The Lighting Fires Podcast

Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Sophie Greenaway- Headteacher In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Sophie Greenaway , Headteacher at Thameside Primary School, Reading, who shares her journey from teacher to headteacher, the challenges of following in the footsteps of a highly respected p...

Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Paul Whitby – Founder and Managing Directory of The Ecology Co-op In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by ecologist, entrepreneur and nature enthusiast Paul Whitby for a fascinating conversation about leadership, business growth, coaching and finding a more...

Host : Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest : Amanda Lennon - HR Consultant, Employment Lawyer and Founder of Astralis HR In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Amanda Lennon for an honest conversation about courage, resilience, confidence and navigating a successful career on your own terms. Amanda...

Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Rory McLaren - Technology and Product Leader In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Rory McLaren for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, adaptability, confidence and learning how to navigate change. Rory shares his journey from grow...

Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Kate Gräfe - Social Value Director and former procurement and supply chain leader In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Kate Gräfe for an honest and reflective conversation about career change, confidence, self-awareness and creating a working life that ge...

Host : Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest : Steve Jones –Head of Education & Application Support (EMEA) at d&b audiotechnik In the opening episode of Series 3 of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Steve Jones for an honest and insightful conversation about leadership, confidence, self-awareness and the power of c...

Host : Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest : Katie Denyer- Executive Coach, Supervisor and Tutor at Henley Business School In this bonus episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Katie Denyer. Katie is also an executive coach, a supervisor, and a tutor on the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at He...

Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Rachael Burns- Head of Sales Operations, Capgemini In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast , supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Rachael Burns to reflect on the coaching they did together when Rachael stepped into her first senior leadership role. Rachael shares her unconventional route into fin...

Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Greg Owen – Lead Product Designer, The LEGO Group In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast , supported by Henley Business School , Julie is joined by Greg Owen, Lead Product Designer at the LEGO Group, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about transitions, endings, and what it really takes to thrive at work. Gr...

Host:  Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest:  Sarah Ciccolallo – Chief Operating Officer, Red Whale   After a short pause over the festive period, and an unexpected bout of illness,  The Lighting Fires Podcast , supported by  Henley Business School , is back with a thoughtful and honest conversation about leadership, confidence and growth.   In this episode, Julie...

Host : Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest : Alex Weller- Founder of Above Digital In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast , supported by Henley Business School , Julie sits down with Alex Weller, founder of Above Digital , whose career spans more than 30 years of evolving brands and building digital experiences, from early work with Universal Music and Peps...

Imposter Syndrome: Taking Your Seat at the Table Episode Description Host: Julie Williams MSc — Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Mini-Series: Lighting Fires Toolbox — Conversations on Common Coaching Themes Episode Overview In this special Lighting Fires mini-episode, supported by Henley Business School, Julie explores one of the most common topics that comes up in coaching conversation...

Host : Julie Williams, MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest : Lucy Guest- Social Media Strategist and Brand Communication Specialist.   Episode Overview In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by  Henley Business School , Julie sits down with Social Media Strategist and Brand Communication Specialist, Lucy Guest to explore the transformational coaching journey t...

Host: Julie Williams, MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Ian Guppy - Creative Director, Feelgood Creative , a branding and website design agency   Episode Overview In the opening episode of Series 2 of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Julie reconnects with long-time friend, client, and creative collaborator Ian Guppy. As the Creative Director...

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Hannah – Former police officer, mother, and carer Episode Overview: In this deeply honest episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Hannah about the challenging journey of navigating shifting identity through profound loss and life changes. H...

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires Guests: Joe & Charlie Jones – Co-Founders of Refreshing, a financial recruitment consultancy based in London Episode Overview: In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Supported by  Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams speaks with Joe and Charlie Jones, brothers and co-founders of the financial recrui...

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Annie Willmot – Deputy CEO of Reading Students' Union   Episode Overview: In this inspiring episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie Williams speaks with Annie Willmot about her personal and professional journey from conflict-avoidant team member to confident, values-led leader...

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of Connect Reading, about what it really takes to lead with authenticity in today's world. Lorraine opens up about her journey through imposter syndrome, burnout, and leading complex organisational change. She shares the emotional toll of a restructu...

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Mark Schmull, Managing Director of Arrow Planning, about his coaching journey through the Ignite Your Business programme and how it transformed his approach to leadership, team-building, and business growth. Mark shares how executive coaching helped him build greater self-...

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School , Executive Coach Julie Williams sits down with Pete Wharton, Managing Director of Wharton Natural Infrastructure Consultants, and winner of Professional Forester of the Year. Pete shares his coaching journey and how it helped him rediscover his purpose, lead with clarity, and reconnect with his values as a business...