Make It Thrive: The Company Culture Podcast

I'm joined by Timpson's Director of Happiness, Janet Leighton, as she shares their upside-down management model, and their people-centric practices that have made Timpson the success it is today. Even as one of the UK's oldest and most well-known retail brands.

Janet shares how they have given power to their store teams, how they continue to experiment and adapt, and the common sense philosophy they believe every business should have about people.

Connect with Janet Here;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-leighton-8109891a/

Discover more about Lizzie; 

I'm joined by Miro's People & Culture Leader - Sam Valentine, as he shares the challenges of navigating culture in the tech platform that's dominating the virtual workspace.

From how they use Miro to create a collaborative and participative culture, to the rhythm and rituals that keep everyone connected; Sam is honest about what has worked at Miro to make their culture what it is, and the progress they continue to seek.

Connect with Sam here;

I'm joined by Vivobarefoot's Head of Culture, Ashley Allen, as she shares the evolution of the innovative footwear brand and the culture journey they've been on.

From developing their own Vivo language, decentralising and using self-management practices, to the fun they get up to on their off-sites. It's the detailed deep dive into a company culture that has much for us to learn from.

Connect with Ashley here;

Prepare yourself for Season 15 of Make it Thrive with this short introduction to this season's theme.

In Season 15, we're going Behind the Brands. Think of it like a virtual culture tour inside some of my favourite organisations to explore how they shape their workplace culture, adapt to challenges, and create thriving environments.

Join me on Youtube;

https://www.youtube.com/@Lizzie_LibertyMind

Discover more about Lizzie; 

Wrapping up the women at work series, I share my own story of when I realised what it's really like to be a woman in the workplace. Plus a teaser of what's to come in Season 15.

Discover more about Lizzie; 

In this session I'm joined by Kirsten Buck as part of our Women at Work series.

In this inspiring talk, Kirsten will share how PTHR is designed to be the most life-friendly organisation, where flexibility, trust, and autonomy aren’t just policies but lived realities. Kirsten will offer a personal perspective on balancing the joys and challenges of raising a baby while thriving at work. Expect honest reflections, practical insights, and a fresh vision for rethinking how organisations can truly support life-friendly cultures. Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply seeking a better way to blend work and life, this session will leave you inspired to create change.

Discover more about Kirsten;

In this session I'm joined by Kerstin Andlaw as part of our Women at Work series.

Kerstin Andlaw is founder of TAO Consulting and consultant coach with deep expertise in company culture, self-organisation, and transformational leadership. She has worked across diverse industries, helping organisations create engaged, high-performing environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

In this session, we’ll explore how accountability – not as a burden, but as agency – can dismantle outdated power structures, unlock potential, and create workplaces where both individuals and the collective can thrive. As women, how we engage with power, leadership, and change matters. Instead of waiting for organisations and the world to change, how can we lead the way?

Discover more about Kerstin;

In this session I'm joined by Nora Fleischhut as part of our Women at Work series.

Passionate about helping people and organizations discover more adaptive, soulful, and joyful ways of working, Nora supports the transition from old to new paradigms as a New Work & Transformation Consultant.

In Nora’s session we’ll be diving into navigating the unknown. We often wait for certainty before we act, but real transformation begins when we dare to explore the unknown. How can embracing curiosity, experimentation, and community help us design better ways of working and living?

Discover more about Nora;

In this session I'm joined by Sophie Bryan as part of our Women at Work series.

Sophie Bryan is a Workplace Culture & Human Experience Specialist with a twist. She’s also qualified in Human Sexuality, a sex/life coach, burlesque dancer and runs her own burlesque dance school.

Sophie will be talking to us about how to harness the inner feminine sensual (sexual) power and energy to so as to show up and own who we are, do great work that fulfils us, & create amazing relationships.

Please note topics on sex and body dysmorphia are spoken about in this session.

Discover more about Sophie;

In this session I'm joined by Esmee Wilcox as part of our Women at Work Series.

Esmee is an award-winning systems change practitioner.

In this session, Esmee will open up her treasure trove of practices from across sustainability science, futures thinking, and social movement-building to inspire our collective imagination and action as leading-edge change-makers.

In this session I'm joined by Emma Humphrey as part of our women at work series.

Emma is a therapeutic coach and hypnotherapist for heart-led women.

In this conversational session, myself and Emma, will be challenging workplace mindsets.

From the unspoken rules to the deeply ingrained biases, workplace conditioning has shaped how women see themselves and their potential. In this transformative webinar, we’ll uncover how patriarchal narratives hold women back—and, more importantly, how to challenge and rewrite them. Join us for an empowering discussion on shifting mindsets, reclaiming your voice, and redefining success on your own terms.

Discover more about Emma;

Across March, I hosted the Women at Work webinar series, celebrating International Women’s Day and igniting real change in workplaces and communities.

For this season you'll hear the recorded webinar sessions which included talks and conversations exploring bold ideas and actionable strategies. Dive into discussions on harnessing feminine power, influencing policy, and driving equity where it matters most. Whether you’re a leader, advocate, or ally, these conversations will equip you to challenge the status quo and create meaningful progress. Let’s celebrate, connect, and activate change—together.

Get in touch;

That's a wrap a for season 13 with Maverick Founders. In this wrap-up episode I share the five themes that emerged from the conversations over the season, and reveal what to expect from Season 14 landing in Spring 2025. (ps. It's big!)

And share a fun new project I'm kick-starting.

Discover more about Lizzie; 

In this episode I chat with Tom Van Der Lubbe co-founder of mortgage advice service Viisi. As a self-organising company based in the Netherlands, Tom share’s the Viisi journey and his philosophical approach to work and life that makes this way of operating a fulfilling and meaningful part of everyone’s life at Viisi. It’s a deep and reflective conversation that asks the much bigger questions of why we organise the way we do. 

Discover more about Visii; 

In this episode I chat with CEO & Co-Founder of Cadence OneFive Bomee Jung about their choice to become a horizontal organisation. Bomee share’s the experiences that led to their alternative way of working, the practices they’ve adopted, and shares openly her personal experience of being neurodiverse and the impact this way of working has had on her relationships with her team. It’s bold and honest conversation that gives a clear link between purpose and governance. 

Connect with Bomee on LinkedIn; 

In this episode I’m joined by Founder and Entrepreneur Natacha Neumann. When Natacha founded her children’s food brand in Germany she realised there had to be a better way of operating. After some soul searching and exploring alternative management structures, Natacha introduced self-management into her company. In this conversation Natacha takes us through her founder journey, and how she evolved Erdbar into a self-managing entity. 

Connect with Natacha on LinkedIn; 

In this episode I’m joined Pieter Jelle De Brue, CEO of Leuven-based digital company Statik. As a founder Pieter always felt there was a better way to do things in his business, and after a few catalysts they decided to look at different ways of working. Statik has been using self-management principles for almost 12 years. In our conversation Pieter shares what started the journey, some of their practices and the experience of a founder finally finding the time and space to make big difference in his company and community. 

Connect with Pieter on LinkedIn; 

In this episode I wrap-up season 12, and start to explore the themes for season 13. What will you choose?

I also share some ponderings from recent culture projects and the things I've experienced as a culture coach.

Discover more about Lizzie; 

In this episode I’m joined by Happiness Expert Nic Marks to talk about happiness at work. Happiness can feel intangible, but in this conversation Nic shares the data and insights about how we can measure happiness at work, and the elements that organisations often miss. After the conversation you might just look at happiness at work in a totally new light, and have some practical ways in which you can create a better business for everyone involved. 

Discover more about Nic; 

In this episode I’m joined by Angelique Slob from Hello Monday Club. Angelique is a former HR executive and an organisational sociologist who now dedicates her work on new ways of working, and shaping the leaders of the future. In this conversation Angelique shares with us her approach to creating an abundant organisation, starting with abundance mindset. 

Discover more about Angelique; 

Does an egoless workplace really exist? And how do we talk about egos when they show up?

In this episode I’m joined by Tanner Chambers, a business and leadership professional in the non-profit sector, as we wrestle with ego in the workplace and get to grips with both the good and bad sides of ego. 

Discover more about Tanner and his work; 

What’s going unsaid in your culture? 

In this episode I’m joined by Richard Wood, organisational design and transformation Partner at The Ready, to talk about false harmony and our need to reframe conflict at work. In this conversation Richard gives a beautifully honest, and practical approach to how we can disrupt false harmony, and stop pretending that everything’s ok, when it’s not. 

Discover more about Richard and The Ready; 

Companies talk a big talk when it comes to creativity and innovation - but is it true creativity? 

In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Dave Hall as he shares with us the true essence of creativity and how to truly practice creative thinking in our organisations. Dave is an experienced Chief Executive, having operated across a number of science and engineering-based organisations.  He has an innate passion for driving innovation and has developed a unique approach to using some most unusual creativity techniques to both embed and then drive the innovation process.  Dave set up the Ideas Centre in 2011 to help organisations to escape from "more of the same", conventional and traditional thinking. In this episode Dave not only share why we need to think differently about creativity on both a personal and organisational level, but also provides some fun practices that we can all take-away and experiment with. 

Discover more about Dave and The Ideas Centre;

In this episode I’m joined by human scientist and Uncertainty Expert, Katherine Templar Lewis. As a human scientist Katherine’s work spans behavioural psychology, neuroscience, neuroaesthetics and cognition. Over the past few years Katherine has partnered with Sam Conniff to create the Uncertainty Experts, a programme designed to help build resilience and tools to navigate uncertainty. In this episode Katherine shares her knowledge on uncertainty, how our gut instinct is a super power, and how learning to journey with uncertainty brings about huge opportunities. 

Discover more about Uncertainty Experts

In this episode I’m joined by Cat Barnard, Co-Founder of Working the Future. In this conversation we dive into the forces that influence us and how knowing what to do, and why to do it, can feel anxiety-inducing. We consider whether our obsession with social media will help or hinder our growth, the meaning of purpose, and reflect on the reality that we are in a perpetual state of becoming. 

Discover more about Cat and Working the Future; 

In this kick-off introduction to season 12 I share the theme of the season, alongside some personal news and events that have been keeping me busy.

Discover more about Lizzie; 

It's the final episode of Season 11. In this wrap-up session I share a few culture news snippets that are getting me hot under the collar, and I share some of the key learnings from the season.

Discover more about Lizzie; 

Email - lizzie@libertymind.co.uk

In this episode I’m joined by Brendan Martin leader of Buurtzorg UK&IE. As the global icon of self-management, and progressive approaches to healthcare, Buurtzorg has seen phenomenal success in The Netherlands. But can that success be replicated in the UK? In this conversation Brendan shares the challenges of bringing Buurtzorg into the UK market, and the success stories of how this common sense approach to giving people trust and freedom creates a greater impact for all. 

Discover more about Buurtzorg UK&IE; 

Semco Style Institute is grounded in the pioneering approach to democratic management from the Brazilian entrepreneur Ricardo Semler. Ricardo and Semco gained international recognition for their groundbreaking approach to management, and they're now spreading this way of working through Semco Style Institute, helping companies all over the world. Today I'm joined by Daphne and Christiaan from the global team to share how they're living the Semco Style philosophy.

Discover more about Semco;

In this episode I’m joined by Kirsten Buck, Chief Futures Officer at PTHR. PTHR is a connected, collaborative enterprise of conscious business activists. With audacious dreams framed by their mission: Better business for a better world. PTHR is a self-managed enterprise, and today Kirsten shares the practices and the ways of operating that shape how they work together at PTHR. 

Discover more about PTHR;

In this episode I’m joined Maria-Jose from Kubadili where self-management isn’t just something they’ve implemented, but something they continuously practice and share with their own partners. Maria-Jose shares how self-management became an organic next step after their adoption of Agile methodologies, and the mindset they take for continuous experimentation. 

Discover more about Kubadili; 

In this episode I'm joined by Tom Haczewski, the founder of The User Story. Tom has a unique approach to how he is building his business, because it starts with an ethos around human sustainability. In this conversation we chat about the outdated mindset of growth for growths sake, and how with a vision in mind The User Story is about intentional choices about how we work.

Find more about Tom and The User Story;

In this episode I’m joined by Founder and CEO of Indigo Volunteers Holly Penalver. Without realising it, Holly created a self-managed charity, and in this session we share how her common sense and trust approach led the charity to work in this progressive way. Holly takes us inside the inner workings of how Indigo works as a self-managed charity, with all the highs and challenges of the journey. 

Find more about Indigo Volunteers;

In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Philippa Kindon and Ruth Waterfield to discuss what's it like at Mayden, a UK tech company who is self-managing. Philippa and Ruth share the highs and lows of what it's like to work at Mayden, and how self-management comes to life in their organisation.

Find more about Mayden’s way working; 

Season 11 has arrived and this season I'm putting the spotlight on progressive companies who are doing things differently. I share why I wanted to get under the bonnet of those doing culture in a truly different way. I also answer some of your questions, and share an update on my latest culture projects.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

On this week’s episode I’m joined by Co-founders of Happy Hq, and the hosts of the culture shock podcast Janine Jacobs and Louisa Mordaunt. Today we’re talking all about co-creation of culture, and what gets in the way of businesses embracing a more people-focussed workplace, and how we can go about creating workplaces where people can participate in shaping work. Something I love about Janine and Louisa’s approach is the fact they’ve tried and tested everything they do, which means they truly know how to help companies make those shifts.

Discover more about Happy HQ;

In episode we’re talking about company offsets. To help us think differently about offsites I’m joined by Sophie Bailey and Sally Page from WorkTripp. If you haven’t discovered WorkTripp yet, it’s a marketplace to find memorable venues, inspirational speakers, meaningful experiences and curated specialists to help you achieve your offsite goals. Together Sophie and Sally are the dream team behind WorkTripp who have a background in tech and B2B community building. I know that what they share will inspire you to make your next offsite epic.

Discover more about WorkTripp;

Website: https://worktripp.com/

LinkedIn: 

Today I’m joined by futurist Esemee Wilcox. Esmee was one of 8 global futurists given the Emerging Fellow award by the Association for Professional Futurists in 2019, and is committed to making Futures work accessible to people for global and local challenges. Esemee makes futures work practical so in today’s conversation we’re going to give you something to take-away and put into action. If working on future challenges in your organisation feels overwhelming, this session will really help you to explore the future in a relevant and practical way. 

Discover more about Esmee;

On today’s episode I’m joined by Mark Eddleston, New Ways of Working nerd, consultant, facilitator and trainer.  Mark has been on my list to have on the podcast for a while now as I’m a big fan of his playbook, and for the way he constantly asks the big questions about new ways of working. 

For years Mark has been practising progressive ways of working and first came across new ways of working in New Zealand in 2015 after spending a frustrating decade in traditional workplaces. It was the first time he found consistent fulfilment in work. This beautiful and challenging experience was with a law firm and community organisation that features on the distinguished Corporate Rebels ‘bucket list’.  As Mark says, “once you taste this way of working, it’s impossible to go back.” Mark has been a team member in three organisations that embraced progressive ways of working and has supported many more on their journey’s. Today mark and I are going to chat about patterns found in progressive organisations, complexity, and the inspiration for his playbook. 

Today I’m joined by Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst, co-authors of Workstyle: A Revolution for Wellbeing, Productivity and SocietyLizzie Penny and Alex Hirst are friends, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. They have been leading the Workstyle Revolution for a decade, co-founding a social enterprise, Hoxby, in 2014 to prove the concept. They have helped thousands of workstylers around the world to set, project and respect their own workstyles, and are conducting pioneering research into the link between autonomy, productivity and wellbeing. In this episode we explore Workstyle and how it can be adopted by teams and individuals.

Discover more about Workstyle;

In this episode I’m joined by Perry Tims to chat about progressive work communities. Perry has over 30 years of experience in business change and performance with the last 20 being in HR/Organisation Development. He ranked Number 1 in HR's Most Influential Thinkers 2022 (his 5th inclusion in that list), is a 4x Guest Professor, a 2x author and 2x TEDx speaker.

Perry founded People and Transformational HR 10 years ago and the venture is now a Certified BCorporation, a Certified Freedom-Centred WorldBlu listed organisation, a Gold Standard 4-day Working Week, a Living Wage employer and a Climate Positive enterprise.

The work Perry has done in transformation really has no limits, and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Perry in many aspects when it comes to changing the world of work. In today’s conversation we wanted to talk about communities, and how being part of these has not only changed our lives, but gives us all an opportunity for greater impact.

Find more about Perry;

In this episode I’m joined by Samantha Clarke, happiness consultant, global change maker, TEDX Speaker and Author of Love or Leave It: How to be happy at work. Together we talk about the importance of self-leadership in all of us, what companies are still getting wrong when it comes to company culture, and the exploration of neuroaesthetics.

Find more about Samantha;

Season 10 is finally here! In this intro session I share the theme for the season, and some general ponderings from a culture coach. I share my recent experience with moving further into wholeness, challenges I'm seeing dominate conversations, and an evolution in the making. 

Discover more about Lizzie;

In this week's episode I wrap up season 9 and share thoughts and ponderings on the topics that have been covered for our sessions of Workplace Liberation. 

What will you pledge to liberate at work?

Discover more about Lizzie;

Today I will speaking about menstruation and menopause in the workplace with Sophie Jane Hardy, the communications director of Red School, the founder of Your Cyclical Business and host of Red School's Menstruality Podcast.

You may think this topic isn’t for the workplace, but businesses who fully harness our full humanness and have started to adopt period policies in their company cultures, and this year in 2022 Spain became the first European country to allow workers to take menstrual leave.

In today’s chat Sophie and I will be discussing how menstruation and menopause impact women in the workplace, but also how as individuals we can embrace this most natural and powerful cycle to improve our lives.

Find more about Sophie Jane Hardy;

In this episode I chat with Barry McNeil and Mark Green about Semco Style launching in the UK. We talk about what drew us all into adopting Semco Style as a self-management practice, and what we’ve all learned from becoming Semco Style Experts. Plus there’s a special discount code available for the first 50 listeners.

Discover more about Semco Style here; 

In today’s episode I’m joined by Toni Finnimore,

Founder of the UK’s first subscription based volunteer community.

Toni is a positivity powerhouse whose mission is to change the charitable giving model in the Uk.

As a Social impact lead, community builder and a lover of all thing's kindness and connection, I know that today Tonni will seriously transform the way you think about the traditional CSR model in your organisation.

This season is sponsored by Breathe Culture Pledge;