Championing Creativity and Mental Wellbeing

In this episode of The Student Guide, we dive into an inspiring conversation with PR and communications expert, Patricia. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Patricia shares her journey from cultural journalism in Romania to her current freelance work in London. She discusses the importance of supporting and championing one another, setting personal boundaries to protect mental health, and the significance of mentorship. The episode also features insights into Patricia's transitioning career, managing burnout, and her exciting future endeavours. Enjoy engaging stories, mental health tips, and career advice, along with a special segment where Patricia showcases her treasured items.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Supporting Each Other in Challenging Times
• 0:28 Welcome to The Student Guide
• 0:51 Introducing Patricia: A Journey in PR and Comms
• 2:22 Moving to London: A Dream Come True
• 3:48 Navigating the Pandemic and Career Shifts
• 6:05 Freelancing and Career Reflections
• 6:46 How to Be Happier as Humans
• 11:04 Career Beginnings and Lessons from Journalism
• 14:08 Surprising Career Plot Twists
• 21:33 Mental Wellbeing in High-Pressure Careers
• 26:01 The Power of Mentorship
• 26:43 A Conversation with a Mentor
• 28:36 The Value of Reverse Mentoring
• 32:09 Challenges in Podcasting
• 34:23 Dream Careers and Aspirations
• 36:58 Marvel vs. DC: A Comic Book Discussion
• 43:54 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Transcript

I think it's important to support one another and to champion one another. And  especially nowadays where it feels like we're going a bit backwards, which is not what we want. I think it's very important to pay attention to these things and call things out when they happen and, you know, again, build, rebuild these communities because we can on, on LinkedIn, especially in this case, um, and just be there for one another. 

Hello everyone. Hope you're doing well. Hope you are looking after yourselves. Welcome to another episode of The Student Guide where we have exciting conversations with exciting people. Uh, we are in our eighth season, uh, and we are getting the ball rolling with loads of episodes coming your way, uh, and discussing incredible topics with cool people, doing incredible work.

As you know, I do not like doing introductions. So instead, I'm gonna hand over to our amazing guest speaker today. Uh, Patricia, thank you for coming onto the show. Thank you for having me. No, you, I'm very excited to, 'cause we've got, we've got a lot to discuss. Um, but could we first off know a bit more about you and what you do?

Of course. First of all, again, thank you so much for having me. I'm very excited to be here. Uh, my name is Patricia. I am originally from Bu chore, Romania, and I've been working in PR and comms for about 15 years, and I've had a few.  Lives basically within that, uh, that space. So I studied as a journalist, as a cultural journalist back home in Romania, in Buret.

I was there for about four years and it was amazing because it was the most respected and well established newspaper in, in Romania, and it was very exciting and interesting to learn from all those amazing journalists.  And then I went over to the dark side, what it were. So I went into pr, I went and I started to work at this really cool boutique, uh, PR agency.

And we were working with really cool big brands like Pandora, for example, a jewelry brand or uh, cinema City, uh, which is part of Cinema World.  So I got to do a lot of events, which was exciting. I got to meet a lot of people. I got to work with, uh, different types of journalists and influencers and content creators.

Um, and it, it's been just a wild ride, really. And then  I thought.  I'm not done. No. Uh, after six years there, I thought, I want, I want to do something different. I want to have a big change.  So I,  I then thought, I'm going to move to London.  Why not?  And actually, you know, it's been a dream of mine ever since I studied, uh, in Newcastle, actually as an ERA student years ago, and I always thought.

Maybe one day, you know, that one day I would like to live there. I've always been in love with London, you know, seeing it in films and reading about it, but then also actually visiting it. Visiting it. And so I thought maybe one day,  so in 2019,  I made the decision. I quit my job at the agency. I bought a one-way ticket.

It's literally that kind of story. And I came here starry-eyed.  You know, just thinking, oh my God, I'm going to change my life completely. I'm going to go to all the gigs, all the museums, all the exhibitions. I will build a career in London. It's going to be amazing. And  I, I was lucky because it's very difficult as any person who moves countries will tell you. 

It's difficult to penetrate markets. Mm-hmm. Uh, especially when it's not something  that is fully transferable. So yes, the soft skills are transferable, but if you don't know the market, if you don't know the media in that territory, it's a bit more difficult. Mm-hmm. So I was lucky to actually get a, a role at Veolia, the recycling company.

So I went in-house for a bit. I tried that as well,  and I was so excited. I got the job. I thought, okay, this is happening. And then 2020 started and everyone was saying, oh my God. This is it. This is gonna be the year. Mm. We're going to be so happy. We're going to be, you know, it's a new decade.  And then the pandemic hit  and then the world stopped.

Mm.  So that was an interesting moment  in general in life. Mm-hmm. Because I think the pandemic changed us in ways that we're still not fully aware of, from my perspective at least. And then also from a professional perspective, because I wasn't working anywhere. I was working. In a company that did not have PR as a core of the business.

You know, it wasn't an agency, it was in-house, but actually the operations side was a core business. Mm-hmm. And the workers were key workers. Mm-hmm. And all of a sudden,  after getting a lot of hate, unfortunately, on social media, um, people, people realize, oh. The binmen are important. Mm. They are actually the ones keeping us safe and healthy together with the nurses and the doctors and, and everyone who, who was a key worker during the pandemic and who, you know, kept us literally alive.

Mm. Um, so that was an interesting time to be here, to be working at Veolia.  But then I also still felt this attraction to the agency side of things. You know, there's, there's a certain energy and a certain bit of like a vein popping type thing. You know, you're always a bit on the edge, which is also why you burn out very often.

Um, but then I made a decision to, to make another move. So I, I got a job at Galling Ventures, which is a really cool tech PR agency. Mm-hmm.  Uh, founded and run by an amazing person called Heather Lane.  Who I absolutely adore and who's a mentor,  and that's how I got to work with big brands like Flow Health, for example, which is the number one women's health app in the world, and  doing so many amazing things for women's health, which is needed because  not enough studies have been done.

Mm-hmm. So that was, uh, that was, that was part of my role as well. And also being able to, you know, um, train the team and work with the junior members more and, and develop more, you know, the, the leadership side of things for myself as well as I was growing professionally. Um,  and then at the end of last year, I decided to quit. 

Um, there was, um, a moment in my family, uh, difficult moment. I had to kind of focus a little bit more of what was happening back home in ret, so I went freelance and I'm, I'm still doing that, at least for now. Mm-hmm.  So, yeah, this is a very long answer, but  there you go. No, it's good. Good. You need to stop me because  I'll talk and talk and talk. 

You just need to do this.  

Well, thank you very much for sharing your journey. Um, and we will be diving more into your journey and what you've been up to, uh, in just a moment. But, uh, we'll start off, uh, with our for four questions, uh, from the founder of 44 Words, uh, Amanda. And the question she would like to ask you is how can we be happier as humans?

First of all, Amanda, thank you so much for this question. I absolutely love it. I,  I don't know if there's just one answer. I think it depends on the person. For me,  I think it's staying away as much as possible from screens, spending time in nature, spending time with people in real life. This is amazing.

I'm so happy we are not recording this via Zoom or Teams or any kind of, don't get me wrong, I appreciate technology. Mm-hmm. Uh. Uh,  I think doing more of the things that we love and that fuel us and give us energy and  joy. You know, reading a book, watching a film, again, it depends on each person for some is going to gigs and listening to live music, which is very different than listening to music at home, for example.

Um, but just in general.  Connecting with people more going back into our communities. Mm-hmm. Uh, I feel it's something that is needed and helpful. You know, back in the day there was a saying of it takes a village. We don't have a village anymore, especially in the city. So we kind of have to build that.

Mm-hmm. And I think that's one of the ways in which we can be. Happier and we can feel more supported because I think we are very, in a very connected world, technologically, I think we are very disconnected from a human perspective. Hundred percent. I hope that answered your question, Amanda. Yeah, it did.

So, 

yeah. Um, yeah, I definitely agree. I think, like you said, it is interesting that we're at a stage where humanity has never been as connected as it is now. But as you said, we're also at a stage where it feels that we're also. More disconnected than we've ever been before. Yeah. And sad. 

Yeah. It was really sad and, and mental health issues and, yeah.

Yeah. But I think, like you said, it's just like. Immersing yourself in, whether it's experiences, meeting new people. Yeah. Um, trying new things. That's how you sort of like Yeah. Rebuild that connectivity. 

What would be for you, the answer to 

this question? 

Ooh, I'm gonna turn the table.  Am I allowed? I did it. I did it anyway. 

Um,  I think, like you said, like I think most importantly, like you said, like doing what you love. 

Yeah. 

Um, I think the, the, like I tell people, I, if I, if at any point I didn't enjoy like my part-time job, 

yeah, 

I would most likely quit because, uh, any work that I do or even like pick up the mic, if it got to a point where I like absolutely hated it, I would quit because I feel that. 

Like you, you only do. So like as my parents taught me this, and this is why like even at university I did subjects that I enjoyed or even at school. Um, but it's just like if you don't do stuff that you enjoy, that's when you'll struggle with it anyways. Mm-hmm. And you'll really find it hard to do stuff because I'm not saying like every day with pick up my, even with my part-time job, it's like fun or is like great.

Sometimes I do have to get my head down and work on things, but it's like, because I love what I do, I'm like, oh, you know, it's a bit difficult for now. 

Yeah.  

This is gonna be like, like I'm work. I know there are fun parts of this that I will enjoy and I'm working towards that. Whereas if I absolutely hated my job or hated what I did was pick up the mic. 

There would be no  joy or like fun moments. Yeah. To look forward to. So for me, it's very much just like if we, I mean, not even goes like outside of career and work, like even like with if you're meeting up with friends and you sort of feel like you're dreading like this friend, because every time you meet up with them it's like awful.

Um, and it really makes me think like, is this person really your friend? Mm-hmm. Are you actually really friends with them? Um, and it's when you are surrounding yourself with people that actually like, bring you joy and happiness, um, that's when you're like, actually. You will like be happy. 

Absolutely. And actually, this just reminded me of something, um, as, as you were talking, I think  it's also a matter of helping others because there was this really cool book that was launched I think a couple of years ago called The New Happy.

And it's exactly about this. It's not about the hustle and the bustle and you know, climbing the corporate ladder. It's about. Helping other people. Mm-hmm. When you help, or even when you're just nice to someone, when you're kind to someone you know, it is a paying it forward type of thing, and building that energy.

Also, another point to your point. Mm-hmm. Being happy doesn't mean you have to have fun and be fully happy all the time. Hundred percent. You know, all the emotions are valid and all are important. Sometimes you're angry, sometimes you're sad. It's good to have all of those things, but yeah, doing more of of the things that you enjoy, definitely a hundred percent. 

Um, we're gonna go on to the first official question, which is about your career beginning. So you, you know, you've mentioned that, you know,  you, you started in, um, journalism before moving into global pr. Mm-hmm. Um, you sort of touched on a bit, so if you wanna go into the next question we can, but 

No, no, please.

That's me. 

What sparked this change and what lessons did you carry over from journalism when you moved into global pr?  

Well, a few things. Um. When I started as a, well, I, I first was an intern actually at this paper called Dilemma. The Old Dilemma. And then I became a proofread. I got a job, it was my first job.

I thought, oh my God, this is the most amazing thing. And then I started to translate some articles from English, Romanian. And then I, I literally grew a little bit every, you know, few months. Then I started to do interviews and to write myself. And that was very daunting 'cause I did. I did not know what I was doing.

Um,  but then I also realized, well, first of all, there's only so much you can do. And as any journalist will tell you, there's not a lot of money in journalism no matter where you are in the world. I, I don't think,  um, so I thought, okay, I've been here four years. I've done pretty much everything I could, I've learned to your, you know, to answer your your question, I've learned what a story is, what makes the news and what doesn't.

Uh, which is very helpful in PR and that's why a lot of PR people who used to be journalists, you know, understand better that some, some things are just not stories, you know? Mm-hmm. If, for example, let's say you are promoting an app and, uh, someone in the company says, oh, we have a new feature, no one cares.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. We are not going to do a, a press campaign or press release just because there is a new feature or an update, for example. You know, so being able to identify that, being able to write well. Mm-hmm. Um. Being able to be creative. I think those are definitely things that, that were transferable.

But yeah, I thought I'm going to go into PR where there's lots of money. No, there's no one ever said that again. Um, but I just wanted to try something else and I, I felt like there were different types of things that are still out there,  and I was limited up to a point in terms of what I, I was doing from a journalist, uh, perspective. 

Oh, thank you. Um, and I think that's really interesting because, uh, it links actually to, uh, our mic check, which is an interesting fact or figure that, or story that's related to what we're talking about today. Uh, and a, uh, 2023 survey by LinkedIn. Found that 55% of UK professionals have changed careers at least once.

And the top reasons being for this is related to burnout or lack of fulfillment, which as you mentioned, uh, you know, reflects a rising importance of mental health and wellbeing. I mean, we'll touch on mental health and wellbeing, especially, uh, with pr 'cause it can be quite fast paced. Yep. And, uh, busy in, uh, in just a few moments, but the, the next question is actually on your freelancing journey.

So you've worked across industries and also. Continent. Yes. Uh, what has been some of the most surprising career plot twists, and how did you adapt to those?  

Ooh. Uh,  well, the first one that I would mention is definitely the Veolia, uh, journey, because as I was saying, when I, I joined the company as a PR and digital officer.

Um, we had some plans, we had some ideas, some campaigns, and then the pandemic hit. So that was a big plot twist. I don't think it gets better than this. And honestly, I don't want it to get better than this.  Or bigger, not better. It wasn't better. Um.  But then I would say when I changed from in-house to agency in the uk mm-hmm. 

And again, working with really cool big brands. Mm-hmm. Like flow health, but also, um,  challenger brands like Chipotle, which is a, a Bluetooth item tracker, like a air tag for example. Mm-hmm. You know, a company that is based in Slovenia  that started I think about 13, 14 years ago as a.  Crowdfunded campaign type of product.

Mm-hmm.  And then they grew and then we started to help them grow as well for years, uh, from a PR perspective and brand awareness perspective to the point where now, you know, they're working with Google and Apple. So that kind of story is absolutely amazing. And, you know, for me it's, it's just. Showing that when you put in the work and when you know what you're doing, again, because we were working, um, working as you were saying, across continent, you know, from from the UK to the US and Europe and, and also, uh, Australia and, and New Zealand.

So. So that was interesting. And you, you do have to adapt as well, you know, your pitches and the way you speak to certain journalists, depending on the type of journalist, you know, it's one thing to speak to a financial one, uh, and another one to speak to a lifestyle. One, they will be interested in different sides of the story, for example.

So that can be, uh, maybe not a plot twist, but you need to be flexible and, and adaptable. Um, and then with the freelancing, again, I haven't been doing it for a long time. Um, I'm still working.  Around different types of things. What I've seen  in general, unfortunately in the last year is that the market is bad.

Mm-hmm. Everything is slow in terms of recruitment, in terms of hiring, in terms of people being made redundant, left and right. And not only in PR or comms or marketing. You know, it seems to be  something is happening. And again, not only in the uk  so, um.  It's not great. Mm-hmm. But I remain optimistic. But everything seems to be slower and somehow more difficult.

Mm-hmm. Which means you need to be more resilient. We, we need to, you need to be more creative in how you approach things. So, as a freelancer, for example, you know, you, you don't have a team. Mm-hmm. You are one.  Woman show band, you need to do everything, which is exciting and interesting, and you are flexible with your time, which is amazing.

You know, I can do this in the middle of the day, no problem. Um, but then also, you know, you are responsible for everything. Mm. Which again, comes with, with the good and the bad. 

Yeah. I thank  you very much. And I think, uh, I don't have the stat with me, but I know, I think, well, I know that a lot of more young people, as you mentioned, like are going into freelancing as well, and I think there is.

A misconception or like sometimes it's like the reality of freelancing is not discussed. Yeah. So people might be like, oh, I see. Like on Instagram or on LinkedIn, all these, like, I know someone who's sharing, they're freelancer and they're getting all these like big contracts and you know, they're going on holidays whenever they want and can do all of this stuff.

But as you mentioned, there's other things that's not taken into consideration that that person is literally running everything mm-hmm. As the freelancer and has to sort of like manage all of these different contracts that they're working with. 

Yeah. 

Um, but I think, like you said, like it's, um, having. The ability to adapt and like agility to like adjust to what you're dealing with.

Mm-hmm. Um, and being,  I don't think the flexible, that's the way I'll think about being flexible with like, with whatever the situation brings. Yeah. To adapt to that I think is really key and don't freak 

out. Mm-hmm. Which is not easy.  No, genuinely. Especially if you don't have, you know, financial security.

If you don't have. Someone to support you if you don't have a partner. You know, depending on every person has a different situation, hundred percent can be a bit scary. 

Hundred percent. Um,  we.  Actually, before we go into the next question, 'cause I have remembered to do it, uh, we're gonna go on to, uh, our new segment for this season.

Uh, treasure Talks, where we bring our, well, I guess Rika actually bring, uh, a treasured item, uh, from their possession. Uh, as I mentioned in the last episode, this is brought to you by Alex, uh, on the team. Uh, and essentially Patricia, uh, could we please move the item that you brought and its significance to you? 

So I was a bit cheeky and I bought two items. Okay. 

I thought it's a, it's a new segment, so maybe we can, we can bend a little bit. So, um, the first item is a photo with my mom and my nan. Nice.  Um, and it's one that I got with me when I moved to to London. Mm-hmm. And these women are just powerhouses and.  They've made me in many ways who I'm today. Mm-hmm. So it, for me, it was important to have that photo in my house, and obviously with my dad as well, but you know, the women, the women power, it was something that I needed when I moved countries because it's, it was exciting and interesting, but also difficult.

Mm-hmm.  So this is number one Now, the other one is a wonderful book that I recommend  dearly, which is called The Midnight Library.  And.  I read it a few years ago, uh, and I made a lot of notes in it at that time because when I read, I read with a, a pen. Mm. The idea is, um, the leading lady is going through a lot of things and she's considering. 

Ending her life.  And she ends up in the main library where she meets, uh, her, um, librarian from her school or something like that. Okay. And in that library there are different books that she's reading at different times. And it's basically  how her life would've looked like mm-hmm.  When making a different choice. 

So it's, this is why they say on the cover one library Infinite Lives. Mm-hmm. Because, you know, we, we often have this thing of, oh, what would've happened if I married that person or divorced that person? Mm-hmm. If I had that kid or didn't have that kid if I went to that uni or not. If there's always the what if.

Mm-hmm.  But actually at the end of the day,  you won't know. So you just need to make a choice and, and be happy with it then. And just, you know, um.  Change if needed. And actually, this is something that kind of drove me when I made move to London, because again, it's not a, an easy decision to make. Mm-hmm. I was in my early thirties at the time, so I, I knew what I was doing.

Mm-hmm. Well, up to a point.  Um, but I said to myself, I, I don't want to regret  not doing it. Mm.  And I don't think I will be regret redoing it. Mm-hmm. At most it's going to be a case study. I will learn from it. I go for three months. I see if I can make it, then I go back home. I don't feel like I've failed. I feel like I've learned.

Mm-hmm.  And here I'm six years later.  Happy about it. So yes.  Uh, beautiful book. Totally recommended. Thank you very 

much. Thank you. Um, we will now go to the third question, which is about, uh, as I mentioned before, mental wellbeing in high pressure careers. Uh, 'cause as, as we've sort of like, uh, discussed before, uh, PR common rolls, they can be, uh, very fast paced environments.

Yep. Uh, things can move very quickly. Um, so how do you, or for anyone who's in. Those roles or in general, a sort of a high pressure career. Uh, how, how do you, in yourself protect your mental health and avoid burnout, but how would you recommend that others do it as well? 

Okay, so I will start with a boring bit.

I also have a stat, well, two actually. Oh, good. So women in PR actually did, uh, a study about two years ago and, and then they built a campaign around that called Speak Out Don't Burnout. And what they found was that 66% of senior PR women have experienced burnout and they considered quitting their jobs.

And then 92% said that they feel PR is a 24 7 type of job. So they can't really switch off.  Which is a big number. Mm-hmm. Now, for the personal bit,  I burn out three times. Mm-hmm. So I'm, I'm saying this as someone who has actually been through it, because you don't always recognize the signs. The first two times, especially when I was back in Romania, I didn't realize I was burning out.

I did, I don't think we even spoke about that in these terms necessarily. Uh, I just thought, oh, I'm really tired. Oh, I'm just doing a lot. Oh, I'm just, you know, working late hours. It is what it is. It comes with the job,  and that was difficult. And it's problematic because it affects your health, mental, physical, in different ways.

What I would say now is  different things work for, for different people again. Uh, I don't like to generalize in general about things, but what I would say is  first of all, try to set some boundaries and stick to them,  first of all for yourself and then for others as well. So things like, for example, I have my play, my phone, or on on airplane mode when I sleep.

Mm.  I,  I, when I sleep, I, I'm asleep. That's it. Now, obviously there are certain jobs in PR in general where you have to have your phone on. I know some people will jump and say, yeah, but not, yes, not all people, but if you can do that, do it. You can't be on 24 7. You know, the world doesn't sleep, but we have to sleep, otherwise we will make bad decisions.

So sleep is important. Try to be out again in nature as much as possible when you're having lunch and many PR professionals are.  Known to do this. We have lunch over the laptop. Don't do that. Go outside, go sit on a bench, go look at a tree, not your phone, looking at the news or slack. Um, so you know, it can be something as small as that, or things like when you go on holiday, you are on holiday,  leave a handover,  leave everything in order.

And if there's anything, you know, again, some people say if there's anything urgent, call me.  What, what is that urgent though? What is it that urgent that someone who is, you know, left in your, in your space, in your place, can't do it?  You know, so, and also there's another saying in pr, it's PR not, Hmm.

Sometimes we tend to get  too hyped and too.  Sort of caught up in, into the hustle and the bust, especially, especially in agencies, uh, or if there's a big campaign or, or something is happening that we, we don't realize not nothing is actually burning. We're, we're not, we're not saving lives. Mm-hmm. You know?

Yes. Our job is important. Yes, we are doing a lot of things, and I think  another thing that leads to burnout in PR is the fact that.  There's a lot going through us as humans. Mm. So we have to manage a lot of different relationships and connections. You know, if you are in an agency, you know, clients, stakeholders, partners, um, media, you need to make sure that everyone gets what their need mm-hmm. 

At all times, ideally. Mm-hmm. Which can be, you know, very stressful and it can take a lot out of you. But I would say definitely this. And also again, try to enjoy your hobbies. Spend time with your, if you have a family, with your family, with your kids. Mm-hmm. Put your phone away as much as possible. It can be very distracting.

I know.  Um,  and yeah, just be with people as much as possible. I think a 

hundred percent. Thank you. Um, and yeah, we've now gone to the very last question, which is, uh, paying it forward. So you've spoken about the power of mentorship. 

Yes. 

Uh, what makes a meaningful mentor dash mentee relationship, and how can anyone listening. 

Build those connections. 

I'm very passionate about this. I'm so happy you're asking. So, uh, I believe a lack in the power of mentoring in all directions. Mm-hmm. So being a mentor and being a mentee as well.  Mm-hmm. Um, I was lucky to be part of the global women pr, uh, in Empower program, a mentorship program, and I met. 

The most amazing person there, Nancy, who I absolutely adore and I clicked with from the beginning and she's been in the industry for years. She actually retired right after we finished the, the mentorship program. And it was so important and so interesting. And she's, she's based in the US, in Chicago. Um.

She was big director of Xeno there, big agency.  And I remember we were talking about different things and I was,  you know, it was part therapy, part coaching, part friendship. We developed a friendship as well, and I was speaking her brain about different types of things, including how different territories are, uh, you know, have, have various specific things to, to look at, you know, uh, hiring in the US versus the uk, you know, managing teams and team members and dealing with issues and so on. 

And at some point you, I was saying, you know, I've been in this industry for so many years and I'm just tired, I feel old. And she looked at me and she said,  don't take this the wrong way, but you're so young. And then I looked at her and I realized it really depends how you look at things, you know, because yes, compared to her,  she has a lot more experience than I do  compared to me.

Someone who's just starting has no experience. So it really depends where you position yourself. So,  but I think it's important to have someone, and not just one person, by the way. And it doesn't have to be someone older necessarily. It can be someone of similar age or just a bit older. Mm-hmm. Uh, but someone that can support you and champion you and inspire you and, you know, give you ideas or, uh, someone you can, you can kind of use to sense check some things.

Um.  It, it doesn't matter. It doesn't have to be formal. It can be formal. This was in a more formal setting. But again, we remain friends and we actually still have catchups every month almost. Um, it doesn't have to be formal, you know, it can be just someone you admire. Mm-hmm. And you can just say, I would love to have, you know, half an hour cup of coffee with you and talk to you about  whatever, you know, because it, it can be something around the professional side of things or something more personal.

Usually these are intertwined from my perspective at least. Hmm. Um, and also I remember again, um, actually Sue, who's the, the co-founder of, of Global NPR, she was talking about this a few years ago. Um, at an event, it's also important to have reverse mentoring. Mm. So for example, someone who is now 40, let's say 40, 45, 50 has  a lot to learn from someone who's 20.

Mm-hmm. Because someone who's 20 will be much more aware of different types of technologies and all the platforms and so on than we are, for example. So it's important to understand how things work from that side as well, you know, and kind of  have a, a bit of a give and take. Yeah, a hundred 

percent. And I think, um, uh, so two things I wanna say on that mm-hmm.

Is I've done, uh, through my part-time role, I did mentoring myself for the first time. Uh, and that was really nice. Uh, it was interesting as well 'cause I didn't know it until. They told me, but my mentee was the same age as me, so she also found it interesting to have a mentor mm-hmm. Who was the same age.

Um, but yeah, it was just, to me it was really beneficial. Um, I like knowledge sharing. Um, so I was just telling them about like, it was really interesting to make me think about my own career. So they would ask, I like you said about reverse mentor, and I would say it was definitely got to that stage.

Mm-hmm. Because it wasn't just me saying, oh. You know, maybe you should explore these options. Mm-hmm. Or let's just talk about your career journey. She just naturally was very inquisitive and had a lot of questions to ask about myself. Yeah. My own path, um, which I thought was really nice and it made me think about things within my.

Career that I hadn't considered before. Um, but also I think, like you said, reverse mentoring is something that I don't think a lot of people know about or consider Yeah. Or consider doing. Um, but I think that it is really, like you said, it's really key. Um, especially if you are like my, I think my manager sort of puts it, put it best, and she was talking about it more regarding politics and she was saying it was very interesting that we have like, um, and not made this a politics.

Podcast. But, so it's very interesting to have, like,  she was talking about like, um, politicians that are like very, so like, I think she was saying with Joe Biden, it was very interesting that Joe Biden, like when he went to university, is completely different to what university is. Now when he was in, in office.

Mm-hmm. Um, but she said it's very interesting because he's working on legislation about university. 

Mm-hmm. 

For people who are currently there, like they've not been with, especially if they've been in the same company for like years. Um, they, their experience getting into the company and progressing will be completely different to someone who's just gotten in.

Yeah. 

Um, but having reverse mentoring is really beneficial because then you can sort of like, learn from these people. It can be like, oh, hey, actually by the way, like. You know, uh, you know, Joe, uh, he's the CEO of the company. Um, but he's now got a, he's now sort of having reverse mentoring with like the latest person who's destroying the organization.

Um, and then he's hearing about, oh, like this is what the job market's like for someone going in. This is how we can improve and strengthen our offering to our employees, um, which will help the organization in the long run. So I think that's what's really key, as you mentioned. Absolutely. Yeah. 

We can learn from each other.

Definitely a 

hundred percent. 

If we, if we leave the ego aside. Yes. Oh gosh.  

That old nugget. Yeah, that's a, sometimes feels a lot harder than what it actually is, but, um, but no, I think, like you said, a lot of people are very much like as, as soon as you leave, like. Egos aside, that's when things were done best.

Um, but now we're gonna go into passing the mic. So, uh, uh, I won't physically pass the mic 'cause we, we don't have a mic to pass, but, uh, this is your opportunity to ask me any question or series of questions. 

Yeah. So just let me know series of questions, let the questioning begin.  Um, I do have a few questions.

Okay. So first of all,  what was the biggest challenge that you've had?  With this podcast, if there was one,  oh, a moment or a situation or you know, when you just went, oh God, what is even this, um, 

biggest challenge? Um,  probably sometimes dealing uhm,  I'm like, 

yeah, of course. And I'm gonna say, be careful what you're saying.

Good. Um, I think sometimes it's dealing with like ex to keep it as vague as possible. Sometimes it's like dealing with external. Partners, so not any of the people that I'm working with right now, but uh, in previous experiences, sometimes it's like, whether it's like you do work and you get invoices paid late or you do work and, um, like there was an agreement that was made and people don't necessarily stick to those agreements.

Yeah. Um,  yeah, to me that was the most difficult thing because, uh, I think for me as a person, I'm not very like confrontational. So some, and especially if there's like an organization and you, you, you feel like there's a lot of ways you could work together and you could actually do really good work. I'm very much just like, yeah, we can find a way to work and stuff.

Mm-hmm. So I think when some of this stuff was happening that was quite difficult to deal with. Um, and then I think the other thing. Which has never been any of the guests that I've recorded with. But I guess it's like the same thing with like working with people. Yeah. Sometimes we have it the, um, I guess our customers, so to speak, um, can be a bit No, no, like the guests, but like sometimes we've had it, like we've had to deal with like difficult people and I think difficult people make.

The work more interesting or more difficult because it's like, oh, you know, if everyone's having a good time and you're enjoying yourself, like this episode is going great. But then sometimes it'll just be like one person that maybe they say something, they do something. Yeah. Or they're, they sort of like say something that doesn't sit with you.

Right. And then you have to, like you said about pr, like you can't just be like, are you kidding me? Really?  

Are sure you wanna say that?  Yeah. Should we do it again? Yeah, hundred 

percent. So I think that's one of the, like, those, those three areas are probably like the challenges I've had to deal with. Yeah.

Yeah. 

Oh, that makes sense. And then if you were able to do anything in the world mm-hmm.  What would you like to do  

if I wasn't doing this or if I was still doing this? Whatever, whatever. Oh, 

it's, it's a, it's an open question. Like if, if you were to be and do whatever you wanted.  What would you like? Uh,  I'll tell you what, I,  

uh, I would love to, so like, oh, well, as the T-shirt says, I love like comics, uhhuh and gaming and stuff, um, I've said I'd love to, I don't even need to be a main character.

I, I would be happy to just be in the background of a Marvel film. Yep. Or,  um, like Marvel or DC like film or game is like my dream. 

Mm-hmm. 

Um, that's what I want to like.  That's what I'm working towards. Um, but yeah, I think it would just be like all this fun stuff that I wanted, or actually, actually, I would say, I'm gonna change my answer.

Go for it. Um, it would be what Adam Sandler currently does with like his group of friends. Okay. Um, so for a lot of his films, he uses the same group of friends. Yep. To like be, and like, basically we'll like pay the, like if he's got a movie idea. He will sort of like put other people in it, but he's very much just like, oh, my friends.

I always want to like, support them in their efforts. So he's always putting them into like his projects, which I think is really cool. Um, and to me in particular, it gets me thinking like, oh, like if I had, like if, I don't know, let's say Sony would just like Jeffrey, want you to. Pay you to like, produce podcasts and stuff.

Um, or like make a film. I would be like, oh yeah. Like how do we think about it? Yeah.  Check my schedule. I dunno.  So I think that like, being able to, like any work I was doing, bring on my friends and like family on board I think would be really fun. Yeah. That'd be cool. Answer. Cool stuff. You, you said you, you knew what your answer was?

Yes, I have two. Okay. 

I, my friends know this and they're gonna laugh about this 'cause they keep pushing me to do it. Um.  I would like to do standup comedy. Ooh, I can see that. And the dream, dream, like the crazy dream would be have an earth special. Ooh, okay.  Now I would've to start somewhere.  Um, but this is the dream that, and also opening a cocktail bar on a beach, a warm beach somewhere.

Ooh, that 

would be very nice. 

That would be nice. So if I was to quit pr, comms and all that, that would be the thing. Yeah, that would be, oh, very cool.  You can come over after you finish with your feeling. Yeah. The cocktail, you know, I'd love that. Come to my gig. It's 

fine. Of course. Yeah. Really good. Uh, when the, when the first gig happens, let me know.

Okay. I'll be there. 

I will meet people in the 

audience, 

especially at the beginning,  but no, thank you very much. Um, any other questions?  Just one. Okay. Because you did mention Marvel and DC. Yeah, and I used to launch all the Marvel films when I was back in Arm Romania. We were also working with the film distributor for Marvel, Disney, luas film and so on.

And we talked about this before. Yes, yes.  And you told me that your favorite character, superhero character is.  Spiderman Spiderman.  Yeah. And yet you're wearing a Superman  t-shirt. What is up with that? Um, so  

talk to me. So my, not my favorite suit, uh, um,  my favorite super is still, uh, is uh, is definitely still Spider-Man.

Um, he's the one I grew up with. Uh, I love all the films, the animated films, the TV shows. Um, I'm wearing the Superman talk because, uh. It was very interesting, uh, and I think people could say this is, could be its own podcast episode in itself, like the wider state of like comic book films and Marvel at the moment.

Um, but I, so I saw the most recent Superman film and I also saw Fantastic Four. Yep. And I think for me, going into the Superman film. I didn't really have any expectations. I wasn't, I knew like I, James Gunn, he did the Garden of the Galaxy mm-hmm. Films, uh, he did the Suicide Squad film. Mm-hmm. So I was just like, he's got a track record.

And especially 'cause like my brother said, growing up, so he's also a Marvel fan. He was just like, growing up, he never knew about like the Garden of the Galaxy. Yep. Um, but now, you know, people recognize them. They have like all kinds of stuff about them. So he was just like. You know, James Gunn's got a clear record of like bringing in character.

And I also like, one thing I'll say is he brings in like very obscure character. Quirky, yeah, quirky character. Weird like. And you're just like, and then he's just like, oh yeah, like I just saw them. Or like, when I was reading comics like this per character is this. And I was like, how can I bring them into this world?

Mm-hmm. Uh, and I was just like, I kind of like that he does that. Um, so going into Superman, I was just like, I'm, it's gonna be a good film. I was like, I don't know if I'll be like, oh my days are this gonna be the amazing film. This is a film of the summer. Um, but I think I was very, I was more interested in Fantastic Four 'cause I was like, we're gonna see Galactic.

This is gonna be really cool. But I think.  When I watched Superman, I was very, so much surprised about how much I loved it. And I, I, and I know there's a whole discussion about like, who's Superman's better, Henry Campbell  or David Koser, and I was just like, oh, I really do like, so outside of those two, I was just like, as a film, I really loved it.

I think it had a really nice message. Um, I think I saw someone describe it as this, and I was just like, this is actually quite true. It was very much like a comic. Brought to life 

Uhhuh 

in the sense that it's like there are things that like, I guess like a comic book. And I think when someone made this criticism, someone also put this in the comments, they were just like, oh, you know, it's not really realistic.

This wouldn't like, that's the point, but Exactly that's the point. It's the film isn't, and it's like, and comic books do have like random things or like weird characters or movements and I was just like. It's true. It did really feel like a comic book brought to life. So I think for me, I was just like, wow, this is like such a good film.

Um, fantastic. Paul, again, I agree with it. It was good. Haven't watched that one, by the way. Don't gimme spoilers. Okay. I always spoil 

it. I saw Superman. Okay. But nothing. Okay, but tell me about it. 

I, I would say, I suppose my friend about it, he, I would say it was a good film, but I think what people, someone described it well in saying that it felt. 

Uh, where it was in the, like MCU calendar. Mm-hmm. It felt a bit out of date. Ah. 

So it kind 

of felt that, it was like, oh, this is an introductory film for the Fantastic four, which is great. But then it almost felt like, oh, we're just putting this film here to explain why they're in Avengers Doomsday. 

Yeah.

Which to me, I was just like. If that wasn't the case, then great. This film would've been like really good. Um, like I think, uh, galactic is a villain. It's great when you see him on, like he has a very much imposing presence. Uh, I think the Fantastic Four are casted really well. Yeah. Um, I think what's, like people said that it's, there are some characters that like, I guess 'cause of the screen time, they had a bit more time to shine than others.

So people are saying they're very much interested in seeing in like Avengers Doomsday. Mm-hmm. Probably 'cause Marvel will do a sequel, but I think.  What surprised me was, again, what someone else said, which I agreed with that Thunderbolts I didn't have, again, I went in with no expectation. I was like, it's a Marvel film.

It could be really good. But I really enjoyed Thunderbolts. That was hilarious. That's hilarious. And I think I was more, I went like the Marvel releases for this year were coming up. I was like, okay, thunderbolts, I might check out. I was like, I'm definitely gonna check out Fantastic Four. And I think I was surprised how much I enjoyed.

Thunderbolts then fantastic fall. 

Interesting. 

Um, so yeah, that would be my thing. So I'm wearing the Superman top 'cause I really enjoyed Superman. I love the film. It's a cookie shot. I say this, thank you very  and I just love, I think.  I think like there was a lot of pressure, in my opinion of James Gunn going into this.

It's a news he's resetting the DC universe. Um, you know, people will have their opinions, uh, and especially to like start with Superman and to go and be like, this is the first character we want to bring to, to this universe. Um, especially after like the way Henry Gavi was treated and his Superman wasn't really used.

Yeah. 

Uh, it was a, which was a shame. Yeah. Which was a huge shame. Um, and it was a bold choice. I think my opinion, I was like, it's a bold choice to go with Superman. Mm-hmm. But I think as a film, to me, it, it worked. I know people are saying like they, oh, you know, he is put all these characters and superheroes and stuff.

How annoyed were you by that dog though?  I mean,  I think,  I think my sister was because, so, uh, I think that was a Superman. There was a crypto TV show that apparently I used to watch when I was growing up, so I think my sister said it was interesting because crypto.  Like in the, at least in the comic books and stuff, isn't necessarily like. 

As chaotic as he. Isn't it crazy? Yeah.  Well I think what was really funny is, uh, like the story behind it of him saying that it's like based off his dog that he adopted and he was just like, oh, you know, I, he just sat one day and was just like, oh, like what if Superman did have to deal with like a superpower dog that was like really like wild and doing, like, wouldn't listen to you.

And then it was funny 'cause I saw on Instagram, uh, and if I can find a copy of the video, I'll put it up on the screen. Mm-hmm. But he has a video of.  The do. So crypto is digital, a digitally scanned version of his own dog.  Ah, and he has a video of. His dog actually bark acting like that. Yeah, acting like that.

And then he is barking at crypto when he sees crypto on the screen. And then he said like, it's almost like, I guess like inception with a dream. Within a dream, a dream because he then recorded his dog barking, put it on the screen, and his dog then starts to like act really wild with seeing him himself. 

Reacting to crypto on the screen. Mm-hmm. So it was just like this, like learning the story behind crypto just made me feel like, okay, I see why like crypto is like this chaotic in this film. I really 

think you should be doing something with comics. Oh, thank you. Because I think we can do a separate podcast just about this.

Of course.  Thank you very much. No, I'm not kidding. Oh, thank you.  Um. Is that your, any more questions or that? No, not for now. I can, I can ask you,  

but yeah, we're now gonna go onto the empty of the month, which is our organization or individual that's related to the topic we're talking about today. Uh, and today we have picked, uh, the female lead.

They are an educational charity. Uh, they're focused on showcasing women's stories across all, uh, walks of life. They provide free career resources, mentoring, uh, mentorship tools and mental wellbeing for students and professionals.  Um, and, you know, we think that they're, they align perfectly, uh, with your mission for  Absolutely.

I know them and I love them. Oh, wow. Yes, yes, yes. Um, so please do check them out, uh, if you are interested. Um, but we're now, we've now come to, uh, final segment of the episode. Uh, let's just, uh, yes. It's, we're sad. We're sad to almost end, but, uh. But all things must, must come to our, um, and this is our takeaway segment, uh, and as I keep joking, uh, and I'm working on it, uh, so I will make the joke, but as soon as we do have a food sponsor, uh, you will get a nice discount code.

Um, but yeah, so we are delivering messages to, for you to take home with you to think about and discuss with friends throughout the whole day. Um, but Patricia was talking about a lot today. Um, what would be your message for an audience to take home? 

My message for the audience, um,  long or short? 

It can be as long or short as you like. Okay.  

I would say  remain authentic.  Surround yourself with people who are kind  and are supportive. It doesn't matter if it's family, friends,  colleagues, managers, be very. Protective of your time and your energy and your resources, um, and your wellbeing,  and make sure that you are surrounded by people who are good for you.

I think that's it. Perfect. And, and if you need to leave  a workplace, a job, a career, an industry, a partner,  do it.  It's, it's important to make decisions like this sometimes. A hundred 

percent. Um,  that's it. I, I'm not gonna have any more. Perfect. That's a wrap.  Uh, so thank you Patricia, for coming onto the show today.

Uh, we always give our guests at the end an opportunity to share anything that's coming up, how people can connect with them. Uh, if there's any pieces of work that you think people should check out. Uh, I know you are also interested in comic books as well, so if there's a comic book film, it can be, uh.

Not as well known as like Marvel or dc but if there is a comic book, film, TV show game, or comic book itself that you would like our audience to check out, uh, please. 

Well, it's not you. Okay. It's, it's an older TV series called The Marvelous Miss Maisel. Mm. And it's about a lovely lady in New York in the forties or fifties I think, who starts doing standup comedy and it's incredibly well written and acted and filmed and all that.

So I think it's on Amazon Prime. Yes, yes, yes. Um, so that would be a recommendation for, for a TV series. Other than that, uh, oh my God, I was completely blanked out. I don't know.  I dunno.  What, what else is there to say? Uh, how can people 

connect with you? 

Oh, yes, LinkedIn. Absolutely. LinkedIn. I am,  I used to be on almost all the platforms, especially when I was back in Romania.

I know. Facebook, Instagram, and all that. I, I stopped using them actively after a while because there's just. Too much, uh, although I do doom scroll on Instagram, but I think connection wise, definitely LinkedIn say hello. Uh, if I can support anyone in any way, if I can lend a helping hand, if you wanna ask for any advice about anything, my dms are open once you connect me.

Mm. And uh, in terms of what things are coming up, I am aiming to be more involved in  women's initiatives. Mm. So when you said female lead, I was actually very happy about that. Uh, you know, get more involved in women in pr in the uk. Uh, there's also another organization called G 100.  So I think, as I was saying before, I think it's important to support one another and to champion one another, and  especially nowadays where it feels like we're going a bit backwards, which is not what we want.

I think it's very important to pay attention to these things and call things out when they happen. And.  You know, again, build, rebuild these communities because we can on LinkedIn, especially in this case. Um, and just be there for one another. 

Hundred percent. Um, okay. Uh, and well I did the outro, so thank you to you, our wonderful audience for coming Back.

Lights, episode light comes. Scribe always appreciated. If you wanna make sure you don't miss any episodes on the pick up the mic YouTube channel, make sure you click the notification bell bottom with the videos. You can be notified as soon as new content comes out on this channel. Uh, if you wanna support our efforts and the incredible work we do, or if you're interested in receiving cool new merch or discounts, uh, on our future events, 'cause we do have a few coming up, uh, then please do subscribe either to Patreon or. 

To our YouTube channel, but if you're listening, you don't wanna subscribe to a subscription model, that's perfectly fine. We also have a buy me a coffee link. So, uh, you could, instead of buying a coffee today, you could, uh, donate that coffee money to pick up the mic, uh, so we can keep doing some incredible work.

Uh, check out the link in the description below to node that, and finally, if you do, I, I should have mentioned this as well, we actually do, so we used to have a comic. Podcast, but we've integrated it with our sci-fi and fantasy podcast. So, uh, it's called The Two Maces. It's run by my brother and a friend of ours called Morgan, but they discuss the world of sci-fi fantasy, um, all things.

So they, uh, they will, and they are coming back. They, they have, uh, Morgan and Joshua are found time in their busy schedule, so there will be more episodes coming your way. Uh, they will, I believe. The first episode may be touching on either Superman or comic, like all the comic films that have come out this year so far.

Um, so do keep an eye out for that. They will be discussing Gen V when it comes out, uh, later on this year. Uh, obviously, I don't know if there's a new season of House of the Dragon coming out this year. I don't think so. But then we'll be discussing all things sci-fi and fantasy, and of course, with, uh, announcements like June three coming out.

Uh, and then that's the best channel to check out. But we also have a gaming channel, uh, called Pick Up the Controller, and our finally our anime channel, sense of anime. Uh, but yeah, we're gonna close this chapter of the Student Guide here today. Thank you for watching. Hope you had a great time, and we'll see you all in the next episode.

Best bye from us here and have a wonderful day.