Knowing You with Sarah Cripps

This month marks four incredible years since the launch of The Big Balance Theory! What started as a way to capture the experiences and emotions of the COVID lockdown years through the voices of authentic, inspiring guests has become so much more. Over time, we've reflected on every episode — uncovering insights, learnings, and stories that remind us that Big Balance Theory isn't really a theory…...

As a glass half full person, I've always been keen to explore people's strengths not weaknesses. Within my apprenticeship consultancy and coaching practices I use a range of strength based assessments and recently added the At My Best strength cards to my toolkit. This month's guest is co-founder of At My Best and Work Positive, an organisation committed to helping organisations like M&S and the N...

I'm joined by Graham Field, Thinking Focus coach and trainer, where we talk all things priority; the big life choices and day to day habits that can lead us down a rabbit hole of lost time. If you're anything like me, you set the day or week with best intentions but then life happens and everything goes to pot. I first met Graham by chance at a business exhibition. Fast forward a few years and we...

This episode is a how-to conversation on ways to improve your body image, break free from binge eating and a diet mindset to one of growth, confidence and better choices in life and business I'm in conversation with Terri Pugh, a transformative life coach who helps women build confidence in how they show up in the world. Through coaching, workshops, speaking events and hosting her own podcast, The...

If you're familiar with the work of world-renowned Belbin Team Roles you'll be inspired by this conversation. ·        Why understanding each person's team role is ever more critical ·        The original research was carried out by Mrs Belbin who deliberately shone away from the limelight – a timely revelation to mark International Women's Week ·        Face to face communication is becoming more...

This episode is bursting with all things positive but this is not to be confused with Toxic Positivity. Using a range of studies to back her work, Tillie shares with us the importance of purpose, values, emotions and language to create a truly authentic, meaningful and engaged team. Our conversation explores: · Why appraisals don't work · How to know your limit before burn out hits · How to foster...

Elain candidly and honestly shares her journey of her downward spiral in terms of mental health. She neither recognised the signs nor had the toolkit to deal with the symptoms. It completely transformed her perspective on work-related breakdowns. Once she'd sought help she took the brave decision to set up a business to help others and this month celebrates 10 years in business.   Within 2 days of...

We're all aware of how working arrangements have changed for most since 2020. How do businesses get the balance right between serving their people and what's best for the business? What are the new skills needed to manage flexible working and the surge in online communications? These are the topics covered in this latest episode with Zoe Hawkins, co- founder of In Good Company, a global triple acc...

Welcome to this latest episode with Esther who shares lessons learned from her cancer diagnosis in 2015. Professionally she came off the treadmill and completely changed her career and has never looked back. We talk about the impact of covid and she shares top tips on how to get work life balance and keep your glass full! Esther's what 3 words to a road to happiness · GROW · REFLECT · THRIVE The b...

Welcome to this latest episode with fitness trainer Ruairi Davies. From a dream job training elite rugby athletes in Chile to a lockdown-enforced return home. He thought he would return 2 weeks later (a familiar tale) but that didn't happen and his career took a new focus. What he has learned and keen to share is: ·        You can have a grand plan but that can change in an instance; don't panic b...

Welcome to this latest conversation with Hayley Tutte. Two years ago, past guest Hayley bravely shared with us how the silence created by lockdown led to a whole change in career. Since then, Hayley has gone from self-employed to running her own clinic, works 3.5 days a week and is more balanced than ever. A recent ADHD diagnosis has further transformed her life. Things we now know about classic A...

Welcome to this latest conversation with Dave Hider. Dave has held extensive strategic leadership roles and during lockdown, whilst working full time, navigating different processes as a result of lockdown with most of his team furloughed he completed his MBA with distinction. Covid made him realise that life is too short so he left the trappings of a stable career and started his own business Min...

In this episode my conversation is with Maddy Shine. Maddy is a website wonder coder, an SEO supremo and runs three businesses. Her purpose is to shine bright and help other women entrepreneurs do just that.   Our conversation leads to changes in buyer behaviour since lockdown and her tips on how to grow your business, why giving, especially to your own community, is important and how to make your...

In this episode, No. 28, my conversation is with Dr Lizzy Bernthal. Having served 25 years as a healthcare specialist in the Army, rising through the ranks to Lt Col and completing an MEd and PHD in resilience, Lizzy's own business mission is to help others by removing toxicity in the workplace through resilient leadership.   Her many insights include: What is resilience in the boardroom? Why we s...

As an actor, Dick Bradnum worked for 30 years across TV, film and radio, appearing in The Office, High Hopes and My Hero. Under his own name Dick Johns, he has written and performed three successful solo shows at Chapter, Cardiff: Dick Johns - What Midlife Crisis? (2016), Let's Talk About Death, Baby (2018) and in 2022 a documentary record of The Great Pandemic Sofa Show.  Alongside this Dick work...

In this episode my conversation is with Nicky Applegarth, MD of award winning digital marketing agency, Ayima .   This agency serves many of the world's biggest brands with a global team of just over 100 .  Nicky started her digital career back in 1999 in a small website design and build agency at a time when m obile phones were simply used to make phone calls and send text messages . In 2013 she...

Hear Julie's honest and heart-searching experience of what it was like being a Principal of a secondary school during lockdown and how, post-pandemic, more specialist staff have been appointed to support students' social and emotional needs. Past guests have shared at least one benefit from lockdown but for Julie it was the worst period of her career in education with no work-life balance. We talk...

Self-affirmed 'Queen of Business' Libby shares her entrepreneurial journey from building a sizeable business in 2009 to now being a no-BS (her words) Business Coach helping other entrepreneurs to be happy and successful in their work. Nothing stands in Libby's way, not even ADHD or Autism. Her interview is inspiring, energetic and down-to-earth and you will definitely get something from this inter...

This is our last episode of 2023 snd it's full of all things work-life balance. In this two-year anniversary pod, producer Karen Pirie and I go over the highlights of the 20 plus guests we have been lucky enough to interview since we launched in November 2021. We reflect on how the world of work has changed, how businesses have innovated and adapted and we have a lengthy discussion on how these ch...

Rupert talks about the challenges of remote coaching, working in isolation with his business partner and wife and how he coached businesses through lockdown. Remote working isn't new for Rupert but what he's witnessing is greater honesty among remote workers and leaders. Recommended read, listen and legacy and best ever boss at the end of the interview Sarah: Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalance...

Veronica tells the moving story of how hitting rock bottom, emotionally and physically, led to life-changing choices for her and how she's made a business out of helping others improve personal and business relationship. Recommended read, listen and best ever boss at the end of the interview Sarah: Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory Twitter: @sarahcripps7 and @theory_balance LinkedIn: ht...

Darius gives us a real insight into why and how recruiting staff has changed. Though lockdown was a contributory factor, Brexit, a shortage of younger talent and the surge in early retirees have all contributed to a growth in vacancies and a skills shortage. Hear how businesses are having to adapt their offering and learn what candidates are looking for in their next career move. Darius shares les...

Laura shares the impact of lockdown to her business and her family, particularly for her son who is autistic and her daughter who has dyslexia. Hear how she learned she is more independent than she realised and how communications were critical to getting through lockdown. Sarah: Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory Twitter: @sarahcripps7 and @theory_balance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.c...

In this episode we interview Ryan Sneddon. Covid gave him the courage to set up his own business and he has so many lessons and memories to share, from the joy of getting your first paycheck, to moving operations from the kitchen table, to picking and packing facilities. In just 18 months the company has turned over half a million pounds and he's on track to reach a million by 2024. If you're pass...

In this episode, I interview Dan Lamoon, founder of Colab Creation, a video creation company. Dan uses his dyslexia as a strength to inspire and educate his corporate and educational clients. Learn how a digital company had to adapt during lockdown and hear why offline will always have its place for interrelations. Recommended read, listen and legacy are at the end of the interview Karen: Twitter:...