Your Permission to Pause

What role does your wardrobe really play in your leadership journey? In this eye-opening episode of Your Permission to Pause , host Jo Cowlin sits down with Clare Chambers, The Personal Brand Stylist, for an honest, insightful conversation about how female leaders can harness image and style as powerful tools without abandoning sustainability, authenticity, or themselves. Drawing from Clare’s fasc...

How do you lead authentically and succeed in a rapidly changing, male-dominated sector without losing sight of your wellbeing or identity? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by Chief Data Officer Kinnari Ladha for a refreshingly honest, encouraging conversation about leadership, diversity, and the evolving world of data. They discuss the value of curiosity, letting go of perfectionism, how to navigate setba...

Why does money cause so much tension with others and within ourselves? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by highly experienced financial planner and NLP coach Warren Shute for an honest, relatable conversation about the emotional side of money. Forget strict budgets and financial guilt. This episode is full of laughter, real-life stories, and practical insights to help you get financially organised in a wa...

How many New Year’s resolutions have you made, only to see them fizzle out before February? In this uplifting episode, host Jo Cowlin offers a refreshing antidote to the traditional “New Year, New You” rhetoric. Instead of big, daunting goals, she delivers a story straight from her living room: a tale of her determined cockapoo Jack. A formerly forbidden door, and how pure persistence unlocked sur...

Are meetings filling up your days but draining your energy? In this episode, host Jo Cowlin uncovers the uncomfortable truth about meeting overload in today’s workplace and why it’s undermining productivity, well-being, and business results. Drawing on research, lived experience, and her work with driven female leaders, Jo Cowlin breaks down the real (and hidden) costs of poor meeting culture, fro...

Have you ever left a meeting wondering if you truly heard every voice? In this episode, host Jo Cowlin takes a fresh look at meetings, challenging us to rethink how they’re run and their impact on diversity and inclusion. Jo explores why traditional meeting formats often exclude certain cognitive styles and how this can undermine all those DE&I efforts we’re so proud of. Through relatable exam...

Ever feel like your calendar is running you and meetings are draining the life (and creativity) out of your team? This week on Your Permission to Pause, Jo Cowlin gets real about tackling ‘death by meetings’ and shifting your workplace culture, so every meeting actually matters. You’ll dive into the science behind why bad meetings do more than waste time, they impact your team’s nervous system, en...

Do you ever find yourself thinking that showing vulnerability as a leader might make you look weak, or even unprofessional? You’re not alone. In this episode of Your Permission to Pause , Jo Cowlin explores the often-misunderstood power of vulnerability in leadership. She reframes the conversation, showing how authentic leadership doesn’t mean oversharing or losing boundaries, it means connecting...

Ever wonder why “just push through” isn’t working for you anymore? This week on Your Permission to Pause , Jo Cowlin is joined by registered nutritionist and women’s health specialist Liz Sergeant, founder of the Well Nourished Club. Together, they get real about what high-achieving women actually need to thrive beyond self-help clichés and quick-fix solutions. You’ll hear practical advice for rec...

Change. We all know it’s good for us, yet so often it feels impossible to follow through. One minute you’re motivated, the next you’re stuck in the same old pattern, wondering why you can’t quite move forward. In this episode of Your Permission to Pause , we’re talking about why change feels so frustratingly hard, even when it’s something you genuinely want. From giving up alcohol for Sober Octobe...

Do you ever find yourself spiralling from a simple work annoyance into a full-blown story about a colleague's character or intentions? You’re not alone. In this eye-opening episode of Your Permission to Pause, Jo Cowlin cracks open the (often unspoken) reality of rapid-fire judgment in workplace dynamics. She shares how we can often leap from observing a missed deadline from a colleague to making...

Are you ready to embrace a new season? Welcome to season three of Your Permission to Pause with your host, Jo Cowlin. After a restorative summer filled with wellness retreats and family adventures, Jo is back and ready to explore the fresh possibilities that September brings. Whether you mourn summer’s end or get a buzz from the return of routine, this episode is all about capturing the unique “Se...

Welcome to this special wrap-up episode of Your Permission to Pause with me Jo Cowlin. Today we’re rounding off season two by reflecting on some of the highlights over the past few months, we’ve explored everything from rest and allyship to pain, productivity, and leading through change, all with the goal of helping you lead and live in a way that feels more intentional. We’ve also heard from some...

Have you ever found yourself faced with change at work or in your personal life and found it overwhelming? In this episode of Your Permission to Pause I explore the intricacies of transformation and the stages we go through, whether it's personal change or leading change within an organisation. In this episode, we'll break down the stages of change, explore why resistance often meets our efforts,...

What does it take to become a successful female leader in the modern world? Dominique Kent, Chief Executive Officer of Bluecrest Wellness, shares her fascinating path to becoming a CEO. Recounting her journey from attending a girls grammar school through to the pivotal moment in her career where she joined Sainsbury's as a trainee manager, Dominique discusses the fascinating ups and downs she has...

Feel like you're constantly running on empty and struggling to keep up the leadership pace? Join me to explore the fascinating world of body intelligence and learn about how the wisdom of the body can elevate your leadership potential and personal well-being. Inspired by Claire Dale's transformative insights, I unpack how harnessing the power of bodily signals can improve confidence, focus, and co...

Tired of feeling foggy and depleted at work? In this episode, nutritional therapist Jo Crovini joins me to share practical wisdom on fueling your performance through better nutrition choices. Rather than promoting restrictive diets, Jo advocates for sustainable changes that support energy, focus and resilience. From crafting quick protein-rich breakfasts to navigating corporate buffets and afterno...

Have you ever set a clear goal and mapped out a perfect plan, only to find life throwing you a curveball? We've all been there. This episode is all about embracing those moments of imperfection and unpredictability, viewing them not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth and resilience. I’ll be taking you through five key areas so you can learn how to stay on track when the best laid plans go...

Today's episode explores the significance of movement during menopause with our guest, Jo Hoskings. I’m thrilled to share a conversation full of insights and practical advice on how exercise can boost creativity, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Jo Hoskings, a dedicated health and wellness coach, joins us to explore the transformative power of daily movement and strength training, adapting...

Happy New Year! Today, I'm talking about a famous mantra that I'm sure we're all hearing a lot at the moment: "New Year, New You" - and it tends to irritate me! As the clock strikes midnight, we're bombarded with messages urging us to redo every part of our lives. But is this incessant pressure to change really helpful? In this episode, I'll be sharing why I genuinely hate this phrase, outlining i...

How well do you understand the messages sent from your body? Ben Causer, a highly experienced sports therapist and strength and conditioning coach, joined me to share his wisdom on understanding and managing pain. We talk about everything from the root causes, including emotional and physical influences, to holistic approaches that bridge the gap between pain and performance. Ben emphasises the im...

Are you suffering from meeting overload? I’m exploring the world of meetings - specifically, the challenges and strategies behind making them truly matter. We've all experienced the frustration of unproductive meetings that seem to dominate our schedules. Hybrid meetings, in particular, can drain our mental energy as we navigate the complexities of blending in-person and online participants. That'...

Lyndsey Oliver is an expert in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I), and my very dear friend. She joined me to talk about the intricate and essential concept of allyship. Whether you're navigating the complexities of maternity transitions, grappling with societal biases, or seeking to amplify marginalised voices in your workplace, this episode is full of wisdom to help you lead with purpose...

Rest is vital for Productivity. In this episode, I'm discussing the often-overlooked necessity of true rest for busy, driven women. I explore various dimensions of rest - creative, emotional, social, and spiritual - each serving as a vital component for holistic well-being. I share personal anecdotes and insight on how to incorporate these restful practices into our busy lives, reminding you that...

Welcome to the finale of the very first season of Your Permission to Pause! For this special episode, I'll be talking about the fundamental themes that have shaped this journey, offering profound insights for driven female leaders striving to harmonise ambition with well-being. Join me for a discussion on clear communication, connection, and collaboration, and discover their transformative effects...