Authentic Ewe

In this episode of Authentic Ewe , Penelope Aiken is joined by Minette Norman, speaker, author and former tech executive, for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to create workplaces where people feel safe to be their authentic selves. Together, they explore Minette’s five plays for inclusive leadership: communicating courageously, mastering the art of listening, managing your react...

n this episode of Authentic Ewe , Penelope speaks with Blake Proberts , founder of Acorn PLMS , about why organisational learning is broken and why performance reviews are often “trash”. Together they explore how capability frameworks, clearer role expectations and everyday coaching can turn learning and performance development into something more meaningful, human and useful. This conversation co...

In this episode, Penelope speaks with Beth Rudden, CEO and co-founder of Bast AI and author of AI for the Rest of Us . Beth shares why there is an alternative to black-box AI, why wisdom matters when using AI, and how the best systems should augment humans rather than control them. Together, they explore explainable AI, bias, leadership, values, reciprocity, and why human connection still matters...

In this episode of Authentic Ewe , Penelope sits down with Dr David Hamilton to explore the powerful science behind kindness, leadership, and emotional contagion. Many workplaces still operate under the assumption that strong leadership means being tough, decisive, and emotionally distant. But what if the real strength of leadership lies somewhere else entirely? Drawing on his background in pharma...

What really drives conflict, silence, burnout, and sudden resignations at work? In this powerful conversation, Benjamin Fry unpacks the story of the nervous system and why so many workplace reactions have nothing to do with performance, capability, or attitude—and everything to do with unfinished threat responses stored in the body. Drawing on ideas from his book The Invisible Lion , Benjamin expl...

In this episode of the Authentic Ewe Podcast , I sit down with Dave Snowden , founder of The Cynefin Company . Dave challenges the mainstream view of psychological safety , framing it not as comfort but as a signal system that reveals risks, patterns, and trust gaps in complex organisations. We explore how leaders can use Cynefin, SenseMaker®, safe-to-fail experiments, and trios to navigate uncert...

In this episode of The Authentic Ewe Podcast , I sit down with Debbie Nicol — one of the world’s most recognised experts in The Leadership Challenge . Deb shares a powerful truth most leaders forget: You can’t just do leadership. You have to be a leader people want to follow. We explore: • What separates “doing leadership” from being a leader • Why credibility and consistency matter more than tact...

When high-performing women lose themselves inside emotionally unsafe environments, the body often speaks long before the mind catches up. In this raw and deeply human conversation, Pettina Shangdon shares the untold truth about nervous system breakdown, identity collapse, and the long road back to coherence, clarity, and self-trust. This episode will resonate with anyone who has ever felt “not the...

Dr. Mark Scullard joins Penelope to reveal how insecurities and core needs drive all our workplace behaviors—and why true empowerment is personal, not one-size-fits-all. Discover: How misguided “empowerment” can cause real damage (and how to do it right) The secret ways core insecurities shape feedback, leadership, and team culture Why the DISC model isn’t perfect, but is THE practical map for und...

What if leadership was less about control and more about connection? In this heartfelt conversation,  Andy Johnson  joins  Penelope to share what decades in the fire brigade, sport, and corporate life have taught him about leading through trust, courage, and genuine human connection. Connect with Andy Johnson on  LinkedIn   Explore  Agile EQ® : https://www.authenticew...

Welcome to Authentic Ewe , the podcast for people who believe work can be more human. I’m your host, Penelope Aiken — organisational development leader, ICF accredited coach, high-performance facilitator, and founder of Authentic Ewe. For more than 20 years, I’ve worked with leaders, teams and organisations to create cultures where people feel safe, connected and able to do their best work. Throug...