"From the age of 13, I believed I was unworthy, undeserving of respect and that I had to accept the violence I was enduring."

In today’s episode of The Engaging Marketeer, Larissa Astara Gray shares her powerful story of survival, strength and how she reclaimed her power in the wake of her deeply traumatic experiences - including breaking free from toxic cycles and recovering from a drug addiction. As the founder of Better Boundaries, Larissa now helps others heal and set healthier boundaries.

Her journey offers valuable insights on the importance of self-love and healing from past experiences. If you've ever struggled with toxic relationships or finding your true worth, this episode will speak to you.

About Larissa:

Larissa Astara Gray is a passionate speaker, educator, and advocate for positive sex education, with a focus on empowering young people to navigate the challenges of modern relationships and sexuality. She is a leading voice on the impact of pornography on young minds and works tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers of toxic sexual experiences. Larissa’s mission is to help young people understand healthy boundaries, consent, and self-worth, ensuring they are equipped to make informed choices about their sexual health and relationships.

Having experienced and overcome her own difficult and toxic relationships, Larissa now uses her personal journey to guide and educate others. She has created Better Boundaries Online, an educational platform that provides resources for young people, parents, and educators to address the harmful effects of pornography and promote healthy sexual relationships.

With over a decade of speaking experience, Larissa is a sought-after speaker, sharing her expertise in schools, universities, and various youth-focused settings. Her work is grounded in her belief that education is key to breaking cycles of trauma and ensuring that future generations can experience healthy, consensual, and fulfilling relationships.

You can connect with Larissa here:

Website: https://larissaastaragray.co.uk/

Better Boundaries Website: https://betterboundaries.co.uk/about/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissa-astara-gray-a98374202/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larissaastaragray/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larissa_astara_gray/

About your host:

Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/

Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com

Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk

Support the show: https://engageweb.club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if one of the fastest ways to build real wealth isn’t starting from scratch… but stepping into something that already works?

In this episode, Casey Ridley claims that, done right, franchising can be one of the greatest creators of wealth in the world. When you hear how it actually works behind the scenes, it starts to make a lot of sense...

He and Darren get into what most people never see - that it's not just about systems and contracts. Successful franchising is about people, relationships and building something together that is bigger than you could ever do alone.

From choosing the right franchise owners to creating a business that genuinely supports them, this is how franchises truly scale and succeed.

If you've ever thought about running your own business, but felt stuck on where to start, or you want to grow faster without going it alone, this episode will open your eyes to what's possible.

More about Casey:

Casey Ridley is an entrepreneur and franchise leader based in Georgia, USA, and the driving force behind The Designery, a rapidly growing kitchen, bath, and closet franchise brand. He began his career by acquiring and transforming a small surplus construction business before scaling it into a multi-location operation and then franchising it nationally.

A strong advocate of franchising as a pathway to entrepreneurship, Casey focuses on helping individuals build successful businesses through structured systems, training, and support. Under his leadership, The Designery has expanded to dozens of locations across the United States, with a model centred on scalable growth, strong franchisee relationships, and a blend of national branding with local marketing.

He is also a franchisee himself, giving him a dual perspective on both sides of the model, and is known for his emphasis on execution, culture, and long-term business development.

You can connect with Casey here:

Website: https://thedesignery.com/about/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-ridley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseyridley22/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casey_ridley_/

About your host:

Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/

Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com

Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk

Support the show: https://engageweb.club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people don’t think about dementia care… until they have to.

In this episode of The Engaging Marketeer, Paul Chambers shares how he went from a career in sales into the world of dementia care, and what that journey has taught him along the way.

This is an eye-opening conversation about what really happens when dementia enters a family’s life. From recognising the early signs, to getting a diagnosis, to navigating care options and the reality of costs, the episode covers it all. It also breaks down what to look for in a care home, the mistakes people make when choosing one and the questions more families should be asking before it’s too late.

More about Paul

Paul Chambers is the Dementia and Wellbeing Lead at Willow Bank Residential Dementia Care Home in Pershore. After more than 30 years working in sales and business development, a serious car accident in 2019 prompted him to reassess his career and move into the care sector. He began working in domiciliary and live-in care before moving into a customer relations role within a care home, where he developed a strong interest in supporting families navigating dementia.

Today, Paul focuses on improving the quality of life for people living with dementia, helping residents remain engaged, stimulated and supported while also guiding families through the challenges of diagnosis, care decisions and long-term support. He is particularly passionate about dementia awareness, cognitive stimulation approaches and ensuring residents continue to live with dignity and purpose throughout their care journey.

You can connect with Paul here:

Website: https://www.willowbankhadfield.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulchambers2009/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulyCFC

About your host:

Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/

Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com

Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk

Support the show: https://engageweb.club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.