Lucy Stephens | From coastal inspiration to creative communication

Lucy Stephens is the MD & Founder of creative communications and consultancy agency, LEPHYR, for brands and people that flow to and from the coast such as Volcom, Yogi Bare, Banzai, Nimsdai, Graystone Actionsports Academy, Mad To Live retreats and Voited   She is also host the LEPHYR PODCAST where she talks to inspiring people, all with a deep love of the ocean. Lucy wouldn’t of devoted her career to this industry without having a love for it herself, with a passion for surfing, paddle boarding, and walking with her beautiful dog River it is now time for Lucy to be on the other side of the mic and share her story with us …

LEPHYR Podcast: Available on Apple Podcast & Spotify etc.
Website: www.lephyr.com
IG: @LEPHYR_

This series is sponsored by Island Feather, an amazing brand that creates high quality, multi-purpose, stylish sports and fitness wear and accessible events -  Island Feather's mission is to support you to live a healthy life, discover what makes you happy and create a community of support and care for one another . For me, having just become a mother their motto 'Find your freedom’ resonates  more than ever and I am stoked to have them as a sponsor!

You can find this episode on iTunes, Spotify and many other podcast platforms💙

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a guest please get in touch! You can email India via indiapearsonclarke@gmail.com or send a message via Instagram  @india_outdoors / @finandflow / www.indiapearson.co.uk

You can find this episode on iTunes, Spotify and many other podcast platform

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a guest please get in touch! You can email India via indiapearsonclarke@gmail.com or send a message via Instagram @india_outdoors / @finandflow / www.indiapearson.co.uk

~Music - Caleb Howard Almond / @oakandalmondcarpentry

Transcript

India Pearson  0:01  
Hello, I'm India and welcome to the third series of star triple the podcast that celebrates moving in nature. This series is sponsored by Island feather, an amazing brand that creates high quality Multi Purpose fitness where and events. Island feathers mission is to support you to live a healthy life. Discover what makes you happy and create a community of support and care for one another. For me, having just become a mom their motto, find your freedom resonates more than ever, and I'm stoked to have them as a sponsor. Okay, it's time to introduce my guest.

Lucy Stephens is the MD and founder of creative communications and consultancy agency lever for brands and people that flow to and from the coast. She's also host to the left a podcast, where she talks to inspiring people or the deep love of the ocean. And Lucy wouldn't have devoted her career to this industry without having a love for herself with a passion for surfing paddleboarding. And walking with a beautiful dog River. It's now time for Lucy to be on the other side of the mic and share her story with us.

Lucy Stephens  1:23  
Okay, how are you? Yeah, really good. Thank you really good to saying thank you so much for having me on. On your podcast. It's just been really exciting to talk about the podcast life as Yeah, we would chat before about how it is quite time consuming, but also so well. Absolutely. Well, thank you. I like said for you've been on my list for a while. So I'm really, really stoked to have you chatting to me today. But those questions for you. And so without further ado, where did you start? If you could tell us a little bit about your background and kind of what you're doing today? Yeah, of course, they thanks so much. So it's funny actually, because, like we said, just before we press record, we're always looking at asking other people questions. So it's actually really interesting to us. When you sent me those questions. The other day, I sat down and had to, like really think about it myself. When this happened, you know, um, but ya know, so I am, I grew up in, I grew up in the Midlands, actually, but I always had this weird, I guess, obsession with the kind of, I guess, the surf culture, from the late noughties and the ocean and coast and that kind of lifestyle. I think it was almost like a site escapism from as much as I love, like, you know, school life and friends and everything that I just, I think it was always this it's kind of like part of my identity like being in my group of friends like, oh, yeah, that's Lisa. He likes staffing. Even he doesn't get to go surfing.

But I am I always had this like, yeah, I just love being around the water. And we used to go on holidays to Norfolk and dance como. And, and yeah, I basically, I kind of always knew I wanted to go into that world in some capacity, but it just didn't know exactly the direction always loved art and creative thing. So I did, I did an Art Foundation course. And whilst I was doing that it left for uni and sort of fell in love with photography. I started shooting for the local, the kind of the student union there and just there's no in life there's a few uni like that there's a few people who in your career who are those like pivotal people I guess and those moments in time you don't quite realise

the impact they're having on your life but there's definitely a similar left burr who just found was just kept coming up Valley just kept coming up and went down to the Eden Project. And there was this little table that was so clearly we'd like the student had obviously been paid in bears probably to stand there and talk about the uni and he said anyway we've got there and and he was just explaining this like World of Falmouth uni and cool one how you could study art and creative things by the coast and I just from that, from that moment onwards, I knew that was what I wanted to I wanted to go so yeah, worked worked together and I remember the day I found out got into family evening was the best day ever and yeah, I loved it down there. It was brilliant. So moved down to Cornwall and it was like literally living what I want like the lifestyle I wanted to live and you know, the like minded people down there and I know that all my best friends from from Falmouth uni, and just Yeah, loved it there. But what says doing photography, I guess I guess it wasn't again, a newer loved the brand side of things and I looked like licky was assisting photographers and doing that kind of thing and different brands down there and like working on the editorial side and stuff but I am I realised quite quickly that I didn't want to be a photographer. She loved just the coordination behind it all but I didn't quite know what that was.

You don't really know where all these jobs are, do you and you're younger. And then after that I sort of started hearing about PR and communication and marketing, I guess the whole. And yes, after uni, I went up to London because I thought that's what we all had to do go to London, went to London, and got into graduate scheme for communication, and started op open this whole world of talking about brands in like a way which is just as exciting and all the people that everything was so fast paced and high energy. And I actually really loved that it took a while to change from like Cornish life to say London line.

But I, I really did, like, yeah, I really did enjoy it. And it's funny, I went to a surfing event when I was on my graduate scheme, which was in a kind of different field. And it was a surfing event in London, and it was surfing time Volcom event. I remember I went to that event, and that's where my, my, my boss, my new boss worked and where he was, and I met him and, and actually, that's where I started working at this agency. He looked after the Roxy and Quicksilver and all the brands that I loved growing up, and I sort of found my happy place there. So I didn't know I think growing up in the Midlands, I was alive lifeguard I used to shoot when I think foundation caused me to try and find a band and pool that everything was always water based. So naturally, naturally, I was always gonna go into well, I always thought was gonna go into something in that world. And, and yeah, and then the Yeah, the London life kind of like just got sucked into totally and like really enjoyed being immersed in those brands. But I think there was something in me which I knew I wanted, I've always known I wanted to do something myself and didn't necessarily know it could be an agency or PR agency myself, but when the opportunity like so fortunate that again, another pivotal person there in my life. They offered me the opportunity to work with them on one of one of my clients now and I just sort of thought you know what, this is perfect this would be really great opportunity to kind of just pursue the next stage and like just kind of take control of it because I think when you get when you work in London it just get you get so sucked into that that actually the lifestyle you're preaching was three or grands it's kind of balanced lifestyle wasn't really there as much. So um,

India Pearson  7:19  
yeah, because I, I did the London I should move to London thing like it did. It's kind of like drained me, I have to say, and but equally, I don't know, if you feel how you feel. But I'm glad I did it to know that I didn't want to do it anymore.

Lucy Stephens  7:35  
You know? Absolutely. We so I remember, I remember when I started my first main agency in London, after my graduate scheme, and I was so pumped. Yeah. But I it was always a bit of a an ongoing joke in the office because I was always there like daydream about being by the coast. And it wasn't like, I was like, Oh, well, because I've got to do it. I've got to do and actually, I'm so glad I'm so glad I've done it because of just I didn't know this, it's just that the high energy of London is still even now. I still do get that. And I get that burst, though, I think. Yeah, I think after a while you kind of come to that natural decision. A lot of my friends are at the same place as well at the moment, like, what's next and actually do what do I need to be and then the but I think it's a really great place for opportunity. And you just learn things, you get immersed in different culture and different ways of thinking, I think it's really important actually, and, and how you perceive the world because, you know, it's just, it's different from going I remember going from Cornwall, and how my mindset was there and what my world was coming to London and it's such a shock to the system. And at the age of would have been what 2021 Also, and it was, I think goes back a bit like whoa, okay, whoa, there's a lot of different people a lot of different mindsets and actually try and embrace that and understand that and I think that's really important. I think actually during PR, it's a really, it's so important to have that because you need to be able to think about how other people think and understand other people and have empathy for other people. And you know, and understand that no, not everyone's come on the same path or on the same track as you or have the same goals and inspiration and aspirations. So, um, yeah, I did really enjoy London, but I definitely me and my partner. I remember end of 2019 Literally, we went to dinner and I remember saying to him, I said, I can't I can't do this anymore. I really and I'd already started laughing by that point. I'd been at NASA for a couple of years been working with those brands that I loved and it was going really well but I just knew we needed to be out out of the city and in kind of nature in some capacity. And only two did we know what was about to come in.

India Pearson  9:55  
Yeah. Speaking of leper So yes, you know, you've started your own PR agency. And it's all about all four brands and people that flow to and from the coast, which I love that. I love that that's kind of like your slogan or whatever you call it. It's like a beautiful way of hitting it. And so yeah, where did the idea come about them that? Did? Were you realising that there wasn't an agency that was devoted to this? Is there a gap in the market? Did you think? Why did you suddenly realise you needed to do this on your own? Where did this idea come from?

Lucy Stephens  10:32  
Yeah, it's a good question. It's funny when you start with us, you know, like, it becomes part of you. And it's such a huge part of your identity. And you have to kind of, I actually sat down earlier and thought, like, retrace my steps and how it kind of started but it's funny, that Laffer so Laffer, I don't know if many people notice, but that was actually his Lucy Stevens photography is where you use like my alias name when I was doing birthday photography. And it's kind of a mixture of my name. And it was a really random word that didn't mean anything. And I just used to, like, do delete, when I was when I was at uni when I was on, used to be on the train. And at the time, my partner like at the time, was up in north of England, I used to travel up and down country a lot on trains. And just that to me, I love journeys, train journeys, plane journeys, car journeys, I love every day, because I don't know why I think it gives me that time I sit down, and I can just like think, and nothing's influencing, I can just have my headphones in and just think about things in quite a logical way. Anyway, so that's, that's just like a bit of a background on on the

India Pearson  11:40  
No, I don't, I don't remember because I can a is it like, there's word that you basically made made up?

Lucy Stephens  11:44  
Yeah, yeah. And I remember going to a panel talk with well, to the magazine, and the really awesome lady there, who was she did trade. She's a trademark lawyer and went for coffee. And I remember saying to her random name. And anyway, I didn't know anything about the name, but it's just funny because she was like, it doesn't she put it in her system. She like, there's literally no negative connotation. There's nothing linked to it. So I was like, Oh, perfect. I can just use that. Anyway, but lefur Yeah, so I am, I guess I didn't, I didn't necessarily know wanted to create a service business, I always loved the idea of creating a brand. But then, when the turn of opportunity presents itself, like really again, like, as I said, before, there's there's people in my life and my career who have definitely been those had those pivotal moments where they really influenced and shaped like, huge, like, the literally the next chapter and, and one of my clients who I was working with at my old agency, and he moved to Volcom. And, and he said to me, is gonna come, I'd worked with him for quite a few years, and he was gonna come on board. And naturally, I just remember feeling so excited, because it was like, Okay, this is brilliant, like, you know, we can kind of work together, we can work on a brand that we absolutely love. And, um, and then that's when I thought, okay, if I create an agency myself, what is it? Like, there's so many PR agencies out there? And how can how can this be different because there's this, there's a lot of, there's a lot of brands, there's a lot of agencies, there's a lot of noise, and, and everyone's kind of like fighting to have their piece. And, and actually, I was like, Well, you know, what, I actually just really want to work with those clients and companies that I love. But I think the most important thing was actually just being able to build up that trust and rapport with the client. So therefore, you can bounce like real creative ideas, and things that you think were a little bit out there, or a bit weird, or, Oh, actually, you know, anything, even just within the industry itself, just being able to have those conversations, which helped me both navigate the next direction, the next step for the brand. And I think that was something I really didn't feel like I was missing. But when you work in big agencies, it's just there's a lot of pressure. And there's, you know, there's a lot of people and, and I think I just wanted to work a little bit more collaboratively. And so yeah, so that happened. And then the kind of flow to from the case as a natural thing, because like, how I think when it comes to PR is super important to if you're like me, which a lot of people work in PR where you've got kind of a niche or a hobby or some area that you really love and it's all about immersing yourself in that and those brands and the kind of the media and the journalists and the understanding the kind of culture around what you're doing is so important. So I think yeah, I think it just naturally I think that your flow to and from the case. That's the Yeah, things have obviously changed a little bit but I try and keep it all so there's still that kind of love of outdoor adventure the coast. wellbeing, obviously kind of was a thread and sustainability throughout and it's kind of it's worked really well and I didn't necessarily have a huge grand plan of it. It's all sort of just developed and changed and and yeah, it's going really well and I really enjoy what I really enjoy working on the clients and with the brand I am so

India Pearson  15:01  
yeah, and I guess what's what's really great is that you, you say that you love these brands from when you were younger, and you're somebody who loves the outdoors. So you are a lot of the brands that you worked with target audience, you're the one that they are looking towards. So you're the one that's able to give that feedback and understand what you want as the consumer. And what you want to see. Because, you know, you're the one that that can be targeting at the end of the day. How do you find it? Being someone who loves the, you know, the ethos behind these brands? And everything you know, to do the water? How do you find it, that you're sat there behind a computer? Do work? Because that's got to be hard? Yeah. People go into stuff, thinking, I want to do this for work, because I love it. Yeah. But then you realise that you can't enjoy it, because it's work.

Lucy Stephens  15:58  
Upon him describe how many times I've had that conversation. Yeah. recently. I think it was, it was obviously it was very prevalent anyway, in the world we live in before COVID. And then during COVID. I mean, hate to keep bringing COVID But obviously the last two years. Yeah. It's really has been so intense with did that digital? And actually, yeah, I think it's I think it's, I mean, yeah, I could talk about this subject for ages. I think that's, I think that's why I mean, I know myself and a lot of my friends are naturally looking at how you how you do something. But more tangibly, I mean, I keep looking at the industry as a whole. And obviously, you know, it's really important to be emailing and speaking to people and everything's all online. But it's also I think it's just as important now, like, I take myself, I used to do it when I was a junior at my first agency, he used to get told by my boss, then again, another pivotal, pivotal moment, pivotal person that he used to say, Take yourself to the newsagent and just immerse yourself in the media. And I think there's something really important about that. So I think that after Yeah, especially after last years, that the podcast, doing that kind of research offline and, and then also just magazines, like I love magazine, I've got literally I've got magazines like everywhere, and having that moment to take yourself off the computer and off the screen to like, look at that and read something different is super important. Yeah, a lot of people have. It's a big old question. Because work life balance is merge, everything's merged. Like,

India Pearson  17:32  
then there must be weeks, weeks on end, when you're like, staring at photos of people surfing or whatever, or doing yoga or whatever. And you're going, I'm just staring at photos. I'm not doing this for myself. And this is like, Yeah, almost dangling that carrot in front of you, looking at all these other people dig it, and you

Lucy Stephens  17:50  
feel quite heavily that I used to feel that a lot actually, when I was in London. I used to definitely, in fact, and events really helped. And actually, I remember when I moved to London and thinking, oh, people don't really care, I'm not really into surfing and I'm nice obviously find the agency that looked after the stance and boxing quick and that kind of thing. But But I remember then suddenly, there's this huge world of people who actually you know who in the same position as me and and you and everyone who you do, obviously you would love to be sat who will love to be paddleboarding or by the coast or the time to actually because of work and opportunity. And maybe they're driven or whatever it is they they want to be in the city or had to be in a city at that time. And, and actually there is a community and there was so many little like, you've got awesome London's film festival like every October November now. And you've got you have so many different puppets and panel talks. And I think when you when you work in like our world, and it's all immersive anyway, that is that is the great thing as you say, like when events were happening, you could go to every night, and then the theatre panel talk or something that would be different. And you can meet people who were had a similar ethos, or even even had a similar ethos, but working in different fields, but it would open your world if it open your mind up to a different way of thinking again, and I think again, I think COVID Although we had so many different online panel talks, and you know, tuning into the seminars, like okay, like, this will hopefully inspire me, but actually halfway through, you're like, oh my gosh, yeah, so I'm hoping that now like, you know, I found that clients I'm working with at the moment. So there's three clients that are talking about, like events for the spring summer, and I'm hoping that will help the balance or the kind of digital, less real life because it is a bit disconnected. I think, I think last summer especially I think it was a bit fragmented, because at one point it was needed these events knew everyone's there, and it was people dispersed out of cities, people are all over the place. People are freelancing, and a lot of there's a lot of changes happened. And actually yeah, there was definitely a fragmented community within, you know, society of whichever, you know, sector you're in. So it's bringing that back together. And I think hopefully those sorts of events Certain things in your life will be will be able to kind of how do they make it round against the suit? So

India Pearson  20:05  
what what do you do then in order to get yourself off offline and out of work? Obviously you you've got a love for the industry. I mean, I know that surfing is a big thing. But what else is it that you do to get yourself kind of? Yeah, outside?

Lucy Stephens  20:22  
I'm, oh my gosh, I knit without sounding extremely cliche right now. I just love sunsets. I'm not actually I'm not a sunrise person. Actually, I'm not I'm not. I love it. And I look through the window. Oh, that's cool. But I'm I just love sense. I love that time of night. I've always been a bit obsessive that, you know that kind of that hue. Oh, yeah, the golden hour or an hour. And then just slightly after it works like that. Like deep Indigo.

India Pearson  20:47  
times is better when the sun has actually set and then you get there.

Lucy Stephens  20:53  
Exactly. That's a lie. Yeah, people watch the sunset in the Gulf brilliant. suns gone now. That was nice. They walk away and then it's only when they're driving back from the beach, wherever they slowly see this huge, extreme intense blow of the sun. Yeah, actually, yeah, I that's for me was I said when we when we chose to, when we chose to leave London and moved into the countryside. We were only going to we hadn't really got a major plan. We wanted to move down to the coast at some point we still will I think we just kind of figuring it all out. But we're um, yeah, that was that was it for me, it was just being able to get outside and without, again, I feel extremely privileged to be able to say this but actually, during that first sort of six months of living in the countryside when we went into lockdown because we had such amazing weather and we were suddenly in the country and we could just go for walks miles and not see anyone and actually it was a real breath of fresh air and I think I've kind of tried to carry that through I you know I know we always gonna talk about dogs and I always refer back to with dogs and we've got river the when do we get when did we pick him up there was yeah he's he's a year and a half now so we've we've had him for quite a while but he's been such a big part of our lives in terms of making a switch off making of get outdoors you know he sat there looking at you and going right I need I want to go Go now and and actually if you have you have to have

India Pearson  22:16  
to come rain or shine, rain or shine you have to go out with a dog every day. But even if you don't want to come back afterwards you're like thank you for making me go out that was amazing.

Lucy Stephens  22:29  
You know what to answer your question in real short get a dog but also I think it's it's just yeah that that sense of going the adventure with a dog is you can't beat it because they as you say they're just there in that moment they're really happy taking like taking a bit of paddleboarding I actually funnily enough it was my 30th last August and my partner and we got we both got some paddle boards ourselves because we really wanted a paddle board paddle boarded so many different places but never like had our own paddle boards and obviously being inland even he said to me he was like this is really really great for for you just even like finishing work and rather than having to plan a weekend away to go do something you can just get on get on the water so I've got a few obviously Nick we know Cambridge as well so if you really really want to do and sort of spring kicks in and I'd be looking at those say I want to do some more paddle boarding yeah add more

India Pearson  23:27  
when the days get a bit longer so that you can finish work at five and then know that you've got until nine o'clock at night until it's dark and I think that is what one of the reasons why paddleboarding has exploded. Yeah, because you were a surfing you have to be on the coast and the conditions have to be right you know as with paddleboarding, you can live by a canal, a river or a lake you know don't have to be by the coast to be able to get that water fix

Lucy Stephens  23:56  
that the end like don't blow them up. You can put them that way. It's so accessible and yeah, yeah, I think I think I think you're right. I mean, I know the last couple of years had warnings because we're not even covered for years. And so it was all it was on such a like the amount of people was increasing quite rapidly anyway, wasn't it people paddleboarding, but I think the last the rise in the last couple of years, it's even a sort of finding that local adventure. And I think something that I really felt like this about the same thing actually with a client the other day, but it totally ties into into how we are right now that local adventure I still although people are going on board again, I still think people are trying to switch off on their laptop and make it and then get themselves out there in there like local environment and have those sort of sort of daily adventure rather than always waiting for the next you know, the one holiday year kind of thing. So

India Pearson  24:49  
definitely, yeah, it is that whole is that whole staycation thing, isn't it? But obviously you said that you do live inland. So do you try and to coast as much as you can, then it's cool. You'll go to

Lucy Stephens  25:04  
Yeah. Is only because we get. Yeah, I think like my brother lives down there my best friend some of them live down there now and I actually since COVID. Well, since we're last year actually, a few of my friends have also moved back down there. So and yeah, even I've met so many people who through through kind of our line of work who live down there, and you go down, and I feel like there's this real sense of joy. Really, I feel so at home going into comas, although it's still far. And there's all these other co signs in between, we still end up parents calm quite a lot. And

India Pearson  25:39  
it's home from it must be like home from home. Yeah. And having been at uni there, I guess you. It's familiar. And yeah, obviously, I know that you, you know, you do love surfing, that is something that obviously you can't do at home. So if you can do that when you go away. Yeah. And you guessed any UK income was going to be the place for you to go. So just sort of talking about surfing a little bit more. I'm always really interested speak to people who got this love for surfing, you know, all different levels. I am so bad at surfing, I'm rubbish. But I love it so much. And it's addictive. And I'm getting like a little bit better all the time. But I'm not sure if I'm ever gonna have the confidence to go past a green wave if I'm honest with you. But I love it. And I would love to hear kind of what it means. What it means to you and why why you're so drawn to the sport. Yeah,

Lucy Stephens  26:35  
I actually I really, as I mentioned, earlier on, I had this weird obsession with that kind of surf culture in like the 90s and the naughties when I was little, and I don't quite know what I like really like vintage boxy, me and my friend used to work with. Rhys joked about creating an Instagram account full of vintage Roxy skins. We used to have so much of it, but I don't know why. I don't know how or why. But everything was just, I think it was I think it was that escapism idea of getting up. Okay. And so I remember the first time we went surfing, and I remember, I was terrified. I remember so clearly being in a huge a big, my family remember, because I was so excited. And then I was so deflated because I was like, oh, no, it was a huge big yellow powder. So surfboard Yeah. And, and then you know what, then it's funny every time you go, you'd want to try it again and start feeling a bit more nervous. And, and I remember going down to Cornwall, we really had a lot of my family from Australia. And we went out there when I was when I was younger. And we went surfing like Margaret River and I went with my cousin. And I was like, Oh my gosh, this is so cool. And I really just love this idea of like I used to get so to be honest. And I still do get super nervous when the waves conditions are intense. And it makes my stomach go and I think oh my gosh, but when I'm out there, you really do forget everything else and and then since then, I guess moved to Cornwall, we used to go surfing, especially in my third year of uni, we all kind of like, picked up the love of it again. And we used to go we used to go a lot. And then everything would work. And then since then in Georgia have been to we went to Sri Lanka and we went on a staff retreat, and we just Stephanie's beautiful reefs out there. And it's funny, like I feel the same I never ever put myself in, I'd be like, oh gosh, I'm like, I'm like better than beginner. I'm like probably intermediate and then I'm always down but it because I don't I don't really know cuz I know that I get super nervous. And it's a real confidence thing when I'm actually out there and I'm like getting in the flow. But like last October we all went down all my uni friends we went back down there we hired a house plug in one of our friends 30th And, and we had just so lucky with the with the weather and the conditions, it's beautiful clean waves and we all were just starting really enjoying it, there was no pressure, it was just it was just it was just literally pure bliss. And those are the times that I love like I love being with friends in the water where you can kind of go out back and you're laughing and talking about things and one of your friends is doing something ridiculous and then someone gets away from it all that really pumped for Yeah, or someone falls off and you're laughing together and I I live for that moment. Definitely been in times I can think of my friends can vouch for this where the waves have been pretty big and we've been in like where the awkward really when we were younger and definitely out of the depth where you back and you're, you know you're there and you're you really feel the power of the ocean and he kind of reminds you very quickly that you're really tiny and you need to like really take note of where you are and and think and get in the zone and it's a bit more intense but see, I guess there's so many ways and stuff and with your with the different conditions that we I mean, the end goal for us is where we're hoping to move down to the case soon. This or TBC but we're hoping to get down and hoping just to make surfing part of lifestyle and part of everything I've kind of always wanted it to be where it can there's no pressure, you know, you can get in and have a good time. It's not like I need to progress progress progress, it's like not about that for me.

India Pearson  30:14  
Do you find that you know, being someone who loves the coast but not living near the coast? If if you haven't been down for a while, do you need that in order to kind of keep your mental health healthy? Or do you find it okay? To just be you know, out in the countryside? Do you feel like you need that element of moving by the water in order to make you feel like you

Lucy Stephens  30:40  
are 100 I can't even describe how much that is yeah, it's such a deep down it's such a big part of me. And like I guess as I say like my my identity for myself not not external but internal it's a huge part of I feel so at peace in whatever condition but been by the coast and it gives me such a sense of belonging. So that is something as they're like working our way down that way. However, that looks in some capacity. But yeah, I checked like where we are now where you know, we're not that far from from Norfolk and Suffolk and those coastlines so you know, the last few years we've gone up there and beautiful expand like No, not that well. There is actually is actually sir in Norfolk, but not all the time. But it's not known for it. Yeah, exactly. There is tiny with the there's a group called Essendon surf surf collective and as the big water with have so many people I and I'm always sharing some really cool places and sometimes no for comes up. And I'm like, wow, that is Yeah, yeah. It's actually crazy. You never thought but it's some of the as you said, not known for it. So but the beaches are beautiful. It's stunning, like, open over huge open beaches, part like pine trees all the way down and just foot again for dogs are brilliant. And you can go paddleboarding. And so I think it's just any kind of, like escapism there. Again, my my, like our friends have moved to the Isle of Wight as well. And actually, we went down to see them as well. And, and that way of living like they're an island life and being by the case, and paddle boarding round was amazing. So I think yeah, definitely, like, if I haven't been to the coast for a while, I kind of start craving it. So,

India Pearson  32:25  
but sort of coming back into your work and lefur and I'd love to chat to you a little bit about your podcast, because obviously, fellow podcast that you started podcast was a couple of years ago.

Lucy Stephens  32:36  
Yeah. 20 2019 It would have been Yeah,

India Pearson  32:39  
as a sort of extension from the agency. And so yeah, why did you want to do that? And and kind of what for anybody listening who might be interested what what is left podcast all about?

Lucy Stephens  32:52  
Yeah, of course. So yeah. Laughter podcast. It came about really, because I again, I was always, you know, when you've got your own business you're looking at you're trying to give, be creative and look at different avenues and, and look at different I think it's just so almost always having a side hustle on the side hustle on the side hustle. And that's how my mind works. How do I keep developing that because that keeps me stimulated. And I like to have something like outs that I'm working on as well. And the left for podcast came about really was it was just because obviously I was travelling a lot as I stay on trains, listening to podcast all the time. And a lot of my friends are talking about podcasts and stories and etc, etc. And then and yeah, and then I realised like some people went to Falmouth, uni with 2pm people started, like, you know, really shaping their own careers and paths. And, and then like two people who are really, like, really inspired me in the kind of art world or in the, I don't know, like the Expedit like expedition for just thinking of Emily Penn, who's one of the one of the girls who I've interviewed and she's incredible, like such an, like an inspiration to a lot of people. And anyway, she there's all these sort of types of people and I was like, How do I you know, how do I love just I could literally sit down for ages have a cup of tea or a cup of coffee and just talk to people about their journey. And to naturally I was like, You know what, I might actually try this podcast. Don't get me wrong, I know you've read exactly the same, but it's so daunting doing anything like that. And, and especially when you're normally behind brand, the brand and you know you're not it's not about you at all, it's about everyone else. And so when you're doing something and put yourself out there is it unless you're naturally you know, really confident it's really hard. And actually I think I wanted to do something just to kind of like push myself and step out of comfort zone a little bit. And so yeah, so I set the podcast up and just again wanted to have real relaxed exactly the same view that just relaxed conversation with people about their journey and, and like their journey and how to coast and The kind of Waterworld influences their career and like lifestyle choices and everything else. So yeah, and then I really enjoy doing it. And as we said before, like it's, originally when I first started it, we used to like taste, take all the kit and like set up and do all that and obviously, then stop doing your first lockdown because I thought I couldn't get the same camaraderie, you know, you can't have the same conversation. But actually, as time went on, we got more use of zoom, it just naturally progressed into that and actually worked really well. But I think that's it lever itself is about uncovering brand stories and the people behind them. And talking about Yeah, for good or for bad. You know, there's so many brands out there, and it's like finding those gems that actually do have influence do you can make change or is a brand and I kind of love that question and talking about like, you know, the everything around that, like what is the soul of the brand? And there's many brands, it's like, whoa, okay, what is what is this world and I think the thing with the left podcast was almost like, people just telling their stories, linking back to brands or wherever they work. Yeah. And it's just still telling stories. And I think that's what if I can do anything and is looking at how we tell stories today and how we can communicate that the podcast element is the is the kind of like spoken part. And I think that was the tie into a PR agency, which at the end of the day, it's all about communication all about storytelling. So it was an that is kind of naturally tied in really well.

India Pearson  36:34  
And building that community around. You know, your you've got those like minded people that you're talking to, that people are listening to that then supported by the brands that you're working with. And it all just comes down.

Lucy Stephens  36:48  
And actually say like being able to, I mean, I'm not saying lefur Has the huge reach on poker, because you know, it doesn't, it's just still baby. And it's still like, you know, just It's my hobby as well, but, but it does, whatever who the people who are really fortunate people who are listening to it, like, you know, is giving those people I'm interviewing the, like the opportunity to get a platform, I guess and something to for them to kind of talk about where they are and where they're heading and their goals and aspirations and stuff. So yeah, I really like it. Like I know you're the same way.

India Pearson  37:17  
Yeah. And I think I love it because it I listened to the name that her name is escaping me. And the lady who set up the London surf fell Danny Yeah, yeah. And listening to her talk, because, you know, she set this thing up in London. And it was like, Yeah, way that you can live this, you know, you can be passionate about the coast and still live in London and do this whole thing in London. And sometimes you can feel if you're if you're not living, you know, by the coast or, or, you know, by someone with a surf, whatever, that you're an outsider in it. But actually, there's loads of people doing that. And he doesn't stop you from still being passionate about that world. And it was really cool to hear her story and be like, okay, like, you've made this happen in London. That's amazing. Yeah. So yeah, that's what I love about the podcast platform, you You learn so much. And you can learn so much about somebody else, also about yourself from listen to other people's stories, and it

Lucy Stephens  38:21  
gives you the confidence, I think, I think it on a, on a personal level, I think it definitely gives me like their accent about the people. When I'm when I am, we have been, you know, slightly more isolated over the last few years. That gives me an opportunity to be able to like speak to people, and I'm really always super inspired by people's yesterday, but also the energy they give off. And that gives me that energy. And actually, that's That's right, you know, we often let's face it, we all question everyone questions unless you're super confident again. So you always question where you're at. And and when you do make decisions, you having to make a decision, you have to really think is this really what I want? Or is it what I think society's telling me I should want and all of that sort of stuff. And I think sometimes just being able to just talk and have that conversation with someone who follows you. You think okay, I can think a little differently. And I interviewed Cassie and Theodore and oh my goodness, I came off that call and I was literally like shake I was really really nervous that she was shaking but from this energy because she has such an amazing perspective and a way of living and and it kind of I tried to try and like think back to that feeling and how how she thinks and try and like take that with me and carry that with me a bit. So channel that channel some caffeine about Yeah, great. But yeah, and I think that's I think that's why the podcast is great. And everyone's different. Everyone's got their own stories and journeys. And as you say it's a big 360

India Pearson  39:45  
Really, yeah, I love listening to it. So when I listened to my dog walks, I've got my final question for you, Lucy, which, which I asked everybody which is looking back at the ripples you've made in your life, what are the biggest lessons that you've learned keeping your mind and body healthy?

Lucy Stephens  40:01  
Yeah, that's a really good question. Um, I think, being in tune to your emotions and like, I'm one of those people I'm happy and really happy and sad or Wilco and then everything else in between. And I think I always try. And I always try and like sit down with myself, again, the journey thing. It's funny actually how that comes up so much. It's such a big part of such a big part of my life, actually. But I think I think, I think that being sitting down and not getting, alright, here's the thing, not getting too caught up in, you know, we're all having this conversation at the moment of, you know, social media and what it is, and how it looks and everything else. And I think, trying to really, really try your hardest not to get so influenced by what you're seeing and trying to look at what you want to do you and what you actually love to do yourself and push in that direction. But other than what you're influenced by on social media, by the channels you're following. And I think I'm really conscious about the last couple of years, I don't think as as it sounds ridiculous, I don't have influence, as I was thought I don't think I was as influenced by social media before COVID was when we are in a lockdown state and you're looking at certain channels, although you think you're looking at a broad perspective, you kind of not you're looking at these certain ways, I think, I think trying to live life from what you actually want to do deep down yourself and like the kind of where you want to live in, and just not how you're expected to be or how you think you should be. And I think that's it with with working, I'm just trying to think outside the box and lifelike trying to think outside the box and, and also be confident because it's, it's really hard to be confident. And it's really hard. You know, you have these ideas, and it's great. And then like two seconds later, you think Oh, that's a really bad idea. I think sometimes just kind of grasping those ideas and just keep moulding them and working with them. And and actually, if you have an idea that if someone else who if you spoke to someone else about it, they probably think Oh, actually, I've had the similar idea. And that's really cool. And, and having those conversations, I think, being open and honest of how you're feeling like talking to talking to like minded people to bounce ideas. I think it's so important. And something that I always do, I'll always I've got friends or groups of people who we have like little conversations, and we would just be open and honest about how we're at with work or whatever and, and talk about different ideas, no matter how silly it may sound, just to kind of like sense check stuff. But just Yeah, I don't know if I've gone off tangent again. It was really

India Pearson  42:33  
interesting. I think that was really like, no one's ever sort of said that for this question about the influence that social media has on the life that you live. And he's actually just suddenly made me think back to lockdown. And I, because we couldn't go away on holiday to Cornwall, funnily enough, because that's where we always go. I got obsessed of following people who live in Cornwall. And then I got obsessed, like on social media, because I couldn't be there. So I was like, I'm just gonna find it all these quarters people. And then I got obsessed of moving there over the lockdown period, like totally obsessed to the point where we were going to go and look at this farm that was for sale. Like, it got really, if we're coming Yeah, no. And then when I would come out of this, you know, back then and I'm gone down come on a few times a holiday I've now gone actually, do I really want that? Or do I actually love where we live and I love how you know, proximity are to France and to London and everything and being able to get down to Cornwall on holiday and it's just really that does remind me of that of that don't get sucked into the people that you're being influenced by the whole time. Take a step back and realise what you've got around you as well. And how you can get yourself

Lucy Stephens  43:47  
there absolutely. If it's your own perspective, I mean it sounds ridiculous that everyone was making the night about in lockdown. I did also make because you felt like you had to make a banana bread. That's what everyone Yeah, actually it sounds ridiculous. That's really obviously really based on that level. It's like yeah, you know, just taking a step back and I think otherwise, although you feel like social media can it's a it's a brilliant tool, but almost like it can stagnate creativity. So almost like trying to it's really hard because it's trying to live how you would preach that's the battle that I think everyone has with it and I know in my head and plants in the car, you know, make sure try not to scroll as much because actually that time could be spent thing go for dog walk pizza. I don't I actually to be honest, it sounds ridiculous but I actually I've stopped even like listening to music or anything on Dropbox now and just going out there and just being with river and or being with George and we try and say let's not talk about work or let's talk about something different and just going out and just, you know, just having a different perspective on things and I think that's I think that's really important especially as like everything does becomes upkeep keep everything is constantly becoming more and more tech based. And you know, the old Metaverse is kicking And so it's like, let's just take ourselves out into the real world of it. And

India Pearson  45:04  
definitely, absolutely, yeah, absolutely. Well, I when I started speaking to you, it was pouring down with rain. And now the sun is shining, and it's blue sky outside. I'm gonna do just that. I'm gonna go out. And just Yeah, take take you out for a walk. So thank you so much. It's been amazing chatting with you today and Maria. And if anybody wanted to find out about the podcast, hopefully you are getting contact the agency, how can they do that? Yeah, of

Lucy Stephens  45:31  
course. So um, yeah, if you go on to lefur.com for the agency, and there's also the left Instagram, you can kind of follow everything there. And so feel free to drop me a message or DM or email. And then the left podcast is available on like Apple podcast, and Spotify. And again, it's just under level podcasts as well. So you can kind of find it on there. So

India Pearson  45:54  
thanks so much. Thank you.

Lucy Stephens  45:56  
Appreciate that.

India Pearson  45:58  
Thank you so much for listening to this episode, the start a report podcast. If you liked what you heard, then please do write a review. It helps other like minded souls find this podcast too. If you want to get in touch and the best way to speak to me is probably via Instagram. And my handle is at with underscore India. All right, take care and speak to you soon.