TIE Unearthed

What if work didn’t feel like… work?

Imagine a workday that energises you instead of draining you.

A career where intention, joy, and purpose lead the way.

In this week’s episode of TIE Unearthed, I’m joined by the brilliant Beth Stallwood—coach, author, and founder of Create WorkJoy—to dive into how to transform your relationship with work.

From her childhood days starring in a Heinz ketchup commercial (yes, really!) to creating a purpose-driven business, Beth’s journey is both inspiring and relatable. In this conversation, she shares her wisdom and practical tools to help you: ✨ Infuse joy into your work through small, actionable steps—no perfection required. ✨ Shift from negativity to intentionality and transform your mindset. ✨ Reflect on where you are, where you want to be, and how to bridge the gap. ✨ Escape chronic WorkGloom using Beth’s powerful 3 P’s framework.

This isn’t just about work—it’s about living your life with intention, unlocking progress over perfection, and reclaiming joy in what you do.

Grab your favorite beverage or take us along on your walk, and let’s dive into WorkJoy together. 🎧

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

What does it take to lead in a world where connection and belonging are shifting before our eyes?

How do leaders need to adapt to a workforce that’s increasingly hybrid, and where the next generation of talent expects so much more?

I’m thrilled to reconnect with Susy Martins, a friend from university and an inspiring leader with a career that has spanned over 20 countries and some of the biggest names in business, from GE to Clearco.

Susy’s journey from corporate powerhouses to founding her own HR consultancy is packed with valuable insights for today’s evolving workplace.

Together, we explore Susy’s transition from leading large teams with million-dollar budgets to building her own business.

We talk about the new paradigm of “conscious unbossing” and how it’s shaping future leadership.

She shares eye-opening stats on connection and belonging in remote work—and why it’s a wake-up call for leaders.

We hear how organizational network mapping is revealing hidden insights about engagement. And then the shifts in leadership the next generation demands—and how we can adapt.

And Susy shares her key to success and a simple yet transformative framework that’s shaped her career.

If you want to foster a more connected, engaged, and agile workforce, this episode is for you. Grab your favourite drink, lace up those running shoes, and here is Susy!

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

How does connecting with the real world connect us to our unconscious mind?

Why is learning to harness our intuition considered one of the greatest superpowers at our disposal?

And in what way is intuition both scientifically proven and deeply spiritual?

Today, we’re exploring the hidden power of intuition—a concept often regarded as mysterious or “woo-woo,” yet grounded in a wisdom that transcends the rational.

My guest, Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, is an Icelandic author, filmmaker, and leading voice in sustainability who has shaped her life and career across diverse fields, sparking change through her unique blend of insights.

Hrund’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From community-driven post-conflict reconstruction work in Kosovo to confronting burnout in the UN, she has navigated intense experiences that ultimately led her to embrace intuition and purposeful connection as guiding forces.

Today, she’ll share practical ways to tap into your own intuition—and why sometimes we need to tune into a different rhythm to find our way forward.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why intuition is a powerful tool for navigating our fast-paced, complex world.

If you’ve ever wondered how intuition fits into our modern, data-driven lives or how it might be the secret to both personal fulfilment and groundbreaking innovation, this episode is for you.

So, wherever you are, let’s delve into this fascinating conversation with Hrund and uncover the transformative power of intuition.

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

For most of us, AI became an everyday reality when ChatGPT hit the scene in November 2022. But Joe Fennell, my guest on this week’s TIE Unearthed podcast, has been wrestling with AI’s challenges and opportunities long before that.

In today's episode we dive deep into AI ethics, exploring questions like:

Can AI be a force for good?

How do we prevent it from widening global inequalities?

And what guardrails are crucial to keep our world safe?

Joe’s journey began when he realised that AI was going to transform the future—he even changed career plans from law to philosophy of AI and ethics. Now, he’s just graduated from the University of Cambridge’s first-ever Mphil cohort studying the 'Ethics of AI, Data, and Algorithms.'

We talk about everything from AI's role in global power dynamics, to fuzzy robots helping kids learn, and even how AI might reshape healthcare.

Plus, we dig into Joe's work with the UN Mission in Kosovo, using AI to empower young people and keep them safe from scams and threats in the digital world.

This is one of the most thought-provoking conversations I’ve had. If you're curious about how AI can be used as a social catalyst, how it might impact society at large—or what you should specifically be worried about—this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now to Episode 96 of TIE Unearthed.

What does it mean to align purpose with business, and why is artisanal mining key to a sustainable future?

In today’s TIE Unearthed episode, we’re joined by Rob Karpati, a leader whose impressive career in global finance took a purposeful turn toward driving social impact.

As a partner at The Blended Capital Group, Rob is on a mission to reshape artisanal mining—an industry that plays a critical role in the global energy transition.

We’ll explore how artisanal mining, which accounts for 20% of the world’s gold and significant portions of essential minerals, can be formalised to improve not just environmental outcomes, but also the dignity and livelihoods of millions in underdeveloped regions.

Rob takes us through the collaborative opportunities between artisanal miners and larger industries, the potential for building trust with communities, and why professionalizing this sector is the future of sustainable business.

From human rights to climate change, Rob reminds us that business is, at its core, about people. He shares how his own journey from corporate finance to championing responsible mining was driven by the belief that creating social value isn’t charity—it’s a competitive advantage.

Tune in for a deep dive into the future of mining, the importance of stakeholder collaboration, and why real impact starts with human connection.

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

Meritocracy would be a nice idea, but there is no evidence that leadership selection is meritocratic.

We live in a world where men succeed because of their incompetence, and women fail because of their competence.

So, what does progress look like?

It is not about making it easy for competent women to succeed.

Instead, progress is making it harder for incompetent men to succeed in the first place.

If you would like to understand how the word authenticity has been weaponised in mainstream discussions.

Why you should not be yourself.

And the reason gender diversity in business isn’t for the benefit of women – then you really do need to listen to this episode with Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic.

Tomas is the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University, co-founder of deepersignals.com, and an associate at Harvard’s Entrepreneurial Finance Lab.

And he is the author of 12 books – which includes Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (and How to Fix It).

This is a conversation that turns so much conventional thinking on its head. My favourite type of conversation!

So if you’re keen to understand how not to lead to the economic decline of your company, this thinking will probably be helpful.

So throw on those running shoes or find that favourite beverage, and here is Tomas.

Ever wondered about the unseen struggles that young girls face around the world when it comes to menstruation, especially in remote areas? 🌍

In this eye-opening episode of TIE Unearthed, I sit down with Sia Towo, the Managing Director of Femme International in Tanzania, to delve deep into the challenges around culture and periods.

Sia, with nearly eight years of experience working on grassroots initiatives across East Africa, sheds light on the harsh realities that many young girls endure due to lack of education and cultural stigmas surrounding menstruation.

From the remote villages where girls are left uninformed about puberty, to the heartbreaking truth of young girls being forced into early marriage simply because they've started menstruating, Sia paints a vivid picture of the challenges they face. We discuss how these deeply ingrained cultural practices need to be rethought, especially when they infringe upon basic human rights.

But it’s not just about the challenges—Sia shares stories of resilience and progress, highlighting the tangible impact that education and access to menstrual products can have on a girl’s life.

And then, what is a crucial part of the solution to change. It’s not what you would expect.

So, whether you’re commuting, sipping your morning coffee, or winding down for the day, tune in to hear Sia’s powerful insights and learn how we can all play a part in breaking down these barriers.

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

We know people-first companies are more competitive. BUT, for that to be possible, we need the L&D bods to be confident, have a voice, and have a place at the table.

This is the KEY to ensure that the culture of companies is heading in the right direction.

So, who is getting the L&D people ready for the C-suit conversations? 🤔

Today I’m speaking with my friend Cathy Hoy, a seasoned learning leader with over two decades of experience in Learning and Organisational Development.

After working for big corporates like Tesco, Coke, and Expedia, Cathy co-founded and now runs CLO100, which focuses on developing those who develop others.

CLO100 provides Community Membership and the Learning Leaders Programme, a programme dedicated to the development of L&D leaders, equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to create high-performing learning organisations. 🏆

In this episode Cathy highlights the power of learning from failures, creating safe communities for support, and the importance of well-being in the workplace.

Her experience in transforming the culture of a 500k-strong workforce at Tesco offers incredible insights into making behavioural changes part of an organization’s DNA.

And don’t miss her tips on combatting low trust, high absenteeism, and disengagement in today’s business world.

So throw on those running shoes, or grab that favourite beverage, and here is my friend Cathy.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

I love mining companies – said no one, ever. This is a problem, right?

These essential minerals have a critical role in the energy transition; but we don’t want them mined. And few people, as a result of this negative image, want to go into the industry.

How is it ever going to evolve and be more sustainable?

This is the conundrum we are talking about on today’s episode of TIE Unearthed. I am joined by Dr. Haydon Mort, a British Earth Scientist with over 15 years of research and lecturing experience, and the visionary founder of Geologize Ltd. With a PhD from Switzerland and a post-doc from the Netherlands, Haydon leads a globally acclaimed training program that reaches over 200,000 scientists.

In this episode, Haydon emphasises the critical role of effective communication in the geosciences, underscoring how humanity and empathy can drive understanding and responsible behaviour in our increasingly interconnected world.

We explore how his deep dive into neurology led to innovative teaching methods, making his university lectures wildly popular. And now, as a trainer for geoscientists and engineers, why he champions the integration of empathy and psychological insights to engage the public effectively.

So, throw on those running shoes or find that favourite beverage, and join us as we uncover how personal journeys shape professional paths and the transformative power of diverse perspectives in science and beyond.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

Welcome to Episode 90 of the TIE Unearthed podcast!

Today, I’m thrilled to feature Oliver Banks, an expert consultant who works with senior leaders to transform retail and consumer-facing businesses.

Ollie's career began with designing intricate systems in engineering, driven by a childhood curiosity for how things work. Seeking a more dynamic and people-focused role, he pivoted to retail with Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket.

Now, as a consultant, he advises on navigating transformation and the ever-evolving world of retail.

In this episode, we explore what true transformation means and why a human-centric approach is crucial in retail.

Ollie shares his thoughts on the industry’s responsibility to cultivate future leaders, hybrid working, and the delicate decisions of company policies when considering variables such collaboration, trust, and mental health.

We also discuss leadership, engagement, and the power of courage, with Ollie reading an excerpt from his book.

This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice for anyone interested in transformation and leadership.

Join us as we uncover the mosaic of Oliver Banks' career and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Let's dive in!

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

In an industry often dominated by relentless pursuit of profit and growth, Coffee and TV charts a different course, prioritising a deep-seated belief in the power of nurturing a supportive, family-like environment.

Since its inception, this unique company has steadfastly refused to follow the conventional path laid out by corporations driven by financial metrics, choosing instead to grow at a pace dictated by artists and creative minds.

And the result?

Not only being a highly sought after creative studio to work at, but also being a profitable multi-million pound b-corp business.

What is their secret sauce?

Today Derek Moore, CEO of Coffee and TV, tells us.

We learn about their commitment to being a force for good and how they have created an electrifying atmosphere that transcends the traditional employer-employee dynamic, leading to ground-breaking creativity and innovation.

So throw on those running shoes, or find that favourite beverage, and here is Derek.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

Did you know that 90% of the world’s money is controlled and invested by white men?

Did you also know that when women are at the table, investment returns are proven to be higher?

This is a conversation that will bring to life how portfolios can predictably outperform the market.

It also shines a spotlight on a truly broken system.

Recognising the stark disconnect between philanthropic grant dollars and how the rest of foundation assets are invested, Ruth Shaber wanted to do things differently with the Tara Health Foundation.

Their bold intention was to utilise all capital, not just grant money, towards driving their social purpose of improving the lives of women and girls.

This was about being 100% mission aligned.

BUT, this was just the beginning of this journey. What they discovered next was not only fascinating, but game changing.

It was also the catalyst to Ruth co-writing The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk.

Ruth Shaber is the founder and president of Tara Health Foundation, a philanthropic investment group that uses evidence-informed programs to promote women's well-being and opportunities.

She is also on a mission to increase the assets managed by gender-diverse and racially-diverse teams to 33 percent by 2033.

Today we hear about all of this.

It's a conversation packed full of proof points, stats and solid arguments that gender-diverse teams significantly outperform the market – predictably.

If you invest money – then you need to listen to this episode.

What was once considered radical is now a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.

So throw on those running shoes, or grab your favourite beverage, and here is Ruth.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

This is a story that starts with a rogue trader.

And then moves to what happens when you truly empathise with the other side of an equation.

Today I speak with Christian Hunt, the founder of Human Risk, a Behavioural Science led Consulting and Training Firm, specialising in the fields of Ethics and Compliance. And Author of Humanizing Rules.

After Christian started to “eat his regulatory cooking” after implementing it at the financial services firm UBS, his life took an interesting turn.

He started to focus entirely on people’s behaviour, on what makes them tick, and what gets them doing the things they shouldn’t, and neglect to do the things they should.

In this episode we talk about Danny Boyle and the Olympics, and how his opening show was a powerful example of how to get people to do things you want them to do.

Christian talks about how to get the best out of people.

We hear how the airline industry can teach us a lot about compliance.

And then Christian brings to life how the move from authoritarian leadership to a more empowering style of leadership, although the way forward, poses more organisational risk.

There is talk of the importance of experimenting, we hear where AI fits into all of this and the importance of thinking about the overall employee experience.

He then leaves us with not only his most important philosophy, but also two great songs that bring to life his thinking.

I promise you – this podcast about compliance is anything but boring. Even though it is rooted in one of the most boring subjects of all time! 😊

So throw on those running shoes, or grab your favourite beverage, and here is the very entertaining Christian.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

When someone has lived around the world as a young person, what sort of job do they go into as an adult?

And what happens when someone sees something that then impacts them on a visceral level?

Today I speak with Lucy McCray, CEO at the Freedom Story. The Freedom Story is an organization that works to prevent child trafficking in Northern Thailand.

As a child growing up, Lucy became very aware of inequality, the raw reality for people experiencing poverty, and how where someone is born can dictate one’s life path.

These realisations started to shape her life’s purpose.

She talks about her move to Thailand, where she started to understand what statelessness means, and the implications of someone not having citizenship in any country in the world.

We hear about the real reason for people being trafficked, what prevents trafficking from happening and how to prevent abuse and exploitation from taking place.

Lucy talks about pity-based marketing versus stories that are more dignified for everyone.

And then we move to the shocking truth of well-known brands who have been caught having child trafficking in their supply chains.

Lucy tells us about a brand-new form of trafficking, which when you hear it, will realise you are exposed to it almost daily.

And then how creating unlikely partnerships is providing a powerful anti-trafficking solution. It’s fascinating.

This conversation proves that together we are stronger. And by thinking out of the box and giving people agency, you can scale impact.

This is a podcast rooted in hope. Showing the power of purpose. And that when you tap into human assets, anything is possible.

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and here is Lucy.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

Where should we first look to find solutions to a problem?

What is one of the most effective ways to unleash a person’s potential?

What happens when benchmarks disappear and new normals are created?

Today’s episode is going to show you just what is possible when the right conditions are created for people to thrive.

Barbara Soalheiro is the founder of Mesa Company and the creator of Mesa Method. Mesa is a team based work system designed to solve complex challenges by unleashing human potential to process more and execute faster.

We talk about the power of building a team based on having every bit of knowledge and skill needed to solve a specific problem. And then how time constraints being at the core of the team design make it possible for people to come up with extraordinary, paradigm changing, tangible solutions.

Barbara’s company, Mesa, is all about creating a new timespace where solutions to big problems are built. She tell us how it works, what's they've done, and why it's so powerful.

Why people need to work at a place where they feel they are always learning, as well as truly accomplishing something, for them to blossom.

And Barbara explains her vendetta against collaboration. As she says, “the more you focus on it, the less you get of it”.

This is all about real solutions. Changing paradigms. And not following any predesigned formulas.

The energy is electric on this episode, and I certainly left the conversation feeling ever more inspired to just get things done. I hope you feel that too.

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and here is Barbara.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

What is the power of giving someone a taste of possibility? 

How has the advertising industry been incentivised to make ads that shatter gender stereotypes?

And why is it so important to see your life and the world from a different perspective?

Today I talk with my friend Senta Slingerland, who used to be the Director of Brand Strategy at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, is the creator of See It Be It, a programme for the advancement of female creative leaders, and initiator of Cannes Chimera, a collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help NGOs receive creative mentorship.

We hear about her time with the Brazilian innovation company Mesa that solves big problems for companies such as Google, Coca-Cola and Samsung in only 5 days by putting big thinkers around a table who have the relevant skills and knowledge to find powerful solutions to things. 

She tells us of the time she worked with a cyborg – and how it got her seeing the world differently. 

And she talks of the work she’s doing as co-founder of FALA, a company that trades in purposeful inspiration and counts Coca-Cola, Yara International, Bloomberg, Accenture Song and Twitch as its clients.

Senta’s career has been focused on pushing people to see themselves and their jobs differently, and today’s conversation gets us seeing the power of changing perspectives.

We talk about ambition and what it means to different generations. 

She tells us what 83% of millennial and Gen Z’s admire in their bosses. 

And we hear about what happens when we give something language.

After listening to today’s episode you will feel as though you have taken your mind for a walk. So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and here is Senta. 

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

What is the role of business in society?

How can people’s perception with that then impact their experience at work? 

How does it then impact how a business shows up when it relates to all of its stakeholders and its long-term success?

Today we do a deep dive into all of this with Sarah Gillard, using examples from her 27-year career in fast-paced commercial environments at some of the UK’s largest retail companies. 

In this milestone episode, Sarah Gillard talks about her time as Director of Purpose and Special Projects at the John Lewis Partnership where she was responsible for re-articulating and embedding the purpose of John Lewis so that it continues to be a source of inspiration, innovation, and strategic differentiation.

Sarah compares her time working with the Arcadia group, a UK retail network with a very intense focus on short-term shareholder profit, against her time with the John Lewis Partnership, which is the UK’s largest co-owned business. John Lewis has 70,000 people working for the company, and everyone are co-owners. 

We talk about how these different approaches to doing business then impact the experience inside an organisation and what that does to people, strategy and relationships with supplies and customers. 

We hear how John Lewis was a massive social experiment to see what happens when a business sees its role in society differently.

And we hear about the partnership’s journey over the past 100 years.

We then talk about Sarah’s current role as CEO of Blueprint for Better Business, a charity that helps businesses to be inspired and guided by a purpose that benefits society and respects people and planet. 

How does an organisation move from thinking of itself as a profit maximising machine to thinking of itself as a human system in service of society? 

And how does that transition happen?

Knowing that this is such a decisive decade, and that the role that business needs to play now is more important than ever to shape our future, we hear about how she is working with businesses to be a part of the solution. 

Sarah leaves us with two beautiful quotes which sum up this episode:

Antoine de Saint-Exupery:

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the people to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea”.

Arthur Ashe:

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

If you want to better understand the return on being more human, this episode is a must listen. So throw on those running shoes, or grab that favourite beverage, and enjoy this conversation with Sarah.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

What does it mean to create an environment for success at a company?  

How do companies often get it wrong?

What happens and what does that look like? 

Psychological safety is a key ingredient for businesses and teams to be able to improve, innovate and progress.

People need to feel free to speak honestly and feel supported enough to come up with new ideas; without that freedom, new innovative solutions and problem solving is less likely to happen. 

And that is exactly what we’re going to be talking about today.

Dr Amanda Potter is an award-winning Chartered Psychologist, Leadership/ Executive Coach and a Certified Principal Business Psychologist with over 25 years' experience.

She has been working with C-suite and senior executives to enable them to drive strategic success – and today she shares her stories and knowledge of working in the area of talent strategy. We hear about her experience which is rooted in leadership in crisis, resilience, Psychological Safety and belonging.

Amanda will tell us about the neuroscience of resilience and positivity and how that impacts cultures at organisations.  

She'll let us in on some tips on how we can all just simply feel better.

And she tells us about the contributors to low psych safety, the watch outs, and what different types of organisations need to look out for.

I ask her for insights on the difference in the various cultures that her company works with, but also the difference between sectors. Amanda’s reflection on psych safety in a culture like the police force is really interesting. 

She then leaves us with some top tips on what to do to create more connection between team members - and you'll even get a great exercise that you can use for future team events.

Many of us know the importance of creating connection, trust and safe spaces to work - but knowing this is one thing. Being able to do it is another.

If you’re keen to dig deeper on all of this, please join me for this fascinating conversation with Amanda. So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and here is Dr Amanda Potter. 

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

There is a problem in the communications and creative industries that few people are doing anything about. 

It has to do with a senior ceiling that marginalised communities face when it comes to senior roles. There is a drain of really talented people that are leaving because they just don’t see a path for their progression in these companies.

It not only doesn’t have to be that way, but business is worse off if this is allowed to happen.

Today, Nazia Du Bois, former Global Head of Rare with Google, is going to bring all of this to life for us.

Nazia is a multiple award-winning agency founder, creative strategy leader, and industry DEI champion. She most recently led Google's global DEI program, Rare with Google, aimed at raising diversity in the creative industries. Before that, she was Global Brand Strategy Director at Netflix, working on representation and global brand equity. 

Prior to going in-house, Nazia founded Ricebowl Strategy, which developed award-winning global brand positioning platforms for Spotify, Harry's and Popeyes amongst others. She was the founding global CSO of DAVID in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Miami, as well as founding Ogilvy's Islamic Branding practice.

Nazia has been named one of the top 5 most awarded planning directors in the world.

She is from Bangladesh and holds two degrees from Oxford.

Today you’ll hear stories from her time at Netflix and how being in LA when the social justice movement kicked off in the wake of the tragic murder of George Floyd then paved the way to the next stage of her career. 

We hear about the strategies that Google used to create more creative diversity at senior leavels of the company, with a view to change the culture of the organisation.

Nazia shares some profound thinking from top thought leaders driving the inclusion revolution and what needs to happen to hold onto the senior talent from marginalised cultures.

And then tells us what she learned about diversity and inclusion from being part of the mass layoffs at Google in 2023. 

Nazia then leaves us with an important piece of advice that all of us can take to heart.

This episode will leave you with lots to ponder on, so throw on those running shoes or grab that favourite beverage, and here is Nazia. 

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

Can you do good and still be successful? 

What is the true value of purpose?

How are huge UK companies in the financial services sector currently struggling from a talent retention and recruitment perspective and what is the answer?

 After a bit of a break, TIE Unearthed is back, and today I’m speaking with the first person that hired me when I moved to London in 2001, Chris Norman.

Chris is the Founder and CEO of GOOD Agency, a pioneer of brand Purpose and has worked for the last 28 years across the commercial, government and charity sectors helping them create value from the positive impact they have on the world. Chris was included in the 2019 Progress 1000 as one of the 25 most influential people in London in media and is a regular judge and panellist.

Chris’s breadth of experience is with the largest commercial and charity brands, and today we talk about how behaviours are the essence of any company, what it means to be human, and what happens when a company isn’t authentic.

We talk about GOOD being a B-corp, but why they haven’t been champions of the initiative until recently.

Chris tells us why they have become employee owned.

What a better world looks like and how we get there.

And we end with valuable learnings from Chris’ challenging journey.

I have found Chris’ story and that of GOOD fascinating, so much so I have captured it in my book, Return on Humanity, coming out in April of 2024. Here you get a sneak peek!

So throw on those running shoes or grab that favourite beverage, and here is Chris.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

What does it look like to build a company that not only outlives you, but also makes you feel good in the process?

Can you make money and create a significantly positive impact on the planet at the same time?

What is the return on being more human?

Today I got to speak with Simon Rogerson, co-Founder and CEO of Octopus Group, a company that has invested $20 billion into many different companies in the last 23 years. He’s not only one of the sharpest and quickest minds I’ve had the pleasure to meet, but he’s also a really good guy. 

His mission is simple: to invest in the people, the ideas and the industries that will change the world.

Today he brings how he does this to life.

Simon explains why Octopus Group will never be publicly owned. 

He tells us the biggest lesson that he’s learned in 23 years of running Octopus.

Let’s us in on the key interview question he asks to reveal who people really are. 

And we get to hear two stories that bring to life the main two aspects of Octopus’ culture that make it possible for them to be an industry disruptor. 

I have always believed that business can be a force for good, although many companies aren’t built to make it that right now. Simon brings to life how this is possible through his approach to business, and the inspiring work they are doing. 

I adored this conversation – I think you’ll catch that from the energy. There is so much here. 

So throw on those running shoes, or grab that favourite beverage, and here is Simon.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

How is the law firm that took on the UK government with Article 50 and took on the Royal Family as Princess Diana’s divorce attorneys so successful?

Is it because of their high-profile cases or is there another secret ingredient?

I was keen to find out.

So today, Elliot Moss, Partner and Chief Brand Officer at Mishcon, and Patrick Connolly, Director of the Mischon de Reya Academy, let us in on their secret. 

I wanted to understand what sets the law firm apart from their competitors.

How do they attract and retain such incredible talent?

And what makes them top of their class?

We talk about the key progressive values of the company and why they are so important.

We hear about the type of person that chooses to work there.

And a few of their impressive initiatives that have become an important part of the company.

Elliot and Patrick’s responses say a lot about the firm, and there is one thing that connects all of their answers: It’s their human centric strategy. 

Today we bring this to life.

So throw on those running shoes, or grab that favourite beverage, and here is Patrick and Elliot.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

Can you have purpose driven organizations without purpose driven leaders? 

What does it feel like to be in service of something bigger than us? 

And should it really come down to tax status to decide if people, or companies, are going to make a difference in the world?

These are just some of the questions that get answered in today’s episode with Jon Duschinsky. 

Jon is a global thought leader, social innovator and champion of Business for Good.  

He inspires future-thinking leaders to Make More Money by Doing More Good, accelerating their innovation, social and environmental impact and talent retention. He has advised clients in over 60 countries, including companies like Airbus, NASCAR, and Prudential as well as the Governments of Germany, the US, France and the UAE. And he's coached hundreds of leaders and future leaders, written two books and lectures regularly at universities around the world.

We talk about why unlocking your personal purpose and your corporate purpose is so important.

Jon talks about our conditioned behavior patterns, and how they don’t serve us. 

And the return on leaning into purpose - both as a company and as an individual. 

There is so much here. 

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation with Jon.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

Is it possible to be a profitable and rapidly growing business and still put people first?

What makes a company an incredible place to work?

And what is the return on being a human centric company and a human centric leader?

As many of you know, I’m in the final stages of writing my book Return on Humanity: The unexpected benefits of being more human in life and business.

I’ve been speaking with people from various sectors and businesses around the world to confirm my hypothesis. And I’m happy to say, until now, it hasn’t been challenged.

But this conversation with Sam Theobald doesn’t just confirm the hypothesis. Her entire career has been focused on it. And this podcast brings the real quantifiable benefits and examples to life. It is such an incredible conversation.

Sam is an HR professional with over 20 years’ experience working with entrepreneurial leaders, bringing a strong commercial edge to the HR function, and championing a “people first” approach to business.

Sam’s current role at Next 15 spans multi-markets and provides strategic guidance to HR teams within subsidiaries across the group, as well as working closely to counsel businesses so they understand the value of great people practices and human centric leadership in high growth organisations.

She explains how it’s possible to have a commercial focus and still put people first. 

She talks about the power of self-awareness. And what it means in the context of her work.

And the details of what it actually means to have a human centric approach to business. 

Essentially, if you want to be able to attract great people and get the best out of them, you can’t miss this podcast. 

This conversation was electric. I promise you’ll enjoy the energy! We were both buzzing afterwards. 

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation with Sam.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

What is success?

Really, if you stop to think about it. What does it mean in the whole scheme of things?

We all know how easy it is to get sidetracked in life to what we think a successful life is. 

But what happens if you reflect on when you feel fulfilled? What does that look like? Is it the same as what you imagined the definition of success to be?

Imagine waking up in hospital discovering you have not only broken your spine and will never walk again.

But then learning that you are also pregnant.

When Faustina was about to start university in Tanzania in the year 2000, this was what she was facing.

And today you will hear her story.

Faustina Urassa is a spinal cord injury thriver, and founder and Executive Director at Songambele Initiative Organisation.

Being a woman in Africa isn’t easy.

And Faustina saw being a disabled woman in Africa as a death sentence.

This is a story of a woman who not only came from a challenging experience, but one who refused to accept the status quo on all fronts and thrived as a result.

Today we hear about the challenges she faced in the early years. No one in her family, including her, knew what a spinal cord injury was, let alone what it meant for her life moving forward.

There wasn’t clear information on how someone with a spinal cord injury could safely deliver a baby. Would her disability compromise the health of her child?

Was it even possible for her to ever be independent again?

Faustina takes us on a journey from a spinal cord injury victim to a spinal cord injury thriver.

We hear about how her life changed when she met others going through similar situations as her.

She tells us about the power of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

And the power and importance of community.

Which all lead to why she founded Songambele.

We hear about what life looks like for people once they have come into contact with Songambele and the power that is Faustina.

This is one inspirational story. So, grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.