Playbook for Leaders and Entrepreneurs

In this episode, Nicole Powers, senior business leader and supply chain executive, shares her journey from spending 19 years at L'Oréal to stepping into a new leadership chapter at BAT. Nicole reflects on how leadership evolved through building teams, solving problems, and helping people grow. Nicole shares powerful insights on what makes great leaders stand out—from building high-performing t...

In this episode, Herwig Kusatz, founder of Sound Strategy and author of Trust You Can Hear , shares why sound plays a critical role in shaping trust, perception, and customer experience. We explore Herwig’s concept of Sonic Governance — the idea that while most organisations carefully manage how they look, very few intentionally manage how they sound. Herwig explains how poor sound design creates...

In this episode, Margaret Brown, leadership expert, executive coach, and author of Culture Pays , shares lessons from 35+ years of helping organisations improve leadership, employee engagement, and workplace culture. Margaret explains why great leadership starts with people and how culture directly impacts performance, retention, and long-term success. She introduces her 5 L’s framework — Listen,...

In this episode, Jeni Smith, founder of NetKno and a leading voice in strategic networking, shares her journey from accidentally discovering networking during university to turning it into a 20-year career, business, and PhD research focus. Jeni explains how networking evolved from something that once terrified her into a lifelong passion centred around human connection, social capital, and helpin...

In this episode, Piotr Chimko, Procurement and Operations Director at Philips and former Regional Advisor at Toastmasters International, shares his leadership journey across more than 22 years in multinational corporations and leadership development. Piotr explains how his experiences in IT, finance, procurement, and Toastmasters shaped his philosophy on communication, team building, and modern le...

In this episode, Emma Alkirwi, founder of The CV Guru , shares her journey from working in recruitment and supporting long-term unemployed individuals during the 2008 financial crisis to building one of the UK’s leading CV-writing and personal branding businesses. Emma explains how helping professionals communicate their value effectively became the foundation of her mission to help people secure...

In this episode, Dre Baldwin , a former professional basketball player turned entrepreneur and creator of the "Work On Your Game" philosophy, shares his journey from being a Division III walk-on to playing professional basketball internationally for a decade. Dre explains how the same principles of discipline, confidence, and mental toughness that fuelled his athletic career are the foundation for...

In this episode, Rashmi Papneja, founder of Eunomia Pharma Services, shares her journey from working in pharmaceutical compliance for over 16 years to launching her own business supporting pharma and biotech companies across Europe. Rashmi explains how compliance plays a crucial role in helping organisations operate ethically while navigating one of the most highly regulated industries in the worl...

In this episode, Dan Deighton shares his journey from an achievement-driven academic background to building a career rooted in communication, leadership, and intentional growth. After starting out in law and compliance — despite knowing it wasn’t aligned with his strengths — Dan eventually pivoted toward marketing, Toastmasters leadership, and writing The Achievement Code newsletter. Drawing from...

In this episode, Kevin O’Reilly shares his powerful journey from working in retail for nearly two decades to becoming a communication expert, interview coach, and founder of Thrive Now Group. After experiencing redundancy and helping hundreds of people facing job loss, Kevin discovered that fear of interviews and communication was holding many back more than unemployment itself. Drawing from his b...

In this episode, Pol Donald Nkana Nkana  shares a powerful story of transformation from growing up shy with a speech impediment to becoming a UK & Ireland public speaking champion. Drawing from his journey as a former professional basketball player, pharmacist, and founder of Speakers Circle, Paul breaks down how confidence is built through repetition, storytelling, and intentional practice. P...

In this episode, Octavia Goredema shares powerful insights on navigating career transitions, building an authentic personal brand, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing world of work. Drawing from her journey as a career coach, author, and Harvard Business Review contributor, Octavia breaks down how professionals can overcome fear, gain visibility, and design careers with intention. Key Takea...

In this episode, Fred Joyal shares actionable strategies for building boldness, overcoming fear, and embracing rejection. Through stories of meeting celebrities like Tom Hanks and Richard Branson, and practical exercises, he teaches how to seize moments, act with confidence, and turn discomfort into growth. Key Takeaways: Boldness is a muscle: practice daily to make decisive action your default. S...

In this podcast episode, I interview Charlie Curson , a strategic advisor, investor, and leadership coach, about his book, Be More Strategic: 12 Essential Practices to Build the Life and Career You Want . We discuss the critical importance of strategic thinking in both personal and professional contexts, stressing that strategy is about making intentional choices , not just planning actions. Charl...

In this episode, I chat with Peter Fox — careers adviser at Durham University and interview expert — about navigating the job search and building a successful career. We explore practical strategies for landing the right role, including overcoming rejection, tailoring your CV, and preparing effectively for interviews. Peter shares insights on the evolving recruitment landscape, from large companie...

In this episode, I chat with Keith McCoy — leadership expert and author — about the power of authenticity and doing good in leadership. We deep dive into his new book Just Do Good , exploring why fear often stops good people from being their true selves at work, how homogenous leadership teams limit opportunity, and why empathy and emotional intelligence are key to building trust and followership....

In this episode, I sit down with Anmol Goel — entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and TEDx speaker — to talk about his incredible journey from growing up in a one-bedroom house to becoming a young millionaire. We dive into the realities of building a business from scratch, how the law of attraction only works when backed by action, and why urgency, mindset, and execution matter more than just motiva...

In this episode with Professor Julie Hodges, author of People-Centric Organizational Change , about how to lead change that truly puts people first. They explore why resistance to change is often misunderstood, what core capabilities managers need for transformational change, and why compassion and communication are essential for success. Julie also introduces her cyclical business transformation...

In this inspiring episode, ultra-runner and coach Alyssa Clark shares her incredible transformation—from a hospital bed at age 14, battling ulcerative colitis and undergoing emergency surgery, to becoming the first female finisher of both the grueling HURT 100 and Moab 240 races. Her mindset isn’t just about endurance—it’s about grit, self-awareness, and mental resilience: using mantras like “This...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jim Gregory , a seasoned entrepreneur and public speaking master with over two decades of experience! Jim shares incredible, candid stories from his journey, from his early days selling copper rings to building thriving computer game and web design businesses . Discover his powerful secrets to overcoming public speaking fear , gain insights into long-term...

In this engaging episode, business growth strategist Lewis Berrisford breaks down his signature 3C process for sustainable business growth. Learn how clarity, connection, and communication are essential for attracting ideal clients and doubling your income. Lewis also shares personal anecdotes on overcoming limiting beliefs, the entrepreneurial spirit learned from his Caribbean roots, and the crit...

In this episode, Tejas Tiwari—former Deloitte professional, CA, CFA, and published poet—unpacks what it truly means to chase excellence. He reflects on the power of structure, honest feedback, and a constantly evolving work ethic. From balancing demanding professional exams with a full-time job to publishing a poetry collection, Tejas shares how embracing mistakes, staying curious, and pushing pas...

In this episode, Yuru, founder of "Hey Food is Ready," shares her inspiring journey of building a food events business grounded in strong relationships, trust, and community support. She talks about overcoming challenges like scaling operations, building a repeatable sales pipeline, and learning quickly from mistakes. Yuru also highlights the importance of continuous learning through ent...

In this episode, I chat with Paul about how pop culture icons like Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Star Wars can inspire entrepreneurial thinking. Paul shares how these beloved universes help bridge the gap for potential entrepreneurs, offering valuable lessons in research, pitching, and solving real-world problems. He emphasises the importance of resilience and adaptability in the entrepreneurial j...

Send us a text In this episode with Litsa Smith we explore the importance of leading with authenticity, embracing a "test and learn" approach, and creating a positive team culture. Litsa shares her insights on overcoming perfectionism, prioritizing what truly matters, and how to build strong relationships in both personal and professional settings.  About Litsa:  Litsa is a strategic men...