IN CONVERSATION WITH ISABEL WEBSTER 

Isabel Webster ushers in a bold new era with her podcast New Chapters. A vibrant and inspiring series that dives deep into the lives of remarkable personalities as they face fresh challenges, embrace reinvention, and turn the page on powerful life stories. With every episode, Isabel brings her signature warmth and insight, inviting listeners on a journey of discovery, resilience, and unforgettable transformation. 

Journalist Isabel Webster

What inspired you to launch your new podcast, and what can listeners expect?

Two years ago, we moved to a Grade II listed, 500-year-old house in the countryside - and it completely changed my life. We wanted our children to have a countryside upbringing, but I hadn’t predicted how much the move would spark my own desire to pivot away from covering increasingly depressing and divisive news.

I began creating content around our “old house, new chapter” and found real joy in telling stories through beautiful reels and imagery, celebrating nature, beauty, and home life. What surprised me was how many people responded with their own stories of quiet resets and bold pivots. That gave me the idea: why not use my broadcasting and interviewing experience to share these kinds of “new chapters” - especially those that have shaped the extraordinary lives of some very well-known people.

Who is this podcast really for, and what kinds of conversations are you most excited to have?

I think the podcast will have a broad appeal, but I imagine it may particularly resonate with women and perhaps those who love design - though not exclusively. Many of my guests are women, and almost all have some connection to the creative or design world. I clearly, perhaps subconsciously, gravitate toward those sorts of people

Is there a personal story or moment that made you realise “It’s time for my own platform”?

Now that I’m in my 40s, I feel a strong pull to be my own boss. I have so much knowledge and experience, and I want to channel it in a way that feels uniquely mine. The beauty of podcasting is that I can create something independently — even from home. Many of my guests join me via video link, which not only lets subscribers glimpse into their homes, but also creates a relaxed, candid atmosphere for conversation.

How would you describe the mood or atmosphere of the podcast - is it friendly and candid, sharp and journalistic, or something new entirely?

I’d say the mood is warm, uplifting, and hopefully insightful. Together, we travel through the chapters of my guests’ lives - both highs and lows - with the hope of inspiring listeners to turn the page on their own new chapters, if they too are seeking change.

We believe colour helps shape experience. Has your environment or workspace influenced how you're shaping this podcast?

Absolutely. Working from my own home - which itself inspired so much change in my life - has been deeply influential. I podcast from our barn-style kitchen, filled with natural light, splashes of colour (including a bold burgundy above the cooker hood), and a gallery wall of art I’ve curated over time. It all makes me happy every day, and that joy feeds directly into my interviewing. I want this chapter of my life to be filled with positive, uplifting journalism.

How are you hoping to connect with your audience differently than you did on traditional television?

This feels far more intimate and informal. On TV, I had to be the impartial news anchor - professional and restrained. On the podcast, I’m still a journalist, still fascinated by people and their stories, but here I can be playful and expansive. We’re not limited by headlines or strict time slots - the conversations can breathe.

In a world of fast content, how are you thinking about longevity and meaningful conversation?

Life’s challenges don’t change. Divorce, death, career upheavals - these stories are timeless. What changes is how we tell them. My hope is that these conversations remain relevant and resonant long after they’re first released.

Isabel Webster at her launch brunch, photographed by Brett Cove

Colour can set the tone for everything. If your podcast were a Mylands paint colour, which would it be and why?

I’d choose Huguenot™ No.49 - deep, warm, and intriguing, with an unmistakably sophisticated feel. That’s the energy I hope New Chapters carries.

What is your favourite Mylands paint colour and how have you used it?

That’s an easy one: Mormor Zaza BH.17, from the Dependables range by Beata Heuman. I used it in my recent wardrobe glow-up. But, it’s the same playful, plaster-pink that appears in my New Chapters logo — which was completely unplanned, but clearly no coincidence. Let’s just call it subconscious brand alignment.

Isabel Webster and Guest at her launch brunch, photographed by Brett Cove

Discover Isabel Webster's New Chapters Podcast and enjoy a 10% discount when listening to her first episode.