In this episode, I’m joined by Adam Witty, founder of Advantage Media, which he launched in 2005 from the spare bedroom of his home.

What began as a done for you publishing system for busy business leaders has grown into a global authority building company serving thousands of clients across 50 US states and 13 countries.

We explore how Adam’s innovative approach attracted Forbes, leading to the launch of Forbes Books in 2017, followed by partnerships with SXSW and Entrepreneur. From appearing on the Inc. 30 Under 30 list to leading a company recognised multiple times by Inc. 5000, Adam shares the reinventions behind the success.

This is a conversation about resilience, authority and embracing change as fuel for growth.

Highlights:

(03:15) Early lessons in resilience and entrepreneurship

(10:20) Launching Advantage Media from a spare bedroom

(17:30) Reinventing after losing his first company

(23:45) The Forbes partnership and building authority at scale

(30:10) Why writing a book changes how the world sees you

(34:10) Embracing change in the age of AI

If you’re looking to connect with Adam, he welcomes connections at awitty@theauthoritycompany.com, or visit theauthoritycompany.com and adamwitty.com

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Pownall, founder of Heather’s Media Hub, a purpose led digital strategy and communications consultancy working across healthcare, research, technology, cybersecurity and membership organisations.

After nearly two decades in publishing, including 15 years in senior medical publishing roles, Heather made the bold decision in 2018 to leave corporate security and build her own consultancy from scratch.

We talk about coming from a working class, risk averse background, navigating self doubt in the early years of business, and leading major digital transformation projects with measurable impact.

Heather shares how loss, burnout and a later diagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia reshaped the way she works and leads. This is a powerful conversation about trusting your expertise, walking away when values no longer align, and building something that truly lasts.

Highlights:

(02:23) Leaving a secure senior role with no safety net

(05:19) Early experiences of being dismissed at school

(11:38) Thriving, then questioning corporate life

(14:24) The leap into entrepreneurship and loss of identity

(19:39) Discovering neurodivergence and reclaiming confidence

(24:54) Reinventing again and stepping into bigger leadership

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

This conversation with David Horne is one of those episodes that stays with you. David is an award winning entrepreneur, founder of Add Then Multiply, and a former CFO who has raised over £120 million and bought or sold more than 30 companies.

He’s also a bestselling author and advocate for fairer funding, particularly for female and underrepresented founders. But this episode isn’t about titles or achievements, it’s about what happens when success falls apart and who you become on the other side of it.

David shares his journey from global corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the deep reckoning that followed a failed business, and the unexpected moments that helped him rebuild with more meaning, humility, and purpose.

This episode is about resilience, starting again when things fall apart, and trusting that there is still something worth moving towards.

Highlights:

(02:06) How early travel sparked a lifelong pull towards reinvention

(06:58) Failing a defining exam and learning how to recover

(11:27) Moving countries and rebuilding identity from scratch

(16:35) Burnout, corporate collapse, and walking away

(19:01) Losing everything, denial, and a spiritual awakening

(27:33) Why becoming an author can change everything

Connect with David:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-horne/

https://www.facebook.com/david.horne.967

https://x.com/David_B_Horne

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/