Hi everyone, welcome to my show.

No Bullshit Talks.

My name is Sabrina Chevannes, and this is the very first episode ever.

And when I say ever, I mean ever. I mean, this is the first podcast I’ve ever recorded.

It’s also the first podcast that I’ve ever listened to. Like, I’m not even joking here.

I have actually been on other podcasts as guest, but I’ve never even listened to them back.

I know. I guess it’s kind of weird hearing your own voice.

I’ve kind of had to listen to this one back in order to edit it.

So this is the first podcast, and as I said, it’s called No Bullshit Talks.

And the reason why it’s called No Bullshit Talks is because it comes from my agency.

I actually run a creative agency as my day job called Complex Creative, and our tagline there is the No Bullshit Agency.

It ends up being called that because I had several clients say to me, you know, I really love your no bullshit approach.

And that’s because I just didn’t lie to them.

And I’d say that a very high percentage of other agency folk love to lie to their clients.

And you know what? It’s not just agency folk. It’s everyone.

I feel like everyone just lies to everyone these days, but especially in the world of marketing.

And most of my clients just really appreciated the honesty that I gave them.

And this is what they said to me all the time. I really like your no bullshit approach.

I was extremely honest, but also, I didn’t try to trick them with jargon.

That’s a classic.

So, you know, we build websites, for example, and most people don’t know websites.

They don’t know how complicated it is.

They have no idea what goes into building a website.

They’ll bring up an expert in the industry for advice, and this said expert will detect this tone of naivety in the client’s voice, and the potential client’s voice at this point, and will respond to them with jargon, trick, big words, and say, oh yeah, that sounds so complicated, knowing full well that actually the job they’re describing is piss easy.

But it’s a great chance to oversell, most likely under-deliver, but just, you know, rip this client off.

And this is a major pet peeve of mine.

I hated it when people did this so much so that I’d offer a service for free, where I would just give a second opinion as an agency owner and, you know, tell them how much work is actually involved in this.

And, you know, let them know whether they’ve been ripped off, basically.

And so we ended up becoming the No Bullshit Agency because this is how we run things.

We’re straight talkers.

We’ll tell you about a job.

We won’t rip you off, and everything’s transparent.

And our clients just really like that.

We won’t talk down to you and pretend things are complicated.

In fact, we’ll explain things in layman’s terms and try to make things as easy as possible.

And that’s also why we kind of became Complex Creative.

We were kind of doing this, like, juxtaposition thing where, you know, we try to make things as simple as possible, but, you know, yet the job’s quite complex and creative, so it became Complex Creative.

So, that’s my day job.

I run a creative agency.

I love my team.

I love my job, but I started talking to a lot of people, and so many people have asked me to do a podcast.

They’ve said, you need to do a podcast, you need a YouTube channel, all that kind of stuff.

And this has been talked about for years, and I’ve never really done it.

But you know, start of the new year, everyone has all these goals and resolutions and whatever.

So I just said, right, I’m gonna do it.

And so this is me putting myself out there, and probably no one’s listening.

You know, usually the ones are probably my mum’s listening, but I’m pretty sure my mum doesn’t know what a podcast is.

So she won’t be listening.

So I don’t even have her, so maybe no one’s listening.

That’s fine.

But I’m doing it anyway because I said I’ll do it, but I really do hope people are listening.

And so, the idea of No Bullshit Talks is that I plan to bring on several guests over the weeks, all from different industries.

So, it’s not just about an agency.

It’s not just about the creative sector or anything like that.

Although there will be folk from that sector, but the idea is to get a bunch of people from all different walks of life.

All different sectors, all different backgrounds, to talk about what they do, but in a really frank way.

A no-bullshit conversation.

I am so sick and tired of listening to the same interviews over and over again.

I mean, are you not?

Like, take things of someone that you really admire, be like every appearance I’ve ever done.

They are saying the same stuff, the same anecdote, the same backstory.

It’s all scripted.

It’s all just too perfect.

It’s so boring, and I just get sick of it.

I watch a lot of sport and, oh my God, it really bothers me how bad the post-match interviews are in every sport.

I just think those guys need to be sacked.

All of them, like, literally all of them.

They have no idea what to ask people.

And you can see the players and, you know, the sportsmen actually getting really pissed by the questions that they’re getting.

And it’s just the same tedious stuff that no one wants to hear.

So the idea is that I would want to ask interesting conversations and stuff that no one really talks about.

But I want to know what is it really like in this industry.

Not what you see on LinkedIn, because that’s their form of marketing, or what you hear on the TV.

I want to know what it’s really like.

So I’d love to interview every industry.

Lawyers, bankers, personal trainers, PTs, therapists, and hear some real true juicy stories about the journey and how they got there.

So, that’s kind of why I did the show.

And, you know, I have a few people lined up after, amazing and inspirational people.

And that’s also the idea.

The idea is that these people will inspire you.

So every podcast episode should really have some sort of inspirational takeaway, you know, because who wants to listen to just pure rants?

You know what? Correction, those are really funny.

And, like, I often go on a rant because let’s face it, a rant is healthy.

I don’t care what people say.

Oh, that is so healthy.

If you’re pissed off with something, that’s what best friends are for.

You can say anything to them, and they’re there to adjust.

They’ll just listen to you.

But if you just rant about something and let all those, you know, pissed off negative emotions out there out.

You’ve got it out of your system.

But the people who keep it all bottled up to stay proper, and they’re like, oh no, it’s fine, you know, we’ll get over it.

It’s, you know, this is life, and we just have to face those obstacles head-on and some other positive bullshit that, you know, I can’t stand those people.

But, like, you know, rant’s healthy.

And you know when someone’s really pissed off and they’re having a big rant, it’s really funny.

But, you know, I’m not going to do that on podcasts.

I say that, not every podcast and definitely not my interviews.

I will probably do some solo episodes in between, which may be a little bit of a rant, but the idea is to bring up topics that I would love to discuss with people.

But unfortunately, most people want to be super PC or they don’t want to come across as confrontational, and they want to have this pristine reputation.

So no one actually wants to have a real conversation these days about a topic that might be controversial or a topic that’s actually interesting, or, you know, something that’s going against the consensus.

No one really wants to have that conversation, and it drives me mad.

So the likelihood is that I won’t be able to find someone to have that conversation with.

So I’ll probably end up having that conversation with myself and just ranting in the microphone.

But you know, that’s where this podcast comes in.

That’s the fact I can do whatever I want because it’s my podcast, and I could have these solo episodes.

And as I said, maybe no one will listen to them.

But, you know what, that’s good therapy for myself, having to release these rants.

So, you know, I just realized I have been ranting for a good eight, nine minutes now, and I’ve not even introduced myself, which is pretty stupid.

So I need to do that now.

So, hey, my name’s Sabrina Chevannes.

I’m pretty sure I said that one already.

But who the hell am I?

So I run a creative agency.

I did say that.

So maybe I’ve got a little bit of interest, but let me tell you a little bit more about myself.

I am a serial entrepreneur.

That’s why I run my own business.

I’ve run a couple of other businesses and, you know, always kind of looking to achieve more and do more and help people.

This is just kind of always who I’ve been.

This actually help people thing was the reason I originally went to medical school, which obviously doesn’t really suit an entrepreneur.

Hence, the reason why I’m not there anymore.

But, you know, it’s that needing to help people and educate people.

I love educating, and I love teaching.

So I still do a lot of teaching, and, you know, one of the things I teach a lot of at the moment still is chess.

I used to be a professional chess player.

And yes, that’s actually a thing.

People are more open to these days after The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.

And you know, that dramatized things, it glamorified things, and, you know, everyone thought Beth Harmon was gorgeous.

And so it put chess in a more positive light than the usual cliche geeky girl that gets bullied, is really good at maths, and, you know, wasn’t cool or good-looking in most Hollywood movies.

That was generally the chess portrayal, but Beth was the absolute opposite of all of that.

So it definitely, you know, was a positive spin on chess, which did wonders for me, which is fantastic.

So yeah, I used to do that as my profession.

I did that.

I coached that too.

I still do a lot of coaching.

I absolutely love it.

I have a big passion for it, and I wrote a best-selling kids book for chess actually.

So if you ever want to look it up, it’s called The Batsford Book of Chess for Children by moi.

And yeah, the idea of me writing that book was because whenever any parent asked me for a recommendation of a kids book for chess, I didn’t really have one.

I had no idea what to recommend because I didn’t think they were very good, so I wrote one myself.

But it’s done really well.

And it’s basically a little boy called Jamie, well, James, Jamie, a little girl called Jessica, and they just chat about the rules of chess.

They don’t chat.

They argue over the rules of chess, and it’s like a storybook.

So it’s less like you’re learning, and instead it’s a fun storybook game, and you learn as you kind of entertain yourself.

And that’s kind of how I see all my teaching.

I try to make it as fun as possible, because I think that there’s no point learning something unless it’s fun.

And that’s kind of how I am with life.

I don’t think you should do anything unless you’re enjoying yourself.

I think the moment you find something a bit depressing, you know, like a chore, you hate doing it, then just stop doing it.

Life is far too short.

And if this last couple of years has taught anyone anything, it is that life’s too short, and so you have to enjoy it.

Which, I guess, is what spurred this great resignation thing, where everyone is kind of quitting their jobs to go run their own companies or going to do new things or find other passions in life.

And I think that’s because people are sort of realizing that, you know, going doing their normal nine-to-five in a boring job with no career progression is probably not the most healthy thing.

But if you love what you do, then you absolutely should do it.

And I love what I do, and I never believed that you should do anything that you don’t love doing.

So that’s me.

And yeah, I’ll be recording a few of these episodes.

I’m going to try and do one every single week.

That’s my commitment.

I love to kind of be accountable for stuff.

I love to make major goals and stick to them.

And my major goal this year, well, one of them, is that I’m going to release a podcast every single week.

And I’m so gonna stick to it until I don’t, obviously.

But yeah, that’s what I’m doing.

And for those of you who are watching on video, yes, I am filming in a walk-in wardrobe.

I’ve had so many people ask me questions about it, and they think it’s really weird.

And if I had a pound for every single stupid joke where they go, oh, when are you gonna come out the closet?

Then I’d be like, well, 100 are.

But, you know, I don’t have a lot of extra cash to go spend at the pub because it’s so annoying.

It’s not a funny joke.

And, you know, I’ve heard it a million times before.

So, but yes, I am in a walk-in wardrobe, and I’ve had so many people say, why are you doing that?

It looks so unprofessional.

You know, you look like you’re really poor because you’ve got a tiny little room, and you’ve got nowhere to record, because that’s why you’re just kind of sitting in your closet.

As you know, I just screw you guys because I have had so many dreams in life, and I work for those dreams.

I don’t just get handed them.

I have dreamt of having a walk-in wardrobe my entire life.

And the moment that I bought my flat in France, which I only just did a few months ago, so I’m still reveling in that glory.

And, you know, the moment I did, I was like, I want a walk-in wardrobe, and I created one.

But the problem is, I also needed up an office.

And, you know, I don’t really have the opportunity to have several different rooms of different functions.

So, I created a walk-in wardrobe/office, which is this.

This is what it is, and I love it.

I love the fact that I’m surrounded by all my clothes and shoes and handbags, which I love, and I’ve got a cute little desk in here too, with my podcasting recording equipment and bookcase full of inspirational books.

And I’ve got a window right in front of me with a gorgeous view.

And I love my little setup.

So, to all the haters out there who hate my little walk-in wardrobe setup, screw you guys, because I don’t care.

And I’m going to keep recording in here because I’m not going to just, like, pick up and set up shop in my living room because it might have a more professional background and might make me look better.

Because I don’t need to try and pretend I’m something I’m not, as if the thing people saying, oh you look poor.

Like, I don’t care if that’s what you think.

Like, if you’re judging people from where they’re recording, I get people.

Everyone judges you, and that’s fine.

But also, is it poor to have a walk-in wardrobe?

I mean, I don’t think it is.

Like, literally, this is the first time in my life I could afford a walk-in wardrobe.

So it really isn’t.

I mean, if this was my wardrobe/bedroom/bathroom/kitchen/living room, then I might be having issues.

But it isn’t, so shut your boots, peeps.

I am still going to be doing all my episodes in here.

So, yeah, that is it.

So that’s me.

You’ll be seeing me.

Okay, for those of you who are just listening on Spotify or other podcast app, whatever, obviously, you can’t see me in a walk-in wardrobe, but now that you know I am, try to picture it.

I mean, I’m pretty comfy.

Yeah, but, you know, that’s where I am.

So when you’re listening, maybe you’re going on a run, maybe just on the commute.

If you’re listening, know that I am sitting in a walk-in wardrobe doing this podcast.

But I’m not here to offer the world’s best advice by all means.

But the idea is I just want to have interesting conversations and good chats and, you know, put some ideas out there.

Put some thoughts out there that other people might not think because I am definitely not the type of person to just go with the consensus.

In fact, I hate when people just jump on bandwagons.

It happens so much, and I hate it.

You know, whatever’s trending, people don’t have an opinion because maybe they don’t know enough about it, or they don’t really understand it, and they cannot be bothered to form their own opinion.

So they just copy everyone else’s, and they think, oh, if I like that and it’ll be trending, and, you know, maybe I’ll get more likes.

And oh my God, get over it.

If that’s what you’re going for, then you have a sheltered life.

But no, I’m never that sort of person.

So, I kind of want to spark interesting conversation.

Maybe have a few controversial conversations.

Maybe have a few interesting ideas.

That’s kind of me.

And so the idea of this podcast is to have a few interesting episodes and talk about a wide variety of things.

And so I would love it.

Absolutely love it.

If you guys were to subscribe to my podcast so I feel special and loved and, you know, those vanity metric sizes I said I hated, I want those.

I hope I die.

I would love it if you guys subscribe and tell me your honest thoughts, because as I said, this is a no-bullshit podcast.

So I don’t want the, you know, oh my God, it’s amazing.

Congratulations.

When actually you think it sucks because, do you know what?

That positive feedback when it’s false is actually only hurting the person.

Because if you tell me that the podcast is great and I sound amazing when in fact I suck, then all you’re doing is letting me put out awful content where I sound dreadful over and over again.

That’s just hurting me.

So I’d rather you say, Sabrina, your voice is irritating, your ideas are stupid, and you suck.

I mean, actually, I wouldn’t want you to say that because it’s kind of harsh.

But you get my point.

I’d love some honest criticism, and I’d love some suggestions of how I can make it better and what type of people I can have on here.

So yeah, recommendations, absolutely, of people I could interview, whether that’s yourself, whether that’s your spouse, whether that’s a friend, or just a random person that you admire and you think I should write to.

I would love them.

I love recommendations for everything.

So, but that’s it.

This initial podcast is just a quick one to say hi.

I’m Sabrina.

I’m definitely a realist, and that doesn’t mean I’m negative.

I’m just a realist.

And I’m here to give my honest thoughts and opinions on everything.

You know, generally, I’ve been trying to keep them business-related, entrepreneurship, all that kind of stuff.

As I said, like I say, serial entrepreneur.

I love everything about business.

But, you know, all different people from all walks of life will be on the show, hopefully, and I hope you enjoy it.

And hopefully, you’ll love the next episode, where I will have a guest, and it won’t just be me rambling.

Thanks, and I’m out.