The Courageous Leaders Podcast

Ever wondered what it's like to leave a successful career and start over?   Xavier Rees, CEO of AMV BBDO, shares his bold leap of faith and the lessons he learned along the way.  He discusses taking risks, embracing challenges, and the importance of staying true to yourself.  Discover how Xav navigates the complexities of the advertising world and builds a culture of trust and collaboration....

What's the secret to leading a successful team? It might not be what you think. Jessica Hargreaves, CEO of PrettyGreen, reveals her unconventional approach to leadership, sharing powerful insights on risk-taking, delegation, and building a culture of trust. We Cover: 07:04 - Focusing on people and culture for business success  14:06 - Creating a culture of calculated risk-taking 16:49 - Defin...

Katy Wright, CEO of FCB London, shares her unique journey from aspiring pilot to advertising leader. She offers valuable insights on building self-belief, embracing challenges, and creating a thriving workplace culture. Discover how Katy stays ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry and why she believes kindness and a strong moral compass are superpowers for success. This episode is pack...

"Decision by committee" is killing productivity and stifling innovation.  In this episode, I explore the common pitfalls of this approach and offer practical strategies to help leadership teams make faster, more effective decisions. We'll dive into the fears and misconceptions that fuel this approach and discover how to create a culture of clarity, alignment, and action. We Cover: 0...

In this episode, we're joined by the legendary Sir John Hegarty, Iconic Founder and Creative of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) and The Garage Entertainment, and a pioneering figure in the world of advertising. He shares his journey and philosophy on creativity, leadership, and staying current in the ever-changing advertising industry. This episode is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration fr...

Sam Budd, CEO of the Buddy Media Group, recognised as one of TechGround's top 20 entrepreneurs in 2024. Join us as Sam delves into the impact of childhood trauma on his leadership style.  He shares how he turned his personal adversities into superpowers, discussing his personal experiences with ADHD and dyslexia. We Cover: 02:43 - Why people with addiction need to be supported not avoided 06:...

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, we chat with Amy Kean, CEO of Good Shout and bestselling author. Amy brings her bold energy and honesty as she shares her journey of overcoming toxic environments, finding confidence, and staying true to who you are. From her glittering silver boots to her inspiring insights on public speaking, confidence, and individuality—this is a conversation...

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Rob Doubal and Laurence (Lolly) Thomson, Global CCOs at M&C Saatchi. With 17 years of collaboration, they share lessons on leadership, creativity, and adaptability, from their McCann days to leading at M&C Saatchi. We dive into embracing risk, building strong team dynamics, and unlocking the value of creative leadership. If yo...

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Dr. Steven Stein, a Clinical Psychologist, Best-selling Author, and Founder of MHS. With decades of experience advising the military, corporations, and even TV shows, Dr. Stein shares invaluable insights on leadership and emotional intelligence. We explore the courage it takes for entrepreneurs to step back and trust their teams. Dr....

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I share three powerful, yet simple strategies to help you achieve success in 2025. With practical advice and personal insights, this episode will help you approach the year ahead with clarity, focus, and courage. We Cover: 00:00 - Introduction 00:26 – How setting this one thing will help drive your focus in the right direction 01:47 – A simple way...

As we wrap up 2024, this special episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast celebrates the powerful insights shared by our incredible guests this year. As the founder of The Change Creators, I’ve put together this compilation to share my personal reflections on what it truly means to lead with courage. From building trust to fostering alignment and cohesion, these inspiring insights will leave you...

Karen Martin, CEO of BBH London and Agency Leader of the Year 2021, delves into the changing perceptions of hard work across generations, the vital role of feedback in leadership, and how much more efficient we could be if we embraced directness in communication. She opens up about her personal journey of overcoming imposter syndrome and emphasises the importance of clarity and straightforwardness...

AJ Coyne, VP of Marketing at Monzo, shares his journey of aligning personal values with career goals and balancing work with family life. He talks about his move from Klarna to Monzo due to a values misalignment and gives honest insights into managing a demanding role while raising young children. We Cover: 04:02 – Making values-based decisions which meant leaving Klarna 07:25 – How senior leaders...

In this solo episode, I share seven practical tips inspired by a recent client transformation day. These are small, actionable changes that can help you strengthen your leadership approach and prevent common challenges. From taking personal responsibility to changing how you respond in difficult situations, these tips are designed to make a big difference in your leadership journey - starting toda...

In this episode, Shira Jeczmien, Founder & CEO of SCREENSHOT Media, shares her journey of starting the company at just 27. With “naive optimism” and family support, Shira turned a university project into a thriving media business. We talk about staying adaptable, meeting Gen Z’s expectations in the workplace, and creating a collaborative, inclusive culture. We Cover: 04:50 – Smart growth throu...

Miranda Hipwell, CEO adamandeveDDB shares her leadership insights on building trust through consistency, empowering teams to elevate performance and her perseverance through setbacks, leading to career growth. We Cover: 05:02 – Building trust through consistent actions over time 07:22 – Creating inclusive spaces where every voice matters 10:36 – Flexibility and fresh perspectives help creatives th...

This week, we are joined by Sam Budd, Founder and CEO of Buddy Media Group, for one of the most courageous conversations yet on the podcast. Sam opens up about his personal battles with self-worth, navigating life when everything seemed lost, and the remarkable journey from rock bottom to leading an award-winning media company. This is an unfiltered, raw discussion about being at the height of suc...

Tricia Brouk is an international award-winning director, bestselling author, executive producer, and founder of The Big Talk Academy. Tricia shares the significance of using one's voice courageously, overcoming common fears, and the incredible ripple effects of kindness even in the smallest interactions As an expert in communication, Tricia’s insightful perspectives on leadership, impermanenc...

Azania Stewart - former Team GB Olympic basketball player and international sports commentator. In this candid conversation, Azania shares the importance of preparation, discipline, and navigating the rigorous demands of professional sports and the corporate world.  Learn how she maintained her competitive edge while fostering healthy personal relationships, and why she advocates for a balanced ap...

Claire Hynes, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. President takes us through her journey of leaving a secure job to launch her own business after returning from maternity leave. Claire shares how the company had early success and then hit unforeseen challenges that forced her team to rebuild.  We cover:  03:53 – Why Getting too comfortable with one big client can limit your business growth 06:18 – Coming ba...

Jon Evans, Chief Customer Officer at System1 and Host of The Uncensored CMO podcast, shares how failure has led to his biggest successes and how being tasked with doing something that was never done before was one of the most frightening things in his life. We Cover: 05:05 – The lonely and risky leap into entrepreneurship 06:55 – How Adam Morgan’s book "Eat Big Fish" helped Jon embrace c...

Jabari Hearn, Managing Partner at AKQA LA and former Global Marketing Director at Google, shares life-changing insights on leading on your terms that you won't want to miss. We cover:  05:28 – The key differences between marketing in big tech vs consumer goods. 08:21 – Why finding purpose in your work is essential for personal fulfillment. 10:23 – Why the right work environment can unlock you...

In this episode Jo Howes talks about the critical difference between being liked and being respected as a leader, a topic that sparked significant discussion following her recent LinkedIn post.  Drawing from personal experiences and frameworks such as John Maxwell's five levels of leadership, Jo offers valuable insights on why respect is important in leadership.  She also addresses the challe...

In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant Claire Hollands, CEO of Mullen Lowe. Claire passionately discusses the importance of flexible working and her tips on how to achieve this personally and across a business. Claire also openly discusses the challenging transition from being at AMV for 14 years, managing a department of 140 people, to becoming CEO at Mullen Lowe during COVID. We cover:...

In this episode, we sit down with James Hayhurst, the visionary founder of The Magic Sauce Programme. He shares how his experience working in both agency and client-side led him to create The Magic Sauce to help agencies and clients foster stronger relationships. He reveals the powerful role that anger played in leading him to establish The Parents Promise, a mission close to his heart. Join us as...