Success is Never Accidental

This week I am delighted to share a very special milestone — the 80th episode of Success Is Never Accidental .   Reaching this point feels significant, and I want to sincerely thank every guest who has so generously shared their wisdom, experiences and leadership insights over the years, as well as all of you who continue to listen, watch, support and encourage the podcast journey. Your engagement...

I am pleased to share the latest episode of Success Is Never Accidental featuring Dr. Raul Mercer — an internationally respected leader in children’s health, public health policy, and children’s rights. Dr. Mercer’s work spans clinical practice, global policy, and academic leadership, with collaborations involving WHO, UNICEF, the Lancet Commission, University College London, and major internation...

I wanted to share the latest episode of Success Is Never Accidental , which was a particularly meaningful one for me.   Recently I had the opportunity to host a very distinguished ambassador for children’s rights in our studio in Newry, Northern Ireland.    Dr Ali Shaar is an expert in child health and public health in Palestine and a founder member of the International Network on Peacebuilding am...

I’m introducing a new format to Success Is Never Accidental —short, focused conversations with experts on key leadership topics.  To begin, I spoke with my husband, Rodney Payton, a highly respected figure in medical education, about one of leadership’s toughest challenges: handling difficult conversations. Act Early Delaying conversations only makes matters worse. Address issues early, while they...

I’m pleased to share the latest episode of Success Is Never Accidental .  In this conversation I speak with Orlaith McGibbon, an internationally recognised social work and safeguarding leader whose career spans frontline practice, national leadership and global consultancy. Orlaith’s experience ranges from residential childcare and youth justice in Northern Ireland to senior leadership roles influ...

In the latest episode of Success Is Never Accidental , I am joined by Kristina Katsanevas , a business transformation leader and entrepreneur joining us from Brisbane, Australia. Kristina works at the intersection of people performance and technology , helping founders and senior leaders lead confidently, use AI intelligently, and navigate significant change—while keeping their people engaged and...

I am pleased to share Episode 74 of Success Is Never Accidental , featuring Reynold Lewke — a leader whose life and work are defined by discipline, resilience and purposeful commitment. Reynold has completed 27 Ironman events and brings the same level of endurance and focus to his professional life, where he has spent more than 30 years building high-impact start-up teams and coaching senior leade...

Success Is Never Accidental Le’Siran Edwards — Grit, Belonging, and Leadership with Purpose   My guest today,  Le’Siran Edwards , is an internationally recognised and award-winning safeguarding speaker, coach, and author. She founded the UK's only national Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference and hosts two global podcasts. With more than 25 years’ experience in children’s c...

In this week’s Success Is Never Accidental episode, I’m joined by Nadine McCarthy, a high-performance coach and leadership strategist with over 20 years’ experience working with corporate and elite sports teams. We explored collective leadership, the discipline of recognising strengths (not just problems), and why sustainable performance depends as much on recovery as it does on growth. Nadine als...

In this week’s episode of Success Is Never Accidental , I am joined by Craig T. Ingram , a trusted advisor to VC-backed start-ups and SMEs with extensive experience across med tech, health tech, digital health, biopharma and AI. Craig has led three successful business exits and is known for helping organisations cut through ineffective strategy, strengthen customer adoption, and achieve sustainabl...

Gareth McGibbon, Director of McGibbon Consultancy and Safeguarding Services, has  been at the forefront of public protection in Northern Ireland for many years. An advisor to government on interdepartmental collaboration, he is recognised nationally and internationally for his work tackling sexual and domestic abuse. Gareth co-authored the CASP Framework—used worldwide to assess parental capacity...

Success Is Never Accidental – Episode 69 Professor Amanda Taylor-Beswick – Leading Digital Transformation in Social WorkProfessor Amanda Taylor-Beswick, is a leading voice in how the social work profession is adapting to the digital world. Amanda began her career as a social worker in mental health and with D/deaf children and adults in Northern Ireland. Those early experiences sparked a deep curi...

Success Is Never Accidental – Episode 68 Jesse Toprak: Innovation, AI, and the Future of Leadership Jesse Toprak , CEO and founder of OptiCar , is one of the most respected voices in the global automotive market. His career spans two decades at the intersection of technology, data, and consumer behaviour. Having led analytics and strategy for major automotive brands, Jesse is now redefining how AI...

This week’s topic is one that resonates deeply across health, social care, and beyond, as everyone needs to manage stress more effectively and become more resilient and emotionally regulated.  Natalie Robertson is an independent social worker, trainer, and founder of The Social Life . Rooted in trauma-informed practice and leadership development, Natalie’s work is all about creating safe, supporti...

Tatiana  Cox is a passionate early-childhood educator and children’s book author dedicated to helping young readers develop social–emotional skills through the power of storytelling. Born in Brazil and now living in Sydney, Australia, Tatiana shares her life with her husband and son.  Tatiana believes stories shape hearts and minds. In her books, she blends heartfelt narratives with the magic of a...

Success is Never Accidental  EP 65 Eric Williamson: Building Respectful, High-Performing Cultures Eric Williamson is an international leadership trainer, keynote speaker, and author of the bold and insightful book How to Work with Jerks . He has trained leaders across industries, equipping them with practical tools to navigate conflict, build emotional intelligence, and foster high-performing, res...

Success is Never Accidental  EP 64 Chris Browne describes himself as a retail obsessive . For more than 30 years, he worked with Ted Baker, serving as the company’s Global Retail Director and leading its international expansion. During that time, he was responsible for many of the distinctive elements that made Ted Baker a global brand, from its innovative and often controversial shop windows to c...

3 Success is Never Accidental  EP 63 Robbie Gilligan- Building Capacity with Compassion My guest this week is Professor Robbie Gilligan, a leading international authority in child welfare and social work. Based at Trinity College Dublin, where he has served as Professor of Social Work and Social Policy for over 20 years, Robbie’s work has shaped thinking and practice on resilience, care, and the l...

I’m delighted to share the latest episode of my podcast Success is Never Accidental , featuring Tanya Ward , Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance in Ireland. Tanya is a passionate advocate for social justice and a powerful leader whose work has shaped child policy and law in Ireland and beyond. In our conversation, she spoke with clarity and conviction about what it takes to create la...

I’m excited to share the latest episode of Success is Never Accidental (EP 61), featuring Erin Patchell – Canadian business coach, founder of the Positivist Group, and a champion of purposeful, inclusive leadership. Our conversation explored how leaders can be intentional about shaping culture, building trust, and aligning people with purpose. Erin’s insights on coaching, empowerment, and culture...

I’m excited to share the 60th episode of Success is Never Accidental with special guest Hugh Hilton , entrepreneur, investor, and turnaround expert. Hugh has guided organisations through some of their toughest challenges — and his lessons on decision-making, clarity, and resilience are invaluable for leaders at every level. In this episode, Hugh shares how to:  • Engage key influencers and listen...

I’m delighted to share the latest – and final – episode of Success Is Never Accidental before our summer break. In Episode 59, I speak with Dr. Caspar Addyman, a leading child psychologist whose work offers a fascinating lens into early childhood development. Caspar’s insights into why babies laugh – and why it matters – are both uplifting and thought-provoking. We also explore how play, connectio...

I’m pleased to share the latest episode of my podcast Success is Never Accidental , featuring Tiffany Zhou – a talented designer who made the strategic leap into entrepreneurship.      Tiffany’s story is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of clarity, courage, and consistent action.   In this episode, she speaks candidly about walking away from a secure role,...

I’m delighted to share the latest episode of my podcast Success is Never Accidental , featuring the remarkable Lisa McKenzie.   Lisa is the founder of Homes4U NWA in Australia and a former senior manager in the South Metropolitan Health Service. Her story is one of bold reinvention—transitioning from a high-level role in healthcare to building a $30 million construction enterprise from the ground...

I’m pleased to share the latest episode of my Success is Never Accidental podcast, featuring Siobhán Fitzpatrick CBE — an exceptional leader in early childhood development, peacebuilding, and cross-border collaboration.   In this episode and article, Siobhán shares powerful insights from her 30-year tenure as Chief Executive of Early Years – The Organisation for Young Children in Northern Ireland,...