Fall Forward

In this episode of Fall Forward, Siddhartha Bala offers a powerful and refreshing look at what modern leadership truly requires. He shares why failure should be embraced rather than avoided, how risk shapes both startups and Wall Street, and why the best leaders stay grounded in their values. Siddhartha explains how a human-centered approach to technology and AI can strengthen teams, and why story...

What does it really take to lead through transformation? In this episode of Fall Forward, Paramount CFO Liz Wright shares her insights on modern leadership, from navigating uncertainty and driving profitability, to building trust and leading with empathy. Liz explores how clarity and listening can build influence, why delegation is key to scaling leadership, and how kindness can be a real superpow...

Are we actually being productive, or are we just keeping ourselves busy? In this episode, we sit down with Kate Sotsenko to talk about the “busyness dilemma” and why so many leaders wear long hours and endless to-do lists like a badge of honor. We dig into the difference between activity and true productivity, the role of clear goals in good leadership, and why self-actualization isn’t just a pers...

In this episode of Fall Forward, international business expert and author Allyson Stewart-Allen unpacks why failure isn’t just inevitable in leadership and marketing, it's essential. From global expansion gone wrong to cross-cultural misunderstandings, Allyson makes a compelling case for embracing failure as a path to growth, clarity, and resilience. We explore how cultural assumptions shape l...

In this episode of Fall Forward, productivity expert and author Graham Allcott challenges the traditional view of leadership by making a bold case for kindness as a strategic advantage. Far from being a soft or secondary trait, Graham shows how kindness fuels psychological safety, team trust, and long-term performance. We explore how empathy can transform workplace culture, why self-kindness is es...

What does it take to lead in a world shaped by uncertainty, remote work, and rapid tech change? In the latest episode of Fall Forward, we had a chat with Asif Poonja, CEO of Fujitsu Americas, who shares how human-centered leadership, strong values, and cross-cultural understanding have guided his path. We dive into the importance of feedback, and how to integrate AI without losing human connection...

On this episode of  Fall Forward , we sit down with Richard Harris, Chief Legal Officer at Robert Walters, for a raw and thoughtful conversation on what leadership  really  looks like - real moments, missed calls, and all. Richard opens up about how failure has shaped leadership journey, and why emotional intelligence, accountability, and self-awareness matter more than ever in high-pressure roles...

In this episode of the Fall Forward podcast, we’re joined by Louise Scott, COO of Sustainability at PwC, for an insightful conversation on leadership, sustainability, and the evolving role of AI.Louise shares her perspectives on embracing failure as part of growth, the importance of honesty in leadership, and how encouraging ownership of mistakes within teams can lead to innovation. She also discu...

In this episode of Fall Forward, we sat down with Kyall Mai, the Chief Innovation Officer at Esquire Bank. In this episode, we explore why real growth comes from failure, and the invaluable opportunity presented by picking yourself up after falling. Kyall’s outlines his journey of identity, and how understanding our parents, helps us understand ourselves. We discuss society’s definition of happine...

In this episode of Fall Forward, we spoke with Dr. Roger Miles, behaviour investigator, research innovator, author and keynote speaker. We dive into the world of leadership and risk-taking with Roger Miles. He shares his insights on creating environments where failure is not feared but embraced, exploring the delicate balance between calculated risk and recklessness, and how leaders can foster a c...

In this episode, we delve into the world of AI and data with Kshitij Kumar (KK). KK is an expert in the field, with vast industry experience as a Chief Data Officer at Farfetch, Haleon and OneFootball. We discuss the importance of not just listening, but truly being present in conversations. KK shares his insights on how to effectively leverage AI, from understanding its potential to mitigating ri...

In this latest episode of our podcast, we talk with Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal. Taryn is a psychologist, author, and speaker who specializes in helping people overcome fear and live a more fulfilling life. In our conversation, Taryn shares her insights on what resilience is and how it can be developed as leaders and as humans. She also discusses the element of fear, and the importance of having the...

On today’s episode of Fall Forward, we spoke with Martin Gutmann, author of The Unseen Leader, Professor at HSLU and TED X Speaker. In this episode, Martin guides us through his book, The Unseen Leader, and the importance of not dismissing these types of leaders, and their ability to mitigate risk before it escalates. He emphasises the necessity for situational awareness; as a strategy for one sce...

On today’s episode of Fall Forward, we had a conversation with Jeanniey Walden, the CMO of Rite Aid. In this episode, Jeanniey shares how her team navigated the challenges of marketing during Rite Aid's bankruptcy. Despite a tight or non-existent budget, she reveals the creative strategies they used to keep momentum going. Even though Rite Aid is out of bankruptcy, Jeanniey explains which elements...

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with leadership author and expert, Stephen Shedletzky. Discover how leadership attributes can be innate but require careful cultivation. We discuss the importance of feedback loops in fostering growth and understanding between leaders and their teams, the delicate balance between disagreeing and respecting others, and why feeling triggered by feedback c...

On today’s episode of Fall Forward, we welcome the Head of e-Commerce for Europe at PepsiCo, Celso Shimabukuro. Celso takes us on a journey through the AI revolution, discussing the monumental strides being made in CPG and the crucial role of people-centered leadership. We discover how he rallies his team behind ambitious goals, prioritizing people over profits, and fostering an environment where...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence, with AI expert and sitting member of the House of Lords, Lord Tim Clement-Jones. From its transformative impact on the creative industry to the looming threat of job displacement, we explore the complex relationship between humans and AI. We'll discuss the critical role of digital literacy in an AI-driven world, the impor...

On today’s episode, we’re speaking with Jack Sharpe, the Deputy CIO of the MOD. From working his way up as a marine, to heading defence security on a national scale; in this episode we navigate the complex world of AI, alongside the national implications and prioritizing human oversight in AI systems. Jack shares his insights on the importance of moving forward through the learning of failures, in...

On today’s episode, we’re speaking to Maxinne Abuyuan, the Chief Experience Design Officer at VML. We explore Maxinne’s journey from copywriting to her role in driving excellence for one of the largest advertising brands in the world. Maxinne shares her insights into the art of storytelling in marketing, finding an organizational culture that celebrates individuality and fosters success, and the s...

Join us for an exciting episode of Fall Forward with Neil Lawrence, the DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at Cambridge University. Neil explores his journey through computer science and mechanical engineering, inspired by a childhood love of building Lego. He discusses his book Atomic Human, aiming to simplify AI literacy. The episode critiques organizational accountability and the transactio...

On today’s episode of Fall Forward, we sit down with pro-racer and Porsche Carrera Cup Winner, Angus Whiteside. Join us as we explore Angus’s journey from go-karting in Toronto to his triumphs in the Porsche Supercup. Discover the strategies he employs to achieve and maintain high performance, from controlling the controllables and shifting his mindset to training his B-game to ensure an unbeatabl...

In this episode of Fall Forward, we spoke to Carol Watson, Global Chief Inclusion Officer at BCW. We explore Carol's career journey from starting as a New York publisher to leading inclusion transformations for the world-leading PR agency in London. Carol speaks on her experiences of not being 'allowed' to fail, and how awareness of mental health aids in preventing organizational burno...

Join us on Fall Forward for the engaging conversation with the world’s first Chief AI Officer, Sol Rashidi. With over 21 years of experience at Fortune 500 companies like Estee Lauder, Sony, Merck, and Royal Caribbean, Sol has been at the forefront of shaping data-driven strategies across various sectors. In this episode, we delve into Sol's exceptional career journey, exploring how she has pi...

In this episode of Fall Forward we have the privilege of hosting Brian Aquart, Vice President of Workforce and Community Education at Northwell Health. From his early days in the legal field to a pivotal moment propelled by a simple follow-up email, Brian's path has been anything but ordinary. He's a staunch believer in taking risks and the profound lessons we learn from what initially app...

Join us for our first episode of Fall Forward !   We dive into the experiences of David Prager the outgoing Chief Brand Officer at the world's leading diamond company, Debeers .   We explore David's career journey; from being an intern in the White House, to leading a global team in a pharmaceutical company, through to his 18yr journey with Debeers.  Join us as we explore how David navigat...