Season 4 Opening Special | Sukany4: The Walk and Talk Podcast | 22 October 2026
What does it take to make a big change? And when do we finally give ourselves permission to take that first step?
Sometimes it’s a leap into the unknown. Sometimes it’s a decision to do something differently. and sometimes it’s recognising that the life we’re living no longer quite fits the person we’re becoming.
To open Season 4 of Sukany4: The Walk and Talk Podcast, I’m did something a little different.
Rather than heading out on one of our usual walks, we’re bringing together a collection of voices from our wonderful community, recorded at the Season 3 launch celebration from October 2025.
Different people, stories and stages of life.
And something connects them all.
The courage to begin, the willingness to change and the lessons we gather along the way.
My First Big Leap: Finding the Courage to Begin
There’s something fascinating about asking someone to reflect on their first big leap.
For some, the answer comes immediately. For others, it takes a moment to realise that something which felt quite ordinary at the time was actually rather extraordinary.
Take Nikki Edwards, who founded Water for Wellbeing CIC at 62. A lovely reminder that ambition, purpose and the desire to make a difference don’t have an expiry date.
Or Sinead, who stepped away from the corporate world after two decades to explore a different direction, to find that what she really thrived on was human connection.
These aren’t necessarily stories about throwing caution to the wind. They’re about recognising possibility, trusting ourselves and having the courage to do something about it.
And that’s what makes them so relatable. Most of us, at some point, have stood at the edge of a decision wondering, what if?
The Path I’m On Now: Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places
One of the things I love most about podcasting is discovering how rarely anyone’s journey follows a straight line.
The people we become are shaped by experiences, opportunities, challenges and sometimes a complete change of plan.
At our launch party, we heard from people building businesses, championing their communities, exploring creativity and finding new ways to make a difference.
Niall spoke about his involvement with Anti Racist Cumbria, while Karen shared the work behind Green Screen and its commitment to more environmentally conscious cinema.
Lauren reflected on her first year of self-employment, navigating the realities of building something of her own.
Claire Steele shared her creative journey with Little Creative Studio, while Michelle Russell spoke about making stories and experiences more accessible in Carlisle.
Different paths, but a common thread: people finding ways to put their values into action.
I love that.
Success tends to be grounded in doing work that matters to you, finding your people and building something you unequivocally believe in.
One Thing I’ve Learnt: The Wisdom We Gather Along the Way
If there’s one thing that becomes clearer with age, it’s that life doesn’t stop teaching us.
Among the reflections shared were thoughts about perfectionism, the people who support us, understanding ourselves better and recognising that change is possible at any age.
Kerry reflected on the limitations of striving for perfection, while Alison Magee-Barker spoke about the importance of having supportive people around us.
Simon reminded us that at 47, change and possibility are very much alive.
And Karen Gee from Cycle Sprog shared reflections on navigating change during difficult circumstances.
There is something reassuring about hearing these perspectives together.
Nobody has everything figured out.
We all carry uncertainties, make mistakes, discover new strengths and occasionally wonder what on earth we’re doing.
Maybe that’s the point; We’re not supposed to have all the answers. We’re supposed to keep learning.
Two Years of Walking, Talking and Finding Our People
This special episode arrives as Sukany4 celebrates its second birthday.
When I launched the podcast in October 2024, I wanted to create a space for conversations that felt a little different.
Conversations that weren’t rushed, overproduced or centred on someone’s polished version of success.
I wanted to walk alongside people, quite literally, and discover the stories behind the people we meet in business, our communities and everyday life.
Two years later, we’ve walked through towns, villages, parks and some rather beautiful corners of Cumbria and beyond.
We’ve talked about identity, courage, entrepreneurship, grief, wellbeing, creativity, belonging and the many unexpected directions life can take.
We’ve supported independent music, celebrated local places and given space to voices that might not otherwise find themselves behind a microphone.
And along the way, something rather lovely has happened.
A community has grown around the conversations.
A community of people who show up, share their experiences, support one another and confirm why I started this in the first place.
This special episode is a little celebration of that.
What’s Next? Welcome to Season 4
Season 4 takes us further into the conversations that matter.
We’ll be exploring identity and finding your voice, courage and change, and the power of community.
We’ll meet people whose experiences challenge assumptions, open up new perspectives and remind us that there is always more to someone’s story than we first imagine.
And of course, we’ll keep walking.
There’s something about being side by side, moving through a place together, that allows conversations to unfold naturally
About This Special Episode
Recorded during the Season 3 launch celebration, this special edition brings together short reflections from members of the Sukany4: The Walk and Talk podcast community.
Each contributor was invited to complete one of three prompts:
- “My first big leap…”
- “The path I’m on now…”
- “One thing I’ve learnt from my journey…”
The result is a collection of personal stories, honest reflections and at times well needed reminders that each journey has presents a learning moment.
Music for Season 4 is provided by independent musician, Celestium.
Connect and Links
Listen to Sukany4: The Walk and Talk Podcast
Find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and your usual listening platforms.
Follow the journey
Join us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for behind the scenes moments, guest stories, new episodes and the occasional muddy boot.
Discover Season 4
Our new season begins on Thursday 29 October 2026, with new episodes released fortnightly.
Final thoughts
When I listen back to these voices, it solidifies why I intentionally chose to focus on grassroots stories and to shine a light on quiet courage – it doesn’t have to always be loud.
That can look like starting a business at 62. Walking away from a familiar career. Speaking up for something you believe in. Giving yourself another chance. Or acknowledging that you want something different.
We don’t always know who’s listening, what they’re going through or which part of someone else’s story might give them the encouragement they’ve been looking for.
Two years into this podcasting adventure, that’s still what motivates me.
The people, grassroots stories, and the connections that happen when we make space to listen.
Thank you for being part of the journey so far.
Here’s to the next chapter, a few more miles under our boots and plenty more stories worth sharing.
Because your story might be exactly what someone needs to hear today.
Sukanya x
