Today marks the opening of the RSPB Calendar Competition 2026.

The RSPB - a charity for the conservation of birds and nature - “wants to inspire people to protect our wildlife and wild places” and this competition is dedicated to “Capturing the magic of wildlife and wild places”.

I have decided to enter…

All photographs I am submitting were taken in the past year, have no filters and represent - for me and my young family - moments where we've been struck by the beauty of the Wild in Britain.

Each image, I think, also tells an interesting story about Wildlife Protection in the UK and four important themes relating...

What steps have you taken recently to integrate sustainability into your operations?

Because there’s an exiting intersection for small and medium-sized businesses with storytelling and combating climate change that you might like to know about…

Please read on if you are a Founder, Leader or other custodian of an SME that might be considering the impact your business could have on the environment and is probably sitting on a goldmine of good stories too.

Dr. Seuss, the beloved children's author, was known for his whimsical tales that often contained deeper messages and societal commentary. One such book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, written in 1949, seems to eerily foreshadow the climate crisis we face in 2024.

Bartholomew and the Oobleck serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the consequences of our actions and the importance of respecting nature. It emphasizes the need for sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and cooperation on a global scale to mitigate the effects of climate change…

I only want two clients

Whilst I only need two clients at any one time for this to work for me (working with two businesses for a year each), I have goals to change the experience and landscape of purposeful Founders and Leaders in London and the South East of England, if not further afield, who want to survive and do good.

I’d love to do this via this blog, my newsletter and podcast… by sharing ideas about how to make one's business more sustainable, fun and fruitful... how to be environmentally conscious, dutiful to your people and true to a heritage you are proud of.

Look outside...

If you have any countryside out the window - or even trees or hedges - take a big breath...

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn." is an example of flash fiction. Here’s how to decode stories…

In a world that's constantly evolving, the need for a fresh perspective on self and society has never been more apparent.

And these are exciting times.

Stories go beyond just plots; they're like secret codes with deeper meanings that can connect us all. Characters and places in stories are like symbols, reflecting our shared human experiences.

This is the story behind the Frances Fogel - Story Strategist symbols…

These are, I think, some of the best films to celebrate the transformative power of storytelling as a means to make a positive impact in the world. They’re all available on Netflix.

Sharing our experiences, wisdom, and dreams can lead to positive change and inspire others to make a difference in the world. Enjoy!

Being able to zoom out enough to appreciate the bigger picture means we have capacity to consider what else we can do to support our people outside of the scope of our product, recruitment and sales. 

More headspace leads to better decisions and a streamlined businesses. When limited budgets are available for training and capacity building, supporting and rewarding customers and employees and doing good in the community, this headspace really helps.

This is a great story about how to embody a mantra that can help push you when times get tough.

Elvis Presley's iconic TCB lightning bolt necklace is not just a piece of bling but a whole vibe. TCB stands for "Taking Care of Business," and that lightning bolt? It's got a backstory that's as sparky as the man who wore it.

The conventional narrative of leadership is often centered around the individual leader – their vision, charisma, and heroic moments: As purposeful founders seeking to make a difference, we need to shift our perspective. Leadership, as the article beautifully puts it, is not about us. It's about empowering others and ensuring that our influence endures even in our absence.

Our companies are not just extensions of ourselves; they are beacons of positive change.

I really want to help purposeful, proud and beautiful business founders to grow, adapt, and leave a lasting legacy. We can do this through clear, honest and compelling storytelling… through heritage, and embracing change.

In a world dominated by the relentless march of capitalism, there emerged an agent of change, a compassionate strategist who saw the power of storytelling as a beacon of hope. Her name was Frances, and she held a vision of helping purposeful founders and leaders to transform their businesses into forces for good.