Aunty Treacle – Details, episodes & analysis

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Aunty Treacle

Anna Keen and Stuart Hughes

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/23d. Total Eps: 11

Feeling Stuck in Your Career or Impact Journey? Ask Aunty Treacle…

Welcome to Aunty Treacle, the go-to resource for professionals looking to make an impact in their careers. Whether you’re facing a career crossroads, navigating workplace challenges, or striving to lead with purpose, Aunty Treacle is here to help you get unstuck. By crowdsourcing advice from a diverse network of impact-driven professionals, we aim to provide you with a wealth of perspectives and ideas to help you move forward in your career and create meaningful change.

We believe there’s no single right answer. Every individual and situation is unique, and by offering multiple insights, we encourage you to explore different approaches to unlock your potential and make a difference in your work.

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🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
13/05/2026
#97
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
25/04/2026
#85
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
17/04/2026
#92
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
15/01/2026
#89
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
10/07/2025
#80
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
07/07/2025
#81
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
06/07/2025
#37
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
05/07/2025
#19
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
04/07/2025
#52
🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
03/07/2025
#22

Spotify

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https://www.thecareerequation.com/
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https://www.hseglobalseries.com
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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 84%

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How Do I Get Heard?

Season 1 · Episode 1

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 • Duration 58:40

🎙️ Aunty Treacle — Episode 1: How Do I Get Heard? (Especially As an Introvert)

Welcome to the first episode of Aunty Treacle!

In this debut episode, Anna, Stuart, and special guest Zoe Hayes dive into an important listener question:

"As an introvert, I often feel overlooked and undervalued. How can I get my voice heard?" They explore the hidden strengths of introverts, how to prepare and position yourself in meetings, and why confidence is built through action, not before it. You’ll hear practical advice on speaking up, handling interruptions, reframing your self-image, and why sometimes a quiet, powerful voice is exactly what the room needs. Whether you're introverted yourself, work alongside quieter colleagues, or want to build inclusive conversations, this episode offers a smorgasbord of strategies to help you (or others) thrive. Key Topics Covered:

The hidden superpowers of introverts
Preparation, presence, and how to "engineer" your voice into the room
The value (and limits) of labels like "introvert" and "extrovert"
How to handle being spoken over (in the moment and afterward)
Building influence through "warm-ups" and side conversations
Why small acts of bravery build long-term confidence
The power of observation and great questions
Practical tips on positioning yourself physically and digitally

💬 Want to Get Involved?

Got a sticky situation you need help with? Email us at ask@auntytreacle.com - we’d love to feature your question in a future episode! Next Episode Teaser:

🌟 Am I Enough? - how to tackle imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and find your confidence.

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Credit Without Arrogance

Season 1 · Episode 3

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 • Duration 45:52

In this episode, Anna and Stuart are joined by special guest Ruth Denyer to unpack a listener’s powerful question:

"Dear Aunty Treacle, over the last 12 months I have been working on a project to bring efficiency to the way we do safety on my site. In an ideal world, I would now see this rolled out over all our projects, but I am struggling with getting the balance right between promoting it as my idea and not wanting to come across as arrogant or like I’m craving recognition. Ultimately, I think this work could make a difference, so I want to be successful – but as a woman in a male-dominated environment, I want to make sure I don’t undersell myself. Can you give me some advice please?" Together, they get into the messy middle of visibility and humility, and why promoting your work doesn’t have to mean promoting yourself in a way that feels uncomfortable. Expect reflections on confidence, ego, gender dynamics, and how to let your work speak for you, without letting it get lost. There’s also practical advice on handling trust dynamics in organisations, building allyship, and speaking about team efforts with honesty and clarity.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why the ick around self-promotion is real and common
• The difference between confidence and ego
• How to speak about your work with integrity
• Building visibility without losing humility
• The power of team language: using “we” over “I”
• Socialising your ideas through others
• How gender and environment can shape how we show up
• Creating a “success folder” to boost self-belief
• Why trust and intent are the foundations of influence

This episode also features crowdsourced advice from our community, because when it comes to sticky situations like this, there’s never just one right answer.

Special guest: Ruth Denyer – Safety and risk leader in the creative industries, with a long track record of speaking up, sharing insight, and helping others lead with purpose and perspective.

Want to get involved?

Got a sticky situation you'd love us to unpack?

Drop us a note at ask@auntytreacle.com – you might hear it featured in a future episode.

Next Episode Teaser:

Setting Up for Success – with Gareth Evans. What are the small things you can do early on to build confidence, credibility and momentum in a new role or challenge?

Aunty Treacle is proudly supported by HSE Global Series – a platform committed to advancing global conversations in health, safety and environment. Learn more at HSEGlobalSeries.com

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Am I Enough?

Season 1 · Episode 2

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 • Duration 52:16

🎙️ Aunty Treacle - Episode 2: Am I Enough? Tackling Imposter Syndrome

In this heartfelt episode, Anna, Stuart, and guest David Filshie take on a listener’s powerful question:

"Even though I’ve been working in my profession for a while, I’m often crippled by imposter syndrome. How do I move forward?"

Together they explore what imposter syndrome really is, why it's so common, and how it can actually signal that you care deeply about your work. They share practical tools to reflect, reframe, and take action, even when self-doubt creeps in. This conversation offers a supportive, practical path for anyone wrestling with the question: Am I enough? (Spoiler: You are.) Key Topics Covered:

What imposter syndrome really is and what it isn’t
Why feelings of "not enough" often arise when we’re visible, different, or doing something new
The myth of being "ready" and why confidence follows action
The power of reflection, feedback, and building self-awareness
How to find your people and create a supportive tribe
Strategies for navigating discomfort and reframing failure
How to bring your authentic self into every space, from shop floor to boardroom

🔗 Resources and Mentions:

Emma Reed Turrell - Best Friend Therapy podcast – Episodes on Imposters Syndrome and Transactional Analysis
Jessamy Hibbard - The Imposter Cure book
Simple self-reflection frameworks ("What went well, what didn’t, what next?")
Building confidence through feedback and small wins

💬 We'd Love Your Feedback!

Share what resonated, what you'd like more of, and how we can keep helping people get unstuck.
Got a story to share or a question for a future episode? Drop us a line at ask@auntytreacle.com!

Next Episode Teaser:

🌟 Credit Without Arrogance — how to own your achievements without losing your humility.

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Setting Up For Success

Season 1 · Episode 4

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 • Duration 50:08

In this episode, Anna, Stuart, and guest Gareth Evans tackle a challenge that will resonate with anyone stepping into a big new role, especially those leading change:

“Dear Aunty Treacle, I’ve recently accepted a Health and Safety Director role in a new company, and I’m a mix of excited and terrified. The mission is to move health and safety from compliance to care. Any advice on what I should be focusing on to make a real difference?”

Gareth shares lessons from his own experience leading in global, fast-moving organisations, offering insight into what really matters in those first few months. Spoiler: it’s less about action and more about connection, curiosity, and courage.

Together, they explore how to lead with intention, manage the pressure to perform, and move from compliance to care in a way that’s meaningful and sustainable.

Key Topics Covered:

Why your first priority isn’t action, it’s listening
“Connect before you direct”- how relationships build results
The bathtub analogy - building stock with your allies before making withdrawals
Mapping your stakeholders: power, influence, and the unexpected allies
The myth of the perfect plan - why failure is part of learning
Adding less, subtracting more - cutting the clutter to focus your energy
Becoming the conductor - making the shift from doer to strategic leader
Trust, adaptation, and building a team that can run without you
Reconnecting with your why - care and compassion at the heart of leadership

🔗 Resources to Explore:

Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows – essential reading on complexity and change
The “Nando’s Scale” – a relatable model to gauge and warm up stakeholder relationships
Stakeholder mapping frameworks to identify influence beyond job titles
4D Site Engagement Tool – Done, Different, Difficult, Dangerous
Subtraction as a strategy – why doing less can achieve more
Reflection questions for new leaders:
- What am I assuming?
- Who do I need to build trust with?
- What does this business really need from me right now?

💬 We'd Love Your Feedback!

Are you in a new role or planning a big step? What resonated with you from this episode?Share your stories, reflections, or future questions at ask@auntytreacle.com or tag us on socials. We’d love to hear how you're getting unstuck. Next Episode Teaser:🌟 Is Safety Still For Me?Join us and guest Steph Camm as we explore what it means to face a career crossroad. Whether you're working in health and safety or questioning your broader professional path, this is a compassionate, clear-eyed look at how to move forward when purpose feels out of reach.

Is Safety Still For Me?

Season 1 · Episode 5

Wednesday, July 2, 2025 • Duration 54:24

🎙️ Aunty Treacle - Episode 5: Is Safety Still for Me?

In this episode, Anna, Stuart, and guest Steph Camm respond to a deeply relatable listener challenge from someone feeling disillusioned with their career in safety:

“Dear Aunty Treacle, I’m six years into my safety career and starting to wonder if it’s for me. I got into this work because I care about people and want to make a difference but all anyone seems to care about is compliance. I’m losing hope that I’ll ever find a role where I can do things differently. Is there a future for me in safety?”

Steph brings honesty, warmth, and wisdom as she shares her own journey through different sectors including hotels, student accommodation, facilities, and engineering and reflects on the moments she questioned her own path. Together, the team explore what it really means to be at a career crossroads, and how to navigate through uncertainty with clarity, courage, and care. Spoiler: It’s not just about safety, it’s about rediscovering purpose, getting unstuck, and giving yourself permission to pivot.

Key Topics Covered:

The compliance-care tension: how to hold both without losing your soul
Reframing audits, checklists and inspections as opportunities for curiosity
Spotting green flags in interviews and why language matters
Navigating gut instinct, red flags, and the emotional signals we ignore
Exploring the “career equation” aligning values, strengths, impact and environment
When to stay, when to go, and how to make bold but grounded moves
Career as a relationship: why your job should meet your needs too
Coaching, reflection, and finding clarity without waiting for permission
Courage as a core leadership skill—especially when saying “this isn’t right for me”

Resources to Explore:

The Career Equation – The Career Equation®
Risk Savvy by Gerd Gigerenzer – on gut instinct and smart decision-making
Four Qualities of a Great Career (reverse your way in!):
1. I’m around fascinating people
2. I make good money
3. I’m good at it
4. I enjoy it

We’d Love Your Feedback!Have you hit a career crossroads? Are you feeling stuck or second-guessing your profession?Drop us a line at ask@auntytreacle.com or tag us on socials. Your questions help others get unstuck too.Next Episode: 🌟 The Sticky Middle – Part 1 & 2We’re doubling up for the next release as we dig into one of the most challenging transitions in any career: moving from individual contributor to people leader.What changes, what stays the same and how do you lead others without losing yourself? See you soon, Treacle fans. And yes, we still have Blazing Squad stuck in our heads too.

Reflections from the Treacle Tin - Season 1

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 • Duration 54:26

In this special wrap-up episode, Anna and Stuart look back on ten sticky questions, ten brilliant guests, and the community that has powered Season 1 of Aunty Treacle.

Together, they revisit why Aunty Treacle began, as an “agony aunt for the safety professional” and anyone feeling stuck at work, and what they’ve learned from the conversations that followed. From imposter feelings and people leadership to overwhelm, paperwork, and resistance to change, this episode pulls out the golden threads that have run through the season.

This time there’s no guest in the Treacle Seat, just the hosts sharing honest reflections, favourite moments, and the phrases that might just become tattoos (looking at you, “Go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated”).
Key Topics Covered

Why Aunty Treacle exists
The original idea: an agony aunt for safety and work, crowdsourcing wisdom so people don’t feel alone with sticky problems.
The power of community
How listener questions and shared advice have fuelled the series – and given Anna and Stuart the energy to keep going through very busy years.
Owning the room (Episode 1 – Zoe Hayes)
Introversion as a superpower, preparation, positioning yourself in the room, and building allies in the “back channel.”
Living with your inner critic (Episode 2 – David Filshie)
Imposter feelings, naming your inner voice (“Brenda”), and seeing confidence as the outcome of action, not a prerequisite.
Credit without arrogance (Episode 3 – Ruth Denyer)
Talking about your work with humility, using “we” not “I,” and why real visibility comes from doing the work with people, not above them.
Setting up for success (Episode 4 – Gareth Evans)
“Assume good intent,” connect before you direct, listen first, and shift from doing to thinking and orchestrating.
Is safety still for me? (Episode 5 – Steph Camm)
Knowing your worth, realising sometimes it’s the environment not the profession, and treating job moves a bit more like dating.
The Sticky Middle of leadership (Episode 6 – Oli Sanandres)
Moving from peer to leader, letting go of being the hero, redefining success through others, and making time to think as part of the job.
Overwhelm & capacity (Episode 8 – Helen Davitt)
Normalising overwhelm without accepting it as “forever,” having honest conversations about capacity, and remembering “you can’t fix a secret.”

Resources & ReferencesWe’d Love Your Feedback!Which episode stuck with you most?What have you tried?What’s still feeling sticky?Share your reflections, experiments, or new questions with us at ask@auntytreacle.com or tag us on socials. The Aunty Treacle inbox stays open between seasons.Next Episode Teaser Season 2 - coming soon.More sticky questions, more Spoonfuls, more cans of sanity and solutions , and more voices from a community that’s determined to make work better.

They Won’t Adopt My Idea

Season 1 · Episode 10

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 • Duration 57:25

In this episode, Anna, Stuart, and guest Crystal Danbury tackle a challenge many professionals will recognise:

“Dear Aunty Treacle, I’m struggling to drive change in an organisation that seems deeply resistant to it. I have ideas to improve safety and even have support from colleagues, but senior operational leaders won’t listen. They’re not open to experimenting, even with low-risk suggestions. I keep hitting a wall and it’s wearing me down. How do I influence change when the resistance is coming from powerful leaders? How do I keep going, or is this a sign I should stop trying?”

Crystal brings honesty and hard-won experience from complex, high-stakes environments to explore how to build influence, create momentum and protect your energy when the door won’t budge (yet). Together, they unpack practical ways to connect your ideas to what the business cares about, and when to persist, pivot or pause.

Key Topics Covered:

Conscious vs. unconscious change - creating want/need and shifting language, not just launching projects
Start with their win - link your proposal to the organisation’s mission, metrics and pain points
Stakeholder conversations that land - ask what success looks like for them and map the change curve
Change your approach, not your purpose - adapt pace and style without losing who you are
From resistance to curiosity - exploring fear, fatigue, timing and trade-offs beneath a “no”
Micro-experiments - small, low-risk trials (and when to ask forgiveness, not permission)
Metrics that matter - brief, human-centred reporting (harm and care over pages of data)
Go where you’re celebrated (not tolerated) - know when to move on

Resources & References:

How to Be More Pirate – Sam Conniff (principled, practical rebellion)
Change curve models for leaders and teams
Stakeholder interview prompts (purpose, success, constraints, timing)
Language reframes for reporting (harm, care, recoverable vs. life-changing injuries)

We’d Love Your Feedback!

Tried a micro-experiment that worked, or hit a wall? Tell us at ask@auntytreacle.com or tag us on socials.Next Episode Teaser: Season 1 Wrap-Up (Hosts’ Special) - the stickiest lessons, favourite Spoonfuls, and what’s coming next.

Is All This Paperwork Actually Keeping People Safe?

Season 1 · Episode 9

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 • Duration 55:12

In this episode, Anna, Stuart, and guest Helen Rawlinson tackle a question that hits close to home for many safety professionals:

“Dear Aunty Treacle, I feel like a filing cabinet. I’m full of paperwork and have no room for the human interactions I believe are critical for keeping people from harm and understanding what’s really happening in my workplace. So quite simply, is all this paperwork actually keeping people safe?”

Helen brings honesty and humour to a lively conversation about bureaucracy, systems and red tape, exploring whether endless forms and checklists actually make work safer, or simply make us feel safe.

Together, they unpack how to cut through the noise, challenge outdated practices, and focus on what truly matters: meaningful conversations and human connection.

Key Topics Covered:

• The “filing cabinet” feeling – bureaucracy overload and burnout
• The 80/20 fallacy – most systems go far beyond what’s legally needed
• The illusion of accountability – paperwork vs. purpose
• How to start challenging and simplifying safely
• Shifting from expert to conduit – facilitating rather than controlling
• Practical ways to bring curiosity and critical thinking into your work
• When to stop doing things that don’t add value
• Replacing compliance comfort with real conversations

Resources & References:

• Paper Safe by Greg Smith – a must-read for safety professionals
• Work as Imagined vs. Work as Done – Steve Shorrock
• Deloitte research on compliance vs. impact
• Normal Work Reviews – learning by doing, not auditing
• Hierarchy of Control – remembering PPE sits at the bottom

We’d Love Your Feedback!

Feeling buried in bureaucracy or fighting the same battle? Tell us your story at ask@auntytreacle.com or tag us on socials.

Next Episode Teaser: They Won’t Adopt My Idea - how to influence change when the resistance is coming from the top.

Getting Control Back When Feeling Overwhelmed

Season 1 · Episode 8

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 • Duration 48:49

Welcome back to Aunty Treacle after the summer break!

This episode tackles a universal challenge: feeling constantly overwhelmed by work coming at you at pace, feeling reactive rather than proactive, and struggling to focus on what truly matters and makes an impact.

The Listener Question

"Dear Aunty Treacle, I feel constantly overwhelmed as there is so much work coming at me at pace. As a result, I feel like I am constantly reacting and I don't feel like I am getting to the stuff that actually matters, makes a difference and makes an impact. Can you please help me get some control back and feel effective in my work?"

Key Insights & Strategies

Take a Breath and Step Back

The Foundation: While feeling overwhelmed is normal, we must question how long we allow this to be "normal." The first step is recognizing when daily churn becomes ever-encroaching.
The Balcony vs. Dance Floor Approach (Andrew Barrett's insight):

Remove yourself from the situation to gain perspective
Like a chess grandmaster observing the board rather than just making the next move
Brief pauses for reflection (alone or with colleagues) can reset clarity and priorities
Sometimes doing something isn't the solution—it can reinforce the overwhelm cycle

Personal Foundations First
Before tackling organizational issues, address your individual resilience:

Maintain energy-giving activities: Don't stop going to the gym, reading, or other activities that help you perform
"An empty vessel serves no one": Prioritize self-care to have the resilience for difficult conversations
Energy management: Protect your energy, especially before busy seasons
Sleep, exercise, nutrition: These become critical during high-demand periods

The Art of Saying No

Hell Yes or Hell No Framework (Derek Shivers):

Instead of learning to say no, define what makes something a "yes"
When you know your "yes" criteria, saying no becomes easier and less awkward
Powerful reframe: "If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?"

Subtraction over Addition:Prioritization StrategiesThe Eisenhower Matrix & Beyond:Strategic Questioning:Don't Chase Every Email:Managing PerfectionismTime and Energy ManagementTime Blocking Strategies:Analyze Your Time Usage:Team and Organizational StrategiesKnow Your Team's Strengths:Communication is Key:Sprint vs. Marathon Approach:Reflection and CelebrationCommunity Insights SummaryJason Catterson - Frameworks & Reset Moments:Chris Hewitt - Communication & Time Blocking:Peter Jenkins - Getting Extra Support:Andrew Barrett - The Balcony vs Dance Floor:The Prescription: What to Do When OverwhelmedKey Takeaway"Taking time to stop and think isn't a luxury—it's mission critical." If you're passionate about what you do and want to get people home safe (or excel in any role), you must be intentional about how you use your time and energy.Next Episode PreviewComing up: "I Feel Like a Filing Cabinet" - exploring whether paperwork is really keeping people safe or just keeping us busy, featuring Helen Rawlinson and her insights on the actual work of safety versus administrative burden.Remember: Feeling overwhelmed gradually and then suddenly is normal, but don't let it become your permanent normal. Be intentional, use these tools to take control, and fundamentally—talk to somebody about what you're experiencing and what you'd like it to be instead.

The Sticky Middle – Part 2

Season 1 · Episode 7

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 • Duration 50:08

From Peer to Leader: Turning Thinking into Action

In this follow-up to Episode 6, Anna, Stuart, and guest Oli Sanandres return to help a listener take their first steps into people leadership. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, start there as it lays the essential mindset groundwork. In Part 2, we move from thinking like a leader to acting like one. The listener asks:

“Dear Aunty Treacle, I’ve recently accepted a promotion at work that will see me move from individual contributor to line manager. This is my first step into people management, and I’m determined for it to be successful. How do I step out of my peer group and into this leadership position without putting noses out of joint, losing friendships, and while still delivering for the organisation and the employees? Wisdom from those who’ve done this before would be appreciated.” Together, the team dive into the tools, habits, and conversations that make this transition work in real life.

Key Topics Covered

Starting with connection and recontracting relationships
Setting expectations clearly and early
Giving and receiving feedback with care and clarity
Creating psychologically safe spaces for team input
Balancing kindness with accountability
Using routines and rituals that work for you
Managing up, down and across the system
Leading without being the hero or having all the answers
Holding reflection time to stay grounded and grow
Building a leadership identity that stays true to you

Practical Tools & Tips

Time to Think (TTT) – schedule regular time to pause and plan
T-Up Play – Oli’s team expectations framework
Recontracting – reset team dynamics with intention
Yes, If – a reframing tool to support possibility and safety
Reflection Rituals – stack feedback and learning with something enjoyable
Coaching Mindset – support others to solve problems, don’t rescue them

Reflection Prompts

What’s one thing I can let go of to lead better?
Am I empowering or heroing?
How am I showing up for my team and for myself?

Resources Mentioned

Episode 6 – The Sticky Middle: Part 1

We’d Love Your FeedbackJust stepped into leadership? Got a sticky situation of your own?Email us at ask@auntytreacle.com or tag us on socials. Next Episode: Time, Energy & the Myth of ‘Enough’We tackle the leadership tension of limited time, endless demands and making space for what really matters.

Aunty Treacle – Details, episodes & analysis

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Aunty Treacle – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Other2

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities