Former Northampton nurse commended in two national awards for self-help podcast

A former nurse, turned author and podcast host from Northampton has been commended in two national awards for her audio show.

Shelley F Knight launched 'Positive Changes: A Self-Kick Podcast' to help listeners understand the power of making small positive changes, even during times of loss.

The 47-year-old previously worked as a chemotherapy nurse in Northamptonshire and continued her interest in the end of life by penning self-help books and setting up a Death Cafe.

In March 2020, Shelley turned her attention to creating a podcast, of a similar theme to her first book.

Since its launch, the podcast often charts in the top 200 ‘Apple Podcasts for Mental Health’ and was also crowned the runner-up in the Best Interview Podcast category and claimed fourth place in The Listeners Choice Award at the Podcasting for Business Awards last month.

Shelley said: “I am absolutely blown away by the show’s success, given it has been running for less than a year.

“Considering how young my podcast is, I was delighted to have been shortlisted, let alone being named runner-up as Best Interview Podcast.

"When I started the podcast in March 2020, I simply wanted to bring the inspirational messages from my book, Positive Changes: A Self-Kick Book, to a new audience in audio format.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have foreseen the wonderful outcomes the show has presented to me.

“Not a week goes by without a someone contacting me to say how the show helped them with their own mental health or decision making around creating positive changes.

“My courageous guests are what makes the show, with their authentic stories they have made me laugh, cry, and left me speechless, and I am truly thankful to each and every one of them.”

The weekly podcast explores a variety of mental health topics and, so far, it has covered addiction, blended families, weight loss and much more.

Shelley added: "Each Wednesday brings our listeners a new inspirational conversation around how to create small positive changes in your life, whether you are at rock bottom or just have an inner niggle that you want more in life than your current existence.

“Each weekly new guest shares their unique authentic story of how they created positive changes, and the life skills they used to improve their own mental health.

The can be found on all podcast platforms, or by searching ‘Shelley F. Knight’ on YouTube.

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