Career Reinvention
    Jan 13 2025

    In this episode of the Rebel Influencer podcast, host Leona Burton speaks with Veni Folta about her extensive experience in empowering women to achieve career growth and personal fulfillment. They discuss Veni's new book, 'I Quit: How to Lose Your Job and Find Your Dream Career,' which serves as a survival guide for women navigating job loss and seeking reinvention.

    Veni shares insights on the importance of neuroscience, mindfulness, and community support in overcoming career challenges and finding one's Ikigai, or reason for being. The conversation emphasizes resilience, personal growth, and the impact of sharing stories to inspire others.

    This episode is sponsored by Strike Back Self Defence

    Gulshen is the founder of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she is dedicated to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills.

    Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence.

    Gulshen’s mission is to instill confidence, resilience, and safety in women worldwide so we can change the statistics of violence against women and girls forever.

    You can find out more information here

    https://strikebackselfdefence.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGCaKpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe7JfTOCYEwy94U3iSbxfjWDk-vgzcV8acaqz6xQcndescAa0t67G6ljcA_aem_ZR3wG3HGqWv8uh4XkWmGKw

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    29 mins
  • Empowering Survivors: The Mission of Hopeful Handbags
    Nov 17 2024

    In this episode of the Rebel Influencer podcast, host Leona Burton engages in a heartfelt conversation with Kathleen Miner, exploring her journey as a single mother, her work ethic, and her transition from hustling to finding balance in life. They delve into Cathlene founding of Hopeful Handbags, an initiative aimed at supporting survivors of domestic abuse, emphasizing the importance of safety, health, and financial stability. The discussion also touches on the proactive approach of Hopeful Handbags in empowering individuals to create sustainable futures for themselves. In this conversation,

    Leona Burton and Cathlene Miner discuss the intricacies of building a tech business, the importance of blogging as a tool for everyone, and the benefits of SEO in increasing visibility. They explore the balance between video content and blogging, emphasizing the need for individuals to find their voice. The discussion also touches on the significance of gratitude and intuition in daily life, and how these practices can lead to greater influence and personal fulfillment.

    This episode is sponsored by Strike Back Self Defence

    Gulshen is the founder of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she is dedicated to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills.

    Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence.

    Gulshen’s mission is to instill confidence, resilience, and safety in women worldwide so we can change the statistics of violence against women and girls forever.

    You can find out more information here

    https://strikebackselfdefence.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGCaKpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe7JfTOCYEwy94U3iSbxfjWDk-vgzcV8acaqz6xQcndescAa0t67G6ljcA_aem_ZR3wG3HGqWv8uh4XkWmGKw

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    47 mins
  • Empowering SEND Parents: Lisa Lloyd's Journey
    Nov 6 2024

    In this episode of the Rebel Influencer podcast, host Leona Burton speaks with Lisa Lloyd, an advocate for autism awareness and the author of a bestselling book on the subject. They discuss the challenges faced by parents of children with autism, the importance of community support, and the misconceptions surrounding autism.

    Lisa shares her journey of building a platform to educate others while navigating the complexities of social media and advocacy. The conversation emphasizes the need for systemic change in education and the importance of understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals.

    This episode is sponsored by Strike Back Self Defence

    Gulshen is the founder of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she is dedicated to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills.

    Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence.

    Gulshen’s mission is to instill confidence, resilience, and safety in women worldwide so we can change the statistics of violence against women and girls forever.

    You can find out more information here

    https://strikebackselfdefence.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGCaKpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe7JfTOCYEwy94U3iSbxfjWDk-vgzcV8acaqz6xQcndescAa0t67G6ljcA_aem_ZR3wG3HGqWv8uh4XkWmGKw

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    40 mins
  • Dealing with Negativity on Social Media
    Oct 29 2024

    Genna Tutorials, an influencer and business owner, shares her journey of building an incredible brand in the beauty industry. She started by creating her own makeup products to fill the gap left by discontinued items. Genna emphasizes the importance of being relatable, authentic, and consistent in order to build influence.

    She also discusses the challenges of being an influencer, dealing with negativity, and balancing motherhood with her career. Genna's advice for aspiring influencers is to take risks, be yourself, and keep pushing forward.

    This episode is sponsored by Strike Back Self Defence

    Gulshen is the founder of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she is dedicated to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills.

    Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence.

    Gulshen’s mission is to instill confidence, resilience, and safety in women worldwide so we can change the statistics of violence against women and girls forever.

    You can find out more information here

    https://strikebackselfdefence.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGCaKpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe7JfTOCYEwy94U3iSbxfjWDk-vgzcV8acaqz6xQcndescAa0t67G6ljcA_aem_ZR3wG3HGqWv8uh4XkWmGKw

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    28 mins
  • Standing Out and Being Creative in PR
    Oct 24 2024

    Natalie Trice, a PR expert, shares her career journey and insights on building visibility and influence. She emphasizes the importance of standing out and being creative in PR, as well as the need for consistency in communication.

    Natalie also discusses the challenges of balancing motherhood and career and offers advice on re-picking up a career after a break. She highlights the power of fractional senior PR support and teaching women to believe they belong in the press.

    Natalie's books and social media platforms are recommended for further information.

    This episode is sponsored by Strike Back Self Defence

    Gulshen is the founder of Strike Back Self Defence, the world’s largest women’s self-defence organization. With a passion for empowering women, she is dedicated to equipping women globally with life-saving, easy-to-learn self-defence skills.

    Under her leadership, Strike Back has become a global force for empowerment, helping women protect themselves from violence and threats of violence.

    Gulshen’s mission is to instill confidence, resilience, and safety in women worldwide so we can change the statistics of violence against women and girls forever.

    You can find out more information here

    https://strikebackselfdefence.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGCaKpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe7JfTOCYEwy94U3iSbxfjWDk-vgzcV8acaqz6xQcndescAa0t67G6ljcA_aem_ZR3wG3HGqWv8uh4XkWmGKw

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    39 mins