Stories From Behind the Mask - The parts we edit out

Step behind the polished surfaces and curated feeds. This is where we hear the stories we usually keep to ourselves — the doubts, the triumphs, the moments that shaped us. Each episode, I sit down with bold entrepreneurs, creators, and change-makers to uncover the parts they’ve edited out, the truths they rarely share, and the lessons that transformed them. If you want to see people as they really are — messy, human, and extraordinary — this is your front-row seat.

Stories From Behind the Mask - The parts we edit out is a business podcast hosted by Joanna Wood, with 19 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Joanna Wood hosts Stories From Behind the Mask - The parts we edit out, a business show with 19 episodes published.

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  Episode #20

  Episode 20 - Ann Diment - Resilience Rebel - ADHD Resilience Coaching

  Jul 22, 202643 minS1

  For decades, Ann wore masks to keep the peace - people pleasing to avoid conflict, performing “I’m fine” while silently carrying the weight of trauma. In her marriage and on stage in her ex’s band, she played roles built on other people’s words, other people’s needs. All the while, her own voice was waiting - patient, persistent, powerful. Her journey through cPTSD recovery, divorce, and finally an ADHD diagnosis has cracked those masks wide open. She’s no longer “broken” or “too much.” She’s a woman discovering her boundaries, her resilience, and her freedom to take up space as she is: vibrant, sensual, creative, unapologetically neurodivergent. Now, Ann steps forward as the founder of Resilience Rebel , a poet, artist, and entrepreneur who is ready to live on her own terms. For her, visibility is not just about being seen - it’s about being proud of every part of herself: her mind, her body, her story. Her voice is no longer borrowed. It’s her own. And it’s time to be heard. https://www.resilience-rebel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-diment-changemaker/ https://www.instagram.com/resiliencerebel www.joannawoodphotography.co.uk www.instagram.com/joannawoodphotography https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-wood-photography-6747a7235/ https://www.facebook.com/joanna.wood.13/

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  Episode #18

  Episode 18 - Nerissa Heald - Leadership and Empowerment Consultant

  Jul 8, 202632 minS1

  Nerissa has spent much of her life hiding behind strength, competence, and perfection. As a manager, a friend, and a leader, she smiled through exhaustion, fear, and self-doubt, believing that being “the strong one” was the only way to be seen, respected, and safe. Her mask projected confidence, resilience, and control - yet beneath it, fear of rejection, invisibility, and not belonging ran deep. Her journey has been marked by people-pleasing, corporate silencing, and health battles, including colitis that left her bedridden. These experiences forged a determination to help women reclaim their voice, set boundaries, and embrace their worth. She has been broken, betrayed, and tested - yet she continues to rise, unapologetically embracing both her strength and vulnerability. For Nerissa, true visibility is showing the face behind the armour, speaking even when her voice trembles, and allowing the world to see the human beneath the success. Her story is one of rebellion, courage, and authenticity: a testament to surviving hardship, learning from it, and helping others find their own power along the way. Nerissa hid behind strength, perfection, and over-giving, masking fear, illness, and heartbreak. Now she stands unapologetically in her truth, showing that vulnerability and resilience can coexist, and that true worth is not up for negotiation. https://www.nerissaheald.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/nerissa.heald www.joannawoodphotography.co.uk www.instagram.com/joannawoodphotography https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-wood-photography-6747a7235/ https://www.facebook.com/joanna.wood.13/

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  Episode #17

  Episode 16 - Jane Lloyd - Fine Artist

  Jul 1, 202635 minS1

  Jane has spent her life hiding behind her art. Her paintings, delicate wildlife, and soft edges have always been her shield - the part of her she lets the world see. But behind the brushstrokes lies a woman who has carried grief, fear, and self-doubt for decades. Losing her mother at 13, a partner to cancer on her 21st birthday, and navigating postnatal depression and mental health challenges, Jane has learned to survive by shrinking herself, being quiet, lovable, and easy. Her mask of calm, kindness, and capability has been a way to be seen, to be the “good girl,” while quietly wrestling with overwhelm, ADHD questions, and self-belief that faltered under trauma. Stepping away from teaching and into her own creative path has been her first act of true self-advocacy. Slowly, she is learning that she doesn’t need to be cheerful, perfect, or tidy to be worthy - she just needs to be herself. For Jane, visibility means showing up fully - messy, imperfect, human, and creative. It means sharing her fears, her mistakes, and her emotional depth, so that others may see that struggle and resilience can coexist. Through her art and her story, Jane helps others feel less alone, encouraging them to embrace their messy, brilliant selves and to know that they too can reclaim their voice. Jane has stepped beyond fear and perfectionism to embrace her authentic, creative self. Through her art and her story, she shows that worth isn’t about being tidy or perfect - it’s about courage, resilience, and daring to be fully seen. https://www.instagram.com/janelloydfineartist/ https://www.janelloydfineartist.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/JaneLloydArtist/ www.joannawoodphotography.co.uk www.instagram.com/joannawoodphotography https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-wood-photography-6747a7235/ https://www.facebook.com/joanna.wood.13/

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  Episode #15

  Episode 15 - Katie Page - Business & Mindset Mentor For Reflexologists

  Jun 24, 202641 minS1

  Katie spent much of her life hiding behind pleasing others, quietly dimming her own voice to make those around her proud. Her mask was subtle but telling - her bangles, a symbol of the persona she showed to the world while her true self stayed in the shadows. The turning point came when she realised she could step out of pleaser mode and allow herself to be fully seen. In that moment, she chose herself over expectation, her authenticity over performance. Since then, Katie has built a life and a business rooted in balance, connection, and self-care, helping therapists grow with confidence while staying true to who they are. For Katie, visibility isn’t about being loud or perfect. It’s about showing up fully as her human self, embracing vulnerability, imperfections, and passions alike. Her story is a testament to the power of choosing yourself, standing in your worth, and creating space for others to do the same. Katie once hid behind people-pleasing and subtle masks, but she stepped into her truth, embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and balance. Her journey shows that real visibility comes from choosing yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable. https://www.instagram.com/katiepagebusinessology/ https://katiepage.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-page-businessology-50831168/ www.joannawoodphotography.co.uk www.instagram.com/joannawoodphotography https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-wood-photography-6747a7235/ https://www.facebook.com/joanna.wood.13/

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  Episode #12

  Episode 12 - Hela Wozniak-Kay - Sister Snog Connectress - Author - Sub stacker

  Jun 3, 202641 minS1

  <p>For more than two decades, Hela has been the heartbeat of Sister Snog, the<b> </b>bold, bodacious, tribal brand that has connected extraordinary women across industries. To the outside world, she’s The Connectress: magnetic, stylish, and endlessly generous in the way she celebrates others. But behind the sparkle of the brand and the stage lights of her alter ego, there’s a woman learning to be seen not just as The Connectress, but as Totally Hela.</p><p>She’s spent years shining the spotlight on others by weaving connections, cheering from the side lines, and curating a comm...

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