The Leaders Podcast

After an unexpected cancer diagnosis in January 2026, host Laura MacDonald returns to the podcast to share a deeply personal story - not about illness, but about leadership. In this special episode, recorded during what was supposed to be a milestone birthday year, you'll hear how an ordinary waiting room conversation, a surgeon's careful words, and countless small acts of purposeful kin...

In this round table episode, Laura is joined by Jenni Field - internal communication and leadership credibility expert, author of the multi-award nominated Nobody Believes You , co-host of the Frequency podcast, and co-founder of the Belief Builders, and James Moffatt, certified business psychologist, executive and performance coach, and Managing Director of Embed Learning and Clear Training Limit...

In this powerful roundtable discussion, host Laura welcomes back two exceptional leadership experts - Joanna Rawbone, TEDx speaker and owner of Flourishing Introverts, and Jacqui Frost, ICF-accredited coach and director of Leadership 43 - to explore why kindness isn't just a "nice-to-have" in leadership, but a strategic business imperative. In this important episode, we explore: Red...

Start 2026 with renewed leadership intention. In this episode, we explore why leaders default to quick fixes and easy options, and why choosing the harder, more impactful route is what transforms teams and builds lasting legacies. Discover:  ·        Why we avoid difficult conversations and deeper engagement ·        The real risks of transactional "quick fix" leadership ·        How to...

In this special anniversary episode of The Leaders Podcast, we celebrate a year of insights, strategies, and growth with 39 episodes and 24 inspiring guests. Laura dives deep into the art of reclaiming your time, energy, and influence as a leader - moving from a reactive, overloaded calendar to a brave, intentional one that reflects your true values. Discover practical frameworks for energy manage...

Bad Managers Aren’t Born — They’re Built In this episode, Laura unpacks the uncomfortable truth: bad management is often a product of organisational systems, not personal flaws. From promoting technical experts without leadership training to rewarding control and short-term wins over collaboration and emotional intelligence, many companies unknowingly create dysfunctional leaders. You’ll discover:...

In this episode of The Leaders Podcast, Laura welcomes Rebecca Sangster-Kelly, principal consultant, coach, and owner of Studium Consulting, for a candid and insightful conversation on stakeholder relationships and communication. Rebecca shares her journey from international student to communications expert, offering practical wisdom on navigating office politics, building trust, and influencing o...

In this special round table episode of the Leaders Podcast, host Laura MacDonald is joined by an inspiring panel: Drew Povey (DPC Limited), Zoe Thompson (Phoenix Coaching Limited), and Tony Smith (former GB Rugby League coach and leadership mentor). Together, they dive deep into the psychology of resistance - exploring why leaders struggle with change, how different sectors experience resistance,...

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of people-centred leadership and the growing pressures faced by today’s leaders. Discover why self-motivation is the most essential skill for anyone in a leadership role - and why it’s often overlooked. We explore the myths around what truly motivates teams (hint: it’s not money), the dangers of relying solely on extrinsic motivators, and t...

In this enlightening episode of the Leaders Podcast, host Laura MacDonald welcomes Anita Arscott Brookes - Licensed Menopause Champion, Insights Discovery practitioner, and founder of Arscott Brookes Consultancy. Together, they dive deep into the often-misunderstood topic of menopause, exploring its impact on women in the workplace and beyond Anita shares her personal journey, the challenges she f...

In this episode of the Leaders Podcast, host Laura MacDonald welcomes Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of Firebird, TEDx speaker, and author of "How to Be Autistic", for an honest conversation about neurodiversity at work and in life. Rachel shares her journey with late-diagnosed autism and ADHD, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and why authentic inclusion matters. Laura and Rachel disc...

In this episode of The Leaders Podcast, we dive deep into the unique journey of solopreneurship and the powerful lessons it offers about leadership. Drawing from five years of personal experience, I explore how leading a business of one transforms traditional ideas of leadership, accountability, and influence.  Discover the challenges and rewards of self-leadership, building a supportive network,...

In this powerful return to The Leaders Podcast after a summer break, we dive deep into the “invisible work” of leadership - the behind-the-scenes decisions, emotional labour, and subtle actions that hold teams together and drive success. Drawing from personal stories, client experiences, and expert insights, this episode explores the challenges leaders face, from managing burnout and building trus...

In this very special milestone episode, I’m diving deep into what truly makes a high-performance team, using the inspiring journey of England’s Lionesses as a real-world example. Discover why effectiveness, not just efficiency, is the hallmark of great teams, and how cohesion, collaboration, and autonomy drive success. We explore the power of distributed leadership, the importance of nurturing eve...

This week on The Leaders Podcast, I’m interviewing Tarnia Gonzo, a technology change consultant and founder of T+S Consulting. We discuss the integration of AI in business, focusing on how it affects job roles, the balance between automation and human touch, and strategies for leaders to support their teams through technological transitions. Tarnia emphasises the importance of maintaining creativi...

In this enlightening episode of The Leaders Podcast, host Laura MacDonald converses with Tas Bhamji, the founder of Office Real Talk, an executive in the banking sector, and a public speaker. The discussion revolves around the significance of personal branding, self-advocacy, and authenticity in leadership and career development. Tas shares her journey from working in a call center to becoming a s...

This episode debunks the notion that empathy, optimism, and hope are naivety in leadership. Through reflections on a talk by Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, it demonstrates how these qualities are crucial for impactful leadership. I share personal experiences and insights on the importance of authentic emotions in leadership, advocating for a culture driven by faith in humani...

In this engaging episode of the Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Michael Hubbard, Director of Questions at 'Make Your Habits,' to delve into the importance of habit building for both personal and professional growth. Michael shares his journey and insights into creating productive habits that can lead to significant positive changes. From discussing his early career as a rugby player and...

In this engaging and insightful episode of the Leaders Podcast, Laura MacDonald welcomes Emma Berry Cowling, an executive coach, trainer, facilitator, and entrepreneur owning Excellence Executive. They delve into the essential aspects of leadership, including the significance of self-care, the multifaceted nature of effective leadership, the concept of work-life blend, and the impact of authentici...

This episode delves into the intricacies of emotional intelligence (EI) and its profound impact on both personal and professional realms. You’ll learn about the importance of self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and social skills, as highlighted in Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Model. The episode offers practical exercises and strategies for enhancing emotional intelligence, fo...

In this episode of the Leaders Podcast, I welcome June Hogan, an outplacement support specialist and career coach, to discuss the critical role leaders play in managing redundancies. We delve into the emotional and practical aspects of outplacement support, the importance of empathy over sympathy, and strategies for leaders to help their teams navigate these challenging transitions. The conversati...

In this episode of the Leaders Podcast, I have an insightful conversation with Paddy Roberts, a specialist in cutover management, transition, and deployment management.  We discuss various aspects and importance of change leadership, and the nuances of implementing successful transitions within organisations. Paddy shares his personal journey, offers valuable tips for leaders, and provides intrigu...

In this episode, we delve into the challenging habit of saying yes too often and the importance of learning to say no. I share personal experiences and practical advice on breaking this habit, the psychological factors at play, and how to balance our own needs with the expectations of others. Learn strategies to set boundaries, manage your time better, and develop healthier, more sustainable work...

From understanding oneself through various self-assessment tools to the impact of labels on personal and professional growth, this introspective episode delves deep into the journey of self-discovery and leadership. It explores how labels can both confine and empower individuals, emphasising the fluidity of personal attributes and the importance of introspection. The episode features insights from...

In this episode of 'The Leaders Podcast,' Laura MacDonald explores the true meaning of success, which extends beyond material possessions to the impact we make on the world and others. Laura revisits highlights from previous guests Nicole Winer, Chris O'Connell, Zoe Plumley, and Alice Dearing, who share their unique perspectives on success. Through their diverse experiences, we delv...