Explore every episode of the podcast The Courageous Leaders Podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for The Courageous Leaders Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Why Belonging, Representation, and Self-Belief Matter: Insights from Molly and Rosie Kmita
27 Nov 2025
01:02:06
Former professional footballers Mollie and Rosie Kmita and now founders of The Powerhouse Project join me for one of the most authentic leadership stories we’ve had on the podcast.
This episode is packed with real leadership stories you rarely hear: the setbacks, the identity shifts, the emotional toll, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when things don’t go your way.
Mollie and Rosie openly share:
What it took to succeed in a male dominated world
How to lead through failure after two businesses didn’t work out
How they learnt to slow down without losing ambition
How they have evolved their identity from footballers to business owners
The impact people-pleasing had on their leadership decisions
How they have had to learn to lean into conflict
Mollie and Rosie show what success after repeated failure actually looks like - the mindset resets, and the quiet self-belief you need to keep going.
These are everyday leadership stories delivered with humour, honesty and heart, the kind that remind you anything is possible when you focus, put the work in, and back yourself.
We Cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:12 – Growing up in boys’ football and learning to belong
05:04 – Why young women in sport need better pathways
09:31 – Finding confidence in environments not built for you
14:42 – How childhood trauma shapes your drive
20:50 – Coping with loss while still showing up
26:19 – When resilience turns into survival mode
33:08 – The guilt behind always saying yes
38:12 – “We haven’t sat still for 16 years”
46:54 – Rebuilding identity beyond football
52:33 – Learning to slow down without losing ambition
58:48 – What leaders can do to create real change
01:00:31 – A message for leaders and organisations that want to make real change
Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
The Hidden System Protecting Workplace Abuse with Zelda Perkins
13 Nov 2025
01:07:02
What would you risk to do the right thing?
In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Zelda Perkins, Co-Founder of Can’t Buy My Silence and the first woman to break an NDA with Harvey Weinstein.
Zelda’s story isn’t just about one man. It’s about the system that silences victims and protects abuse. She speaks openly about how she fought back, how breaking her NDA changed UK law, and what leaders and businesses must do now to stop misconduct being hidden behind confidentiality.
We Cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:26 – Why Zelda broke her NDA after years of silence
03:37 – What really happens when you speak up against power
05:18 – The moment the system, not the perpetrator, broke her trust
09:23 – How signing an NDA changed her life overnight
12:54 – Taking her story to Parliament and pushing for legal reform
17:09 – What it really took to start Can’t Buy My Silence
24:43 – When she realised she was self-bullying
28:57 – Why speaking up must be seen as normal, not “brave”
33:11 – Creating safer, more transparent workplaces
40:57 – How the new UK legislation will protect victims and change culture
56:26 – Zelda’s advice to anyone ready to start their own fight for change
Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Are you midlife and feel like it’s too late to start over?
Jane Evans has just two words for you…
In this week’s Fast & Curious, Jane Evans brings unapologetic honesty, razor-sharp wit, and just the right amount of “don’t-mess-with-me” energy:
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find: ⚡ The one book that turned her approach to leadership upside down ⚡ Why post‑menopause might be the best phase of life ⚡ Dogs, 80s nostalgia, and the quickest way to kill a brilliant idea ⚡ Her brutally honest response when a midlife woman says, “It’s too late for me”
It’s not just fun and fast—it’s fearless, relatable, and perfectly timed.
📺 Jane’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. While you’re there, be sure to check out her full Courageous Leaders interview too.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Joanna Howes: Building Confidence: The Journey to Backing Yourself as a Leader
17 Apr 2024
00:26:07
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m talking about the art of backing yourself as a leader. This is a topic that is very close to my heart and I wanted to spend some time discussing it today.
I’m debunking the myths surrounding self-assurance and arrogance and why backing yourself isn’t arrogance, it’s actually caring for yourself, celebrating what you're able to do, and loving who you are.
I also discuss why you have to learn to empower yourself through investing in you and building that trust with yourself and what you’re capable of.
Key takeaways include:
● Sharing my personal journey with low self-confidence ● Exploring the craving for external validation and its implications ● Embracing the highs and lows of confidence in leadership roles ● Recognising the tendencies of leaders lacking self-backing ● Encouraging personal growth through stepping out of comfort zones ● Elevating performance by setting higher standards for oneself
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Conrad Persons: Leap of Leadership: Ensuring Your Team Jumps with You
10 Apr 2024
00:35:03
In episode 98 of the podcast, I speak with Conrad Persons, President of Grey, London.
Join us as we discuss the importance of sharing your ideas with your team first to make sure they’re on the same page as you and want to jump out of the “plane” alongside you. He also shares the hard lessons learned from when your team stays on the plane instead of following you.
Conrad also discusses how we spend our time as leaders and the necessity for candid reflection and prioritisation when managing our time.
Key takeaways include:
● The power of focusing on the smaller interactions instead of grand gestures to motivate people ● Dealing with defensiveness when ideas are contested ● Why you need to separate personal identity from ideas ● Managing your emotions and having strategic patience ● The danger of overplanning when stepping into a new role ● Understanding both individual and group mindsets ● The impact of your daily decisions on productivity
Conrad is an entrepreneur and current President of Grey, London. Conrad leads the flagship London studio, which is home to award-winning work, partnering with iconic clients P&G, Haleon, Kellogg, and Arla.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Joanna Howes: A Closer Look at the Hidden Dangers of Excessive Resilience
03 Apr 2024
00:21:20
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m going solo to discuss the topic of excessive resilience—a challenge I've personally grappled with, nearly breaking me in the process.
Join me as I delve into the seven components of resilience and offer some helpful insights into cultivating resilience for yourself or your team members.
I'll also be sharing my own experiences of placing immense pressure on myself to be the hero in others' lives, and how this has influenced my perspective as a leader.
Key takeaways include:
● The impact of excessive resilience on personal health ● Experiencing false hope syndrome and its impact ● The impact of worrying about what other people think ● Toxic work environments with public humiliation ● Recognising if you are reaching for unattainable goals
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Melissa Chapman: Courageous Leadership: Breaking Norms, Shaping the Future
28 Mar 2024
00:33:37
In episode 96 of the podcast, I speak with Melissa Chapman, CEO of Jungle Creations.
Join us as we discuss how to effectively overcome resistance to change within your organisation by approaching it in a way that makes people feel like you are all in it together.
Melissa also discusses the challenges of having ADHD when it came to her habits as a leader and why giving herself permission to be her authentic self allowed her to fully embrace who she is as a leader.
Key takeaways include:
● How courage is being willing to break the norms and focus on the future ● The blend of courage and guardian leadership in an organisation ● The pros and cons of transitioning from Co-CEO to CEO ● Practicing patience and valuing different working styles within the team ● Utilising stress and challenge as a catalyst for growth ● The importance of saying no and managing expectations with the team ● Why we need a balance of optimism and pessimism to grow ● Managing measured risk and the importance of timely decision-making ● The fine line between resilience and recognising when to let go ● Why you must recognise your worth and ask for what you feel you deserve
Melissa Chapman is CEO at Jungle Creations, a leading social publisher and agency, where she sets the overall business vision and growth strategy. Melissa was Jungle's first employee in 2014 and since has scaled Jungle's owned audiences from 1M to 140M+, working with clients including MLB, PepsiCo, and Red Bull.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Joanna Howes: People Power: Unlocking Potential Through Understanding
21 Mar 2024
00:15:29
In episode 95 of the podcast, I am diving into the need to understand other people.
Have you ever found yourself getting frustrated with others for not understanding what you’re trying to say? It may make perfect sense to you but they just aren’t getting it. This is because we all think differently and the way you understand things isn’t necessarily the way other members of your team do.
When we take the time to not just know each other, but really understand each other, we can achieve deeper connection and increased performance.
Key takeaways include:
● The key to a successful team ● The impact of ego on team connection ● How you can enter the world of others to improve performance ● How too many assumptions are being wrongly made due to a lack of understanding ● The fastest way to build trust with those around you
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Sarat Pediredla: Navigating Acquisitions and Downturns: Building a Resilient C-Suite and Making Unpopular Decisions with Purpose
14 Mar 2024
00:40:45
In episode 94 of the podcast, I speak with Sarat Pediredla, CEO of hedgehog lab.
Join us as we discuss the importance of recognising that everyone has their strengths, but some people are just not right for your company. While it can be tempting to people please and get curious about how you can fix poor performance from team members, investing in the wrong people can inevitably be a risk to your organisation.
We also delve into the power of building a culture of psychological safety amongst your team and why this is an important measure of the team’s overall success.
Key takeaways include:
● The challenges of navigating the acquisition of a company and building a new C-suite with a 20% downturn ● The realities of having at least 50% of the current decisions being unpopular and how to respond to this ● Being challenged over focusing on culture at the expense of business ● The key to creating a strong leadership team is knowing and understanding each other in and outside of work ● The danger of believing that asking for help is a weakness and how much time that can cost you ● Surrounding yourself with the right people is the best way to navigate challenges. Sarat, once bound to be a brain surgeon, shifted to software engineering and moved to the UK.
With hedgehog lab, he aspires to lead the world’s biggest and best digital product consultancy.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Joanna Howes: Putting the Right Part of You In Charge of Your Leadership
07 Mar 2024
00:20:29
In episode 93 of the podcast, I’m exploring how you can make sure that you are putting the right part of you in charge of your business and leadership.
This idea comes from Internal Family Systems, which was created by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It’s the idea that we as humans are all made up of a system of protected parts that we can manage and use when needed. Think of it like your own internal leadership team.
It’s risky not to have the right part of you in charge, so join me as I explore how you can make sure you have the right part in the driver’s seat of your leadership.
Key takeaways include:
● Understanding your internal world in order to self-lead ● How to identify the different parts of you ● Tips for managing your own internal board of directors ● How G.I. Jo and Hippie Jo help champion me
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Flavilla Fongang: Empowering Impact: Balancing Business and Legacy, Empowering Black Women in Tech, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset Explored
29 Feb 2024
00:49:07
In episode 92 of the podcast, I speak with Flavilla Fongang, the Founder and CEO of Black Rise.
Join us as we discuss why as leaders, we need to stop focusing only on financial outcomes and also look at the greater impact we are making on the community and even the planet. In the era of cancel culture, we have to be more socially responsible if we want our organisation to succeed.
We also discussed why it is so important to invest in protecting your peace. There is power in getting comfortable saying no without explanation, and it is something that we all need to embrace more, particularly as leaders.
Key takeaways include:
● The importance of empowering black women in technology ● Why it’s not okay to be the only woman in the room ● What an entrepreneurial mindset really is ● The balance of business impact and leaving a legacy ● Knowing how much money you need to be happy ● Developing a solution mindset so that you can solve any problem ● Why you can’t let the naysayers stop you, and you should always trust your gut ● How the first step to climbing the pyramid is just taking the first step
Flavilla Fongang is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur and an international keynote speaker. She is the author of “99 Strategies to Get Customers”. She is also the founder of Global Tech Advocates – Black Women in Tech, the largest organisation of black professional women in tech.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Joanna Howes: The Impact of Feeling Like You Don’t Belong
22 Feb 2024
00:13:46
In episode 91 of the podcast, I’m focusing on the feeling of not belonging and how important it is as leaders to create belonging and connection amongst our teams.
In the last episode with Jake Brody, he shared something with me that gave me goosebumps. It was so simple, yet it completely reshaped my perspective on my responsibility regarding this topic and what I can do about it.
Join me as I share my own personal experience of feeling like I didn’t fit in and how I learned to overcome it.
Key takeaways include:
● The 3 universal fears we all have ● How to identify if you are a leader who creates belonging ● What you can do to enhance team connection and foster a sense of belonging
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Jake Brody: Beyond Words: The Transformative Force of Intention and Representation in Leadership
15 Feb 2024
00:39:22
In episode 90 of the podcast, I speak with Jake Brody, Senior Managing Director of Accenture Song.
Have you ever wondered how you can make a big company feel small? Jake shares his insights into how he does this by celebrating good news and having an open-door policy so that the people in his company don’t feel like they are just a number. They feel like they are part of something bigger.
He also discusses the power of having the courage to speak up, even in a senior position. Your words matter, and that is an important thing to remember, no matter your position.
Key takeaways include:
● Choosing to belong and not trying to fit in ● The mantra of ‘having fun’ and how to truly live it ● Understanding FUD and helping people navigate fear, uncertainty, and doubt ● The teachings of being with a company for 26 years ● Why intention, representations, and stewardship is key to courageous leadership ● Knowing you have something to offer, making it happen, and getting a seat at the table ● The importance of remembering that clients are human beings and have the same fears, worries, and aspirations that we do
Jake Brody is a Senior Managing Director and the lead for Accenture Song in the US South Market Unit where he and his team deliver relevant, creative, and growth-focused solutions for clients across all industries and sectors.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
The Harsh Truth About Ageism in the Workplace | Jane Evans
18 Sep 2025
01:00:15
What happens when you’re told your career’s over at 50?
In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Jane Evans, award-winning creative director and founder of The 7th Tribe and one of her generation’s most successful female creatives.
From being the first woman in multiple creative departments to launching a global movement to fight midlife invisibility, Jane’s story is raw, inspiring, and a wake-up call for how we treat women over 50 in the workplace.
We Cover: 01:10 – Getting harassed on day two of art school
03:08 – What it really took to survive as a woman in advertising
06:22 – The line that doubled her salary overnight
09:17 – The career highs and the shocking fall that followed
13:29 – Why she started a business from a warehouse with her kids upstairs
18:04 – How her partner erased her financial future
21:58 – Being ignored for jobs and told she was “too old”
25:45 – The tweet that launched a global campaign
28:56 – From ad legend to food bank queue and what she did next
33:19 – Why she says this is a national emergency
36:12 – The one mindset that’s helped her survive it all
41:08 – What brands miss by ignoring older audiences
46:35 – How to stop fear from keeping you small
52:42 – Jane’s advice for women ready to do work that matters
59:10 – Where she still wants to be more courageous in her life
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Joanna Howes: The Perfection Trap: Finding Freedom By Learning to Let Go
08 Feb 2024
00:20:02
In episode 89, I’m discussing something that many people struggle with - perfectionism. This includes myself and my husband and I share our personal stories of how we manage this.
How can we start to embrace imperfection? Perfectionism is a personality trait that's characterised by a relentless pursuit of flawless standards, often accompanied by critical self-evaluations and a fear of making mistakes. In this episode, I’m sharing the two sides of perfection and why we as a society struggle to let go.
I’m also discussing the traits of perfectionism and why they are ultimately just signs of procrastination. The fear of failure, for instance, can really hold you back from doing what you really want to accomplish.
Key takeaways include:
● The risk of setting your standards too high ● Identifying control patterns ● Seeking external validation to feel worthy ● Experimenting with imperfection and my personal story of doing this ● Steps to begin to let go and free yourself from perfectionism
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Neisha Tweed: Leadership Lessons from a 5-Year-Old Neurodiverse Mind: Crafting Visions, Asking Hard Questions, and Embracing Imperfect Presence
01 Feb 2024
00:46:06
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I speak with Neisha Tweed, Executive Creative Director, Inclusive Creative Strategist, and DEI Leader and Speaker.
Neisha discusses the power of bringing situational leadership, adaptability, and flexibility to the work environment in order to create a space in which you can focus on the individual and bring out the best in your people.
She also shares the powerful lessons in leadership that she has learned from her 5-year-old, neurodiverse son which has changed how she approaches providing support for the people on her team. There is power in just listening to what people need instead of assuming you already know, and Neisha shares her thoughts on that.
Key takeaways include:
● How to arrive at your vision and take action to make it happen ● Tips for asking the hard questions and managing the responses ● Learning to stop waiting to be ready and go for it ● You don’t need to be perfect you need to be present ● The questions to ask if you want to drive a real conversation ● Stop assuming you know what the other person needs, let them tell you
Neisha Tweed Bell is a creative visionary who seamlessly intertwines creativity, inclusion, and authenticity, leaving an indelible mark on both the professional landscape and the lives she touches.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m going solo and sharing my thoughts on the impact of quiet leadership.
This is my natural style of leadership and for a long time, I thought it was a flaw.
Quiet leadership often has an underestimated impact. I want to shed some light on the common misconception of equating quiet leadership with low confidence, and why we need to recognise and appreciate the strengths of quiet leaders.
Join me as I share what it means to be a quiet leader, the qualities surrounding this leadership style, and how you can take this superpower and make more of an impact than ever.
Key takeaways include:
● What quiet leadership actually is and how to know if you are a quiet leader ● Why we have to stop mistaking quiet leadership as low confidence ● How we can start to ensure that quiet leaders are not overlooked ● The powerful ability to stay calm and steady under pressure ● The superpower of creating safe spaces for people ● How a lot of the strongest leaders are not the upfront superstars ● The art of leading from the back
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Karl Marsden Cultivating Courage: The Power of Self-Belief, Quiet Leadership, and Good Company
18 Jan 2024
00:43:41
We are back and in this week’s episode, I speak with Karl Marsden, Chair of Contagious Communications.
Have you ever struggled with negative self-talk? You’re not alone. Karl shares why overcoming that negativity is the most important key to building resiliency as a leader. He shares valuable tips for how we as high-achieving leaders can overcome this bad habit and find more confidence in our own leadership abilities.
Karl also delves into the true courage it takes to admit that you might not always be the best person for a job, even if you are the leader.
Key takeaways include:
● Courageous leadership starts with self-belief and belief in what you are doing ● The art of quiet leadership ● The mindset of loving work and how this can help you succeed ● Why not rushing to climb the ladder could be the thing that sets you up for success as a leader ● Recognising that you will make wrong decisions sometimes, but you will make the right ones even more ● The power of surrounding yourself with good people
Karl is an ex-media executive turned business performance and turnaround specialist with a specific interest in the SME sector. After nearly 20 years in the magazine & digital media sector, Karl left his corporate seat to become part of the founding management team at Shortlist Media Ltd a freemium-based media company.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
The Courageous Leaders Club Podcast is back for its 12 series!
Prepare to gain insights from seasoned leaders who've weathered the storms to emerge as the courageous figures they are today:
● Karl Marsden: Chair of Contagious Communications ● Neisha Tweed: Exec Creative Director, Inclusive Creative Strategist ● Jake Brody: Senior Managing Director of Accenture ● Flavilla Fongang: Founder and CEO of Black Rise ● Sarat Pediredla: CEO at hedgehog lab
💡 Solo Episodes: A New Feature!
This season, I'm excited to introduce my Solo Episodes. In these five insightful episodes, I'll be delving into the heart of courageous leadership, sharing coaching tips that are not only impactful but truly transformative.
A few of the key takeaways from the Solo Episodes:
● Putting the right part of you in charge of your leaders: Uncover the secrets of effective leadership from within. ● Understanding what drives you: A deep dive into self-awareness and motivation. ● Why we need to let go: Letting go for growth, success, and well-being.
I strongly believe that courageous leadership starts with believing in oneself. It's all about embracing the subtle art of quiet leadership, cultivating a mindset of loving our work, and, most importantly, being present rather than striving for perfection.
Throughout the episodes, I'll be guiding you on how to build resilience, set yourself up for success as a leader, and create cultures that prioritize psychological safety.
📅 Mark Your Calendars!
The 12th season of The Courageous Leaders Podcast kicks off on January 18th, 2024, featuring not only insightful interviews but also transformative solo episodes. Hit that follow button now, so you stay in the loop. Remember, in the world of leadership, courage is what sets YOU apart.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
I’m doing something a little different in this week’s episode and sharing my first solo podcast episode.
We decided to do this to wrap up 2023 and bring to you some of the key highlights of what we covered from our incredible guests that came on the show. There was a strong theme of finding strength in vulnerability as a leader.
Vulnerability is the key to courage, to unlocking human potential, connection, and trust, and that's the foundation to build a high-performing, courageous team.
We are also planning to shake up the podcast next year and I will do even more solo episodes. We want to get that balance of sharing inspiring stories for courageous leaders, and then also sharing some of the coaching tips, educational, and practical things people can do with the information they're hearing.
Key takeaways include:
● The incredible power of vulnerability and sharing who we are despite our fear ● How failure can change the trajectory of our lives by giving us the courage to move forward ● We can’t grow if we only celebrate our wins ● The importance of seeking help when we burnout ● Being open and authentic about your struggles as a leader ● The trust that you build with others when you embrace your vulnerability
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Kassi Slade: The Balancing Act: Extreme Action, Rest, and the Art of Switching Off
14 Dec 2023
00:45:51
In this week’s episode, I speak with Kassi Slade, Founder and Director at The Positive Sleep Coach.
Did you know that one night of bad sleep can increase your chances of cardiovascular disease by 300%? Kassi shares the importance of getting the right amount of rest because even though our society doesn’t prioritise it, extreme action in work calls for extreme rest if you want to continue performing at your best.
We also discuss the difficulty of losing your sense of self and how you can go about reconnecting with your own identity so that you can continue to lead your team by example and inspire them to succeed.
Key takeaways include:
● Why you must create space for yourself and learn how to switch off ● How sports teams hiring sleep coaches inspired Kassi’s new career ● What to do if you wake up during the night overthinking or anxiety ● The power of humanising leadership with care, connection, and curiosity ● The power of intergenerational leadership
Kassi Slade of The Positive Sleep Coach is a seasoned professional with a rich background in the creative sports and entertainment marketing industry, managing global sponsorship portfolios and integrated marketing campaigns for leading brands across Europe and Asia.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Ete Davies: Navigating Uncharted Territories: Leadership style, Cultural limits, and Overcoming Sabotage
07 Dec 2023
00:37:58
In this week’s episode, I speak to Ete Davies, EMEA Chief Operating Officer at Dentsu Creative.
Join us as we discuss how as leaders, it’s our responsibility to be more purpose-driven and create equitable and inclusive environments in the workplace and it’s time for us to step up and make the change.
Ete also delves into the limitations we put on people based on what we judge about their background and experience. People shouldn’t be limited by that because they are capable of being successful in multiple areas, and we need to create a culture of going beyond limits to allow people to succeed.
Key takeaways include:
● How a growth mindset and imposter syndrome are the same beast and how they help you in your leadership ● The drive to get to the C-Suite ● The need to change your leadership style to navigate a culture that isn’t what you’re used to and dealing with people who are sabotaging your efforts ● The power of adopting conscious leadership and letting go of assumptions ● Building courage to have honest conversations and increasing dialogue with people
Ete Davies is Dentsu Creative's COO across EMEA, responsible for leading the way in transforming brands and businesses through the power of modern creativity.
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Jane Austin: Overcoming the Fear of Not Being Relevant
30 Nov 2023
00:36:54
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Jane Austin, owner of Persuasion Communications.
In this episode, we discuss what it took for Jane to go from being homeless with a 6-day-old baby to building and running a successful business and the mantra that keeps her going when things get hard.
As we age in today’s society, it can be scary to feel like you are no longer relevant. Jane also discusses this fear and how she has coped with it in her career.
Key takeaways include:
● There are a lot of women who need to look at their behaviour in the workplace ● Why we must give business training to creatives ● Why are women making conversations so personal ● Leaders need to be braver and share their point of view
Jane Austin is the founder of Persuasion Communications, a news-room structured communications and content agency with offerings in London, Paris and New York. Jane has written three books on graphic design and has contributed to The Guardian, The Independent, the Daily Express and the Financial Times.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
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Joe Staples: Leadership Reality Check: Embrace Your Imperfections!
23 Nov 2023
00:42:50
In this week’s episode, I speak to Joe Staples, CCO and Partner at Mother Industries.
Join us whilst we discuss why you must stop claiming that you have it all together as a leader and just be honest about with where you are. The “I’ve got it” attitude will only build a barrier between you and your team and it’s time to embrace more transparency in the workplace to create stronger teams.
Joe also delves into his mental health journey and his experiences living with ADHD and Dyslexia while leading large teams. He also opens up about what he learned while navigating anxiety and panic attacks as a leader.
Key takeaways include:
● The art of keeping it simple to drive innovation and creativity ● The ability to solve problems and elevate how you think ● The parallels of jiu-jitsu and the creative process ● The importance of moving through your fears and not allowing them to take over ● The key to staying relevant is to consume content that is new to you, not just what interests you
Joe Staples is the CCO and Partner of Mother USA. He is a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and an Emmy winner who is obsessed with learning and teaching the processes of creativity that advertising and grappling share. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
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In this week’s Fast & Curious, the Neverland London CEO brings wit, warmth, and the occasional swear word (thanks to his toddler).
Find out: ⚡ For Josh, what would instantly rule someone out in an interview? ⚡ Who he would love to swap roles with for the day in his office ⚡ And the brand collab he’s dreaming of
It’s quick, honest, and packed with moments every leader (and parent) will relate to.
📺 Josh’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out his full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Ally Owen: Managing Overwhelm and the Ability to Keep Moving Forward
16 Nov 2023
00:40:18
In this week’s episode I speak to Ally Owen, Founder of Brixton Finishing School.
Join us as we discuss the barriers and challenges we all face and why it’s so important that we learn to embrace these challenges and walk with them instead of letting them hold us back from the success we deserve.
Ally also delves into why we need to stop running from our anger and instead learn to harness it. When you feel great anger, it is telling you something and it can actually be used as a powerful resource that can be a catalyst for success.
Key takeaways include:
The importance of self-forgiveness and why you need it in order to let go and keep moving forward
The crisis we are facing in the world right now and how it’s causing companies to cut back on areas that are proven to help them grow
The power of running your life with military precision for success
Great leadership is all about understanding how you work and the impact you have on those around you
Ally Owen founded Brixton Finishing School due to the need to create a diverse and equitable talent blueprint for our industry. Its award-winning family of programs finds, trains, and places structurally excluded’ talent in roles across marketing, advertising and communications ecosystem.
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Leadership is about influence, not authority. Who has influenced your leadership journey?
Series 11 of the Courageous Leaders Club Podcast is launching on November 16, and it's packed with inspiration. Join us for in-depth discussions on topics such as authentic leadership, resilience, overcoming challenges, and so much more.
We have an incredible lineup of guests that you aren’t going to want to miss including:
Ally Owen - Founder of Brixton Finishing School Joe Staples - CCO/Partner - Mother Industries Jane Austin - Owner of Persuasion Communications Ete Davies - EMEA Chief Operating Officer - Dentsu Creative Ali Hanan - Founder & CEO - Creative Equals Kassi Slade - Founder & Director - The Positive Sleep Coach
Plus, watch out for a special solo episode by our host, Joanna Howes! We're working on introducing a new podcast format, providing our listeners with access to valuable learning material to help navigate the ever-changing journey of leadership and gain invaluable skills to leave a proud legacy.
Be sure to hit subscribe so you're the first to be notified as this new wave of powerful episodes drops!
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Ben Scoggins: Embracing Leadership Doubts: The 'Everyone's Smarter' Struggle
18 Oct 2023
00:41:06
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Ben Scoggins, CEO at Organic.
Join us as we discuss why as a leader, the most important thing you can do is believe in yourself. If you want to have an effective and successful team, you have to believe in them, and it all starts with the belief you have in yourself.
Ben also discusses the importance of remembering the foundations of what it is to be a great leader and keeping it at the front of your mind, especially in how you communicate with your team.
Key takeaways include:
Overcoming the feeling that everyone else is smarter than you and more amazing at what they do
The value of having talented and nice people on your team and how to make it happen
The seesaw of what is the agency giving you and what are you giving the agency
Ben Scoggins is the CEO of Organic, a digital experience agency based in Exeter. Organic are nearly 40 people strong, they partner with clients including Sainsbury's, Lush and Decathlon, and they are an extremely proud B Corps.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
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Virginie Faucon: Making Tough Decisions and Standing Up For Your Team
11 Oct 2023
00:40:13
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Virginie Faucon, Former Global Chief Marketing Officer, Growth Expert, Board Advisor, Mentor, and Executive Coach at BBC Maestro.
It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable and authentic in the workplace. In this episode, Virginie shares how it took her 20 years to take off the mask she had been wearing and just embrace her own authenticity.
We also delve into the reality of making tough decisions and the time that standing up for her team actually cost Virginie her job.
Key takeaways include: ● How being open about having low confidence can impact those around you ● Why taking a couple of steps back can actually grow your career ● The power of building your personal brand
Virginie is the former CMO at BBC Maestro and Clim8 and an award-winning marketing leader with 20 years experience in setting up marketing functions from inception to acceleration and delivering commercial growth.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Chris Kemp: Learning to Let Go and Empower Your Team
04 Oct 2023
00:36:08
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Chris Kemp, Owner of Ingenuity London.
There has been a dramatic change in leadership styles since the pandemic and people are having to change the way they lead and communicate. Join us as we discuss these changes and the importance of being able to adapt as business and leadership roles continue to evolve.
Chris also shares the importance of trusting your team and learning ways that you can effectively lead and empower them to become a part of the decision-making process.
Key takeaways include: ● Learning to empower your team members ● Why relationships must be an important focus ● The power of believing in yourself
Chris founded Ingenuity 18 years ago to connect world-famous brands and agencies. He’s built the business out exponentially since then and it now boasts almost 80 employees.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Nicola Kemp: The Lost Art of Listening as a Leader
27 Sep 2023
00:45:12
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Nicola Kemp, Editorial Director at Creativebrief.
Join us as we discuss the power of truly listening. Listening has become a lost art and it is incredibly important when it comes to creating a positive and creative culture in the workplace. We have to get comfortable with ambiguity and get intentional about listening to the people around us.
We also discuss why we must stop the unsustainable workload people currently face and look at the pace we are setting because the best work is not possible in the current ‘busy’ environments. We need to be intentional about building in points of rest.
Key takeaways include:
We have got to stop squeezing mid-life women out of the workplace, we are losing so much innovation
Let’s change how we view TIME
Nobody's life is in a fixed state. At every life stage we have new challenges and opportunities and we need to allow for this flexibility and understanding in the workplace
Nicola is Editorial Director at Creativebrief and co-founder of the social learning practice Good Shout. She is passionate about changing the narrative and experience for women in the creative industries and she won The Women in Marketing Journalist of the year award for her work championing diversity in the creative industries.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Patrick Marr: Insights from sports that can speed up your decision making
20 Sep 2023
00:43:42
In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Patrick Marr, Owner & Director at Leading Edge.
Join us as we delve into the four different types of leaders and how each of them contribute to a team’s performance. Patrick shares why you need all four types if you want your team to be successful.
We also discuss how it can be really hard at times to truly see yourself and find out why something doesn’t feel congruent as a leader. Patrick shares the power of having someone be your mirror and how it can help you improve and further develop your skills.
Key takeaways include:
The importance of character building and having an opinion as a leader
The four different types of leaders in a team, and why you need them all
The power of having someone be your mirror, to increase your awareness and develop
How to bring teams together for higher performance
Patrick Marr is the founder of Leading Edge - a successful global development business specializing in Leadership, Highly Effective Teams and Change. They work with brands such as Mars, Levis, Whitbread and Jaguar Land Rover and elite sport teams such as England Rugby, the FA and the British Olympic Association.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Joyce Idoniboye: The impact of micro-aggression in the workplace
13 Sep 2023
00:30:56
In the latest episode of the podcast, I speak with Joyce Idoniboye, C-Suite Executive and Chief People Officer EMEA at DDB.
Join us whilst we discuss why, as leaders, we need to stand up for what we believe in, even in the most challenging times. We're in a certain position, we have a certain platform, and it's not right for us to sit silently if we think that there's something wrong.
There is power in being who you are, even in the workplace as a leader, and Joyce delves into this topic and how resilience can be instrumental in your success.
Key takeaways include: ● The power of people believing in you ● The impact of micro-aggression in the workplace ● The resilience to keep going
Joyce Idoniboye is Chief People Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa at DDB owned by Omnicom Group.. Joyce is a dynamic strategic and pragmatic HR professional with experience working in a variety of industries over a period of more than 20 years.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Peter Moody: Looking After Your Energy and Mental Health as a Leader
06 Sep 2023
00:46:17
In this week’s episode I speak to Peter Moody, Chief Innovation Officer at MullenLowe.
Join us for a fascinating conversation around how to create an environment of experimentation where our team feels safe to fail and make mistakes while trying something new. We also discuss the power of leaning into risk as opposed to avoiding it for continued growth and success.
Peter also delves into how we are like batteries and we need to look after our energy or it will run out. He shares his personal experience of burnout and depression and how he had to learn to come to terms with it and be open about it.
Key takeaways include:
We need to stop hypocrisy in leadership. Our actions are not backing up what we are saying we care about
Breaking things down into small chunks to get progress and momentum back
The learnings Peter brought to his leadership after living in Japan for 16 years
Peter Moody is Chief Innovation Officer at MullenLowe, driving the growth of Social, Data and CX across the MullenLowe business. Peter is also part of the IPG AI steering committee to help drive broader digital transformation and application of AI across its global business units.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
How do you become one of 2025’s Best Places to Work? | Josh Harris
11 Sep 2025
00:45:05
Have you ever wondered if the best move in your career might be walking away? On this week’s episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Josh Harris, CEO of Neverland London. Josh made the bold decision to step away from the security of corporate life and it turned out to be the best thing he could have done.
We talk about the emotional weight of leadership, the pressure to protect people, and the challenge of building a business that looks after purpose, people and profits together. Creating a culture that helped Neverland earn a spot as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work 2024 and 2025.
We Cover: 01:15 – Leaving a stable job with a newborn during COVID
03:22 – Two breaking points that made walking away the only option
06:42 – Returning to work with new clarity on culture and fit
09:35 – The unexpected loneliness of becoming CEO
12:04 – Why investing in junior talent powers the whole business
15:45 – Protecting people first: cutting costs without cutting jobs
17:41 – Leading without a set path and keeping creativity at the core
21:35 – Why emotional intelligence is Josh’s most valuable leadership tool
28:02 – Balancing control with trust and creating psychological safety
31:19 – Working with founders without the ego clashes
36:46 – The challenges and freedom of an all-new leadership team
39:34 – “Ask forgiveness, not permission”
40:47 – The advice Josh’s future self would give him today
Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.
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Victoria Day: Leaning Into Vulnerability for Increased Happiness and Productivity for the Whole Team
16 Aug 2023
00:48:02
In this episode, I speak with Victoria Day, MD at Ogilvy.
Join us whilst we discuss how we as leaders need to stop accepting bad behaviour from talented people and the importance of always treating the junior team members with respect and kindness.
We also delve into the topic of vulnerability and how showing vulnerability as a leader creates a safe place for other people to be vulnerable and truly bring their whole selves and all of their ideas into the workplace.
Key takeaways include:
The importance of vulnerability in an industry that rewards people that are “bullet-proof”
The role of mothers in leadership and the feeling that you can’t speak about your children or you’ll be seen differently or as incapable of doing your job
Taking action that will make a difference to the people you want to help
Victoria leads the Advertising, Brand & Content business at Ogilvy UK as Managing Director. She has over 20 years' experience partnering with clients to drive impact and is zealous about the power of creativity to drive growth.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Efrain Ayala: Embrace Authenticity and Drive Change
09 Aug 2023
00:40:18
In this episode, I speak with Efrain Ayala, Global Creativity and Diversity & Inclusion Director, Marketing at Reckitt.
Join us while we discuss embracing your authentic self in the workplace, no matter how long that takes, and how truly empowering it can be.
Efrain also delves into the clarity of vision needed to be a change agent and why the key to influencing change is to find out the game that you’re playing.
Key takeaways include:
When you realise you’re an ‘other’ you become very good at fitting in and changing code
How the gift of leadership is releasing your power
Learning to plant the seed and waiting for the flower to grow
Efrain Ayala, the Global Creativity and D&I Director at Reckitt, is a renowned expert in leveraging the power of brands to drive meaningful change. With a proven track record of delivering award-winning campaigns that drive growth and deeply resonate with diverse audiences across cultures and geographies, Ayala is widely recognized as a trailblazer in the industry.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Jessica Tamsedge: The Reality Behind Keeping it Together as a Leader
02 Aug 2023
00:36:15
In this episode, I speak with Jessica Tamsedge, UK CEO, Dentsu Creative.
Join us as we discuss the courage it takes to bring your people with you, even when you don’t know all of the answers and having faith and trust in yourself and your team that you will find the way together.
She also touches on the importance of transparency when you are leading large teams with different cultures and backgrounds for increased success for the whole team.
Key takeaways include:
The reality behind keeping it together as a leader
The challenges and tension in female leadership
Stepping into the identity of a more senior role
Jessica is CEO, Dentsu Creative UK, the bringing together of 9 creative companies that span advertising and production, entertainment, earned and experience, across offices in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Newcastle. Jessica has built her career developing brands that shape culture and change behaviour.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Jonny Spindler: The Confidence to Get In the Room That You Want to Be In
26 Jul 2023
00:33:36
In this episode, I speak with Jonny Spindler, MD at Jones Knowles Ritchie.
Join us as we discuss the maverick waves of leadership and the energy and focus required to ride those waves while trying to support others on your team.
We also dive into motivation and the curiosity and drive to want to be in the right room where important conversations are happening for continued growth as a leader.
Key takeaways include:
Leadership is more about overcoming fear than building confidence
The challenge of bringing people with you on the maverick waves
Understanding how your energy works with other people and when it needs to be dialled up and when it needs to be dialled down
Jonny has built experience through working at a mix of agencies including Isobar and Geometry, relationship, data and technology-led, BBDO, consumer and culture-led and JKR, design and brand-led. Jonny has also led Global partnerships with Google, Meta and Amazon to maximise the value brands obtain from these platforms.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
In this episode, I speak with Nazia Du Bois, Global Head of Rare with Google.
Join us as we discuss how as leaders, our truth is our power and sometimes we need to stand up for that, even if it is uncomfortable. Nazia shares why the role of the truth teller is about having a really clear perspective on yourself and what’s best for your team.
We also discuss the effects of perfectionist culture and how it can actually be detrimental to our team.
Key takeaways include:
There is power of being present and being absent to communities
Ethical AI and courage of seeking long-term over short-term results
How every word needs to earn its keep in leadership
Nazia Du Bois is global head of Rare, Google and is a seasoned global marketing leader with experience in agency leadership (DAVID, Ricebowl) and internal brand teams (Netflix, Google) experience. She works on building inclusive products, brands, marketing and leadership teams.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Lucas Bergmans: Leadership During Rapid Growth and Fast Downturns
12 Jul 2023
00:30:53
In this episode, I speak with Lucas Bergmans, former CMO of Cazoo.
Join us as Lucas shares his thoughts on how keeping your vision and values at the front of everything you do will help retain the culture of your team during periods of rapid growth.
Lucas also explores why embracing imposter syndrome instead of running from it can help you grow as an individual and leader.
Key takeaways include:
How to achieve working at speed
The challenges of hypergrowth and then a fast downhill turn
The mindset you need when your position is made redundant
Lucas Bergsmans, is the former CMO of Cazoo. Previous to this he held senior roles at Aviva, Money supermarket.com and Heiken. He is skilled in delivering rapid, sustainable growth in scale-up e-commerce B2C businesses and has driven profitable growth successfully across the food, soft and alcoholic drinks, travel, financial and automotive sectors.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Rebecca Bezzina: Working For Your Team as a Leader, Not the Other Way Around
05 Jul 2023
00:34:47
In this week’s episode, I speak to Rebecca Bezzina, CEO, EMEA at R/GA.
Join us as we explore the authenticity needed in leadership and the non-negotiables that allow Rebecca to show up 100% as a leader for her team.
Rebecca also shares her unique view on why she is the one working for her team, not the other way around. She believes that to be successful, you have to create environments where people work with you, not for you and it has been central to her approach to leadership.
Key takeaways include:
● The importance of having a plan and not waiting for opportunities to appear ● Being able to speak up and express yourself ● How there is always room to be more courageous, no matter how senior you are
Rebecca is the CEO of the EMEA business for R/GA and is the driving force behind R/GA’s long-term business vision and strategic direction in the UK – Under her leadership the agency was awarded Campaign’s Digital Innovation agency of the year in 2022/23 and she was recognised as Agency Leader of the Year in the Digital category.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
In this week’s episode, I speak to Jamie Elliot, CEO at The Gate.
Join us for a fascinating conversation around how he approaches leadership and why as leaders, we have to find the courage to stand by what we believe, even when everyone else around us may be on a different page.
Jamie also shares his insights into what it is like to make the transition from having control as the manager and letting go as a leader.
Key takeaways include:
Why you must focus on managing your energy and building consistency
How failing in his first CEO role has helped define his leadership today
How to be supportive to your team and help give the push to expand their comfort zone
Jamie has orchestrated The Gate’s turnaround and led MullenLowe to EFFIE Agency of the Year. He has an MBA and is on the IPA’s Council.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Introducing Series 9 of The Courageous Leaders Club!
Get ready to be inspired by an incredible lineup of guests, including:
Jamie Elliott - CEO, The Gate Rebecca Bezzina - CEO, EMEA, R/GA Lucas Bergmans - former CMO, Cazoo Victoria Day - MD, Ogilvy Jonny Spindler - MD, Jones Knowles Ritchie Jessica Tamsedge - UK CEO, Dentsu Creative Efrain Ayala - Global Creativity and Diversity & Inclusion Director, Marketing, Reckitt Nazia Du Bois - Global Head of Rare with Google
Join us on June 29th for captivating conversations on leadership, overcoming challenges, and unlocking your full potential.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Bee Adamic: The Journey of Overcoming Shyness to delivering a TED Talk
31 May 2023
00:40:04
In this week’s episode I speak to Bee Adamic - CEO of Liberty Music PR.
Join us whilst we talk about Bee’s journey through leadership. From overcoming shyness to delivering a TED talk and starting her own business, Bee's story is inspiring.
She also discusses the importance of celebrating motherhood and following your passion.
Key takeaways include:
the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone
the power of positive self-talk
the value of surrounding yourself with supportive and uplifting people.
Bee Adamic, CEO and Founder of Liberty Music PR, launched the agency while pregnant in 2016.
With a team of 45 music lovers, Liberty Music PR creates engaging campaigns for Artists and Brands through PR, Radio, Playlisting, and Tik Tok. Bee is also the Founder of MAMI, empowering women in music and celebrating mothers in the industry.
She delivered a TED talk in 2022 on Democratising the Music Industry and was featured in GymShark's inspirational women's collection. Bee also contributed to the Women in CTRL report, "A Seat at the Table."
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Ever made a decision under pressure that you instantly regretted?
Maybe it was to avoid conflict, keep the peace, or just make the discomfort stop.
I’ve been there and it nearly cost me my confidence as a leader.
In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I open up about how pressure is the real test of your leadership.
We Cover: 01:14 – The two ways leaders make decisions under pressure
02:22 – The personal story that changed how I lead
03:51 – What actually triggers your pressure
04:53 – Reframing pressure as a privilege, not a burden
05:33 – The perspective trick every overwhelmed leader needs
06:43 – The biggest mistake leaders make when pressure hits
07:22 – Why trusting your gut can save you from costly decisions
07:37 – Quick recap of all four pressure-handling tools
08:00 – Why pressure makes you wiser, not weaker
08:35 – A message for every leader who’s navigating the hard days
Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Guy Bradbury: The Cost of Success, When it Becomes Addictive
24 May 2023
00:38:25
In this week’s episode I speak to Guy Bradbury, Creative Partner at M&C Saatchi.
Join us whilst we talk about what happens when success becomes addictive, to the point it takes away happiness.
Guy also shares his thoughts about why we need to stop making such quick judgment calls on people and give them the support they need to succeed.
Key takeaways include:
Finding enough energy for your work and your family
The importance of who you surround yourself with
The big jump from being a Creative to a Creative Director Guy is an award-winning creative leader, with 20+ years experience in building highly effective creative teams.
Throughout his career Guy has been Group Creative Director and Executive Creative Director at some of the world’s most successful agencies. And helped both DDB London and Saatchi & Saatchi to win ‘Most awarded agency in the world’ for both creativity and effectiveness.
Prior to joining M&C Saatchi as their first Creative Partner, Guy founded Atomic London, a leading independent Creative Agency.
Over his career, he has won over 200+ awards for creativity across Including D&AD, Cannes Lions, Creative Circle and IPA.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Christiana Coker: Why it's time to change how we use job titles
17 May 2023
00:42:20
In this week’s episode I speak to Christiana Coker, Group Head of People at DDB U.K.
Join us whilst we talk about the cultural bias that exists around job titles, and why it needs to change.
Christiana also shares her thoughts about inclusion and psychological safety in the workplace, which are so insightful.
Key takeaways include:
The importance of speaking up when you don’t understand something
Why it’s not enough to just open doors to drive inclusion
How empowering people is the key to success and retention
DDB UK includes award winning agencies adam&eve, cain&abel and Tribal Worldwide and Christiana is responsible for the development and implementation of HR strategies that support the overall mission and business objectives of the agency.
She is also responsible for, in partnership with managers and leaders, creating and maintaining a positive work culture that encourages creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ
Anthony Purkiss: Understanding the different behaviours of the team to increase connection, improve communication and results
11 May 2023
00:33:04
In this week’s episode I speak to Anthony Purkiss, Co-Founder and Director of Make, a digital and creative agency, based in Farringdon.
Join us whilst we talk about using EDISC to understand the team and the power of being an early adopter and how that enables success.
Anthony also shares his thoughts about whether naivety is a form of bravery and courage and the frustration of wanting to speak up, but not doing so.
Key takeaways include:
Having a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset
Leveraging the different personality traits of your team
The value of freedom in the business world
In the nine years that Make has been in operation, Anthony and his team have attracted major clients such as IBM, Accor, Asana, Mollie's by Soho House, ClearPay, and De Beers.
Anthony believes in a flat company structure and fosters a culture where all creative ideas are valued.
👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ