Real Talk: A Storytelling Movement for Mental Health
Real Talk was born from a deep personal truth. After sharing my own mental health story on the TEDx stage, I witnessed how one act of vulnerability could open the floodgates for others... Again and again, people responded not with silence, but with their own stories. I saw how story opened a door and noticed the need for a space where these exchanges could happen with intention, care, and creativity. And so, Real Talk was born.
safe spaces, open heartsThe Approach
What began as a one-off storytelling night became a seven-year journey and one of my greatest teachers.
In the beginning it was just about designing a process to help people craft and share ten-minute oral stories rooted in lived experience of mental health, I worked with the amazing Alette Willis, who went on to become a non-executive Director. We ran workshops and public storytelling evenings that invited honesty, reduced stigma, and celebrated creative courage.
Behind the scenes, I ended up building something far bigger. A social enterprise from the ground up. As founder and director of Real Talk I led everything from strategy to service design, facilitation to fundraising, comms to coaching. It was a masterclass in entrepreneurship. I bootstrapped, networked, and upskilled constantly. I stayed close to our mission while learning how to grow something sustainable.
The Work
What made Real Talk unique, was its holistic and empowering process.
Over the years, I supported more than 70 speakers to shape and share their stories. People of all backgrounds who found the courage to speak aloud what had long been held in silence. Each Real Talk event was different, but the atmosphere was always electric. Intimate, tender, alive with humanity. We heard about grief, survival, recovery, and joy. And we invited the audience into dialogue, creating a space where everyone had a voice.
I raised over £25,000 in funding and built partnerships with organisations like the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, Red Bull, Health in Mind, and The University of Edinburgh. As we grew, so did my leadership. I moved from solo founder to strategic director, bringing in freelance and volunteer support and focusing on impact and scale. I started a podcast, Kything, to continue the conversation, and co-created workshops tailored to corporate and community settings alike. Along the way, I deepened my practice as a space-holder and learnt the immense value of empathy, collaboration, and storytelling as a tool for systemic change.
One of the most powerful moments? After a storytelling evening, someone came up to me and said, “I didn’t realise people with mental health challenges led such full and normal lives.” That’s the shift we were aiming for. From stigma to humanity.
“One of the most powerful moments? After a storytelling evening, someone came up to me and said, “I didn’t realise people with mental health challenges led such full and normal lives.” That’s the shift we were aiming for. From stigma to humanity.”
—Lily Asch, Real Talk
The Outcome
Real Talk touched thousands of lives. Audience members found catharsis, insight, and new understanding. Many went on to become speakers themselves. For participants, the experience was transformational. It built confidence, deepened self-awareness, and unlocked creative energy. “A huge weight lifted,” one speaker told us. “It felt like I could finally move forward.”
For me, Real Talk was a living, breathing lesson in what it means to hold space and to lead from the heart. It showed me how entrepreneurial practice can be deeply values-led. It taught me to trust creativity, to build from vision, and to believe in the power of well-held group process. Real Talk remains one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever built. And its ripples are still being felt today.
Real Talk Feedback
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"Unexpectedly enlightening. I was in awe at how brave people were in sharing their stories and I was surprised that everyone led every day lives" "Very positive but in a reflective sense. Feels like wearing glasses for the first time and seeing more clearly." "I really enjoyed Real Talk. It brought to my attention that having anxiety is okay. Its who I am and it makes me stronger."
Anon Audience, Real Talk
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I found the experience very empowering. It has helped me to come to terms with what has happened to me, and to feel my lived experience has value. It was very validating to hear the other stories and see people's reactions to my own. I have also learned useful things about the art of storytelling (and myself) through speaking with Real Talk. Thank you all!”
Gareth Jones, Real Talk Speaker
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“The courage of the speakers at the first Real Talk event inspired me to open up about my own mental health issues and share my story. We were given professional help to craft our stories which meant that I felt completely ready to talk at the event and actually quite excited to do so. The safe space that Lily creates at the event allowed me to completely release the internal stigma I had been holding onto within myself with regards to my experiences. The support in the room was incredible. Afterwards I felt like a huge weight had been lifted and that I could move forward with my life.”
Caroline Toshack, Real Talk Speaker
Media & Reviews
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“Through emotional tears, we witnessed a beautiful moment of connection and what this event can do for the speaker and audience both during and following the event.”
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I am grateful to have taken part in this storytelling event – it’s been a really valuable experience for me personally and I’m delighted that it was useful to others too.
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Memoir, history, and folklore all combined to give pause, illuminate, and yes, entertain. For all the suffering inherent to human life, there is also joy in sharing & connection, in adding to the common wellspring of experience, and inviting the possibility of enlightenment.
Let’s work together?
Real Talk is a testament to the transformative power of brave storytelling and intentional space-holding. If you're looking to create moments of genuine connection in your community or organization, I'd love to explore how we can work together.
I bring the same passion and strategic thinking to every project. Whether you need someone to facilitate difficult conversations, build community from the ground up, or turn a bold vision into reality.