not a straight line

Ian McIntosh is a working-class kid from Coventry who turned his childhood love of Elvis and Les Misérables into a remarkable West End career. Growing up in Tile Hill with older siblings and a challenging home life, he found solace and purpose in music, often singing for pocket money at the local social club. A pivotal moment came at age 16 when, instead of pursuing an electrician apprenticeship,...

Ajarae Coleman is an actor, coach, and entrepreneur whose journey exemplifies the power of following one's artistic calling while building meaningful communities along the way. Growing up in New Jersey, she found early academic success that led her to boarding school through a fortuitous scholarship, followed by Harvard where she studied biological anthropology. After graduation, her path took her...

Jason Leister is a transformational business mentor who helps people align their authentic selves with sustainable success. Growing up in a strict Mennonite household, he started as a "straight-A sheep," pursuing classical music as a pipe organist and following expected paths until life began showing him different possibilities. Through early ventures like selling handcrafted oboe reeds with his w...

Rachel Elnaugh-LOVE is a former Dragon's Den investor and entrepreneur who founded Red Letter Days, pioneering the experience gift industry in the UK. Growing up above her father's electrical shop in Essex with four brothers, Rachel developed strong business instincts early on. After receiving multiple university rejections, she found her way into accountancy, which provided vital financial expert...

Mark Franklin is a former corporate executive turned personal development coach whose path has been shaped by creativity, crisis, and transformation. Growing up as an only child, he channeled his imagination into art and drumming, eventually performing in West End shows including The Lion King, before settling into what he thought would be a "proper career" in business. His 22-year corporate journ...

Niki Sterner is a performer and transformation coach whose journey from perfectionist athlete to authentic storyteller was shaped by unexpected health crises. Growing up in Montana as a competitive athlete and valedictorian, childhood trauma and societal expectations led her to suppress her true calling in performing arts, despite early signs of her passion—from dance team captaincy to leading rol...

Nico Jones is a story expert and entrepreneur whose journey weaves through music, filmmaking, and animation to his current role helping business leaders articulate their vision. His path began with a transformative moment watching a covers band perform, leading to a "guitarist seeks band" note that would set his life's direction. Through years of creative pursuits—from making Star Wars fan films t...

Reene Ramirez's story is one of profound transformation and resilience against systemic challenges. Growing up in Anaheim with immigrant parents, his childhood was marked by an environment where aggression was normalized, with family members encouraging young cousins to fight each other. Struggling with dyslexia and facing bullying at school, Reene created an aggressive persona to survive, despite...

Cristina Castro, a resilient optimist and problem-solver, shares her transformative journey from childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur. She discusses the pivotal moment of moving from Australia to Spain at age seven, which instilled in her a love for chaos, a thirst for new opportunities, and an unwavering confidence in her ability to thrive in the face of change. Cristina's story is one...

Chris Bantock, an experienced entrepreneur and advocate for education reform, shares his journey of career transitions and the evolving definition of success. He discusses his move from the corporate world to self-employment, the influence of family on career choices, and the significance of soft skills in education. Throughout the conversation, Chris explores the challenges and opportunities pres...

Laura West shares her personal experiences and insights on navigating life's zigzag journey, particularly through the lens of ADHD and neurodiversity. She discusses her career transition from PR to freelancing, the challenges of motherhood, and the societal pressures surrounding success. Throughout the conversation, Laura explores the impact of family dynamics, the importance of acceptance, and th...

Alastair Mackenzie, a master of the art of sales, shares his wealth of experience and insights on building genuine connections and crafting powerful conversations to attract ideal clients. He offers valuable advice on the nuances of effective discovery calls and the power of statistics in sales presentations. As Alastair delves into his personal journey of self-discovery and spirituality, he highl...

In this profound episode, Angela Tsai takes us on a captivating journey of personal growth, cultural transitions, and the power of mindfulness. From her early years in Taiwan to her transformative experiences in Australia and Amsterdam, Angela's story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the continuous quest for inner peace. Throughout the conversation, Angela shares her insights on navigatin...

Phil Dobson's journey took an unexpected turn when a broken ankle led him from a music-centered life to discovering his calling in clinical hypnotherapy. This pivotal moment sparked a deeper exploration into human potential and personal growth, challenging conventional wisdom about time management in favor of energy and attention management in our increasingly distracted world. Drawing from his un...

In this episode, Nina Taylor shares her inspiring journey of career transitions, personal challenges, and leaps of faith. From her early fascination with languages to her successful career in banking and eventual shift to self-employment, Nina's story is one of resilience and determination. Nina reflects on the twists and turns of her life, including becoming pregnant unexpectedly and navigating a...

Isse shares his journey of transformation and self-discovery, starting with a pivotal moment that changed the course of his life. Reflecting on his upbringing and corporate career, Isse opens up about the challenges he faced in finding true fulfillment. He emphasises the importance of creating space and being honest with oneself as the first steps toward discovering one’s calling. In this episode,...

Tracy Tully’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to doing what is right. As a high school principal in a remote area of Queensland, Australia, Tracy faced immense challenges, including a life-threatening flood and the difficult decision to close her school against departmental resistance. Her actions as a whistleblower led to adversity and retaliation, but Tracy’s det...

James Middleton's journey is a powerful testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace authenticity. Growing up, he faced the pressures of societal and familial expectations, yet found strength in sports and teamwork, which provided a sense of belonging and purpose. His decision to join the Air Force marked a pivotal point, exposing him to both camaraderie and the intense chal...

Venetia Norrington’s story is rooted in resilience and a deep empathy for children. Growing up in Devon with older parents, her father’s passing at age four marked her early years, creating a childhood filled with noise, chaos, and a strong need for solace in nature. Venetia’s own experiences of navigating a challenging upbringing inspired her passion for fostering and advocating for children. She...

Charlie Palmeiro’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of reinvention. In this episode, Charlie opens up about navigating the twists and turns of life—from failed marriages and career setbacks to moments of deep disappointment and depression. Each challenge, he shares, became a wake-up call to pursue personal growth and take control of his path. Inspired by self-help classics...

Ania’s journey is a powerful narrative of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of personal growth. In this episode, Ania opens up about leaving a toxic relationship and embarking on a quest to find her self-worth. Reflecting on her childhood as an immigrant in England, she candidly shares her struggles with feeling like an outsider, grappling with a sense of not belonging, and finding refug...

Maurice Jenkens’ story is a powerful exploration of resilience, self-discovery, and the role of intuition in navigating life’s challenges. In this episode, Maurice reflects on his experience with burnout, sharing how it prompted him to reassess his path and reconnect with his inner signals. He begins by recounting his upbringing in a rural village in Holland, where a longing to experience differen...

Maite's journey is a vibrant exploration of energy, self-expression, and the courage to pursue a purpose-driven life. In this episode, she shares her transformative experiences, including a life-changing decision at 30 that set her on a path of self-discovery through travel, writing, and ultimately, a mission to help businesses evolve with benevolence at their core. We discuss Maïté's challenge of...

Joshua Morgan's journey as an actor and entrepreneur is a compelling exploration of the balance between creativity and business. In this episode, Joshua shares how his early love for theatre led him to train at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He candidly reflects on the challenges he faced in realising that his appearance might limit h...

Oriane’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of authentic alignment in life and work. In this episode, Oriane opens up about her experience living with ADHD, including her need to find unique ways to manage her symptoms and the challenges of working in a small apartment. We delve into her personal struggles, from the emotional impact of moving homes multi...