In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by Rani Patel, for a profoundly moving conversation about loss, leadership and the journey of self-discovery through spirituality and creativity.

Rani shares her thoughts on life and purpose, believing that creation is a spiritual act, that the business of advertising, at its best, is the art of manifesting the nebulous into matter. Together, they explore intuition, dreams and the unseen forces that guide us, as Rani reflects on the recent loss of her stepfather and the ways grief reshapes both our inner and creative worlds.

Former co-founder of The Calling and now Brand and Business Partner at Creator Lab at Adam & Eve DDB, Rani is a pivotal and deeply respected voice within the network. We are honoured to welcome her singular vision, wisdom and vulnerability to the emPOWER series.

The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 – Dreams - Gabrielle

Track 2 – No Matter What They Say - Lil Kim

Track 3 – So Far To Go - J Dilla, Common, D’Angelo

Track 4 – Mystic Brew - Ronnie Foster

Track 5 – Ultra Beam - Sunday Service Choir

The emPOWER Breakfast - Rani Patel Spotify Playlist

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Trigger Warning - This episodes discusses theme’s of Sexual Abuse

In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by Perry Power for a deeply thoughtful and courageous conversation about breaking generational silence, storytelling and the role of emotional honesty in healing.

An actor and entrepreneur, Perry speaks openly about his work as founder of the Be Powerful movement, supporting survivors of sexual abuse to reclaim their voices through writing, film and community. He reflects on why men’s stories are still so often unheard, the impact of silence on identity and wellbeing, and the responsibility we all share in creating safer, more compassionate spaces for truth to be spoken.

Together, Athene and Perry explore how storytelling can become a powerful path to recovery, how vulnerability reshapes ideas of strength and leadership, and why emotionally intelligent conversations are essential both at work and at home. The episode touches on masculinity, creativity, care and the quiet courage it takes to show up authentically, even when it feels uncomfortable.

He wanted to give you his free guide to writing your story so click and download and start to explore your own story in a safe space.

Perry has also written two books with a third on the way:

Breaking The Silence and his second book Story Medicine is coming out soon!

Perry is fundraising for his film ‘It Ends With Me’ so if you would like details please click here.

The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 – Grease - Frankie Valli

Track 2 – Thinkin Bout Me - Morgan Wallen

Track 3 – An American Trilogy - Elvis Presley

Track 4 – Gonna Fly Now - Theme from Rocky

Track 5 – If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley

The emPOWER Breakfast - Perry Power Spotify Playlist

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In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by broadcast journalist Jennifer Bartram for a powerful and honest conversation about resilience, confidence and navigating the impact of early personal loss, growing up onscreen and navigating online abuse.

With more than twenty years on screen at the BBC, Jen reflects on a career shaped by storytelling and public connection. She also speaks candidly about the emotional toll of being targeted online, the knock to confidence that followed, and the intentional determination it took to rebuild a sense of safety and self.

Together, Athene and Jen explore how we hold space for ourselves in challenging moments, how confidence can be reclaimed after adversity, and why clear communication remains such a vital tool in every setting, from the studio to everyday life. Jen also shares practical strategies for reducing digital overwhelm, grounding in real-life connection and supporting our own wellbeing in an always-on world.

The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 – Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the Dark

Track 2 – Smokey Robinson - Tears of A Clown

Track 3 – Radiohead - No Surprises

Track 4 – Katy Perry - Raw

Track 5 – Primal Scream - Moving On Up

The emPOWER Breakfast - Jennifer Bartram Spotify Playlist

Jen talked about a wonderful supportive Facebook community called Adults Bereaved As Children. A place where she has found empathy and support around her feelings of grief losing her father aged 16.

For people with teens interested to read how social media is affecting young people Jen recommended The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.

Jen also offered practical ideas for creating healthier boundaries with technology, from grounding ourselves offline to removing the visual prompts that drive habitual scrolling.

Jen’s Digital Wellbeing Tip: Turning on Greyscale (iPhone):

Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Colour Filters → switch ON → select Greyscale

To add a quick shortcut:

Settings → Accessibility → Accessibility Shortcut → select Colour Filters

Triple-click the side button to toggle greyscale instantly.

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In this episode, Athene Parker speaks with James Hayhurst, founder of the Positive Parenting Alliance and the driving force behind The Parents Promise.

James joined us for a deeply moving and insightful emPOWERMENt conversation that explored the power of compassion, courage and vulnerability in leadership and life. Drawing on his own personal journey, James shared how he transformed a profoundly difficult family experience into a movement that supports parents navigating separation with empathy and understanding.

Together, Athene and James discuss the importance of building compassionate workplace cultures, the role of employers in recognising major life events such as separation, and how these moments ripple through families and professional lives alike. They also reflected on their shared experiences as parent carers to non-speaking autistic children, opening up an honest dialogue around care, communication and the unseen challenges faced by many families.

The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 – Queen - Radio Gaga

Track 2 – Stormy Clouds - The Verve

Track 3 – Heart and Soul - David Gray

Track 4 – Fever to the Form - Nick Mulvey

Track 5 – When I Close My Eyes - Benjamin Amaru

The emPOWER Breakfast - James Hayhurst Spotify Playlist

For those who’d like to explore the themes discussed in more depth, you can find resources and insights from the session in our accompanying PDF guide.

You can also learn more about The Parents Promise and how to introduce its principles in your workplace here:

www.theparentspromise.org.uk

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For this episode, Athene Parker speaks to Rebecca Rowntree, Creative Consultant, AI Creative Technologist & Film Director and founder of the Get Sh*t Done community.

Rebecca’s Creative Directing career spans bold campaigns, beautifully crafted films and a passion for celebrating real stories that challenge the status quo. Through her work, she continues to open up space for creative voices to be heard and supported.

In this honest and energising conversation, Rebecca talks about the messy, brilliant and very human sides of doing the work: the pivots, the doubts and the hard-earned wins. She shares her insights on navigating leadership as a freelancer, building a life and career on your own terms, and finding strength in moments of uncertainty.

A reminder that being authentic is not something to fix, but a powerful place from which creativity, courage and growth can flourish.

The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 – Assassin De La Police – Cut Killer (from La Haine)

Track 2 – Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien – Édith Piaf

Track 3 – Coconut Mall – Mario Kart Wii Soundtrack

Track 4 – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli

Track 5 – I Am the Greatest – Spinifex Gum x Marliya Choir

The emPOWER Breakfast - Rebecca Rowntree Spotify Playlist

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Series 2 Episode 3 Summary:

For this episode, Athene Parker talks to emPOWER’s inaugural emPOWERMENt guest speaker, Barny Wright, CEO and Partner of No.8 London.

Back in April, Barny joined us to launch our very first emPOWERMENt event, an open space for men in our industry to share their own challenges and journeys.

In this conversation, Barny opens up with striking honesty about his path through addiction, recovery, and astonishing professional success. He talks candidly about the pressures that can come with working in the advertising industry, the grief of the loss of his nephew, and his unwavering commitment to sobriety. What shines through is his ability to blend humour, vulnerability, and courage, offering hope and perspective to anyone navigating life’s tougher moments.

The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Track 1 – Don’t You Want Me - Hooj Mix - Felix

Track 2 – Prayer - Prospa

Track 3 – White Lines - Grandmaster Flash

Track 4 – Starfish and Coffee - Prince

Track 5 – Wildfires - Sault

The emPOWER Breakfast – Barny Wright Spotify Playlist

We asked Barny what helped him stay on track and here are a few of the books that he turned to to help him get through his experience of not only addiction, but also the grief of losing his nephew.

Addiction:

The Ongoing Path by Mark Dempster

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Running (running is Barny’s ‘goto’ to maintain mental wellness and resolve):

Born to Run (McDougall book)

Grief:

A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney

We also thought these links might be helpful resources.

NA - Narcotics Anonymous

AA - Alcoholics Anonymous

Mind

Remember, If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction please source support. Unmasking and reaching out to your community for help and advice will make you feel better than you think. If someone you know is struggling and it is impacting you, the first thing you must do is support yourself. You don’t have to do this alone.

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Series 2 Episode 2 Summary:

Athene Parker talks to the indomitable Melissa Robertson, CEO, Director of Menopause Mandate and Director of the Women’s Sports Trust. In a refreshingly frank conversation about Melissa’s experience of peri menopause and how she managed debilitating symptoms while CEO at Dark Horses, where she also wrote an open source menopause policy later adapted by Menopause Mandate.

Melissa takes us through defining and challenging moments of her impressive career and we get a glimpse of the fearless, entrepreneurial schoolgirl Melissa once was. The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Tracks:

1. Oliver’s Army – Elvis Costello
2. Days Like This – Van Morrison
3. Sisyphus – Andrew Bird
4. Rise – Gabrielle
5. Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman

The emPOWER Breakfast – Melissa Robertson Spotify Playlist

Melissa is a Director of Menopause Mandate, a movement founded by Mariella Frostrup to push for policy change for women in peri menopause and menopause in both workplaces and GP surgeries. Here is Melissa’s open source Menopause Policy, written while CEO at Dark Horses.

Did anyone mention Menopause: It's a Right Laugh!? A one off show with an all female line up of top comedy, introduced by MM chair Mariella Frostrup and compéred by the one and only Davina. Menopause Mandate are looking for a sponsor to cover artist costs so that we can get this CORKER on air. If that sponsor could be YOU then click here.

The emPOWER Breakfast created a giveaway PDF with tips, information and testimonials from members for Melissa’s talk which we wanted to share with you.

Lifestyle & Symptom Management:

Nutrition: Manage symptoms by eating phytoestrogen-rich foods (soy, flaxseed, legumes), a balanced diet with extra protein, and reducing sugar and refined carbs. Stay hydrated.

Exercise: Focus on weight-bearing and strength training, yoga, walking. High cardio can increase cortisol in peri menopause.

Sleep: Practise good sleep hygiene and mindfulness before bed.

Stress: Meditation, breathing exercises, journaling.

British Menopause Society: Guidance on symptom management and treatment options.

HRT options:

Progesterone – Tablets (can be used as pessaries if you react to progesterone)

Estrogen – Gel or patches

Testosterone – Access Androfemme via the Newson Clinic, or ask your GP for male testosterone in the UK.

Quick fact: During peak fertile years your ovaries make more testosterone than estrogen so don’t take no for an answer if you feel it could help.

Holistic methods: nutrition, meditation, breathwork and practitioner-led support.

For some, HRT is life changing when physical and emotional symptoms impact mental health. Every woman should have the right to choose what works for her. Connecting with communities, therapists or menopause specialists can provide practical tips and emotional support.

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Series 2 Episode 1 Summary:

For this episode, Athene Parker talks to emPOWER’s first guest speaker of 2025, the INCREDIBLE Sally Miller, in a moving and profoundly human conversation.

Today, Sally celebrates her 50th birthday, offering a moment to reflect on a life and career marked by strength, humour and compassion. She speaks candidly about caring for her mother, who is living with advanced dementia, sharing the daily realities of family caregiving that so many face but few discuss openly.

Sally also takes us through some of the most defining and challenging moments of her life while building a remarkable career in advertising and media. From navigating grief and loss to finding resilience and joy, her story shows the power of vulnerability, empathy and connection in leadership and beyond.

The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Tracks:

1. Bow Wow Wow - Go Wild In The Country
2. Sex Pistols - Who Killed Bambi
3. Ludovico Einaudi - The Earth Prelude
4. Stevie Wonder - Isn’t She Lovely
5. Snatam Kaur - Long Time Sun

The emPOWER Breakfast - Sally Miller Spotify Playlist

We asked Sally to share some of her go-to resources that bring her knowledge and comfort. Take a look below.

Resources/Links:

Gabby Bernstein Instagram

Audible Books:

Manifest by Rosie Nafousi

The Goddess Path by Kirsty Gallagher

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

Dare I Say It by Naomi Watts

This is Dyslexia by Kate Griggs

Menopausing by Davina McCall & Dr Naomi Potter

Am I Enough: Mark Your Mirror & Change Your Life by Marisa Peer

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish

My Dyslexia by Philip Schultz

Living from a Place of Surrender by Michael A. Singer

The Mindful Body by Ellen Langer

Alchemy by Rory Sutherland

Oh, Miriam! by Miriam Margolyes

Happy Mind, Happy Life by Dr Rangan Chatterjee

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