What does it take to achieve the extraordinary?

World-renowned Psychologist, Bestselling Author, and Founder of APS Intelligence, Professor John Amaechi OBE, joins gunnercooke founder Darryl Cooke in this truly moving episode of The Inspiring Leadership Podcast. Recorded live at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

In The NeverEnding Story, an overlooked child discovers he is the protagonist, and the only one who can save a fantastical world. For John Amaechi, that story became a powerful metaphor: “The most unlikely of people in the most improbable of circumstances can become extraordinary, if you are willing to plan and work at it.”

From NBA, to OBE, to PHD, John’s story is one of impossible and improbable goals achieved through relentless persistence, and a refusal to be defined by bias. Darryl and John consider the true privilege of leadership, the impact we have on our colleagues’ mental health, and why the best leaders are those who accept they are never a finished product.

In this unmissable episode, John shares lessons on leadership with humour and honesty that will stay with you long after listening.

🔶 Follow John Amaechi:

https://x.com/johnamaechi?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/johnamaechiobe/?hl=en

🔶 Follow Darryl and gunnercooke:

https://gunnercooke.com/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/darryljcooke

What happens when addiction hides in plain sight?

In this moving episode, Darryl Cooke is joined by author Sophie Calon and Dr Piers Henriques from Nacoa, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, in a conversation chaired by Dr Zoe Lambert.

In this discussion, Sophie reads from her moving debut memoir Long Going, which reflects on the complex experience of being the child of an alcoholic, and what happens when leadership, success, and addiction collide. Dr Henriques, provides vital insight into the lifelong effects of alcoholism on families and why speaking openly about these experiences can be transformative.

This episode was recorded live at House of Books & Friends in Manchester.

🔶 Follow Sophie Calon

https://www.instagram.com/sophie_calon_/?hl=en

🔶 Follow Dr Piers Henriques and Nacoa

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/piers-henriques-bb816882

https://www.instagram.com/nacoauk/?hl=en

https://nacoa.org.uk/

🔶 Follow Dr Zoe Lambert

https://www.instagram.com/zoeflambert/

🔶 Follow House of Books & Friends

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https://houseofbooksandfriends.com/

🔶 Follow Darryl and gunnercooke:

https://gunnercooke.com/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/darryljcooke

What does it really mean to lead a “deeply responsible” business?

In this eye-opening episode, Darryl Cooke speaks with Professor Geoffrey Jones of Harvard Business School, a global authority on business history and values-driven leadership.

Geoffrey’s book Deeply Responsible Business explores the rare but remarkable leaders who built profitable companies without compromising their values.

In this conversation, he reveals why most corporate social responsibility is little more than performance, how brands like The Body Shop rose and fell, why some values-led businesses thrive while the system destroys others, and what leaders can do today to resist the relentless tide of short-termism.

Follow Geoffrey Jones:

https://geoffreyjones.us/

https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=24276

https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-jones/

Follow Darryl and gunnercooke:

https://gunnercooke.com/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/darryljcooke

https://gunnercooke.com/people/darryl-cooke/