More Than a Lumpy Jumper

What does it mean to be at your learning edge? This throwback to Season 2 is full of wobbles, wisdom, and wonderfully weird metaphors (yes, there’s a goose, a javelin, and a cheeky nod to S&M). In this solo re-run, Bobby explores how learning is more than just knowledge - it's a messy, brave experiment in how we show up, stretch ourselves, and sometimes fall flat. And yes, this is the second b...

So Bridge dropped the ball and didn't manage to record with a guest this week (and she didn't tell Bobby who is going to be mad!) so in an effort to mitigate the damage (you can tell she works in humanitarian security now ;-) ) she decided to share a past episode "Coping with Overwhelm" which she thought was apt. There are loads of gems in this episode from very early on in the M...

This week, Bobby chats with the wonderful Mandy McDowall - Headteacher of not one, but two primary schools. What starts as playful banter about being “roped in” quickly unfolds into a rich, honest conversation about leadership in education, emotional regulation, the blur between managing and leading, and why schooling your face might just be the survival skill we all need. Hooked early on by the c...

It's time for guests with gifts as Bobby and Bridge take a short break. This week we've invited back the inimitable Wendy Faux to the show. Wendy is a Military veteran and reservist, an artistic innovator, the curator of "Not just a Wife" photography exhibition and the creator of the show's logo. She loves the concept of bringing your true self to your leadership but hates th...

Play isn’t just for children! It’s a secret weapon for creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. But somewhere along the way, many of us started treating it like a luxury rather than a necessity. In this episode, we’re flipping that narrative. We’ll explore why play matters in leadership and life, uncover the science behind it, and dive into Stuart Brown’s play personalities, because yes, you h...

Stories shape how we see the world and how the world sees us. But are we telling the right ones? This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper , we dive into the power of storytelling. How the narratives we craft influence our confidence, decisions, and leadership. From bedtime stories to boardroom strategy, we explore what makes a story stick and how to frame experiences in a way that resonates, persuade...

So many leaders wear exhaustion like a badge of honour. But what if sleep and self-care weren’t indulgences, what if they were leadership strategies? This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper , Bridget and I dive into the power of rest in honour of World Sleep Day. We’re tackling the myths, the science, and the impact of sleep onleadership, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Plus, we make a stron...

This week, in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, we’re diving into the stories of six extraordinary women; leaders, visionaries, and change-makers whose impact still ripples through history. From courtroom battles to political trailblazers, from radical educators to artistic revolutionaries, each woman’s story holds powerful lessons for leadership today. But which iconshave we chosen?...

Leadership or management - are they really that different? Or do we just love to put them in neat little boxes? In this episode, Bobby and Bridge attempt (with varying success) tobring some structure to the conversation, diving into mindset, skills, and the sometimes blurry lines between the two. Expect metaphors (hello, glaciers!), a few rogue interruptions, and the big question: Can you be a lea...

Resilience and flexibility - are they two sides of the same coin, or do we just like overcomplicating things? In this episode, Bobby and Bridge dive into what it really means to bounce back and bend without breaking (hello, bamboo analogy!), why being too resilient can backfire, and the tiny habits that make a big difference. Expect real talk, a few questionable metaphors (boats, trees, and maybe...

For this final week of reflections on our MTALJ library Bridge is thinking about love in the run up to Valentine's Day. Why do we often struggle to talk about leadership in terms of love when all of the actions of a good leadership are really the manifestation of love? - patience,care, kindness, humility, emotional balance, and honesty. While the general advice on speaking is to avoid politics and...

This week Bridge is reflecting on blame and accountability. How blame can undermine teams, trust, innovation, problem-solving and avoiding making the same mistakes again. It's a ranty episode because lessons learned episodes that are simply blame exercises are a bug bear of both Bobby and Bridge. Both Bobby and Bridge admit they they are recovering blamers but they are in the good company of St Br...

This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper , Bridge revisits the “Being a stand for self-compassion ,” from June 2024. Self-compassion isn't selfish and it isn't a luxury. It's actually part of your job as a leader to ensure you have the resilience to be the leader your team need during a crisis. Check out the self-compassion guru Kristin Neff and Bobby's resilience practices and rememb...

This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper, Bobby revisits the mini-episode, “Cultivating Play and Rest… but Mostly Play,” from Christmas 2023. Inspired by Brené Brown’s work and the National Institute of Play, she reflects on why play is essential for creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, how to rediscover play as adults (hint: it’s not lost, just forgotten!) and the fascinating “Play Personali...

Bobby revisits one of the most popular topics: Being a Dynamic Team Leader. Reflecting on hers and Bridge’s original conversation, she dives into; How leaders can recalibrate team dynamics and tackle those "elephants in the room," the importance of healthy conflict and why leaning into discomfort matters, insights from Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team and how to build trust from the...

Season 5 of More Than a Lumpy Jumper kicks off with a trip down memory lane as Bobby revisits the very first episode, “Being in the Conversation.”  Here she reflects on how far she and Bridge had come since those raw, unpolished beginnings, key lessons on communication, connection, and vulnerability and the ripple effect of starting something imperfectly and letting it grow. Whether you’ve been wi...

Time for another “Guest Gifts” with Bobby at the mic! Pull up a chair (and maybe a crash helmet) as Lizzie Beuzeval and Sara Scott join Bobby for an unfiltered chat about juggling life, work, family, and everything in between. These multitasking marvels share their wisdom on finding flow, saying no (or not yet), and redefining what it means to truly thrive—without dropping too many plates (or whol...

And now it’s the Bobster’s turn to be in the driving seat for "Guest Gifts," hanging out with dedicated listeners. Welcome to a powerhouse of self-discovery and connection as Aime Rushton and Ali Spooner join Bobby for a raw, real, and riotously funny conversation. These two phenomenal women tackle big themes—belonging, community, finding your voice, and navigating the complex dance of introversio...

This is Bridge's last week in the driving seat of guests gifts and she is joined by Leina Ibnouf, a Sudanese Irish community activist and John 'Willy' Williams a military veteran, 7 Signal Regiment survivor and scrum master (which apparently has nothing to do with rugby). They discuss why they listen to the podcast, their favourite episodes with a focus on curiosity, the pain of not belonging, and...

It's the in between seasons bit! So we get to hang out with some of our lovely listeners. This week it's Lucie Barker and Murray Smith fellow soldiers who share a love of messing about in boats. We get to chat about their favourite episodes as well as motherhood, cat parenting and why self-reflection is important but only to a point. Links Learn to Sail from Princess to Pirate Lucie's Etsy Shop In...

Join Bobby and Bridge as they mark International Men’s Day . They are joined by their special guest, Daniele Fiandaca from Token Man Consulting to dive into the often-overlooked challenges that men face today, from mental health to shifting roles in society. Together, they discuss the importance of creating spaces for men to be vulnerable, break stereotypes, and how inclusive leadership plays a cr...

This week, Bobby and Bridget are back with a vibrant new episode, welcoming Michelle Hartley from People Sorted and the HR Geek Squad. Known for her rainbow wardrobe and lively energy, Michelle is here to talk about "Being a Sparkling Introvert." They dive into the paradox of introversion and extroversion, the power of self-awareness, and the courage it takes to lead authentically. Tune in to unco...

In today’s episode, Bobby and Bridge dive into the transformative power of personal branding with Kayleigh Lloyd, a creative powerhouse helping women in business craft authentic, standout brands. Kayleigh shares her unique journey from working with corporate giants to becoming a "brand goddess," and offers insights into how personal branding is so much more than just a logo—it's about telling your...

It's our birthday! Welcome to the one-year anniversary episode of More Than a Lumpy Jumper ! Bobby and Bridge are celebrating 39 episodes, 14 mini-in-between Season episodes, 23 incredible guests, and countless laughs. In this special one, they reflect on the highs, the lessons learned, and a few hilarious behind-the-scenes moments (including a memorable baguette incident). Whether you're curious...

In this episode, Bobby and Bridge dive into the fascinating dynamics between leadership and followership, exploring how followers play a critical role in organisational success. Following the insights from thought leaders like Barbara Kellerman and Robert Kelley, they break down the five followership styles. And through real-world examples and personal stories, they discuss how good followers can...