What role does your wardrobe really play in your leadership journey? In this eye-opening episode of Your Permission to Pause, host Jo Cowlin sits down with Clare Chambers, The Personal Brand Stylist, for an honest, insightful conversation about how female leaders can harness image and style as powerful tools without abandoning sustainability, authenticity, or themselves.

Drawing from Clare’s fascinating career from celebrity stylist for red-carpet icons to empowering high-profile women in business they unpack why visual congruence matters more than ever, how fashion differs from image, and why what you wear silently sets the tone before you even speak.

You'll hear practical ways to align your wardrobe with your evolving professional identity, create a “five-word style manifesto,” and sidestep common mistakes even the most seasoned leaders make.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 What are your clothes communicating now?

03:00 Clare’s journey from celebrity makeovers to empowering real women in business

06:20 Visual brand: More than “looking nice”using style as a strategic tool

09:45 Outgrowing your wardrobe, but not your image

13:00 How to define how you want to show up

18:30 Capsule wardrobes, uniforms, and the myth of decision fatigue

22:30 Why staying “current” gives you business currency

27:00 One-dimensional dressing vs. showing your multifaceted personality

32:00 How image unlocked new doors for a tech CEO

39:12 A three-step starter plan for leaders stepping into new roles

43:23 Clare’s Number one piece of advice about style & success.

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

About Clare Chambers:

Clare Chambers, known as The Personal Brand Stylist, has over 18 years of experience helping women and celebrities alike develop their unique signature style. Clare has worked with high-profile clients like Sienna Miller, Naomi Campbell, and Mariah Carey, bringing her unique expertise to help them create authentic, powerful wardrobes that align with their personal brands. With a career that spans Glamour...

How do you lead authentically and succeed in a rapidly changing, male-dominated sector without losing sight of your wellbeing or identity? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by Chief Data Officer Kinnari Ladha for a refreshingly honest, encouraging conversation about leadership, diversity, and the evolving world of data.

They discuss the value of curiosity, letting go of perfectionism, how to navigate setbacks as fuel for growth, and the importance of making yourself visible as a female leader in tech. You’ll also hear practical advice for ambitious women and insights into how AI is reshaping the future of work.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Intro: Kinnari’s journey to Chief Data Officer

04:23 Career paths are often unstructured

06:53 Transitioning to senior leadership is challenging

11:13 Leadership and parenting requires reflection, and avoiding comparison

17:51 Building confidence in public speaking

21:34 Life can't always be planned; sometimes you have to take risks

25:32 Take action now; don't overthink or wait for confidence.

28:15 Overcoming "good girl" conditioning and making bold decisions

32:28 Getting a leadership coach helped Kinnari address feedback

36:08 Effective feedback requires receiving and responding well

41:08 AI is reshaping roles, leadership is evolving, and data work is crucial.

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

About Kinnari Ladhi:

Kinnari Ladhi has spent over 20 years building a career in data and analytics and is currently Chief Data Officer at Travelodge. She is a senior executive leader who operates at board level, but her journey hasn’t been linear or without self-doubt - something she speaks openly about.

Kinnari has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including being named one of the most influential leaders in the...

Why does money cause so much tension with others and within ourselves? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by highly experienced financial planner and NLP coach Warren Shute for an honest, relatable conversation about the emotional side of money.

Forget strict budgets and financial guilt. This episode is full of laughter, real-life stories, and practical insights to help you get financially organised in a way that truly works for you. You’ll explore how money is less about numbers and more about beliefs, values, and behaviour and learn simple strategies you can actually stick to.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Warren Shute, a financial planner with 31 years of experience

03:15 Belief over strategy is key

10:05 Save 15%, automate finances, and simplify money management

14:50 Clarify personal definitions of financial security

21:02 Teaching kids life lessons about money

24:33 Finding financial balance and freedom

31:53 Consider financial decisions carefully

37:20 Women often claim they're not good with money, but they may be better investors and more process-focused than men

41:32 Seek reliable sources, avoid sensational media, and take action

43:09 Regular communication with clients and financial clarity

49:21 Organising financials, reviewing investments, and planning.

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

About Warren Shute MSc., CFP™ FPFS, Chartered FCSI:

Warren Shute began his career in financial services in 1995 at just 21 years old. At the same time, he trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and coaching - combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of human behaviour. This unique blend has fuelled his passion for both his profession and helping people ever since.

Today, Warren is a Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, a Master Practitioner and trainer of NLP, and a Certified Coach. He is also the Managing Director of Lexington Wealth Management, widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading financial planning firms.

He is also a passionate advocate...

How many New Year’s resolutions have you made, only to see them fizzle out before February? In this uplifting episode, host Jo Cowlin offers a refreshing antidote to the traditional “New Year, New You” rhetoric. Instead of big, daunting goals, she delivers a story straight from her living room: a tale of her determined cockapoo Jack. A formerly forbidden door, and how pure persistence unlocked surprising lessons about growth, well-being, and our brains’ capacity to adapt at any age or stage.

With humour, honesty, and practical inspiration, Jo connects the dots between neuroscience, motivation, and everyday barriers revealing why you’re never too “established,” “old,” or “set in your ways” to learn, pivot, or change. You’ll uncover the myth of being stuck, and learn how even small experiments, patience, and persistence are the real keys to transformation.

Feeling skeptical or stuck this January? This episode is your permission slip to embrace small changes, celebrate progress, and rediscover your capacity not just in work, but in life.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Intro: Why big New Year speeches don’t work and what Jack the Cockapoo taught instead

01:22 The mystery of the opening door and the forbidden sofa

03:27 Jack’s door-opening breakthrough

06:08 Why “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is a myth

09:07 Neuroplasticity explained: Your brain can change at any age

11:10 How persistence, repetition, and small steps rewire your potential

13:21 The real barrier is the story you tell yourself

15:32 Six actionable steps to embrace growth (and how to identify your “door handle” goal)

18:52 Why repetition beats motivation every time

21:30 Celebrate the small wins and embrace discomfort

22:52 No one is a finished product, and you’re not too late for change

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn:

Are meetings filling up your days but draining your energy? In this episode, host Jo Cowlin uncovers the uncomfortable truth about meeting overload in today’s workplace and why it’s undermining productivity, well-being, and business results.

Drawing on research, lived experience, and her work with driven female leaders, Jo Cowlin breaks down the real (and hidden) costs of poor meeting culture, from burnout and disengagement to billions lost in ineffective practices. But it’s not all doom and gloom Jo shares practical, actionable steps to help leaders reclaim their time, recharge their teams, and turn meetings into energising, purposeful collaboration.

If your calendar looks like an endless wall of meetings, this episode will help you rethink scheduling meetings, protect your most valuable focus time, and create a lasting culture of well-being and impact.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Intro: Meetings are wearing us down, but there’s hope

01:21 Back-to-back meetings are sabotaging goals

02:25 Meeting overload crisis: Research and lived experience

03:42 People spend 23 hours a week in meetings

05:18 The human cost, burnout, low energy, and disengagement

08:15 76% feel drained after a day of meetings and what that really means

09:18 People now do “actual work” after hours

09:29 How back-to-back meetings hurt productivity

11:03 Unproductive meetings cost UK businesses billions a year

11:55 Ripple effects: Delayed decisions, duplication, retention risk

13:28 Challenging the productivity myth

15:27 Rethinking meetings: They should recharge, not drain

16:20 Five actions to tackle meeting overload starting now

Actions you can take now:

• Do a meeting audit: Does this meeting even matter?
• Eliminate back-to-back meetings; build buffer time
• Create meeting-free zones/focus days
• Redesign meeting structure: clear purpose, pre-reads, accountability, energy checks

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

Produced by

Have you ever left a meeting wondering if you truly heard every voice? In this episode, host Jo Cowlin takes a fresh look at meetings, challenging us to rethink how they’re run and their impact on diversity and inclusion.

Jo explores why traditional meeting formats often exclude certain cognitive styles and how this can undermine all those DE&I efforts we’re so proud of. Through relatable examples and actionable advice, she shines a light on the neuroscience behind participation and introduces practical strategies to make meetings more neuro inclusive.

From integrating movement and allowing for different processing times to designing environments that support optimal thinking, Jo shares clear steps leaders can take to unlock the full potential of every team member. If you’re ready to transform how your organisation collaborates and harnesses the brilliance of every brain in the room, this episode is packed with insights and ideas to get you started.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Meeting formats often fail to include everyone's input

05:19 Over half your team may be excluded in meetings due to diverse cognitive styles

06:36 Psychological safety enables optimal brain function

09:59 Simplify meetings by sharing pre-reads, allowing 60 seconds of thinking time, and offering multiple contribution methods.

14:19 Prepare participants with specific questions beforehand

18:15 Encouraging small group discussions before large groups

19:46 A seven-minute exercise enhances group input

24:50 Intentional practices help transition people to a calm, responsive state

26:10 Engage using diverse information channels

34:29 Commit to unlocking cognitive diversity in meetings.

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share!

Ever feel like your calendar is running you and meetings are draining the life (and creativity) out of your team? This week on Your Permission to Pause, Jo Cowlin gets real about tackling ‘death by meetings’ and shifting your workplace culture, so every meeting actually matters.

You’ll dive into the science behind why bad meetings do more than waste time, they impact your team’s nervous system, energy, and ability to do great work. Expect actionable strategies to create meetings where people feel valued, psychological safety is prioritised, and connection trumps just ticking off agenda points.

If you’re a leader who’s tired of endless video calls and wants their team to work smarter not harder, this episode delivers real steps you can use straight away.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Why your meeting culture is shaping your team more than you think

00:54 Too many meetings make your team feel exhausted, unproductive, and undervalued

02:03 The neuroscience of bad meetings (and why your brain holds back) 03:00 What happens when meetings dysregulate the nervous system

04:06 Five practical strategies for meetings that energise

10:43 How connection before content changes teamwork

12:24 Quick tactics for more inclusive, engaging meetings

13:36 Watch influence and ownership rise as meeting culture shifts

15:28 Audit your meetings and implement the 24-hour rule

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share! Your feedback helps us grow and bring you more uplifting content throughout autumn and beyond.

Do you ever find yourself thinking that showing vulnerability as a leader might make you look weak, or even unprofessional? You’re not alone. In this episode of Your Permission to Pause, Jo Cowlin explores the often-misunderstood power of vulnerability in leadership. She reframes the conversation, showing how authentic leadership doesn’t mean oversharing or losing boundaries, it means connecting as a whole, imperfect human.

Drawing on real-life stories from her work with executive teams, Jo reveals how a moment of genuine vulnerability from a CEO sparked trust, collaboration, and deeper engagement across the team. You’ll also hear practical guidance on questions leaders often wrestle with: How much vulnerability is appropriate? How can it strengthen psychological safety? And how can it boost team performance without compromising professionalism?

Make sure you listen for actionable insights, simple strategies, and a fresh perspective on leading with courage, authenticity, and humanity.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Introduction: vulnerability in leadership insights

05:32 The transformative power of authentic leadership

08:21 Encourage vulnerability to build trust and connection

14:06 Vulnerability in leadership: intent and growth

15:39 Embrace mistakes: they lead to growth

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share! Your feedback helps us grow and bring you more uplifting content throughout autumn and beyond.