Struggling to break free from the UK’s “play it safe” mindset?

In this explosive episode, Josh White, founder of Cano Water, gets real about why British culture is stuck in a cycle of skepticism, lack of support, and shutting down bold ideas before they can breathe.

He shares raw truths about growing up with ADHD, battling addiction, and constantly being underestimated.

He exposes how our resistance to backing innovators and celebrating success holds the UK back, while the US supercharges visionaries. If you know you’re meant for more, but keep hitting a wall of doubt and gatekeeping, this conversation will hopefully inspire you and give you the resilience to keep going.

We Cover:

01:08 – How growing up as the underdog shaped his drive
03:03 – The moment ADHD was diagnosed and what changed
06:18 – Understanding the link between ADHD and addiction
09:09 – How addiction masked deeper struggles (and why sobriety mattered)
12:06 – What it’s actually like to live and work with ADHD
16:00 – How to build a company without ‘fitting in’
20:18 – Creating Cano Water when nobody believed in it
25:10 – Why being different matters, and the truth about risk
28:12 – The real problem with the United Kingdom mindset and backing new ideas
33:07 – Fixed mindset vs growth mindset: what’s holding us back
37:43 – Small things any of us can do to build a more supportive culture
40:20 – Nurturing belief and creativity, why it starts young
44:13 – The courage to show up and keep leading (even when it’s hard)

Don’t miss this emotive and thought-provoking episode packed with practical ideas for ambitious leaders, creative thinkers, and anyone who’s ever felt underestimated.

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Why do so many successful leaders still feel stuck, disconnected, or self doubt, even when things look good on paper?

In this solo episode, I explore how senior leaders, founders, and leadership teams can build self-trust by listening to their three intelligence centres: head, heart, and gut, especially when making difficult decisions or designing a life that truly fits.

This reflection draws on my work with CEOs and leadership teams, alongside my own journey of learning to trust myself beyond logic, external validation, and “what I should do.”

This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the internal signals that guide brave leadership, aligned decision-making, and sustainable success, so you can lead, decide, and live with more courage and clarity.

00:00 – Why so many successful leaders still feel disconnected
02:15 – Courage starts with listening, not confidence
05:10 – The three intelligence centres every leader has
08:30 – The Head: clarity, logic, and the overthinking trap
12:40 – The Heart: values, emotion, and what really matters
17:20 – The Gut: instinct, timing, and quiet courage
22:10 – What happens when one centre dominates your leadership
26:30 – Designing a life that actually feels like yours
30:40 – Simple questions to build self-trust in decisions
35:10 – A closing reflection on choosing courage differently

Reflection Questions for Leaders
• Which intelligence centre do I default to under pressure?
• What has my gut been trying to tell me that I’ve rationalised away?
• Where am I living a version of success that looks right — but feels wrong?
• What would a 10% more courageous decision look like right now?

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode which can help your leadership and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
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How do you lead with conviction when everything is changing around you?

It’s the big question for every UK leader right now and exactly why I invited Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, onto the podcast.

In this episode, we get honest about what it really takes to let go of control, build true trust in your team, and stay resilient even when things don’t go as planned.

We dive into:
• When to keep going, and when to let go
• The link between conviction and coordination in leadership
• Why control feels safe – but stops growth
• Managing failure without losing momentum
• Leading through mergers and high-stakes change
• How to stay calm and mentally fit (even when your diary explodes)

It’s practical, candid, and focuses on what UK leaders need now: leading bravely, staying relevant, and keeping your energy focused.

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Why leading with conviction can become a weakness
04:21 – Building a smarter team and learning to trust
07:11 – The role of failure in leadership
09:37 – Conviction and coordination: the keys to change
10:33 – How Simon navigated a 500-person business through a major acquisition
12:29 – Staying confident when you actually feel uncertain
14:01 – The importance of staying grounded and calm for your team
15:51 – Learning from mergers, culture shifts, and tough decisions
17:26 – Evolving your leadership style as everything changes
19:00 – What’s really happening in the UK marketing industry right now
22:40 – Where UK creativity is heading next
24:06 – The advice Simon would give every agency CEO
28:17 – Protecting your brand and your time under pressure
33:02 – Practical ways to help leaders prioritise, focus, and say no
35:19 – Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever
36:22 – Leading through failure, and making learning collective
37:23 – Being bolder, more disciplined, and mentally fit for the future

Don’t miss this down-to-earth, actionable conversation. If you’re navigating organisational change, agency mergers, or just struggling to keep your team steady, this episode gives you the kind of real, UK-focused leadership advice we all need.

In a world of constant strategic change, this conversation focuses on how to manage change effectively within your business, emphasising practical management techniques for organisational design and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
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How do you know when it’s time to walk away - even from something you’ve built yourself?

Sedge Beswick, consultant, advisor, speaker, and founder, digs deep into what it really takes to make bold career moves, step back as a CEO, and create space for what matters most.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance ambition with family, deal with overwhelm, and lead with honesty, this episode is for you.

We cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:28 – The courage to change
02:51 – Breaking the “hamster wheel” cycle
05:49 – Building success without a rulebook
07:55 – Childhood confidence and workplace impact
11:31 – The blunt reality of being direct at work
13:38 – Managing people older than you
16:32 – ASOS culture and handling growing pains
18:00 – When opportunity changes your course
19:35 – The power of community for business growth
21:52 – Courage to step down as CEO
22:27 – Mistakes made during maternity leave
23:15 – Hard lessons from deal fatigue
24:43 – Watching someone else lead your business
25:57 – Selling shares and choosing a new path
28:35 – Creating a life with more presence
29:22 – Letting go of identity and titles
32:38 – Pivoting your career with purpose
36:46 – The challenge of saying no and setting boundaries
39:45 – Building a portfolio career and helping others
42:42 – Managing overwhelm and keeping priorities straight
44:01 – Finding headspace as a working parent
45:04 – Do ambition and family ever truly integrate?
48:30 – Advice your future self would give now
50:01 – The power of pausing before big decisions

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode on entrepreneurship, business growth, motherhood and more!

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
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🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
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How do you find the courage to change, even when it feels uncomfortable?

I’m closing out the year on the Courageous Leaders Podcast with one of our most honest and practical episodes yet. Leaders everywhere are feeling the pressure to adapt quicker than ever before, and it’s easy to worry you’re not keeping up.

In this episode, I share the real conversations I’ve had with guests who’ve faced huge decisions, dealt with self-doubt, and taken bold leaps without always having a perfect plan. We get into letting go of old ways of working, saying the hard things, dealing with uncertainty, and what it really takes to lead high performing teams.

If you want practical advice on leading through change (and those leadership development skills that actually stick), you’re in the right place.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:12 – Why change is faster (and scarier) than ever

03:02 – Dave Buonaguidi: How to define your true purpose at work

04:35 – Lauren Spearman: Why courage comes before confidence

06:39 – Karen Martin: The untold challenges of confident leaders

07:44 – Kerry Collinge: Directness as a leadership superpower

08:28 – The risk (and reward) of no longer fitting in

09:05 – When growth feels disruptive and what to do next

10:02 – Xavier Reeves: Making bold moves when you feel safe

11:34 – Kerttu Inkeroinen: Quitting without a backup plan: is it ever right?

12:29 – Facing risks (and what you actually regret)

13:09 – Building high performance teams starts with you

14:42 – Why you need to act even if it scares you

Don’t miss this honest look at what it really takes to lead yourself and others through the messiness of change.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
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How do you build real allyship and create cultural change that actually sticks?

This episode is one every leader should spend time with. Not because it’s “nice to know,” but because the future of your culture depends on it.

Lee Chambers, Founder & CEO of Male Allies UK, brings the kind of clarity and challenge most workplaces avoid. We talk about what it really takes to:

• Redefine outdated masculine stereotypes
• Build workplaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and able to thrive
• Lead in a way that strengthens culture rather than protects ego
  
  

It’s a conversation that will stretch your thinking, spark uncomfortable-but-important questions, and give you practical ways to lead with more intention and courage.

We also dig into Lee’s research on young people, AI companionship, and how boys today are making sense of identity, relationships, and society. Some of it is hopeful. Some of it is confronting. All of it matters, especially if you’re a parent or you lead the next generation.

We cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 - What courage looks like for leaders today

02:31 – Why quiet courage matters as much as big gestures

03:49 – The tough decision to break with convention

06:06 – How stepping into new spaces changes your perspective

08:08 – The power of career “squiggles” and non-conformity

10:05 – Shedding old identities and building new ones as a leader

12:14 – What do boys really think about society? Surprising research findings

16:07 – Why boys care deeply but struggle to know how to help

20:08 – The decline of physical spaces for social connection

21:24 – Boys, girls and the challenges of communicating across gender

23:33 – Judgment vs. curiosity - what’s holding us back?

27:20 – Navigating polarisation and building empathy at work

34:08 – Can younger and older generations find common ground?

43:50 – The rise of AI companions and what it means for young people

52:23 – Everyday bravery and the value of small changes over time

54:43 – How to focus on influence and control in uncertain times

Don’t miss this thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone working in leadership or looking to create real change at work.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
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🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
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Former professional footballers Mollie and Rosie Kmita and now founders of The Powerhouse Project join me for one of the most authentic leadership stories we’ve had on the podcast.

This episode is packed with real leadership stories you rarely hear: the setbacks, the identity shifts, the emotional toll, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when things don’t go your way.

Mollie and Rosie openly share:

• What it took to succeed in a male dominated world
• How to lead through failure after two businesses didn’t work out
• How they learnt to slow down without losing ambition
• How they have evolved their identity from footballers to business owners
• The impact people-pleasing had on their leadership decisions
• How they have had to learn to lean into conflict

Mollie and Rosie show what success after repeated failure actually looks like - the mindset resets, and the quiet self-belief you need to keep going.

​​These are everyday leadership stories delivered with humour, honesty and heart, the kind that remind you anything is possible when you focus, put the work in, and back yourself.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:12 – Growing up in boys’ football and learning to belong

05:04 – Why young women in sport need better pathways

09:31 – Finding confidence in environments not built for you

14:42 – How childhood trauma shapes your drive

20:50 – Coping with loss while still showing up

26:19 – When resilience turns into survival mode

33:08 – The guilt behind always saying yes

38:12 – “We haven’t sat still for 16 years”

46:54 – Rebuilding identity beyond football

52:33 – Learning to slow down without losing ambition

58:48 – What leaders can do to create real change

01:00:31 – A message for leaders and organisations that want to make real change

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

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What would you risk to do the right thing?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Zelda Perkins, Co-Founder of Can’t Buy My Silence and the first woman to break an NDA with Harvey Weinstein.

Zelda’s story isn’t just about one man. It’s about the system that silences victims and protects abuse. She speaks openly about how she fought back, how breaking her NDA changed UK law, and what leaders and businesses must do now to stop misconduct being hidden behind confidentiality.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:26 – Why Zelda broke her NDA after years of silence

03:37 – What really happens when you speak up against power

05:18 – The moment the system, not the perpetrator, broke her trust

09:23 – How signing an NDA changed her life overnight

12:54 – Taking her story to Parliament and pushing for legal reform

17:09 – What it really took to start Can’t Buy My Silence

24:43 – When she realised she was self-bullying

28:57 – Why speaking up must be seen as normal, not “brave”

33:11 – Creating safer, more transparent workplaces

40:57 – How the new UK legislation will protect victims and change culture

56:26 – Zelda’s advice to anyone ready to start their own fight for change

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
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