Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Cutting Through with Natasha Plowman

This season of Cutting Through explores leadership unfiltered. Host Natasha Plowman talks to Philippa Hann, CEO of Paradigm Norton Financial Planning, about her unlikely journey from equity partner and litigation lawyer to leading a B Corp, employee-owned financial planning firm.

Philippa shares why she walked away from a successful legal career with nothing lined up, how curiosity became the foundation of her leadership style, why weekly one-to-ones and radical transparency transformed her company's culture, and how she's building what one colleague called "an emotionally healthy firm." They also discuss her book, The Fault Lines of Finance, and the question at its core: why do good people do bad things with other people's money?

Guest: Philippa Hann, CEO of Paradigm Norton Financial Planning and author of The Fault Lines of Finance.

Buy the book where ever you buy books from:

Amazon

Waterstones

Cutting Through is produced by Kleiner Studios for Natasha Plowman and Spinning Red

This season onCutting Through we explore leadership unfiltered. Host Natasha Plowman talks to Kate Steele, a 25-year stalwart of communications and business strategy across agency and client-side roles, about what really separates strong leaders from the rest.

Kate shares why great leaders are brilliant at synthesising signals from every direction, how fear and territory-defending sabotage teams, and how cultural context shapes leadership in ways we rarely talk about honestly. From collaborative versus competitive workplaces to leading across borders. We dig into the broken time-based economics of agencies and professional services, why not everyone who wants a leadership role is suited to one, and what human leadership looks like in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Guest: Kate Steele, communications and business strategy leader with over 25 years of agency and client-side experience.

Cutting Through is brought to you by Spinning Red and is a Kleiner Studios production

Series 3 has asked how can we cut through with humanity in the age of AI and today we bring a lens from behavioural science expert Si Elliott.

His book Customer Experience Thinking is a must read for everyone wanting to navigate and build deeper commercial relationships.

In this episode we discuss:

• Behavioral Science in Marketing: How emotional decision-making is needed to drive both commercial and business marketing , requiring empathy alongside technology adoption.
• AI and Automation Ethics: Are we at risk of two-tier service models; the role of humans for high-empathy tasks and mitigating AI bias
• Customer Experience Innovation: Si shared insight form St. Louis Soccer Club’s tech-enabled stadium which blends digital tools and personal service for seamless fan engagement
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Silos in many business are the block for aligned strategies and sustainable growth - how can we use a human lens to cut through them?
• Leadership and Human Skills: Empathy, listening, and communication are crucial to maintain human connection - regardless of AI
• Young people and future work: Si shares how he works with building young people’s confidence and critical thinking. Setting them up for the future.

Cutting Through is powered by Spinning Red and sponsored by Antiquoted. Produced by Kleiner Studios

Like and subscribe - season 4 will be out soon.

With a background in applied mathematics and product development, Aleksandra, founder of Apricity Lab, brings a unique perspective to our topic for season 3 - how to cut through with humanity in the age of AI.

The discussion ranges from discussing a human-centered AI focus, where AI should enhance human capability and redesign work, not replace jobs. So we can prioritise long-term human involvement.

To successful AI integration which combines automation with employee upskilling. Which Aleksandra shares insight of IKEA's strategy that saved €13 million and boosted customer value.

We discuss the frustration that customers (ok it is Natasha venting!) have when there is insufficient human interaction in AI development that leads to poor customer experiences.

A long-term vision is essential and companies must view AI impacts over medium term of 2-5 years. Upskilling is a priority now for both sustainable growth and value generation over perceived short-term efficiency gains.

Ultimately, clear communications are needed about AI's role in augmenting human work to prevent talent loss, which can then reduce fears and promote trust, moving discussions beyond the polarised views we are seeing today.

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Cutting Through is powered by Spinning Red and sponsored by Antiquoted - where you can find real people, real voices, real experts for your events, podcasts and media. Breaking the cycle of the same voices, panels and perspectives.
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Vishnee Sauntoo is an award-winning communications and brand leader with over 20 years’ experience driving impact across climate action, health, human rights, international development, and research.

In this episode of Cutting Through we continue our conversation on 'How can we cut through with humanity in the age of AI' by looking at how the charity sector is adapting.

We discuss the strategic foundations that all charities need to focus on to build trust, relevance and to connect with their audiences. Being mission critical and using all of the levers that they have to build the elusive term that we call 'trust'

You can find out more here at VScomms

Cutting Through is powered by Spinning Red and sponsored by Antiquoted - where you can find real people, real voices, real experts for your events, podcasts and media. Breaking the cycle of the same voices, same panels, same perspectives.

Like, subscribe and share - want to get involved - connect with me!

Have we learnt anything from decades of social media growth as we enter the age of AI. In this conversation of Cutting Through with Neil Kleiner, we explore AI's double edged sword of accelerated content creation drowning us in low-quality content. How human connection needs to be nurtured and understood to the role of micro targeting to build community. All while navigating geo-political tensions. This is punchy, to the point and will make you think of what we can all do to shape a different future.

Cutting Through is powered by Spinning Red and sponsored by Antiquoted - where you can find real people, real voices, real experts for your events, podcasts and media. Breaking the cycle of the same voices, same panels, same perspectives.

Like, subscribe and share - want to get involved - connect with Natasha

Beatrice Ngalula Kabutakapua IS the business storytelling coach. Her book Lead with Your Story is a must read for all leaders looking to upweight their storytelling.

Our conversation emphasises the human elements of leadership - authenticity, confidence and emotional readiness. All required to navigate a future with AI.

As we continue to explore how we 'cut through with humanity in the age of AI' - this conversation gives us so much to consider about how we show up, as well as help others.

Cutting Through is powered by Spinning Red and sponsored by Antiquoted - where you can find real experts, real voices and real change for your events, podcasts and media.

Like, subscribe and share - connect with Natasha Plowman for more.

Athena Peppes leads thought leadership and research for BossUp AI and is the director of futures at Beacon thought leadership.

Season 3 of Cutting Through discusses - how can we cut through with humanity in the age of AI?

In this episode we look at AI readiness, the impact on your people, how to navigate the inherent bias of AI, to what it means to be human, and what are truly human skills in the age of AI.

Athena brings an economic lens to her work and discusses how economic incentives are stacked against a long-term approach for leaders. While recognising that the actions of senior decision makers in companies can have a disproportionate impact on future generations.

It is a punchy and thought provoking episode.

Please like, comment, subscribe and share Cutting Through with Natasha Plowman.

Entrepreneur, serial Board member, history buff, democracy advocate and all round curious being - Kathy Jones talks to Cutting Through.

The role of curiosity in driving innovation to why fear is holding us back. How we can learn so much for history and be better at intergenerational learning.

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The human in AI. The human in conflict. The human of the future.

Some of the biggest questions of today surround our own humanity and recognising how the bias of the past is shaping the future.

But, does it need to?

This episode delves into these questions with the founder of Ark Empowerment, For Posterity, author of Prompting Happiness and founding member of Elevate Israel - all have an underlying vision. Human agency and a vision of the future which is different to now.

Like, subscribe and share - what do you think?

Josie is the creator of VO1CE™. A five-step framework for impactful communications. Developed from Josie's background as an actor and coach it is built on behavioural psychology and communication science to help you get the results you need from your communications.

In this conversation we talk about VO1CE, the role communications plays in your impact and how misaligned between what you say and think hinders your influence.

It is two communications pro's getting very excited about what we do! Let us know what you think and please like, subscribe and share Cutting Through with Natasha Plowman

https://www.spinningred.com/

Drug, alcohol and tobacco policy is too focused on fear and abstinence than harm. So, how can we cut through the noise with pragmatism?

In this conversation with harm reduction stalwart Harry Shapiro we delve into that... and much more.

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The top communications job in any business covers everything from how the business is perceived, to how it makes money, to the role your people play and how to respond to a changing world.

Add in an industry that straddles the complexity of sustainable transformation. That is the life of Chief Communications Officer at Holcim - Alexia Sommer.

Share, like and subscribe for more from Cutting Through with Natasha Plowman.

Discussions around diversity, equity and inclusion have been politicised and we are losing the human impact of what these conversations are there to serve.

Whitney Simon is an award winning consultant with a decade of experience in the US and UK. Her approach to transforming cultures is underpinned by her ability to cut through the noise.

Her company Anchor + Flow delivers end to end programs from culture to hiring to how you integrate inclusion into your workplace.

Tim Cook is the founder of AIConfident. He is as much of an expert on AI as anyone can be, having worked for over a decade in AI technologies - and as the Deputy Head of Government's Office for AI.

From traversing the fear caused by AI to the opportunities of truly discovering what makes us human in a changing world.

This is Cutting Through.

We need more visionary changemakers.

Louisa Loran is just that. After years working in some of the biggest companies she has delivered and driven change that stands the test of time.

Her book Leadership Anatomy in Motion is available on pre-sale now. It is the 'call to action for leaders ready to embrace change, navigate complexity with integrity, and turn challenge into opportunity, while creating the conditions for growth.'

Here she will share her insights into what she has done and how leaders can shape the future we all need.

Aaron Berger is co-founder of A/M Partners - a US based B2B tech PR firm that is built for the new era of communications.

In this episode we talk all things tech, PR, startups and the disruption we are seeing in the media landscape.

This is Cutting Through the noise.

Don't forget to like, share and subscribe

Carrie is the founder of FewerFasterBolder and is the expert on changing the way we do meetings. Sign up to her newsletter and follow her on Linked In. Always a mine of useful information.

In this episode we talk about the seismic shift in the world of work from the industrial era to a more modern, agile, fast knowledge era.

How we need to change the way we work to match the new world of uncertainty and complexity. From problem solving to delivering organisational change.

Ed is CEO of Fortitude Brands, a SME alcohol company. A change after he has worked for many years in the big alcohol giants around the world.

Ed talks about what he has learned about leadership and how it is the human connection that drives commercial growth.

From relationships with key customers to his own leadership to influence the culture of Fortitude in a tough economic climate.

Carl is currently Group General Manager for PalletEarth - a company that is tasked with changing the way we move our goods.

In this conversation we reflect on Carl's long history working in complex supply chains and marketing ops to general management.

Now, working with a smaller company he has seen how he has needed to use different communications tactics to deliver the cut through and resonance to reach his commercial audiences.

Sarah Howe - tech PR and comms expert turned specialist advisor on culture transformation.

In this episode we get into all things culture - what it is, what it means, what drives it and how you can influence it.

We explore the role of senior leaders in driving change, what the role of the Board is and how her background in comms has enabled her to Cut Through.

Matthew Sekol - author of ESG Mindset a book that guides companies in thinking critically about ESG and taking a business-first approach to these risks and opportunities. His substack ESG Advocate is a must read - give him a follow.

Matthew currently serves as a Senior Advisor for Enzo Advisors, an ESG consultancy and has been a Sustainability Global Black Belt on Microsoft’s Cross-Industry team and on the LP Advisory committee of Morgan Stanley’s Next Level Fund.

Our conversation ranges from what businesses can do now to get ahead of the risk of climate change and what to stop doing.

We talk brands, reporting, materiality, greenwashing - what does it all mean, but what can you do differently.

If you work in any business, this is a must listen.

Cutting Through is just getting started - like, subscribe and follow us for more.

You can reach Spinning Red on:

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⁠SpinningRed.com⁠

We are speaking to Sharon O’Dea of Lithos Partners, who is a digital transformation pro for over 20 years - solving the pain of intranets and internal comms 

We talk about how digital comms is being human. The role of ethics, empathy and understanding human motivations.

How comms needs to position itselves for the future, leverage lateral thinking and bridging different business functions

Where the tech and AI transformation means we need different skills, from data analysis in comms strategies  to making content that is adaptable and flexible for the audience 

Looking at Prescribe vs Subscribe; Push vs Pull  - how we need to be honest about what audiences want to hear

Cutting Through is just getting started - like, subscribe and follow us for more.

You can reach Spinning Red on:

Linked In

Instagram

SpinningRed.com