The States of Matter Podcast

This episode of States of Matter marks a special milestone as we celebrate 10 years of the Women in RACHP network. Samantha Buckle and Miriam Rodway join the podcast to look back on how it all started, from the early training events and networking opportunities to the outreach activities that have helped introduce more people to careers in refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps and engineerin...

Welcome to this episode of the States of Matter podcast, where hosts Lisa Jane Cook and Amy Richardson dive into the dynamic world of cooling and heating. This month, they are joined by Lizzie Dunlop, a key account manager at Danfoss, known for her energetic approach, technical expertise, and passion for inclusivity. Together, they explore Lizzie's career path, from her unexpected entry into the i...

In this special World Refrigeration Day episode of the WiRACHP States of Matter podcast, we bring you an inspiring panel discussion recorded live at the Installer Show. Featuring the CoolSkills Women in HVAC Panel, this conversation dives deep into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of women in the engineering and refrigeration sectors. Chaired by Jess Shanahan, the panel includes accomplis...

This episode explores the inspiring career journey of Denise Gladding, HR and Executive Support Manager at Lightfoot Defence. The discussion delves into Denise's transition from street lighting design to her strategic HR role. Denise shares insights on balancing work and family life, overcoming challenges in a technical industry, and creating a supportive workplace. The conversation highlights the...

This month we celebrate the power of community and the support the Women in RACHP Network offers to those involved. We hear from the four women who have guided the network as its chairs since it launched and how the group has offered a sense of community, helped members grow their careers, and how a good deed can leave you feeling mortified. Additional information  For more information about the I...

Starting a business is stressful. Now imagine starting a business when you’ve just had a baby. When Carley Fountain and her husband were faced with this situation, they thought “how hard can it be” and threw themselves into the challenge. Well, ten years later they have a thriving family business and have achieved a healthy and happy work-life balance.  Carley has also decided that it is time to g...

"Never shy away from any task and throw yourself in the deep end!” This is how Claryhs Radford lives her life and this belief has pushed her to leave a career in bar management to become a Project Sales Engineer with a passion for her job and an obsession with air conditioning. Claryhs is a fantastic example of what happens when you have the self-belief to chase your dreams and take the opportunit...

According to this month's guest Caitlin Earle, if you want a job that's fun and interesting, engineering might be the perfect career for you. A talented project engineer, Caitlin describes what working in project management is like, and why, she believes supportive companies are vital to developing the next generation of RACHP professionals. She also explains how chatting with your neighbours can...

In this episode we have a shared episode with the IOR’s Tip of the Iceberg podcast.  Miriam Rodway talks to a student doing work experience at the IOR discussing how their views - and those of their friends - have changed about the sector and careers now they know more about refrigeration air conditioning and heat pumps.  We talked about what kind of career advice young people receive in schools,...

We all want to be healthier. In this episode, we talk to Angelika Cutuk-Short, a functional nutritionist with a special interest in perimenopause and menopausal women’s health.  Angelika shares hints and tips for managing perimenopause and menopausal symptoms and explains how by using diet and exercise you can take back control and restore your gut health.  Angelika Cutuk-Short To find out more ab...

How do you grow both personally and professionally and develop a working life that brings you joy? This month we talk to Juliet Loiselle, Publisher of ACR Journal who explains the importance of staying true to your values, being brave and asking for advice. These are the attributes that have sustained Juliet’s career in the RACHP sector and led to her remarkable fantastic year of “Yes”. Additional...

Discussing allyship is simple, but being a genuine ally can come with its own challenges and discomfort. Becoming an ally is a gradual process that requires not only recognising your positive actions but also acknowledging your mistakes. It involves raising awareness about how one's actions can affect others. In this episode, we are joined by two guests, Lee Chambers and Steve Gill to shed light o...

Our featured guest this month is Colleen Keyworth, the President of the International Woman in Cooling (INWIC) Network. Colleen shares the positive impact her active participation in a professional network has had on her career development. She discusses the importance of tackling gender stereotyping when it comes to career choices and how raising the visibility of women in predominantly male role...

This episode is dedicated to celebrating the positive impact of supporting mental health in the workplace and offers advice on how to nurture your own mental well-being. From embracing neuro-atypical personalities and behaviours to supporting those experiencing mental health difficulties, fostering an inclusive work environment can create a space that welcomes and accommodates everyone, leading to...

Self-belief, determination and role models. Three things that led both Catarina Marques and Nasheen Basha to have successful academic careers. This month's guests discuss the importance of women realising they don’t have to be perfect, the advantages of working in diverse teams and how learning through failure is not as scary as it sounds. Additional information  More information about the   Insti...

Hear from two award-winning engineers who have taken very different routes into the RACHP industry but both share a passion for encouraging the next generation of engineers. Laura Bishop and Jacinta Caden share their experiences of working in some unusual surroundings, the importance of mentoring and how being involved in professional bodies can enhance and develop careers. They also discuss tople...

Hear how tampons and toolbox talks are being used to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Our guest, Kat Parsons, is a passionate advocate for a more inclusive culture. In this episode, she shares some of her experiences of being an engineer working on-site and how an interest in health and well-being led to her becoming the Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at ISS. She discusse...

If you suffer from imposter feelings you are not alone. Although all genders experience these nagging doubts, research has shown that women experience them more often than their male colleagues. Hear from Carla Miller, a leadership and lifestyle coach about how social expectations and self-doubt can negatively impact women in the workplace. She shares hints and tips on managing those inner voices...

Menopause is still something of a taboo subject but in this episode, we have a frank discussion about how to help yourself, colleagues and staff who are dealing with it. Bev Thorogood, a trainer specialising in menopause awareness, shares hints and tips on how companies can support staff dealing with the large and diverse range of symptoms, employment rights and how to ask for help at work if you...

Career paths to culture change: how one person really can make a difference. Alex Knight talks about how, despite thinking she was poor at maths and science, she has achieved a successful career in STEM and how pushing outside your comfort zone can lead to amazing things, even if it means giving up Netflix. From leaving a successful career in engineering to founding Stemazing, Alex shares her care...

Bringing together a panel who between them have over 100 years of experience working in the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump sector. They share what the network means to them, explore how the expectation and attitudes toward women in engineering have changed and revisit some career highs, lows and everything in between.