The Independent Minds

How Design Shapes Decisions: Branding, Psychology and Business Growth In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward talks with Juan Montoya, Creative Director at JM Port , about the relationship between branding, design psychology, customer behaviour and business growth . Drawing on his experience working with global brands including Nike, Ford, Adidas and Calvin Klein, Juan ans...

Therapy focused on finding solutions and preparing for the future In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward explores with solution‑focused hypnotherapist Keira Smith how employers can better understand, reduce, and manage workplace stress by equipping employees with the right tools and training. Keira explains how modern neuroscience, stress‑reduction techniques, and proacti...

How can organisations reduce conflict, build trust, and communicate more effectively? In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward talks with Ronjini Joshua , founder of Silver Telegram, about the dangers of inconsistent communication and the importance of aligning messages across leadership, marketing, sales, HR, and operational teams. Drawing on more than two decades of exper...

Will artificial intelligence be used to replace human capability or to enhance it? In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward talks with Graham Skidmore , CEO of Seth Solutions , about the relationship between ethical AI, conscious leadership, and the future of work. An experienced C-suite executive who lived through burnout, self-discovery and organisational transformation,...

Explore how frontline training, data‑driven coaching and AI‑enabled learning can dramatically improve guest experience and hotel profitability. In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward talks with Geoffrey Toffetti , CEO of Frontline Performance Group (FPG), a global leader in transforming incremental revenue in the hospitality industry Geoffrey shares his journey from valet...

Why HR and IT must coordinate to ensure smooth onboarding, internal moves and offboarding In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward talks with IT specialist Matt Chapman , founder of mc-tech.uk , about one of the most overlooked but business‑critical issues in modern organisations: having a clear, automated strategy for Joiners, Movers and Leavers (JML). Drawing on decades o...

How do top performers turn chaos into a competitive advantage; even when the chaos is inside their own minds? In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward talks with executive coach and author Robert Kalwarowsky , whose book Capitalising on Chaos explores how leaders can transform uncertainty, stress and workplace dysfunction into clarity, confidence and growth. Drawing on his...

Rethinking how work works In this episode of The Independent Minds , host Michael Millward chats with Michael Shank , creator of the Process Inventory Framework and author of Digital Transformation Success . Together, they explore how organisations can shift from siloed structures to integrated, process‑driven operating models. Shank shares his journey from technologist to transformation specialis...

How to ensure your team is greater than the sum of its individual members Host Michael Millward , talks with Steve Smith , executive coach and founder of GrowthSourceCoaching.com , about the hidden forces that shape how individuals think, behave, and succeed at work. With 17‑years coaching experience and his unique “growth source”philosophy, Steve explains how environment, upbringing, experiences,...

The advantages of mindful coaching and mindful leadership Host Michael Millward , Managing Director of Abeceder, talks to Pankaj Singh , founder of Singh Leadership , about how mindful leaders can use mindful coaching to transform workplace culture so long as they first transformthemselves. Singh shares the personal journey that shaped his leadership philosophy; from a formative three‑month stay i...

How to be proud of your website In this episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward speaks with Jonny Ross , digital marketing expert and author of WebProud , about what it really takes for businesses to build a website they can be proud of. Jonny shares his journey from launching a successful e‑commerce sunglasses business in the dot‑com boom to discovering the hard way how devastatin...

AI adoption isn’t really a technology problem Independent Minds returns with a thought‑provoking conversation between host Michael Millward and Vin Mitty , author of The AI Decision Map and a long‑time leader in data, machine learning, and organizational AI adoption. Drawing on two decades of hands‑on experience and his PhD research, Vin explains why 95% of AI projects fail, why the real barriers...

Enneagram—a powerful motivation‑based personality framework In this episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward talks with executive coach, international speaker, and author R. Karl Hebenstreit to explore the Enneagram, a powerful motivation‑based personality framework that is transforming workplaces around the world. Karl explains how the Enneagram goes beyond traditional personality...

How to Scale a Business – with Steve Walsh, Author of Make the 10X Leap In this episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward , talks with entrepreneur, investor, and author Steve Walsh to explore what it really takes to scale a business. Drawing on insights from his book Make the 10X Leap , Steve explains Why so many entrepreneurs get stuck, How to break through growth barriers, and The...

Why do most organisational change programmes fail? In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward and Swedish technology and transformation leader Helena Hörnebrant unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of organisational development: the difference between change and transformation. Drawing on her global career across CIO, CDO, MD and project leadership ro...

Explore what resilience really means at work, In this episode of Independent Minds , host Michael Millward and leadership trainer, coach, and author Sarah Turner explore one of today’s most talked‑about workplace skills: resilience . Drawing on her contribution to the anthology Joy at Work and her certification in the Hardiness Resilience Gauge, Sarah breaks down what resilience truly is, why it m...

Why honesty, emotional intelligence, and genuine service are the secrets of future sales success Host Michael Millward and Jeanne Omlor a Florida‑based specialist in maximizing profits and impact, discuss how selling is evolving. Jeanne only started to be successful in business when she discovered that most barriers to success are emotional not technical. Michael and Jeanne explore how modern buye...

When your marketing is working, leads are flowing, and new customers are signing up… yet sales stubbornly refuse to grow, something deeper is going on. In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward chats with Tamara Ceman , the Practical Marketeer and author of The DIY Marketing Playbook, to explore what really causes a growth plateau, and how you can break thro...

Working With and Supporting Employees with Addiction In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward speaks with Jeff Jones of thefamilyrecoverysolution.com to explore one of the workplace’s most uncomfortable realities: addiction. Drawing on his personal history and professional experience as a therapist, Jeff explains why addiction is rarely a simple, individual...

Why Your Marketing Data Is Letting You Down Dive into one of the most persistent, and costly, marketing challenges: businesses are making decisions with data that is incomplete, misunderstood, or simply wrong. Michael Millward speaks with TJ Kelly, a digital sales and marketing practitioner who was with Tier Eleven at the time of recording, but now works with Wicked . TJ explains, the explosion of...

Inner Conflict, Ambition, and the Psychology of Work In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward sits down with author, hypnotist, veteran, and former intelligence officer Ryan Christensen, the Belief Engineer to explore why so many people struggle internally even while striving externally — and how understanding the mind can transform the way we work. Drawing...

Exploring the role of managers and leaders in change management In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds Michael Millward meet leadership expert, author, and long‑time educator Paul Thornton to explore a simple idea: improving the status quo . Drawing on over 20 years in corporate America and two decades teaching leadership and management, Paul shares how small, continuous improv...

Exploring the often overlooked essential first steps This episode of The Independent Minds dives into the real, often unseen challenges of taking a founder‑led business beyond its home borders. Michael Millward speaks with international growth specialist Nadia Pace , whose career has been dedicated to helping organisations in Malta, Greece, Cyprus, the UK, Africa and Asia navigate the complex jour...

Creativity, Process, and the Future of Recruitment In this thought‑provoking episode of Independent Minds, host Michael Millward meets Darren Tompkins ,  founder and CEO of Veda Ray Companies . Together they explore the often‑misunderstood relationship between creativity and process—and why getting that balance right matters more than ever in today’s workplace. Drawing on a career that spans...

The No-Fluff Guide to Ranking Higher and Becoming Your Customers’ First Choice This episode of Independent Minds dives into the real meaning of “getting found” in the digital world not through gimmicks, hacks, or gaming the system, but by helping people solve real problems. Michael Millward speaks with Matt Diamante , founder and CEO of HeyTony.ca and author of Get Found , a practical guide to SEO...