Speaking of Inclusion...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Marsha Powell , CEO of BelEve, a UK-based charity dedicated to empowering girls aged 8 to 22 as they navigate major life transitions, from education into the workplace. Marsha is an unapologetic champion for girls’ empowerment and organisational transformation, and in this conversation, she shares both her personal journey and her team’s e...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion… I am joined by Scott Martin . An award-winning soccer coach, author, quad amputee, and passionate disability advocate. We talk about his extraordinary journey, as captured in his recently released book, Play From Your Heart , which weaves together his experiences of resilience, dealing with disability, and his lifelong commitment to making football (soccer...

In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Jess Jarrold , a leadership coach with a passion for unlocking the potential of cross-generational teams. Together, we explore the current landscape of the workplace, challenging the stereotypes surrounding different generations, and considering how confidence and communication underpin effective leadership… no matter your age or experi...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... , Katie Allen talks with Ettie Bailey-King about what it really means to be a “ Super Communicator ”. Ettie is an inclusive and accessible communication educator who helps people and organisations communicate clearly,inclusively, and accessibly. Together, they explore why inclusive language and accessible communication matter, and how the words and forma...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... , I am joined by Mary Desch , a former psychiatrist from Portland, Oregon, who has made the leap from addiction medicine to writing psychological crime thrillers. Mary and I discuss her first novel, Tangled Darkness , and how her background in psychiatry and addiction work informs her storytelling and character development. Throughout our conversation, M...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Sammy Williams , a qualified nutritionist and intuitive eating coach. Together, we explore what it really means to take a practical and sustainable approach to your health andwellbeing, especially when tempted by the ongoing craze for quick fixes and fad diets. Sammy shares her journey from competitive sport and science teaching to holisti...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Cath Blayney , a liberation coach for black and brown leaders and an allyship coach for white coaches, consultants, and healers. Cath and I first met when she approached me on LinkedIn about my own behaviour and language... a story you can hear more about in this episode! Together, we explore what it really means to be a "safe person&...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by HaciaAtherton , author of "Billion Dollar Blind Spot", principal consultant at All Star Consulting, and founder of Empowered Women in Trades. Hacia brings her lived experience as a woman in a fifth-generation family plumbing business, a leader with ADHD and dyslexia, and the resilience forged through surviving a near-fatal horse-...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion, Katie Allen sits down with Halyma Begum, an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) specialist and wellbeing lead, for an honest conversation about Islamophobia, everyday barriers, and what it means to be visibly Muslim in the UK right now. The conversation opens up with real-life stories about microaggressions, racism in public spaces, and the challenge...

In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Beatrix Schmidt, a sleep coach for adults, professional speaker and author of Sleep Skills for Life. Together, we unravel the myths and realities behind what it means to truly sleep well and explore why so many of us struggle with getting the rest we need. Beatrix shares her own journey with insomnia, addressing why generic tips oft...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Kamil Hejmanowski, a world champion kickboxer, karate sensei, and now life coach supporting migrants who experience shame in the UK. Kamil generously shares his journey from growing up in Poland to navigating teenage years as a new migrant in theUK, grappling with a sense of not belonging, shame, and the search for self-worth. Throughout o...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion, Katie Allen talks with two-time Emmy award-winning filmmaker Shannon Malone-deBenedictis . Shannon brings her experience in documentary storytelling, a career with giants like Discovery, Netflix, and NationalGeographic, and her insights as founder of Padlin Creative . Most of all, she opens up about her work helping women question how they see themselves,...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Ryan Root , co-founder of Hormones for Me, Wellness and Longevity, and host of the Dope Martian podcast. Ryan brings a truly honest, raw, and genuinely unique perspective, not just on hormone replacement therapies, but also on purpose, mistakes, and ultimately redemption. This conversation hears Ryan take us through his personal struggle w...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Daria Rudnik , team architect, executive leadership coach, and author of the book " Clicking ".  Daria shares her expertise from years as a Chief People Officer, her global leadership experience, and her unique approach to helping teams move from surviving to truly "clicking"… especially in challenging and rapidly chang...

In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Dr. Tom Ingegno, a bestselling author, clinician and speaker with nearly 25 years' experience in integrative medicine. Tom runs Charm City Integrative Healthcare in Baltimore and has been featured in national outlets such as WebMD and Forbes. His work beautifully blends traditional and East Asian therapies with modern wellness practice...

In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Blanca E. Rodriguez, owner and CEO of Wounded Healer LLC, Amazon Bestselling co-author, holistic life coach, and TEDx speaker. Together, we explore the importance of breaking our silence around challenging lived experiences, particularly those involving sexual violence and abuse. We also celebrate the important role that music, danc...

In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Jim Thorp , a health coach and workplace stress expert, to talk all things workplace stress. What triggers it, where it shows up in our lives, and most importantly, what we can actually do about it. Jim brings a grounded holistic perspective, encouraging us to consider both the physical and emotional aspects of stress, not just as i...

In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Charlie Hart , perhaps better known online as "awesome Charlie, awesome with an AU." Charlie is a professional speaker on neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and shebrings a powerful mix of lived experience, practical advice, and candid storytelling to our conversation. Trigger Warning – we do discuss Charlie’s personal...

In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion … I am joined by Cheryl Thornton , a coach, mentor, and facilitator who runs the Root and Rise women in business collective. Together, we’re taking a look at at the unexpected topic of “woo woo” into the workplace. Whether that's about trusting your gut, tuning in to spirituality (in whatever shape it takes for you), or simply making space in work fo...

In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion … I am joined by Marysol James , best-selling author, coach, and global speaker, who now specialises in supporting high achieving women to break free from narcissistic, abusive relationships. This episode carries an important trigger warning, as we confront the hidden realities of domestic abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, dog whistling, and the particul...

In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Kate Fletcher, Inclusion Member Manager for Dial Global and a former DEI specialist in the Met Police. In this chat we took off the filter and were honest about the realities of working in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. Not just in workplaces, but as human beings navigating the messy, imperfect, and sometimes uncomfortable w...

In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Sharon Hurley Hall, who returns to the podcast for an another honest and thoughtful conversation, this time about introversion and what it means to show up authentically in a world that seems built for extroverts. If you missed Sharon’s previous episode, where we discussed anti-racism and colourism, don’t worry – you can pop back in to...

In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion, I am joined by Sharon Hurley Hall: author, educator, and anti-racism activist. Sharon is well known for her insightful anti-racism newsletter, and her book “I’m Tired of Racism: True Stories of Existing While Black and Exploring Shadism”. Sharon’s work has been a huge influence on my understanding of inclusion, and I’m so pleased to bring this conversat...

In today's episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Michelle Knight, a consultant, midwife and birth trauma specialist, to tackle the complex, emotional, and frequently misunderstood world of birth trauma and the broader issues around birth, parenthood, and support in our society. Michelle shares her journey from training as a nurse, to working as cabin crew, and then finally discovering...

In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion, I am joined by Vicky Quinn Fraser, a book coach, writer, and champion for underrepresented voices in non-fiction publishing. Together, we explore Vicky’s refreshingly honest journey through an ADHD and autism diagnosis in her forties, and discuss what it means to navigate a world not quite built for you. From the challenges of the traditional publishing...