Optimising Leader Brilliance: Enabling Calm, Confident, Strategic Leadership

I sit down with Davina Ripton, a change managementconsultant and leadership coach, to explore why so many organisational change initiatives fail — and what leaders can do differently to make change stick. We unpack the psychology of resistance, the illusion of control, and why designing change like a customer experience is the key to sustainable transformation. If you lead people through change, t...

Dr. Lisa Riegel — neuroscience expert, leadership strategistand author shares brain science insights and practical strategies for leaders to regain calm, confident control under stress. Discover stress management techniques and how understanding your brain’s wiring can transform leadership,communication, and team performance. Learn how to lead strategically with self-awareness and sustainable impa...

Today we’re tackling a topic that can have damaging effects on both our personal and organisational wellbeing: narcissism. Joining us is Ginny Priem—a Master Certified Life Coach, keynote speaker, and the #1 bestselling author of  You’reMy Favorite  and her latest hit,  UNSUBSCRIBE . This new bookis for leaders, professionals, and people-pleasers who have mastered doing more, giving more, and hold...

In this inspiring episode, we dive deep into leadershiplessons with Sam Bagshaw, an influencer whose journey to 1 million followers highlights how calm, confident, and strategic leadership can enable brilliance despite personal challenges. Sam defies odds — including his stammer — to exemplify how authentic leadership embraces challenges and fosters growth for oneself and others.   Join us as Sam...

Are you the "rock" that everyone else relies onwhile you're secretly struggling?  In this episode, we explore the "Be Strong" pattern and why  hyper-independence  isoften a survival response to childhood patterns that demand emotional stoicism. Learn why suppressed emotions manifest as physical pain - like frozen shoulders and chronic fatigue - and how to reclaim your resil...

Are you stuck in analysis paralysis?  In this episode, we explore how perfectionism fuels Imposter Syndrome and reveal my proprietary  LAR Method  to break the cycle once and for all. Learn why the pursuit of perfection is holding your career back and how to use the  "10% Strategy"  to reclaim your time, energy, and authenticity. As part of our miniseries on Transactional Analysis drivers, I’m div...

Did you know your brain processes a 'social rejection'exactly like physical pain? That's why saying 'no' to your boss feels like a survival threat. Today, I'm showing you how to re-wire that response. In this miniseries episode, I explore the Please Me Patternand why people-pleasing behaviour keeps you trapped in cycles of overcommitment, resentment, and burnout. I share th...

Do you catch yourself rushing through tasks or finishingother people's sentences?  In this episode, we explore why your brain equates speed with safety and how the  "Hurry Up" habit  is quietly sabotaging your productivity, relationships, and mental health. As part of our miniseries on Adrienne Lee’s “DrowningPerson” model (Transactional Analysis), I’m sharing my personal journey fro...

Are you stuck in a cycle of relentless effort but feel likeyou're never doing enough? In this episode, we explore how the  "Try Hard" habit  fuels chronic overworking, perfectionism, and burnout. Discover the exact childhood messages driving your need toprove your worth today and learn how this unconscious pattern, (part of Adrienne Lee’s “Drowning Person” model in Transactional Anal...

Irini Tzortzoglou is a UK MasterChef winner, author, olive oil and honey sommelier, and retreat host. In this episode, she shares her unlikely leap from the banking world to culinaryexcellence - and the mindset shifts that made it possible. You’ll learn how to recognize your sacred gifts, overcome limiting beliefs, and build a life aligned with purpose, even under high pressure.   What you’ll lear...

Yesterday I auditioned for TEDx and honestly, it didn't goas planned. I'm sharing what happened because the best learning comes from moments like these. In this episode, I walk you through my TOP ACT method - a powerful tool I use personally and with clients to process failure, silence imposter syndrome, and transform disappointment into growth. This isn't about perfection; it's ab...

If you’ve followed me a while, you will know that I’ve gonefrom not being able to climb the stairs to climbing Wainrights for fun, (well, sometimes fun – sometimes the hills are hell). I burnt out and got ME from overdoing life and work. Theoverdoing came from not feeling good enough and the urge to prove my worth. But when is enough, enough? The bar just keeps rising. This is an interactive episo...

My next guest’s work reshaped my understanding ofpersonality, why we are the way we are, and what birth order has to do with it. Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered clinical psychologist, writer, speaker, and broadcaster who has authored five self-help books. She’s also appeared ontelevision programs such as The One Show, The Vanessa Show, and Child of Our Time. We dive into family dynamics, birth orde...

Do you wake up tired, feel less sharp than you used to, orhave aches and pains? Explore the critical connection between brain health,chronic pain, and the aging process in this eye-opening episode featuring neurologist Dr. Fawad Mian. Discover how "inflammaging," a slow, chronic inflammation associated with aging, silently impacts your brain and body, contributing to symptoms like brain...

In this episode, I unpack the real reasons we self-sabotageand introduce the science-backed CLEAR framework - designed to counteract it and help you break through barriers to your biggest goals in 2026. Whether you’re setting personal milestones or leading a team, you’ll find actionableinsights to help you and your team shine brighter.   This recording was longer than usual 😂, because there’s lot...

How’re those New Year’s resolutions going? Most peoplegive up their New Year's resolutions by the   second Friday inJanuary , a day dubbed "Quitter's Day," with studies showing over 80% abandoning goals by mid-January due to unrealistic expectations and waning motivation. If you want to understand why we self-sabotage and masterthe steps to stop it , these two episodes are for yo...

In this episode, I reflect on the highlights of Season 4,sharing the most inspiring moments and lessons from my brave guests. We explore the mindsets, habits, and stories that can help you lead an even better work-life. After recording each episode, there was always a takeaway that made me reflect or take action - like doing my first wild water swim with my guest Philippa Hardy , a triathlon coach...

I dive into the fascinating parallels between familydynamics at the Christmas table and the behaviours we see in meetings and the boardroom. Drawing from real-life coaching experiences and powerful psychological models, I’ll help you recognise old patterns, understand your triggers, and give you practical tools to handle difficult people both at homeand at work.   What You Will Learn: 💡 Discover...

The first time I saw Andrew Whitehead, he was accompanying Sarah Walker-Smith, on the piano. It was lockdown and Sarah was singing from her office cabin she affectionately called the ‘shed’. As Senior Partner and CEO of Shakespeare Martineau, they were lifting the spirits oftheir colleagues. What struck me was the bravery, beauty and authenticity of their performance. Doing something totally diffe...

You know those people who seem to do it all? My next guest does just that: five children, a partner, four dogs, and three books, plus she’s built a beautiful home on Lake Windermere. She now runs The Heaning Estate, a beautiful collection of dwellings she renovated, which you can stay in. How does she make it all possible? Deborah shares the secrets to her success: bravery, dream-driven ambition,...

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide &mental health challenges. Leadership coaching often raises one tough question: How doI handle this difficult conversation & what do I say because I fear rejection? Imagine the courage it takes to tell your family you’re gay. I’m joined once again by the inspiring Neil Jinks. Following the overwhelmingly positive response to his last podcast,...

As a leader or business owner, do you ever find yourself running out of ideas for driving business growth? And are your bored of, or in need of, some non-AI, business development inspiration? Daniel Jarvis, a Product Group Manager at Plastribution, anorganisation renowned for their innovation, have ripped up the rule book on how to develop deeper client relationships, which ordinarily take months...

In this episode, I sit down with my own coach, Simon Edwards- a PGA performance coach, tournament director, and all-around expert in helping people unlock their true potential. We dive into the mindset, stories, and strategies that have shaped Simon’s journey from playing in the OpenChampionship to coaching winners and transforming lives, including my own. Whether you’re a golfer, a leader, or jus...

Why is it that we must be taken to the very edge of asituation to wake up and realise we need to make a change, before it’s too late? In this episode, I open up about two life-changing wake-upcalls - one that nearly ended my marriage and another that resulted in a trip in an ambulance. I share the lessons these moments taught me about perspective, resilience, and the importance of consciously choo...

Philippa climbs mountains, swims in the wild and consistently pushes her comfort zone both personally and professionally, even when her heart pumps a little faster! She’s incredibly humble about her achievements, but her drive to expand her comfort zone is infectious – so much so, that I’ve agreed to go wild swimming too!    Philippa chairs the CIPD branch in Cumbria as a volunteer -and her volunt...