Member News
One of the North East’s most popular business podcasts has turned 100.
Launched in 2023, PRsonal has featured guests ranging from entrepreneurs and CEOs to Olympians and celebrities.
Created by the award-winning PR agency, Harvey & Hugo, the show has celebrated its 100th episode with an exclusive interview with Sir Peter Vardy.
“PRsonal’s premise has always been to discuss topics deemed off-limits at work – be it stoma bags or suicide – and the feedback we’ve had from the North East business community has been mind-blowing,” said the show’s host, Charlotte Nichols.
She created PRsonal after cancelling a meeting following a miscarriage – something she realised would probably be viewed as “too taboo” to air in the office.
Since then, the show has become a “safe haven” for guests to share deeply emotional personal stories – often for the first time.
“I’ve had guests pull me to one side afterwards to say ‘I can’t believe I’ve just told the whole world that’, but later they’ve got in touch to say that they felt a weight had been lifted,” revealed Charlotte.
“Some have even specifically asked to come on the show to share their story because others have told them how safe they felt doing so.
“And a big part of PRsonal’s longevity has been about the variety of the stories. As a PR agency, we know what makes a good one.
“We’ve had deeply traumatic tales of people who have almost died or lost a child – then in the next episode, we will have a ghost story or, like in one case, a dog shaman.”
The show’s success resulted in Charlotte hosting live episodes, including one at TedX Teesside – thought to be the first ever live podcast at a TedX event anywhere in the world.
Additionally, it was also shortlisted for an International Women’s Podcast Award.
The show is recorded at Darlington’s Business Central, where Harvey & Hugo is also based.
Having been launched by Charlotte in 2009, Harvey & Hugo has another reason to celebrate, after a bumper 12 months resulted it being named in Prolific North’s Top 50 Agencies in the North.
