The Ripple Impact!

What does it take to build a business that creates profit and real social impact?

In this powerful episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Laura Barber sits down with Daniel Kemdeng, Founder and CEO of Amero Coffee, to explore how he transformed his family’s 90-year farming legacy into a global ethical coffee brand supporting over 10,000 farmers.

Daniel shares his extraordinary journey from JP Morgan banker to purpose-driven entrepreneur, and the lessons he has learned building a business rooted in sustainability, fair pricing, and community impact.

Inside this episode:

• Why most coffee farmers see only a tiny fraction of the final sale price

• The truth behind many fair trade claims

• How to build an ethical supply chain that actually works

• Why social impact can increase financial returns

• The role of community in scaling meaningful businesses

• What investors should consider beyond profit

• How founders should think about brand building from day one

This conversation is packed with insights for founders, brand builders, marketers, investors and anyone interested in the future of ethical business.

🎧 Listen now and discover how business can become a force for good without sacrificing commercial success.

Why do so many brilliant people stay hidden?

In this episode, Laura Barber sits down with Kier Adair, visibility expert, founder of the Speak and Shine Collection, and host of the Say Yes to You podcast.

Together they explore what really holds people back from being seen, why confidence is built through action, and how visibility can transform your business, credibility and opportunities.

Expect an honest conversation on:

• Why confidence follows action, not the other way round

• The real cost of playing small

• Why visibility is far bigger than social media

• How to build your own visibility code

• Trusting your intuition and backing yourself

• The power of getting in the right rooms

If you have ever struggled with imposter syndrome, holding yourself back, or waiting to feel “ready” before putting yourself out there, this episode is for you.

🌊 The Ripple Impact is the podcast where we uncover the moments, decisions and stories that create waves in business and life.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

What if one conversation could save a life?

In this episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Laura Barber sits down with Toby Freeman, Founder of The Robin Cancer Trust, to explore how personal loss turned into a mission that is now saving lives across the UK.

From breaking stigma around men’s health to using humour to spark powerful conversations, this episode is full of insight, honesty and real human impact.

We talk about:

·     Turning grief into purpose

·     Why early cancer detection depends onconversation

·     How humour helps people open up

·     The truth about finding purpose

·     Building a movement that lasts

·     Creating real impact, not just awareness

This is a powerful reminder that small actions can create life changing ripples, and that authentic story telling lies at heart of moving people and souls.

🎥🎧 Watch on youtube or listen to the full episode now

📩 And if this sparked something for you, drop me a message. I would love to hear your ripple moment

What happens when you see something deeply unfair… and decide to act?

In this episode, Laura Barber sits down with Anne Nicholls, educator and activist, to explore how one moment of shock turned into a movement changing thousands of lives.

From girls missing school every month due to period poverty… to breaking stigma, educating communities and bringing boys into the conversation… this is a powerful story of purpose in action.

We cover:

• The reality of period poverty and its globalimpact
• Why silence and stigma are the biggest barriers
• The importance of educating both girls and boys
• How small actions can create life-changing ripple effects
• What it really means to follow purpose without a plan

This is an honest, emotional and inspiring conversation about courage, compassion and creating change where it matters most.

🎥🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode now

Cindy Gallop is not just building a business. She is challenging culture.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Laura Barber sits down with the founder of Make Love Not Porn to explore what happens when you take on taboo topics, broken systems and an industry that refuses to change.

This is a conversation about courage, conviction and building something that truly matters.

We talk about:

• Why porn has become default sex education
• The barriers female founders face in funding and scaling
• What it really takes to build a disruptive, mission-led business
• How to challenge cultural norms through brand and storytelling
• Why not caring what people think might be your biggest advantage

Cindy shares the realities of building a business against the odds, and why the future of the internet depends on who gets funded.

If you’re a founder, brand leader or someone who wants to create real impact, this episode will challenge how you think.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Laura Barber sits down with Sam Teale, founder of a fast-growing video production company known for creating powerful, emotive and viral content.

This is a conversation about what actually makes people feel, why that matters more than ever in marketing, and how storytelling can turn small ideas into massive impact.

From creating the highest viewed Christmas advert on a £5,000 budget to challenging the way brands think about relatability, Sam shares honest, practical insights into what really drives connection, sharing and growth.

We talk about:

• Why emotional storytelling drives action
• The difference between relatability on a spreadsheet and real human connection
• What makes content truly shareable
• How to stand out without big budgets
• Why Gen Z is more capable than people think
• Turning doubt and criticism into momentum
• How to structure stories to create emotional impact

If you are building a brand, creating content or trying to connect with people in a more meaningful way, this episode will challenge how you think and inspire how you show up.

🎥🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode now, links are below.
📩 And drop me a message, I’d love to hear your ripple story.

What if the problem with events isn’t the content… but the experience?

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Laura Barber sits down with Dan Brain, co-founder of MAD//Fest, to explore how the events industry got stuck in a cycle of scale over substance and what it takes to break out of it.

From launching with £30k and a bold vision, to building one of the UK’s most talked-about marketing festivals, Dan shares the ripple moments, risks and instincts that shaped MAD//Fest into a platform that feels more like a movement than a traditional event.

This conversation explores:🌊 Why “beige” events no longer work🌊 The power of creative disruption and distinctive brands🌊 How human experiences are becoming more valuable than ever🌊 Why connection, not just content, drives real impact

If you care about building brands, experiences or businesses that people genuinely connect with, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Laura Barber speaks with psychologist and founder of Male Allies UK, Lee Chambers, about why allyship is a skill every modern leader must build.

From scaling a tech business to losing the ability to walk at 29, to becoming a stay-at-home dad and listening in discomfort at toddler groups, Lee shares the ripple moments that reshaped his life and career.

Together they explore:

·     Why allyship is a leadership capability

·     How inclusive leadership improves performance

·     The commercial benefits of navigating difference

·     What most organisations get wrong about inclusion

·     Why discomfort makes you a better listener

·     How to build cultures where everyone can thrive

This is a bold, honest and human conversation about resilience, culture, gender dialogue and what the future of leadership really looks like.

If you are a founder, senior leader or brand builder who wants to lead with clarity and courage, this episode is essential listening.

That voice in your head that says you’re not ready?

Let’s talk about it.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Laura Barber speaks with executive coach Elaine Atkinson about how to silence your inner critic and reconnect with your instinct, confidence and leadership clarity.

From climbing the corporate ladder to walking away from senior leadership at Deloitte, Elaine shares the ripple moments that forced her to question external success and rebuild from the inside out.

Inside this conversation:

* What the inner critic actually is and why it is so loud

* The science behind intuition and gut instinct

* How corporate environments reinforce self doubt
* Burnout, ambition and misalignment
* Practical tools to manage fear in leadership
* How to move forward even when you feel uncertain

This episode is for ambitious founders, leaders and professionals who want impact without self abandonment.

If you have ever asked yourself “Is this it?” or felt stuck between ambition and alignment, this one will land.

Marketing is not decoration. It is commercial strategy.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Laura Barber is joined by Lisa Eaton, founder of Fabric Academy, to explore how marketing can truly drive growth when marketers are trained to think strategically, commercially and confidently.

Lisa shares insights on leadership, AI, growth skills, female founders and why human judgement will always matter in brand building.

This conversation explores:

* Why marketing is still seen as a cost centre

* How to activate growth through marketing

* Commercial thinking for modern marketers

* AI vs human nuance in brand building

* Leadership, influence and stakeholder buy-in

* Female founders, resilience and raising capital

🎧 Listen now, subscribe for more and join the ripple movement!

In this episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Laura Barber sits down with Frankie James, Co Founder of Ideas Community and the force behind Ideas Fest.

This is a bold and honest conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in entrepreneurship.

We talk about:

* Why founders struggle with imposter syndrome

* The emotional reality of stepping down as CEO

* Why nobody actually has it all figured out

* How Ideas Fest became a space for raw and real conversations

* Why AI is reshaping business and why human connection will matter more than ever

* How 50 female founders are driving 1,200km across India for impact

If you are building a business, navigating leadership, questioning your next move or craving more honest conversations in entrepreneurship, this episode is for you.

Listen, follow and share with a founder who needs this reminder today.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, sits down with Emma Sayle, serial entrepreneur, community builder and unapologetic rule-breaker.

In this powerful live episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast, Emma shares the human story behind building global communities rooted in belonging, freedom and female empowerment.

From founding Killing Kittens to building WeAreX, Emma opens up about leadership, backlash, confidence, ADHD, female founders, and why community matters more than ever.

We explore:

* Why the future of business is human, not labels

* How criticism can be proof you’re onto something

* Letting go as a leadership superpower

* The real pressure on female founders

* Why community and belonging drive lasting impact

* Turning bold ideas into movements that scale

Mike Turner, Co-Founder of Bird & Blend Tea Company, joins host Laura Barber for a live Ripple Impact podcast packed with real founder honesty.

Mike shares how he and his co-founder built Bird & Blend into a cult challenger brand, why they put people before profit, how purpose shaped every decision, and what it really takes to scale without losing your soul.

From resilience and leadership to values, B Corp, culture and customer experience, this episode is a powerful reminder that brands with heart don’t happen by accident.

If you’re a founder, brand leader or building something that matters, you’ll love this one.

Marketing is changing fast. Burnout is rising. Budgets are tightening. Expectations are exploding.

In this deeply honest Ripple Impact conversation, Laura Barber is joined by Abby Dixon, founder of The Whole Marketeer, award-winning marketing leader, coach, author, and podcast host, to explore what is really happening inside marketing teams right now.

They dive into:

• Why marketing has shifted from support function to growth engine

• The burnout signals leaders are missing

• What high-performing teams actually need to thrive

• Why fulfilment drives performance

• The leadership gaps forming in modern marketing

• Abby’s sun-lounger epiphany that sparked her whole-person approach

This episode is for anyone leading brands, building teams, or questioning the future of marketing.

Sound is shaping your brand whether you like it or not.

In this live Ripple Impact podcast episode, Laura Barber is joined by Karsten Kjems and John Cleworth from Sonic Minds to explore the hidden power of sonic branding and why sound is becoming one of the most important brand assets of our time.

And this is not just a conversation.It is a real, live case study.

For the first time, Laura reveals The Ripple Impact’s brand new sonic identity and takes you behind the scenes of how it was created from her brand strategy, values, personality, and storytelling mission.

They unpack:

• Why brands are built through emotion, not visuals alone

• How sound drives memory, recall, and trust

• Why cheap or mismatched audio quietly destroys credibility

• How to turn brand values into a sonic identity step by step

• The full creative process behind Ripple Impact’s new sound

• Why silence is part of sound

• What founders and brand leaders should do next

You will hear exactly how Ripple Impact translated its human-centred brand strategy into a complete audio system that now powers its podcast, social media, and brand experience.

If you care about brand strategy, storytelling, emotional connection, and building brands that truly resonate, this episode is for you.

What if success isn’t built in the spotlight, but in everything you do when nobody’s watching?

In this Ripple Impact episode, Laura Barber is joined by Liz Byrne, founder of The Other 67, leadership coach, former FMCG leader and England gold medal hockey player.

Liz shares the deeply human stories behind her career pivots, life-changing moments, and the mindset that took her from corporate leadership into elite sport and entrepreneurship.

They explore:

• Why high performance is built in the unseen moments

• The leadership power of humility and honesty

• How psychological safety changes teams• What “The Other 67” really means

• The mindset behind “What if it all works out?”

• Lessons from elite sport for business and leadership

This episode is a reminder that growth, confidence and success are created long before the applause ever arrives.

If you’re building a business, leading a team, or navigating a big life or career pivot, this conversation will stay with you.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Laura Barber is joined by Chris Hulatt, CBE and co-founder of Octopus Group and Octopus Energy, to explore what it really takes to scale a business without losing your values.

From starting out at 23 with little money and a big belief, to building a $9bn group rooted in customer trust, culture and long-term thinking, Chris shares honest lessons on leadership, brand building and why values are not a marketing exercise, they are a growth strategy.

This is a conversation for founders, leaders and marketers who believe growth should feel human.

🎧 Subscribe now for new episodes weekly.

🌊 If you’re building a brand and want clarity, connection and long-term impact, you can work with Laura through The Ripple Impact.

Building a community is not about speed. It is about intention. Small moments. Quiet leadership. Big ripple effects.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Laura Barber is joined by Joe Glover, Founder of The Marketing Meetup, for an honest conversation about community, confidence, and what human marketing really looks like in practice. We unpack the human story behind building one of the most trusted marketingcommunities in the world.

Joe shares why most communities fail when they are built around short-term ROI, why marketers are feeling uncertain despite being highly capable, and why confidence, care, and psychological safety matter more than ever.

We explore:• The emotional reality behind modern marketing• Why being seen is one of the most powerful things you can give someone• How community grows when people feel safe to speak and belong• Why networking should leave people feeling more confident, not drained• And what it means to build something meaningful over the long term

A warm, honest conversation for founders, marketers and leaders who believe growth should feel human.

🎙 Podcast now LIVE. New Ripple Impact episodes weekly.

🎧 SUBSCRIBE NOW for weekly conversations on brand, leadership and human storytelling.💬 And if you want support building a brand rooted in human connection, come and work with me at The Ripple Impact. Find us at:

2026 is not about louder marketing. It is about clearer brands.

In this New Year’s Eve special of The Ripple Impact, host and founder Laura Barber shares what she genuinely believes will define brand building in 2026. From emotion moving back to the centre, to community becoming a true growth engine, to founders stepping into their human voice.

This episode is a reflective pause between years and a practical guide for what to build next. Laura also shares what is coming for The Ripple Impact in 2026, including new conversations, tools, workshops and the launch of The Ripple Method.

If 2025 was about reflection, let 2026 be about building clarity, confidence and brands with soul. Come and work with us in 2026 to unlock your stories!

Follow and subscribe for more conversations that bring humanity back to brand building.

In this Christmas Eve special, Laura Barber founder of The Ripple Impact reflects on the powerful themes that emerged from a full year of Wave Maker conversations. From courage and belonging to curiosity, creativity and connection, these five ripples reveal what truly drives brand growth and meaningful leadership.

Laura also gives a preview of what to expect in 2026 and how human storytelling will shape the next era of brand building.

Perfect for founders, marketers and leaders who want to build brands with soul.

If you want to build a brand with soul, clarity and emotional resonance, this episode will set the tone for your next chapter.

Listen, subscribe and join us in shaping a more human world of brands.

Find us here:

What does it take to land a senior role in a market where jobs can attract 1500 to 2000 applications?

In this live episode of The Ripple Impact, with host Laura Barber, we're joined by Suzie Walker, founder of Suzie Walker Executive Search and Amazon bestselling author of The Successful Candidate. We talk about the new reality for senior leaders in marketing and digital, why many roles are never advertised publicly, and how to build a clear value proposition that gets you shortlisted.

Suzie also shares what organisations are demanding right now: commercial impact, transformation skills, leadership through change, and a strong understanding of AI in marketing. Plus, why interim work can be a smart move and why your situation in this market is not a reflection of your worth.

🌊 If you’re looking to elevate the human storytelling of your brand, get in touch with us at The Ripple Impact.

Marketing is changing faster than ever and this conversation will change how you see your role in shaping it.

In this powerful episode of The Ripple Impact, I sit down with Nandini Nandakumar, Global Marketing Director for Smirnoff at Diageo. With more than 12 years shaping global brands across India, Ireland and the US, Nandini has led some of the most culturally resonant and digitally native transformations at Diageo.

We go deep into the moments that shaped her career, the resilience behind her leadership story and the bold truth every marketer needs to hear:

🔥 Marketing is not just comms.🔥 Marketing is not just performance.🔥 Marketing is impact on people and the P&L.

We explore:

1. Nandini’s journey from South India to global marketing

2. Why marketing is art and science

3. How to reach consumers at scale

4. The power of selfless listening

5. Making a global brand feel local

6. The identity crisis in marketing

7. Why marketers must define the future of the function8. How to splash the waves bigger

If you want to build a brand that is felt, not just seen, this episode is for you.

🎧 Want to work with us at The Ripple Impact? We help founders and leaders build brands with soul through human storytelling.
Get in touch to explore how we can help your business grow.

This episode is a masterclass in ambition, leadership and culture.
Dr Matilda Andersson joins Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, to explore how early challenges with dyslexia became a source of strength, how diving taught her discipline and feedback, and how she went on to shape teams and agencies across the creative industries.

We unpack:

* Why feedback is the heartbeat of high performance

* The culture foundations every agency needs to scale

* How ambition (and sometimes fire) fuels extraordinary careers

* What happens when leaders avoid difficult conversations

* How Ambition, Culture and Tough Lessons Shape Great Leaders

* Why serendipity shapes our biggest career shifts

* The importance of audacious goals

Takeaways

·     Agencies must evolve to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

·     A strong agency culture is crucial for scaling and success.

·     Setting ambitious goals can drive significant achievements.

·     Feedback is essential for growth and improvement.

·     Agencies play a vital role in nurturing new talent.

·     The future of agencies involves blending diverse skills for client success.

·     Resilience and adaptability are key to agency longevity.

·     Personal challenges can become strengths in leadership roles.

·     The agency model remains powerful despite industry changes.

·     Collaboration and shared expertise benefit clients and agencies alike.

If you want to build a brand with soul, grow as a leader or scale your agency, you will love this one.

🌊 Ready to elevate your brand storytelling and strategy? Come and work with us at The Ripple Impact.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Curiosity is a choice. Empathy is an action. Growth happens when we step into the unfamiliar on purpose.

In this episode, organisational psychologist and global people leader Kim Happich joins The Ripple Impact founder and host, Laura Barber to explore the leadership power of curiosity, cultural humility and choosing courage over comfort.

We go deep into:

* Why true leadership starts with empathy and positive intent

* What travelling and working globally teaches us about humanity

* How to grow by participating, not observing

* The ripple impact of culture, identity and discomfort

If you are building a business, leading a team or becoming the person, you want to be, this conversation will move you.

Ready to take this further? If you want to build a brand with more soul, clarity and human connection, reach out to The Ripple Impact. We help founders and leaders uncover the stories, insights and meaning that set their brands apart. Tune in, then come and see how we can support you.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

What if the bravest thing you can do is stop holding on?

In this episode, Joseph Liu shares the real and emotional story behind leaving medical school, stepping away from corporate success and creating a purpose-driven career that fuels, not drains, energy.

We unpack:

• Knowing when a chapter has ended

• Taking small, bold steps towards reinvention

• Why meaningful work matters for life, not just career

• Letting go of titles and building confidence through action

A powerful reminder that you don’t need every answer to move forward - you just need the courage to start.

🎧 Listen now and hit follow on The Ripple Impact Podcast so you never miss an episode.
💬 Share your biggest takeaway or ripple moment - I love hearing what resonates.
🌊 And if you’re ready to bring more soul, story and strategy into your brand, work with me at The Ripple Impact.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

In a hybrid, AI-powered, multi-cultural world, connection matters more than ever.

In this episode I’m joined by Victoria Rennoldson, founder of Culture Cuppa and author of Becoming a Global Leader.

We explore how confidence, clarity and cultural intelligence shape modern leadership, and why human communication is still the most valuable skill we have.

We cover:

• Learning culture by living it

• The courage to reinvent your career

• Why confidence is not loud, it is grounded

• How AI makes human connection even more important

• Leading teams you may never meet in person

This is a conversation for leaders, founders and anyone who wants to leave a meaningful ripple in the world.

Want to elevate the human storytelling in your brand? Reach out at The Ripple Impact.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

This episode of The Ripple Impact Podcast goes deep.
Laura Barber is joined by Quinn Stainfield-Bruce, founder of Humanness, to talk about the spiritual bankruptcy of modern work - and what it really takes to bring humanity back into business.

Expect raw honesty, deep insight and a few uncomfortable truths about the way we lead, live and work.

💡 Topics include:

• From burnout to breakthrough

• How spirituality belongs in business

• The problem with corporate wellbeing

• Why brave leadership is the only kind that matters

• The ripple effects of restoring human connection

🎙️ Hosted by Laura Barber, Founder of The Ripple Impact.
🌊 Listen, share, and start your ripple.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Singer. Speaker. Survivor. In this episode, The Ripple Impact host Laura Barber talks with Janey Brown, performer and founder of the Fearce Academy, about the human side of performance - fear, failure and finding your voice again.

Janey opens up about the moment she lost her voice for a year, how perfectionism nearly broke her, and the mindset shift that turned fear into her fiercest power.
If you’ve ever doubted yourself before stepping on stage, into a boardroom, or even into a new chapter - this conversation will change how you see fear forever.

🎧 Listen weekly to The Ripple Impact for more stories that create waves of change.

And find Janey's book out now titled, Fear To Fearce: Embrace your shadow. Unleash your mental warrior. Maximize your psychological potential. 

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Laura Barber talks with Charly Young MBE, founder of The Early Years Movement and co-founder of The Girls’ Network, about how early experiences shape gender, confidence and opportunity.

Together they unpack how language, leadership and representation can transform not just classrooms, but entire systems.

They explore:

💬 How early experiences shape confidence and leadership

👧 Why representation and role models change everything

👶 The mission to bring more men into early years education

💡 The ripple effects of language, inclusion, and compassion in leadership

🌊 Tune in for a conversation that’s warm, insightful and packed with ripple moments that remind us: small sparks can shift generations.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Sound is more than noise — it’s the rhythm of our lives and the heartbeat of every brand.

Laura Barber talks with Karsten Kjems of Sonic Minds about the ripple impact of audio branding: from childhood in a house full of jazz musicians to shaping the sonic identities of Carlsberg, Arla, and some of the world’s most loved brands.

Expect stories, insights and plenty of sound wisdom, including:

·      Why audio is 50% of your brand experience

·      How sensitivity to noise became a creative superpower

·      The psychology behind jingles, sound logos and product sounds

·      How brands waste hundreds of hours searching for music

·      What advice Karsten gives to aspiring wave makers

🎙️ Subscribe and follow The Ripple Impact to never miss a wave.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

What does it take to transform insight into business impact?

On this episode of The Ripple Impact, I’m joined by James Wycherley, Chief Executive of the Insights Management Academy, author of Transforming Insight and The Insight Leader’s Playbook, and a global authority on elevating insight teams.

We talk about:

🌊 Why insight must move beyond transactions into transformation

🌊 The politics of AI and why it could repeat the mistakes of big data

🌊 How storytelling, empathy and influence are the real job of insight leaders

🌊 Ripple moments that took James from Barclays to shaping insight worldwide

This is a masterclass for anyone in insights, marketing, or leadership.

🎥🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode now - and drop me a message, I’d love to hear your ripple story.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

From a childhood lisp to boardrooms, Dr. Stefanie Teichmann’s story is proof that the ripples we least expect often shape the biggest waves in our lives.

Stefanie’s experience span global giants like Nike, Coca-Cola, Google and McKinsey.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Stefanie joins host Laura Barber to discuss:

✨ The moment she first heard her voice and broke down in tears

✨ The power of persistence in finding solutions (and mentors)

✨ Lessons from feedback - why timing, kindness and impact matter most

✨ Why leaders must own their story before others write it for them

✨ The visibility gap: why your work doesn’t speak for itself

This is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, presence and human connection.

🎥 Watch on YouTube or listen here on Spotify and don’t forget to subscribe

📩 Want to bring more storytelling and presence into your brand? Let’s work together at The Ripple Impact.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Natasha Hritzuk has shaped strategies at Microsoft, Warner Brothers Discovery, and General Mills - and in this episode of The Ripple Impact she shares how conviction, consumer truths, and bold research drive meaningful change.

We explore:

🌊 How insights teams earn a real seat at the table

🌊 The C-suite meeting that sparked chaos - and opportunity

🌊 Why consumer voices must guide creation, not just validation

🌊 The dangers of tunnel vision (“we’re not in the business of…”)

🌊 How conviction, empathy, and instinct fuel strategy and innovation

This is a must-listen for anyone in marketing, brand, or leadership who wants to see around corners, not get blindsided by them.

📩 Work with Laura at The Ripple Impact if you’re ready to elevate your brand storytelling.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Laura Barber welcomes Deb Dasgupta, Global VP of Marketing at Absolut Vodka, for an honest conversation on storytelling, brand DNA and women in leadership on this week’s Ripple Impact podcast.

Listen in as we discuss:

✨ Why great brands live in culture, not just campaigns

✨ The roots of iconic branding

✨ Lessons from PepsiCo, Unilever and Lakmé

✨ Why diversity isn’t charity - it’s a growth strategy

✨ Her advice to Wave Makers

A must listen episode for anyone building brands, leading teams, or chasing bold dreams.

🌊 Inspired by this episode? I help founders and leaders uncover the human stories and brand strategies that spark real impact.

📩 Connect with Laura at The Ripple Impact and let’s create your next ripple.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Global insights leader Simon Pollock (Pringles, Häagen-Dazs, Kellogg’s) joins Laura Barber on The Ripple Impact to explore how covering shapes our careers, why psychological safety matters, and what true human leadership looks like.

From lessons with a Sri Lankan tea entrepreneur to building teams and influencing global boardrooms, Simon shares ripple moments of vulnerability, identity and growth that shaped his leadership style.

If you want to lead with courage, build inclusive cultures and create brands that truly connect, this episode is for you.

Perfect for founders, CMOs and leaders who want to build authentic brands and inclusive cultures.

👉 🎧 Subscribe for more ripple stories on leadership, marketing and brand building.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Laura Barber sits down with Philippa White - global thinker, founder of TIELeadership, and bestselling author of Return on Humanity.

Philippa reveals the extraordinary story of her uncle, Nelson Mandela’s doctor, and how his courage in apartheid South Africa ignited her mission to redefine leadership.

Expect raw stories of resilience, why empathy is a competitive advantage, and why leaders must embrace vulnerability to truly create ripples of change.

🎙️ Perfect for leaders, marketers, and anyone ready to lead differently.

🔔 Subscribe for more bold voices and wave maker guests.

✨ Chapters

00:00 Welcome

03:05 The moment that changed everything

10:40 Why sameness kills leadership

26:20 Leadership through discomfort

38:52 The power of “I don’t know”

46:38 Leaders have more power than they think

52:49 Advice for aspiring wave makers

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Cultural thinker and bestselling author Annie Auerbach shares how brands can harness culture, collaboration and gut instinct to create ripple effects.

We talk about:

• Why the edges of culture spark the biggest shifts
• How to turn hidden tensions into contagious brand ideas
• The hard lessons from insights work that never reached consumers
• Why instinct is deep experience, not fluff
• The future of flexible working and collaboration

This is a conversation for anyone who wants to build braver brands, lead with empathy, and harness the power of culture to create real impact.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

What happens when your world falls apart and you decide to build something beautiful from the pieces?

In this powerful episode, mindfulness coach, speaker and best-selling author Nina Purewal joins Laura Barber on The Ripple Impact to share her extraordinary journey from personal tragedy to purposeful living. From surviving trauma and loss to leaving corporate life to build a wellness business, Nina gets real about grief, growth and what it means to let that sh*t go.

We explore:

• Healing from trauma and the science of neuroplasticity
• The power of mindfulness and the observing mind
• How to flip the script on negative self-talk
• The ripple impact of vulnerable leadership
• Why mindfulness is a leadership skill

A must-listen for anyone navigating change, building a business, chasing purpose or just trying to quiet the mental noise, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and join the ripple movement by following and commenting, we’d love to hear from you!

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Can a face make or break your brand?

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, I’m joined by Adrianne Carter, global expert in body language, emotional intelligence, and the creator of Asset CQ. Known as "The Face Whisperer," Adrianne has worked with brands like Unilever and helped train AI to better read human emotions.

We explore:

· Why emotions—not features—drive consumer behaviour

· What brands get wrong about facial expressions

· The power of being authentically you (on stage and on screen)

· How understanding emotion can transform leadership, storytelling, and performance

💥 A must-listen for marketers, creatives, and anyone who wants to connect on a deeper level.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Nick Graham has built brands, led global insights teams, and helped shift the way major companies think about people. But his most powerful stories? They’re the human ones.

In this episode of The Ripple Impact, Nick joins me, Laura Barber to unpack the leadership moments that changed everything, from a teacher’s words that helped him feel seen, to why qualitative pauses matter more than survey scores, and how air cover from a boss became a lesson in leading with trust.

If you care about:

· Psychological safety

· Inclusion that’s felt, not just said

· Making insights matter

· Becoming a more human leader

…this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now to discover the ripple moments that create real change.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

What does it really take to reach the boardroom and stay there?

In this energising and insight-packed episode, Laura Barber sits down with Naomi Kent, board advisor, endurance athlete andfounder of The Boardroom Co. From Ironman finish lines to C-suite coaching, Naomi’s career is a masterclass in grit, growth and getting over yourself.

Expect straight-talking advice on:

• Building a board-ready career (even if you're just starting out)

• Why leadership isn't about doing, it's about governing

• The invisible ripples that shape success

• How to raise your fear threshold and take bold risks that pay off

Whether you’re looking to join a board, lead with more clarity, or redefine what resilience means to you, this one is packed with ripples worth catching.

🎧 Hit play, don't forget to follow and let the ripple begin.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

From redundancy to ripple-maker.

Adam Margolin’s story is a masterclass in the power of small decisions, unexpected nudges, and the human side of brand building.

In this episode, he joins Laura Barber to explore the emotional side of marketing, the career curveballs that became launchpads, and why even seasoned strategists get out-negotiated by toddlers.

This one’s packed with:

·      Practical advice for founders

·      Big brand strategy for small budgets

·      The ripple impact of good leadership

·      Casual conversations that change everything

If you're a marketer, founder, or curious creative, this is the real talk you’ve been waiting for.

🎧 Listen now on The Ripple Impact, where human stories meet bold ideas.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

What does it take to quit a global career at 25 and turn bugs into business?

This week on The Ripple Impact, I’m joined by Clara Best, founder of Saved a bold, sustainability-driven food startup putting insect protein on the map.

We talk:🦗Why crickets might just be the future of protein🛠 Lessons from leading cross functional project team at PepsiCo at just 25🌍 The realities of building (and leaving) a purpose-led brand💔 What no one tells you about stepping back from your business💬 And the ripple moments that shape who we become as founders

If you’re a founder, change-maker, or just someone questioning what’s next, this one’s for you.

Subscribe, share and join the discussion!

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Coca-Cola. Samsung. SodaStream.Sam Grant has shaped some of the most iconic brands in the world. But what really builds brand love?

On this episode of The Ripple Impact, Sam joins brand strategist and host Laura Barber to explore the emotional side of marketing, storytelling in the age of AI, and what it means to show up fully as yourself.

💡 Expect:

• Why storytelling still beats specs

• The shift from corporate to creative

• Being a rebellious brand builder (with red hair to prove it)

• Why AI can’t replace the human touch

• How your identity matters more than your job title

  
  

It’s honest, inspiring and full of insight for anyone working in branding, leadership or marketing.

This Regatta Week bonus episode features Olympic bronze medallist Emily Ford, joining host Laura Barber from Henley-on-Thames at the height of Henley Royal Regatta. A two-time Olympian, Emily shares the ripple moments that fuelled her rise, from teenage races to standing on the Olympic podium with her brother.

In this powerful and personal conversation, Emily dives into the grit behind elite performance, the impact of teamwork, how to push through self-doubt, the unexpected tools that helped her stay grounded, from ‘weekly therapy’ team check-ins to training in a barn during lockdown.

From imposter syndrome to sibling pride, Emily talks about:

* Her mindset reset between Tokyo and Paris

* What elite teams teach us about leadership

* Why trusting your crew is everything

* The emotional power of sharing the Olympic stage with her brother

It’s raw, real, and full of the kind of quiet grit that turns setbacks into podium moments.
🎙️ Perfect for founders, leaders, athletes, and anyone chasing purpose through pressure.
🎧 Press play and uncover the rowing ripples that created Olympic history.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Success isn’t what you think. It’s not in the hustle, the title, or the bank account—it’s in the wholeness! 

Are you chasing your true purpose—or someone else’s expectations?

In this powerful episode of The Ripple Impact, Claudia Chan joins host, Laura Barber, to share how to break free from the unconscious culture of burnout, success trauma, and striving, and instead embrace wholeness, purpose, and personal alignment.

🔑 You’ll learn:

• How to stop shrinking and start owning your genius
• Why most people are chasing the wrong version of success
• How to build a “whole-life leadership” mindset
• The invisible epidemic no one is talking about
• Claudia’s 4-part I-HAC journey 

🔥 Duncan Bruce—creative disruptor, brand whisperer, and co-author of The Dream Café has worked with Adidas, Unilever, Cirque du Soleil—and still says the biggest power move? Letting people dream.
In this first weekly episode of #TheRippleImpact we're serving up pure fuel for marketers, brand builders, and wave makers ready to shake up their world.

He shares how the wild, wonderful journey from the suits of Leo Burnett lead to creative breakthroughs for global giants.
This episode will light a fire under anyone working in marketing, branding, or creative leadership.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

What do Jaffa Cakes, national identity, and AI have in common? More than you think.

In this special live episode from Cannes Lions, Laura Barber speaks with Greg Clayton, Head of Brand Growth at IPSOS, to explore the intersection of technology, culture, and emotion in modern branding.

Together, they dive into:

• Why AI is a tsunami, not just a trend — and how brands should respond

• The surprising power of Britishness in brand storytelling (yes, including biscuits)

• How empathy is becoming a brand’s most valuable asset

• The danger of a “sea of sameness” — and how to creatively stand out

• Emerging tools like synthetic personas and sonic branding that bring consumers to life

From beer labels to segmentation bots, this is a bold, brilliant conversation on where marketing is headed next — and why human stories still matter most.

🎧 Hit play, and follow above to catch all the ripples.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

🌊 What if the tiniest moment could change everything?

Welcome to The Ripple Impact, hosted by Laura Barber — a podcast for the curious minds, brave thinkers, and quiet disruptors ready to create waves that matter.

In this 90-second teaser, discover what makes this show different:

• Raw, human stories behind real impact

• Brave voices from business, creativity, and culture

• The messy middles, bold decisions, and surprising serendipitous moments that changed everything

Whether you're a CEO, just starting out, or somewhere in between, this podcast is for those ready to think differently, act bravely, and turn small ripples into lasting change.

🎙️ Follow now — your next big wave starts here.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.

Live from the Cannes International Festival of Creativity, this episode is a must-listen for anyone wrestling with content chaos, AI overload, and brand dilution.

Zappi Founder and Chair, Steve Phillips shares:

✅ What 4,000 ads taught him about effectiveness

✅ Why influencers are winning where celebrities fail

✅ The danger of outdated brand books

✅ How creativity must define its place before AI eats the workflow

🔥 Listen for real talk, real insights, and real ripples from the frontlines of creativity.

Laura Barber, founder of The Ripple Impact, helps founders build the strategic foundation that makes every marketing and communication investment work harder. We get your story straight before you spend another pound on marketing.

Laura Barber | Founder of The Ripple Impact | Brand Strategy | Founder Positioning | Consumer Insight | Story Clarity | Story First. Marketing Second.