The SOLEMNIKO Podcast

spice of life

This is the perfect episode for February, the month of Valentines. Kara and her husband own the Green Label Kitchen, a commercial private hire kitchen and catering company situated in the Bad Hand Roastery warehouse in Bournemouth. Living together, cooking together and raising their kids together they have built a forward thinking vegan kitchen as well as a thriving community on love and a shared enjoyment in cooking, wellness, food and community. In this episode Kara joins me to talk about her journey as a chef and as a vegan, her experience slowly building her own personal chef brand and collaborating with her husband on Green Label Kitchen. We also talk about quality time, imposter syndrome, new projects and finding balance between home and work. Kara Hayward Vegan Chef website [https://www.karahaywardveganchef.co.uk] Kara Hayward Vegan Chef Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/karahaywardveganchef] Green Label Kitchen website [https://www.greenlabelkitchen.com] Green Label Kitchen Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/greenlabelkitchen] Recorded on Zoom Intro music credits | Calvin Clavier [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-soft-dreams-lofi-vibes-216576/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solemniko.substack.com [https://solemniko.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

sculpted by the lakes

Simon Gudgeon [https://substack.com/profile/317853311-simon-gudgeon] is the perfect guest to kick off 2026; as well as being a highly acclaimed sculptor he is also a trained breath work instructor, yoga instructor and sound bath practitioner. Simon is also the co-creator and co-owner of Sculpture by the Lakes with his wife, Monique. As well as creating a gorgeous one-of-a-kind sculpture park in their back garden, (Sculpture by the Lakes is a specialist botanical garden; working with Kew Gardens and Edinburgh Botanical Gardens to ensure the safe preservation of endangered species.) they have also expanded into the wellness sector, introducing Simon’s brand The Sculpted Soul which specialises in retreats, sound baths and more recently courses you can do from the comfort of your own home and routine. So if you’re looking for something fresh, insightful, motivating and unique then welcome to this first episode of 2026. Simon and I will be talking about the reality of being a sculptor, taking a chance, following your gut, burrowing down rabbit holes of (healthy) obsession and (of course) his brand new course with The Sculpted Soul: From Thought to Destiny which you can purchase via the link below. Sculpture by the Lakes [https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk] Sound baths and Wellness Retreats at Sculpture by the Lakes [https://www.thesculptedsoul.co.uk/retreats-events] The Sculpted Soul [https://www.thesculptedsoul.co.uk] Simon Gudgeon Sculptures [https://www.simongudgeon.com] The Sculpted Soul Substack [https://thesculptedsoul.substack.com/subscribe?next=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2F%40thesculptedsoul%3F&utm_source=profile-page&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile&just_signed_up=true&autoSubmit=true&email=solemniko.studio%40gmail.com] The Sculpted Soul: Thought to Destiny Course [https://www.thesculptedsoul.co.uk/thought-to-destiny] The Sculpted Soul: Nervous System Reset [https://www.thesculptedsoul.co.uk/nervous-system-reset] Recorded at The Old School House, Boscombe Intro music credits | Calvin Clavier [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-soft-dreams-lofi-vibes-216576/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solemniko.substack.com [https://solemniko.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

portrait of a bibliophile

Join me this month for a bubbly and informative chat with Dannie from Blotted Ink Photography and Dannie Carter Photography. We’re talking wedding photography, considering trends, the impact of AI on photographers, inclusivity in the wedding industry, books and bubble baths. Dannie is a queer photographer based in Devon focusing on diversity, love in all its forms and making wedding photography as inclusive as possible. She also offers business and personal photography packages so whatever you’re looking for get in touch with her and check out all the links below! Blotted Ink Website [https://www.blottedinkphotography.co.uk] Blotted Ink Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/blottedinkphotography_/] Blotted Ink Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Blotted-Ink-Photography/61553090296429/] Blotted Ink Portfolio [https://www.blottedinkphotography.co.uk/portfolios] Dannie Carter Photos Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danniecarterphotos/] Dannie Carter Photos Website [https://danniecarterphotos.com] A Novel Evening Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/0SfQ3L56aLkd8bifpJZxS3?si=9cab4bbfcfd24518] A Novel Evening Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anoveleveningpodcast/] Recorded on Zoom Intro music credits | Calvin Clavier [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-soft-dreams-lofi-vibes-216576/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solemniko.substack.com [https://solemniko.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

capturing whimsy

Join me this month on the Solemniko Podcast with my guest Emma Roff [https://substack.com/profile/395801933-emma-roff]. We’re chatting all things whimsical, dreamy and independent, as well as of course covering Emma’s photography journey and practice. Emma offers photography services to independent creatives and business owners who want their products or their professional portraits to accurately reflect their work. She has also recently opened up spaces as a wedding photographer, so make sure to check out her amazing business via the links below. Substack: https://substack.com/@emmaroff Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaroffphotos/?hl=en Wedding Photography Gallery: https://emmaroffweddingphotography.myportfolio.com/gallery Website: https://www.emmaroff.com In the episode Emma mentions Josie Mitchell Jewellery, you can find Josie’s work via this link: https://josiemitchelljewellery.com Intro music credits | Calvin Clavier [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-soft-dreams-lofi-vibes-216576/] Recorded at The Old School House [https://www.toshspace.co.uk], Boscombe, Bournemouth This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solemniko.substack.com [https://solemniko.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

make it blue

This month I am joined by the lovely Polly Callder. Artist, musician, writer and folklore enthusiast; she also has a passion for the colour blue (but more on that in the episode!). Polly and I have a cosy chat about art, inspiration, the importance of positive associations with creativity from a young age, role models and moving through the creative markets as an independent. This is an insightful, authentic and wonderfully generous discussion on how to be an artist in a world where the idea of ‘art’ and an ‘artistic life’ is quite fixed - and why this shouldn’t be the case. Discover Polly’s Substack linktr.ee/pollycallder [http://linktr.ee/pollycallder] Instagram: @pollycallder Léonie's Website | https://www.leoniecronin.com/ Polly’s Playlists: [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5yw6MczzpHDxCrnoBspPkM?si=nxwADzx9Syiv9tGhHzi72A&pi=2fvvbss7Q2OXd] Intro music credits | Calvin Clavier [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-soft-dreams-lofi-vibes-216576/] Recorded using Zoom This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solemniko.substack.com [https://solemniko.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]