074:There’s always a story to be told: PR, mental health & belonging in insurance with Kirsty Plank

This episode is sponsored by Full Circle Communications. ⚠️ Content note This episode includes open reflections on mental health, including anxiety, depression, and stress leave. Sandra and Kirsty speak from personal experience and are not medical or mental health professionals. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, please contact your GP or reach out to a trusted mental health organisation such as My Black Dog, Mind, or BetterHelp. Summary In this episode, Sandra is joined by Kirsty, Executive Director at Full Circle Communications, for a powerful and personal conversation about PR, mental health, and building confidence on LinkedIn. Kirsty shares her insurance journey shaped by curiosity, a love for writing, relationship-building, and storytelling, which helped her carve out a meaningful career in PR and communications. She talks about finding her voice through storytelling, challenging the myth that insurance is ‘boring,’ and why every business (and person) has a story worth telling. She speaks candidly about living with anxiety, taking time off for stress, and the real emotions tied to returning to work. Kirsty offers reflections on the importance of leadership support and the role psychological safety plays in cultivating better workplaces. The conversation also explores how to navigate LinkedIn with intention. From overcoming visibility blocks to showing up authentically, Kirsty shares practical guidance for anyone wanting to grow their presence online, without the pressure to overshare or perform. This is a thoughtful, insightful, and honest episode about finding your pace, owning your story, and leading with care. Takeaways Insurance careers can evolve in unexpected and fulfilling ways PR is about building relationships and sharing stories, not just crisis management Every business in insurance has a story worth telling Mental health is an integral part of an employee's overall wellbeing and performance Supportive management can significantly impact an employee's mental health journey There is a stigma around mental health that needs to be addressed in workplaces Taking time off for mental health should not be seen as a weakness Open conversations about mental health can help reduce stigma and promote healing Returning to work after a break can be less daunting than expected LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professional networking Authenticity is key in social media engagement Avoid posting overly personal content on professional platforms Start slow with social media engagement and build confidence Resources: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, please contact your GP or reach out to a trusted mental health organisation such as My Black Dog, Mind, or BetterHelp. About the guest Connect with Kirsty on LinkedIn. About the Host Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.

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