Explore every episode of the podcast The Lead Story

Figure out your escape from a prison island. Shop for raw rabbit meat in the local supermarket. Find job security by choosing the right pen to lend to your boss on a plane. Get travel advice from a sociopath! It’s all covered in the latest Sini-Mini, a “snack-sized” podcast, this time on keeping a travel journal.

Tips, hints, and how to make your travel experience last longer and feel more meaningful with pre-trip prompts, what to write about before breakfast, reasons why you’re collecting rubbish in the back of your book, as well as how to impress your friends later with your amazing memory. A mix of global anecdotes plus practical advice which hopefully gets you itching to write the next time you book a holiday. 
 
 Sini-Mini’s are a little deviation from The Lead Story podcast which I will work my way back to soon. Hope you get some inspiration from these in the meantime. 

SFX from the amazing library at BBC Sounds. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Episode 3 of the Sini-Mini “snack-sized” podcast is all about one journaling prompt: exploration. This can be used as a writing prompt, a meditation, or good practice to enhance your travel writing. We’ll go into the minute detail of a piece of fruit, I sing the praises of the plain digestive biscuit, and you should come out of this with the strong urge to go shopping somewhere you’ve never been before. Or simple curl up on your sofa and start scribbling. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

So you want to try journaling. But where to start? I use my decades of journaling practice to get you going, whether you’re writing with your first cup of tea in the morning or trying out Oprah’s favourite practice of a gratitude journal at the end of the day. I go into more detail about the many different types of journals, tapping into your emotional self (and how to get that onto the page) and how music might help you get that pen to paper. 

Episodes 1 & 2 Intro to Journaling and Prompts for Journaling are available now. Enjoy!  

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

If you have journaling as one of your New Year’s Resolutions (or have had your interest piqued by the new app included in the latest iPhone update), this is the podcast for you! I’ve taken a little detour from The Lead Story to delve into a topic I know a little something about. 

In this “Sini-Mini’” I cover what journaling actually is, some of the different types of journals you can write, the equipment needed (hint: not a lot), and how to get started. Journaling can be a way of getting creative, if you lean that way, but it is also a great self-care practice for anyone. 

Episodes 1 & 2 Intro to Journaling and Prompts for Journaling are available now. Enjoy!   

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Paul Downing, my dad, is back! With 40 years of experience working in hotels internationally, Paul once again brings us lots of colourful stories about how he’s successfully handled cultural differences around the globe. There’s ice cream served in the desert from Lawrence of Arabia’s train, a goat stew brings a team together, and a manager must agree to hold meetings again, 25 years after the revolution*.

What should companies be doing to prepare their managers to lead in new territories? What’s the key to assimilating into a culture (hint: we’ve talked about it before!) We also discuss how to build and maintain company culture and just what effect it has on recruitment and retaining of staff. 

*Which revolution? You’re going to have to tune in to find out. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

I had so much fun talking about positivity with Tiffany Bradbury and had to find out a little more. This bonus segment gets a few more insights into how she keeps positivity in her life:  with coffee, gratitude, 90’s grunge music and a whole lotta glitter. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

TRAILER: I'm exploring positivity in Episode 4 with one of the most positive people I know: Tiffany Bradbury. She was one of my very first managers and lead with a big smile and an even bigger heart. But that didn’t mean she was a pushover. So how has she brought that positivity and leadership to the fore every day, whether it be directing the evening news, teaching kids fire safety, or helping a community navigate a global pandemic? 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Who’s the most positive member of your leadership team? Ever think about the steel that’s supporting all that sunshine and smiles? We’re exploring *positive* leadership so it’s time to get down to the details and look at positivity. It’s a conscious way to approach the day, the attitude with which to tackle a challenge, the thing you can be known for. But how do you sustain the energy to always be the one bringing positivity into the workplace? How do you remain positive during challenging times? And are there times when perhaps a positive attitude is the last thing a person wants to face? If you’re bringing the glitter and unicorns to the table, are you being seen as soft or weak? 

I explore all that and more with one of the most positive people I know: Tiffany Bradbury. She was one of my very first managers and lead with a big smile and an even bigger heart. But that didn’t mean she was a pushover. So how has she brought that positivity and leadership to the fore every day, whether it be directing the evening news, teaching kids fire safety, or helping a community navigate a global pandemic? 

We discuss how important kindness is today not only in the workplace but in all aspects of our lives, how different people may want their kudos, why asking for help can show strength, and just how to fill that positivity bucket that everyone draws from. As always there are stories, laughter, and some really good advice. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Pop quiz, hot shot! You didn't think I was going to speak to a teacher and not spring a pop quiz on him, do you? I put Mr Gartman into the hot seat to ask about first day superstitions, hidden talents, and the truth about the teachers' lounge. Grab a pencil, heads down, and begin! 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

It’s back to school time! We’re sneaking into the teacher’s lounge to speak to Jeff Gartman who’s been teaching for 20 years, after leaving television news production behind (just as I did!). I’ve grilled my fellow Virginia Tech grad about working with both those bright stars and more challenging students, how an old dog has to constantly learn new tricks to keep up with ever changing technology trends, the balance between respect and authority, and the ever-lasting effects a teacher can have on a student, and vice versa. It’s a semester-full of inspiration that’ll have you reminiscing about your first leaders – the teachers in your past. Time to put away your phones* and pay attention! 

(*don’t put away your phone if you’re listening to the podcast on it…) 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

We're going back to school for episode three of the Lead story, exploring positive leadership in the classroom and beyond. 

Available from 9th September. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

In the middle of a crisis, meeting people's basic needs can not only calm a situation, it can give you a chance to figure out what the next move is. Episode 2 of The Lead Story explores preparing for disaster. And how you may already be doing it.  

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Only celebrities need media training, right? Wrong. If you are in an upper management role, have a brand to protect, and your company provides a product or service to the public, you'll likely deal with the media at some point. It's one thing to speak to the press when you're promoting something. It's a different game when there's a crisis to manage. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Did you know President Ronald Reagan had his post-presidency office in Fox Plaza, aka Nakatomi Tower, aka the Die Hard building? Here's a little bonus story from Paul about paying President Reagan a visit, with a nice takeaway we can all put to use. 

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Episode 2 of The Lead Story explores how to prepare for disaster with some pretty colourful stories from around the world.

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Die Hard is one of the most famous action films of all time, but what happens when you're working in Nakatomi Tower and a real hostage situation is taking place? Do you leave the building or work through lunch? Check out episode 2 of The Lead Story to hear what one guy did.

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

August 2023 - The Lead Story - Episode 3: “Crisis”

How good are you at an emergency? Good leadership can really be put to the test when a crisis invades the workplace. How does a good leader prepare for the unknown? How you handle an active situation personally can really affect how everyone else responds.  

Episode 2 of The Lead Story explores preparing for crisis. 

Paul Downing is back with 30+ years of global experience in hotel & regional management. He’s a mentor to many (including me) and has a lot to talk about in this episode, given he’s handled bomb scares, presidential visits, natural disasters, enraged mothers-of-the-groom, and protesters in the middle of a national revolution. We chat about how to prepare for an emergency, from crisis plans and hi-vis vests to how building respect amongst your team on a day-to-day basis can really come into play when crisis strikes. 

Stories include:

Crisis Plan: bomb scare in Dusseldorf

Media Training: faux terror attack in Washington DC

Crisis Centre: getting practical in the ballroom

Leadership: keeping calm after 7/7 bomb attacks in London

Back to Basics: feeding 400 during LA Riots

Lessons Learnt: real-life Die Hard hostage situation

Real or Fake: movie bombs & the Secret Service

Keeping your cool: blowing it with MI-5

Not my job: handling potential presidential troublemakers

Respect: keeping things real during Arab Spring protests

Too hot to handle: Penguins in the Venetian Lagoon

 Links:

LA Times article about real-life Nakatomi Tower hostage situation: 

Enjoyed the episode? Please share! 

Instagram: theleadstorypodcast

Facebook: The Lead Story Podcast

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Have you ever wondered how your manager got to where they are? Ever considered that they may have taken a demotion to move up? Sounds counter-intuitive, but sometimes it's what's needed, especially when making the move from a small company to a large. Paul Downing talks about how he went from leading a small but mighty kitchen to dropping down to sous chef to achieve his goals.

"And I realized then there was no growth, so I needed to do something else. And so I got this opportunity to go to Amman in Jordan, but then as a sous chef, so I had to step down to take that position, but I was in a much bigger organization..."

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

Introducing The Lead Story, exploring the qualities of positive leadership with people who’ve worked their way up, find ways to inspire, and continue to mentor new leaders. 

My first guest is Paul Downing who worked globally in the hospitality industry for over 40 years, starting in the kitchen and finishing as an in-demand consultant taking care of luxury hotels all over the world. He's mentored scores of people in the industry and continues to mentor me through my career, despite my leaving the hotel business a good 15 years ago (his being my dad may have something to do with his dedication). 

I anticipate many more chats with Paul but for this first episode we'll explore his career path and the theme of OPPORTUNITY – his response to the chances given by leaders who believed in him and how he forged many opportunities not only for himself but the teams he led and motivated along the way.

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 + 4 Sini-Mini's are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.