We Are PoWEr Podcast

This week Simone reflects on the decision to postpone the 2020 Northern Power Women Awards and issues a call to all nominees to shout about their successes (even if they find that awkward!) There’s also news of the publication of a major new Northern Power Women report. In a week that many of us have found difficult, with new regulations coming in, Sam references a brilliant video from Dr Radha Mo...

This week Sam and Simone talk about a number of new reports which focus on how the pandemic has affect working women.  From a “silver lining” story about a rise in new female entrepreneurs to a warning klaxon about how a return to office-based work may set gender equality back years! They also check in on a social media poll you took part in, following the discussion last week about men-only space...

This week Sam and Simone discuss a new app being utilised by a number of UK employers that helps you stay socially distant from your colleagues. They also ask; should men only member clubs be resigned to history, or do men have the right to have spaces reserved just for them? As the news reports on the Prime Minister of New Zealand’s childcare arrangements, should discussions about family life be...

Nearly six months since lockdown started, Sam and Simone talk about the return to “normal” for many people. Commuting, school and office-based work.  Is this what life is looking like for you? Or are you still working from home, furloughed or perhaps out of work?  Please let us know, do send us an email or tweet. Simone and Sam also discuss a recent NPW poll into the mental health of our young peo...

As summer holidays (whatever they looked like this year!) come to end, as children go back to school, there’s some big decisions to be made for a lot of companies, small and large and individuals too, about where you are going to work. This week, Simone and Sam discuss a major report that identifies 50 of the biggest companies in the UK who will not be sending their staff back to the office. Would...

This week, Simone and Sam reflect on the fact that so many of us are still at boiling point as we try to manage homes, work, children and ourselves, often with very limited resources and they ask -who is checking in on you?  How can we start to re-draw boundaries between work and home life when they have been so blurred over the last six months? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Do get in touch! We...

This week, Simone and Sam discuss the enormous pressure students and their families are facing after exams results were issued last week.  More on this to come on the Northern Power Futures podcast There is grim news about the British economy and the future of the jobs market and we want to hear from YOU about how you’re being affected. Do get in touch: podcast@northernpowerwomen.com New research...

Simone and Sam discuss Simone’s failed attempts at getting some of the brilliant Northern Power Women (this means YOU!) to step up and be heard on national media.  What is holding you back? Your voice is important!  Please do get in touch and sign up to our Be Heard Campaign. There is also some great advice on how to stop nerves around public speaking, remember:  You’re not being attacked by a bea...

As many companies move towards asking their workforce to return to the office, Simone and Sam ask questions about whether presenteeism is necessary for a successful business?  Does reducing flexibility signal a return to negative work practices that will undoubtedly adversely affect women more than men and will the next generation of employees accept this anachronistic way of working? Plus: facema...

As major changes in the furlough scheme in the UK come in to force and mass redundancies are sadly anticipated, we let you know about the incredible Covid Changemakers launched by a brilliant Northern Power Woman, Alex Cousins.  A way to innovate and embrace a new way of working. Do find out more on our Power Platform. Sam and Simone discuss reports from Unilever that they don’t expect their 2000...

Lonesome dogs and a whole lot of winning! There is a focus on young people this week. The exceptional challenges that people in the first few years of their career or higher education are facing and how individuals just a few years younger are actually adapting really well to how the world is changing. There’s also a discussion about the crisis facing local news and cultural outlets across the nor...

What (working) women want. This week, Simone discusses what it’s been like to head back to the office for the first time in four months, spoiler: liberating! Sam discusses what life is like in Arizona, currently the number one corona hotspot in the WORLD and reveals some interesting research concerning the virus and newly opened restaurants. The pair then break down some of the key responses to th...

When things get tough…again. Another week, another set of challenges. Sam and Simone take stock of changes in lockdown laws and discuss renewed pressure on our mental health – especially that of young people. We address the yawning chasm of school holidays that so many of us are facing and ask for your brilliant innovations for a stress-free (or at least stress-reduced!) summer.  We discuss a new...

Approaching “Independence Day” How do you feel about lockdown being lifted?  Raring to get back into life and work?  Or anxious about the chance of increased infections and nervous about re-entering “real life” ? Simone and Sam discuss their experiences on either side of the Atlantic and share their thoughts on “getting back to normal.” Life Lessons come from the brilliant Sharon Amesu Tell us you...

Practising kindfullness As our corona lexicon grows, Simone and Sam discuss practising "kindfullness" – not just towards other people but to yourself as we all face very different challenges. We discuss the link between coronavirus conspiracy theories and social media news and navigate the  difficult decisions we have to navigate around work and life as lockdown starts to lift. Life Less...

Question, challenge and change Simone and Sam discuss how 12 weeks into lockdown, even as things start to ease, many of us are experiencing issues with our mental health, perhaps for the first time. Now is the time to realise that things are never going to go “back to normal” and this time of transition brings its own challenges as we let go of old work and life methods and search for new ones. We...

Following protests across the USA and the world this week, Simone and Sam talk about what we action we can take to amplify the voices of BAME women and men across business. Talking, listening, education and creating new frameworks, Simone shares some of the conversations she has been having this week in the NPW Power Circles. This week's Life Lessons come from the fantastic Mel Venner. Tell u...

As things start to return to normal in some places, or at least open up, Sam and Simone discuss the conflicting emotions many of us are experiencing and the fact that not only has lockdown resulted in vast inequalities across the business world, but that it's imperative that all our voices are now heard as new policies and practices are being formed. There's tales of a new post-corona le...

There are celebrations this week as Sam and Simone discuss the nomination that the Northern Power Women podcast has received in the British Podcast Awards! The difficult up and down feelings we have all been experiencing over the past few weeks has been officially named by Northern Power Woman Lara Morgan – the Coronacoaster!   Sam and Simone discuss the anxiety that many parents are dealing with...

Sam and Simone discuss the slow return to work for many individuals and companies and how cities and rural areas will have different challenges to overcome. As lockdown starts to lift in Arizona, Sam visited a restaurant and talks about the extensive safety measures that had been put in place. Listener Stacey got in touch to ask how to deal with negative feelings that so many of us are experiencin...

Simone has been on a virtual tour of the length and breadth of the North this week and shares some of the tips and advice that she's heard from senior leaders, from self-care to embracing future change and accepting now, that we are all writing history. The pair discuss Zoom invasions and how you can stop this happening on your calls and what to do when you really don't want "video...

Sam confesses to a massive personal fail in the work / life / home / school juggling act that we're all experiencing in lockdown. Simone shares some tips in how to stay motivated from her conversations from around the Northern Power Women network and they discuss how to switch off from work when your home is your office. Plus Alex Miles, Managing Director of West Yorkshire Learning Providers...

Simone and Sam talk about work life balance during lockdown and the need for us all to give ourselves a break! Simone digs into the effects of female leadership during Covid-19 and Sam highlights the political divisions amplified by recent anti-lockdown protests in the USA Plus Sam White, CEO of Freedom Services Group shares her life lessons.  Tell us your stories of work and life in these strange...

Simone and Sam discuss what your working life or business may look like post-lockdown.  What can you do now to start to pivot? They celebrate some positive changes they have noticed, including the wonderful attitude of Captain Tom. There's more news of your lockdown hobbies - plus some crazy Corona dreams! Plus Advita Patel shares her life lessons.  Tell us your stories of work and life in th...

Simone discusses the need to celebrate our achievements during these tough times, however big and small and also tells us about her lockdown guilty pleasure - whats yours? Sam reveals some shocking news she learned about the Royal Family in a US supermarket and also what services are considered "essential" during quarantine. Plus Sophie Milliken shares her life lessons.  Tell us your sto...